COMPONENT PROTECTIVE OVERMOLDING USING PROTECTIVE EXTERNAL COATINGS

• US 20120315379A1
• Filed: 03/22/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: AliphCom, Inc. (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Fullam, Scott, Orvis, Skip Thomas, Levinson, Nora Elam, DRYSDALE, RICHARD LEE
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/8
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/14893 Preventing defects relating to shrinkage of inserts or coating material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1682 preventing defects
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14639 for obtaining an insulating effect, e.g. for electrical components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14819 the inserts being completely encapsulated
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1671 with an insert
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1676 using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/003 Thermoplastic elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0069 non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0093 hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3481 Housings or casings incorporating or embedding electric or electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 28/00 Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

Techniques for component protective overmolding using protective external coatings include selectively applying a protective material substantially over one or more elements coupled to a framework configured to be worn, the elements including at least a sensor, and forming one or more moldings substantially over a subset or all of the framework, the protective material and the elements, after the protective material has been selectively applied, at least one of the one or more moldings having a protective property.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

selectively applying a curable coating substantially over one or more of a plurality of elements coupled to a framework configured to be worn, the plurality of elements including at least a sensor; and

selectively forming a molding substantially over a subset of the plurality of elements, the molding configured to provide a protective property.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is anti-bacterial.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is oleophobic.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is configured to protect against ultraviolet radiation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is hydrophobic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding is configured to provide a waterproof seal over the plurality of elements.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a pattern is formed on the molding.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing an inspection of the molding to determine if the molding is defective.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

removing the molding after determining the molding is defective; and

re-forming the molding.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the framework is comprised of a synthetic fiber.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the framework is formed using carbon fiber.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the framework is comprised of one or more filaments.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the framework is formed using a thermoplastic elastomer.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer comprises polypropylene.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the curable coating is configured to secure the one or more of the plurality of elements to the framework.

16. A method, comprising:

selectively applying a protective material substantially over one or more of a plurality of elements coupled to a framework configured to be worn, the plurality of elements including at least a sensor; and

forming one or more moldings substantially over a subset or all of the framework, the protective material and the plurality of elements, after the protective material has been selectively applied, at least one of the one or more moldings having a protective property.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of elements is configured to perform an operation using data from the sensor.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective property is waterproofing.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective property is water-resistance.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective property is being hydrophobic.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective property is being oleophobic.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective property is being anti-bacterial.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the protective material is configured to protect the one or more of the plurality of elements from damage occurring during the forming the one or more moldings substantially over the framework.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more moldings comprises a medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing and re-applying at least one of the one or more moldings after an inspection of the one or more moldings.

17. (canceled)