Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold cavity to produce a molded plastic article. At least one interior core stream of a first polymeric material is surrounded by inner and outer streams of at least one other polymeric material. The interior core stream serves as an interior layer of a resultant molded plastic article while the inner and outer streams serve as inner and outer layers, respectively, of the resultant plastic article. The interior core stream is selectively directed to flow into or past a downstream branch channel in a mold cavity. The downstream branch channel branches from a primary channel in the mold cavity at a branch junction. The branch channel defines a protrusion portion of the resultant molded plastic article.

Abstract: A molded multi-layer article has an interior layer contained within inner and outer layers. The article is molded by co-injecting the inner, outer, and interior layer materials into a mold defining a cavity. The interior layer material is caused to flow along a steam line offset from the zero velocity gradient of the combined material flow in a manner so that the interior layer material flow stream does not flow along or cross the zero velocity gradient yet has a greater flow velocity than the average flow velocity of the combined flow front. These methods and apparatus can mold four or more multilayer articles at once, each having an interior layer extending throughout 95% or more of the sealable portion of the article. The interior layer of a resultant article can extend throughout 99% or more of the sealable portion of the article.

Abstract: Methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold cavity to produce a molded plastic article having an injection-formed aperture in gate region of the article are disclosed herein. A method includes providing a valve pin having a distal portion with a first diameter and a mid-portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and providing a mold defining a cavity corresponding to a shape of a resulting molded plastic article. The mold has a recess aligned with a gate region of the mold, extending into the mold and configured to receive the distal portion of the valve pin when the distal portion of the valve pin extends beyond the gate region.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity may produce a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for co-injection molding multilayer articles having one or more molded apertures disposed between a gate region and a peripheral region of the article are disclosed. The articles include an interior layer disposed between an inner layer and an outer layer. An article has interior layer coverage over at least 98% of a perimeter of a cross-section of the article downstream of the one or more molded apertures. A method includes modifying fluid flowing past an aperture-forming region of a mold cavity to compensate for the drag of the aperture-forming region on the velocity of the fluid flowing proximal to the aperture-forming region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold cavity to produce a molded plastic article having an injection-formed aperture in gate region of the article are disclosed herein. A method includes providing a valve pin having a distal portion with a first diameter and a mid-portion with a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and providing a mold defining a cavity corresponding to a shape of a resulting molded plastic article. The mold has a recess aligned with a gate region of the mold, extending into the mold and configured to receive the distal portion of the valve pin when the distal portion of the valve pin extends beyond the gate region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold having a plurality of cavities to produce a plurality of multi-layer polymeric articles each having a consistent coverage of an interior core layer are disclosed herein. In an example method, a flow rate of a first skin material into a cavity is individually controlled for each cavity before initiation of co-injection of a second core material into the cavity, which may address inconsistent interior core layer coverage for articles from different cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the preparation of a co-injection molded multilayer plastic article. Some methods include co-extruding a combined polymeric stream having an interior core stream encased by an inner stream and an outer stream. One or more pulses in a thickness of the interior core stream create portions of an edge of the outer flow stream flowing along different streamlines. A first portion of an outer edge of the interior core stream flows beyond a second portion of the outer edge thereby forming one or more cohesion members that physically interlock the interior layer with the inner layer, with the outer layer or with both. Some embodiments reduce or eliminate a need for addition of an adhesive in the composite stream to prevent delamination of layers of the resulting multilayer plastic article. In some embodiments, cohesion members may be employed to produce a desired cosmetic effect in a resulting article.

Abstract: A co-injected molded multi-layer article has inner and outer layers, an interior layer contained within the inner and outer layers and a surface portion to which a closure or other component may be heat-sealed. The article is molded by co-injecting the inner, outer and interior layer materials into a mold cavity of a mold. The interior layer material is caused to flow along a steam line offset from the zero velocity gradient of the combined material flow and biased toward a material flow for forming an outer wall of the multi-layer article. The resultant molded multi-layer article contains an interior layer located in a heat sealable region that avoids a breach or failure during a heat seal operation to seal an opening of the molded article.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity produces a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader or may alternatively be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity may produce a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for the preparation of a co-injection molded multilayer plastic article. Some methods include co-extruding a combined polymeric stream having an interior core stream encased by an inner stream and an outer stream. A volumetric ratio of the inner stream to outer stream is adjusted during injection of the combined stream into the a mold cavity to alter a streamline along which the interior core stream flows thereby forming cohesion member that structurally interlocks the interior layer with the inner layer, with the outer layer or with both. Some embodiments reduce or eliminate a need for addition of an adhesive in the composite stream to prevent delamination of layers of the resulting multilayer plastic article. In some embodiments, cohesion members may be employed to produce a desired cosmetic effect in a resulting article.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity produces a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader or may alternatively be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity may produce a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity may produce a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A co-injected molded multi-layer article has inner and outer layers, an interior layer contained within the inner and outer layers and a surface portion to which a closure or other component may be heat-sealed. The article is molded by co-injecting the inner, outer and interior layer materials into a mold cavity of a mold. The interior layer material is caused to flow along a steam line offset from the zero velocity gradient of the combined material flow and biased toward a material flow for forming an outer wall of the multi-layer article. The resultant molded multi-layer article contains an interior layer located in a heat sealable region that avoids a breach or failure during a heat seal operation to seal an opening of the molded article.

Abstract: A molded multi-layer article has an interior layer contained within inner and outer layers. The article is molded by co-injecting the inner, outer, and interior layer materials into a mold defining a cavity. The interior layer material is caused to flow along a steam line offset from the zero velocity gradient of the combined material flow in a manner so that the interior layer material flow stream does not flow along or cross the zero velocity gradient yet has a greater flow velocity than the average flow velocity of the combined flow front. These methods and apparatus can mold four or more multilayer articles at once, each having an interior layer extending throughout 95% or more of the sealable portion of the article. The interior layer of a resultant article can extend throughout 99% or more of the sealable portion of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for co-extruding multiple polymeric material flow streams into a mold cavity to produce a molded plastic article. At least one interior core stream of a first polymeric material is surrounded by inner and outer streams of at least one other polymeric material. The interior core stream serves as an interior layer of a resultant molded plastic article while the inner and outer streams serve as inner and outer layers, respectively, of the resultant plastic article. The interior core stream is selectively directed to flow into or past a downstream branch channel in a mold cavity. The downstream branch channel branches from a primary channel in the mold cavity at a branch junction. The branch channel defines a protrusion portion of the resultant molded plastic article.

Abstract: A control system for use with a multi-layer molding device having an inspection device for measuring a characteristic of a product of a cavity of the molding device and a controller adapted to receive information corresponding to the at least one characteristic from the inspection device and to alter the molding device based on the information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for forming a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The methods and systems utilize shooting pot technology in combination with a combination of thermal control elements and in some instances, specialized flow bore geometries to control a thermal property and a flow parameter of selected polymeric material flowing through the system to mold the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. Both the systems and methods are well suited for use to perform simultaneous flow injection or sequential flow injection to form the plurality of multiple layer plastic articles. The systems and methods described therein beneficially reduce the mold cavity pitch size for multiple layer molds used with systems having shooting pot technology to a mold cavity pitch size found on conventional monolayer molds to provide a plurality of multiple layer plastic articles having a cost similar to monolayer plastic articles.