Patent ID: 6616884
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A method of injection molding a cable tie having a locking head, a strap extending from the head and terminating in a tip for passing through an opening in the head, and ratchet teeth on at least one side of the strap, wherein the locking head includes a pawl having teeth with surfaces for engaging the ratchet teeth to lock the strap in the locking head after the tip end of the strap has been pulled through the opening in the head, the method comprising the steps of(a) forming the cable tie by injecting molten plastic material into a mold cavity defined by a first mold part combined with a second mold part, wherein the first mold part includes a head region defining a portion of the head of the cable tie and the second mold part includes a tip region defining a portion of the tip of the cable tie; (b) separating the first mold part from the second mold part while retaining said portion of the head of the cable tie in the head region of the first mold part and said portion of the tip of the cable tie in the tip region of the second mold part, to separate the head from the second mold part, to separate the tip from the first mold part, and to separate a major portion of the strap of the cable tie from the first and second mold parts; (c) further separating the first mold part from the second mold part while still retaining said portion of the tip of the cable tie in the tip region of the second mold part; (d) removing said portion of the head of the cable tie from the head region of the first mold part; and (e) subsequent to steps (c) and (d), ejecting the tip of the cable tie from the tip region of the second mold part.