A midsole molding apparatus which enables production of a high-quality midsole is provided. The apparatus includes a through hole, which passes laterally through a midsole used for a shoe, to be integrally formed, preventing traces of forming the through hole from being left in the through hole and on the periphery of the through hole and a shaft mold crossing the inner space of upper and lower molds, forming extending portions such that the ends of the shaft mold extend beyond the boundary of the inner space, and seating the extending portions in press recesses of the upper and lower molds to seal the insides of the molds so as to prevent raw material from leaking from inside the molds when foaming and forming a midsole, to prevent parting lines and burrs from forming on the inner surface of the through hole passing laterally through the midsole.

A midsole molding apparatus which enables production of a high-quality midsole is provided. The apparatus includes a through hole, which passes laterally through a midsole used for a shoe, to be integrally formed, preventing traces of forming the through hole from being left in the through hole and on the periphery of the through hole and a shaft mold crossing the inner space of upper and lower molds, forming extending portions such that the ends of the shaft mold extend beyond the boundary of the inner space, and seating the extending portions in press recesses of the upper and lower molds to seal the insides of the molds so as to prevent raw material from leaking from inside the molds when foaming and forming a midsole, to prevent parting lines and burrs from forming on the inner surface of the through hole passing laterally through the midsole.

A compression molding device, which can obtain a high compression molding force without lowering the efficiency of article production, and whose molding means has a long service life, is provided. In the compression molding device, a one-side mold assembly moving means (58) includes a toggle link mechanism including two links (62) and (64), and a toggle link mechanism operating means (60), while an opposite-side mold assembly moving means (108) includes a hydraulic cylinder mechanism. When a one-side mold assembly (16) and an opposite-side mold assembly (18) are to be brought from an open state into a closed state, the one-side mold assembly (16) is first moved to a nearly closed state by the one-side mold assembly moving means (58), and then the opposite-side mold assembly (18) is moved from the nearly closed state to the closed state by the opposite-side mold assembly moving means (108).

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a clamp assembly that includes: a first base and a second base; and a mold operational to be clamped between the first base and the second base. The clamp assembly is operational to stretch and compress the clamped mold without movement of the first base and the second base. For instance, each of the first base and the second base may include a plurality of apertures with pegs that are associated with the mold, where the pegs are operational for stretching and compressing the mold through adjustment. Further embodiments pertain to methods of moving a mold by utilizing the clamp assemblies of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a clamp assembly that includes: a first base and a second base; and a mold operational to be clamped between the first base and the second base. The clamp assembly is operational to stretch and compress the clamped mold without movement of the first base and the second base. For instance, each of the first base and the second base may include a plurality of apertures with pegs that are associated with the mold, where the pegs are operational for stretching and compressing the mold through adjustment. Further embodiments pertain to methods of moving a mold by utilizing the clamp assemblies of the present disclosure.

Provided are a mold allowing smooth removal of a molded article therefrom without deforming the molded article, and a method of producing the molded article using the mold. The mold includes a first mold piece (A), a second mold piece (B), and a plurality of third mold pieces (C). One of the first mold piece (A) and the second mold piece (B) has a protrusion cavity surface (2f) that protrudes toward the third mold piece (C) from a mating surface (1a) to contact with the third mold piece (C) and shapes an external profile of the molded article (Ma) together with a cavity surface (3f) of the third mold piece (C) when the mold pieces are clamped with each other.

A system and method for forming an item from a material, which may include elongated fibers and/or stretched broken fibers. The material is placed on a first clamping portion, which is placed on a fixture. A second clamping portion is placed against the material and the first clamping portion and secured together, forming a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is removed from the fixture and placed on a first die portion, having a first profile. A second die portion is also provided, having a second profile. In forming the item, at least one of the first die portion and the second die portion are moved toward each other such that a second surface of the first die portion and a first surface of the second die portion contact and form the material into the item generally replicating the first profile and the second profile.

A system and method for forming an item from a material, which may include elongated fibers and/or stretched broken fibers. The material is placed on a first clamping portion, which is placed on a fixture. A second clamping portion is placed against the material and the first clamping portion and secured together, forming a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is removed from the fixture and placed on a first die portion, having a first profile. A second die portion is also provided, having a second profile. In forming the item, at least one of the first die portion and the second die portion are moved toward each other such that a second surface of the first die portion and a first surface of the second die portion contact and form the material into the item generally replicating the first profile and the second profile.

A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.

A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.