Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes an injection manifold having a melt channel. A hot runner injection nozzle includes an axial melt channel extending along a central axis and communicating with the manifold melt channel. The nozzle further includes at least two angled melt channels disposed at an angle to the central axis. At least two nozzle tips are provided, and each includes a nozzle tip melt channel in communication with one of the angled melt channels. An axial valve pin is disposed coaxially with the central axis and is disposed outside of the axial melt channel. Lateral valve pins movable within the nozzle tip melt channels are disposed at an angle to the valve pin. A linkage system connects the lateral valve pins to the axial valve pin. Movement of the axial valve pin is transmitted through the linkage system to the lateral valve pins to open and close communication between the nozzle tip melt channels and the lateral mold gates.

Abstract: One or more nozzles define separate nozzle channels. The nozzles are coupled to a manifold, so that each of the nozzle channels communicates with a different mold gate. A molding material distribution insert is coupled to the manifold and has a body defining a distribution channel and a plurality of drop channels equal in number to the nozzle channels. The distribution channel is an open distribution channel formed on an outer surface of the body and enclosed by the manifold. The drop channels intersect the distribution channel and exit the body at a different one of the nozzle channels. A valve pin bushing can extend into the drop channels. Valve pins can extend from actuators, through the valve pin bushing and the drop channels, and to the mold gates. A valve pin holder can be coupled to the actuator and coupled to heads of the valve pins.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a manifold and several manifold melt channels communicating with several hot runner nozzles includes a melt redistribution element. The melt redistribution element is placed at specific locations along the melt channels to balance the uneven shear stress profile accumulated during the flow of a melt along the manifold channels. The melt redistribution element has an unobstructed central melt bore having at its inlet a narrowing tapered channel portion. The melt redistribution element also includes a helical melt pathway portion that surrounds the central melt bore. The incoming melt is first subjected to a pressure increase by the tapered portion that causes the melt to flow at a higher velocity through the central melt bore. The outer portion of the melt is forced to flow along the helical path and thus it changes direction multiple times and partially mixes with the melt flowing through the central melt bore.

Abstract: An injection molding system having a manifold nozzle connection that accommodates thermal expansion of the system. A manifold nozzle tubular connector is receivable at a first end within a manifold and at a second end within a nozzle and has a length that bridges a space between opposing surfaces of the manifold and nozzle. The first end of the tubular connector may be threadably and/or permanently attached within a manifold bore in a downstream surface of the manifold with the second end of the tubular connector being slidably received within a nozzle bore in an upstream surface of the nozzle or within a nozzle melt channel. Alternatively, the first end of the tubular connector may be slidably received within a manifold bore in the downstream surface of the manifold or within a manifold melt channel with the second end of the tubular connector being threadably and/or permanently attached within a nozzle bore in an upstream surface of the nozzle.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding machine is disclosed that allows for smooth, blended melt flow into a mold cavity. The nozzle includes a nozzle body with a nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel and a nozzle tip. The nozzle tip includes a first melt channel in fluid communication with the nozzle melt channel and a plurality of second melt channels between the first melt channel and an annular melt channel. The annular melt channel is formed between a sealing device and the nozzle tip.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus, such as a hot runner or hot half, includes a manifold having a manifold channel and a nozzle having a nozzle channel. The nozzle is coupled to the manifold, and the manifold channel and the nozzle channel are in communication to define a flow channel. A valve pin bushing has a flow restrictor disposed in the flow channel on an upstream side of the valve pin bushing. A moveable valve pin extends through a bore of the valve pin bushing.

Abstract: An injection molding system is disclosed having a self-regulating valve for balancing melt flow. The self-regulating valve includes a control rod configured to balance the melt flow rate through a hot runner system. The self-regulating valve reacts to an injection or melt pressure within the hot runner system and a pre-set force provided by an external force device. The self-regulating valve is an open-loop system as it requires neither a measurement of pressure by a sensor nor feedback from a processor in order to regulate the melt flow. The self-regulating valve mechanically reacts to changes in melt pressure on control surfaces thereof by “bobbing” upwards/downwards to decrease/increase the melt flow accordingly. The self-regulating valve compensates for conditions that affect melt pressure, such as an increase/decrease in melt viscosity, changes in melt temperature, and/or mold cavity size without the use of a processing device.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus having a nozzle which includes a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment, and a thermal barrier coupled between the nozzle body segments. The first nozzle body segment, the thermal barrier, and the second nozzle body segment define a melt channel through the nozzle for delivering a melt stream from a manifold channel of a manifold to a mold cavity. The thermal barrier substantially limits the heat flow from one nozzle body segment to the other, to thereby control the heat distribution along the melt channel.

Abstract: A valve pin actuating device for a hot runner apparatus includes a yoke plate coupled to actuators. The actuators are generally disposed at the ends of the yoke plate and are configured to move the yoke plate in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the valve pins. A deflection distributor apparatus is coupled to the yoke plate. The deflection distributor apparatus is connected to a first force distributor plate, to which the valve pins are connected. The deflection distributor apparatus includes a second force distributor plate and a third force distributor plate. Rods are disposed between the yoke plate and the third force distributor plate, between the third force distributor plate and the second force distributor plate, and between the second force distributor plate and the first force distributor plate holding the valve pins.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. A shut-off valve is disposed within a bore in the second nozzle. The bore intersects with one of the outwardly extending melt passages.

Abstract: A valve-gated nozzle for an injection molding machine includes an annular flow channel between downstream portions of a nozzle liner and a sealing and/or retaining device. The nozzle liner includes a first melt channel and one or more second melt channels for communicating a melt stream to the annular melt channel. The annular melt channel is formed between an inner surface of the downstream portion of the sealing and/or retaining device and an outer surface of the downstream portion of the nozzle liner. The annular melt channel may include a groove within at least one of the inner surface of the sealing/retaining device and the outer surface of the nozzle liner, such that the groove is in communication with an outlet of the second melt channel to thereby guide and/or blend the molten material within the annular melt channel to even and balance flow into a mold cavity.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for mounting a fixture such as a loudspeaker speaker in-wall or in-ceiling includes a bracket assembly to mechanically couple wall or ceiling and speaker to the supporting studs or joists on both sides of the hole in which the loudspeaker will be mounted. The bracket assembly may comprise two halves, each of which includes a bracket plate, a left bracket slider and a right bracket slider, and associated fasteners. Each half of the bracket is sized so that it will pass easily through the opening made in the partition for receiving the loudspeaker. Once inside the partition, the two bracket sliders expand to reach the nearby studs or joists where they are coupled to the studs or joists using fasteners such as screws. Once the bracket sliders are attached, they are secured to the bracket plate with fasteners such as thumbscrews, thereby making a rigid structure. This is repeated for the other half of the bracket assembly.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first, rear-mounted nozzle that is coupled to a manifold for receiving a melt stream therefrom. A second, front-mounted nozzle is coupled to the first nozzle by a nozzle link that is provided between the first and second nozzles. A plurality of gate seals are coupled to a forward end of the second nozzle. The gate seals receive melt from a plurality of melt passages and deliver the melt to a plurality of mold cavities through respective gates. The second nozzle is slidably removable from the first nozzle via the nozzle link to facilitate repair or replacement of the gate seals.

Abstract: A valve pin bushing for a hot runner includes a bushing body having a hole therethrough for receiving a valve pin and a rearward surface for contacting a back plate. A thermally insulative component is coupled to a forward surface of the bushing body. The thermally insulative component is made of a nonmetallic material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the bushing body.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed that includes a valve-gated nozzle having a nozzle tip assembly and a valve pin slidably disposed therein. The nozzle tip assembly includes a nozzle liner having a first valve pin guiding portion, a valve pin guide having a second valve pin guiding portion upstream of the first valve pin guiding portion, and a transfer seal having a bore for receiving the nozzle liner and the valve pin guide therein. The transfer seal bore includes an alignment surface that surrounds the nozzle liner and the valve pin guide to align the first and second valve pin guiding portions with the mold gate, such that the valve pin is accurately aligned during operation. The transfer seal also includes means to couple the nozzle tip assembly to the nozzle body.

Abstract: An injection molding system and injection molding method for making molded parts that include one or more planar heaters having a thin or a thick film resistive heater element coupled, secured, or releaseably secured to one or more sides of each of the one or more injection molding nozzles. The releasably secure coupling allows heater device to be visually inspected, tested, removed, and/or replaced. The planar heater device can have a support device patterned with a film electrical resistive path. The electrical resistive path can include any pitch or number of electrical resistance lines, such that a longitudinal uniform heat profile is generated along a melt flow channel of the one or more injection molding nozzles when the nozzles are in use. In some examples, the planar heater has more than one film resistive heater element that can be coupled to one or each side of a nozzle, with dielectric material interposed between the planar film resistive heater elements.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold having a heated inlet body and an unheated distribution branch. A melt channel of the inlet body receives a melt stream of moldable material and delivers the melt stream to a melt channel of the distribution branch. The distribution branch has a first end, which is coupled to the inlet body, and a second end, which is coupled to a nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle channel for receiving the melt stream from the distribution melt channel. The distribution branch is formed of a tube surrounded by a conductive sleeve. A mold cavity communicates with the nozzle channel and receives the melt stream from the nozzle channel through a mold gate.

Abstract: A nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a nozzle body having a first nozzle body segment, a second nozzle body segment and a third nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is removably connected to at least one of the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment. The first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment are heated either by first and second nozzle heaters, respectively, or by a heater sleeve having a cut-out along the length of the second nozzle body segment. The second nozzle body segment is substantially devoid of a nozzle heater such that the second nozzle body segment is heated passively through contact with the first nozzle body segment and the third nozzle body segment.

Abstract: The invention provides an injection molding nozzle or nozzle segment having a recessed terminal or terminal housing such that the radial profile of the nozzle or nozzle segment is reduced. Components of the nozzle or nozzle segment and injection molding apparatus having the nozzle or nozzle segment are also part of the invention.

Abstract: A nozzle end is provided for removable mounting to a nozzle body for use in multiple-tipped molding applications such as edge-gated systems. The nozzle end is made of a highly thermally conductive material and is preferably inserted at least partially inside the forward end of the heated nozzle body. Removable nozzle tips are insertable in the front end of the nozzle end.