Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus, method and sealing means for liquid urethane reaction mixture injection molding of a composite styled metal and plastic vehicle wheel wherein a metal wheel subassembly serves as a preform between the separable mold parts in the mold apparatus and which is united with the plastic body molding material to form the composite wheel. One of the mold parts has a mold cavity surface operable in mold closed condition to define with the outboard face of the wheel subassembly a mold cavity adapted to provide an ornamental configuration for an outboard face of the plastic body of the composite wheel. A gas permeable and liquid infiltratable mold sealing membrane has a first portion thereof communicating with ambient atmosphere externally of the mold cavity and a second portion thereof communicating with the mold cavity. The membrane is made of fabric material comprising random fibers, calendered into sheet form and selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon coated polyethylene, and Teflon coated polypropylene fibers. The membrane has a gas permeability ranging between about one to twenty cubic feet of air per minute, and more particularly between about one to four cubic feet of air per minute. The membrane fabric material consists of fibers processed into coherent sheet form having a thickness ranging between about 0.01 inches to about 0.10 inches and having a weight in the order of about 15 ounces per square yard, and is heat seared on at least the side thereof juxtaposed to the mold cavity. The mold sealing membrane is operable to provide flow-through limited venting of gases from the mold cavity to ambient until the membrane seal is clogged by liquid reaction molding material infiltrate therein.

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First Claim