Omnova Solutions Inc.

The Ohio State University

Elliott Straus

John Thompson

Douglas S McBain

Xu Chen

Jose M Castro

Douglas Mcbain

A molding apparatus includes a mold () defining a plurality of mold cavities (). Fluidly connected to the mold cavities () are one or more first composition injectors () and one or more second composition injectors () for delivery of, respectively, the molten material from which the molded article is to be formed and a composition to coat the article so formed.

Coating in multiple injection molding part cavities

A method of modifying an existing injection molding system so that the system can produce articles wherein at least one of the surfaces is coated while the article remains in the mold. The method includes the steps of providing a dispensing system for a coating composition and modifying an injection molding system to communicate with the dispensing system. The modification can include at least one nozzle to inject and direct the coating composition onto at least one surface of the molded article.

Method for modifying existing mold systems to utilize an in-mold apparatus

A method of designing and producing a mold for manufacturing an article having at least one surface coated by a coating. The method including evaluating the article design to determine the probable flow characteristics of the mold, an optimal flow of the coating composition, and an optimal location for the coating composition injector. A mold is designed and produced based on the evaluation.

Method of designing and producing a mold

A numerical method operating within a processor-based environment for predicting the fill pattern and coating pressure distribution for a substrate in a computer simulation of an in-mold coating flow within a two-dimensional flow domain having a plurality of possible inlet nodes for injection, which includes the steps of initializing pressure and thickness change of the substrate for at least one of the inlet nodes, determining which of the inlet nodes are newly filled nodes and new flow front nodes, calculating pressure for the newly filled nodes; updating thickness and coating volume of the substrate, checking if pressure and time step have converged, and updating pressure and time step and returning to the pressure calculation step if pressure and time step calculations have not converged, and determining whether the substrate is filled, and updating filling time and returning to the determining step if the substrate is not filled.

Method and system for in-mold coating flow simulation

A substrate having a barrier comprising a raised rim to prevent an in-mold coating from flowing into a gate pin assembly or substrate injection inlet area wherein a substrate is injected into the mold cavity. The barrier prevents cross contamination between a substrate resin orifice and the in-mold coating. A method for isolating an injection inlet area or gate pin assembly from in-mold coatings is also described.

In-mold coating barrier for a substrate injection orifice

Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. The present invention provides a molded article with an area of increased relative thickness at the location of in-mold coating injection to encourage or promote in-mold coating flow.

In-mold coating injection inlet flow control

Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate.

Selectively controlling in-mold coating flow

Molded articles or substrates having an in-mold coating thereon are disclosed. The in-mold coated substrates are produced by a method wherein the flow of the in-mold composition onto the substrate can be selectively controlled. The molded articles can be preferentially coated in desired or predetermined areas with in-mold coating compositions by controlling the thickness or depth of various sections of the substrate. A molded article or substrate is provided with a removable in-mold coating containment flange which extends completely around the perimeter of a surface to be coated in order to substantially contain the in-mold coating within the mold cavity and on the desired area of a part before the coating has been cured.

Removable defined flange for in-mold coating containment

The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic workpiece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing in three stages into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a workpiece; cooling the workpiece to a temperature less than its melt temperature introducing a thermoset coating composition into the closed mold to cover at least a portion of a surface of the workpiece. The mold is then opened and the workpiece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

Optimization of in-mold coating injection molded thermoplastic substrates

The present invention is a process for producing an injection-molded thermoplastic work piece having a thermoset coating bonded thereto, comprising the steps of introducing into a closed mold a thermoplastic material, such as a polyolefin, heated to a temperature above its melting point and molding said material to form a work piece; followed by introducing a thermoset coating composition capable of generating free radicals into the closed mold to contact at least a portion of a surface of the work piece, the temperature of which is at or above the temperature at which free radicals contained in the coating composition are generated. The mold is then opened and the work piece is removed after the coating composition has at least partially cured. The present invention is also directed to a molded article made by the described process.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Elliott Straus