Abstract: A sprue bar nozzle assembly for controlling flow of melt through conduits of a mold assembly for injection molding comprises a sprue bar extension and nozzle, the sprue bar extension comprising means for adjusting the overall length of the sprue bar nozzle assembly and the nozzle comprising a nose comprising a seating surface for mating engagement with a mating surface of a mating segment of a melt conveying conduit and a slide valve, an open position of the slide valve permitting melt to flow through the sprue bar nozzle assembly and a closed position preventing melt from flowing through the sprue bar nozzle assembly, the slide valve being biased to a closed position by a biasing means and being driven to the open position by forces applied to the nose of the nozzle as a result of closure of an associated mold assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting melt in stack mold arrangements comprises at least one tubular body having a passage there through for conveying melt, an interface member mounted to at least one tubular body at a terminus of the passage for conducting melt between the tubular body and a mating mold member engaged by the interface member, and a length adjusting device interposed between the interface member and the tubular body and having a wedge member and means for setting the transverse position of the wedge member relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body whereby the overall length of the combined tubular body and interface member is established. A sprue bar assembly comprises a sprue bar segment, a nozzle and a length adjusting device interposed between the nozzle and the sprue bar segment having an adjustable wedge member for establishing the overall length of the sprue bar assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding wherein melt is conveyed to a gate in fluid communication with at least one mold cavity comprises a nozzle for conveying melt, the nozzle having an inlet for admitting melt, at least one outlet for directing melt to mold cavities and received within a recess of the gate, a nozzle body having a passage therethrough for conveying melt from the inlet to the outlet, and at least one split ring seal received in a groove in the exterior of the nozzle body so as to be displaceable relative to the associated groove, the split ring seal having an outside perimeter for contacting the surface of the recess of a gate, the split ring seals maintaining separation of the periphery of the nozzle body from the surface of the recess with the outlet positioned within the recess. Each split ring seal advantageously comprises overlapping end segments abuttingly engaged with the outlet positioned within the recess.

Abstract: An expansion nozzle for conducting melt from a floating manifold to a mold assembly comprises a bushing having a bushing flange and spigot having a passage therethrough joining a nozzle inlet and an outlet, a head having a seating surface and a bore through the head slidably receiving the spigot so that the spigot is movable relative to the head over a range from abutting contact of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange to a limit of axial separation of the opposing surfaces, axial separation of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange being maintained throughout an operating temperature range. Springs maintain sealing contact of a seating surface of the head with a mating surface of the mold assembly. Advantageously, a locating ring provides a reaction surface for the springs and supports the head to resist moments arising from axial misalignment of the expansion nozzle and mold assembly.

Abstract: A cover for an opening of an ejector housing of a mold assembly comprises a cover portion and a mounting portion, the mounting portion is attached to a member defining the ejector housing at a side thereof comprising an interior wall of the ejector housing and the cover portion covering the opening defined by the ends of the members surrounding the ejector housing. The cover is attached to a side of the member by at least one fastener located so as not to be accessible for removing the housing cover as the mold assembly is mounted in a machine. A mold assembly comprises a cover in accordance with the invention. The cover advantageously comprising at least one opening therethrough to permit guarded examination of components of an ejector device within the ejector housing and viewable from the end of the ejector housing at which the cover is attached.

Abstract: A nozzle controls flow of melt in injection molding equipment by passive actuation with opening and closing of a mold assembly. The nozzle comprises a valve pin having a pin passage therethrough movably supported within a nozzle passage and a contact arm transverse to and extending beyond the nozzle passage, the valve pin sealingly engaging the nozzle passage. Biasing means biases the valve pin to a closed position preventing passage of melt through the nozzle. The contact arm effects movement of the valve pin to an open position when closing of the mold assembly exerts a force on the contact arm to overcome the biasing means. A mold arrangement of plural mold assemblies comprises pairs of nozzles of the invention to control flow of melt through mating conduit segments between an injection unit and at least one mold assembly, the nozzles arranged and configured for seating engagement with abutment of the conduit segments.

Abstract: A nozzle for controlling flow of melt in a mold assembly comprises a valve pin guide interposed between a nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet, a valve pin movably supported thereby, and a contact arm engaging the valve pin and transverse to and passing through the valve pin guide. Biasing means acting on the contact arm hold the valve pin in a position preventing flow of melt. As the mold assembly closes, forces exerted on the contact arm overcome the biasing means and allow the valve pin to move to a position permitting flow of melt. Relief of pressure of retained melt is effected when force therefrom exerted on the valve pin exceeds an adjustable pre-load of the biasing means. The nozzle advantageously comprises an inlet bushing movably supported by the nozzle body enabling adjustment of the overall length of the nozzle to accommodate a range of spacing of elements of the mold assembly.

Abstract: A pressure indicating fitting for injection molding equipment comprises a fitting body with a fitting bore therethrough, the fitting body being installed in the equipment with the fitting bore open to the interior of a passage for conveying melt, an indicating member received within the fitting bore and being bonded thereto to be retained in a normal position and being displaced therefrom to an indicating position by force from melt applied to the indicating member sufficient to cause the bond to fail, the indicating position determined by abutting contact of a surface of the indicating member with a surface of the fitting body and exposing a portion of a stem of the indicating member. Advantageously, the indicating member is retained in an indicating position by a press fit between the indicating member and fitting body. An injection molding manifold comprises a pressure indicating fitting in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A mold assembly wherein a cavity for molding is defined by primary mold cavity and primary mold core elements and a supplemental core element, the primary mold cavity and primary mold core elements are carried by first and second mating mold components and the supplemental core element is carried by a slide moveable transversely relative to the direction of motion of the mating mold components. The slide is supported by the first mating mold component and has an opening therein for engaging an actuating pin supported by the second mating mold component at an angle oblique to the parting line face of the second mating mold component. The actuating pin is removably retained in a support opening in the parting line face of the second mating mold component by means accessible from the second mating mold component parting line face.

Abstract: A cold or hot-forging heading die used in metalworking to form a “head” on the end of a metal rod is configured to provide two heading cavities formed in opposite ends of the carbide insert. The heading die of the invention comprises a hardened steel ring with a cylindrical carbide insert having a through bore with a first cavity machined concentrically with the bore in one end of the carbide insert. The die is then inverted and a second cavity formed in the opposite end of the insert. The second cavity can be identical to the first cavity or provide the shape for an alternate head configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling temperature of a plant comprising plural temperature control zones, wherein an effective control parameter for a first zone for which a signal representing measured temperature is available is produced according to an algorithm relating measured temperature, a desired temperature and a control parameter associated with a device affecting temperature in the first temperature control zone, the effective control parameter is summed with an offset value representing a proportional offset of the effective control parameter of a second temperature control zone relative to the effective control parameter of the first temperature control zone and the result is applied to control a device affecting temperature in the second temperature control zone.

Abstract: A mold positioning system (10) for use in guiding and aligning mold segments (11, 13) includes a male member (12) having a tongue portion (14) on one mold segment that engages a female member (20) attached to the other mold segment when the mold assembly (8) is closed. The female and/or male member (20, 12) are configured to receive a replaceable insert (36) in the areas of the mold positioning system (10) that are subject to wear. The replaceable insert (36)is easily removable for replacement to increase the life of the male and female members (12, 20).

Abstract: A flow nozzle (10) that conveys plastic melt from an injection unit of a molding machine to a mold cavity (72) has an improved, removable seal design. The nozzle body (12) is designed to threadedly receive a nozzle tip (24) that includes an outlet (30) that communicates with the mold cavity. A thin-wall, cylindrical seal ring (40) includes a compression portion that is received between the nozzle body and nozzle tip and is compressed to create a seal between these two elements when the tip is assembled to the nozzle body. The seal ring further includes a sealing portion (50) that encircles the nozzle tip and has an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nozzle body.

Abstract: In an electrical apparatus wherein electrical devices are interconnected by coupling connectors and a desired interconnection of devices is achieved by an intended interconnection of mating components of coupling connectors, identification elements in one mating component of each connector produce identification signals representing identity of the mating component. Decoding means responsive to the identification signals produce an error signal representing an interconnection of connector components differing from the intended interconnection and, means responsive to the error signal effects a response when the actual interconnection of components differs from the intended interconnection of components. Responses are, advantageously, activation of an error indicator, inhibition of application of power to affected devices, or, with program controlled systems, display of a text error message, facilitation of user intervention for error correction, or automated re-programming to overcome interconnection errors.

Abstract: A latching device (20) for a mold assembly (10) uses a cam action to hold the “A” side plate against the hot runner system/nozzle plate (18) during operation. Preferably, a latch (20) is provided on each side of the mold to effectively hold the “A” side plate against the nozzle plate (18) during the high pressure injection of plastic melt. For purposes of a mold insert change, each latch (20) is rotated to release the “A” side plate from the nozzle plate (18), and hold the “A” side plate against the “B” side plate. This enables the “A” (12) and “B” (14) portions of the mold assembly to be moved away from the nozzle plate (18), thereby avoiding interference of the hot runner nozzles and “A” side insert and enabling quick mold insert change.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has multiple piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a stationary cylinder that contains a movable cylinder having multiple inner chambers separated by stationary inner pistons. The inner chambers are in fluid communication with extension and retraction ports provided in the stationary cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n” piston surface(s) to retract the movable cylinder. Introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n+1” piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameters of the cylinders and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: An assembly for electrical distribution includes not less than six conductors, the assembly defining a distribution portion and a source application portion, load connecting portions of the conductors being arranged in overlying layers in the distribution portion of the assembly. The load connecting portion of each conductor includes at least one load connection portion projecting beyond the overlying layers of the assembly whereby each load is connected between two conductors at the distribution portion of the assembly. The source connection portion of each conductor having at least one connection element, the source connection portion of each conductor being electrically isolated from the source connection portions of all other conductors.

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 cam slide retainer for injection molds includes a hardened wear plate with an elongated latch groove, mounted in a corresponding recess formed in the lower surface of the cam slide. The wear plate is aligned in the direction of travel of the cam slide and has a length that is no less than the length of stroke of the slide. A conventional spring-loaded plunger mounted adjacent the wear plate remains in contact with the wear plate throughout the stroke of the slide, so that the slide itself is not subject to wear from contact with the plunger.

Abstract: A molding nozzle controls the flow of material from a source of plastic melt to an outlet that communicates with a gate to a mold cavity. The nozzle contains a valve pin that includes a guide section and a valve end, and is movable toward and away from the gate to open and close the gate selectively. The valve pin is guided for movement by guide surfaces on inwardly-extending vanes within the nozzle, such that the guide surfaces engage the guide section of the valve pin. The valve end of the valve pin has a smaller diameter than that of the guide section, so that the valve section is free-floating to allow annular flow in the guide surface region to minimize the likelihood of formation of flow lines in the molded part.