Method for producing a foldable plastic strip

Abstract

Abstract A mold and method for injection molding a plastic strip having living hinges. The method includes providing a mold as described herein, injecting liquid plastic into the mold to only partially fill the cavity therein, moving the push bar within its channel through a space extending at least one-half the distance across the cavity in the direction of the projecting rib forcing the plastic to flow in the opposite direction and to completely fill the remaining portion of the cavity, and sealing the push bar relative to the channel by means of guide brackets to exclude the flow of plastic behind the push bar during the moving step. The moving step further includes the forming of mutually opposed and aligned grooves in the plastic defining a portion of reduced diameter having opposing and continuous arcuate surfaces, the reduced diameter portion being commonly called a living hinge. The product produced by the mold is in the form of a flat strip having a plurality of living hinges. The panels may be folded into a variety of final configurations with decorative leaves attached to the outwardly-facing exterior surface of the panels. Light may be shown through the panels in those areas not covered by the decorative leaves. One embodiment of the final configured panels is in the form of a light fixture having the configuration of a lamp shade or a box enclosing the lamp.

Inventors

• 👤 Bernard K. Cox

Bibliographic Details