Portioning Unit

Patent No. EP4496694 (titled "Portioning Unit") was filed by Thermoplay on Mar 21, 2023. The application was issued on Nov 26, 2025.

Patent Summary

A portioning unit for compression molding machines, interconnectable downstream of an extrusion unit outlet, separates multiple plastic material charges of a definable specific volume. The unit comprises a first chamber with a first valve and a longitudinally displaceable first piston for receiving material from the extruder. A second chamber, connected to the first via a second valve, receives the material and utilizes a longitudinally displaceable second piston to discharge the volume through a discharge opening by moving from an extended to a retracted position. Multiple charge separation units, each with a first housing and discharge opening, are arranged in parallel and interconnected to a common supply block's second housing. This second housing is a hot runner with channels distributing pasty plastic material to the separation units.

Patent Family

Patent Family

Patent Oppositions

Patent oppositions filed by competitors challenge the validity of a granted patent. These oppositions are typically based on claims of prior art, lack of novelty, or non-obviousness. They are a key part of the process for determining a patent's strength and enforceability.

CompanyOpposition DateRepresentative
SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA COOPERATIVAAug 26, 2026CONTI

Dossier Documents

The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.

  • Date

    Description

  • Get instant alerts for new documents

EP4496694

THERMOPLAY
Application Number
EP23713095A
Filing Date
Mar 21, 2023
Status
Granted And Under Opposition
Oct 24, 2025
Publication Date
Nov 26, 2025