Stackable mold plates having arrays of laser-cut mold surfaces at their edges
First Claim
1. A mold plate formed from flat plate stock, having an array of laser-cut mold surfaces at an edge of the mold plate for forming, together with cooperating surfaces, molding cavities shaped to form respective molded fastener elements of a touch fastener product,at least many of the mold surfaces each forming a point, extending into material of the plate, having a radius of less than about 0.001 inch.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Molding apparatus and method for molding of features integral with a base, such as in the production of fastener elements for hook-and-loop type touch fasteners, e.g. by the Fischer process, employs a mold roll formed of rings that have coolant passages formed within the ring components themselves for substantially direct contact with cooling liquid. Axial tie rods compress the mold rings together, contributing to the sealing of the coolant passages and the stiffness of the mold roll. Other types of sealing are disclosed. Mold cavities, including cavities used for injection molding, and cooling passages formed in either mold rings or injection mold plates by photo-chemical etching, laser machining and other techniques are disclosed. Various machines and methods taking unique advantage of these features are disclosed, including ring alignment methods.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A mold plate formed from flat plate stock, having an array of laser-cut mold surfaces at an edge of the mold plate for forming, together with cooperating surfaces, molding cavities shaped to form respective molded fastener elements of a touch fastener product,
at least many of the mold surfaces each forming a point, extending into material of the plate, having a radius of less than about 0.001 inch.
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6. A mold plate, formed from flat plate stock, having an array of laser-cut mold surfaces at a peripheral edge of the mold-plate, and laser-cut coolant holes at locations spaced from said edge, said mold surfaces and coolant holes extending fully through the thickness of the mold plates,
at least many of the mold surfaces each forming a point, extending into material of the plate, having a radius of less than about 0.001 inch.
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15. A flat mold plate having a thickness of less than about 0.020 inch and defining an array of mold surfaces shaped to form respective molded fastener elements of a touch fastener product, the mold surfaces located at a peripheral edge of the mold plate,
at least many of the mold surfaces each defining a point, extending into material of the plate, having a radius of less than about 0.001 inch for forming a sharp tip of a fastener element.
Specification