Abstract: Method comprises:

Abstract: Dendrimer additives incorporated in thermoplastic resins (such as polycarbonate resins) are effective to alter the surface characteristics of the thermoplastic resin. Such compositions can be injection molded to produce articles in which the dendrimer additive is concentrated at the surface of the article to alter the properties of the resin. By selection of the type of dendrimer additive, the resulting characteristics of the molded article may be controlled.

Abstract: Improved mold manifold and hot runner nozzle using thin film elements include at least one active or passive thin film element disposed along a melt channel between the manifold inlet and the hot runner nozzle. Preferably, the thin film element may comprise a thin film heater in direct contact with the molten resin and position to aid in the heat and flow management of the resin within the melt channel. Thin film temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and leak detectors may also be provided in the vicinity of the melt channel to enhance process control in the injection molding machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: This invention relates to the post-extrusion processing of extruded profiles in an economic manner. The first process step involves heating at least a portion of the extruded profile in a preheated profile heating means to a first temperature at which the essentially linear profile becomes formable or pliable or bendable, yet which still has at least some degree of structural integrity at this point which permits it to be physically manipulated without compressing the profile by the application of external pressure or by the weight of gravity itself. This first temperature is less than a subsequent second temperature, at which the profile becomes melt processable effecting radial expansion under pressure or melt fusion under pressure. At least one end of the profile remains unheated, and preferably, two ends remain unheated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative cooling pin for cooling molded articles, a system which incorporates same, and a method for cooling a molded article which utilizes the cooling pin. The cooling pin of the present invention has a central pin structure with a head portion, a cooling fluid channel within the central pin structure terminating in an outlet in the head portion, and a plurality of fins positioned along the length of the central pin structure. Adjacent ones of the fins are preferably separated by a spacer. Each of the fins is preferably formed from a flexible material such as a flexible plastic material. The fins force and maintain cooling fluid introduced into the interior of the molded article in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the molded article.

Abstract: A process produces a resin intake member by injection moling. The intake member has a hollow generally cylindrical main section and a subsidiary section integrally connected to an outer periphery of the hollow main section. The process includes a primary molding step which forms the hollow main section in a primary molding die and a secondary molding step which subsequently inserts the formed hollow main section into a secondary molding die to integrally form the subsidiary section with the hollow main section in the secondary molding die.

Abstract: An injection molding heater (38) having one or more melt bores (78) extending therethrough to be removably mounted between the melt distribution manifold (26) and each nozzle (10) in a multi-gate injection molding system. The heater (38) has a plate-like body (92) made of a thermally conductive material and heat is provided to it by a heating element (98) which can be electrical or a heat pipe or by a heated fluid flowing through a passage (126) in the plate-like body (92). Each one or more of the heaters (38) can be connected to separately controlled power sources to separately adjust the heat provided by the heaters (38).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a seal-integrated separator for a fuel cell is presented, with which seals can be accurately positioned and the assembling time for the fuel cell units may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A thermal expansion compensation support and method are used in a hot runner injection mold for maintaining liquid-tight relationships between parts that define a flow passageway. The support includes an annular housing having an annular recess that receives a spring, such as a Belleville washer, and a cover that overlies the annular recess in the housing. The housing and the cover are spring biased from each other to maintain a pressure force on the surfaces that are in contact with the outer faces of each of the cover and of the annular housing. The support imparts a holding force on the several parts of the machine that define the molding material flow passageway to prevent leakage. The method involves holding the parts together at a first holding force level for an initial portion of a warm-up temperature range and holding the parts together at a second holding force level for the remainder of the temperature range.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded article comprises injecting a quantity of molding material sufficient for the preparation of the molded article into a cavity of a mold, injecting a first portion of fluid into the mold cavity, creating a gas channel within the molding material, and forming the molded article within the mold cavity. At least a portion of the first portion of fluid is exhausted through a gas port, a second portion of fluid is injected into the mold material, and the molded article is cooled within the mold cavity to a temperature beneath a softening point of the molding material.

Abstract: A device for temperature adjustment of an object generally comprises means for providing a flow of a conditioning fluid, said flow of conditioning fluid being directed along a surface of said object, and at least one fin directed towards said surface of said object. The at least one fin is arranged in the immediate vicinity of said surface of said object so that an edge of said fin extends substantially normally with respect to said flow of said conditioning fluid, said conditioning fluid passing between said surface of said object and said edge of said fin.

Abstract: A thermal expansion compensation support and method are used in a hot runner injection mold for maintaining liquid-tight relationships between parts that define a flow passageway. The support includes an annular housing having an annular recess that receives a spring, such as a Belleville washer, and a cover that overlies the annular recess in the housing. The housing and the cover are spring biased from each other to maintain a pressure force on the surfaces that are in contact with the outer faces of each of the cover and of the annular housing. The support imparts a holding force on the several parts of the machine that define the molding material flow passageway to prevent leakage. The method involves holding the parts together at a first holding force level for an initial portion of a warm-up temperature range and holding the parts together at a second holding force level for the remainder of the temperature range.

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.

Abstract: A molding machine for molding microparts containing between 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters of plastic shot volume includes a plasticizing portion operatively connected to an injection portion and a mold portion. A valve member is provided to open and close the connection between the plasticizing portion and the injection portion. A linear motor member is associated with the injection portion to permit molding times of 0.01 seconds at pressures up to about 100,000 psi during injection of the molten plastic into the mold portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for filling at least one casting mould (10) with a castable, liquid compound, in particular casting resin. In order to decrease the mould-occupation time considerably, the reactivity of the casting compound is firstly increased at least during the filling phase for the at least one casting mould (10) by the supply of energy and is then decreased by the removal of energy to a value at which the casting compound has a relatively long service life. Heat exchanges (7) are proposed as means for heating and, if necessary, cooling the casting compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of cooling molded preforms. The apparatus and method make advantageous use of air amplifiers to create a flow of cooling air over the molded preforms. In a first embodiment of the present invention, the air amplifiers are mounted to a part removal and cooling robot. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of air amplifier stations are positioned about an index block to cool the molded preforms. In a third embodiment of the present invention, a vacuuming system is provided to improve the adherence of the air flow created by the air amplifiers to the exterior surfaces of the molded preforms. In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the air amplifiers are mounted to a movable plate and each amplifier has an internal bore sized to receive a molded preform to be cooled.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a pressure sensor, in which a semiconductor pressure sensing element is applied to an assembly segment of a lead grid, the semiconductor pressure sensing element is electrically connected to contact segments of the lead grid. The lead grid having the semiconductor pressure sensing element is inserted into an injection molding die, and then the semiconductor pressure sensing element, in the injection molding die, is surrounded by a housing made of injection molding compound. A structure is present in the injection molding die through which a pressure feed for the semiconductor pressure sensing element is left free from the jacket of injection molding compound. A stamp is arranged in the injection molding die so as to be separated by a gap from the side of the assembly segment that is facing away from the semiconductor pressure sensing element or from the side of the semiconductor pressure sensing element that is facing away from the assembly segment.

Abstract: Multi-cavity injection molding apparatus for three layer molding having elongated pins for fixed pin gating or valve gating. Each elongated pin has a central melt bore extending rearwardly from its front end to a number of laterally extending bores. A low viscosity barrier material such as EVOH or nylon flows through these bores to the gate leading to the cavity. This allows coinjection with fixed pins and sprue gating in one embodiment and by valve gating in another embodiment.

Abstract: A process for forming detergent bars by injection molding in which a pressure is applied to a partially structured detergent composition to deliver it to a mold. The detergent composition can be delivered to the mold in a substantially semi-solid state, at a temperature below 70° C. and at a pressure at the point of injection of greater than 20 psi. Apparatus for forming detergent bars according the invention are also described.

Abstract: An article having complex geometrical shape is obtained by consecutively coinjection molding a first and a second material substantially without stopping time between the two injections. Pressure, temperature and mass flow rate are controlled to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the several flows of injected material and to have them meet in a fluid condition and melt together at the meeting point.

Abstract: The injection nozzle includes a longitudinal flow channel, a plurality of angular channels extending from the longitudinal flow channel (1) in a first direction at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, and (2) in a second direction at an acute angle with respect to the first direction, an annular channel extending from the angular channels, and a passageway extending from the annular channel to the injection orifice, wherein the angular channels cause a swirling action in the annular channel to flush out resin from the annular channel.

Abstract: A multi-cavity coinjection mold having a relatively large plurality of cavities for simultaneously molding a relatively large plurality of multi-layered articles including a) a plurality of cavity groups each defining a relatively small plurality of said cavities, a single balanced hot runner for supplying said relatively small plurality of cavities with contiguous different plastics materials, and a valve for sequentially supplying desired contiguous quantities of the plastics materials from plastics material sources, common to all of said groups, to the balanced hot runner; and b) a hot runner manifold system connected to the plastic material sources to supply the plastic materials to all of the valves; and related methods.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a multi-layer molded product having a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers. This process provides for (i) a step of supplying first and second molten thermoplastic resins each through first and second resin supplying gates which are temperature-controllable independently of each other, to between female and male molds kept in an open state with a time difference being provided between supply starts of the first and second resins, and (ii) a step of closing the female and male molds after completion of supply of the first and second resins. The process enables production of high-quality multi-layer molded products having a plurality of resin layers with good repeatability under relatively low resin supply pressure and by single mold closing. Further, high-quality multi-layer molded products can readily be produced without restrictions on materials used.

Abstract: Methods of making a graphite material are provided. A flexible graphite is ground into a powder. The graphite powder is mixed with a resin and the mixture is hot pressed. A second method of making a graphite material is provided where the graphite is ground into a powder; the graphite powder is soaked in a cryogenic liquid; the soaked graphite powder is then expanded; the expanded soaked graphite powder is mixed with a graphite powder; and the graphite powder mixed with a resin are hot pressed. According to a third method, the flexible graphite is ground into a powder; the graphite powder is soaked into a cryogenic liquid, the soaked graphite powder is expanded; and the expanded soaked graphic powder is ground into a fine powder. The resulting graphite powder is mixed with a resin. The graphite powder mixed with the resin is hot pressed. According to a fourth method, graphite flakes are soaked into an acid; the soaked graphite flakes are expanded; and the expanded soaked graphite flakes are precompacted.

Abstract: A water jacket assembly for use in injection mold systems, and particularly with heterocavity injection mold systems. The water jacket assembly comprises a sleeve construction of material with high heat-transfer properties. A conduit is beveled into the outside perimeter of the sleeve forming a circulation channel. The inside perimeter of the sleeve is fashioned to receive an individual injection mold. A mold base slideably received the water jacket and cooling fluid is circulated from the mold base through circulation channel in the water jacket, and then back to the mold base. A fluid input plug and fluid output plug extend from the mold base and are received by the apertures in the individual mold for additional cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

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; a valve mechanism per cavity for receiving the metered amounts of the first and second materials from the hot runner system and for sequentially supplying desired quantity of the first and second materials contiguously to each cavity.

Abstract: A plastic article is formed in an injection mold by injecting molten plastic into the injection mold at an elevated temperature, cooling the plastic from the molten condition to a solid condition, and crystallizing a portion of the plastic by slowing down the cooling of said portion.

Abstract: A transparent substrate and a method of producing the same suitable especially for an optical system for an optical data recording medium using a linearly polarized light as a data reading light such as magneto-optical recording medium drive unit and an optical data recording medium for reading data using a linearly polarized light.