Apparatus and method for in-mold-decoration
AssigneeHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
InventorChung-Chi Tseng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for in-mold-decoration includes a male mold, a female mold comprising a surface facing the male mold, a foil, a press member, and a supporting member. The surface of the female mold defines a cavity. The foil is applied to the surface of the female mold. The press member is positioned between the male mold and the female mold, and capable of hermetically pressing the foil on the surface of the female mold. The supporting member is movably mounted to the surface of the female mold to prop up the foil toward the male mold before the press member presses the foil on the surface of the female mold.
Claims12
An apparatus for in-mold-decoration using a foil, comprising:
- a male mold;
- a female mold comprising a surface facing the male mold, wherein the surface defines a cavity therein, and the foils is applied to the surface of the female mold;
- a press member positioned between the male mold and the female mold, capable of hermetically pressing the foil on the surface of the female mold;
- and
- a supporting member movably mounted to the surface of the female mold to prop up the foil toward the male mold before the press member presses the foil on the surface of the female mold, the supporting member being capable of moving substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the female mold;
- wherein the supporting member is mounted to the female mold between the cavity and the press member.
A method for in-mold-decoration comprising:
- providing a female mold with a surface thereof defining a cavity that includes an inner wall;
- providing a male mold;
- providing a foil;
- transporting the foil between the male and female molds;
- providing a movable supporting member to prop up the foil toward the male mold;
- providing a press member positioned between the male and female molds;
- closing the male mold to the female mold with the press member hermetically pressing the foil on the surface of the female mold, and driving the supporting member to move into the female mold;
- vacuuming the cavity to suck the foil to spread on the inner surface of the cavity;
- and
- injecting molten resin, and cooling the molten resin down to form a molded product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.