Patent ID: 6328920
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
For forming a plastic part having a complex structure as a first layer and a smooth structure as a second layer, a method for molding comprising the steps of:providing a single mold, the mold having an interior cavity and a runner reaching from an exterior of the mold to the cavity;closing the mold;injecting a quantity of a first plastic material via the runner into the interior cavity while maintaining pressure on the mold to maintain the mold in its closed state to form a complex structure as a first layer of the plastic part, wherein the appearance of the complex structure is non-critical;partially opening the mold to create an increased interior cavity section;injecting a quantity of a second plastic material via the runner and into the increased interior cavity section while maintaining the mold in its partially open state;closing the mold and applying clamping force to the mold to compress the second plastic material and thereby form a smooth structure as a second layer of the plastic part, wherein the complex structure provides strength to the smooth structure; andejecting the plastic part.