Patent ID: 7153125
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: B29C,B29L,F16L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A mold assembly for making a molded plastic body having an elbow-shaped internal flow path defined by a smoothly radiused inside turn surface, said mold assembly comprising: a pair of mold members adapted for movement to a closed position to define a mold cavity having a shape conforming to the exterior geometry of a body to be molded; and a pair of retractable core units each movable between an advanced position protruding into said mold cavity and cooperating with each other to define an internal flow path in the body to be molded, and a retracted position substantially withdrawn from said mold cavity; said core units having angularly set distal end faces for abutting end-to-end engagement with each other when said core units are ins aid advanced positions to define the internal flow path with a turn formed along the length thereof; each of said core units comprising an outer core pin defining an outer portion of the internal flow path and including a ramped track extending longitudinally and angularly inwardly from a distal end thereof, and an inner slide segment defining an inner portion of the internal flow path, said inner slide segment being movably carried on said ramped track and including a curved inner edge disposed generally at a distal end thereof, wherein said curved inner edges of said inner slide segments of said core units cooperatively define a smoothly radiused inside turn surface of the internal flow path; said inner slide segment of each of said core units being movable along said ramped track on the associated outer core pin upon movement of said core unit toward said retracted position subsequent to molding of said body within said mold cavity to shift said inner slide segment in an outward direction relative to a centerline of the internal flow path sufficiently for interference-free withdrawal of said core unit from said mold cavity and said body molded therein.