Patent Application
20050184216
This invention relates to a mold having a removable mold insert, and to the mold insert itself, wherein the mold insert and the mold are used for injection molding an article having a field of integrally molded hooks. This invention further relates to such a mold and mold insert wherein the mold insert is mountable on a front or inner surface of the mold.
An injection molded article having a field of hooks formed integrally on a surface thereof and a method and apparatus for making such an article are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,656,226 and RE 37,338, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. As disclosed in these references, an injection molded article has a field of injection molded hooks integrally formed on a predetermined area thereof on at least one wall during the injection molding process, the field of hooks capable of releasable attachment to a cooperative loop-bearing member. The hooks have reduced radius compared to prior art hooks and a changed geometry for promoting ejection from the mold during the injection molding process, yet still maintain the desired fastening function. The thermoplastic material used to mold the hooks has a memory sufficient to cause the hooks to return substantially to their original position after being removed from the mold, and yet has sufficient flexibility to allow the hooks to bend during removal from the mold and during engagement and release from the cooperative loop-bearing member.
As further disclosed in the references, an apparatus for making such an injection molded article can comprise a mold block having two sections that join together to define a cavity having the shape of the injection molded article. A recess is formed in the mold block for receiving an insert, the insert comprising plates each having hook-shaped cavities formed in an edge thereof, such that when the plates are placed in stacked relation their edges define a field of hook shaped cavities, the plate edges defining one surface of the mold insert that can e substantially contiguous with the inner surface of a section of the mold block. The plates having the hook-shaped cavities can be alternated with spacer plates having no cavities to define a field of spaced rows of hooks formed on a surface of the molded article.
In the embodiment illustrated in the references, the injection molded device is an orthopedic ankle brace, and in particular one of the shells of the brace that are disposed on either side of a patient's ankle. The field of hooks is formed on an outer surface of the shell. As illustrated in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,364, assigned to Velcro Industries, B.V. discloses an injection molded product having an array of fastener elements integrally molded with the product, the product being molded in a closed cavity die, at least one of the parts of the die having a movable segment constructed to be retracted across the mold cavity, such that the fastener element cavities and the mold cavity can be filled under different filling conditions and molded under different conditions.
It is desirable to be able to remove the insert having the hook-shaped cavities from the mold section, such a to be able to substitute one insert for another, or to replace or repair a mold insert that has somehow become damaged. In some situations, however, it may not be possible or practical to withdraw a mold insert from the back of the mold, as is standard industry practice. Such situations can arise, for example, when a very large part is being molded, and the rear surface of the mold section is not readily accessible to workers in the factory. It may be necessary to remove the mold from the processing machine, which can be a difficult operation. Especially where large molds are involved, the steps of stopping the production line, removing the mold, replacing the insert, re-installing the mold, and resuming operation of the production line can take as long as a full day. This down time can be unacceptable in many manufacturing situations.
It is thus one object of the invention to provide a mold and a mold insert for use with the mold wherein the mold insert can be removed from the mold other than by access to the back surface of the mold.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a mold and a mold insert for use with the mold wherein the mold insert can be removed from the mold other than by access to the back surface of the mold, and wherein the mold insert comprises a plurality of hook shape cavities for use in forming a field of injection molded hooks on an injection molded article.
In accordance with the invention, a mold insert is disclosed for use in providing a structural feature on the surface of a molded article, the mold insert being provided with means for mounting on the inner surface of a mold cavity. The mold insert comprises a molding surface having formed therein a structure that is the complement of the desired molded structural feature. The molding surface of the insert generally will be flush with the inner surface of the mold cavity when the insert is mounted to the cavity. The means for mounting the insert can comprise one or more projections extending from the insert in a plane substantially parallel to the insert molding surface, the projections encompassing fastening means. The invention further encompasses a mold such as for use in an injection molding machine, the mold having an orifice for receiving said insert, the mold cavity having an inner surface, the inner surface having means for receiving the projections on the mold insert. In a preferred embodiment, the receiving means are in the form of depressions of complementary size and shape to the projections on the mold insert, said depressions receiving said projections such that the molding surface of the mold insert is flush with the inner surface of the mold cavity. In a most preferred embodiment, the molding surface of the mold insert is provided with a plurality of hook-shaped cavities such that the molded article will have a field of injection molded hooks formed on a surface thereof.
The present invention may be more readily understood by reference to the figures, wherein
As illustrated in
Mold insert 10 comprises means for mounting on surface 22 of mold section 20. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more projections 16 extending from the insert 10 in a plane substantially parallel to the insert molding surface 12, the projections further encompassing fastening means for fastening the projections to inner surface 22. Inner surface 22 of mold section 20 is provided with means for receiving insert mounting means. In the illustrated embodiment the receiving means are in the form of one or more depressions 26 sized and dimensioned to receive the projections 16 of insert 10. Preferably, depressions 26 receive said projections 16 such that the molding surface 12 of the mold insert 10 is flush with the inner surface 22 of the mold cavity section 20. Projections 16 are provided with apertures 18 and depressions 26 are provided with apertures 28, the apertures 18 and 28 being in alignment when mold insert 10 is mounted in orifice 24. Apertures 18 and 28 can receive a fastening means such as a flat-head screw 19 or other mechanical fastening device that serves to secure insert 10 to mold section 20.
In the embodiment illustrated in
An alternative way of attaching a mold insert to a section of a mold is illustrated in
The advantage of the embodiment of
It may be seen that the present invention allows a mold insert to be readily removed from a mold section, even when the back surface of the mold section is not readily accessible, and without removing the mold from the production line. This allows for the use of interchangeable mold inserts to allow for the manufacture of molded articles having different structural features on their molded surfaces. For example different fields of hooks may be used for articles that will have different applications, or it may be desirable to produce some articles with a smooth surface and no hooks. Also, an insert that becomes damaged or broken can be replaced quickly and easily. A manufacturer can maintain an inventory of a variety of inserts, different hook patterns, for quick repair of the production line or adaptation of the line for the manufacture of different parts.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention is intended by way of example and not by way of limitation. Other modifications and equivalents will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. It is expected that others skilled in the art will perceive other variations which, while different from the foregoing, do not depart from the scope of the invention described herein. In particular, any of the specific constructional elements described may be substituted of any other known element having equivalent function.
