Receptacle with a coating on an interior surface and an injection molding process for forming the article

摘要

An injection molding method for forming an article having a receptacle with a coating on an interior surface includes providing an injection molding tool with at least one cavity in one part and at least one core pin projecting from a second part having an outside surface. The core pin is sized to fit within the cavity with a clearance thereby defining a cavity space. The injection molding tool has an open position wherein the core pin is withdrawn from the cavity and a closed position wherein the core pin is disposed within the cavity for defining the cavity space. The method further sequentially then includes moving the injection molding tool to the open position and applying a coating of a coating material to the outside surface of the core pin. The method further includes moving the injection molding tool to the closed position. The method then includes filling the cavity space with a thermoplastic substrate material, the substrate material being maintained at a temperature wherein the substrate material exhibits plastic flow, thereby fusing the coating material to the substrate material. The method of the invention then includes cooling the substrate material to a temperature wherein the substrate material becomes substantially solid, thereby forming an article from the substrate material having a receptacle with an interior surface with the coating material fused thereto. The method then includes returning the molding tool to the open position; and removing the article. <IMAGE>