High speed injection molding apparatus and method for dental floss holder
US6544457B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C45/14565
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An injection molding apparatus for manufacturing dental floss holders has at least one strand of dental floss from a supply spool extended through the space between mating mold pieces and thereafter to a take-up device. From each injection stage of the molding cycle a rack of connected dental floss holders is produced. Tension of the floss is maintained from the upstream supply spool by a first tensioning device through the mold to the downstream end by the take-up device. During each injection cycle the take-up device engages another rack of molded parts and moves it to a downstream position where it is severed from the strand of floss while it maintains the tension in the floss upstream of the severed rack. This is achieved by the take-up device engaging at least two successive racks downstream of the mold and using the rack closest to the mold to maintain tension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.