Plastic molded pieces having the appearance of a solid metallic piece
US5280052A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/256
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A utilitarian and/or decorative object and a method for forming the object fabricated mainly of a plastic material, such as polyester, having a metallic outer face which thereby imparts to this object the appearance and/or hand of a like object made entirely of metal. In this technique, a mixture of a liquid monomer, a curing agent therefor, a dispersion of metal particles and floatable particles are poured into a mold for forming the object. The metal particles are permitted to settle in the mold or the mold is centrifuged to cause the metal particles to migrate toward the outer or lower region of the piece and concentrate in this region before the monomer polymerizes and hardens to bind the particles. At the same time the floatable particles, such as glass or ceramic microspheres, rise to the inner or upper region of the piece and concentrate in this region before the monomer polymerizes and upon hardening of the monomer maintains the article in the desired shape without distortion from warping from uneven shrinkage. After removal from the mold, the outer face of the piece is polished and buffed to remove the fine plastic skin from the surface of the metal particles and to polish…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.