Branching Core-Pin Assembly and System for Forming Branching Channels

A system for forming a branching channels through a molded component comprising:

• a forming device having a molding chamber;
• and
• a branching core-pin assembly positioned within the molding chamber, the branching core-pin assembly comprising:
• a primary core-pin having a first end, a second end and a primary core-pin body connecting the first end and the second end, the primary core-pin body defining at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one secondary core-pin;
• at least one secondary core-pin, the secondary core pin having a mating end, a second end, and a secondary core-pin body connecting the mating end and the second end of the secondary core pin, the mating end configured to fit with the element defined in the primary core-pin body,
• wherein the primary core-pin and the at least one secondary core-pin reversibly join together to form a branching structure,
• wherein plastic is injected into the molding chamber and flows around the branching core-pin assembly to form the molded component, and further wherein the branching core-pin assembly is removed from the molded component after the plastic solidifies so the molded component defines branching channels.

A molded work-piece comprising:

• a molded body comprising a plastic material;
• and
• a branching core-pin assembly positioned within the body, the branching core-pin assembly comprising:
• a primary core-pin having a first end, a second end and a primary core-pin body connecting the first end and the second end, the primary core-pin body defining at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one secondary core-pin;
• at least one secondary core-pin, the secondary core pin having a mating end, a second end, and a secondary core-pin body connecting the mating end and the second end of the secondary core pin, the mating end configured to fit with the element defined in the primary core-pin body,
• wherein the primary core-pin and the at least one secondary core-pin reversibly join together to form a branching structure,
• wherein the plastic material surrounds the branching core-pin assembly so the branching core-pin assembly defines a branching structure in which the first end and second end of the primary core-pin and a second end of at least one secondary core-pin extends from the molded body such that, upon removal of the branching core-pin assembly, the molded body defines one or more primary channels that branch into secondary channels.