Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. At least one shut-off valve is disposed within the second nozzle. The shut-off valve is associated with an outwardly extending melt passage and switchable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Several systems and methods for locating blood vessels are described in the present disclosure. One of the implementations of a blood vessel locating system comprises an image capture device and processing circuitry. The image capture device is configured to capture a first image of a region of the skin of a subject when the region is illuminated by a first light and to capture a second image of the region of the skin when the region is illuminated by a second light. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate the difference between the first image and the second image to obtain a differential image. The processing circuitry is further configured to enhance the differential image to obtain an enhanced image of blood vessels located under the surface of the skin of the subject.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: As one of the examples, one of the main features is that the setup is small enough that it can live with the camera full-time, and carried around by the user. The legs fold into a very compact size that fit within the footprint of the camera, used for any type camera, e.g. compact point-and-shoot camera, camera phone, or SLR camera. The tripod can then live unnoticed on the bottom of the camera, until a shot requiring a tripod is needed. Then, the legs can be deployed to act as a firm stand. Another one of the main features of this tripod is that all the legs do not share a common end-point or pivot-point. This allows the legs to form a very wide stable platform, even when they are short. In general, for N legs, some legs may have common end-points or pivot-points, but not for all N legs. (N is a positive integer, greater or equal to 3.) This invention can be applied to any camera (e.g.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a back plate, a driven pulley connected to the back plate and rotatable with respect to the back plate, a screw connected to the driven pulley to rotate with the driven pulley, a motor having an attached drive pulley, a belt or chain coupling the driven pulley and the drive pulley, a valve pin plate, a nut connected to the valve pin plate and mated with the screw, at least one valve pin connected to the valve pin plate, a manifold fixed with respect to the back plate, and at least one nozzle connected to the manifold. The valve pin extends through the nozzle to control flow of molding material. The screw can be a ball screw and nut can be a ball nut. The screw can have one portion connected to the driven pulley and another portion connected to a mold plate in a rotatable manner.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for an injection molding apparatus, such as a hot half or hot runner, includes a first magnetic part for connection to an actuator, a valve pin plate, or the like and a movable second magnetic part for connection to a valve pin. The first magnetic part and the second magnetic part are coupled by a magnetic force. The first magnetic part can be part of the actuator. The second magnetic part can be part of the valve pin. A valve pin plate can be provided for a plurality of valve pins.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for preventing drool from an injection molding apparatus is provided in a melt channel of a sprue bushing. The shut-off valve includes a fixed member located in the melt channel and a reciprocating member coupled to the fixed member. The reciprocating member is biased toward an extended position in which an inlet of the sprue bushing is blocked thereby. The reciprocating member is movable from the extended position towards a retracted position in which the inlet of the sprue bushing is clear by the force of a melt stream entering the melt channel of the sprue bushing.

Abstract: A multiple zone temperature controller for a hot runner injection molding system. The temperature controller includes inputs for signals from two or more thermocouples corresponding to two or more heating zones. The thermocouple inputs are time-division multiplexed and the output is amplified and input to a microcontroller. The microcontroller manages and controls operation of power switching stages for controlling the power supplied to heating elements corresponding to each of the heating zones. The multiplexer is a low impedance switch.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection manifold having an inlet and a melt channel. The manifold melt channel branches to a plurality of melt channel outlets. A hot runner injection nozzle includes an axial melt channel extending along a central axis and communicating with one of the manifold melt channel outlets. The nozzle further includes at least two angled melt channels disposed at an angle to the central axis. At least two nozzle tips are provided, and each includes a nozzle tip melt channel in communication with one of the angled melt channels. A valve pin is disposed at least partially within the axial melt channel coaxially with the central axis and movable within the axial melt channel. Lateral valve pins movable within the nozzle tip melt channels are disposed at an angle to the valve pin. Linkage elements continuously connect the lateral valve pins to the valve pin.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an injection molding apparatus, comprising a manifold including a plurality of manifold channels and a plurality of nozzles. Each of the nozzles defines a nozzle channel in fluid communication with one of the manifold channels and including a plurality of nozzle bodies coupled in tandem by a removable and secure connection. The nozzle bodies include at least a upstream nozzle body and a downstream nozzle body. The upstream nozzle body has an upstream end adjacent said manifold channel, and the downstream nozzle body has a downstream end adjacent a mold plate. A removable nozzle tip is retained in a downstream end of each downstream nozzle body. The nozzles also include a plurality of heaters, wherein at least one heater is embedded into each nozzle body.

Abstract: In-line valve-gated nozzles for a single or multiple cavity applications wherein a valve-gated hot runner nozzle has a melt channel uniformly heated along the entire path. The valve pin is driven by an actuation device that is located adjacent to the nozzle to regulate the flow of melt. The actuation device has a linear motion and applies a uniform axial pressure on to the valve pin. This valve-gated nozzle can be linked directly to a machine nozzle, to an injection manifold or to a stack mold.