Abstract: A locking mechanism for an injection mold including a mold cavity, a mold core moveable between an open position and a closed position. The locking mechanism including a first locking structure rigidly coupled to and moveable with the mold core, a second locking structure coupled to the mold cavity and configured to selectively engage the first locking structure and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and an actuator selectively actuating the second locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrally molded plastic washing machine tub having a circular bottom and annular sidewalls formed with drain holes, the drain holes being encircled by a tapered, raised annulus on the inner surface of the sidewall. The design of the drain holes allows removal of the tub from the mold following molding, and prevents the snagging of fabrics placed in the tub.

Abstract: An injection mold assembly including a plurality of mold dies supported for relative movement between a mold open position and a mold closed position, each of the mold dies including a molding surface adapted to form a portion of the surface of a molded article. The mold assembly also includes a plurality of core pins for forming holes in the molded article. At least part of each of the core pins is made of a resilient, non-metallic material. The core pins are supported on one of the mold dies and are engageable with an opposed mold surface when the mold assembly is closed, such engagement resulting in the elastic deformation of the non-metallic part of the mold core pins.

Abstract: An integrally molded one-piece washing machine tub including an annular sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom wall. The sidewall diverges radially outwardly from the bottom wall and includes a plurality of drain holes recessed in vertically oriented teardrop-shaped depressions to ease separation and removal of the tub from the mold assembly.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use in an injection molding process to mold a one-piece article such as a washing machine tub. The mold assembly includes first and second relatively moveable mold plates, a mold core projecting from the first mold plate, and a plurality of mold sidewall assemblies. The mold core includes an annular outer mold surface portion which tapers inwardly to provide draft to ease the removal of the molded article from the mold assembly, and which is provided with a plurality of generally teardrop-shaped projections. Each teardrop-shaped projection converges to its narrowed end in a direction opposite the direction of removal of the article from the mold core and is configured to further ease removal of the article from the mold assembly. The mold assembly also includes a plurality of core pins mounted on the mold sidewall assemblies.

Abstract: A mold assembly having a support member which is moveable in a direction of travel both toward and away from an end plate and supporting individual mold side walls which are slideably moveable along a path of travel from a mold open to a mold closed position; and a locking member is selectively moveable into movement restraining relation relative to the individual mold side walls thereby positioning the individual mold sidewalls in the mold closed position.

Abstract: A mold defining a mold cavity for manufacture of an article, the mold comprising a plurality of mold side wall members, each of the side wall members including opposite end portions and including an inwardly facing surface comprising a mold surface for forming at least a portion of a side wall of the molded article. The side wall members are moveable from a closed position wherein the side wall members cooperate with said first and second end wall members to define a mold cavity conforming to at least a portion of the desired exterior dimensions of the article, and an open position in which each of the side wall members is displaced laterally outwardly of its closed position and away from the end wall members to a location in spaced relation from the end wall members.