Foam manifold for injection molding consumer appliance case, foamed-in case, and related method

• Main Authors: WILSON MARK WAYNE, TAFOYA CORY J, SEASE MATTHEW KEITH
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.03.2014
• Subjects: ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; BLASTING; BUILDING; CEILINGS; CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS,e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES,DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; CONVEYING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FLOORS; GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HEATING; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PACKAGES; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PIPES; ROOFS; STORING; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; WEAPONS

A manifold receives and distributes insulating foam to an interior of a consumer appliance case. The manifold includes an inlet attachable to a source of insulating foam exterior to the consumer appliance case, at least two outlets disposed at different locations within the consumer appliance case, an inlet passageway leading from the inlet further into the consumer appliance case interior, and at least two outlet passageways, each outlet passageway providing communication between the inlet passageway and a respective one of the outlets. Insulating foam received by the inlet is distributed to the interior of the consumer appliance case via the inlet passageway, outlet passageways and outlets. Related foamed-in case designs and methods of foaming-in a case are also disclosed.