US 2013/0154153 A1 · MULTI-SHOT MOLDING METHOD WITH PRESSURE ACTIVATED EXPANSION LOCKS

Abstract

A co-molding process includes molding a body between a “common cavity” and “first shot core” die halves, co-molding a soft plastic onto the first component to form a final part using the “common cavity” die half and a “second shot core” die half. The “second shot core” die half includes shallow formations forming expansion locks along an elongated edge of the final part on a non-show concave surface, the locks having a shallow depth and extending in a direction non-parallel a die pull direction such that the locks affirmatively prevent shifting of first component during the co-molding process. Also, the locks can be made to cause the final part to remain with the “second shot core” die half when dies are opened during a final step of the co-molding process.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A co-molding process comprising steps of:

molding a hard plastic first component between a “common cavity” die half and a “first shot core” die half;
then co-molding a soft plastic onto the first component to form a final part having an elongated C-shaped cross section using the “common cavity” die half and a “second shot core” die half, where the “second shot core” die half includes shallow formations along an elongated edge of the final part on a non-show concave surface of the part, the formations having a shallow depth extending in a direction non-parallel a die pull direction such that protruding locks form in the formations during the co-molding step preventing the first component from shifting during the co-molding second step.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-shot molding method with pressure activated expansion locks

Life of this patent

Multi-shot molding method with pressure activated expansion locks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6