Abstract: An injection unit (1) for injection molding machines used in the manufacture of plastic objects has a nozzle element (2), a material feed system (7), a cylinder-piston unit (3, 4) arranged between the nozzle element (2) and the material feed system (7), a valve (10) arranged between the cylinder (4) and the material feed system (7), and a device (21) for pressing the nozzle element (2) to the edge of the gate of an injection mold. The nozzle element (2), and the piston (3) guided in the cylinder (4), may be integrally formed. The nozzle element has a channel (11) in alignment with an axial bore (13) in the piston (3). The channel (11) and bore (13) are in communication with the interior of the cylinder. The cylinder (4) can be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the piston while the piston (3) does not move.

Abstract: An injection molding machine utilizing vector controlled AC induction motors in its servomechanism drive systems. Vector controlled AC induction motors provide a cost effective high power drive system which superior performance capabilities. Further system efficiencies are realized when the control is configured to run multiple motors by multiplexing the computer controller circuits for the power sections of each motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for indirectly measuring relatively long, linear distances associated with the operation of an injection molding machine. In particular, the method and apparatus of the present invention can be used to determine the distance between two machine components or systems that are capable of relative (linear) movement. The apparatus includes a rigid bar that extends over the distance traversed by the components of interest, the bar being oriented at a slight angle relative to the line of movement. Immediately adjacent the bar is a sensing element capable of accurately determining the relatively short distance between the sensor and the bar. It is contemplated that the bar would be associated with one of the machine components and the sensor connected to the other. Given that there is only linear movement between the components, the distance between the sensor and the bar will be proportional to the distance between the two machine components.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating longitudinally extending portions of a blow molding preform in order to provide a non-symmetrical temperature distribution about a longitudinal axis of the preform. The non-symmetrical temperature distribution permits the preform to be blown to form a non-symmetrical article that has an essentially uniform wall thickness distribution. An auxiliary heating and transfer station is provided between a reheating station and a blowing station, the auxiliary heating and transfer station including two side-by-side pairs of heating elements that are adapted to heat sequentially, corresponding sides of each of a pair of side-by-side blow molding preforms carried by a pallet. The two zone auxiliary heating arrangement permits the desired temperature rise to be achieved consistently while retaining some process flexibility.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for orienting a container preform in a particular orientation to position a closure thread in a desired position relative to the body of the blown container. The preform is supported by a preform carrier that is rotatably supported in a pallet. A drive motor is engaged with the preform carrier to rotate the carrier and the associated preform, and a pawl is engagable with a notch formed in the closure thread on the preform neck to stop rotation of the preform carrier at a specific circumferential orientation. When the container is subsequently blown at a blowing station, the orientation of the thread start relative to the container body permits attachment of a dispensing closure, or the like, at a desired orientation relative to the container body to facilitate dispensing by a user of a pourable product from within the container.