Method of insert molding plastic parts to provide covered edge surfaces and plastic parts made thereby
US5783287A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2826
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for molding a plastic part comprises preforming a film laminate and insert molding a plastic substrate against the film laminate. According to one embodiment, the film laminate is preformed with re-entrant edge portions. The insert molding step involves positioning the film laminate in a mold cavity, closing the mold and injecting molten resin into the mold cavity against the film laminate. The force of the closing of the mold and the injection of the resin causes the re-entrant edge portions to curl up under the solidifying resin to ensure complete coverage of the longitudinal edges of the plastic substrate by the film laminate. According to another embodiment, a stencil of an image is made in the film laminate prior to the insert molding. The resin injected into the mold flows into the stencil so that the image is visible against the surrounding surface of the film laminate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.