Patent ID: 6686007
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
An article of manufacture comprising a finished configuration having an enhanced surface and made of plastic formulated to eliminate or reduce the need to include a release agent and formed by molding the plastic in a mold having at least one metal base, a mold cavity at least partially defining the plastic configuration, and at least one self-lubricating surface layer having a substantially uniform thickness for further defining the plastic configuration within the mold cavity, the at least one self-lubricating surface layer including a porous metallic skin including a plurality of substantially uniformly-shaped projections integrally connected to and extending from an interior surface of the at least one metal base and lubricating particles disposed on the skin and in pores of the skin, wherein the lubricating particles are bonded together to form a sealed surface of the at least one self-lubricating surface layer, the mold has a resin flow path extending from an outer surface of the mold to the mold cavity and the resin flow path has the self-lubricating surface layer, whereby the finish of the molded plastic configuration is further defined to provide the enhanced surface.