Conix Corporation

Other

Marshall Ray Porter

Keith G Korte

Michael B Smith

Todd C Parker

Russell R York

Norman E Guschewski

Russell Raymond York

Charles Todd Parker

A vehicle bumper () integrates rigid and flexible components into a single co-injection molded structure. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible fascia () is provided with integrated rigid fastener brackets (), energy absorption structure and head lamp brackets and housings (). A method for manufacturing such a bumper provides for the injection of two different plastic materials during the same molding process. The flexible plastic material first injected into the mold. Then, the rigid plastic material is injected at gates located where the rigid material is desired. In one embodiment, the rigid material is completely contained within the flexible material. The rigid material may be either a higher stiffness plastic or a fiber reinforced plastic.

Integrated co-injection molded vehicle components and methods of making the same

The present invention provides processes and an apparatus for injection-molding an article with a fluid channel formed therein. The process includes providing at least first and second resin streams within a mold cavity, causing the flow fronts () of the resin streams to meet at a longitudinal point in the mold cavity to form a first layer of solidified resin on a peripheral surface of the mold, the first layer having a knit line () at the longitudinal point where the resin streams meet; and introducing a fluid into the molten resin in the mold to form a fluid channel () and a second layer () of solidified resin, the second layer between the fluid channel and the first layer of solidified resin, wherein the second layer is devoid of a knit line at the longitudinal point in the mold cavity where the first and second flow fronts meet.

Injection molding techniques utilizing fluid channels

A bumper beam extension for a bumper beam having left and right bumper beam extensions and a method for manufacturing the bumper beam extensions to provide impact crush resistance is disclosed. The bumper beam extensions include an insert end contoured and sized to fit in the end of the bumper beam and a main body portion having substantially a rearwardly facing saddle shape that includes an upper wing and a lower wing joined at a bight section. The main body portion is blow molded to configure the bight section to taper from a preselected distance from a forward wall of the main body portion until it is face to face with the forward wall. For increased stiffness, the bumper beam may be welded to a frame of a vehicle.

Bumper beam extensions

The present invention provides a blow-molded vehicle part and a blow-molding process for generating a one-piece vehicle part with improved strength, aesthetic appearance and reduced weight and cost. The blow-molded vehicle part includes a front vehicle part portion and a back vehicle part portion, wherein the front vehicle part and the back vehicle part have at least an outer unreinforced layer of a thermoplastic that forms a smooth outer surface of the vehicle part and a reinforced inner layer.

Reinforced blow-molded bumpers

Processes and apparatus for blow molding include a mold surfaces having micrograined patterns to improve venting and surface finish. The micrograined patterns are preferably in the form of projections that define between them a network of interconnected channels. The projections are of a sufficient height that they engage the outer surface of a fully-expanded parison and form venting passages with the parison surface to permit trapped air to escape and migrate through vent holes which communicate with the channels. The dimensions and shape of the projections are selected to provide for the formation of venting passages while preventing the formation of patterns in the surface of the molded product.

Methods and apparatus for blow molding using micrograined patterns

A method and mold ( ) for manufacturing a vehicle component such as a bumper beam ( ) or body panel ( ). The component is manufactured by: 1) injecting molten material into a parison cavity of a mold ( ) to form a parison ( ), wherein the mold has at least two sections ( ) that are moveable between a first position defining the parison cavity and an expanded second position defining predetermined blow cavities; 2) retracting the at least two sections ( ) to the expanded second position, and 3) injecting a gas into the parison ( ) to expand the parison ( ) to form blown part ( ).

Method for injection blow molding an automotive component

A method, molding device and vehicle component ( ) provide for minimized sink marks ( ) caused by structural ribs ( ) in the molding process. Molten material is injected into a first mold cavity to form a primary vehicle component part ( ) having structural ribs ( ) on a back side. Typically, sink marks ( ) may develop at a front surface of the primary vehicle component part ( ), located opposite to the structural ribs ( ) on the back side. Molten material is injected into a second molding cavity that is arranged to overmold the front surface ( ) of the primary vehicle component part ( ) and to cover sink marks ( ), if any, in the front surface ( ). In this manner, a vehicle component ( ) is manufactured with structural ribs ( ) and without visible sink marks ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Oakdale, IL, United States of America

Marshall Ray Porter