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: An injection molding system is disclosed. The injection molding system includes: a hot runner including: a plurality of heaters arranged into one or more defined heating zones within the hot runner; and at least one temperature sensor associated with each heating zone, and a system controller coupled to the plurality of heaters, the system controller being configured to: for each heating zone: determine a first control gain value associated with the heating zone; determine a total heater power of heaters associated with the heating zone; calculate a relative weight associated with the heating zone based on the first control gain value and the total heater power; and determine a zone type associated with the heating zone based on the relative weight.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of molding a multilayer article comprises causing a surface layer material injection unit to commence injecting a surface layer material into a mold cavity via a surface layer material channel. Then, an internal layer material injection unit commences injecting an internal layer material into the mold cavity an internal layer material channel. Then, during application of a hold pressure upon the surface layer material in the surface layer material channel and with the surface and internal layer material injection units in fluid communication with one another, a pullback stroke is effected at the internal layer material injection unit. After a delay interval, at least one physical parameter indicative of a post-pullback pressure of the internal layer material is detected, and an indicator of pullback effectiveness is generated based on the post-pullback pressure indicated by the at least one physical parameter relative to a threshold pressure.

Abstract: In one aspect, an injection unit for an injection molding machine having a hot runner with a sprue comprises a heated melt pipe configured to convey a continuous stream of melt, a shooting pot assembly, and a telescopic melt coupling. The shooting pot assembly is configured to convert the continuous stream of melt from the heated melt pipe into batches for cyclical injection and is translatable between a sprue-engagement position and a sprue-disengagement position. The telescopic melt coupling is configured to convey melt from the heated melt pipe to the shooting pot assembly and has a variable length. The variable length telescopic melt coupling permits translation of the shooting pot assembly, relative to the heated melt pipe, between the sprue-engagement position and the sprue-disengagement position while maintaining a fluid melt interconnection between the heated melt pipe and the shooting pot assembly.

Abstract: An injection molding system is disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of molding a multilayer article comprises causing a surface layer material injection unit to commence injecting a surface layer material into a mold cavity via a surface layer material channel. Then, an internal layer material injection unit commences injecting an internal layer material into the mold cavity an internal layer material channel. Then, during application of a hold pressure upon the surface layer material in the surface layer material channel and with the surface and internal layer material injection units in fluid communication with one another, a pullback stroke is effected at the internal layer material injection unit. After a delay interval, at least one physical parameter indicative of a post-pullback pressure of the internal layer material is detected, and an indicator of pullback effectiveness is generated based on the post-pullback pressure indicated by the at least one physical parameter relative to a threshold pressure.

Abstract: Closures with a tamper evidence feature that is reshaped to connect it to the container neck are disclosed. Methods and systems for carrying out the methods, and to mold stacks for making the closures are also disclosed. The tamper evidence feature can be a band, a portion of a cylindrical skirt or a panel formed in the cylindrical skirt. The application of heat may deform the band inwardly to create a lip for engaging a flange on the container neck, or it may weld the tamper evidence feature to the flange.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.

Abstract: A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

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 one aspect, an injection unit for an injection molding machine having a hot runner with a sprue comprises a heated melt pipe configured to convey a continuous stream of melt, a shooting pot assembly, and a telescopic melt coupling. The shooting pot assembly is configured to convert the continuous stream of melt from the heated melt pipe into batches for cyclical injection and is translatable between a sprue-engagement position and a sprue-disengagement position. The telescopic melt coupling is configured to convey melt from the heated melt pipe to the shooting pot assembly and has a variable length. The variable length telescopic melt coupling permits translation of the shooting pot assembly, relative to the heated melt pipe, between the sprue-engagement position and the sprue-disengagement position while maintaining a fluid melt interconnection between the heated melt pipe and the shooting pot assembly.

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: The present application describes injection molding machines and, more particularly, a removable nozzle tip and nozzle assembly for use with an injection molding machine and an engagement tool and methods for replacing a nozzle tip. In an aspect, an injection molding machine may include a nozzle. The nozzle may include a nozzle housing and a nozzle tip threadably attached to the nozzle housing. At least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle housing and at least a portion of an exterior wall of the nozzle tip may align to provide a cylindrical surface. The injection molding machine may further include a tubular heater enclosing at least a portion of the continuous cylindrical surface. The nozzle tip does not include a torque feature in any location that is downstream of the tubular heater and upstream of a mold gate of the nozzle.

Abstract: Closures with a tamper evidence feature that is reshaped to connect it to the container neck are disclosed. Methods and systems for carrying out the methods, and to mold stacks for making the closures are also disclosed. The tamper evidence feature can be a band, a portion of a cylindrical skirt or a panel formed in the cylindrical skirt.

Abstract: Closures with a tamper evidence feature that is reshaped to connect it to the container neck are disclosed. Methods and systems for carrying out the methods, and to mold stacks for making the closures are also disclosed. The tamper evidence feature can be a band, a portion of a cylindrical skirt or a panel formed in the cylindrical skirt.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.

Abstract: A mold assembly (100) for making tubular articles. The mold assembly includes a core plate (210), core inserts (230) mounted to the core plate (210) by fasteners (B), a cavity plate (410) with holes (413) through its thickness and cavity inserts (420) mounted to the cavity plate (410). Each core insert (230) has a molding surface (234a) and an engagement taper (233) between the molding surface and its mounting surface (236). At least part of the engagement taper (233) is located closer to the mounting surface (236) than it is to the molding surface (234a) for inhibiting the core insert (230) from tipping when the engagement taper (233) is engaged to move or slide the core insert (230) along the core plate (210).

Abstract: A co-injection hot runner nozzle comprises an inner melt flow channel and an annular outer melt flow channel that surrounds the inner melt flow channel. The inner and outer melt flow channels have a first common source. The nozzle further comprises an annular intermediate melt flow channel disposed between the inner and outer melt flow channels. The annular intermediate melt flow channel is at least partly defined by a plurality of spiral grooves, each spiral groove having a respective inlet and defining a helical flow path. Lands between adjacent spiral grooves increase in clearance in a downstream direction. An annular axial flow path is defined over the lands. A plurality of feeder channels having a second common source is configured to supply melt to the plurality of inlets of the spiral grooves. The relationship of feeder channels to spiral grooves may be one-to-one. The inlets may be longitudinal channels.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a neck including an annular flange, the closure device comprising: a cap body; a tamper evident (TE) band positioned below the annular flange when assembled in the container; a first hinge and a second hinge defined on the cap body; a leash connected to the TE band, the first hinge and the second hinge; the leash allowing for the cap body to be separated from the TE band during opening, but to remain connected thereto via the leash; a tongue protruding from the cap body between the first and second hinges; when the cap body is actuated from a closed configuration relative to the neck to a fully open position: the leash is configured to retain the cap body to the TE band; an interaction of the tongue and the neck is configured to retain the cap body in the fully open position.