Method for making product and product having ultra high molecular weight plastic parts
OwnerMark W. Bruns, Steven A. Brunsinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making a UHMWPE body combined with a bolt, a cap screw, a reinforcing member uses a compression molding machine equipped with a male and female mold set. Particulate UHMWPE dispensed into the cavity of the female mold surrounds the head of the bolt and screw and reinforcing member. Pressure and heat applied to the particulate UHMWPE molecularly bonds the UHMWPE to the bolt, screw, and reinforcing member.
Claims31
A method of joining a cap of UHMWPE to the head of a bolt having a body and a head comprising:
- placing the body of the bolt in a bolt retaining opening of a mold having bottom wall and a side wall surrounding a cavity with the head of the bolt located in the cavity,
- depositing particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the bolt,
- compressing the particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the bolt,
- heating the compressed particulate UHMWPE to a temperature of between 250 and 350 degrees F. to molecularly bond the UHMWPE to the head of the bolt,
- adjusting the duration of the heating to sinter all of the UHMWPE,
- cooling the UHMWPE and the bolt,
- adjusting the duration of the cooling of the UHMWPE to allow all of the UHMWPE to cool to a temperature below the melting temperature of UHMWPE, and
- removing the bolt with the UHMWPE cap bonded to the head of the bolt from the cavity of the mold.
A method of making a UHMWPE body having a reinforcing member with a mold having a cavity comprising:
- depositing a first layer of particulate UHMWPE in a cavity of a mold,
- placing a reinforcing member in the cavity above the first layer of particulate UHMWPE,
- depositing a second layer of particulate UHMWPE to the cavity on top of the reinforcing material,
- compressing the first and second layers of particulate UHMWPE and reinforcing member in the cavity,
- heating the compressed particulate UHMWPE and reinforcing member to a temperature of between 250 and 350 degrees F. to molecularly bond the UHMWPE to the reinforcing member,
- cooling the UHMWPE and reinforcing member, and
- removing the UHMWPE and reinforcing member from the cavity of the mold.
A method of joining a collar of UHMWPE to the head of a cap screw having a head and body, said head having a socket, comprising:
- placing the socket of the head on a holder in a mold having a cavity to retain the cap screw in an upright position in the cavity, placing a sleeve around the body of the screw, depositing particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the screw and sleeve, compressing the particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the cap screw, heating the compressed particulate UHMWPE in the cavity to a temperature of between 250 and 350 F., cooling the UHMWPE and cap screw, and removing the cap screw, sleeve and UHMWPE collar from the mold.
A method of joining a cap of UHMWPE to the head of a member having a body and a head comprising:
- placing the body of the member in a member retaining opening of a mold having a bottom wall and a side wall surrounding a cavity with the head of the member located in the cavity, depositing particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the member, compressing the particulate UHMWPE in the cavity around the head of the member, heating the compressed particulate UHMWPE to a temperature of between 250 and 350 degrees F. to molecularly bond the UHMWPE to the head of the member, adjusting the duration of the heating to sinter all of the UHMWPE, cooling the UHMWPE and the member, adjusting the duration of the cooling of the UHMWPE to allow all of the UHMWPE to cool to a temperature below the melting temperature of UHMWPE, and removing the member with the UHMWPE cap bonded to the head of the member from the cavity of the mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.