April 9, 2019 Updated 4/9/2019
Hot runner manufacturer Synventive Molding Solutions is suing Italy-based Inglass SpA, claiming that Inglass’ hot runner division, HRSflow, continues to use technology it licensed from Synventive in 2014, although after the license agreement expired Nov. 6.
According to Synventive, part of publicly traded Barnes Group Inc., the license covered the use of electronic actuators and pin control of sequential valve gated hot runner systems.
The technology is mainly used in the automotive sector for interior and exterior parts. The agreement gave HRSflow the rights to implement Synventive’s patented Synflow technology.
Synventive filed the patent infringement lawsuit against Inglass and HRSflow GmbH in the Regional Court of Mannheim in Germany. Synventive seeks monetary damages and an injunction blocking sales of any hot runner systems that infringe on Synventive’s patented valve pin control technology, plus an order to recall infringing hot runner systems, controllers and auxiliary equipment.
Officials of Inglass and HRSflow did not respond to requests to comment for this story.
“In Synventive’s opinion, the license expiration means that HRSflow can no longer sell products that utilize the process of modulating the opening of the valve pin in order to solve part quality defects as represented in Synventive’s Synflow patents,” the company said in a news release announcing the legal action.
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