US5236636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In-mold plasma treatment
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1991-10-07
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2011-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. Tisack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T19/00; B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/0053; B29C59/00; B29C59/14; B29C43/00; B29C43/32; B29C43/52; B29C2043/527; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0011; H05K3/0014; H05K3/38; H05K3/381; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/78; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between said dies; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding to create a space between at least one of said dies and said article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; and applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space, said plasma reacting with the surface of said article to render the surface more receptive to a coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between said dies; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding to create a space between at least one of said dies and said article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; and applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space, said plasma reacting with the surface of said article to render the surface more receptive to a coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said electric field is an alternating electric field at multiples of 13.56 MHz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said vacuum is between 1 Torr and 0.01 Torr.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ionizable gas is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said ionizable gas is polymerizable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sealing between said dies before the step of drawing said vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of coating said molded article with a coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said molded article is a polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of pulsing said electric field.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
112 words
The method of producing a painted article, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between two dies at an elevated temperature; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding thereby creating a space between one of said dies and said molded article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; electrically isolating said dies; applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space while said molded article is at an elevated temperature, said plasma reacting with the surface of said molded article whereby said molded article is more receptive to painting; and painting said plasma treated article.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
112 words
The method of producing a painted article, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between two dies at an elevated temperature; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding thereby creating a space between one of said dies and said molded article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; electrically isolating said dies; applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space while said molded article is at an elevated temperature, said plasma reacting with the surface of said molded article whereby said molded article is more receptive to painting; and painting said plasma treated article.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of producing a plasma treated article in a tool having electrically isolated conductive dies, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between two dies at an elevated temperature; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding thereby creating a space between one of said dies and said molded article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space while said molded article is at an elevated temperature, said plasma reacting with the surface of said molded article whereby said molded article is more receptive to painting; and painting said plasma treated article.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of producing a plasma treated article in a tool having electrically isolated conductive dies, comprising the steps of: injection molding an article between two dies at an elevated temperature; moving said dies apart relative to one another after said injection molding thereby creating a space between one of said dies and said molded article; drawing a vacuum in said space; introducing an ionizable gas into said space; applying an electric field between said dies to create a plasma in said space while said molded article is at an elevated temperature, said plasma reacting with the surface of said molded article whereby said molded article is more receptive to painting; and painting said plasma treated article.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |