Abstract: A method and apparatus for equalizing gate pressure of a hot runner nozzle are disclosed. The nozzle includes a nozzle housing defining a primary melt channel, a first nozzle tip having a first secondary melt channel in fluid communication with the primary melt channel, a second nozzle tip having a second secondary melt channel in fluid communication with the primary melt channel, and a valve disposed in the primary melt channel for selectively opening and closing a downstream end of the primary melt channel to control a flow of melt to the first and second secondary melt channels. In some embodiments, the valve is configured to selectively open when a pressure of the melt reaches a threshold peak pressure. In some embodiments, the valve includes a valve stem that cooperates with the primary melt channel to block a flow of melt therefrom until the threshold peak pressure is established.

Abstract: There is provided a mold stack (100). The mold stack (100) comprises a core insert assembly (102), the core insert assembly (102) for defining an inner portion of a molded article to be molded. The core insert assembly (102) includes a sensor assembly (120) configured to measure the in-mold pressure using entire active surface of the core insert assembly (102).

Abstract: A nozzle retention arrangement is provided for an injection molding manifold system, such as a hot runner manifold system. The nozzle retention arrangement couples an injection nozzle to a distribution manifold in a manner that locates the nozzle in its final operating position and applies an initial assembly load to retain the nozzle in position on the manifold to facilitate installation of a manifold system into a manifold plate. The nozzle retention arrangement may provide a compliant load application feature to limit sealing surface pressure between the nozzle and the manifold to prevent surface damage between the components, while also accommodating thermal expansion of the heated components during operation of the system. The nozzle retention arrangement may also provide a load control feature to prevent the machining quality of the nozzle bore in the manifold plate from determining the sealing load between the nozzle and the manifold.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a method of transferring a molded article from a moveable mold half of a mold into a receptacle of a post-mold tool. The method includes positioning the moveable mold half relative to the post-mold tool to position the molded article thereon closer to the receptacle and retracting the moveable mold half while simultaneously extending a stripping device to eject the molded article from the moveable mold half and to transfer it into the receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control system for and a method of filling a shooting pot cavity in a molding system, the method comprising: injecting resin from an injection unit to fill the shooting pot cavity; measuring a property of the resin at a predetermined location in the molding system; determining that the measured property is outside of a threshold range for the property, the threshold range being associated with the predetermined location; and selecting an operational parameter to adjust, the operational parameter associated with the measured property and the predetermined location.

Abstract: A mold component configured to be actuated between: a first configuration in which the mold component comprises a passage that allows passage of fluid (such as air) and prevents passage of the melt; and a second configuration in which the passage is actuated such as to become part of a molding surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component of a molding system (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: A unitary monolithically formed hot-runner apparatus having at least a manifold containment structure, a hot-runner manifold, at least one nozzle, and one or more spacers. In some embodiments, the manifold containment structure, hot-runner manifold, nozzle(s), and spacer(s) may be multi-material apparatuses of unitary monolithic construction. In other embodiments, a thermal expansion accommodation portion is provided for each nozzle to accommodate thermal growth. Each spacer may be formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the materials of the hot-runner manifold and manifold containment structure and may be made to include a discontinuity to allow for thermal expansion.

Abstract: A memory assembly (800), comprising: a storage media (802) tangibly embodying executable commands configured to direct a molding-system controller (114) to send a command signal to the first accumulator-control valve (106) and the first actuator control valve (110), the command signal configured to request: (i) the first accumulator-control valve (106) to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from the first accumulator assembly (108) to the first actuator assembly (112), and (ii) the first actuator control valve (110) to permit flow of hydraulic fluid from the first pump assembly (104) to the first actuator assembly (112) for the case where the molding-system controller (114) determines that the first actuator assembly (112) requires the flow from both the first pump assembly (104) and the first accumulator assembly (108) during a portion of a molding cycle.

Abstract: An actuator (100) for a molding system (900) is disclosed. The actuator (100) includes a linear actuator (102). The linear actuator (102) is configured to move a payload (160) relative to a support structure (170). The linear actuator (102) is connectable to the support structure (170) and the payload (160). The actuator (100) also includes a first compensator (104). The first compensator (104) is configured to compensate for a relative misalignment between the linear actuator (102) and the payload (160). The actuator (100) further includes a second compensator (106). The second compensator (106) is configured to compensate for a relative misalignment between the linear actuator (102) and the support structure (170).

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: A method and apparatus for real time preventative maintenance of a molding system. The molding system could be a metal molding system or a plastics molding system. The method and apparatus are capable for scheduling service, business billing and invoicing, parts management, a remote control of a molding system for assessing the need for preventative maintenance. The indication for preventative maintenance is based upon a real time operational status of the molding system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, are various conversion structures for use in a molding system (100, 200). A non-limiting embodiment of the conversion structure includes a standard mold receiver (140, 157) and a mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 152C, 170A, 170B, 170C). The standard mold receiver (140, 57) and the mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 152C, 170A, 170B, 170C) are configured to cooperate, wherein the mold conversion module (151A, 151B, 151C, 251A, 251B, 251C, 251D, 251E, 251F, 152A, 152B, 52C, 170A, 170B, 170C) is receivable in the standard mold receiver (140, 157) for converting a molding configuration of a mold (120).

Abstract: Wings are provided on mold components and linear ways are provided below these wings. A pad rides on each linear way below each wing. A force generator, such as a spring, is disposed between each wing and underlying pad. In this way the weight of the mold components is borne, at least in part, by the linear ways so that the weight on components that might otherwise sag is lessened.

Abstract: A screw-moving assembly (100) for a screw assembly (903), the screw-moving assembly (100) comprising: a screw-moving actuator (102); and a bias-adjustment mechanism (104); wherein the screw-moving actuator (102) and the bias-adjustment mechanism (104) are configured to connect to the screw assembly (903); the screw-moving actuator (102) is configured to transmit, in use, a screw-translation force (112) to a longitudinal central axis (905) of the screw assembly (903); and the bias-adjustment mechanism (104) is configured to transmit, in use, a biasing force (114) to the longitudinal central axis (905) of the screw assembly (903).

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a post-mold system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for conditioning a molded article (130). The post-mold system comprises a retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) that is configured to retrieve the molded article (130) from a mold (132) and a conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) is configured to be selectively transferable between the retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520) includes a first thermal regulator (140, 240, 440) that is configured to thermally regulate the receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) when connected thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, are structure and steps for positioning a first mold part of a mold on a mold mounting face in an injection molding machine. In particular, the structure and steps may include a positioner that is 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 across the mold mounting face.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an injection molding machine comprising, an injection nozzle (2) having a melt channel (6), an injection opening (5), and a filter (9) for filtering the molten resin within the injection nozzle (2). According to the invention, the melt filter (9) cooperates with the 5 melt channel (6) or a means (7) provided within the melt channel (6) in such a way, that during an injection phase of the injection molding machine, the molten resin is caused to pass through the filter (9), and during a decompression phase of the injection molding machine the molten resin is caused to bypass the filter (9).

Abstract: Described herein, amongst other things, is a container preform that is blow moldable into a container. The container preform includes a tubular body having a neck finish and a base at an open end and a closed end thereof respectively. The base is defined between inside and outside curved surfaces at least one of which is composed of multiple tangential curves, wherein an elongate portion is defined between adjacent inside and outside concentric curves that define a thinnest bottom wall thickness of the base having a constant minimum thickness that is smaller than or equal to a wall thickness of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a method for converting a design of an original preform that is blow moldable to form a container into a converted preform having less molding material that is blow moldable to form the same container. The method includes retaining a neck finish and body of the original preform on the converted preform. The method further includes replacing the original base of the original preform with a converted base having an outer base surface that joins with an outer body surface of the body at an base split-line of the original base and that fits offset within an outer body surface of the original base, whereby the converted preform has a reduced total length, disregarding any gate vestige that may be formed thereon, relative to a total length of the original preform.