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: 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 system for generating an animal feed formulation based on utilization of nutrients received by an animal. The system includes a simulator engine configured to generate a set of animal requirements based on characteristics of an animal and to generate animal feed formulation input based at least in part on a projected nutrient utilization for the animal and the set of animal requirements. The system further includes a formulator engine configured to receive the animal feed formulation input and generate an optimized animal feed formulation based on the animal feed formulation input.

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: 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 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: 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: 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: A support for rotating molds used in multi-shot injection molding provides for platen mounting of a support track that may extend beneath the molds to support the rotating mold portion. The extensible track provides a telescoping configuration that allows a long support span independent of the mold width improving mold stability and increasing potential mold separation for easy access to the mold portions.

Abstract: A grip cap for a container has a thermoplastic shell in an inverted cup shape with a top wall and a skirt bounded by a lower rim. An elastomeric layer is integrally molded to the cap shell along the outer surface of the top wall and the skirt as well as along the underside of the lower rim. This layer defines multiple spaced apart and raised vertical ribs joined by a pad at the top wall and a gasket extending along the lower rim. The ribs and the pad provide a cushion and the gasket can seal against a shoulder of the container when tightened. Also disclosed is a two-shot method of molding such a grip cap, including integral resilient material at the outer surfaces and the underside of the cap shell rim.

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-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 support for rotating molds used in multi-shot injection molding provides for platen mounting of a support track that may extend beneath the molds to support the rotating mold portion. The extensible track provides a telescoping configuration that allows a long support span independent of the mold width improving mold stability and increasing potential mold separation for easy access to the mold portions.

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: 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.