# US 12,005,657 B1 · Energy frequency treatment of molded plastic surfaces for topography alteration

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- Number: US 12,005,657 B1
- Document ID: US12005657B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 18/213,817
- Filed: 2023-06-24
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2022-06-11
- Applicants: Edward Helmut Bernard
- Inventors: Edward Helmut Bernard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005657B1

## CPC

- B29C 71/02: Thermal after-treatment {(B29C71/0063 and B29C71/0072 take precedence)}
- B29C 37/0007: {using means operable from outside the mould for moving between mould parts, e.g. robots}
- B29C 45/0053: {combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping (injection-compression moulding B29C45/561)}
- B29C 45/7207: {of the moulded articles}
- B29C 2035/0822: {using IR radiation}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)

## Abstract

A thermal management system that provides finished plastic part surface temperature control using surface reheating to reduce plastic surface roughness and enhance curing conditions making it possible to produce resin rich molded plastic surfaces without typical micro cracks or fissures to which contaminant particles can adhere or to which dirt can attach.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for creating finished injection molded plastic sensor windows or transparent covers with lower surface roughness than when they were injection molded including:
a) Removing a plastic molded sensor window or transparent cover from an injection mold using a robot;
b) Moving the plastic injection molded sensor window or transparent cover past an energy source to reheat a surface layer to a depth equal to the surface roughness of the plastic part surface to a temperature above Tg;
c) Allowing the plastic injection molded sensor window or transparent cover to cool, providing a lower surface roughness than was originally present on the plastic part surface in the as-molded condition;
thereby; creating a finished plastic injection molded sensor window or transparent cover with lower than as-molded surface roughness.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the injection molded plastic sensor window or transparent cover is sub sequentially moved by the robot past an air delivery device to accelerate cooling of the post molded, re-heated surface of the plastic sensor window or cover, thereby creating a finished injection molded plastic sensor window or transparent cover with lower surface roughness than the as molded surface roughness.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the surface roughness of the finished plastic sensor window or cover is less than 0.025 microns.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the surface roughness of the finished plastic sensor window or cover is less than 0.025 microns.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the surface roughness of the finished plastic sensor window or cover is less than 3 microns.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the surface roughness of the finished plastic sensor window or cover is less than 3 microns.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the plastic being injected is a thermoplastic.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the plastic being injected is a thermoplastic.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the finished plastic sensor window or cover is made from optically clear plastic.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the finished plastic sensor window or cover is made from optically clear plastic.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the energy source emits infrared light.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the energy source emits micro waves.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 where the energy source emits radiant heat.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the energy source emits infrared light.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the energy source emits micro waves.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 where the energy source emits radiant heat.