Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a molding apparatus for producing a molded article from a molding material. The molding apparatus comprises an inner core (108) and an outer core (110) for defining a portion of a molding cavity (106) for defining the molded article: the inner core (108) including a compensator (120), the compensator (120) being configured to: retract to a retracted position responsive to the pressure of the molding material being injected into the molding cavity (106); and extend to an extended position responsive to the shrinkage during solidification of the molding material in the molding cavity.

Abstract: A molded article transfer device (150, 250) is described herein that is associated, in use, with an injection mold (100, 200). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a transfer structure (151, 251) that defines, amongst other things, a first aperture (154A) that is structured to receive a first molded article (102A) from a first mold stack (106A, 206A) of the injection mold (100). The transfer structure (151, 251) also defines a first branch channel (156A) and a first trunk channel (158A) through which the first molded article (102A) is passable. The first branch channel (156A) connects the first aperture (154A) with the first trunk channel (158A) for passing, in use, the first molded article (102A) thereto, whereafter it passes through the first trunk channel (158A) towards an exit (164A) thereof.

Abstract: Described herein is a mold. The mold includes a first mold half and a second mold half. A molding cavity is definable between the first mold half and the second mold half within which a molded article is moldable. The mold also includes a core configured to form a seal on the molded article. The first mold half and the second mold half are configured to remain in a mold closed configuration with molding and stripping of the molded article.

Abstract: An extruder unit (22) for an injection molding system (20) includes a piston (48), slidably located within a piston chamber (42), and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The piston (48) is further adapted to rotatably mount a screw (30). A motor assembly (36) is mounted to the piston housing (40) and operable to rotate the screw (30). The piston (48) is translated by a hybrid injection actuator (38), the hybrid injection actuator (38) including: a drive unit (50) operable to move the piston (48) between the retracted position and the extended position; and a gas pressure unit (93), operable to provide a boosting force to the piston (48), thereby urging the piston (48) towards the extended position.

Abstract: A check valve for a screw is provided. The check valve includes a retainer tip, operable to be attached to a distal end of a screw shaft, the retainer tip defining at least one melt channel. A first ring is coaxially mounted to and rotationally-coupled with the retainer tip. A second ring is coaxially and slidably mounted to the retainer tip, and is operable to rotate relative to the retainer tip. The second ring is operable to reversibly move between an open position which permits melt to flow through the check valve and a closed position which prevents backflow of the melt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is, amongst other things, a molding apparatus that includes a collet (116, 316) for use in a first stack portion (110, 310) of a mold stack (106, 306). The mold stack (106, 306) is associated, in use, with an injection mold (100). The collet (116, 316) is structured to define a plurality of molding fingers (140, 340) that are resiliently deflectable, in use, between a neutral configuration and a deflected configuration, the plurality of molding fingers (140, 340) being cooperable to define an encapsulated portion (145) of a molding cavity (101) when arranged in abutment. Furthermore, each of the plurality of molding fingers (140, 340) defines a cam follower (142, 342) that is cooperable, in use, with a bearing (170) with which to link the cam follower (142, 342) with a cam (150, 250) for the exercising thereof between the neutral configuration and the deflected configuration.

Abstract: Described herein is a mold. The mold includes a first mold half and a second mold half. A molding cavity is definable between the first mold half and the second mold half within which a molded article is moldable. The mold also includes a core configured to form a seal on the molded article. The first mold half and the second mold half are configured to remain in a mold closed configuration with molding and stripping of the molded article.

Abstract: An in-mold shutter (140) for embedding in an injection mold (100, 200, 300) is described herein. The in-mold shutter (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) includes a shutter actuator (148, 548) that is configured to selectively engage a first mold shoe (130) of the injection mold (100, 200, 300) with a platen of a mold clamping assembly (996) to hold the first mold shoe (130) in an extended, (E), along a mold-stroke axis (X), during a step of molding a first molded article (102A) in the injection mold (100, 200, 300). Also described herein is a molded article transfer device (150, 250) for use with the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a shuttle (154) that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold (100, 200, 300).

Abstract: A molded article transfer device (150, 250) is described herein that is associated, in use, with an injection mold (100, 200). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a transfer structure (151, 251) that defines, amongst other things, a first aperture (154A) that is structured to receive a first molded article (102A) from a first mold stack (106A, 206A) of the injection mold (100). The transfer structure (151, 251) also defines a first branch channel (156A) and a first trunk channel (158A) through which the first molded article (102A) is passable. The first branch channel (156A) connects the first aperture (154A) with the first trunk channel (158A) for passing, in use, the first molded article (102A) thereto, whereafter it passes through the first trunk channel (158A) towards an exit (164A) thereof.

Abstract: A system in which gravitation and inertial effects on platen verticality and sagging are compensated by an anti-tilt actuator (68, 70). A hydraulic actuator (68, 70) secured beneath the platen is either set to offset only gravitationally-related sagging of the mold half (60, 62) by providing a compensating upward force (relative to a stable clamp base 80), or otherwise its upward force can be dynamically adjusted also to compensate for swaying or tilting of the mold-platen assembly caused by stroke cylinder (98) operation and related inertia/momentum effects. Preferably, a level sensor (94) measures and communicates a degree of horizontalness/verticality of the platen (48, 50) to a machine controller (88) which, in turn, generates a control signal (87) to cause variation in cylinder pressure in the anti-tilt actuator (68, 70), thereby achieving substantially continuous alignment between the mold halves (60, 62) and reduced component wear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mold carrier having: a first external surface and a second external surface being located opposite the first external surface, arranged to mount, in use, respective mold halves; a main hot runner channel; first and second hot runner nozzles in a back-to-back configuration, the first and second hot runner nozzles having bases and connected to the main hot runner channel to receive, in use, molten plastic therefrom, the first and second hot runner nozzles each having a substantially planar sealing surface configured to provide an interface, in use, to a substantially planar interface surface in the respective mold halves; and springs operatively mounted between the nozzle bases and nozzles to spring-load the nozzles against the mold halves for improved sealing sprue bushings being received in the mold halves; and mold locating rings being received by the first external surface and the second external surface, the mold locating rings being configured to locate and position the mold halves relative

Abstract: To facilitate cleaning of melt channels in a runner system (102) in a centre-section carrier (20) or the like, a multi-piece interface adaptor (114, 116, 118) is detailed in FIG. 4. A male portion(114) of the interface adaptor (112) is securely coupled to the runner system (102) to extend the melt channel (63) thereof. The male portion (114) preferably includes a branching feature (124) that splits melt flow into opposing directions to feed distinct nozzles (60, 62). A female portion (116) of the interface adaptor includes bores (144, 146) that align with the branching feature (124, 134, 136) and support the mounting of nozzles (60, 62) therein. The female portion (116) is fixedly secured within the carrier (20). The male portion (114) and the female portion (116) are slidably engageable with one another along sealing surfaces (130, 220). At system operating temperatures, effective operational sealing occurs as a result of relative thermal expansion between the male portion (114) and the female portion (116).

Abstract: A self-positioning clamp piston assembly (300) provides clamp-up, mold break and position reset function through the provision of distinct clamp-up (329), mold break (366) and reset (368) chambers. A position reference shoulder (337) on a piston front ring (330) fixed into a platen (12), permits positioning of a tie bar (12) to ensure clearance (102) between teeth (100) on the tie bar (12) and teeth (98) on a related but separate locking assembly (94). With the tie bar (12) coupled to a clamp piston (304) through a tie bar end plate (340), movement of the tie bar under clamp pressure displaces an independently moveable reset piston (360) from alignment with the tie bar end plate (340). Pressurization of the mold break chamber (366) causes displacement of the reset piston (360) from the shoulder (337), but re-alignment of the reset piston with the tie bar end plate (340).

Abstract: Discloses is: (i) a molding-system lock, (ii) a molding system having a molding-system lock, and/or (iii) a method of a molding-system lock, amongst other things.

Abstract: A self-positioning clamp piston assembly (300) provides clamp-up, mold break and position reset function through the provision of distinct clamp-up (329), mold break (366) and reset (368) chambers. A position reference shoulder (337) on a piston front ring (330) fixed into a platen (12), permits positioning of a tie bar (12) to ensure clearance (102) between teeth (100) on the tie bar (12) and teeth (98) on a related but separate locking assembly (94). With the tie bar (12) coupled to a clamp piston (304) through a tie bar end plate (340), movement of the tie bar under clamp pressure displaces an independently moveable reset piston (360) from alignment with the tie bar end plate (340). Pressurization of the mold break chamber (366) causes displacement of the reset piston (360) from the shoulder (337), but re-alignment of the reset piston with the tie bar end plate (340).

Abstract: A flexible shoe assembly for use in a molding system. The clamp unit of a molding system includes a moving platen and a stationary platen supported by a frame. Tie bars interconnect the moving platen with the stationary platen. The tie bars are secured to the stationary platen and pass through respective openings in the moving platen. Each tie bar is supported and guided within their respective openings by a flexible shoe assembly and wear pad. The flexible shoe assembly has a force redirector for directing force away from a peripheral edge of the wear pad towards a central force area. The flexible shoe assembly also includes a load distributor to distribute the load across the wear pad surface. The flexible shoe assembly includes an upper support that is flexible about a lower support to keep the wear pad in operational contact with the tie bar.

Abstract: In an injection compression mold (12), a counter force cylinder (42) operates to angle (?), over time, a first plate (36) relative to a second upright plate (44). In abutting engagement and under clamp tonnage, the first and second plates (36, 44) define a mold cavity (18). To permit an angle of inclination (?) to be adjusted and finally to place the plates in parallel, a bearing (100) and a complementary bushing (140) are respectively positioned on surfaces (50) of the first plate (36) and the second plate (44). A strain gauge (102), preferably located in a hollow bore (101) of the bearing (100), measures force acting on the bearing (100) and/or bushing (140). Force (FCFC) generated by the counter force cylinder (42) is then varied in response to the measured force in the bearing/bushing, with the force (FCFC) generated by the counter force cylinder (42) regulated to reflect, but slightly exceed, force (80) experienced within the mold cavity (18) during injection.

Abstract: In a stack mold or Tandem® molding machine (10) of FIG. 1 that employs injection compression techniques, a separation (?1 and ?2) between hot halves (24, 26) and cold halves (28, 30) of first and second molds (15, 16) is controlled by sensed distance measurements between a centre-section carrier (17) and end platens (18, 20) on which the molds (15, 16) are mounted. First and second stroke cylinders (66, 68), under the control of machine controller (14) and subject to the sensed positions of the platens (18, 20), balance an injection compression stroke (FCLP) generated by a clamp assembly (48). Specifically, the stroke cylinders (66, 68) control a relative rate of closure between the two molds (15, 16) to provide, as appropriate, synchronous closure of the hot halves (24, 26) against the cold halves (28, 30).

Abstract: To facilitate cleaning of melt channels in a runner system (102) in a centre-section carrier (20) or the like, a multi-piece interface adaptor (114, 116, 118) is detailed in FIG. 4. A male portion (114) of the interface adaptor (112) is securely coupled to the runner system (102) to extend the melt channel (63) thereof. The male portion (114) preferably includes a branching feature (124) that splits melt flow into opposing directions to feed distinct nozzles (60, 62). A female portion (116) of the interface adaptor includes bores (140, 142) that align with the branching feature (124, 134, 136) and support the mounting of nozzles (60, 62) therein. The female portion (116) is fixedly secured within the carrier (20). The male portion (114) and the female portion (116) are slidably engageable with one another along sealing surfaces (130, 220).

Abstract: FIG. 3 illustrates a system in which gravitation and inertial effects on platen verticality and sagging are compensated by an anti-tilt actuator (68, 70). Specifically, and particularly with the location of a heavy weight mold half (60, 62) on a platen (48, 50), platen tilting (58) and front face sagging occurs as a consequence of at least one of: i) the overhanging mass of the mold half; ii) inertia effects caused by stroking of the platen. A hydraulic actuator (68, 70) secured beneath the platen is either set to offset only gravitationally-related sagging of the mold half (60, 62) by providing a compensating upward force (relative to a stable clamp base 80), or otherwise its upward force can be dynamically adjusted also to compensate for swaying or tilting of the mold-platen assembly caused by stroke cylinder (98) operation and related inertia/momentum effects.