Undercut Patents (Class 425/DIG58)
  • Patent number: 6126429
    Abstract: A position sensing switch combined with a slide retainer for injection molds of the type having at least a portion of the molding cavity formed in slides which are slidingly mounted on one of a pair of mold halves such that the slides advance between open and closed positions laterally relative to the mold halves as the mold halves are similarly advanced between open and closed positions. The slide retainer comprises a locking member, such as a spring loaded plunger secured on the slide, and a receiver, such as a detent formed on a slide plate of the mold half to which the slide is slidably connected. The detent is formed in a cover plate extending over a cavity extending into the slide plate and in which the switch is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Burger Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Burger, Wayne A. Priest, David L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6123539
    Abstract: A die assembly apparatus is provided with a plurality of die segments that move on guides from open to closed positions. Movement from the open to the closed positions for each die segment is along the path that extends inward toward a central axis and toward a base plate. A compression member provides a retaining force along the central axis to compress the die segments between limited surface areas at the top and bottom portions of the die segments. Molten wax is injected into an injection port so that the molten wax is first introduced into the die cavity at the bottom portion of the die cavity. Hydraulic actuators are used to move the die segments from the open to the closed positions and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel T. Miller
  • Patent number: 6123505
    Abstract: A stator for a hydrodynamic torque converter which is produced by injection molding with axially drawn dies. The stator hub has stator blades produced by use of a thermoplastic material to fill the dies in the injection molding process. The stator blades are positioned relative to one another on the stator hub in such a way that the flow outlet of every stator blade is arranged at an offset of only the width of a gap relative to the flow inlet of the subsequent stator blade in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Uwe Dehrmann
  • Patent number: 6116891
    Abstract: A side-action mechanism is provided for forming recesses or apertures in injection molded plastic parts and which includes a slide carrier and a driver actuator therefor which are part of a modular side-action cam unit that can be attached entirely into one mold half, e.g., the core half, so as to avoid having to machine and customize the other mold half or cavity half as with prior side-action devices. In addition, the modular side-action cam unit provides a driving surface that is preferably flat which engages the bottom flat of the cavity half to obviate the alignment problems which can occur in the prior angled cam pin side-action mechanisms. The present modular cam unit is a small unit and does not take as long to install into the mold as the prior side-action cam mechanisms which required installing parts in both the cavity and core halves of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Progressive Components International Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn Starkey
  • Patent number: 6109908
    Abstract: In an auto-lock slide fastener slider composed of four members, i.e., a slider body, a pull tab, a locking and a cover, the slider body has front and rear resilient cover-attachment projections extending from an upper wing and terminating respectively in outwardly directed hooks while the cover is made of thermoplastic resin and has on respective inner edges of front and rear end walls corresponding inwardly directed hook portions resiliently engaged with the hooks of the cover-attachment projections. The cover can be attached to the slider body simply in a single snap action. Since all parts of the attaching mechanism are concealed by the cover, the resulting slider is neat in appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hideshi Ikehara, Ryoji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6099785
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and method of injection molding a closure having projections extending inwardly from a skirt of the closure includes a plurality of slides for movement obliquely with respect to an inner mold core. A ring contacts the closure and surrounds the slides. Movement of the ring relative to the mold core results in the movement of the closure which moves the slides to disengage recesses on the slides. The recesses are used to form the projections on the closure. The ring contacts the closure and advances the closure away from the mold core. The projections seated within the recesses on the slides move the slides obliquely relative to the mold core and ultimately disengage the recesses from the projections thereby releasing the closure from the mold. The movement of the slides is independent from the movement of the ring so that complicated mechanisms for movement of the slides are not required according to this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventors: Lothar Schweigert, Ui Hwan O
  • Patent number: 6096257
    Abstract: A connector including a housing which includes terminal receiving grooves in which metal terminals are inserted and received, respectively, from one insertion opening, an upper wall closing upper sides of the terminal receiving grooves, and retaining holes formed in the upper wall in such a manner that the inside and outside of each terminal receiving groove communicate with each other through the associated retaining hole, and a flexible retaining arm, formed on and projecting from the metal terminal, is retainingly engaged in the retaining hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Okabe, Kouichi Shirouzu
  • Patent number: 6093015
    Abstract: A mold core positioning device includes a cam member carried by a first mold segment that is configured to engage a cam follower carried by a second, cooperating mold segment. The cam follower is provided on a core slide to which an outwardly extending core member, such as a core pin, is connected. The core slide is movable toward and away from a mold cavity to move the core pin into and out of a position within the mold cavity. The cam member includes an extension cam surface and a withdrawal cam surface. The withdrawal cam surface includes a breakaway cam surface that causes slow retraction of the core pin relative to the molded part, and a retraction cam surface that causes more rapid withdrawal of the core slide and core pin after the core pin has been initially separated from the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: D-M-E Company
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Navarre
  • Patent number: 6086812
    Abstract: A multiple hole, preferably a two hole spray dispensing system and sprayer in which colliding streams of viscous liquid are dispensed to the atmosphere are provided. The spray dispenser includes a reservoir for storing a fluid product. An aerosol or manually pressurized dispensing system preferably a hand held dispensing system may be used. Liquid is delivered from the reservoir under pressure to a delivery passageway. A nozzle having two or more outlets to the atmosphere is mounted to the delivery passageway to provide colliding streams of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Par-Way Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Crampton, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 6079973
    Abstract: Apparatus for molding plastic caps having inclined tabs integral with the lower edge of the cap skirt and radially inwardly extending ribs integral with the inner surface of the cap skirt. The tabs and ribs are formed by a plurality of blades having recesses on the ends thereof corresponding to the configurations of the tabs and ribs. The blades are mounted on a core and extend into a female mold having a cup-shaped cavity. A linear drive member is mounted on a fixed plate assembly and connected to a ratchet sleeve rotatably mounted on a movable plate assembly. The end of the ratchet sleeve is provided with circumferentially spaced teeth engaging the lower peripheral edge of the cap skirt. Movement of the movable plate assembly relative to the fixed plate assembly causes the ratchet sleeve to rotate to move the molded tabs and ribs away from the recesses of the blades so that the finished cap can be stripped from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Comar, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Manera, Frank Maatje, Arnold Zingler, Dan Lakutis, Richard A. Lappine, Don Horner
  • Patent number: 6077471
    Abstract: A mold for forming a container is provided with an upper die, a lower die, a first semi-cylindrically shaped collar and a second semi-cylindrically shaped collar. The upper die includes a downwardly-depending central core portion which cooperates with a concentric annular lip portion and spaced outwardly from the central core portion defining a groove therebetween sized to provide a continuous neck finish on the container. The lower die is provided with a core-receiving pocket sized to receive the central core portion of the upper die. The first and second collars are disposed in abutting relation and are provided with mating surfaces having thread grooves to form a thread region of the container neck, the first and second collars being sandwiched between the upper and lower dies in a use condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Rexam Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Gary V. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6071111
    Abstract: A mold assembly for forming a lens blank which gives a contact lens includes an upper and a lower mold half which cooperate with each other to define a substantially fluid-tight mold cavity when the two halves are assembled together. The mold cavity is filled with a monomer liquid which is polymerized to provide the lens blank that is to be subjected to a cutting operation for forming a base and a front curved surface of the contact lens. The upper mold half includes a flexible thin-walled portion which has a downwardly convex shape and which partially defines the mold cavity. The thin-walled portion is deformable to absorb expansion or shrinkage of the monomer liquid during polymerization thereof in the mold cavity. The lower mold half includes a base portion at which the lower mold half is clamped by a chuck of a lathe during the cutting operation. A mold portion of the lower mold half has a molding surface which is provided with a recess or protrusion for holding the lens blank on the lower mold half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Doke, Yasuhiro Yokoyama, Kunio Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6039558
    Abstract: A mold for molding plastic products includes a fixing plate and a moving plate which is movable toward and away from the fixing plate. The fixing plate and the moving plate include respective cavity-forming portions which form a cavity into which a melted plastic is injected so as to form a molded product. A plurality of molding pins is provided having prominence-depression portions positionable in the cavity for forming undercut portions in the molded product, the molding pins being slidable through the moving plate by an eject plate. The molding pins pass obliquely through the moving plate so that as they slide therethrough, their prominence-depression portions are separated from the undercut portions of the product. Two of the molding pins form on the product a partition wall having undercut portions at opposite sides thereof. Those two molding pins cross over one another so that the prominence-depression portions thereof face each other, with no part of the cavity-forming portions situated therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-kwon Park, Anjai Tsuneji
  • Patent number: 6036470
    Abstract: A mandrel is fitted with a molded sleeve of low-temperature alloy for forming a rigid bulge along the surface of the mandrel. The sleeve is shaped to define the. internal surface of the shell at the bulge. After the mandrel has been so modified with the low-temperature alloy sleeve, it is wrapped with composite cloth containing any thermosetting resin. These resins heat to a known temperature, and permanently set when cured at the set temperature. The curing temperature of the prepreg cloth composite material is lower than the melting point of the low temperature alloy. After curing, the temperature in the curing oven is raised above the cure temperature until it reaches the melting point of the low-temperature alloy, and the alloy liquifies and drains out the drain passageways provided in the mandrel without melting the thermoset resin binder in the fiber cloth as well as leaving the bulge formed by the composite cloth in the shell without obstructing the removal of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventors: Robert J. Basso, Jr., Wayne E. Hogarth
  • Patent number: 6027327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming thermoplastic containers having a male locking member. The apparatus includes a cavity defining a shape of the container, a stripper movable in a longitudinal direction relative to said cavity, and a retractable lock adjacent to an edge of the cavity. The retractable lock is movable in a transverse direction relative to the cavity between a retracted position and an unretracted position and movable in a longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The containers are formed through a process in which the apparatus is sequentially placed in a ready mode, lift mode, disengage mode, and back to the ready mode. In the ready mode, the retractable lock is placed in the unretracted position and first position in order to receive a sheet of plastic material and form a locking member thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Felder
  • Patent number: 6024552
    Abstract: Under the condition that the stationary metallic mold and the movable metallic mold are closed, the housing is molded into a shape having the retainer insertion hole by the existence of the sliding mold. At same time, a retainer is also molded in the below portion. First, when only the rear metallic mold is opened, the core pin is withdrawn, and at the same time the sliding mold is withdrawn along the advancing and withdrawing passage in the longitudinal direction by the cam action of the angular pin, so that the molding portion is withdrawn from the retainer insertion hole. Successively, when the metallic mold is opened, the sliding mold is relatively drawn out to the front of the advancing and withdrawing passage together with the stationary metallic mold, and the advancing and withdrawing passage becomes open. Next, the auxiliary sliding mold is advanced, and the retainer held by the auxiliary sliding mold is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and temporarily assembled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Wada, Hikaru Ito, Shinsuke Tsutsui, Hajime Kawase, Osamu Sasai
  • Patent number: 6019592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for molding a tamper-evident closure with tabs that extend radially inward and upward. In order to produce tabs with such a configuration, the present invention employs a tab forming element having a mold surface with an inclination corresponding to the degree to which the tabs are desired to extend radially inward and upward. After the tabs have been molded in their inclined position, they are withdrawn from the mold, temporarily altering their angle of inclination. After removal of the closure from the a first portion of the mold, the tabs are returned to the original angle of inclination through contact with a second portion of the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Paresh Thakor, Mark R. Fricke
  • Patent number: 5980809
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a plastic washing machine basket includes a fixed mold core formed with teardrop-shaped projections spaced about a periphery thereof, cavity sidewall members spaced about the periphery of the mold core which carry core pins having tips adapted to abut teardrop-shaped projections on the mold core and a cavity cover member spaced about an end of the mold core and abutting the cavity sidewall members so as to define a cavity between the mold core and both the cavity cover member and the sidewall members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jack L. Crain, P. Randell Gray, Melvin D. Colclasure
  • Patent number: 5972279
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a pre-molded film into a cavity by the following steps. A robotically controlled arm having a loader receives flexible film. The loader by two moveable end portion and a main portion there between. The pre-molded film is transferred onto the loader. The end portions are retracted so that the loader is in a retracted position. The loader is moved to a position within a cavity. The cavity has an opening that is larger then the loader when the loader is in the retracted position. The film is transferred to the cavity by aligning the film with corresponding three-dimensional contours on the cavity. The edge portions are extended so that essentially the entire surface of the film contacts the cavity. The loader is withdrawn from the cavity by first retracting the end portions and removing the loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Mark Alan Harris, Zinoviy Chernyak
  • Patent number: 5958321
    Abstract: A moldable material is injected substantially simultaneously into a mold cavity for the outer sleeve formed between an outer sleeve mold and an outer sleeve core in an injection unit and into a mold cavity for the inner sleeve formed between an inner sleeve mold and an inner sleeve core in a clamping unit of a mold. These mold cavities are connected by at least one relatively thin runner to form at least one predetermined breaking point between the rear end of the outer sleeve and the front end of the inner sleeve of a one-part applicator molding. The invention also relates to an apparatus for producing the tampon applicator according to, but not restricted to, the process as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Schoelling, Theodor Schoettli
  • Patent number: 5925303
    Abstract: A molded cap for sealing a container, and having a core-profiled internal skirt portion is injection molded within a seamless annular cavity mold, wherein segmentation of the interior core die portion bearing the internal form such as a screw thread form for the inside of the cap skirt, permits its inward withdrawal clear of the cap after completion of the injection cycle. Due to the seamless mold cavity the cap has no externally visible mold witness lines along its skirt. The molded cap contracts radially as it cools within the mold, permitting molded parts and decorative features that are on or in the skirt face to withdraw radially inwardly from the mold surfaces, such that the cap can be ejected clear from the mold without damage to fine detailed or hang-up on undercuts into the mold skirt face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Unique Mould Makers Limited
    Inventor: Werner Scheliga
  • Patent number: 5922368
    Abstract: An improved injection molding apparatus for molding snap-on, thermoplastic air bag covers is provided including a plurality of wedge-shaped outboard mold parts slidably mounted on bearing surfaces of a plurality of gibs which are removably mounted to a central wedge all nested together within a central recess in the lower mold half in retracted positions of the outboard mold parts. Each of the outboard mold parts has a clip member-defining surface for forming front and rear sections and a snap-on groove of its corresponding clip member of the air bag cover. Each outboard mold part is in sliding contact with its respective gib during its entire sliding movement between its retracted and fully extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Larry J. Winget
    Inventor: John F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5902613
    Abstract: An automated transfer/injection molding apparatus and process is defined that includes a charge forming unit, a shuttle unit, and a molding unit. The charge is formed from one or more slabs of reinforcing fibers and a resinous material. Once formed, the charge is preheated in the charge shuttle unit and is delivered to the molding unit, whereupon the preheated charges are forced by the pressure of a movable platform under vacuum into a mold cavity for polymerization. The fibers within the slabs are randomly oriented in parallel horizontal planes such that they are always parallel to the direction of initial flow into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Budd Company
    Inventors: Jack J. Ritchie, Richard Benjamin Freeman, Terry L. Ingham, John J. Morse, Joseph A. Bodary
  • Patent number: 5897889
    Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding an edge card connector and an edge card connector, wherein the molding apparatus is composed of a male and female molding die. The male molding die has a middle protrusion and a plurality of first holding portions, and said female molding die has a plurality of core pins. When the integral molding apparatus is assembled to mold an edge card connector, each core pin is received securely in a corresponding first holding portion, for retaining each core pin in a straight manner without inclination via injection molding process, so that the formed edge card connector of which each passageway defines a through bore extending into and connected with central slot of housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsun Shen Shao
  • Patent number: 5895624
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming thick wall plastic components laminated with formable decorative film layers. A thermoformable thick wall plastic sheet in the range of 0.065 to about 0.300 inches thick over at least half its area is provided having a thermoformable decorative dry film coating on one side forming an outer surface of the laminated sheet. The sheet is peripherally supported in an open center rack, heated in one or more ovens to forming temperature and formed by a combination of compression and, preferably, vacuum forming with subsequent trimming of excess material to form a finished component with a high quality finish suitable for automotive body use. The compression and vacuum forming steps may be interchangeably performed in order and provide for high quality finish on the outer surface with shaping of reentrant wall portions on the inner side. Any suitable form of laminated sheet may be formed by the apparatus and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Android Industries of Michigan, LLC
    Inventors: Edwin G. Reece, Robert A. Reece, Gregory J. Masserang
  • Patent number: 5895621
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injection molded steering wheel pad having a cover and a pocket formed between a first projection and a second hook-spaced projection, that together hold an arm of an airbag device. The pad includes a pad body and at least one pair of holding portions extending from the pad body. The holding portions have an L-shaped first recess and the steering wheel pad has a second recess located between the pad body and the holding portion. A mold includes a pair of first and second molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Tajiri, Soji Nimura
  • Patent number: 5885508
    Abstract: Catheter tube 2 has a multiple of small bead-like projections 21 formed on the inner surface. The inner surface of the tube 2 comprises projections 21 and flat areas 22. A guide wire inserted into the lumen 5 of the tube 2 contacts its inner surface only at the projections 21. The catheter tube 2 has the inner surface embossed in such a way that the guide wire can be manipulated with high efficiency even if the diameter of the tube is very small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ishida
  • Patent number: 5879611
    Abstract: A mold for integrally molding a cover and a pad on a steering wheel. The mold includes a first mold and a second mold relatively movable to the first mold. The first and second molds are separated from each other to place a metal core between the first and second molds. The first and second molds are then joined with each other to define a first cavity for molding the cover. Afterwards, the first and second molds are separated from each other to remove the metal core and the cover. A float core is located between the first and second molds. The float core cooperates with the first and second molds to define a second cavity for integrally molding the pad with the cover when the first and second molds are joined with each other. A pivoting mechanism pivots the float core to remove the steering wheel from the molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Takahashi, Kimihiro Iimura
  • Patent number: 5858262
    Abstract: A fully contoured three dimensional toy figure made of at least two figure parts, and a toy apparatus and a method for molding the toy figure are disclosed. The figure parts are molded in respective mold cavities with receptacles, e.g., holes, in a side thereof and selected parts are joined together with simple connectors inserted into aligned receptacles of adjacently positioned parts. The receptacles may simply be blind holes in one side of the figure parts, and the connectors may be simple rods, bars or tubes which may have structure that assists in engaging the walls of the holes. The invention allows small children to make fully-contoured toy figures easily without having to use adhesives or typical fasteners to attach the figure parts together. Child-safe plastic materials such as Plasti-Goop.RTM. may be used as the plastic molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Toymax Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Lebensfeld
  • Patent number: 5846473
    Abstract: A method of injection molding a tie that includes an abutment wall surface having at least one tooth facing a pawl that has at least one tooth inside a locking head utilizes a core that defines at least a portion of the abutment surface tooth and at least a portion of a surface of the pawl that includes the at least one pawl tooth. The core is movable in relation to a first other mold part and is separated from a second other mold part not sooner than the first other mold part is separated from the second other mold part to thereby enable (a) the pawl to flex into a space vacated by movement of the first other mold part and (b) the abutment wall to flex into a space also vacated by movement of the first other mold part during separation of the first other mold part from the second other mold part so that the tie can be removed from the mold without significantly damaging either the at least one pawl tooth or the at least one abutment surface tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: GB Electrical, Inc.
    Inventors: Soren Christian Sorensen, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5837182
    Abstract: A process of molding a synthetic resin screw includes upper mold members 2 and 4, lower mold members 3 and 5, and four sets of slide cores 2a, 4a, 3a and 5a supported by the respective mold members and withdrawable in directions parallel to a parting plane between the upper mold members and the lower mold members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignees: Toska Co., Ltd., Optec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyohisa Hiroki, Tadashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5833912
    Abstract: A method of injection molding a container having a body and an upper opening surrounding a neck of a container produces a container in which a diameter of the body is greater than the diameter of the neck. The method includes injecting plastic or other appropriate material into a cavity of the mold assembly and, after the container material has cooled sufficiently to retain its shape, sequentially removing portions of the mold assembly from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Lothar Schweigert, Ui Hwan O
  • Patent number: 5824256
    Abstract: A male member has a cylindrical core with an internal poppet that is displaced by air pressure to open an air passage for pressurized air to an end of the poppet. The female cavity and poppet form a container bottom wall. A thermoplastic copolymer polyethylene is injected into the mold at about 470.degree. F., the mold having a surface temperature of about 100.degree.-130.degree. F. and the plastic material a temperature of about 130.degree.-160.degree. F. at the time of ejection of the container from the mold. Ribs are formed at the container rim having a depth such as to cause the container to stretch about 6% when removed from the core. The ribs outer edges are coextensive with the container side wall. A lid engaging lip is formed at the container rim edge. The process has a preferred 14 second cycle time and uses a core with no draft. The mold surface is maintained at the desired temperature by a cooling water circuit in the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fortiflex, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose F. Ballester
  • Patent number: 5824257
    Abstract: An improved core detail tooling assembly for use in the injection molding of electrical connector housings utilizes opposing sets of tooling elements and one set of tooling elements positively engages the other set at a location exterior of openings in the mold cavity. This engagement location permits the molding of electrical connector housings with greater reliability and at smaller pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Dashevsky, Robert A. Owsley, Gregory R. Pratt, Kent E. Regnier
  • Patent number: 5820807
    Abstract: A staged, sequentially separated injection molding apparatus for forming a molded container closure includes a mold base portion, a plurality of concentric, separable telescopic mold elements, and an opening therein defined by one of the base portion and the mold elements for injecting a mold material into the apparatus. The elements are configured such that they can be separated or removed from the mold, from the inner most element outward, to provide sufficient free space for the newly molded part to flex inward as the mold elements are removed. The inward flexing of the part, permits ready removal of the next outwardly most mold element, while minimizing the possibility of damage to the molded part. Each of the mold elements includes a mold face, which in conjunction with the base portion, in part defines a mold cavity. The inner and outer mold elements and the intermediate mold element include flange portions opposite of their respective mold faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh Urmston
  • Patent number: 5814357
    Abstract: A core lifter system for a plastic injection mold, where one or more core blades is used to not only provide an undercut in the formed molded part, but also aid in ejecting the molded part from the mold. A blade retainer for the core blade is located in a support, with the support having a semi-circular socket shaped to engage a coupling end of the blade retainer. The blade retainer is immobily secured in the socket at a desired angle of inclination relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Borislav Boskovic
  • Patent number: 5814356
    Abstract: A moving mold 100 consisting of slidable housing molds 110 and 110 and retainer molds 120 and 120 and a fixed mold 200 pairing with the moving mold 100 are used to mold a housing 20 and retainers 30a and 30b in resin at the same time. When the fixed mold 200 and the moving mold 100 are opened, the housing molds 110 and 110 are opened and a space is formed between the housing 20 and the retainers 30a and 30b to be fitted to each other. The retainers 30a and 30b are pressed against the housing 20 with the retainers 30a and 30b held in the retainer molds 120 and 120 from both the left and right sides, whereby the housing 20 and the retainers 30a and 30b are assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Ito, Shinsuke Tsutsui, Yasunori Wada, Osamu Taniuchi, Seiichi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 5804123
    Abstract: A plastic molded part having a parting line free O-ring groove formed on a tubular portion of the part is made by molding the groove utilizing cooperating inner and outer axially moveable die portions in which an inner die member is withdrawn from the tubular plastic just before the outer die member is withdrawn, with the withdrawal of the members occurring after the plastic has begun to set but before it has assumed its final cure, whereby the plastic may flex inwardly as the outer die is withdrawn and then may spring back outwardly to its proper position for final cure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Huron Plastics Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime L. Klomhaus, Richard J. Barton
  • Patent number: 5798074
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a female mold and a mold core cooperating with the female mold to form a mold cavity therebetween in the mold closed position for the formation of a threaded, mold article therein. A movable, rotatable stripper ring is provided over the core, and means are provided to rotate the stripper ring from a rearward to a forward position and thereby remove the threaded article from the mold core by rotating same. A process for forming a threaded, molded plastic article is disclosed including molding the article in an injection mold and removing the article from the mold by rotating a rotatable and movable unscrewing means to rotate and remove the article from the mold core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek McCready, Jacek Kalemba
  • Patent number: 5788911
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing the cylindrical product includes the steps of inserting a first cylindrical mold into a hole at the center of a second cylindrical mold and engaging a toothed portion on the first cylindrical mold with a spiral groove on the second cylindrical mold to provide a lower mold. Further, an upper mold is mounted thereon to form a space for forming the cylindrical product and molten resin material is injected into the space to harden therein. The second cylindrical mold is withdrawn in a direction to allow the mold to be opened, the first cylindrical mold is axially moved to insert the toothed portion into a relief groove on a flat portion of the second cylindrical mold, the first cylindrical mold is rotated in a direction to withdraw it along the flat portion, the upper mold is rotated to extract the cylindrical product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Takamitsu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5776521
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a moulded article includes a stationary mould core with an external threaded surface. A female mould surrounds a portion of the mould core including the threaded surface in a mould closed condition to define a mould cavity between the mould core and the female mould. Molten plastic is injected into the mould cavity to form the moulded article. A rotatable sleeve surrounds the mould core and engages with the moulded article formed in the mould cavity. The sleeve carries a gear wheel which meshes with a pinion. A rack is associated with the pinon and is moveable linearly to impart rotation of the pinion and in turn the sleeve. A lead screw on the sleeve engages a lead screw nut to cause the sleeve to displace axially along the mould core as the sleeve rotates. Lugs on the sleeve engages the moulded article and causes it to rotate with the sleeve so that the moulded article unscrews from the mould core allowing it to be ejected from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Zygo Mould Limited
    Inventors: John B. Wright, Mark W. Burrows
  • Patent number: 5773048
    Abstract: A cylindrical retainer assembly for an injection molding machine includes a cylindrical body having a diametral through channel with a curved wall for receiving a complementarily configured end of an actuator. A spacer disc having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical retainer body defines an aperture which receives and centers the actuator. The retainer assembly is received within a stepped cylindrical opening in the pin plate of the injection molding machine. An alternate embodiment retainer assembly includes a peripheral flange disposed adjacent the bottom of the retainer which may be received and retained within a cylindrical opening in the pin plate having straight walls and an adjacent recessed region. Pairs of resilient biasing members may be utilized to center the actuator in the cylindrical retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: William C. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5766536
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming thermoplastic containers having a male locking member. The apparatus includes a cavity defining a shape of the container, a stripper movable in a longitudinal direction relative to said cavity, and a retractable lock adjacent to an edge of the cavity. The retractable lock is movable in a transverse direction relative to the cavity between a retracted position and an unretracted position and movable in a longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The containers are formed through a process in which the apparatus is sequentially placed in a ready mode, lift mode, disengage mode, and back to the ready mode. In the ready mode, the retractable lock is placed in the unretracted position and first position in order to receive a sheet of plastic material and form a locking member thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Tenneco Packaging
    Inventor: Scott J. Felder
  • Patent number: 5766655
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an injection molded steering wheel pad having a cover and a pocket formed between a first projection and a second hook-shaped projection, that together hold an arm of an air bag device. The apparatus includes fixed and movable mold members opposed to one another. The movable mold member moves along a predetermined moving path to selectively contact and separate from the fixed mold member. Core members are provided in one of the mold members for forming the first and second projections in the pad. The core members are movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to one of the movable and fixed mold members so that the formed pad projections can be separated from the mold by varying movements of the core members, relative to each other and the mold in which they operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Tajiri, Soji Nimura
  • Patent number: 5759592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the compression molding of composite fiber fixed angle rotors is disclosed. A female mold member defines a closed cylinder cavity for molding the bottom surface of the rotor, this cavity usually defining a frustum shaped central cavity complimentary to and concentric with the spin axis of the ultimately formed rotor. A male mold member having a complimentary cylindrical profile contains a frustum shaped inner cavity with the apex of the frustum disposed to the inner portion of the cylinder and the base end of the frustum exposed to the cylindrical opening of the female mold. This frustum shaped inner cavity defines the exterior frustum shape of the ultimately produced rotor and defines between the exterior frustum profile and the frustum shaped inner cavity a rotor body wall having sufficient thickness to receive the sample tube apertures. At the apex end of the frustum shaped cavity in the male mold member, there is located a lock system for maintaining sample tube aperture cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Piramoon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alireza Piramoon, Robert Wedemeyer, Michel Mark Fournier
  • Patent number: 5746965
    Abstract: In a method of injection molding a tie that includes an abutment wall surface having at least one tooth inside a locking head facing a pawl, a retractable core that defines at least a portion of the abutment surface that includes the at least one abutment surface tooth is retracted so that the tie can be removed from the mold without significantly damaging the at least one abutment surface tooth. The core is disposed for retraction in a direction inclined toward the pawl at an acute angle away from the direction of insertion of the tongue of the tie into the locking head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: GB Electrical, Inc.
    Inventors: Soren Christian Sorensen, Jens Ole Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5736172
    Abstract: A staged, sequentially separated injection molding apparatus for forming a molded container closure includes a mold base portion, a plurality of concentric, separable telescopic mold elements, and an opening therein defined by one of the base portion and the mold elements for injecting a mold material into the apparatus. The elements are configured such that they can be separated or removed from the mold, from the inner most element outward, to provide sufficient free space for the newly molded part to flex inward as the mold elements are removed. The inward flexing of the part, permits ready removal of the next outwardly most mold element, while minimizing the possibility of damage to the molded part. Each of the mold elements includes a mold face, which in conjunction with the base portion, in part defines a mold cavity. The inner and outer mold elements and the intermediate mold element include flange portions opposite of their respective mold faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh Urmston
  • Patent number: 5736173
    Abstract: A preform injection mould includes an elongate mould core cooperating with a female mould and a neck ring in a manner to define a mould cavity therebetween. An injection nozzle in the female mould allows molten plastic to be injected into the mould cavity so that a preform moulded article may be formed. The neck ring is constituted by a pair of mating halves which can be separated laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mould core. A taper sleeve surrounds the mould core beneath the neck ring. The neck ring halves are secured to diametrically opposed slides to facilitate lateral separation of the neck ring. A pair of slide taper locks contact a respective one of the slides to inhibit lateral movement of the slides and to back up the neck ring when injection mould is in a mould closed position. An annular formation is formed on the upper surface of the neck ring and is accommodated by a complementary recess formed in the bottom of the female mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Zygo Mold Limited
    Inventors: John B. Wright, Mark W. Burrows, Walter Kovac
  • Patent number: 5736170
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for blow molding interlocking drink containers. Each container having a hollow container body with a top including an upwardly tapered neck and an opening into the hollow body, a bottom, a first side with an upper and a lower male lug, a second side with an upper and a lower female cavity and a third and a fourth side. The apparatus includes a split mold having a male block and a female block. The female block used for forming the first side of the container with male lugs and a portion of the third and fourth sides and a portion of the top and bottom of the container. The male block used for forming the second side of the container with female cavities and a portion of the third and fourth sides and a portion of the top and bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Theodore A. Stoner
  • Patent number: 5728344
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an injection molded steering wheel pad having a cover and a pocket formed between a first projection and a second hook-shaped projection, that together hold an arm of an air bag device. The method includes use of fixed and movable mold members opposed to one another. The movable mold member moves along a predetermined moving path to selectively contact and separate from the fixed mold member. Core members are provided in one of the mold members for forming the first and second projections in the pad. To permit the removal of the molded pad core members are movable between retracted and extended positions with respect to one of the movable and fixed mold members so that the formed pad projections can be separated from the mold by varying movements of the core members, relative to each other and the mold in which they operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Tajiri, Soji Nimura