Patents Examined by Emmanuel Luk
  • Patent number: 6416312
    Abstract: A compression molding apparatus includes a female mold half which receives a charge of molten plastic and a cooperating male plunger which compression molds the molten plastic into an article within the female mold half. A slide mold part is located between the male plunger and the female mold half. The slide mold part includes left and right slide mold halves which when brought into juxtaposition, define a central mold space. The left and right mold halves are slidable toward and away from each other, to form the central mold space and to open the central mold space respectively. The male portion is reciprocated downwardly to undertake the compression molding, and a cam mechanism is activated by the reciprocation to close the slide mold part during compression molding. The return stroke opens the slide mold part to allow removal of the molded article without stripping or unscrewing the molded article from the slide mold part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Heinz O. Gonser, Xiaoli Ma, Wendell Willingham
  • Patent number: 6413465
    Abstract: An apparatus to actuate an injection element (1) for injecting a defined quantity of plasticized plastic or the like into an injection molding tool. The injection element (1) is designed as a piston or as a screw and is guided in a guide (2) and moved by an actuation element. The actuation element (3) has a tappet (4), which is guided on a crank plate (5), the crank plate (5) being turned with positional accuracy by a controlled or regulated servomotor (6). The invention provides that, for the return stroke of the injection element (1), a second tappet (7) is present, which is actuated by a second crank plate (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Battenfeld GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Gruber, Harald Bleier, Martin Ganz
  • Patent number: 6406288
    Abstract: An apparatus for extrusion molding that includes an extruding die that permits extrusion of a material into a hollow tubular molding, a molding die, first and second clamping devices and a device for releasing compressed air. The first and second clamping devices are positioned along opposite end portions of the molding die and configured to clamp the molding independently from one another to form an air-tight space therebetween. The molding die includes two die cavity halves and is arranged to close around the air-tight space and compress the molding to conform the same to a final product configuration. The device for releasing compressed air is arranged to release compressed air before the die cavity halves are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Ing Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6390800
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming threaded molded parts such as closures for containers having improved means for unthreading the formed part from the mold core. The apparatus includes a cavity part and a core part, the cavity part being rotatable relative to the core part, such that simultaneous rotation of the cavity and opening of the mold results in unthreading of the part from the core. The mold cavity is rotationally coupled to a mold cavity rotator which is preferably driven by means of a rack. The rotation of the mold cavity is timed with the mold opening step such that the threaded part is unthreaded from the core as the mold plates are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Unique Mould Makers Limited
    Inventors: David R. Brown, Henry J. Rozema
  • Patent number: 6390798
    Abstract: In order to eject resin leaked from an injection chamber (13) toward the shaft side of an injection plunger (31) away from an injection cylinder (30), a plunger-type injection molding machine injection device is equipped with an ejection guide (151, 251) at the rear edge of an injection cylinder which is thermally isolated from the injection cylinder main body. A band heater (53), which heats the ejection guide, is controlled independently of the band heater (38) which heats the injection cylinder. One embodiment of this injection guide (151) causes the ejected resin to fall from the ejection opening (151h) while retaining its molten state. In another embodiment, the ejection guide (251) has ejection channels (251f) which cause the resin to harden and be ejected in a fine strand state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Sodick Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Misao Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 6386852
    Abstract: An injection needle for use in a mold cavity of a gas-assisted injection molding machine. The injection needle includes a tubular member and a stem slidably disposed in the tubular member. The stem is positionable in a raised position and a retracted position. The injection needle further includes a central bore extending within the stem for supplying a gas and a slot. The slot is operable for relieving gas pressure within the mold cavity when the stem is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventor: Karl R. Berdan
  • Patent number: 6382946
    Abstract: A multi-cavity coinjection mold and method for simultaneously producing a plurality of multi-layered articles comprising: a mold structure defining a plurality of mold cavities; a first supply source for supplying metered amounts of a first molding material; a second supply source for supplying metered amounts of a second molding material; a hot runner system in communication with the first and second supply sources for conveying the metered amounts of the first and the second materials separately to a region proximate each of the cavities; the region comprising having a pin controlled passage leading to proximate cavity by way of a gate having the same cross-section as the passage, the pin scavenging material from the passage and providing cavity packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: DTL Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Martin H. Beck, George F. Rollend, John H. Muszynski
  • Patent number: 6379072
    Abstract: A quick connect coupler for connection to a stud includes a female coupler body having a plurality of balls in ball receiving bores which are advanceable into a stud bore in the female coupler for engaging a stud upon advancement of the stud into the stud bore. The balls are held in engagement with the stud by a locking collar having an annular groove. The female coupler is disengaged from the stud by pressurized air acting against a plunger mounted within the stud bore and connected to the locking collar to drive the locking collar forward such that the annular groove is advanced into alignment with the ball receiving bores in the female coupler body. A blocking sleeve is mounted on a plunger shaft and biased forward to slide across the ball receiving bores as the stud is withdrawn to hold the balls out of the stud bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Burger Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Brown, Kendall D. Foos
  • Patent number: 6379144
    Abstract: An injection moulding apparatus includes a manifold having a channel receiving an injection of molten polymer and delivering the molten polymer to a nozzle assembly. The nozzle includes a nozzle gate delivering the molten polymer to a mould. A valve gate drop assembly has a valve pin extending from a valve pin cylinder which passes through an eccentric bushing in the manifold. The valve pin extends into the nozzle assembly and terminates at the nozzle gate. The valve pin is aligned with the nozzle gate and is adapted for control of flow of molten polymer through the nozzle gate by movement into and away from the nozzle gate. The movement of the valve pin is controlled by the valve pin cylinder. During operation, the manifold can undergo a change in position relative to the positions of the valve pin cylinder and nozzle assembly as a result of thermal expansion and contraction of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: John B. Wright
  • Patent number: 6375448
    Abstract: A system for automatically cooling and further processing chewing gum base materials is disclosed. The hot molten chewing gum base material is deposited in lined or coated pans, the pans are picked up by an industrial robot and placed into a pair of spiral cooling towers where the molten material is cooled and solidified. The same or a second industrial robot picks up the pans of cooled gum base material and transports them to a final staging and processing area. The pans of cooled gum base material are placed on a conveyor system or on pallets for further handling and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: James A. Duggan, Kevin R. Tebrinke, Tony R. Puri, Arthur W. Upmann
  • Patent number: 6372177
    Abstract: A gas injection moulding device with a mould cavity which communicates via a valve with spill chambers. The injection moulding process is controlled by a control unit so that the valve is first kept partially open during the injection of fluent plastic material for purging the mould cavity of air and for spilling a first small amount of plastic material to the spill chambers, whereas during the subsequent injection of gas, the valve is completely opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Volvo Lastvagnar AB, Lear Corporation Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mikael Hildesson, Tor Hesselgren, Lars Odelmark
  • Patent number: 6364650
    Abstract: An injection apparatus comprises a cylinder member, an injection member, a first support member, a drive unit, a transmission shaft, a second support member, and load detection unit. The injection member is disposed within the cylinder member such that the injection member can advance and retract. The first support member supports the injection member such that the injection member can rotate. The transmission shaft is connected to the injection member such that the transmission shaft can rotate relative to the injection member and has a rotation transmission portion, to which rotation of the drive unit is transmitted, as well as a motion conversion portion for converting rotational motion to linear motion. The second support member is adapted to allow relative rotation between the injection member and the transmission shaft. The load detection unit is disposed between the first support member and the second support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Emoto
  • Patent number: 6358029
    Abstract: Engaging surfaces for engaging with each other during a pressing operation and a pressing surface are provided in a mold that is composed of an upper mold part and a lower mold part. A guide channel is formed in the engaging surface provided by an inner surface of a side wall. When the upper mold part and the lower mold part engage with each other, the guide channel is covered by the engaging surface of the lower mold part to form a tunnel like passage. Lubricant that is introduced from a first aperture is recovered from a second aperture through the guide channel. Part of the lubricant that flows through the guide channel is supplied to the engaging surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Yuugen Kaisha Nimitekkou
    Inventor: Nikichi Niimi
  • Patent number: 6350401
    Abstract: Sprue gated injection molding apparatus for molding preforms or other products having two layers of a barrier material such as EVOH or nylon alternating between three layers of another thermal plastic material such as PET. The PET is injected by one injection cylinder into first and third melt passages which branch in a front melt distribution manifold to extend to a number of heated nozzles. The first melt passage extends through a central melt channel in each heated nozzle and the third melt passage extends through an outer annular melt channel surrounding the central melt passage to an aligned gate leading to a cavity. The barrier material is injected by another injection cylinder into a second melt passage which branches in a rear melt distribution manifold to extend to an inner annular melt channel extending between the central melt passage and the outer annular melt channel in each heated nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventors: Jobst Ulrich Gellert, Denis L. Babin
  • Patent number: 6345974
    Abstract: An ejector pin with a pressure sensor is provided, of which the sensor output can be utilized without any correction even in different diameter thereof, so that no design changes are required according to loads to the ejector pin. The ejector pin has a bar portion for extruding a molded component and a sleeve portion slidably housing the bar portion. The end of the bar portion faces the cavity from the opening at the end of the guide portion. A housing room is defined by the step portion at the lower end of the sleeve portion. A strain producing portion with an U-shaped cross section fixed on the base end of the bar portion is disposed inside the housing room. A strain sensor is attached on the lower surface of the beam of the strain producing portion. Only the area of the end of the bar portion is related to the pressure detection. When the pressure of a resin is applied on the end of the bar portion, the downward load on the bar portion bends the beam down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawasaki, Yutaka Hiroshima, Chisato Akinari, Yasuo Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 6340296
    Abstract: A system for producing disc-like optical data carriers comprises an injection-molding machine for manufacturing a disc-like substrate, and a finishing device for applying a reflective layer to the substrate and for applying a protective layer to the reflective layer. The injection-molding machine and the finishing device are integrated in a single production unit. An optical inspection unit is also integrated in the production unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: OTB Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ronaldus Joannes Cornelis Maria Kok
  • Patent number: 6340297
    Abstract: A solid imaging apparatus and method produces an integral three-dimensional object from a multiplicity of cross sectional portions of the object by selectively exposing successive layers of a liquid photoformable composition to actinic radiation. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing the composition so as to present a free surface, and a movable platform disposed within the vessel below the free surface. Part of the composition is transferred above the free surface by lowering and raising a dispenser at predetermined positions located away from the platform. A doctor blade contacts the composition transferred above the free surface, and then moves over the platform to form a substantially uniform layer of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventors: Brian Gregory Chapman, Christian Henning Clausen, Daniel James Mickish, Eustathios Vassiliou
  • Patent number: 6338623
    Abstract: A rotational molding oven for forming an object from a mold. The oven includes a cavity for retaining the mold, a burner for heating the cavity and melting the resin and a device for rocking the mold between −45° and 45° from a horizontal plane. The rocking device is outside, extending into the cavity, maintaining the mold in the center of the cavity. The rocking device facilitates distribution of resin within the mold and improves thermal flow of heat within the cavity thereby increasing thermal efficiency and minimizing the size of the cavity. The rocking device includes a first track outside the cavity, a carriage assembly, a drive assembly connected to the carriage assembly and a guide assembly connected between the first track and carriage assembly for translating up and down the first track, causing the carriage assembly to move therewith and the mold to rock about the central axis of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Richard A. Durrant
  • Patent number: 6334767
    Abstract: The machine of the present invention is a means for manufacturing thermoplastic tubes from hollow thermoplastic sleeves by a variety of different manufacturing processes. The machine is a single apparatus having an indexing table with a plurality of mandrels for holding hollow thermoplastic sleeves for the purpose of transporting the same around a closed manufacturing path. The manufacturing path of the machine of the present invention is a series of stations which are mechanical devices for carrying out the manufacturing steps necessary to produce tubes from thermoplastic blank sleeves. The stations of the manufacturing path are modular so that they may be removed, added or rearranged; may be optionally connected to a process logic controller and may optionally have sensors for information feedback to the PLC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Thatcher Tubes LLC
    Inventors: Ronald E. Kieras, John J. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 6332766
    Abstract: The upper and lower mold plates of a transfer molding machine are configured for one-side encapsulation of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator. The pair of devices is positioned back-to-back within a single mold cavity for simultaneous encapsulation. A buffer member, optionally with cut-outs or apertures, may be placed between the two back-to-back substrates for protecting the grid-arrays and enabling encapsulation of devices with varying thicknesses without adjustment of the molding machine. Alternately, the upper and lower plates are configured for one-side encasement using covers of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven G. Thummel