Macneil IP LLC

Thomas Malewig

Frederick W Masanek, Jr

David S Iverson

Allan R Thom

A modular plastic floor tile is formed by molding a body of a first polymer compound and overmolding features onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The overmolded features may include skins on the sides and bottoms of support member cores disposed below the tile lower surface.

Method of making a floor tile with elastomer jacketed support members

Lateral edges of the modular plastic floor tiles are provided with latches which fit into loops with an interference fit. The latch and loop structure may include an undercut behind the lateral edge of the tile. The loops flex in order to impose a compressive force on mating tile edges.

Floor tile having a latch and loop structure

A plastic floor tile is formed by molding a body of a first polymer compound and overmolding features onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The overmolded features may include raised pads on the upper surface of the tile. The pads on the upper surface may be injection-molded from the lower surface through through-holes, which are smaller in area than the area of the pads.

Method of making a floor tile with overmolded pads

A modular plastic floor tile has a body of a first polymer compound and at least one upper feature overmolded onto an upper surface of the body from a second polymer compound which is injected from a gate adjacent the lower surface of the body. At least one through-hole communicates the gate to the upper feature. At least one vent hole, spaced from the through-hole, communicates the upper feature to the lower surface of the body. The vent hole allows any gas in the polymer flow path to be displaced from the upper feature, thereby preventing or minimizing defects that can affect adhesion and appearance.

Two-shot injection molded floor tile with vent hole

A modular plastic floor tile has a body of a first polymer compound and features overmolded onto the body from a second polymer compound. The compounds may be different from each other in hardness and/or color. The features may include skins on support member cores disposed below the tile lower surface. The skins adhere to the bottom and at least a portion of the sidewall of the support member core.

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Sugar Grove, IL, United States of America

Thomas Malewig