| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a coated molded article ( 59 ) by means of in-mold coating. The method involves the use of a mold apparatus ( 1 ) that includes a rotatable core ( 29 ) having at least one molding surface ( 32, 35 ), a first die ( 11 ) and a second die ( 17 ) each having an internal surface ( 14, 20 ) and each of which are reversibly engageable with the rotatable core. The second die ( 17 ) has a reversibly slidable portion ( 23 ) having an internal surface ( 26 ) that defines substantially the internal surface ( 20 ) of the second die ( 17 ). The internal surface ( 14 ) of the first die ( 11 ) and a molding surface ( 32 ) of the rotatable core together define a first mold cavity ( 38 ) in which a molded plastic article ( 44 ) is formed. The mold apparatus is opened, the core ( 29 ) is rotated to align the molded plastic article ( 44 ) with the internal surface ( 20 ) of the second die ( 17 ). The second die ( 17 ) is engaged with the rotatable core ( 29 ), and an intermediate second mold cavity ( 53 ) is formed, into which a coating composition ( 56 ) is introduced. The reversibly slidable portion ( 23 ) of the second die ( 17 ) is moved towards the rotatable core ( 29 ), thus reducing the volume of the intermediate second mold cavity ( 53 ) and causing the coating composition ( 56 ) introduced therein to spread over the first surface ( 50 ) of the molded plastic article ( 44 ). The mold apparatus ( 1 ) is opened and a coated molded article ( 59 ) is removed from the rotatable core ( 29 ). The present invention also relates to a mold apparatus ( 1 ). |