초록 ▼

A hybrid injection molding machine that has the capability to draw a decorative or fabric sheet into a mold cavity prior to injection into the mold has opposing male and female mold parts. At least one of the mold parts has an insert formed from a porous metal so that a vacuum may be drawn through t

A hybrid injection molding machine that has the capability to draw a decorative or fabric sheet into a mold cavity prior to injection into the mold has opposing male and female mold parts. At least one of the mold parts has an insert formed from a porous metal so that a vacuum may be drawn through the insert in order to draw the fabric sheet into all aspects of the insert cavity so that plastic may then be injection molded into the cavity of the mold.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A process for forming a molded article having an injection-molded body portion with first and second opposing surfaces and a fabric applied to one of said first and second surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:providing a mold assembly having first and second mold blocks, the first mold bl

1. A process for forming a molded article having an injection-molded body portion with first and second opposing surfaces and a fabric applied to one of said first and second surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:providing a mold assembly having first and second mold blocks, the first mold block having a cavity portion disposed thereon and the second mold block having a detail portion disposed thereon, said first and second mold blocks being interengageable with each other such that cavity and detail portions cooperatively define an interior cavity of said mold assembly; providing a sheet of fabric for application to said molded article; placing the fabric sheet between said first and second mold blocks in alignment with said cavity portion; applying negative air pressure to said cavity portion and partially drawing said fabric into said cavity portion; engaging said first and second mold blocks together to form said mold assembly interior cavity; applying positive air pressure to said detail portion in order to assist said fabric sheet in being drawn into said cavity portion; and, injecting a molding material into said interior mold cavity to form the molded article, said fabric being bonded to said molded article along substantially all of said first surface of said molded article.