Injection molded floor tiles with drainage vents

Abstract

Modular plastic floor tiles have elongate drainage vents formed to extend from the general upper surfaces of the tiles to general lower surfaces thereof. In a two-shot injection molded embodiment, the vents are laterally spaced from locations of overmolded features, and may be disposed within channels defined by downwardly depending support ribs. In one embodiment, groups of elongate vents are disposed around respective fill points in radiant fashion, so as to minimize the impedance to polymer flow within the injection mold. The vents may be radiussed at the tile's upper surface to enhance their fluid collecting capability.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation in part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 609,959 filed Oct. 30, 2009, and is also a continuation in part of copending International Patent Application No. PCT / US10 / 54515 filed Oct. 28, 2010, which in turn is a continuation in part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 609,959 filed Oct. 30, 2009. The present application is further a continuation in part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 217,556 filed Aug. 25, 2011. All of the foregoing applications are owned by the assignee hereof. The specifications and drawings of each of them are fully incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional modular injection-molded tiles are known in the art for laying across upper surfaces of garage floors, sports surfaces, outdoor surfaces and other substrates. These tiles typically are twelve to thirteen inches square and can be manually assembled and disassembled. A comm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a modular floor tile that can be easily assembled to create a smooth flooring surface. The tile has a body made of a first polymer compound, with a feature overmolded onto its upper surface using a second polymer compound that is different from the first. The second polymer compound flows through a vent hole and into the cavity where the feature will be created, while a vent hole on the upper surface allows gas or fluid to be displaced. The method also allows for the simultaneous overmolding of support member pads on the lower surface of the tile. The tile has drainage vents and ribs that help to collect and drain fluid. The technical effects of the invention include improved surface quality, durability, and ease of assembly.

Problems solved by technology

But manufacturing an injection-molded plastic tile that has two or more perceptible colors per tile is more difficult and to date no such tile has been provided that has proven to be acceptable to the consumer.

But it is believed that the separate molding of these inserts, flash removal from them and physical insertion of them into respective receiving holes in the plastic tile substrate is time-consumptive and greatly increases the cost of manufacture of the resultant tile.

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