The present invention is related to a molding device and an injection molding method using the same, and, in particular, to a molding device, which has an undercut, including a slide, and an injection molding method using the same.
Foamed polymeric material has many advantages, such as high strength, low weight, impact resistance, thermal insulation, and others. Articles can be made by injection molding. For example, after the polymeric material is melted and mixed with a blowing agent to form a mixture, a force or pressure is applied to the mixture to inject the mixture into a cavity of a mold, and the mixture is foamed and cooled in the cavity to form the article.
However, it is necessary to improve the efficiency, the quality and the yield of forming the article. Therefore, there is a need for improvements to structures of the molding device and the method for using the same.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a molding device is provided. The molding device includes a first mold, a second mold, a mold cavity and a sealing ring. The first mold includes a first body and at least one slide. The at least one slide is movably and detachably disposed on the first body, and has an undercut. The mold cavity is defined by the first mold and the second mold. The sealing ring is disposed between the first mold and the second mold for sealing the mold cavity when the first mold is engaged with the second mold.
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an injection molding method is provided. The injection molding method includes: engaging a first mold with a second mold of a molding device, wherein the first mold includes a first body and at least one slide, the at least one slide is movably and detachably disposed on the first body and has an undercut; filling a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold with a gas, wherein the gas is blocked by a sealing ring disposed between the first mold and the second mold; injecting a molding material into the mold cavity; and opening the first mold and the second mold of the molding device.
Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It should be noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.
The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the respective testing measurements. Also, as used herein, the term “about” generally means within 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. Alternatively, the term “about” means within an acceptable standard error of the mean when considered by one of ordinary skill in the art. Other than in the operating/working examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages, such as those for quantities of materials, durations of times, temperatures, operating conditions, ratios of amounts, and the likes thereof disclosed herein, should be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present disclosure and the attached claims are approximations that can vary as desired. At the very least, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Ranges can be expressed herein as from one endpoint to another endpoint or between two endpoints. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, unless specified otherwise.
In some embodiments, the sealing ring 15 may block the gas 91 with a predetermined gas pressure inside the mold cavity 10 when the first mold 11 and the second mold 13 are engaged. The predetermined gas pressure may be greater than 1 atmosphere.
The second mold 23 includes a second body 231 and a pressure mask 233. The pressure mask 233 is disposed with the second body 231. A pressure buffer space 230 is defined by the second body 231 and the pressure mask 233. The sealing ring 25 is disposed between the first body 211 of the first mold 21 and the pressure mask 233 of the second mold 23. The sealing ring 25 is disposed around the molding device 2 for blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 2. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 25 includes flexible material for enhancing function of blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 2.
In some embodiments, the predetermined gas pressure is greater than a gas pressure outside the mold device 2. The assembly of the first body 211 of the first mold 21 and the pressure mask 233 of the second mold 23 maintains the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 20. The pressure buffer space 230 buffers variation of the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 20. The sealing ring 25 disposed between the first body 211 of the first mold 21 and the pressure mask 233 of the second mold 23 is configured to block leakage of the gas 81.
In some embodiments, when the molding material 83 is injected into the mold cavity 20 having the predetermined gas pressure, the molding material 83 is in contact with the gas 81, and the predetermined gas pressure is applied to the molding material 83. During the process of injecting the molding material 83 into the mold cavity 20, the gas pressure inside the mold cavity 20 is raised from the predetermined gas pressure to another gas pressure.
In some embodiments, the gas 81 is discharged from the mold cavity 20 through the at least one conduit when the molding material 83 expands in the mold cavity 20. A density of the molding material 83 expanded in the mold cavity 20 depends on the rate of discharging the gas 81. The rate of discharging the gas 81 is higher, the density of the molding material 83 expanding in the mold cavity 20 is lower so that a density of an article formed by the molding material 83 is lower.
In some embodiments, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 83; and (2) the discharge of the gas 81 lasts less than 1 second. In some embodiments, due to: (1) the mold cavity 20 has the predetermined gas pressure before the molding material 83 is injected; and (2) the predetermined gas pressure is greater than the gas pressure outside the mold device 2, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 83; and (2) the discharge of the gas 81 lasts less than 0.5 second.
The second mold 33 includes a second body 331, a pressure mask 333 and an inner core 335. The pressure mask 333 is coupled with the second body 331. A pressure buffer space 330 is defined by the second body 331 and the pressure mask 333. The inner core 335 is disposed on the second body 331 and opposite to the first mold 31. The sealing ring 35 is disposed between the first body 311 of the first mold 31 and the pressure mask 333 of the second mold 33. The sealing ring 35 is disposed around the molding device 3 for blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 3. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 35 includes flexible material for enhancing function of blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 3.
In some embodiments, the predetermined gas pressure is greater than a gas pressure outside the mold device 3. The assembly of the first body 311 of the first mold 31 and the pressure mask 333 of the second mold 33 maintains the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 30 and the pressure buffer space 330. The pressure buffer space 330 buffers variation of the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 30. The sealing ring 35 disposed between the first body 311 of the first mold 31 and the pressure mask 333 of the second mold 33 is configured to block leakage of the gas 71.
In some embodiments, when the molding material 73 is injected into the mold cavity 30 having the predetermined gas pressure, the molding material 73 is in contact with the gas 71, and the predetermined gas pressure is applied to the molding material 73. During the process of injecting the molding material 73 into the mold cavity 30, the gas pressure inside the mold cavity 30 is raised from the predetermined gas pressure to another gas pressure.
In some embodiments, the gas 71 is discharged from the mold cavity 30 and the pressure buffer 330 through the at least one conduit when the molding material 73 expands in the mold cavity 30. A density of the molding material 73 expanded in the mold cavity 30 depends on the rate of discharging the gas 71. The rate of discharging the gas 71 is higher, the density of the molding material 73 expanding in the mold cavity 30 is lower so that a density of an article formed by the molding material 73 is lower.
In some embodiments, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 73; and (2) the discharge of the gas 71 lasts less than 1 second. In some embodiments, due to: (1) the mold cavity 30 has the predetermined gas pressure before the molding material 73 is injected; and (2) the predetermined gas pressure is greater than the gas pressure outside the mold device 3, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 73; and (2) the discharge of the gas 71 lasts less than 0.5 second.
The second mold 43 includes a second body 431, a pressure mask 433 and a second inner core 435. The pressure mask 433 is coupled with the second body 431, and includes a protrusion 433P. A pressure buffer space 430 is defined by the second body 431 and the pressure mask 433. The second inner core 435 is disposed on the second body 431 and opposite to the first inner core 415. The sealing ring 45 is disposed between the first body 411 of the first mold 41 and the pressure mask 433 of the second mold 43. The sealing ring 45 is disposed around the molding device 4 for blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 4. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 45 includes flexible material for enhancing function of blocking leakage of gas from inside of the molding device 4.
In some embodiments, the predetermined gas pressure is greater than a gas pressure outside the mold device 4. The assembly of the first body 411 of the first mold 41 and the pressure mask 433 of the second mold 43 maintains the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 40 and the pressure buffer space 430. The pressure buffer space 430 buffers variation of the predetermined gas pressure inside the mod cavity 40. The sealing ring 45 disposed between the first body 411 of the first mold 41 and the pressure mask 433 of the second mold 43 is configured to block leakage of the gas 61.
In some embodiments, when the molding material 63 is injected into the mold cavity 40 having the predetermined gas pressure, the molding material 63 is in contact with the gas 61, and the predetermined gas pressure is applied to the molding material 63. During the process of injecting the molding material 63 into the mold cavity 40, the gas pressure inside the mold cavity 40 is raised from the predetermined gas pressure to another gas pressure.
In some embodiments, the gas 61 is discharged from the mold cavity 40 and the pressure buffer 430 through the at least one conduit when the molding material 63 expands in the mold cavity 40. A density of the molding material 63 expanded in the mold cavity 40 depends on the rate of discharging the gas 61. The rate of discharging the gas 61 is higher, the density of the molding material 63 expanding in the mold cavity 40 is lower so that a density of an article formed by the molding material 63 is lower.
In some embodiments, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 63; and (2) the discharge of the gas 61 lasts less than 1 second. In some embodiments, due to: (1) the mold cavity 40 has the predetermined gas pressure before the molding material 63 is injected; and (2) the predetermined gas pressure is greater than the gas pressure outside the mold device 4, the completion of: (1) the injecting the molding material 63; and (2) the discharge of the gas 61 lasts less than 0.5 second.
The injection molding method includes several operations: S501 of engaging the first mold with the second mold of the molding device; S502 of filling a gas into a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold, wherein the gas is blocked by the sealing ring disposed between the first mold and the second mold; S503 of injecting a molding material into the mold cavity; and S504 of opening the first mold and the second mold of the molding device.
In some embodiments, the injection molding method is implemented by the molding devices 1 to 4 as shown in
The injection molding method includes several operations: S601 of moving the second body and the pressure mask towards the first body and the at least one slide; S602 of filling a gas into a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold, wherein the gas is blocked by the sealing ring disposed between the first mold and the pressure mask; S603 of injecting a molding material into the mold cavity; S604 of discharging the gas from the mold cavity; and S605 of opening the first mold and the second mold of the molding device.
In some embodiments, the mold cavity has a predetermined gas pressure after filling the gas. The predetermined gas pressure is greater than a gas pressure outside the mold device. In some embodiments, the injection molding method is implemented by the molding devices 1 to 4 as shown in
The injection molding method includes several operations. S701 of moving the second body and the pressure mask towards the first body and the at least one slide; S702 of filling a gas into a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold and into a pressure buffer space defined by the second body and the pressure mask, wherein the gas is blocked by the sealing ring disposed between the first mold and the pressure mask; S703 of injecting a molding material into the mold cavity; S704 of discharging the gas from the mold cavity and the pressure buffer space; S705 of opening the first mold and the second mold of the molding device; and S706 of moving the at least one slide relative to the first body to demold the molding material. In some embodiments, the molding material may be secured by the undercut prior to the step S706, and the molding material is detachable from the molding device after the step S706.
In some embodiments, the mold cavity has a predetermined gas pressure after filling the gas. The predetermined gas pressure is greater than a gas pressure outside the mold device. In some embodiments, the injection molding method is implemented by the molding devices 1 to 4 as shown in
The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein, may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods and steps.
This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/236,044 filed on Aug. 23, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63236044 | Aug 2021 | US |