Molded part, molded part supporting structure, and molded part conveyance method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12570486-B2
Application number	US-202318518213-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 22, 2023
Priority date	Nov 28, 2022
Publication date	Mar 10, 2026
Grant date	Mar 10, 2026

Abstract

A stackable molded part includes a runner portion that connects a plurality of parts, and a positioning portion that is formed on the runner portion, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a shape of a column from the runner portion to at least one side in a stacking direction in which molded parts are stacked, wherein an end portion of the positioning portion of the molded part is engageable with an end portion of a positioning portion of another molded part that adjoins the molded part when these molded parts are stacked on top of each other, and wherein the positioning portion protrudes more than the plurality of parts in the stacking direction to the one side of the positioning portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A stackable molded part comprising:
a runner portion that connects a plurality of parts; and a positioning portion that is formed on the runner portion, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a shape of a column from the runner portion to at least one side in a stacking direction in which molded parts are stacked, wherein an end portion of the positioning portion of the molded part is engageable with an end portion of a positioning portion of another molded part that adjoins the molded part when these molded parts are stacked on top of each other, wherein the positioning portion protrudes more than the plurality of parts in the stacking direction to the one side of the positioning portion, wherein a first engaging portion is formed on an outer periphery of the positioning portion, and wherein the first engaging portion is engageable with a second engaging portion that is formed on an inner periphery of a hole portion into which the positioning portion of the molded part is insertable, wherein the hole portion is formed in a top surface of a supporting fixture on which the molded part can be stacked and supported.

2 . The stackable molded part according to claim 1 ,
wherein the positioning portion protrudes from the runner portion to both sides in the stacking direction of the molded part, and wherein any one of the plurality of parts protrudes more than the positioning portion in the stacking direction.

3 . The stackable molded part according to claim 2 , wherein the positioning portion has a third engaging portion that is formed on an end portion located on the one side and a fourth engaging portion that is formed on an end portion located on the other side and that is engageable with the third engaging portion of the positioning portion of the adjoining molded part.

4 . The stackable molded part according to claim 3 , wherein the third engaging portion is a cylindrical concave portion, and the fourth engaging portion is a columnar convex portion.

5 . The stackable molded part according to claim 4 , wherein a central axis of the columnar convex portion and a central axis of the cylindrical concave portion match the central axis of the positioning portion.

6 . The stackable molded part according to claim 1 , wherein the runner portion has an outer frame portion that surrounds the plurality of parts, and the positioning portion is formed on the outer frame portion.

7 . A molded part supporting structure comprising:
a stackable molded part including a runner portion that connects a plurality of parts and a positioning portion that is formed on the runner portion, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a shape of a column from the runner portion to at least one side in a stacking direction in which molded parts are stacked, wherein an end portion of the positioning portion of the molded part is engageable with an end portion of a positioning portion of another molded part that adjoins the molded part when these molded parts are stacked on top of each other, and wherein the positioning portion protrudes more than the plurality of parts in the stacking direction to the one side of the positioning portion; and a supporting fixture on which the molded part is stacked and supported, wherein the supporting fixture includes a top surface and a hole portion which is formed in the top surface and into which the positioning portion of the molded part is insertable, wherein a first engaging portion is formed on an outer periphery of the positioning portion, and wherein a second engaging portion engageable with the first engaging portion is formed on an inner periphery of the hole portion.

8 . The molded part supporting structure according to claim 7 , wherein, when the positioning portion is inserted into the hole portion, a root portion of the positioning portion that protrudes from the runner portion engages with the hole portion, and the molded part is consequently positioned with respect to the supporting fixture.

9 . The molded part supporting structure according to claim 8 , wherein the runner portion is stacked on the top surface, and the molded part is consequently positioned with respect to the supporting fixture.

10 . The molded part supporting structure according to claim 7 , wherein the top surface is provided with a back clearance so that the supporting fixture does not interfere with the plurality of parts when the positioning portion is inserted into the hole portion.

11 . A molded part conveyance method for conveying a stackable molded part that is stacked on a supporting fixture, the molded part including a runner portion that connects a plurality of parts and a positioning portion that is formed on the runner portion, wherein the positioning portion protrudes in a shape of a column from the runner portion to at least one side in a stacking direction in which molded parts are stacked, wherein an end portion of the positioning portion of the molded part is engageable with an end portion of a positioning portion of another molded part that adjoins the molded part when these molded parts are stacked on top of each other, wherein the positioning portion protrudes more than the plurality of parts in the stacking direction to the one side of the positioning portion, wherein a first engaging portion is formed on an outer periphery of the positioning portion, and wherein a second engaging portion engageable with the first engaging portion is formed on an inner periphery of a hole portion into which the positioning portion of the molded part is insertable, wherein the hole portion is formed in a top surface of the supporting fixture on which the molded part can be stacked and supported, the molded part conveyance method comprising:
inserting the positioning portion of the molded part into the hole portion formed in the top surface of the supporting fixture; and stacking the molded part on the supporting fixture.

Assignees

• Canon Kk

Inventors

• Yoshida Masato

Classifications

• B65D19/44

  Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms · CPC title

• B23Q5/22

  Feeding members carrying tools or work · CPC title

• B29C45/14

  incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles {(B29C45/1671 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B29C45/26

  Moulds · CPC title

• B65G57/005 Primary

  by using insertions or spacers between the stacked layers · CPC title