CA2125130A1 - Method of and apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles - Google Patents

Method of and apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles

Info

Publication number
CA2125130A1
CA2125130A1 CA 2125130 CA2125130A CA2125130A1 CA 2125130 A1 CA2125130 A1 CA 2125130A1 CA 2125130 CA2125130 CA 2125130 CA 2125130 A CA2125130 A CA 2125130A CA 2125130 A1 CA2125130 A1 CA 2125130A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
mold half
base body
side mold
injection
closing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2125130
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Helmut Eckardt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Battenfeld GmbH
Original Assignee
Helmut Eckardt
Battenfeld Gmbh
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 Helmut Eckardt, Battenfeld Gmbh filed Critical Helmut Eckardt
Publication of CA2125130A1 publication Critical patent/CA2125130A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B29C51/00Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C51/16Lining or labelling
    • 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
    • B29C43/00Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C43/04Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using movable moulds
    • 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
    • B29C43/00Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/02Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C43/20Making multilayered or multicoloured articles
    • B29C43/203Making multilayered articles
    • 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
    • B29C45/0053Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping
    • 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
    • B29C43/00Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/32Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C43/36Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C2043/3676Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles moulds mounted on rotating supporting constuctions
    • B29C2043/3678Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles moulds mounted on rotating supporting constuctions on cylindrical supports with moulds or mould cavities provided on the periphery
    • B29C2043/3681Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles moulds mounted on rotating supporting constuctions on cylindrical supports with moulds or mould cavities provided on the periphery opening and closing axially, i.e. parallel to the rotation axis
    • 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
    • B29C45/0053Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping
    • B29C2045/0079Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping applying a coating or covering
    • 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
    • B29C2793/00Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
    • B29C2793/009Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation after shaping
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29LINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2009/00Layered products
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29LINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing of a laminated molded article, which is formed of a base body injection molded from a thermoplastic material and a cover layer, wherein an exposed surface of the finished base body which is retained by a closing side mold half is heated before the application of the cover layer thereto, and a transfer mold half, complementary to the closing side mold half, is brought into an overlapping position with the closing side mold half to press the cover layer onto the heated exposed surface of the base body.

Description

%~2~:~3n BACR~RO~ND OF ~E INV~NTI~N

The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for manu~acturing laminated molded articles consisting of an injection molded base body which is formed of a thermoplastic ma~erial an~ at least one cover layer, wherein a closing side mold half which retains the finished base body is brought into an overlapping rQlationship with a complementary transfer mold half which pre ses the cover laysr onto the Pxposed sur~ace of the base body.

The above-described method and apparatus axe disclosed in German publication DE 41 01 106 Al. The prior art discloses a vertically closable injection molding machine in which an in~ection head is connected with an injsction mold, which comprises an upper mold half which is vertically displaceable on guide columns. ~n the closed position of the-injection mold, the upper and lower mold halves define a closed cavity into which a thermoplastic material is injected by the injection head to form a base body having a predetermined shape.

_ -~
2~51~0 A~ter the injection molding of the base body is completed, the injection head is moved away from the mold and the upper mold half is li~ted. The bas~ body remains in the lower mold hal~ which is supported on a table rotatable about a vertical axis. By rotating the table 1~0, the lower mold half, with not yet solidified base body, is brought into a position under an upper transf~r mold half with which it forms a transfer mold, and in which position a cover layer of a flexiblP materiial is applied to the exposed sur~ace of the finished base body. ~ith downward movement of the upper mold hal~, the cover layer is pressed against ~he exposed, not yet- :
solidi~ied, base body surface and is connected with the e~posed suxface.

There are two identical lower mold halves supported on the rotatable table with one of the lower mold halves forming an injection mold with the upper mold half, and the other of the lower mold halves forming a transfer mold with the upper trans~er mold half. Thus, during the same opera~lonal cycle, a base body is ~ormed by injection molding while another, fini~hed base body is being covered with a -cover layer.
~ -~
`
'~:l2~3 With this known method of manufacturing laminated molded articles, the mold, in which injection molding of the base body is effected, is opened before the plastic material is completely solidifi2d. Immediately after opening of the mold, the lower mold hal~ is displaced into a position in which the base body is laminated wikh a ~over material, e.g., cloth, natural or artificial leather, foam material, textile material, etc., which cover material is supplied either in a form of a ban~, which is wound of a roll 9 or in a form o~

preformed or non-prefo~med cut-out piPce.

The major drawbacks of this prior art method con~ists in-that tha exposed surface of the base ~ody a~ter the opening of the injection mold, is cooled down to a lower than necessary temperature or, in the case when the mold is opened too early, is so fusible khat the base body mat~rial adheres to the walls of the upper mold half. To insure a complete separation of the base body from the upper mold half and retaining of the base body in the lower mold half, it is therefore necessary ko cover the inner surfaces of the upper mold half with approprlate separating means or to cover these surface with an adhesion-reducing material, such as TEFLON~
., ~r . ~ ~ ~
~ ,~

carbon or the like, or to form the whole mold hal~ from an appropriate material, e.g., reinforc~d carbon.

In aocordance wi~h another known method, for laminating the base body, the inner walls of the upper mold half are covered with a paper material before the injection of the thermoplastic ma~erial in~o the clcsed mold, which paper material is deformed upon injecting of the plast.ic material into the mold. However, as known, the injection molding is accompanied by a rather high pressure inside the mold which pressure adversely~acts on ~he paper material and may destroy i~.

A~cording to another method of manufacturing of the laminated molded articles, the thermoplastic material is injected into a slightly open mold and, thereafter, the two mold halvee are brought into an abutting engagement by a-controlled displacement of the upper mold half, whereby a~
maximum possible uniform pressure is applied to the paper or-other ma~erial. The drawback of the last-mentioned method consists in that an optimal pressure for forming the base body and for deforming the paper material could not be the same.

212.~13~

As a result, the paper or other cover mat~rial is frequently damaged because of the high injection pressure. Finally, the--molten plastic material can penetrate into the cover material, e.g.~ cloth or textile band, and harden it to an undesirable degree.

Accordingly, the object of the invention is a method of and an apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles which would eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art and would simpli~y and improve the manufacturing process.

8nMN~RY OF T~B I~YENTION

This, and other objects of the invention which will become apparent hereina~ter, are achieved by providing a - ~:
~ethod in which the surface of the base body, which is to be~
covered by the cover layer, is heated after the base body is lnjection molded and before the cover layer is pressed onto -it. ~
. ' ~
By, preferably, controlled heating of the exposed _ surface of the base body with a heating devlce which can be introduced ei~her between the mold halves of the open injection mold or the mold halves o~ the open transfer mold, the exposed sur~ace can be heated, between the injection and laminating steps, in a controlled manner, to a temperature which would insure a reliable connection wikh the cover material without the cover material being damaged in any way.

While, advantageously, both the injection molding step and ~he laminating step can be performed during one operational cycle, to which end at least two pairs o~
appropriate mold halves are pxovided, the two steps can be optimally controlled independently of each other and, in--particular, with heating of the base body between the twv steps, the outer temperature of the exposed surface of the base body can be precisely controlled. The temperature of the :~
exposed ba~e body surface can be controlled to such a degree that the exposed surface retains a predetermined contour while being melted to a degree which insures good adhesion to the cover layer. ThPreby, the adhesion to the mold walls or-deviation from a predetermined shape which occurs with prior-art methods because of an elevated temperatur~ of the base body or an early opening of the injection mold, is reliably 7~

-``` 2:~513D

prevented. At that, the injection molding is e~fected with conventional means O Only after the opening of the inj ection mold the base body is heated to a desired temperature with a heating device the shape o~ which, preferably, corresponds to the shape of the exposed base body sur~ace which is to be covered by the cover layer.

The apparatus ~or effecting the inventive method includes an injection unit, a closing unit comprising at least two molds, each of which is formed of two mold halves, with the mold half of the transfer mold, which serves as a transfer mold half, having an inner contour corresponding to the shape of the cover layer to be applied to the base body, and a heating device insertable between the mold halves of the first or second mold in the open position of the respective mold.

The apparatus further comprises means for bringing the base body retainirlg mold half into an overlapping relationship with the trarlsfer mold half, a~ter the base body has been heated to a desired ~emperature, so that a cover material can be applied to the base body to form a cover! lay~r thereon. At that, the pressure applied by the tra~sfer mold ~i ` 2:~2~3~

ne~d not be as high as the injection pressure but ~hould only insure an ade~ua~e application o~ the cover material onto the base body.

The appropriate heating of the coverable surface of the base body insures a reliable, strong adhesion between the :~
base body and the cover layer without applying to the base body or the cover material an adhesive, which is customary : ~ .
with the prior art methods.
:.

By forming both the base body and the cover layer from materials on the same or similar basis, e.g., polypropelen basis, a 100% recyclin~ can be achieved. Becau~e the base body is completely injection molded before th~ cover layer is applied, no high pressure acts on the cover material.
The pressure applied to the cover material is rather low and it should only be sufficient for insuring a contact between the slightly molten outer surface of the base body and the cover material. Because there is no flow o~ the plastic-material, it cannot penetrate into the cover material which-permits to avoid use o~ a cover material~ e.g., a textile _g _ ~ ~

--`` 2~2~130 material, covered or sealed with a foil, which reduces the cost~ of the material used for forming the cover layer.

As it has already been discussed earlier, when a special trans~er mold half is used for laminating the base body, a conven~ional injection mold i~ used for forming the base body.

When the mold halves that cooperate with a trans~er mold hal~ are supported on a rotatable support, e.g., a-~rotatable table, in a known manner, simul~aneous lamination of-the bass body with the cover layer and closing of theinjectlon mold is achieved so that a-new cycle is started as soon as the laminated article i5 removed, There is no need for a rotatable table or a pivotable mold carrier when the molds themselves are formed as rs:~tary molds.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the heating device can be comprised of a plate made of a heat-conductive metal and be heated in its non~
operational position with heating means located externally of the closing unit. Alternatively, the heating plate can be -~ 2 ~ 3 ~
.

heated in its operational position when it is located adjacent to the heatable surface, e.g., by insertion of quick-acting heating means such as a heating coil. The base body can be heate~ by radiation, convection, or infra-red rays.

Using a heating plate having a required shape provides for a very simple structure of the heating device.
The plate can be made o aluminum, copper, beryllium-copper alloy, and the like. As an ex~ernal hea~ing means, an oven, into which the heating device can be placed, may be used. As soon as ~he injection mold opens, after ~he injection molding operaton is completed; an externally heated element, e.g., a heating plate, can be placed adjacent to the base body for appropriately melting and heating the exposed base body surface.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the di tance between the closing side mold half and the trans~er mold half, in the laminating position, is adjustable. To this end, the transfer mold half can be provided with distance-adjusting means. For example, the distance can be steplessly adjusted with an adjusting wedge.

.~

~:

~ 3 ~

Alternatively, spacers can be used ~or discreet adjustment o~
tha distance so th~t it would correspond to the desired total wall thickness (base body plus cover layer).

This distance adjustment between the mold halves of the trans~er mold:is necessary when, for the same thickness of the cover layar, the thickness of cover materials varies. The adjusting means can be dispensed with when each mold is provided with its own closing pla~e. In this case, by changing th~ displacement speed and pressure, a separate adjustment of both molds can be achiev~d.

According to one of the embodiments of the invention, the t~ansfer mold half may be provided with at least one slide. Because the laminatiny mold ne~d not be designed to withstand high pressure, it is possible to integrate into the transfer mold half displaceable inserts, e.g., slides, wh~ch are able to displace, in the closed position of the trans~er mold, the cover material or the cover layer in a direction such that the cover layer has a bendover.

.

~ ., i .'.'.. ,." `. '.! .

~`
--`' 212~130 When, advantageously, the slide overlaps the base body at an angle wi~h a gradually decreasing gap, it is.
possible to achieve a nice shaping of the lower layer on the base body and obtain an aesthetic ~rticle. Further, one or more slides can be provided, ~ach having a separate drive, displacing the cover material at ~ erent angles so that the cover layer uni~ormly contacts the base body along the entire contact area. To provide for proper shaping and application of the cover material, two drives o~ a slide can be commonly controlled. The drive may be electrical, hydraulic or of any other suitable type.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the transfer or laminating mold half can be provided with a cutting tool. In this case, in the absence of any bendover of the cover layer, simultaneously with the application of the cover layer, trimming of projacted edge portion of the cover material is effected.

Alternatively, a cutting device may be arranged separately after the injection and transfer molds so~ that trimming is ef~ected after the laminating process and not-2 ~ 2~ 25011-70 simultaneously ~herewith. When the closing side mold halves are supported on a rotatable table, the finished article is trlmmed after being pivo~ed from the laminating position into a pOBitiOn in which it is engaged by the cutting device.
When a finished artlcle is removed at a third position, which is located af~er the injection and lamina~ing positiong, three closing side mold halves are necessary, so that the completely fin1shed article can be brought to a removal position wlthout interrup~ing operation at the injection and laminating 10 positions.
If a separate cutting step is contemplated after the laminating step has been completed, the removal of a finished article is effected in a ~ourth po~ition. When a rotatable table is used, the positions will be displaced relative to each other by 90, and four closing side mold halves and three operating mold halves would become necessary.
In summary, a firæt broad aspect of tha invention provides a method of the manufacturing o~ a laminated molded article formed of a base body having a prede~ermlned shape and injection molded from a thermoplastic material and at least one cover layer, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least one closing side mold half and an lnjection side mold half ~ -which deflne, in a closed posltion thereof, a cavity having a ~ ;;
shape correspondlng to the shape of the base body; bringing the one closing side mold half and the injection side mold half into the closed position thereof and injecting a thermopla tic material into the mold cavlty to form the base body; ~ithdrawlng the ~4 ~ .

2 ~ 5 .~

ln~ec~lon ~ide mold half; heating an ~xposed base body surface which is to be covered by the cover layer; and bringing the one closing side mold half into a position in which ~he one closing side mold half is overlapped by a complementary transfer mold hal~
which applies a cover layer to the base body, whereby a cover layer material which was prellminarily positioned between the one closing side mold half and ~he ~ransfer mold hal is pxessed onto the heated exposed base body surface.
In accordance with a second broad aspect, the lnvention provides an apparatus for manufacturing of a laminated molded article formed of a base body having a predetermined shape and injection molded from a thermoplastic materlal and a~ least one cover layer, said apparatus comprising, closing means comprlsing:
a first mold for injectlon molding o~ the base body and including a first closing side mold half and an in~ection side mold half which de$ine, in a closed position of the first mold, a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base body; a second mold for laminating ~he finished base body with the cover layer and includlng a second closing side mold half and a transfer ~old half; means for injec~ing a thermoplastic material into the mold cavity to form the base body; and means for heating an exposed surface of the finished base body to be covered with the cover layer, and which are di~placeahle from a non-operational positlon thereo~ externally of said closing means into an operational position thereo~ when the heating means are located adjacent to the exposed base body surface.

~ ~ ~? - 1'3(3 . ~ t BRI~F_DESCRIPTION OE THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the pre~ent invention will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood from the ~ollowing detailed descrip~lon of the prefexred embodiments, when .read wlth reference to the ~:
accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an ln~ection molding apparatus, according to the present inventlon, for manufacturing laminated molded artlcles from plastic materials and including horizontal cloæing and injection units;
Figure ~ is a plan view of ano~her embodiment of the ~ ~:
apparakus shown in Figure 1 with the injection unlt being located in the separation plane of the mold halves; . :~
Figure 3 is a plan view of another embodiment oi the apparatus shown in Figure 1 includin~ a vertical closing unit and the closing plate being displaced on vertical columns;
Eigures 4a-4g are plan views showing consecutive stages o~ manufacturing a lamina~ed molded article by injection molding, -accordlng to ~he present invention;
:. :. .

_ '.:
l5a ~ 212~ L30 Fig. 5a is a plan view of a laminated molded article having a shape different from that of the article shown in Figs. 4a-4g;

~ ig. 5b is a plan view of a laminated molded article o~ yet another shape;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a laminated molded article, which ~s manufactured according to the present invention, and has a surface ex~ending parallel to the direction of the openiny movement of the mold halves;

Figs. 7a-7g are plan views showing consecuti~e st~ges of ~anufacturing a laminated molded article, shown in Fig. 6, by injection mol~ing, according to the present invention, Figs. 8a-8d are par~ial plan views showin~ four consecutive operational steps of manufacturing a laminated molded article, the top layer of which has a bendover, according to the present invention;

_ ,~ -~ ' - 2~2~30 Fig. 9 is a plan view of an apparatus similar to that of Fig. 1, with an adjusting wedge associated with one of the mold halves;

. ,~
Fig. 10 is a view illustrating transmission of heat--to the exposed surface o~ th~ base body from a heating plate by convection; and Figs. lla and llb are partial plan views showing .
positions of a cu~ting die before (Fig. lla) and after-(Fig. llb) tri~ming of projectPd edge portions of the~
cover lay~r.

DE:TAILED D~EI~lC~:tP5!ION OF ~ PREFl~RRED EMl~ODIMl~
:
Figure 1 ~hows an apparatus 1, for examp]e, an- ~:
injection molding machine, for injection molding a base member- :~
2, 3, 4 (Fig. 5): 5 (Fig. 6): or 6 (Figs. 4a-4d) and for-subsequently laminating the base member with a covering layer-7 in a form of, e.g., another plastic material, textile layer,~
film, tapestry, etc., to thereby obtain a laminated ~olded~

' , ~
^.
~~' .

2 :l t~ 3 0 article 8. The apparatus includes a horizontal injection unit 9 and a horizontal closin~ unit 10. The closing unit 10 includes two molds, 11 and 12, each consisting oP two mold halves lla, llb and 12a, 12b, respectively. The mold halves which are located adjacent to the injection unit are supported on a cloRing plate 15 movable, on columns 13, in a direction toward plate 14 of the closing unit 10. The closing side mold halves lla and 12a are supported on a rotata~le table 17 adjustable in the direction o~ arrow 16. The first mold 11 form~, in a closed posi~ion o~ the mold halves lla and llb, a closed cavity into which a thermoplastic material is injected by an injection head 18 of the injection unit g to for~ a base body 2-6 having a predetermined shaps.

After the injection of ~he material is finished, the in~ection head 18, which is generally displaced with respect to the center line of the apparatus together with the injection unlt, is withdrawn from the first mold 11, and the closing plate 15 returns to its initial position shown in Fig.
1. As a result of the withdrawal of the closing plate 15, the mold halves lla and llb open, and a reciprocating plate 20, which forms a part of a heating device, is moved from its non-.

operational position into a position between the mold halves lla and llb ~or heating the external side of the injection molded base body 2, which remains in the mold half lla. The ex~ernal surface i5 heated ~o such an exten~ that it can act at least as a good adhesive and even becomes molten, if needed. The hea~ which is stored in the hea~ing plate 2l of th~ heating device 20 is transmitted to the external surface of the base member by convection, as illustrated in Fig. lOo After the heating plate 2l is withdrawn, the rotatable table 17 is ro~ated by 180 and the mold half lla occupies the position o~ the mold half l2a, whereas the mold l2a is displaced to a posi~ion which was prev.iously occupied by the mold half lla. The molds lla and 12a, because of their mutually exchan~eable positions, are so ~ormed that they can cooperate with either of mold halves llb, 12b. The mold halve~ llb and 12b differ from each other in that the mold half 12b represents a transfer mold with which the appli~d cov~r layer 7 is pressed, in position I, onto the base body 2 which is retained by the mold half 12a,while, in position II, a new base body 2 is injection molded simultaneously in the ~irst mold ll.

1 ~ ll fft ff3 ~ 3 ~

It should be obvious that during ~he lamination o~
the ba~e body 2 retained in ~he mold half 12a and thP
injection molding of a new base membfer 2 in the mcffld 11, the closing platP is displacfed from its position in Fig. 1 to its closing position. Thus, simultaneously, during each operational cycle, the already injection molded base b~ody 2 is covered with a cover layer 7 to ~orm a laminated frticle 8 and a new base body ~ is injection molded, with the alreafdy formed artifrle 8 being removed from the closing device 10 before the start of a new cycle.

For trimming the projecting portion 31 of the cover layer of the l~minated article 8 when no bendover of the cover layer is envif~af~ed, there is provided ih the movablffa mold half 12b, a cutting die 3~ff (see Figs~ lla, llb) having a movablf2f pressure pad 32 and a knife blafde 33. Alternatively, a cutting die may be mounted on the ro~atable table 17 as a third station. If needed, a ~ourth station may be provided on thfef rotatable kable 17ff, after the cutting die, for removal of the laminated molded article 8.

-2~f-:-, `~
~ ~ 2~ l~a T~e injection molding machine, which is shown in-Fig. 2, differs from that of Fig. 1 in that tha injection unit 9 is locatad in the separa~ion plane o~ mold halves lla, llb and 12a, 12b, and the injection is effected either in an L--position from above or from another position.

The injection molding machine 200, shown in Fig. 3, produces the laminated molded articles in the same way, that is, in the ~ame steps as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that is..
the base body 2~6 which is injection molded in the mold half lla or 12a, is brought into ~he cover layer applying position I whereat, after the top layer has been pressed thereonto, the .~o obtained laminated article i5 removed from khe respective mold. The injection molding machine of Fig. 3 differs from-those of Figs. 1 and 2 in that it includes a vertical closing unit 10, with the closing plate 15 being displaceable on vertical columns 13. Basides, each o~ the movable mold halve~
llb and 12~ has its own closing plate 22 and 23~
respectively. Because the mold halves llb and 12b each has its own closing plate, they can be displaced independently from each othex, e.g., they may be advanced with different-speeds and pressure.

.:~
~.

I
~:li?~13~3 ,.i In this embodiment o~ an injection molded machine, it is unnecessary to equip the transfer mol~ 12b with adjusting means for compensating a different distance between mold halves 12b, 12a or 12b, lla which results from a differsnt thickness of the cover layer 7 applied to the base body. In the injection molding machines o~ Fiys. 1 and 2, respectively, for the compensation of a di~erent distance between the mold halves, an adjusting wedge 24, as shown in FigO 9, is used as the adjusting m ans for changing the length of the transfer mol~ 12bo Figs. 4a-4g show separate consecutive steps o~ the ~ethod of manufacturing lamina~ed molded articles, according to the present inven~ion. The injection head 18 o~ the injection unit ~ injects an appropriate plastic material into the cavity of th~ closed mold 11 or 12 through a sprue channel 25 provided in th mold half llb, whereby a basa body 6 is formed (Fig. 4a). Thereafter, ~he mold halves are moved away from each other and a heating plate 21 of the heating device 20, which has a shape corresponding to that of the base body, is moved into a position between the op~n mold halves and is-positioned adjacent to the base body 6 (Fig. 4b). After a ~ -`\
i 2~2~j~3n predetermined time period, th2 heating plate 21 is withdrawn and the mold hal~ lla or 12a is pivoted int~ the cover layer application position I into which an appropriate cover layer 7 is advanced (Fig. 4c~.

Upon closing o~ the mold halves lla or 12a and 12b (Figs. 4d, 4e) the cover layer 7 is pressed onto the base body 6, with the gap 26 between ~he mold halves lla or 12a and 12b is establishe~ by a spacer (not shown) or an adjusting wedge 24 (Fig. 9). After the cover layer 7 is pressed onto the bage body 6, the mold half 12b is moved away from ~he mold hal~ lla or 12a and the finished laminated molded article 8 is removed ~rom mold half lla or 12a.
'.'-In the same manner, a laminated molded articlehaving a base body 5 with a portion extending parallel to the direction of displacement o~ the movable mold half is produced, as shown in Figs. 7a-7gO FigO 7g shows a finished laminated molded article 8 having the base body 5. The transfer mold half 12b includes a slide 27 ~or pressing a portion oP the cover layer 7 onto the corresponding angular portion o~ the base body 5 (Figs. 7d, 7e) by bending the ~;

2~2~-~ 3~

appropriate por~ion inward. Alternatively, th~ slidP 27 may be provided with two drives (no~ shown) which displace the slide 27 along the contour of the ~ase mPmber with a narrow, gradually increasing clearance. Simul~aneoUsly, during this step the projecting edye portion of the top layer 7 can be cut o~ with a die 34, as ~hown in FigsO 11~ and llb.

Figs~ 8a~8d show the stages o~ the process ~or manufacturing o~ a laminated molded article 8, the cover layer 7 of which has a bendover ~8, in an injection molding machine 1, 100 or 200. In particular, Figs. 8a-8d show the stages of-forming an upper corner por~ion of a base body 2-6. Because the transfer mold half 12b, not shown in Figs. ~a-8d, is designed for ef~ecting only the lamination step and does not re~uire the application of a substantial pressure thereto, it is possible to provide ~he trans~er mold half 12b with inserts 29, and 30 which, in a closed position of ~he mold, displace the cover layer material (plastic ma~erial, film, textile material, tapestry, etc.) in predete~mined directions to obtain a requixed bendover 28.

`i 2~2~

Fig. 8a shows displacemen~ of the insert 29 in a forward direction after the cover layer 7 has been applied to.
the bas~ body 2-6 and a counter slide has bean withdrawn.
FigO 8b sh~ws a position of the insert 2~ after the insert wa~
displaced a predetermined di ~ance. Upon reaching the position of Fig. 8b, the insert 29 is withdrawn (see Fig. 8c), and a vertically displaceable insert 30 is displaced downwardly to effect bending of the co~er layer ~or forming the bendover 28, as shown in Fig. 8d. The bendover 28 can be .-formed im~ediately after closing of the second mold and tha-application of the cover layer is completed when the base body 2-6 still has the re~uired hi~h temperature so that an ade~uate adhesion is achieved.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various modi~ications thereof will bs apparent to those skilled in th~ -art and, therefore, it is not intended that the invention be F
limited to the disclosed embodiments or details thereo~ and .
departures may be made therefrom with the spirit and scope of_ the appended claims~

Claims (15)

1. A method of the manufacturing of a laminated molded article formed of a base body having a predetermined shape and injection molded from a thermoplastic material and at least one cover layer, said method comprising the steps of:
providing at least one closing side mold half and an injection side mold half which define, in a closed position thereof, a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base body;

bringing the one closing side mold half and the injection side mold half into the closed position thereof and injecting a thermoplastic material into the mold cavity to form the base body withdrawing the injection side mold half;

heating an exposed base body surface which is to be covered by the cover layer; and bringing the one closing side mold half into a position in which the one closing side mold half is overlapped by a complementary transfer mold half which applies a cover layer to the base body, whereby a cover layer material which was preliminarily positioned between the one closing side mold half and the transfer mold half is pressed onto the heated exposed base body surface.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heating step includes controlled heating of the exposed base body surface.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing another closing side mold half; bringing, alternatively, the one closing side mold half and the another closing side mold half into respective positions in which they face the injection side mold half and the transfer mold half, respectively; and simultaneously advancing the injection side mold half and the transfer mold half toward the one and another mold halves, whereby lamination of the finished base body and closing of mold halves, which form an injection mold, occur during one operational cycle.
4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said heating step includes advancing heating means between the one mold half and one of the injection side mold half after the injection side mold half has been withdrawn, and the transfer mold half before the transfer mold half is brought into the position in which it overlaps the one closed side mold half.
5. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting a distance between the one closing side mold half and the transfer mold half in a spaced position thereof.
6. An apparatus for manufacturing of a laminated molded article formed of a base body having a predetermined shape and injection molded from a thermoplastic material and at least one cover layer, said apparatus comprising:

closing means comprising:

a first mold for injection molding of the base body and including a first closing side mold half and an injection side mold half which define, in a closed position of the first mold, a cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base body;

a second mold for laminating the finished base body with the cover layer and including a second closing side mold half and a transfer mold half;

means for injecting a thermoplastic material into the mold cavity to form the base body; and means for heating an exposed surface of the finished base body to be covered with the cover layer, and which are displaceable from a non-operational position thereof externally of said closing means into an operational position thereof when the heating means are located adjacent to the exposed base body surface.
7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said heating means comprises a heating plate having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base body.
8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said heating plate is made of a heat-conducting metal and is heated by means located externally of said closing means.
9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said closing means comprises a rotatable table for supporting said first and second closing side mold halves.
10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising means for adjusting a distance between said second closing side mold half and said transfer mold half in an open position of said second mold.
11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising insert slide means forming part of said transfer mold half.
12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said insert slide means are so arranged that it overlaps the base body, in an overlapping position of said second closing side mold half and said transfer mold half, with gradually decreasing clearance.
13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising cutting means for trimming the cover layer.
14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said cutting means form part of said second mold.
15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising means for removing of the laminated article from the second closing side mold half.
CA 2125130 1993-06-04 1994-06-03 Method of and apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles Abandoned CA2125130A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEP4318574.6 1993-06-04
DE19934318574 DE4318574A1 (en) 1993-06-04 1993-06-04 Method and device for producing laminated plastic molded parts

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2125130A1 true CA2125130A1 (en) 1994-12-05

Family

ID=6489627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2125130 Abandoned CA2125130A1 (en) 1993-06-04 1994-06-03 Method of and apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0629487A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07137124A (en)
CA (1) CA2125130A1 (en)
DE (1) DE4318574A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103660209A (en) * 2012-09-07 2014-03-26 恩格尔奥地利有限公司 Vertical double plate clamping unit and method for making mixed die-casting component
CN110421784A (en) * 2019-08-20 2019-11-08 温州富成机械有限公司 A kind of injection molding of rubber technique of polychrome difference physical property
CN114007834A (en) * 2019-05-17 2022-02-01 佳能弗吉尼亚股份有限公司 Manufacturing method and injection molding system

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19604612A1 (en) * 1996-02-08 1997-08-14 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Lightweight, high temperature, low pressure mould with integral heating and cooling
EP0816051B1 (en) * 1996-06-26 2002-02-20 Paul Kiefel Gmbh Laminating method and apparatus for performing same
IL131146A (en) 1997-01-29 2004-07-25 Gram Jes Tougaard Procedure and machinery for the moulding of an assembled object
DE19920941A1 (en) 1999-05-07 2000-11-16 Krauss Maffei Kunststofftech Method for producing plastic parts with an embossed structure and device for carrying out the method
WO2003097330A1 (en) * 2002-05-14 2003-11-27 Brown Machine, Llc Method and apparatus for thermoforming twin sheet hollow plastic articles
DE102006019007B3 (en) 2006-04-25 2007-06-28 Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik Gmbh Process to fabricate polyurethane-coated composite material component bearing a foil or decorative pattern fixed within a fixed frame
CN101537691B (en) * 2008-03-19 2012-09-19 深圳富泰宏精密工业有限公司 Injection mould and method for manufacturing shell by utilizing same
CN102001470B (en) * 2010-07-30 2012-06-27 楚天科技股份有限公司 Bag making lower mould for production line of big transfusion soft bag
JP5880354B2 (en) * 2012-08-29 2016-03-09 宇部興産機械株式会社 Insert molding method
CN105058667A (en) * 2015-07-20 2015-11-18 东莞劲胜精密组件股份有限公司 Manufacturing method and device for double-color bracelet
CN107839171B (en) * 2017-12-06 2019-12-03 星威国际家居有限公司 Intersect filled type dual-color plastic chair and is integrally formed injection mold
CN110733184A (en) * 2019-10-21 2020-01-31 广州市锐博新材料股份有限公司 resin board production and preparation method
CN112339217B (en) * 2020-10-13 2022-04-22 武汉理工大学 Variable-thickness blade metal edge covering forming and connecting integrated device and method
CN112622505A (en) * 2020-12-22 2021-04-09 盐城亚恩科技有限公司 Mould for salt carving production and fixing structure thereof

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3127497A (en) * 1961-06-12 1964-03-31 Monsanto Chemicals Apparatus for controlling the application of heat
US3318744A (en) * 1963-03-27 1967-05-09 Reeves Bros Inc Method of laminating polyurethane foam
AT308378B (en) * 1967-01-09 1973-07-10 Koepp Ag Device for laminating polyurethane foam sheets
FR1540057A (en) * 1967-09-22 1968-09-20 Continental Can Co Method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite box cover
DE2915923A1 (en) * 1979-04-20 1980-10-23 Illig Maschinenbau Adolf Appts. for covering articles with thermoplastics foils - has two carriages moving in line between stations and mould and cutter are disposed on opposite sides of foil
JPS5640521A (en) * 1979-09-11 1981-04-16 Sumitomo Bakelite Co Ltd Forming and working device for ornamental panel
DE3416813A1 (en) * 1983-05-25 1984-12-20 Gustav 5140 Erkelenz Stange Moulding tool
IT1180975B (en) * 1984-05-03 1987-09-23 Lorenzin Ind Mecc DEVICE FOR HEATING THERMOPLASTIC ITEMS IN INTERMEDIATE STEPS OF PROCEDURES CONSISTING OF MULTIPLE INJECTIONS
IT1186919B (en) * 1985-07-31 1987-12-16 Gor Applic Speciali Srl MOLD FOR COATING AND SPINNING OF PLASTIC PRODUCTS
EP0514541B1 (en) * 1990-12-06 1996-06-05 Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing door trim of motor vehicle
DE4101106A1 (en) * 1991-01-16 1992-07-23 Krauss Maffei Ag METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING LAMINATED MOLDED PARTS
JP2513142Y2 (en) * 1991-09-17 1996-10-02 河西工業株式会社 Adhesion device for skin materials in interior parts
DE4131578A1 (en) * 1991-09-23 1993-04-01 Krauss Maffei Ag METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A PLASTIC MOLD BY INJECTION MOLDING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COMPOSITE MOLDED BODY

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103660209A (en) * 2012-09-07 2014-03-26 恩格尔奥地利有限公司 Vertical double plate clamping unit and method for making mixed die-casting component
CN103660209B (en) * 2012-09-07 2016-08-24 恩格尔奥地利有限公司 The double plate closing unit of vertical and the method manufacturing mixing diecast parts
CN114007834A (en) * 2019-05-17 2022-02-01 佳能弗吉尼亚股份有限公司 Manufacturing method and injection molding system
CN114007834B (en) * 2019-05-17 2023-08-29 佳能弗吉尼亚股份有限公司 Manufacturing method and injection molding system
CN110421784A (en) * 2019-08-20 2019-11-08 温州富成机械有限公司 A kind of injection molding of rubber technique of polychrome difference physical property

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH07137124A (en) 1995-05-30
DE4318574A1 (en) 1994-12-08
EP0629487A1 (en) 1994-12-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2125130A1 (en) Method of and apparatus for manufacturing laminated molded articles
US5401457A (en) Process for forming a color coated article
WO1988008364A1 (en) Method of manufacturing multi-layer molded products
CA2092822C (en) Method for producing multilayer molded article
US5759464A (en) Methods for manufacturing multilayer moldings
EP0951982B1 (en) Method of making fused film plastic parts and articles made by such methods
EP0495427A1 (en) Method for producing multilayer molded article
EP0279972B1 (en) Injection molding equipment and method
US5423705A (en) Flying disc with laminate surfacing
KR20030015155A (en) Method and apparatus for molding components with molded-in surface texture
MY115890A (en) Method and apparatus for making insignias with raised designs
EP0787568A4 (en) Compound plate and method of manufacturing the same
US6110313A (en) Method for heat forming solid surface veneer
JPH05220774A (en) Method and device for producing laminated molding part
EP0273769A2 (en) Moulding method and apparatus
EP0509371B1 (en) Process for producing multilayer molded article
EP1554100B1 (en) Method to produce polyurethane articles and relative device
WO1996009155A1 (en) Method and device for injection molding
EP1059156A2 (en) Equipment for moulding thermoplastic articles
CN100513144C (en) Process for manufacturing a glazing
CA2091777A1 (en) Process for producing multilayer molded article
JP2682949B2 (en) File manufacturing method
JPS60212314A (en) Injection mold assembly with decorated sheet
WO2002038352A3 (en) Method of integrating grain pattern in fabric
CN116604800A (en) Processing device and processing method for in-mold forming dermatoglyph

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Dead