Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-material injection molding machine includes stationary and moving platens holding cores and first and second injection units for delivering first and second molding materials. The moving platen is slidable towards and away from the stationary platen. Further provided is a rotational distribution unit movable between the stationary platen and the moving platen and defining first cavities on one side and second cavities on an opposite side. The first cavities are for mating with cores to define first mold cavities and the second cavities are for mating with cores to define second mold cavities. Also provided are a rotational actuator for rotating the rotational distribution unit and a molding material delivery apparatus for delivering one or more of the first molding material to the first cavities and the second molding material to the second cavities.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-material injection molding machine includes stationary and moving platens holding cores and first and second injection units for delivering first and second molding materials. The moving platen is slidable towards and away from the stationary platen. Further provided is a rotational distribution unit movable between the stationary platen and the moving platen and defining first cavities on one side and second cavities on an opposite side. The first cavities are for mating with cores to define first mold cavities and the second cavities are for mating with cores to define second mold cavities. Also provided are a rotational actuator for rotating the rotational distribution unit and a molding material delivery apparatus for delivering one or more of the first molding material to the first cavities and the second molding material to the second cavities.

Abstract: A seal for a check valve for a metal molding machine. The seal is provided by the combination of a peripheral groove in an outer surface of the check valve and a helically wound core in the groove. The helically wound coil is expandable into sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of the molding machine. The helically wound coil may be movable laterally in the groove between a melt channel open position and a melt channel closed position to open or seal the melt channel.

Abstract: A seal for a check valve for a metal molding machine. The seal is provided by the combination of a peripheral groove in an outer surface of the check valve and a helically wound core in the groove. The helically wound coil is expandable into sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of the molding machine. The helically wound coil may be movable laterally in the groove between a melt channel open position and a melt channel closed position to open or seal the melt channel.

Abstract: Film heater apparatus and method for heating a melt channel in a molding device includes structure and/or steps whereby a first dielectric layer is disposed on a surface of a substrate. An active heating element is disposed on the first dielectric layer, the active heating element being configured to generate heat to heat the melt channel. The active heating element has contact terminals arranged to support an electrical connection to the active heating element. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the active heating element, but not covering the contact terminals, thereby permitting coupling of the heater element to an electrical supply.

Abstract: Film heater apparatus and method for heating a melt channel in a molding device includes structure and/or steps whereby a first dielectric layer is disposed on a surface of a substrate. An active heating element is disposed on the first dielectric layer, the active heating element being configured to generate heat to heat the melt channel. The active heating element has contact terminals arranged to support an electrical connection to the active heating element. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the active heating element, but not covering the contact terminals, thereby permitting coupling of the heater element to an electrical supply.

Abstract: A seal for a check valve for a metal molding machine. The seal is provided by the combination of a peripheral groove in an outer surface of the check valve and a helically wound core in the groove. The helically wound coil is expandable into sealing engagement with a cylindrical wall of the molding machine. The helically wound coil may be movable laterally in the groove between a melt channel open position and a melt channel closed position to open or seal the melt channel.

Abstract: Film heater apparatus and method for heating a melt channel in a molding device includes structure and/or steps whereby a first dielectric layer is disposed on a surface of a substrate. An active heating element is disposed on the first dielectric layer, the active heating element being configured to generate heat to heat the melt channel. The active heating element has contact terminals arranged to support an electrical connection to the active heating element. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the active heating element, but not covering the contact terminals, thereby permitting coupling of the heater element to an electrical supply.

Abstract: A test strip, methods for making and using the test strip, and a kit are described, which allow for the simple and efficient determination of the acetaldehyde content in a polyester polymer. The strip and methods have application, for example, in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate preforms and containers, where existing methods for testing for acetaldehyde are cumbersome and time consuming.