Molding flask for a molding machine and a molding process using the molding flask

Abstract

A flask for containing mold sand within it prevents any mold shifting or mold dropping. Each of an upper flask 2 and a lower flask 3 includes a body that defines an opening in which a sand mold is to be molded. The body has at least one inlet 101 for introducing the mold sand into the opening. Two flanges 102 are extended from the body such that they are opposed to each other across the opening. Each flange has a through bore. The flask also includes engaging members for engaging an actuator in the outside of the flask such that a force or forces from said actuator could be transmitted to the flask. An upper flask 104 and a lower flask 105 are opposed to each other across a pattern plate 107. They are integrally assembled to make a flask unit by means of a pair of connecting rods 106 that are fitted in each bore.

1 . A flask for containing molding sand, comprising:
 a body that defines an opening in which a sand mold is to be molded, said body having an inlet for introducing said mold sand into said opening; and   a mounting member attached to said body for mounting said flask on a plurality of connecting arms that is adapted to integrally connect one flask to another flask such that the one flask and the other flask are opposed to, and spaced apart from, each other, while they are supported by said connecting arms.   
     
     
         2 . A flask as in  claim 1 , wherein said body or said mounting member has an engaging member for engaging an actuator outside of said flask such that a force or forces from said actuator can be transmitted to said flask. 
     
     
         3 . A flask as in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said mounting member is integrally molded to said body. 
     
     
         4 . A flask as in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said mounting member is formed to separate from said body and is mechanically attached to said body. 
     
     
         5 . A flask as in  claim 3 , wherein a pair of said flasks is formed as a flask unit. 
     
     
         6 . A flask as in  claim 5 , wherein the one flask of said flask unit has a form that is the same as that of the other flask of said flask unit. 
     
     
         7 . A flask as in  claim 5 , wherein the one flask of said flask unit has a form that differs from that of the other flask of said flask unit. 
     
     
         8 . A flask as in  claim 6 , wherein said flask unit has a pair of said connecting arms that are connected to said pair of said flasks by said mounting members. 
     
     
         9 . A flask as in  claim 8 , wherein said flask unit has a pattern plate that can be grasped between said pair of said flasks, wherein said pattern plate has a pattern on at least one surface. 
     
     
         10 . A flask as in  claim 9 , wherein each flask includes a pair of said mounting members that are opposed to each other across said opening and are outwardly projected from each flask, wherein each mounting member has an aperture to be positioned where one aperture of said one flask is aligned with the corresponding aperture of said other flask, when said one flask and said other flask overlap and are aligned with each other. 
     
     
         11 . A flask as in  claim 10 , wherein each connecting arm of said flask unit is slidingly fitted into the corresponding apertures. 
     
     
         12 . A flask as in  claim 11 , wherein said pattern plate is a match plate that has patterns on both its surfaces, and wherein said flask unit is to be incorporated in a flaskless molding machine that has a pair of pressing members for pressing said molding sand. 
     
     
         13 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A flask as in  claim 11 , wherein said flask unit is to be incorporated in a flask-molding machine that has an upper pressing member and a lower pressing member for pressing said molding sand. 
     
     
         29 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A flask as in  claim 7 , wherein said flask unit has a pair of said connecting arms that are connected to said pair of said flasks by said mounting members. 
     
     
         33 . A flask as in  claim 32 , wherein said flask unit has a pattern plate that can be grasped between said pair of said flasks, wherein said pattern plate has a pattern on at least one surface. 
     
     
         34 . A flask as in  claim 33 , wherein each flask includes a pair of said mounting members that are opposed to each other across said opening and are outwardly projected from each flask, wherein each mounting member has an aperture to be positioned where one aperture of said one flask is aligned with the corresponding aperture of said other flask, when said one flask and said other flask overlap and are aligned with each other. 
     
     
         35 . A flask as in  claim 34 , wherein each connecting arm of said flask unit is slidingly fitted into the corresponding apertures. 
     
     
         36 . A flask as in  claim 35 , wherein said pattern plate is a match plate that has patterns on both its surfaces, and wherein said flask unit is to be incorporated in a flaskless molding machine that has a pair of pressing members for pressing said molding sand.