CHICAGO (July 2, 3:25 p.m. EDT) — Bauer Compressors Inc. has purchased the 35-patent portfolio of gas-assisted molding equipment supplier Nitrojection Corp.
Norfolk, Va.-based Bauer Compressors markets systems for gas-assisted injection molding through Bauer Plastics Technology Group.
The agreement covers 21 U.S. patents and other patents in Europe, Canada and Mexico. The purchase agreement, for undisclosed terms, assigns the patents to Bauer and provides Nitrojection, of Middlefield, Ohio, with a nonexclusive, worldwide license.
According to a news release, Bauer and Nitrojection will continue to compete in the marketplace “but will not compete in the courthouse, where many of their other competitors are now” — a dig at the lawsuit-happy world of gas-assisted technology providers.
The 35 patents cover gas-assist pressurization control units, in-mold pins, nozzle bodies, cone check valves and other mechanical devices.
Bill Ridenour of Polymer Transactions Advisors of Newbury, Ohio, handled the divestiture of the patents. He said Nitrojection contacted most of the major players in gas-assisted molding technology before Bauer won out.
Bauer Plastics Technology Group is based in Clinton Township, Mich., near Detroit.
At NPE 2003, Bauer also announced an agreement to integrate a Bauer gas-assist module on injection presses from Van Dorn Demag. Bauer will offer an integrated, closed-loop control module on the presses, which regulates an individual pressure profile to a single gas-injection outlet.