IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,439,074
Granted Patent B2
US 8,439,074 · App. 12/657,975 · Granted May 14, 2013

Plastic construction for decorative spout

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,439,074
App. No.
12/657,975
Granted
May 14, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A faucet spout and method of manufacturing the same in which a layer of structural plastic is injection molded in two or more pieces and joined to form an armature having a waterway through it. A platable plastic layer is overmolded on some or all of the armature to provide a detailed decorative surface that is plated by deposition of a metal or metal alloy coating.

Claims (35)

1. A method of making a faucet spout comprising the steps of:

forming a first portion of a spout armature by injection molding of a structural plastic;

forming separately from said first portion a second portion of a spout armature by injection molding of a structural plastic;

after completion of said forming steps, joining said first portion and said second portion to form a unitary single-layer spout armature comprising an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a waterway connecting said inlet end with said outlet end;

forming by injection molding of a platable plastic an overmold layer about said unitary spout armature;

plating said overmold layer with a metal or metal alloy.

2. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said structural plastic is selected from the group consisting of modified polyphenylene oxide, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and Polyamides.

3. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said platable plastic is chosen from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-polycarbonate alloy, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide and polyphthalamide.

4. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said step of forming said first portion further comprises forming said first portion of said spout armature by injection molding of a structural plastic while imbedding within said first portion at least one metallic insert for enhanced strength.

5. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said step of joining said first portion and said second portion to form said unitary spout armature further comprises solvent welding said first portion to said second portion.

6. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said step of joining said first portion and said second portion to form said unitary spout armature further comprises ultrasonic welding said first portion to said second portion.

7. The method of making a faucet spout of claim 1 wherein said step of joining said first portion and said second portion to form said unitary spout armature further comprises bonding said first portion to said second portion by adhesive or sealant.

8. A faucet spout comprising a unitary spout armature comprising an inlet end and an outlet end and a defined waterway connecting said inlet end with said outlet end, an injection molded overmold layer about said unitary spout armature, and a metallic plating about said overmold layer, said faucet spout being formed by a process comprising the steps of:

forming a first portion of said unitary spout armature by injection molding of a structural plastic, and

separately forming a second portion of said unitary spout armature by injection molding of a structural plastic;

joining said first portion and said second portion to form said unitary spout armature;

forming a plastic overmold layer about said unitary spout armature by injection molding of a platable plastic; and

plating said overmold layer with a metal or metal alloy.

9. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said armature further comprises surface features for mechanical engagement with said overmold layer.

10. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said structural plastic is selected from the group consisting of modified polyphenylene oxide, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and Polyamides.

11. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said platable plastic is chosen from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-polycarbonate alloy, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide and polyphthalamide.

12. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said step of joining at least said first portion and said second portion to form said armature further comprises solvent welding said first portion to said second portion.

13. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said step of joining at least said first portion and said second portion to form said armature further comprises ultrasonic welding said first portion to said second portion.

14. The faucet spout of claim 8 wherein said step of joining at least said first portion and said second portion to form said armature further comprises bonding said first portion to said second portion by adhesive or sealant.

15. A faucet spout comprising

a first layer of structural plastic comprising

a first injection molded portion having a first mating surface and a second mating surface and

a second injection molded portion cooperatively formed with a third mating surface and a fourth mating surface,

said first mating surface sealingly joined to said third mating surface and said second mating surface sealingly joined fourth mating surface to form an armature of single layer construction comprising an inlet end and an outlet end and having a waterway fluidly connecting said inlet end with said outlet end;

a second layer of a platable plastic overmolded on at least a portion of an external surface of said armature;

a layer of deposited metal plating on an external surface of said overmold layer.

16. The faucet spout of claim 15 wherein said first layer further comprises surface features for mechanical engagement with said second layer.

17. The faucet spout of claim 15 wherein said structural plastic is selected from the group consisting of modified polyphenylene oxide, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and Polyamides.

18. The faucet spout of claim 15 wherein said platable plastic is chosen from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-polycarbonate alloy, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide and polyphthalamide.

19. The faucet spout of claim 15 further comprising at least one metallic insert integrally molded into said a first layer of structural plastic.

Assignments (9)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2023
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC.
Reel/Frame 065658/0105 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 20, 2023
From: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 064029/0313 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) REEL/FRAME 036131/0272 Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 046301/0425 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 22, 2016
From: PRICE PFISTER, INC.
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 039116/0806 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036131/0272 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; KWIKSET CORPORATION; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROVCAL, INC.; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA; RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ROVCAL, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDINGS (US), INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 036102/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC
Reel/Frame 036052/0845 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2013
From: PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029731/0589 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 029538/0186 →