Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing hollow articles made of injection moulded plastic material by a mould having a die within which there is inserted a core, and at least one injector including a pin valve displaceable between a closing position and an opening position for injecting the pressurized plastic material into a space comprised between the die and the core. During the injection, any flexural deflection of the core is detected and the pin valve of the or of each injector is displaced in a controlled fashion to adjust a pressure and a flow rate of the injected plastic material, so as to reduce or eliminate such deflection of the core.

Abstract: A storage container manufactured from an injection molding process which includes a mold and at least one injector. The mold has a top surface, a bottom wall, a plurality of side surfaces, and at least two separable sections. Where the at least two separable sections are in a closed position, a cavity is formed in the mold. The at least one injector is disposed through at least one of the plurality of sidewalls and further disposed into the cavity. The storage container has a plurality of sidewalls, an upper edge, and a bottom surface. At least one of the plurality of sidewalls of the resulting storage container contains at least one sprue mark.

Abstract: In an injection process, molten resin is successively injected from a first flow channel and a second flow channel connected with each other in order into a cavity of a metal mold. High-temperature resin existing in the first flow channel is injected in advance into the cavity as a part of a single shot of molten resin to later form a skin layer of a molded article. Other low temperature resin near a flowable limit existing in the second flow channel is subsequently injected into the cavity as another part of the single shot of molten resin to later form a core layer of the molded article. A low temperature resin remaining in the first flow channel when injection is completed is warmed to be a high-temperature resin before the next cycle, thereby allowing successive molding of molded articles.

Abstract: A hot or cold runner device for an injection mold includes a distributor block for polymer melts or polymeric liquids such as liquid silicone. The distributor block includes at least one central supply line, at least one melt channel, at least one fluid outlet, and at least one exchangeable deflection and/or distribution insert. The deflection and/or distribution insert has a sleeve and a cone element for deflecting and/or distributing the melts or liquids and is mounted without gaps and without offset at flow channel transitions by a pressing-in process, and the cone element is held in the sleeve in a self-locking manner.

Abstract: Provided is a blow molding machine including an injection molding unit and a blow molding unit, wherein the injection molding unit includes a preform mold and an injection device configured to supply resin to the preform mold, wherein the injection device is fixed to a support plate, and wherein the support plate includes a position adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting a position of the injection device in an upper and lower direction with respect to the preform mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a metal injection molded ammunition cartridge comprising the steps of: providing an ammunition cartridge mold comprising a bottom portion having a primer recess extending into the bottom portion adapted to receive a primer, a flash hole positioned in the primer recess through the bottom surface; side walls extending from the bottom portion to a nose end aperture, wherein a propellant chamber is formed between the nose end aperture and the bottom surface; injecting a metal composition into the ammunition cartridge mold to form a metal injection molded ammunition cartridge; and removing the metal injection molded ammunition cartridge from the ammunition cartridge mold.

Abstract: An edge device interface system and method for monitoring, recording, and calculating control and response signals generated by and between an injection molding system including an injection-molding machine and a robotic handling device. The edge device interface system of the invention includes an edge device interposed between the connector of the injection-molding machine and the connector of a robotic handling device using standardized connectors. The edge device interface system may be interposed between the connector of the injection-mailing machine and the connector of a robotic handling device to emulate the function of either device as desired.

Abstract: A male mould element includes a cooling circuit having first passage elements obtained in a first component of the male mould element and second passage elements obtained in a second component of the male mould element, the first passage elements and the second passage elements being distributed around a longitudinal axis of the male mould element so that there exist a plurality of angular positions of the first component relative to the second component in which the first passage elements are in fluid communication with the second passage elements.

Abstract: A melt delivery body is disclosed for an injection molding apparatus. The melt delivery body includes a manifold, housed in a manifold plate, having a melt network with an inlet for receiving melt from a machine nozzle and an outlet substantially axially aligned with the inlet. The melt delivery body further including an in-line valve gated nozzle having a nozzle melt channel, a valve pin in the nozzle melt channel, and a valve pin actuator coupled to the valve pin and positioned substantially axially aligned with the in-line valve gated nozzle and between the manifold and the in-line valve gated nozzle for controlling the movement of the valve pin within the nozzle melt channel. The melt delivery body further including a biasing member for biasing the in-line valve gated nozzle towards the manifold.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an injection nozzle with a nozzle head including at least one discharge opening for injecting molding material into a mold cavity of a thereto interconnected injection mold and forming therein a molded body. At least one positively controlled closure element movably supported in the nozzle head for closing a communication opening in the connected injection mold. An actuator cylinder comprises a first piston which is interconnected to the closure element. The first piston is arranged movable between a first position, in which the closure element is fully closed, and a second position in which the closure element is fully open. A second piston is interconnected to the closure element, and is arranged movable between a third position in which the second piston is not interconnected to the closure element and a fourth position in which the closure element is limited in an intermediate position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gate insert includes an injection gate body having front and rear opposite sides and an aperture extending through the injection gate body between an injection gate outlet on the front side and an opening on the rear side. The injection gate body is connectable to and disconnectable from a gate pad in a cavity plate from a front side of the gate pad and from a front side of the cavity plate. In another embodiment, a cavity flange includes a molding body defining at least a portion of a molding cavity shaped to mold a shell of a closure for a container. The molding body is connectable to and disconnectable from a gate insert in a cavity plate from a front side of the gate insert and from a front side of the cavity plate. Other apparatuses are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved hot runner system is provided. The hot runner system includes a hot drop having an inlet for receiving molten material, the inlet diverging into first and second channels that converge at a feeder tube for providing an even distribution of molten material in a mold cavity. The hot runner system further includes a valve pin adapted to reciprocate within the feeder tube for opening and closing the valve gate, the valve pin being moveable in response to activation of first and second linear actuators disposed exterior to the hot drop. The linear actuators are moveable in unison with each other and are joined to the valve pin via a cross-bar that extends through an interior portion of the hot drop between the first and second channels.

Abstract: An injection molding system (1) is described, for at least one fat-containing product in at least one die (9), equipped with at least one injection means (3), the injection means (3) being equipped therein with at least one injection channel (2), the system (1) comprising at least one heating element (5) arranged inside the injection means (3) in parallel with the injection channel (2) and at least one male half-shell (8) of the die (9), connected to at least one lower surface of at least one cooled support means (7).

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus and an method for the manufacture of moldable articles having an injection manifold, a plurality of hot runner nozzles, a first nozzle heater, a plurality of mold cavities positioned to receive molten material from the plurality of the hot runner nozzles, each mold cavity having at least one mold gate orifice and a mold cavity heater surrounding each mold cavity at least partially and a thermocouple associated with the mold cavity to measure directly or indirectly a temperature generated by the mold cavity heater.

Abstract: A side gate nozzle assembly for a hot runner apparatus comprises a disc shaped base body, a probe member, a sealing insulator, and a shape memory alloy washer. The probe member with a probe channel extends from the base body. A molten molding material is received through a melt channel of the nozzle body, and allowed to pass through the probe channel to be transferred to a cavity of a cavity member. The shape memory alloy washer is positioned between the base body and the sealing insulator. The shape memory alloy washer distorts linearly to push the sealing insulator and the probe member according to change in temperature due to transfer of the molten molding material from the melt channel to the cavity member via the probe channel. The distorted shape memory alloy washer prevents leakage of the molten molding material from the melt channel, and the probe channel.

Abstract: A hot runner injection molding apparatus to manufacture molded parts with a manifold having an inlet melt channel and a plurality of outlet melt channels, a plurality of injection molding cavities and a plurality of side gating nozzles coupled to the outlet melt channels and to the injection molding cavities. Each nozzle has a nozzle flange segment including a first melt channel disposed along a first axis and each side gating nozzle further includes a separate and removable nozzle head segment that is coupled to the flange segment via a sliding connector element that provides for an axial movement of the nozzle head segment or of the nozzle flange segment. Each nozzle head segment retains at least two nozzle tips that extend at least partially outside an outer surface of the nozzle head segment and each nozzle tip is surrounded by a nozzle seal element.

Abstract: A melt distribution device (100) including a heat-receiving part (102) and a heater (104). The heater (104) is coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to maintain thermal communication between the heater (104) and the heat-receiving part (102). The heater (104) is also coupled to the heat-receiving part (102) so to isolate, at least partially, the heater (104) from receiving stress and strain transmission from the heat-receiving part (102).

Abstract: An injection station of an injection blow molding machine and a method for forming parisons and molded articles. The injection station includes a die plate with a keyway formed through a least a portion of a surface of the die plate. The keyway separates front and back portions of the surface of the die plate. The injection station further includes a resin injection tooling comprising a draw bar, with at least a portion of the draw bar operable to be positioned within the keyway of the die plate, a base plate secured to a back side of the draw bar and operable to be secured to the back portion of the surface of the die plate and, and a manifold secured to a top of the base plate, with the manifold being configured to discharge resin into cavities to form the parisons.

Abstract: A nozzle mouthpiece for an injection molding nozzle for use in an injection molding tool and for processing a fluid mass has a flow channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A first sealing surface is formed radially with respect to a longitudinal axis. A stop surface is arranged between the first sealing surface and the outlet opening and is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and facing the outlet opening. A a coupling means is arranged radially with respect to the longitudinal axis for fixing the nozzle mouthpiece in a mold sprue opening of a pattern plate. An injection molding nozzle and an injection molding tool is provided having such the telescopic nozzle mouthpiece, which can be fixed in a mold sprue opening of a pattern plate.

Abstract: A molding die is devised to suppress the formation of a fragile layer, thereby ensuring stable production of a resin molded body having remarkably improved adhesion of a plating film. A plurality of stepped parts are formed so as to be spaced apart from each other on a second die surface which molds a back surface on the side opposite to a design surface to which metal plating is to be applied, along the main flowing direction of a molten resin and in a direction crossing the main flowing direction. Since the flow of the molten resin changes due to the stepped parts and the influence thereof extends even to the vicinity of the design surface, the formation of a fragile layer is suppressed.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises a manifold plate, a nozzle extending through the manifold plate, and a gate pad. A valve stem is disposed within the nozzle and is movable between a first position in which the valve stem extends through an outlet of the nozzle, and a retracted position. The gate pad has an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with a gate aperture. The inlet end is removably attachable to the manifold plate so that the nozzle is received through the inlet opening and the outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the gate aperture, wherein the valve stem seals the gate aperture in the extended position. The outlet end of the gate pad abuts a mold insert and molding material is delivered from the nozzle to a cavity defined by the mold insert through the gate aperture.

Abstract: A support apparatus that removably secures an injection tube assembly in a vertical orientation, and controls its temperature when secured therein. The apparatus facilitates the mixing of materials contained in the injection tube portion of the assembly. In one embodiment the apparatus cooperates with a material stripping apparatus that strips off material residue from an external mixing element as it is being withdrawn from the injection tube. In another embodiment, it cooperates with a mixing tool with an integrated stripping element. The tool both mixes the material in the tube and then strips the material residue off its embodied mixing element as it is being withdrawn from the tube. If desired, the apparatus may also be employed in cooperation with an injection molding apparatus to produce an injection molded part with the now mixed material. Alternative embodiments and other advantages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heater and thermocouple assembly for use with a hot runner nozzle with an elongated heater body, said heater body having at least one first heating section, which in operation is positioned adjacent to the front end portion of the hot runner nozzle, and at least one second heating section which in operation is positioned adjacent to a nozzle head of the hot runner nozzle and has an at least partly annular distance section with a wall which is arranged between the first and second heating sections.

Abstract: Cooling device for the drive for the adjustment of the needle (5) of a needle valve nozzle (3) in hot runner systems for injection molding machines, wherein the drive is mounted on the hot runner manifold (1) of the injection molding machine and wherein the drive housing (10), in which the drive is accommodated, is connected, on the side facing the hot runner manifold (1), with a heat sink (20) of the cooling device, which heat sink is formed as a separate part. According to the invention, the heat sink (20) of the cooling device is mounted on the side of the drive housing facing the hot runner manifold (1) without bearing the weight of the drive housing (10). The heat sink (20) is provided with through-holes, through which the supports (12), which are directly or indirectly connected to the hot runner manifold (1), can extend freely, to which supports the drive housing (10) is attached (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A process for the production of a metal which comprises: carbothermal reduction of the corresponding metal oxide to produce a mixed gas stream comprising the metal and carbon monoxide; maintaining the mixed gas stream at a suitably elevated temperature to prevent reformation of the metal oxide; ejecting the mixed gas stream through a convergent-divergent nozzle in order to cool the mixed gas stream instantaneously to a temperature at which reformation of the metal oxide cannot take place; and separating and collecting the metal, wherein the nozzle is heated by means other than gas flow through the nozzle so that temperature of surfaces of the nozzle in contact with the mixed gas stream are maintained at a temperature sufficient to prevent deposition on the said surfaces of products from the gas stream.

Abstract: A nozzle-locating insulator (300), comprising: a body assembly (302), having: a spring-facing surface (304) including: spring-contact sections (306); and spring-noncontact sections (308) interposed between the spring-contact sections (306).

Abstract: A hot-runner molding apparatus includes a hot-runner nozzle, a hot-runner molding die and a runner unit. The positions of outflow hole portions are arranged rotationally-symmetrical with respect to the positions of the runner groove portions in such a manner that the molten resin is equally distributed from a gate hole portion to the runner groove portions.

Abstract: A hot-runner system, comprising: a melt flow modular assembly having a gate melt flow control apparatus; and a Lorentz force actuator assembly being coupled to the gate melt flow control apparatus. A valve gate drive controller for control of the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. An injection plastic molding apparatus devised to mold plastic articles, and the injection plastic molding apparatus having the hot-runner system. A method comprising operating the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. A melt flow modular assembly for use with the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus comprising a heated manifold, an actuator comprised of an actuator housing containing a drive member interconnected to a valve pin having a drive axis, one or more heat convectors each heat convector comprised of a heat conductive leg disposed within a gap disposed between the manifold and a downstream end of the actuator housing and a heat conductive arm extending distally upstream and away from the gap such that heat is conducted from the leg to the arm upstream and away from the downstream end of the actuator housing.

Abstract: A mold-tool assembly, comprising: a heater being configured to heat (in use), at least a portion of a component, the heater having a resistive element being encased, at least in part, in aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A manifold, in a first pocket, defines a manifold orifice to supply material to a nozzle in a second pocket. A support ring in the second pocket maintains the nozzle stationary within the second pocket. A bushing extends between the pockets, fixedly attached to the manifold and laterally movable with respect to the pockets and the nozzle. At ambient temperature, the centers of the nozzle and manifold orifices are laterally offset from one another, a preload is defined between the nozzle and the bushing, another preload is defined between the manifold and the nozzle, and a gap is defined between the support ring and the pocket. In operation, when the various components thermally expand, the manifold moves laterally within the first pocket, and the nozzle remains substantially stationary within the second pocket, such that the centers of the nozzle and manifold orifices are laterally aligned, and the gap is closed.

Abstract: A system for producing blow molded articles. The system includes an injector nozzle mounted to a parison cavity block having a parison cavity such that the injector nozzle injects molten plastic into the parison cavity to form a parison. The injector nozzle is mounted to the parison block by means of two seats, a distal seat where the distal end of the injector nozzle is seated within an opening in the parison cavity block and a proximal seat, a linear distance inwardly from the distal seat, where a circular flange on the injector nozzle is seated within an annular shelf formed in the parison block. The two spaced apart seats ensure an accurate alignment between the centerline of the injector nozzle and the parison cavity. As a further feature, there is a system to heat the nozzle tip to reduce the temperature differential between the nozzle and the parison cavity.

Abstract: A heater and thermocouple assembly for use with a hot runner nozzle with an elongated heater body, said heater body having at least one first heating section, which in operation is positioned adjacent to the front end portion of the hot runner nozzle, and at least one second heating section which in operation is positioned adjacent to a nozzle head of the hot runner nozzle and has an at least partly annular distance section with a wall which is arranged between the first and second heating sections.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle assembly includes a nozzle heater, a hot runner nozzle, a nozzle tip, a nozzle tip seal surrounding the nozzle tip and a connecting element positioned to removably couple the tip seal to the nozzle tip and to create a first contact seal between the nozzle tip and the tip seal and a second annular contact seal between the tip seal and a mold component. The nozzle tip is made or shaped via a sintering process from a metal matrix composite (MMC) material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The tip seal is made or shaped from a ceramic based powder material, having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. In operation this hot runner nozzle assembly provides an improved heat profile and a reduced leakage at the tip area under a wider operating processing window.

Abstract: A system for the injection molding of plastic material is described. The system has an injection device of the hot runner type for the injection of a plastic material, in a molten state, into a mold, a circular diaphragm to distribute evenly and circularly in a cavity of the mold, through a circular injection gate or port, the plastic material injected by the injection device, and control means adapted to control an operation of the molding system an including a heating inductor and heating means provided to heat and keep at a hot temperature the injection device, and a thermocouple being arranged in an area of the circular injection gate. The control means are adapted to control through the heating inductor a molding cycle of a piece.

Abstract: A hot runner nozzle having an electrical heating element includes a connector for producing an electrical connection to a connection line, terminal contacts for the heating element terminating in an insulation body for the connector that separates the terminal contacts from one another electrically. The connection line has contact elements that are electrically contactable with the terminal contacts of the heating element. The insulation body is arranged at least in part in a receiving sleeve of the connector, that the connection line may be fixed in or on the receiving sleeve such that the contact elements of the connection line electrically contact the terminal contacts of the heating element, and that a first end of the receiving sleeve that faces towards the heating element wraps around the insulation body and has on this first end two opposing feet that face outward and that are attached to the heating element.

Abstract: A dynamic mixer and associated injection molding system for mixing a melt flow. The injection molding system includes: a hot runner assembly having a plurality of splits; an injection unit that delivers a melt flow to the plurality of splits in the hot runner assembly via a melt channel; and a dynamic mixer incorporated into the melt channel upstream from the plurality of splits, wherein the dynamic mixer includes a rotor assembly configured to be rotationally driven by the melt flow, and wherein the rotor assembly is further configured to mix the melt flow passing through the melt channel.

Abstract: A die for an underwater cutting type pelletizer, the die including a die orifice part in which a thermoplastic resin is inhibited from solidifying within the die orifices. The die can have a reduced difference in temperature between the die orifice part and an inner periphery-side fixing part for fixing the die orifice part to a mixer/extruder, and can thereby inhibit the generation of thermal stress. The die is characterized by being equipped with a heating jacket for heating the inner periphery-side fixing part, the heating jacket being disposed within the inner periphery-side fixing part along an inner annular passage formed within either the die orifice part or the inner periphery-side fixing part or both along the boundary between the die orifice part and the inner periphery-side fixing part.

Abstract: A nozzle-tip insulator (100), comprising: a nozzle-contact surface (102); a mold-gate contact surface (104) being offset from the nozzle-contact surface (102); and a body (106) connecting the nozzle-contact surface (102) with the mold-gate contact surface (104), the body (106) being resiliently compressible, the body (106) defining a void formation (108), and the body (106) and the void formation (108) being coaxially concentrically positioned relative to each other.

Abstract: An electrical sleeve heater for heating an elongated part has a metallic and tubular casing extending coaxially along an axis with the part and surrounding the part. The casing has a front end is with a radially inwardly open cutout. A electrical heating element set in the casing is energizeable to heat the casing and the part surrounded by the casing. A thermocouple has a sensing tip in the cutout. A retaining body of at most low thermal conductivity is fitted in the cutout, holds the tip out of contact with the metallic casing, and urges the tip radially inward into direct engagement with an outer surface of the part. The retaining body is a molded part, a plate, or a spring of a material with low or negligible thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A mold apparatus used in injection molding of liquid silicone composition. The mold apparatus is made of several components aiding in the overall process. The mold apparatus has two main sections, a cold section to prevent the liquid silicone from curing and a heated section for curing the liquid silicone. The two sections are separated by a thermal insulating plate. The metering of the flow is achieved by an actuator providing linear movement of a valve pin position in the center of the flow path of the runnerless nozzle resting against a gate orifice. The runnerless nozzle is keep cooled with an annular heat pipe surrounding the body of the runnerless nozzle and circulating a liquid coolant at one end of the runnerless nozzle. The cavity block receive heat from an heating element incorporated in the cavity back plate. Heat is evenly distributed in the cavity block by vaporization.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a nozzle for injecting thermoplastic material in fluid state including two portions sliding in a sealed fashion, the first portion including a nozzle body which, in a longitudinal injection direction, has a longitudinal channel through which the thermoplastic material passes, the second portion including a linking ring having a passage in which the nozzle body is able to slide in sealed manner, and a resilient load member cooperating with the two portions to urge the nozzle body in the forward longitudinal direction and the linking ring in the backward longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a runner assembly (102) having: a nozzle assembly (104); and a cooling-insert assembly (106) being positioned proximate to the nozzle assembly (104), the cooling-insert assembly (106) being configured to provide, in use, uniform cooling to the nozzle assembly (104). Several potential advantages may be realized with the above arrangement: (i) improvement of hot runner balance by creating a more uniform temperature on all drops, (ii) reduction of energy usage in the hot runner by giving ability to include insulating features, geometry, or materials between the cooling medium and the hot components, and/or (iii) simplification of design since water lines may now be in line with nozzle assemblies.

Abstract: A nozzle mouthpiece for an injection molding nozzle for use in an injection molding tool and for processing a fluid mass has a flow channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A first sealing surface is formed radially with respect to a longitudinal axis. A stop surface is arranged between the first sealing surface and the outlet opening and is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and facing the outlet opening. A a coupling means is arranged radially with respect to the longitudinal axis for fixing the nozzle mouthpiece in a mold sprue opening of a pattern plate. An injection molding nozzle and an injection molding tool is provided having such the telescopic nozzle mouthpiece, which can be fixed in a mold sprue opening of a pattern plate.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a manifold assembly (102); a plate assembly (104) defining a manifold-receiving space (105) receiving the manifold assembly (102); a nozzle assembly (106); a nozzle-locating assembly (108) positionally locating the nozzle assembly (106) relative to the manifold assembly (102) and to the plate assembly (104); and a heat-transfer obstruction (110) being positioned between the plate assembly (104) and the nozzle-locating assembly (108), the heat-transfer obstruction (110) being configured to obstruct transfer of heat from the plate assembly (104) toward the nozzle-locating assembly (108).

Abstract: Cooling device for the drive for the adjustment of the needle (5) of a needle valve nozzle (3) in hot runner systems for injection molding machines, wherein the drive is mounted on the hot runner manifold (1) of the injection molding machine and wherein the drive housing (10), in which the drive is accommodated, is connected, on the side facing the hot runner manifold (1), with a heat sink (20) of the cooling device, which heat sink is formed as a separate part. According to the invention, the heat sink (20) of the cooling device is mounted on the side of the drive housing facing the hot runner manifold (1) without bearing the weight of the drive housing (10). The heat sink (20) is provided with through-holes, through which the supports (12), which are directly or indirectly connected to the hot runner manifold (1), can extend freely, to which supports the drive housing (10) is attached (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) comprising a body (102) defining a melt-transfer channel (104). The body (102) has a variable heat transfer property.

Abstract: An interface device between an injection tube and a mold provided with an injection hole, wherein the interface device includes a terminal element for an injection tube, with an end piece inserted into one end of the tube and a sealing ring that slides onto the tube, and a mechanism for holding and clamping the terminal element. The mechanism which is to be screwed into a mounting that is rigidly connected to the mold and is arranged around the injection hole, forms a seal between an injection end of the end piece and a sealing surface of the mold at the injection hole. The dismantlable assembly includes a screw-on socket that has a supporting surface for the sealing ring.

Abstract: A melt distribution manifold for use with first and second mold portions moveable with respect to each other, the melt distribution manifold including a melt inlet means for receiving melt from an injection molding machine, a first manifold portion connected to the first mold portion, wherein the first manifold portion is stationary with respect to the first mold portion, a second manifold portion connecting the first manifold portion to the hot runner nozzle, wherein the second manifold portion is moveable with respect to the first manifold portion such that when the first mold portion moves with respect to the second mold portion, the second manifold portion remains connected to the first manifold portion and to the hot runner nozzle, a hinged joint connecting the first manifold portion to the second manifold portion. Each of the first manifold portion, the second manifold portion, and the hinged joint having respective melt distribution bores in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: An edge-gated injection molding apparatus is disclosed for distributing a melt stream to a plurality of mold cavities aligned on opposing sides of an injection manifold assembly. The injection manifold assembly includes melt outlets aligned on opposing sides thereof with a nozzle seal in fluid communication with each melt outlet for transferring the melt stream to a corresponding mold cavity. A sliding relationship between each nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet while the nozzle seal is securely held relative to the mold gate permits misalignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet in the cold condition without causing stress on the nozzle seal. Under operating conditions, the sliding relationship permits subsequent alignment between the nozzle seal and its respective melt outlet. The nozzle seal has a two-piece gate seal with components thereof threadably coupled to each other such that relative rotation therebetween applies a sealing preload.