Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula protector that serves to cover a cannula which has been attached to a syringe, particularly for the purpose of preventing unintended damage to the cannula as well as contamination of the cannula shortly before its use on the patient. The invention also relates to a single-use syringe system with such a cannula protector. A cannula protector according to these principles includes a tubular sleeve and a bellows which, in part together with the sleeve, completely encloses at least the area of the cannula. The cannula protector usually also comprises a radially acting clamp or engagement spring, whose function is to hold the inserted single-use syringe in the desired position, or to activate the protective mechanism.

Abstract: There is disclosed a neck ring (308, 310). The neck ring (308, 310) comprises a molding surface 302 (340) for defining a portion of a molded article to be molded; a first male taper (318) projecting from a body of the neck ring (308, 310); and a second male taper (320) located proximate to an outer lateral periphery of the body of the neck ring (308, 310); wherein the first male taper and the second male taper are configured to cooperate with respective female tapers that are associated with a cavity flange.

Abstract: A mold-tool assembly, comprising: a heater being configured to heat (in use), at least a portion of a component, the heater having a resistive element being encased, at least in part, in aluminum nitride.

Abstract: There is provided a method (300) of controlling melt pressure at a filter outlet (113) of a melt filter (112) in an injection unit (100) having an extruder (102) that is connectable to a melt accumulator (122) via the melt filter (112), the melt filter (112) being associated with a target melt pressure range, the method executable at a controller (126) associated with the injection unit (100), the method (300) comprising: appreciating (310) an indication of an actual melt pressure associated with the melt filter (112); responsive to the actual melt pressure not being within the target melt pressure range, determining (320) a remedial parameter that is instrumental in bringing the actual melt pressure within the target melt pressure range; releasing (330) a control signal to execute an action associated with the remedial parameter, thereby causing the actual melt pressure to fall within the target melt pressure range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention teach a molding apparatus for producing a molded article from a molding material. The molding apparatus comprises an inner core (108) and an outer core (110) for defining a portion of a molding cavity (106) for defining the molded article: the inner core (108) including a compensator (120), the compensator (120) being configured to: retract to a retracted position responsive to the pressure of the molding material being injected into the molding cavity (106); and extend to an extended position responsive to the shrinkage during solidification of the molding material in the molding cavity.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: (i) a hot runner manifold assembly (102), (ii) a plate assembly (104) defining an air-cavity circuit (106), the plate assembly (104) being configured to support and surround, at least in part, the hot runner manifold assembly (102), and the air-cavity circuit (106) surrounding, at least in part, the hot runner manifold assembly (102); and (iii) means for forcing, in use, a relatively cooler air stream to the air-cavity circuit (106), wherein that the air-cavity circuit (106) is configured to: (i) increase, in use, thermal losses of the hot runner manifold assembly (102), and (ii) reduce time to cool down the hot runner manifold assembly (102) relative to heat lost as a result of natural convection associated with the hot runner manifold assembly (102).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a stationary plate (102); and an actuator assembly (104) being supported by the stationary plate (102), the actuator assembly (104) having: a piston assembly (106) being movable in the stationary plate (102); and a flexible diaphragm assembly (108) being connected with the piston assembly (106) and with the stationary plate (102).

Abstract: Described herein is a mold. The mold includes a first mold half and a second mold half. A molding cavity is definable between the first mold half and the second mold half within which a molded article is moldable. The mold also includes a core configured to form a seal on the molded article. The first mold half and the second mold half are configured to remain in a mold closed configuration with molding and stripping of the molded article.

Abstract: Described herein is a mold. The mold includes a first mold half and a second mold half. A molding cavity is definable between the first mold half and the second mold half within which a molded article is moldable. The mold also includes a core configured to form a seal on the molded article. The first mold half and the second mold half are configured to remain in a mold closed configuration with molding and stripping of the molded article.

Abstract: A nozzle-locating insulator (300), comprising: a body assembly (302), having: a spring-facing surface (304) including: spring-contact sections (306); and spring-noncontact sections (308) interposed between the spring-contact sections (306).

Abstract: A hot-runner system having a manifold and a nozzle, wherein the manifold or nozzle or both may be multi-material apparatuses of unitary construction. The nozzle may be thermally graded for temperature transmission between a heating sleeve and the melt. The nozzle may also include a melt flow channel apparatus that alters the flow of the melt before entering the mold. The nozzle and manifold may have a unitary construction that reduces fitting problems between the two apparatuses.

Abstract: A molded article transfer device (150, 250) is described herein that is associated, in use, with an injection mold (100, 200). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a transfer structure (151, 251) that defines, amongst other things, a first aperture (154A) that is structured to receive a first molded article (102A) from a first mold stack (106A, 206A) of the injection mold (100). The transfer structure (151, 251) also defines a first branch channel (156A) and a first trunk channel (158A) through which the first molded article (102A) is passable. The first branch channel (156A) connects the first aperture (154A) with the first trunk channel (158A) for passing, in use, the first molded article (102A) thereto, whereafter it passes through the first trunk channel (158A) towards an exit (164A) thereof.

Abstract: A hot-runner system for use with an injection molding system, the hot-runner system including a hot-runner component, a material; and carbon nanotubes being combined with the material. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed, at least in part, in the material and the material includes a metal alloy. The carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the metal alloy, so that the metal alloy and the carbon nanotubes are combined to form a CNT-metal composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is, amongst other things, a molding apparatus that includes a core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) that is configured to seat, in use, around a core insert (120, 320, 420, 620) in a mold stack (116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716). The core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) is configured to be received, at least in part, within a pocket (152) that is defined within a split insert (150) of the mold stack (116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716). The core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) is also configured to define at least a portion of a molding cavity (119) having a core ring-to-split insert parting line (180) that is within the pocket (152) of the split insert (150).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a manifold assembly (22) in accordance with specifications required by a mold is provided. The method includes selecting a manifold (22) from a predetermined set of manifolds (22) and sub-manifolds (24) selected from a predetermined set of sub-manifolds (24). Both the manifolds (22) and the sub-manifolds (24) are at least partially manufactured to define first and second portions of the melt channels (28). Injection nozzles (26) are also selected for each sub-manifold (24), defining third portions of the melt channels (28). The manifold (22), the at least one sub-manifold (24) and the injection nozzles (26) are arranged and assembled together so that the first portions, the second portions and the third portions of the melt channels (28) cooperatively define the melt channels (28) operable to direct a melt material to gates located in the mold. The invention further includes a manifold assembly manufactured using the methods described herein.

Abstract: There is provided a retaining member (130) for use in a mold (100), the retaining member (130) for distributing load applied thereto in a first direction. The retaining member (130) comprises a first contact (204) for abutting in use a first mold element of the mold (100); a second contact (206) for abutting in use a second mold element of the mold (100); a compensating member (207) intermediate the first contact (204) and the second contact (206); an interface (222, 224) for maintaining a floating arrangement the retaining member (130) to a third element of the mold (100); the compensating member (207) providing for spring-like effect such that the retaining member (130) provides substantially equal load distribution throughout substantially its whole longitudinal extent, when in use.

Abstract: An injection unit (24), comprising: a transfer piston assembly (34); and an injection piston assembly (30) being positioned coaxial with the transfer piston assembly (34).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a nozzle housing (102) having a melt passageway (103) extending from an input end (106) to an output end (108). A valve stem (104) is: (i) slide movable along the melt passageway (103), and (ii) slide supported by the input end (106) and by the output end (108).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) configured to accommodate a valve stem (104), the mold-tool system (100) comprising: a nozzle assembly (402) having: a nozzle-output end (408) being configured to support, at least in part, slide movement of the valve stem (104).

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly is provided for an injection unit, comprising a valve body defining a melt channel for a working fluid. The valve body and at least one end cap define a valve seat having a wider diameter portion and at least one thinner diameter portion. A spool assembly is rotatably mounted within the valve seat and movable between an open position where an orifice is aligned with the melt channel and a closed position where the orifice is misaligned with the melt channel. The spool assembly includes a center spool portion defining the orifice, and at least one arm spool portion connected on a side of the center spool portion, the at least one arm spool portion being translatable relative to the center spool portion by the working fluid entering the gap located therebetween.