Method of making injection molded ceramic cup
AssigneeCertech Incorporated
InventorStuart Z. Uram
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An injection molded ceramic cup, such as a teacup, includes a body and a handle. The body and handle together are an integral, one-piece, unitary construction formed of ceramic and a binder in a single injection molding operation. Additionally, an injection molded article, such as a ceramic cup, has a concealed sprue and includes an injection molded article body having an outer surface defining a recess and a sprue (whether negative or positive) terminating in the recess. A plug is disposed in the recess for concealing the sprue, the plug being molded separate and distinct from the article, having a first surface for concealing the sprue and a sidewall for substantially filling the recess, and being fired in situ with the article to secure the article and plug together.
Claims9
A process for making a ceramic cup having a body and a handle, comprising the steps of
- (A) injection molding the body and the handle together in a single injection molding operation to form an integral, one-piece, unitary construction formed of ceramic and a binder therefor, the body having an outer surface defining a recess and a sprue terminating in the recess;
- (B) molding a plug separate and distinct from the cup, the plug having a first surface configured and dimensioned to substantially fill the recess;
- (C) forming an assembly of the cup and the plug by inserting the plug into the recess with the sprue being covered by the plug first surface;
- and
- (D) firing the cup and plug assembly to secure the cup and plug together.
A process for manufacturing an injection molded article having a concealed sprue, comprising the steps of:
- (A) injection molding a ceramic article having an outer surface defining a recess and a sprue terminating in the recess;
- (B) molding a ceramic plug separate and distinct from the article, the plug having a first surface configured and dimensioned to conceal the sprue and a sidewall configured and dimensioned to substantially fill the recess;
- (C) forming an article and plug assembly by inserting the plug into the recess with the sprue being covered by the plug first surface;
- and
- (D) firing the article and plug assembly to secure the article and the plug together.
A process for manufacturing an injection molded ceramic cup having a body, a handle, and a concealed sprue, comprising the steps of:
- (A) injection molding a ceramic cup having a body and a handle, the body having an outer surface defining a recess and a sprue terminating in the recess, the body and handle together being an integral, one-piece, unitary construction formed of ceramic and a binder in a single injection molding operation;
- (B) molding a plug separate and distinct from the cup, the plug having a first surface configured and dimensioned to conceal the sprue and a sidewall configured and dimensioned to substantially fill the recess;
- (C) forming a cup and plug assembly by inserting the plug into the recess with the sprue being covered by the plug first surface;
- and
- (D) firing the cup and plug assembly to secure the cup and the plug together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.