WO2003103923A1 - Method of injection molding a part of plastic material - Google Patents

Method of injection molding a part of plastic material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003103923A1
WO2003103923A1 PCT/IT2003/000355 IT0300355W WO03103923A1 WO 2003103923 A1 WO2003103923 A1 WO 2003103923A1 IT 0300355 W IT0300355 W IT 0300355W WO 03103923 A1 WO03103923 A1 WO 03103923A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cavity
sheet
plastic material
cup
metal material
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IT2003/000355
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marina Bordo
Original Assignee
Petra Italia S.A.S. Di Marina Bordo & C.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Petra Italia S.A.S. Di Marina Bordo & C. filed Critical Petra Italia S.A.S. Di Marina Bordo & C.
Priority to AU2003237605A priority Critical patent/AU2003237605A1/en
Priority to DE10392792T priority patent/DE10392792T5/en
Publication of WO2003103923A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003103923A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/14Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles
    • B29C45/1418Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles the inserts being deformed or preformed, e.g. by the injection pressure
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29KINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2705/00Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of molding a part of plastic material.
  • Methods of molding parts of plastic material are known in which liquid plastic material is injected under pressure into a mold cavity; and the molds comprise a number of component parts, which can be disassembled to remove the part from the mold once the plastic material has set and cooled.
  • a portion of the molding is coated with metal for aesthetic and/or structural reasons .
  • the metal coating is normally deposited electrochemically, e.g. by chromium or nickel plating.
  • a method of molding a part of plastic material characterized by comprising the steps of : providing at least one mold having at least one inner cavity; placing inside said cavity a body defined by a sheet of deformable metal material; injecting plastic material under pressure inside said cavity to deform said sheet of metal material towards the walls of said cavity, so that said sheet of metal material rests on said walls and assumes the shape of at least part of said cavity; allowing said plastic material to set, and extracting a body of plastic material formed in one piece and having at least one portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
  • Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a mold which may be used to implement the method according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a first step in the method according to the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a second step in the method according to the present invention
  • Figure 4 shows a third step in the method according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows, by way of example, a view in perspective of a part molded from plastic material and which can be produced using the method according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a mold which can be used to implement the method according to the present invention. More specifically, the mold comprises a first top half-mold 1 defined by a number of parts (detailed later on) ; and a second bottom half-mold 2 also defined by a number of parts (not detailed for the sake of simplicity) .
  • Top half-mold 1 defines a first cavity 4 defined by a cylindrical wall 5 coaxial with an axis 6, by an annular, substantially C-shaped wall 7 radially larger than cylindrical wall 5, and by a substantially flat wall 8 connected to annular wall 7 and crosswise to axis 6.
  • half-mold 1 comprises a first and a second portion 10 and 11 facing each other and defining opposite portions of walls 5 and 7; and a third portion 13 defining wall 8 and the adjacent edge of annular wall 7.
  • Half-mold 2 defines a substantially cylindrical second cavity 16 coaxial with axis 6, communicating with cavity 4, and in turn defined by a wall portion 17 having a thread or similar (e.g. a profile forming a bayonet connection) .
  • a cup-shaped body 20 defined by a roughly 0.4-0.6 mm thick sheet of deformable metal material (e.g. aluminium) is inserted inside first cavity
  • cup-shaped body 20 comprises a tubular portion 21 closed on a first side by an integral dome-shaped portion 22, and having a peripheral annular edge 24 extending radially outwards from a second side of tubular portion 21.
  • Cup-shaped body 20 is positioned coaxially with axis 6, with tubular portion 21 facing cylindrical wall 5 and annular wall 7, and with dome-shaped portions 22 facing wall 8; and half-molds 1 and 2 are positioned so that peripheral annular edge 24 is gripped in fluidtight manner between half-molds 1 and 2 in the closed position.
  • a male cylindrical member 30 is inserted inside second cavity 16 and a large portion of first cavity 4. More specifically, member 30 is positioned coaxially with axis 6, with an end portion 30a facing cup-shaped body 20, which is thus interposed between the walls defining cavity 4 and member 30.
  • thermoplastic material 33 is injected under pressure inside the gap 34 ( Figure 3) defined by cup-shaped body 20 and member 30.
  • the injection pressure may conveniently be roughly 1200-2500 bars, and the injection temperature roughly 180-350 °C.
  • thermoplastic material 33 exerts pressure (Pascal's law) on the sheet of metal material forming cup-shaped body 20, and pushes the sheet of metal material towards the walls of cavity 4 so that it rests on cylindrical wall 5, annular wall 7, and wall 8, thus assuming the shape of cavity 4.
  • the thermoplastic material 33 injected into cavity 4 thus fills all the space between the deformed sheet of metal material and member 30.
  • thermoplastic material 33 also penetrates second cavity 16 having no sheet of metal material, e.g. penetrates a cylindrical tubular gap between wall 17 and member 30.
  • member 30 has a nozzle 37 on end portion 30a, by which the liquid thermoplastic material 33 is expelled.
  • thermoplastic material is allowed to set.
  • a fifth step in the method according to the present invention the mold is opened to extract the finished part.
  • third portion 13 is detached and removed from first and second portion 10,
  • First and second portion 10, 11 are then withdrawn in opposite directions to extract the part of plastic material, complete with the cup-shaped body shaped by the operations described above, from half-mold 1.
  • FIG. 5 shows, by way of a non-limiting example, a view in perspective of a part which can be produced using the method according to the present invention.
  • the part shown is a fuel tank cap of a prestige vehicle (e.g. a limited-number sports car) , which comprises a threaded tubular portion made of plastic material and closed at one end by an integral portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
  • a prestige vehicle e.g. a limited-number sports car
  • the finished part has a shaped metal layer of considerable thickness, which is not deposited, and which is firmly retained on the part of plastic material; and the resulting mechanical consistency and look are far superior to those achievable using known methods .
  • the molding method also provides for so shaping the sheet of metal material that, in section, it comprises at least a first portion of transverse dimensions Dl ( Figure 4) greater than the transverse dimensions D2 of a second portion, so that the shaped sheet firmly envelopes the underlying portion of plastic material .

Abstract

A molding method including the steps of: providing at least one mold (1, 2) having at least one inner cavity (4); placing inside the cavity (4) a body (20) defined by a sheet of deformable metal material; injecting plastic material (33) under pressure inside the cavity (4) to deform the sheet towards the walls of the cavity, so that the sheet rests on the walls (5, 7, 8) and assumes the shape of at least part of the cavity (4); allowing the injected material to set, and extracting a body of plastic material formed in one piece and having one portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal.

Description

METHOD OF INJECTION MOLDING A PART OF PLASTIC MATERIAL
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of molding a part of plastic material.
BACKGROUND ART
Methods of molding parts of plastic material are known in which liquid plastic material is injected under pressure into a mold cavity; and the molds comprise a number of component parts, which can be disassembled to remove the part from the mold once the plastic material has set and cooled.
In many applications, a portion of the molding is coated with metal for aesthetic and/or structural reasons .
The metal coating is normally deposited electrochemically, e.g. by chromium or nickel plating.
Known methods, however, fail to provide for obtaining a metal coating of appropriate thickness and consistency, so that the coating is easily removed, e.g. by wear.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of molding parts of plastic material, designed to eliminate the drawbacks of known methods.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of molding a part of plastic material, characterized by comprising the steps of : providing at least one mold having at least one inner cavity; placing inside said cavity a body defined by a sheet of deformable metal material; injecting plastic material under pressure inside said cavity to deform said sheet of metal material towards the walls of said cavity, so that said sheet of metal material rests on said walls and assumes the shape of at least part of said cavity; allowing said plastic material to set, and extracting a body of plastic material formed in one piece and having at least one portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a mold which may be used to implement the method according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a first step in the method according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a second step in the method according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a third step in the method according to the present invention;
Figure 5 shows, by way of example, a view in perspective of a part molded from plastic material and which can be produced using the method according to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a mold which can be used to implement the method according to the present invention. More specifically, the mold comprises a first top half-mold 1 defined by a number of parts (detailed later on) ; and a second bottom half-mold 2 also defined by a number of parts (not detailed for the sake of simplicity) . Top half-mold 1 defines a first cavity 4 defined by a cylindrical wall 5 coaxial with an axis 6, by an annular, substantially C-shaped wall 7 radially larger than cylindrical wall 5, and by a substantially flat wall 8 connected to annular wall 7 and crosswise to axis 6. More specifically, half-mold 1 comprises a first and a second portion 10 and 11 facing each other and defining opposite portions of walls 5 and 7; and a third portion 13 defining wall 8 and the adjacent edge of annular wall 7. Half-mold 2 defines a substantially cylindrical second cavity 16 coaxial with axis 6, communicating with cavity 4, and in turn defined by a wall portion 17 having a thread or similar (e.g. a profile forming a bayonet connection) .
In a first step in the method according to the present invention, a cup-shaped body 20 defined by a roughly 0.4-0.6 mm thick sheet of deformable metal material (e.g. aluminium) is inserted inside first cavity
4.
In the example shown, cup-shaped body 20 comprises a tubular portion 21 closed on a first side by an integral dome-shaped portion 22, and having a peripheral annular edge 24 extending radially outwards from a second side of tubular portion 21.
Cup-shaped body 20 is positioned coaxially with axis 6, with tubular portion 21 facing cylindrical wall 5 and annular wall 7, and with dome-shaped portions 22 facing wall 8; and half-molds 1 and 2 are positioned so that peripheral annular edge 24 is gripped in fluidtight manner between half-molds 1 and 2 in the closed position.
In a second step in the method according to the present invention, a male cylindrical member 30 is inserted inside second cavity 16 and a large portion of first cavity 4. More specifically, member 30 is positioned coaxially with axis 6, with an end portion 30a facing cup-shaped body 20, which is thus interposed between the walls defining cavity 4 and member 30. In a third step in the method according to the present invention (Figure 4) , thermoplastic material 33 is injected under pressure inside the gap 34 (Figure 3) defined by cup-shaped body 20 and member 30. The injection pressure may conveniently be roughly 1200-2500 bars, and the injection temperature roughly 180-350 °C.
The injected thermoplastic material 33 exerts pressure (Pascal's law) on the sheet of metal material forming cup-shaped body 20, and pushes the sheet of metal material towards the walls of cavity 4 so that it rests on cylindrical wall 5, annular wall 7, and wall 8, thus assuming the shape of cavity 4. The thermoplastic material 33 injected into cavity 4 thus fills all the space between the deformed sheet of metal material and member 30.
The thermoplastic material 33 also penetrates second cavity 16 having no sheet of metal material, e.g. penetrates a cylindrical tubular gap between wall 17 and member 30.
Preferably, though not exclusively, member 30 has a nozzle 37 on end portion 30a, by which the liquid thermoplastic material 33 is expelled.
In a fourth step in the method according to the present invention, the injected thermoplastic material is allowed to set.
In a fifth step in the method according to the present invention, the mold is opened to extract the finished part. In the example shown, third portion 13 is detached and removed from first and second portion 10,
11.
First and second portion 10, 11 are then withdrawn in opposite directions to extract the part of plastic material, complete with the cup-shaped body shaped by the operations described above, from half-mold 1.
Bottom half-mold 2 is then opened to extract the whole part . Figure 5 shows, by way of a non-limiting example, a view in perspective of a part which can be produced using the method according to the present invention. The part shown is a fuel tank cap of a prestige vehicle (e.g. a limited-number sports car) , which comprises a threaded tubular portion made of plastic material and closed at one end by an integral portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
Obviously, the method described and illustrated herein also provided for producing parts other than the one shown in Figure 5. For example, the method according to the present invention may be used to advantage for producing:
- a vehicle gear lever knob;
- a vehicle door handle body; - an electric torch body;
- an umbrella handle;
- a handbag handle.
The finished part has a shaped metal layer of considerable thickness, which is not deposited, and which is firmly retained on the part of plastic material; and the resulting mechanical consistency and look are far superior to those achievable using known methods .
The molding method also provides for so shaping the sheet of metal material that, in section, it comprises at least a first portion of transverse dimensions Dl (Figure 4) greater than the transverse dimensions D2 of a second portion, so that the shaped sheet firmly envelopes the underlying portion of plastic material .
Clearly, changes may be made to the method as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) A method of molding a part of plastic material, characterized by comprising the steps of : - providing at least one mold (1, 2) having at least one inner cavity (4) ;
- placing inside said cavity (4) a body (20) defined by a sheet of deformable metal material; injecting plastic material (33) under pressure inside said cavity (4) to deform said sheet of metal material towards the walls of said cavity, so that said sheet of metal material rests on said walls (5, 7, 8) and assumes the shape of at least part of said cavity (4) ; allowing said plastic material to set, and extracting a body of plastic material formed in one piece and having at least one portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
2) A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a cup- shaped body is placed inside said cavity.
3) A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein peripheral edges (24) of said cup-shaped body are disposed in fluidtight manner between mating portions (1, 2) of said mold.
4) A method as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein a member (30) is inserted inside a portion of said cavity
(4) , with the cup-shaped body (20) interposed between the walls defining the cavity (4) and said member (30) ; said plastic material being injected into the space between the cup-shaped body (20) and said member (30) .
5) A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, and comprising the step of so shaping said sheet of metal material that, in section, it comprises at least a first portion having transverse dimensions (Dl) greater than the transverse dimensions (D2) of a second portion, so that the shaped sheet firmly envelopes the underlying portion of plastic material.
6) A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein said part alternatively defines any one of the following elements:
- a vehicle fuel tank cap;
- a vehicle gear lever knob;
- a vehicle door handle body; - an electric torch body;
- an umbrella handle;
- a handbag handle.
7) A method of molding a vehicle fuel tank cap, characterized by comprising the steps of: - providing at least one mold (1/ 2) having at least one inner cavity (4) ;
- placing inside said cavity (4) a cup-shaped body (20) defined by a sheet of deformable metal material; injecting plastic material (33) under pressure inside said cavity (4) and said cup-shaped body to deform said sheet of metal material towards the walls of said cavity, so that said sheet of metal material rests on said walls (5, 7, 8) and assumes the shape of at least part of said cavity (4) ; allowing said plastic material to set, and extracting a cap of plastic material formed in one piece and having an end portion covered with a shaped sheet of metal .
8) A method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said cavity (4) is defined by a cylindrical first wall (5) coaxial with an axis (6) , by an annular second wall (7) radially larger than said cylindrical first wall (5) , and by a substantially flat third wall (8) connected to said annular second wall (7) and crosswise to said axis (6) .
PCT/IT2003/000355 2002-06-07 2003-06-05 Method of injection molding a part of plastic material WO2003103923A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003237605A AU2003237605A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-05 Method of injection molding a part of plastic material
DE10392792T DE10392792T5 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-05 Method for injection molding a part of plastic material

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITT02002A000478 2002-06-07
IT2002TO000478A ITTO20020478A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2002-06-07 MOLDING METHOD OF A PIECE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003103923A1 true WO2003103923A1 (en) 2003-12-18

Family

ID=27639140

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2003/000355 WO2003103923A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-05 Method of injection molding a part of plastic material

Country Status (4)

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AU (1) AU2003237605A1 (en)
DE (1) DE10392792T5 (en)
IT (1) ITTO20020478A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003103923A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005109984A2 (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-11-24 Bang & Olufsen A/S A process for the manufacture of a hybrid element comprising a metal skin

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2131319A (en) * 1933-01-03 1938-09-27 Crown Cork & Seal Co Method and apparatus for making composite caps
US2158044A (en) * 1929-05-18 1939-05-09 Hygrade Sylvanla Corp Method of making contactor bases for electric lamps, tubes, and the like
FR1578138A (en) * 1968-06-21 1969-08-14
JPS56137A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-01-06 Yoshida Kogyo Kk <Ykk> Manufacture of container and container thereof
JPH047113A (en) * 1990-04-25 1992-01-10 Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd Injection molding method
EP0867334A1 (en) * 1997-03-27 1998-09-30 R. Schmidt Gmbh Method and tool for making a rod-shaped supporting body

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2158044A (en) * 1929-05-18 1939-05-09 Hygrade Sylvanla Corp Method of making contactor bases for electric lamps, tubes, and the like
US2131319A (en) * 1933-01-03 1938-09-27 Crown Cork & Seal Co Method and apparatus for making composite caps
FR1578138A (en) * 1968-06-21 1969-08-14
JPS56137A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-01-06 Yoshida Kogyo Kk <Ykk> Manufacture of container and container thereof
JPH047113A (en) * 1990-04-25 1992-01-10 Yoshino Kogyosho Co Ltd Injection molding method
EP0867334A1 (en) * 1997-03-27 1998-09-30 R. Schmidt Gmbh Method and tool for making a rod-shaped supporting body

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 005, no. 043 (M - 060) 23 March 1981 (1981-03-23) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 016, no. 153 (M - 1235) 15 April 1992 (1992-04-15) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005109984A2 (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-11-24 Bang & Olufsen A/S A process for the manufacture of a hybrid element comprising a metal skin
WO2005109984A3 (en) * 2004-05-18 2005-12-29 Bang & Olufsen As A process for the manufacture of a hybrid element comprising a metal skin

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTO20020478A1 (en) 2003-12-09
AU2003237605A1 (en) 2003-12-22
DE10392792T5 (en) 2005-06-30
ITTO20020478A0 (en) 2002-06-07

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