Molded article method, and apparatus for providing an undercut molding feature in a mold tool

Abstract

A molded article is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the molded article includes a blow-molded parison of material having an undercut formed in a surface of the parison of material. An apparatus for providing an undercut molding feature in a mold tool is also disclosed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more undercut forming surfaces and an actuator pin that causes the one or more undercut forming surfaces to move to/from an undercut molding position or an undercut de-molding position. A method for providing an undercut molding feature in a mold tool is also disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes the step of moving an actuator to a position of engagement with one or more undercut forming surfaces to cause movement of the one or more undercut forming surfaces to/from an undercut molding position and an undercut de-molding position. A method for molding a molded article is also disclosed. According to an embodiment, the method includes the steps of moving an actuator to a first position of engagement with one or more undercut forming surfaces to cause movement of said one or more undercut forming surfaces to an undercut molding position proximate a surface in a mold tool cavity, providing material into the mold tool cavity, molding the material to conform to the one or more undercut forming surfaces and surface of the mold tool cavity, and moving said actuator to a second position of engagement with said one or more undercut forming surfaces to cause movement of said one or more undercut forming surfaces to a de-molding position proximate said surface in said mold tool cavity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.