Abstract: An injection molding apparatus comprises a support base and a mold carrier removably mounted to the support base. The mold carrier includes a mounting plate with attachment features for engaging the support base. A mold with two mold plates is slidably mounted to the mounting 5 plate. A clamp is operable to move the plates between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the plates abut one another. In the open position, the plates are spaced apart for removing molded articles.

Abstract: A cavity plate assembly (400) for a preform mold (100), which includes a cavity plate (410) having an array of seats (412) and a corresponding array of cavity inserts (440) mounted to a front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410) and in communication with a respective seat (412). Each cavity insert (440) includes a body (441) with a mounting face (441a) and a spigot (443) projecting from the mounting face (441a) and received in a respective seat (412) of the cavity plate (410) such that the mounting (441a) face abuts the front face (CVF) of the cavity plate (410). Each cavity insert (440) also includes a molding surface (448) along its length, at least two thirds of which extends beyond the cavity plate (410).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of refilling a shooting pot cavity in a molding system, the method comprising: determining that a trigger event has occurred in the molding system; and coordinating a refill of the shooting pot cavity with the occurrence of the trigger event.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an injection molding system configured to operate in a plurality of cycles. The system comprises, amongst other things, a controller that is configured for performing a comparison of a variable pressure setpoint with a target pressure value. The controller is configured to, when the target pressure value is less than the variable pressure setpoint by at least a predetermined lower bound, (i) decrease the variable pressure setpoint to a reduced variable pressure setpoint and (ii) not further decrease the variable pressure setpoint from the reduced variable pressure setpoint until the pump assembly operates for a plurality of stabilizing cycles at the reduced variable pressure setpoint.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an injection molding system configured to operate in a plurality of cycles. The system comprises, amongst other things, a controller that is configured for performing a comparison of a variable pressure setpoint with a target pressure value. The controller is configured to, when the target pressure value is less than the variable pressure setpoint by at least a predetermined lower bound, (i) decrease the variable pressure setpoint to a reduced variable pressure setpoint and (ii) not further decrease the variable pressure setpoint from the reduced variable pressure setpoint until the pump assembly operates for a plurality of stabilizing cycles at the reduced variable pressure setpoint.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a preform suitable for subsequent blow molding, and a mold stock for producing the preform. The preform comprises a base having an elliptical inner face with a first flat circular bottom portion, and an elliptical outer face with a second flat circular bottom portion. The first and second flat circular bottom portions each have a center on a vertical center axis of the preform and a radius of equal size.

Abstract: A molded article suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The article includes a neck portion; a gate portion; and a body portion extending between the neck portion and the gate portion, at least a majority of the body portion having an overall shape which is symmetric about a body axis extending longitudinally through a center of the body portion. The body portion includes an inner exterior layer and an outer exterior layer of a first polymeric material; and a core layer of a second polymeric material disposed between the inner exterior layer and the outer exterior layer. A radial thickness or a material of the core layer is selectively varied to govern non-uniform blow molding of the molded article into the final-shaped container.

Abstract: In an aspect, a mold stack may comprise two adjacent components, one at least partially defining a vent adjustable between a molding configuration and a cleaning configuration. A junction of the components may be adjustable between a molding configuration, wherein mating faces contact one another to define a parting line, and a cleaning configuration, wherein mating faces are separated to create a molding cavity extension therebetween and an auxiliary melt barrier prevents uncontrolled flashing from the extension.

Abstract: There is provided a structure for positioning a first mold part of a mold on a mold mounting face in an injection molding machine. The structure comprises a positioner configured to connect the first mold part to part of the injection molding machine, wherein the positioner is adjustable to position the first mold part on the mold mounting face. The structure further comprises controller executable instructions executable in a controller with which to resolve an alignment parameter of the mold using a feedback signal from a sensor. Further provided is a method of operating an injection molding machine which method comprises the steps of positioning a first mold part of a mold on a mold mounting face using a positioner and appreciating an alignment parameter of the mold with reference to a feedback signal from a sensor.

Abstract: A closure (1) with a shell (2) for securement to a container neck (11) and a lid (3) pivotally connected to the shell (2) by a pair of hinge elements (6). A hinge line (50) in the side wall (5) delineates a deformable latch (8) having an external grip tab (80) and an internal engaging tab (82) between the grip tab (80) and a top wall (4) of the lid (3). The grip tab (80) extends radially from a side wall (5) of the lid (3) and the engaging tab (82) engages a lip (13) surrounding the mouth of the container neck (11). The deformable latch (8) is configured to deform along the hinge line (50) when an opening force is applied to the grip tab (80), thereby to disengage the engaging tab (82) from the lip (13) of the container neck (11).

Abstract: An injection mold (100) including a core plate assembly (200), a cavity plate assembly (400) and a stripper plate assembly (300) arranged between the core and cavity plate assemblies (200, 400). The mold (100) includes a plurality of mold stacks (MS) with a molding configuration, in which the mold stacks (MS) are closed to define molding cavities. A gap (G) is provided between the core plate (210) and the stripper plate (310) when the mold (100) is in the molding configuration, such that a clamping load (CL) applied to urge the core plate (210) toward the cavity plate (410) is directed substantially entirely through the mold stacks (MS).

Abstract: A closure may have a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. A plug seal device may depend from said top wall within the side wall. The plug seal device may have an upper section, a lower section, and a sealing section proximate the boundary between the upper section and the lower section. The sealing section is operable such that when the plug seal device is inserted in an opening to an inner cavity in a container, the sealing section engages with an inner container surface to provide a seal between an inner cavity of the container and the external environment.

Abstract: A mold stack comprises: a split mold insert split into parts, each having a mating face with an inner face region, an offset, and an outer face region, the insert further having a male projecting portion with a shutoff face and an outer surface, at least a part of the inner face region terminating at the shutoff face, the offset terminating at the outer surface; and an adjacent mold stack component having an associated a female receptacle, the insert having a cleaning configuration wherein: the shutoff face acts as a molding surface; the male projecting portion cooperates with the female receptacle to define a melt barrier; the complementary inner face regions are spaced apart to form an extension of the mold cavity terminating, at least in part, at the shutoff face; and the complementary offsets cooperate to prevent melt from passing therebetween and to guide melt towards the melt barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a molded article, such as a preform that is blow moldable to form a container, and a related method of forming and recycling a container. The structure and steps includes injection molding a molded article having tubular body.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an injection molding system configured to operate in a plurality of cycles. The system comprises, amongst other things, a controller that is configured for performing a comparison of a variable pressure setpoint with a target pressure value. The controller is configured to, when the target pressure value is less than the variable pressure setpoint by at least a predetermined lower bound, (i) decrease the variable pressure setpoint to a reduced variable pressure setpoint and (ii) not further decrease the variable pressure setpoint from the reduced variable pressure setpoint until the pump assembly operates for a plurality of stabilizing cycles at the reduced variable pressure setpoint.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an injection molding system configured to operate in a plurality of cycles. The system comprises, amongst other things, a controller that is configured for performing a comparison of a variable pressure setpoint with a target pressure value. The controller is configured to, when the target pressure value is less than the variable pressure setpoint by at least a predetermined lower bound, (i) decrease the variable pressure setpoint to a reduced variable pressure setpoint and (ii) not further decrease the variable pressure setpoint from the reduced variable pressure setpoint until the pump assembly operates for a plurality of stabilizing cycles at the reduced variable pressure setpoint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: A closure for sealingly closing a container neck having a tubular body with a top wall, an annular side wall, an intermediate wall joining the side wall to the top wall and an annular tamper evidence band frangibly connected to an open end described by the side wall. The band includes retaining cams protruding from its inner surface. Each cam has a lead-in ramp for engaging, in use, the flange of a container neck as the neck is introduced into the open end of the body and a stop for engaging the flange to separate the band from the body when the closure is subsequently removed from the neck. Each lead-in ramp has a central recess therein.