Component for overcasting for a moulded object

• US 6,596,371 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2000
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Original Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Inventors: Woodling, Marc, Billarant, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Alexander S.
• Application Number:
  US09/487,938
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 428/99, 428/100, 428/900, 428/119, 244/42
• US Class Current: 428/99
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0076 Adaptations for being fixed to a moulded article during moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/16 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0082 Mechanical anchoring B29C66/303 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/771 Seats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/90 Magnetic feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/27 including readily dissociable fastener having numerous, protruding, unitary filaments randomly interlocking with, and simultaneously moving towards, mating structure [e.g., hook-loop type fastener]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24174 including sheet or component perpendicular to plane of web or sheet

Abstract

A fastener member for being secured to the surface of a foam body during a molding process in a mold form. The fastener member includes an elongate base having upper and lower opposed faces with fixating elements positioned on the lower face of the base for being positioned within and protected by a mold cavity in a wall of the mold form against foam contamination during the molding process. First and second opposed, elongate sealing ramps positioned on the upper face of the base by respective proximal ends and diverge outwardly and upwardly at an angle oblique to the base and define respective outwardly-extending distal ends. The base is sized to fit within the mold cavity with outer surfaces of the respective first and second ramps engaging and sealingly contacting respective upper wall corners of the mold at points of contact intermediate the proximal and distal ends. A magnetically-attractable material is fixed to the base for being magnetically attracted to a magnet positioned in the mold cavity to thereby seal the cavity against the sealing ramps to prevent foam from entering the mold cavity and contaminating the fixating elements.

Claims

1. A fastener assembly, comprising:

(a) a mold form including a mold cavity defined by upright mold walls terminating at upper wall corner edges; and

(b) a fastener member of being secured to the surface of a foam body during a molding process in the mold form, comprising;

(i) an elongate base having upper and lower opposed faces;

(ii) fixating elements positioned on the lower face of the base for being positioned within and protected by the walls of the mold cavity against foam contamination during the molding process;

(iii) first and second opposed, elongate sealing ramps positioned on the upper face of the base by respective proximal ends and diverging outwardly and upwardly at an angle oblique to the base and defining respective outwardly-extending distal ends;

(iv) the base sized to fit within the mold cavity of the mold form with outer surfaces of the respective first and second ramps engaging and sealingly contacting respective upper wall corner edges of the mold at points of contact intermediate the proximal and distal ends thereof; and

(v) a magnetically-attractable material fixed to the base for being magnetically attracted to a magnet positioned in the mold cavity to thereby seal the cavity against the sealing ramps to prevent foam from entering the mold cavity at a contact line between said sealing ramps and said respective upper wall corner edges of the mold.

2. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the respective first and second ramps includes outwardly protruding anchoring lips thereon for being spaced above the walls of the mold cavity and being entrapped in the foam during the molding process.

3. A fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein the anchoring lips are positioned to extend both inwardly towards the base and outwardly away from the base when the fastener member is positioned in the mold cavity during a molding process.

4. A fastener assembly according to claim 3, wherein the anchoring lips extend both outwardly away from the base and into a position above and outside the plane of the walls of the mold cavity when the fastener member is positioned in the mold cavity during a molding process.

5. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base is made of plastic material.

6. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base is made of thermoplastic material.

7. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, and including an upwardly projecting anchor positioned on the upper face of the base for being embedded in the foam and thereby anchoring the fastener element to the foam body.

8. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically-attractable material is positioned on the upper face of the base.