Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus for forming hollow structures from powdered thermoplastic materials

US4776996A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
7References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 16, 1984
Grant dateOct 11, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 16, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29K2105/251
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A process is disclosed for forming a thermoplastic structure on the exterior surface of the heated mold form. A mold is heated to approximately two times the melting temperature of a thermoplastic material and particulate thermoplastic material then sprinkled onto the exterior surface of the heated mold. An adhesively bondable material may then be added to the semi-molten thermoplastic material structure. The mold is then cooled and the resulting thermoplastic structure removed. An apparatus for practicing the above process comprising a mold form, heating system, and particulate thermoplastic material dispensing system is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.