US 2003/0165660 A1 · Polymer component, apparatus and method

Abstract

A process and apparatus utilize an extrusion and zone molding process in which a polymeric material is extruded, shaped and cooled to form a primary extrusion having a shaped length of uniform cross section, zone heating is then applied to only a portion of the primary extrusion creating a molten zone in that portion, the molten zone is aligned with a section mold to mold only that portion of the primary extrusion. The portion section molded cools quickly forming a section molded portion. Although an examplary polymeric component is described herein, a variety of components may be produced utilizing the apparatus and method described by varying the shape of either the primary extrusion component or the section molded component, or both.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a polymeric component, comprising:

providing a primary extrusion in a solid state;
zone heating at least one portion of the primary extrusion to create a molten zone within the at least one portion, leaving surrounding portions of the primary extrusion in a solid state;
and
compressing the at least one portion between a pressing unit and a die cavity until the at least one portion takes the shape of the pressing unit and die cavity and forms a solid state section molded feature integral with the primary extrusion.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Polymer component, apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Polymer component, apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20