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In-mold plasma treatment

Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-07
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2011-10-07
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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 01:46
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.

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

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