Method of coinjection molding of thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer
AssigneeBarry Wright Corporation
InventorsCharles M. Salerno, Harold V. Hamilton, Dale W. Schubert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Vibration isolators are manufactured by a co-injection molding process. Outer and inner parts of the isolators are molded first from a rigid or stiff thermoplastic material such as polystyrene and intermediate spring-like parts of the isolators are made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as copolymer of butadiene and styrene formed and bonded to the outer and inner parts in a subsequent molding step.
Claims14
A method of producing a vibration isolator having (a) first and second concentric and mutually spaced parts molded of a substantially rigid thermoplastic material, and (b) a third part molded of a thermoplastic elastomer material and extending between and bonded to said first and second parts, said method comprising:
- (a) injection molding said first and second parts simultaneously in first and second mold cavities respectively;
- and
- (b) injection molding said third part between said first and second parts so that said thermoplastic elastomer material of which said third part is molded will fusion bond directly to the thermoplastic material of which said first and second parts are made.
A method of molding a device having a first part molded of a substantially rigid thermoplastic material, and a second part molded of a thermoplastic elastomer material fusion bonded to said first part, said method comprising the following steps:
- (a) closing a movable mold, to a first position in which a first cavity is formed;
- (b) injection molding said first part in said first mold cavity while said mold is in said first position;
- (c) opening the mold to a second position in which a second cavity is formed adjacent and in communication with the first cavity;
- (d) injection molding said second part in said second mold cavity while said mold is in said second position, so that said thermoplastic elastomer material of which said second part is molded will fusion bond directly to the thermoplastic material of which said first part is made;
- and
- (e) opening the mold to a third position in which the parts can be removed.
A method of molding a device having a first part molded of substantially rigid thermoplastic material, and a second part molded of thermoplastic elastomer material bonded to said first part, said mold including a first mold member and a second mold member, said first mold member being movably disposed relative to the second mold member, said method comprising the following steps:
- (a). forming a first mold cavity between the mold members;
- (b). after step (a), injection molding the thermoplastic material of said first part in said first mold cavity;
- (c). after step (b), forming a second mold cavity defind between the mold and the thermoplastic material in said first mold cavity;
- and
- (d). after step (c), injection molding the thermoplastic elastomer of said second part in said second mold cavity thereby fusion bonding the thermoplastic elastomer material of said second part directly to the thermoplastic material of said first part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.