Abstract: An adjustable shape abscess irrigation device includes a first tube that is slidably associated with a second tube. The irrigation device includes a retainer that defines a variable shape diameter. The diameter of the retainer is selectively adjustable by the relative positioning of the first tube and the second tube such that, once placed relative to an abscess, the shape of the device can be manipulated to allow desired drainage of irrigation and abscess fluids beyond the confines of the abscess. Upon adequate drainage of the abscess, the cross-section shape of the retainer can be reduced to facilitate more comfortable and less detrimental removal of the device from the patient. Preferably, the irrigation device is formed via one or multi-shot injection molding and is formed of more than material.

Abstract: An adjustable shape abscess irrigation device includes a first tube that is slidably associated with a second tube. The irrigation device includes a retainer that defines a variable shape diameter. The diameter of the retainer is selectively adjustable by the relative positioning of the first tube and the second tube such that, once placed relative to an abscess, the shape of the device can be manipulated to allow desired drainage of irrigation and abscess fluids beyond the confines of the abscess. Upon adequate drainage of the abscess, the cross-section shape of the retainer can be reduced to facilitate more comfortable and less detrimental removal of the device from the patient. Preferably, the irrigation device is formed via one or multi-shot injection molding and is formed of more than material.

Abstract: A two-shot molding system with four independent molding positions at ninety degree intervals allow injection of the first shot, injection of the second shot, cooling, and ejection of the product to occur simultaneously while the mold is closed. Thus, the invention decreases cycle time, increases throughput, and allows for adequate cooling time without delaying injection and ejection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an injection molding valve configured to prevent the leaking or stringing of injected thermoplastic from the valve. The valve includes a housing having a first bore along a length thereof and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A rotatable member is inserted through the second bore and is in communication with a lever for the actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes a hole therethrough such that when the hole is aligned with the first bore, thermoplastic may travel freely through the first bore. The second bore further includes at least one groove in communication with a port for receiving injected thermoplastic. The injected thermoplastic is hardened to form an seal therein and configured to prevent thermoplastic from leaking out of the valve housing.

Abstract: A screw for injection molding provides a coaxial piston that allows the effective cross-sectional area of the screw to be varied during the injection cycle permitting small shot metering with relatively large diameter injection molding screws. The screw is positioned within the injector barrel of a injection molding assembly and includes a number of threads disposed around its outer surface configured to advance molten plastic to the front of the barrel. The screw further includes a central bore having a piston slidably received within the central bore. The plastic shot to be forced out through the nozzle of the injection molding assembly is controlled by movement of the piston within the screw.

Abstract: A kit for attaching a second injection cylinder to a standard injection-molding machine includes a base that can be attached to either the stationary or the movable platen normally providing support for a mold. In one embodiment, a track with slides supports the second injection cylinder by allowing attachment points on both the stationary and movable platen.

Abstract: A controller for a mold vacuum unit uses a programmable logic controller to provide flexible translation of pre-existing signals present on the injection-molding machine avoiding the need for modification of that machine by the addition of limit switches or the like. Simple adjustment of real time of time delays is provided by the integration of two self-contained timer units working in conjunction with the fixed programming of the programmable logic controller. Removable memories for the programmable logic controller allow the vacuum unit to be used with a variety of different injection-molding machines.

Abstract: An in-machine assembly technique uses revolving mold sections that rotate perpendicularly to the clamping axis of the injection-molding machine to increase usable mold area and to provide improved access to molded parts before and after assembly.

Abstract: An electrode holder for EDM machines using automatic tool changing techniques provides a base plate that may be attached to an adapter of third party chuck systems and a simple compressed slot mechanism for holding the electrode without the need for epoxy or the like.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a fixed injection molding machine having a housing, a first injection molding unit and a mold associated therewith. A portable framework is removably attached to the platen and has at least a second injection molding unit operably aligned with the mold and cooperable with the first injection molding unit.

Abstract: An injection screw and barrel for small injection molding shots employs separate plunger and flight sections so that the plunger section may be arbitrarily reduced in diameter without adversely affecting the threaded portion of the flight section. Melt passes from the flight section to a metering area through a hollow bore in the plunger section.

Abstract: A multi-material runner gate system allows effective de-gating of elastomeric materials that would otherwise stretch and/or flex reducing de-gating forces at the gate upon separation of the molds.

Abstract: A method of sandwich molding, in which a first thermoplastic material is injected into a mold cavity followed by the injection of a second thermoplastic material expanding within the first thermoplastic material, eliminates the need for heated runner systems communicating from the injection nozzle of the injection molding machine to the mold cavity by employing a cold runner having sufficiently slow solidification time to allow subsequent injections from two injection sources. The backflow into the inactive branch is prevented by maintaining the injection nozzle against the mold until molding is complete.

Abstract: A multi-shot injection mold utilizes a minimum of a first shot cavity and a second shot cavity for receiving injected molded plastic to produce a completed multi-component product. In conventional two shot molding, the injection of molten resin, cooling time of such resin, transportation of product to subsequent position and ejection of completed product requires a restrictive sequence. The invention allows flexibility in the sequence to gain efficiency within the molding cycle. The invention uses a three position/station concept which allows each position to act independently of each other. The independent positions allow injection of first shot, injection of second shot and ejection of finished product to occur simultaneously. This effectively removes any additional cycle time required for ejection in the molding cycle.

Abstract: A loader plate attaches to a cliche used in transfer pad printing to provide an extension surface from which a sealed paint pod may be introduced to the cliche allowing the cliche to remain in registered position while transferring paint pods. A magnet system allows simple clamping of the loader plate to the cliche to simplify operation by a single user.

Abstract: A rotatable platen assembly is adapted to support a mold used in multi-shot plastic injection molding. The platen assembly includes a non-rotatable machine platen having a central bore formed therethrough. A non-rotatable base plate is connected to the machine platen, the base plate having a central opening aligned with the central bore of the machine platen. A rotating plate is adapted to retain a mold thereon. The rotating plate is provided with a rotatable center axle passing through the central opening in the central bore, and a gear mounted for rotation on the axle. A rack system is engageable with the gear for moving the mold rotating plate between a starting position and a finishing position. A shock absorber arrangement is mounted externally of the base plate for dampening the momentum of the rotating plate between the starting position and the finishing position.

Abstract: A multi-shot, injection molded valve has at least two independent elements which are rotatably and non-detachably connected together. The valve includes a stationary housing and a pitcock rotatably mounted therein. The stationary housing is molded in a first shot with at least one inlet projecting from one side of the housing and at least one outlet projecting from another side of the housing. The housing has a substantially cylindrical upper portion defining a first bearing surface, and a substantially cylindrical lower portion defining a second bearing surface, the upper and lower portions being divided by a substantially cylindrical rib. The pitcock is molded in a second shot with an external grip portion, an upper cylindrical segment beneath the grip portion and a lower cylindrical segment separated from the upper cylindrical segment by a substantially cylindrical undercut which is engageable with the rib on the housing.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a fixed injection molding machine having a housing, a first injection molding unit and a die associated therewith. A portable framework is removably attached to the molding machine housing and has at least a second injection machine molding unit operably aligned with the molding machine die and cooperable with the first injection molding unit.