Insert molding of a liquid-containing member, such as a level vial, and an article of manufacture formed thereby
US6243957A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C25/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid-containing member is insert molded into a body. The liquid-containing member may be in the form of a level vial, which can be insert molded in a mold cavity having a shape corresponding to a vial retainer or corresponding to a level. The mold cavity is defined by a pair of mold sections which are configured to form an opening in the body, and the level vial is positioned to extend across the areas of the mold sections defining the opening. The ends of the level vial extend into an area of the mold cavity adapted to receive moldable material, such that injection of moldable material into the mold cavity surrounds and encapsulates the ends of the level vial. The vial is thus mounted to the body by means of the moldable material surrounding and encapsulating the ends of the vial, to securely engage the vial with the body and to eliminate a previously-required assembly step of mounting a vial to a body such as a vial retainer or a level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.