| Mold-Masters (2007) Limited Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120070532 | COINJECTION HOT RUNNER INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEM - A coinjection molding apparatus is disclosed that provides a skin material melt stream and a core material melt stream to a nozzle. A nozzle tip of the nozzle defines a central skin material melt passage for receiving the skin material melt stream, an annular core material melt passage for receiving the core material melt stream and an annular outer layer melt passage, which receives a portion of the skin material melt stream from the central skin material melt passage. The skin material melt stream from the central skin material melt passage forms an inner layer of a molded article, the core material melt stream from the core material melt passage forms a core layer of the molded article, and the skin material melt stream from the outer layer melt passage forms an outer layer of the molded article, wherein the three melt streams combine prior to entering a mold cavity. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070531 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having A Valve Pin Bushing - An injection molding apparatus, such as a hot runner or hot half, includes a manifold having a manifold channel and a nozzle having a nozzle channel. The nozzle is coupled to the manifold, and the manifold channel and the nozzle channel are in communication to define a flow channel. A valve pin bushing has a flow restrictor disposed in the flow channel on an upstream side of the valve pin bushing. A moveable valve pin extends through a bore of the valve pin bushing. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20110316191 | Auxiliary Injection Unit Integrated in Injection Molding System - An auxiliary injection unit is disclosed that has an extruder barrel and extruder screw integrated within an injection molding system. The extruder barrel and extruder screw are contained within a mold plate of the injection molding system with a drive mechanism of the auxiliary injection unit being external thereof. A melt stream emanating from the extruder barrel of the auxiliary injection unit is in selective fluid communication with either a melt channel of a manifold providing melt thereto during an injection cycle or with a discharge channel of a melt discharge tube for purging melt. A melt diverter component receives the melt stream from the extruder barrel and includes a shuttle valve slidably positioned therein that is operated to selectively divert the melt stream produced by the auxiliary injection unit to either the melt channel of the manifold or the discharge channel of the discharge tube. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110311676 | EDGE-GATED NOZZLE - An injection molding system is disclosed that includes a hot runner manifold for providing a melt stream of moldable material to at least one hot runner nozzle that is in fluid communication with one or more mold cavities via at least one injection manifold disposed proximate a downstream end of the nozzle. The at least one injection manifold has a substantially U-shape with at least one mold cavity being disposed between opposing arm segments thereof. Each mold cavity is fed by a pair of nozzle seals, wherein one of the pair of nozzle seals extends inwardly from one of the opposing arm segments while the other of the pair of nozzle seals extends inwardly from the other of the opposing arm segments for directing a melt stream into the mold cavity. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110304075 | Breakable Mechanical Connection Between Injection Molding Valve Pin Plate and Valve Pins - Breakable mechanical connections connect valve pins to an actuated valve pin plate of an injection molding apparatus. The valve pin plate can move the valve pins between opened positions and closed positions of associated mold gates. Each breakable mechanical connection can be independently or singularly destroyed or broken to free a respective valve pin from the valve pin plate. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110287129 | Single Level Manifold for an Injection Molding Apparatus - An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having a single level manifold that utilizes a melt splitter. The manifold defines an inlet and a plurality of outlets with at least one upstream melt channel and a plurality of downstream melt channels that are situated between the inlet and the plurality of outlets. The upstream melt channel branches into the plurality of downstream melt channels with the upstream melt channel and each of the downstream melt channels longitudinally extending in the same plane. The melt splitter is at least partially positioned within the upstream melt channel where the upstream melt channel intersects with the plurality of downstream melt channels. The melt splitter divides a melt flow received from the upstream melt channel into substantially equal volumes and then directs each of the substantially equal volumes into a respective one of the plurality of downstream melt channels. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110240687 | INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS HAVING EDGE-GATED RUNNERLESS NOZZLE AND RELATED METHOD OF TIP REMOVAL - A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110233238 | INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS HAVING EDGE-GATED RUNNERLESS NOZZLE AND RELATED METHOD OF TIP REMOVAL - A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110106288 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106285 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110106284 | SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMANCE OF INJECTION MOLDING OPERATIONS - There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110045124 | Injection Molding Nozzle Having A Nozzle Tip With Diamond Crown - An injection molding nozzle having improved corrosion and wear resistance is disclosed for use in a hot runner injection molding system. The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a nozzle melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a melt source. The nozzle has a nozzle seal comprised of a tip retainer and a nozzle tip having a tip melt channel, wherein the tip retainer secures the nozzle tip to the nozzle body such that the tip melt channel receives the melt stream from the nozzle melt channel. The nozzle tip further includes a tip base of a thermally conductive material that has a diamond crown secured to a downstream end thereof. The diamond crown sits within a vestige area of the injection molding system and provides improved corrosion and wear resistance to the nozzle tip. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110010917 | PLATE HEATER FOR A MANIFOLD OF AN INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS - An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity through a nozzle channel of a nozzle and a mold gate. A heater is coupled to the manifold. The heater includes a heater plate that is formed by an extrusion process and at least one channel for receiving a heating element. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110008532 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HOT-RUNNER COMPONENT AND HOT-RUNNER COMPONENTS THEREOF - A method of manufacturing a hot-runner component includes providing a laser assembly, manufacturing a hot-runner component portion of a metallic material, introducing a property enhancing material to the hot-runner component portion, melting the property enhancing material onto the hot-runner component portion using a laser beam emitted from the laser assembly, and solidifying the melted property enhancing material on the hot-runner component portion. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110008480 | Configurable Manifold - An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. A nozzle having a nozzle channel is coupled to the manifold for receiving the melt stream from the manifold melt channel. The nozzle includes a heater. A mold cavity is in communication with the nozzle channel, the mold cavity for receiving the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate. A temperature sensor is disposed at the manifold for use in adjusting the heater of the nozzle or for use in adjusting a heater of an inlet body. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100310708 | Nozzle for an Injection Molding Apparatus - A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus has a mold component that defines a mold cavity and a gate into the mold cavity. The nozzle includes a nozzle body, a heater, a tip, a tip retainer, and a nozzle seal piece. The nozzle body defines a nozzle body melt passage therethrough that is adapted to receive melt from a melt source. The heater is thermally connected to the nozzle body for heating melt in the nozzle body. The tip defines a tip melt passage therethrough that is downstream from the nozzle body melt passage, and that is adapted to be upstream from the gate. The tip retainer is removably connected with respect to the nozzle body. The nozzle seal piece is connected with respect to the nozzle body. The material of nozzle seal piece has a thermal conductivity that is less than at least one of the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip and the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip retainer. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100272849 | Melt Channel Geometries for an Injection Molding System - An injection molding system is disclosed that utilizes a melt channel wherein at least a portion of the melt channel has a noncircular cross-section for balancing shear in a melt stream of moldable material that flows therethrough. The noncircular cross-section of the melt channel portion may be, for e.g., capsule-shaped, extended egg-shaped, oval, teardrop-shaped, or peanut-shaped. A flow splitter is also disclosed that is positioned offset from a central axis of an upstream melt channel to protrude between inlets of respective downstream melt channels, where the upstream melt channel splits into the downstream melt channels, to thereby create a narrower inlet into one of the downstream melt channels and a wider inlet into the other of the downstream melt channels. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100233311 | Injection Molding Apparatus - An actuator is disposed between a back plate and a manifold and is connected to a valve pin. A nozzle flange, locating ring, or pressure disc can transmit a first load between the manifold and a mold plate. A pressure disc can be disposed between the actuator and the back plate. The pressure disc transmits a second load between the back plate and the manifold through the actuator. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100233310 | Thermal Shroud and Method of Making Same - An injection molding hot runner nozzle and a method of making such a nozzle are disclosed that improves heat transfer along the length of the nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle body and a heating element located on an outer surface of the nozzle body having a form-fitting thermally conductive shroud that conforms to a profile of the nozzle and the heating element. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100215795 | Multiple-Gate Injection Molding Apparatus - One or more nozzles define separate nozzle channels. The nozzles are coupled to a manifold, so that each of the nozzle channels communicates with a different mold gate. A molding material distribution insert is coupled to the manifold and has a body defining a distribution channel and a plurality of drop channels equal in number to the nozzle channels. The distribution channel is an open distribution channel formed on an outer surface of the body and enclosed by the manifold. The drop channels intersect the distribution channel and exit the body at a different one of the nozzle channels. A valve pin bushing can extend into the drop channels. Valve pins can extend from actuators, through the valve pin bushing and the drop channels, and to the mold gates. A valve pin holder can be coupled to the actuator and coupled to heads of the valve pins. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100215791 | INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS HAVING EDGE-GATED RUNNERLESS NOZZLE AND RELATED METHOD OF TIP REMOVAL - A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100209547 | Valve Pin Bushing Assembly For An Injection Molding Apparatus - A valve pin bushing assembly for an injection molding apparatus. The assembly includes a bushing body for connection to a manifold, a flexible barrier having a first end that is continuously connected to the bushing body, and a valve pin continuously connected to a second end of the flexible barrier. The valve pin extends through a nozzle in a downstream direction towards a mold gate, wherein the valve pin is movable in an upstream direction and in the downstream direction for opening and closing the mold gate. The flexible barrier seals a channel of molding material from an outside space. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100183763 | Injection Molding Apparatus - An injection molding apparatus includes an inlet component, a plurality of nozzles, and a plurality of hoses, each of which is not heated. The hoses are connected between outlets of the inlet component and respective molding material inlets of the nozzles for conveying molding material from the inlet component to the nozzles. Hoses may also be connected between a rail plate and the nozzles for delivering cooling fluid or actuation fluid for an actuator to and from the nozzles. The nozzles may be fastened to a mold plate of the injection molding apparatus, such as by a threaded bushing. A heated insert may at least partially define the mold cavity to heat molding material in the mold cavity. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183762 | Sealing Arrangement for an Edge Gated Nozzle in an Injection Molding System - An injection molding apparatus having a sealing arrangement between a hot runner manifold and edge-gated nozzle that accommodates thermal expansion during operation is disclosed. A spacer element is axially fixed in position between the manifold and a mold plate in which the nozzle sits. The nozzle includes a reduced diameter spigot portion on an upstream end that is in a telescopic/slidable relationship with a bore of the spacer element. The nozzle includes radially extended nozzle tips axially fixed in position at a downstream end of the nozzle that are in fluid communication with respective mold gates and corresponding mold cavities. In the cold condition, a gap G exists between a shoulder of the nozzle proximate the spigot portion and a corresponding surface of the spacer element bore. Under operating conditions, thermal expansion of the nozzle is accommodated in a direction of the manifold by the gap. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100159062 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having Rotating Vane And Method Of Operating Same - An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold defining a manifold channel for receiving pressurized molding material from an upstream source and a nozzle defining a nozzle channel in communication with the manifold channel to define a flow channel. The nozzle is associated with a mold gate of a mold cavity and delivers molding material to the mold gate. A vane, such as that of an impeller or screw, is rotatably disposed in the flow channel upstream of a mold gate. A motor is coupled to the vane and rotates the vane in either direction. Rotation of the impeller or screw can be automatically adjusted by a controller and a sensor that measures pressure, temperature, or other property of the molding material. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100124579 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having A Valve Pin Coupling - An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having an actuated part that is movable in forward and rearward directions with a coupling part attached thereto having a spring coupling and a magnetic coupling. A valve pin for opening and closing a mold gate is coupled to the coupling part to be movable with the actuated part. When the actuated part is moved and the valve pin experiences a stopping force, either a spring of the spring coupling is positioned for dampening the stopping force encountered by the valve pin or the magnetic coupling, which is magnetically coupled to the actuated part and/or the valve pin, decouples from the actuated part or the valve pin to limit or prevent continued movement of the valve pin with the actuated part. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100092601 | Injection Molding Valve Gated Hot Runner Nozzle - A valve gated hot runner nozzle with at least two transition members made of different materials located between a nozzle tip and a mold gate component to provide a thermal transition region. A first transition member in contact with the nozzle tip is less thermally conductive than a second transition member in contact with the mold gate component. The valve pin when in the closed position makes sealing contact with at least the second transition member such that cooling from the mold gate component is transferred to the valve pin to cool the melt in the mold gate area. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100092588 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having Magnetic Valve Pin Coupling and Related Method - An actuated part, such as a valve pin plate or actuator piston, is movable in forward and rearward directions. A coupling part is located rearward of the actuated part and held in position by magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part. A valve pin is coupled to the coupling part. The valve pin extends in the forward direction for opening and closing a mold gate. When a stopping force applied to the valve pin is greater than a force of the magnetic attraction between the coupling part and the actuated part, the actuated part moves away from the coupling part in the forward direction, thereby reducing the stopping force on the valve pin. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100047383 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having A Nozzle Tip Component For Taking A Nozzle Out-of-Service - An injection molding apparatus includes a plurality of valve-gated nozzles, each nozzle having a respective valve pin that is actuated by an actuator. A nozzle tip component for taking one of the valve-gated nozzles of the injection molding apparatus out-of service, wherein the nozzle tip component has a surface that grips the respective valve pin to lock the valve pin in an out-of-service position thereby preventing flow of molding material into an associated mold cavity and causing disengagement of the valve pin from the actuator. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100034920 | Melt Transfer Components for a Stack Molding System - A stack molding apparatus is disclosed having a stationary mold platen and a movable mold platen defining a parting line. The apparatus has a melt transfer nozzle extending within a well in the stationary mold platen, the melt transfer nozzle defining a melt channel for receiving and transporting a melt stream. The apparatus also includes a melt transfer component having a spigot portion, a melt channel and an aperture in a sealing surface thereof, wherein the melt transfer component is fixedly attached to the stationary mold platen such that the sealing surface defines a portion of the parting line. The spigot portion is slidably fit within the melt channel of the melt transfer nozzle so that the melt channels are in fluid communication. When the stack molding apparatus is brought to an operating temperature, the melt transfer nozzle slides over the spigot portion to accommodate thermal expansion. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100028481 | Nozzle for an Injection Molding Apparatus - A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus is provided. The injection molding apparatus has a mold component that defines a mold cavity and a gate into the mold cavity. The nozzle includes a nozzle body, a heater, a tip, a tip retainer, and a nozzle seal piece. The nozzle body defines a nozzle body melt passage therethrough that is adapted to receive melt from a melt source. The heater is thermally connected to the nozzle body for heating melt in the nozzle body. The tip defines a tip melt passage therethrough that is downstream from the nozzle body melt passage, and that is adapted to be upstream from the gate. The tip retainer is removably connected with respect to the nozzle body. The nozzle seal piece is connected with respect to the nozzle body. The material of nozzle seal piece has a thermal conductivity that is less than at least one of the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip and the thermal conductivity of the material of the tip retainer. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100007058 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having Aligned Pin and Sleeve and Method of Operation - In an injection molding apparatus having a manifold and nozzle assembly, a pin extends through the nozzle and into a mold cavity to define a product feature of the mold cavity and a sleeve extends through the nozzle and circumferentially surrounds a portion of the pin. The sleeve can be moved for controlling flow of molding material through a mold gate and into the mold cavity. The sleeve is aligned with the mold gate by an alignment portion of the nozzle when actuated to open the mold gate. The pin is aligned in the mold cavity by the sleeve. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090274787 | Open Loop Pressure Control for Injection Molding - An injection molding system is disclosed having a self-regulating valve for balancing melt flow. The self-regulating valve includes a control rod configured to balance the melt flow rate through a hot runner system. The self-regulating valve reacts to an injection or melt pressure within the hot runner system and a pre-set force provided by an external force device. The self-regulating valve is an open-loop system as it requires neither a measurement of pressure by a sensor nor feedback from a processor in order to regulate the melt flow. The self-regulating valve mechanically reacts to changes in melt pressure on control surfaces thereof by “bobbing” upwards/downwards to decrease/increase the melt flow accordingly. The self-regulating valve compensates for conditions that affect melt pressure, such as an increase/decrease in melt viscosity, changes in melt temperature, and/or mold cavity size without the use of a processing device. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090269435 | Plate Heater for a Manifold of an Injection Molding Apparatus - An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity through a nozzle channel of a nozzle and a mold gate. A heater is coupled to the manifold. The heater includes a heater plate that is formed by an extrusion process and at least one channel for receiving a heating element. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090181120 | Injection Molding Apparatus Having Movable Yoke Plate - A coinjection molding apparatus includes a manifold, a nozzle body coupled to the manifold, a sleeve disposed within the nozzle body and defining an outer melt channel between the sleeve and the nozzle body, a pin disposed within the sleeve and defining an inner melt channel between the pin and the sleeve, and a nozzle tip having an alignment portion contacting the sleeve. The sleeve is actuated to open and close melt communication of the outer melt channel and a cavity gate. The pin is actuated to open and close melt communication of the inner melt channel and an opening of the sleeve. The alignment portion aligns the sleeve with the cavity gate along the actuated range of the sleeve. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090157526 | Method for Fast Manufacturing and Assembling of Hot Runner Systems - The method and apparatus of the present invention includes a computer implemented injection molding configuring subsystem which enables a customer to interactively specify and design a system using a mix of parameters that the customer specifies and are manufacturing process determined. The configuring subsystem is connected to a computer network such as the Internet. The method and apparatus of the present invention further includes a computerized business and processing subsystem in communication with the configuring subsystem. The computerized business subsystem automatically provides a cost and schedule for a system configured by the configuring subsystem and additionally processes an order for the system. The processing subsystem automatically processes the customer's inputs and generates drawings for the configured system. Prior to receiving the customer's order, hot runner system components may be partially manufactured in a first phase and placed in inventory. The partially manufactured hot runner components may then be removed from inventory after receiving a customer's order, and further manufactured and assembled in accordance with the customer's parameters in a second phase. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090142440 | Multi-Piece Valve Pin Bushing - A bushing body has an upstream portion and a downstream portion for extending into a channel. The bushing body has a bore therethrough for receiving a valve pin. A contoured sleeve is fit around the downstream portion of the bushing body for guiding a flow of molding material. A cap piece is coupled to the upstream portion of the bushing body for contacting a back plate. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090098233 | Injection Molding Actuator Position Sensing - A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20080290542 | Hot Runner Having Temperature Sensor for Controlling Nozzle Heater - A hot runner includes a manifold having a manifold channel and a plurality of nozzle coupled to the manifold. The manifold channel includes a plurality of branches and a manifold heater. Each of the plurality of nozzles includes a nozzle channel and a nozzle heater, the nozzle channel for receiving molding material from a branch of the manifold channel and delivering molding material to a mold cavity. At least one temperature sensor is located near the interface of the manifold and at least one of the nozzles. The temperature sensor is connected to a controller and the controller is connected to at least one of the nozzle heaters. The controller controls power to the nozzle heater according to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080241298 | Hot Runner Nozzle Having Thermal Insert At Downstream End - In a thermally gated hot runner nozzle or hot runner system, a thermal insert is in contact with and separable from a nozzle tip and is in contact with and separable from a nozzle body. The thermal insert is made of a material having a thermal conductivity different from thermal conductivity of the material of the nozzle tip. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080199553 | Hot Runner Actuator - An actuator for a hot runner has a piston and a valve pin holder threadably connected to the piston. The piston can be translated by fluid pressure and rotated by an electric motor. The valve pin holder is rotationally fixed, and therefore moves along the thread when the piston is rotated. A valve pin connected to the valve pin holder moves in response to fluid pressure and also in response to the electric motor rotating the piston. | 08-21-2008 |
