Patents Examined by Jill Heitbrink
  • Connector member
    Patent number: 9375868
    Abstract: A connector member according to this disclosure includes: a hollow pipe-shaped portion molded by injection molding of a synthetic resin; two ring-shaped seal grooves disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the pipe-shaped portion; and a ring-shaped gate mark formed at a region close to a pipe end with respect to the seal groove, the ring-shaped gate mark being formed at an inner peripheral surface side of the pipe-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: TIGERS POLYMER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobukatsu Miyajima, Kiyofumi Hiroi
  • Sealant injector for molding a display frame and the molding method thereof
    Patent number: 9364989
    Abstract: The sealant injector for molding a display frame is provided for extruding the sealant out of the cavity, the large impurity particles could be insulated from the filtrating holes for preventing the mixing particles or the air bubble forcing out from the spray nozzle. The extrusion sealant could be more uniform. The sealant could be coated on the base board with the filtering and forcing. Accordingly, it would increase the continuation, the stability, the strength and the tenacity of the sealant and then improve the rate of good products. On the process of filtering and extruding together, it could reduce the molding time and improve the manufacture efficiency. The present invention also provides a method for injection molding a display frame using the sealant injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Liang Xu
  • Injection molding apparatus with active valve pin disengagement
    Patent number: 9358713
    Abstract: A hot runner injection molding apparatus (10) includes hot runner nozzles (20), a movable frame (30) that can be displaced between at least two positions relative to a plurality of mold cavities (24), each cavity having a mold gate (27). Valve pins (32) associated with the hot runner nozzles (20) are individually coupled to the movable frame (30) by a decouplable connector (36, 60). Disengagement devices (40) associated with the valve pins are activated to decouple any associated valve pin (32) from the movable frame (30). A control system (52) is used to activate the disengagement devices (40). In some instances a blocking element (42) is also activated to lock any valve pin at the mold gate or close to the mold gate. Control system (52) is further used to operate the blocking element (42). Disengagement devices (40) and the blocking elements (42) can be the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Otto Männer Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Gheorghe George Olaru
  • Porous media heat transfer for injection molding
    Patent number: 9352502
    Abstract: The cooling of injection molded plastic is targeted. Coolant flows into a porous medium disposed within an injection molding component via a porous medium inlet. The porous medium is thermally coupled to a mold cavity configured to receive injected liquid plastic. The porous medium beneficially allows for an increased rate of heat transfer from the injected liquid plastic to the coolant and provides additional structural support over a hollow cooling well. When the temperature of the injected liquid plastic falls below a solidifying temperature threshold, the molded component is ejected and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Neil Reginald Beer
  • Molding systems and methods
    Patent number: 9352501
    Abstract: A hot-runner system, comprising: a melt flow modular assembly having a gate melt flow control apparatus; and a Lorentz force actuator assembly being coupled to the gate melt flow control apparatus. A valve gate drive controller for control of the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. An injection plastic molding apparatus devised to mold plastic articles, and the injection plastic molding apparatus having the hot-runner system. A method comprising operating the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system. A melt flow modular assembly for use with the Lorentz force actuator assembly of the hot-runner system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventor: Ashley Stone
  • Nanofluid mold cooling
    Patent number: 9339952
    Abstract: A nanofluid molding arrangement includes a mold tool (12) having movable pieces (14, 16) that move between an open and closed position. When the moveable pieces (14, 16) are in the closed position, they form a mold cavity (18) that defines a surface for creating a molded part. The nanofluid molding arrangement also includes at least one injection port (22) for injecting molten resin directly into the mold cavity (18) such that when molten resin flows into the cavity and begins to cool, the molded part begins to form. After the molded part begins forming and injection of the molten resin is stopped, a nanofluid having a colloidal suspension of thermally conductive nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous or organic solution is applied to the mold tool (12), through at least one cooling port, to wick away or draw heat out and cool the mold cavity and the formed part within the mold cavity (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven D. McClintock
  • Stack mold support structure for an injection molding machine
    Patent number: 9339957
    Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ATHENA AUTOMATION LTD.
    Inventors: Robert D. Schad, Carsten Link, Hemant Kumar
  • Disposable dental valve device
    Patent number: 9333061
    Abstract: A method for forming a disposable dental valve device is disclosed which comprises the steps of injecting a resin into a mold with the melt temperature of the resin being about 201° C. and the mold temperature being about 35° C., filling the resin in the mold for a fill time of about 0.70 seconds, providing a peak first stage fill pressure of about 61.9 Mpa, providing a pack pressure of about 49.5 Mpa, and providing a pack time of about 5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: STOMA VENTURES, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Williams, Mark Ellis
  • High speed clamp system for an injection molding machine
    Patent number: 9333691
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes: (a) a cylinder housing having an inner end and an outer end spaced axially apart from the inner end; (b) a piston assembly comprising a tie bar end portion of a tie bar and a piston head affixed to the tie bar end portion, the piston assembly slidable within the housing between a meshing position and a clamped position spaced axially apart from the meshing position; (c) a clamp chamber between the piston head and the inner end of the cylinder housing for holding pressurized fluid and urging the piston assembly to the clamped position when pressurized; and (d) a spring return device adjacent the outer end of the cylinder housing, the spring return device pushing the piston assembly from the clamped position back to the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Athena Automation Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert D. Schad, Carsten Link
  • Valve pin rotation limiter
    Patent number: 9321205
    Abstract: Injection machine and fluid distribution system having a valve pin reciprocally movable along its longitudinal axis between upstream and downstream (axial) positions, including a valve pin rotation limiter for resisting or preventing rotation of the valve pin around its axis. The limiter includes an elongated rail having a rail axis, stationarily mounted relative to an actuator that drives the valve pin upstream-downstream along its longitudinal axis wherein the rail axis is radially spaced from the valve pin axis. A finger projects between the rail and the valve pin, having a first end mounted on or to one of the rail and the valve pin, and a second end slidably engaged against a receiving surface of the other of the rail or valve pin, wherein such engagement is adapted to resist or prevent rotation of the valve pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Vito Galati, Zhuang Rui Tan
  • Injection molding machines and methods for accounting for changes in material properties during injection molding runs
    Patent number: 9321206
    Abstract: A method and a machine that account for changes in material properties of molten plastic material during an injection run. If viscosity of the molten plastic material changes during an injection run, a controller alters an injection pressure to ensure that molten plastic material fills a mold cavity within a correct amount of time to prevent part flaws such as short shots or flashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: iMFLUX, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Kimberly Nichole McConnell, Vincent Sean Breidenbach, Milko Georgiev Gergov
  • Simple injection molding machine structure and injection method for the same
    Patent number: 9314951
    Abstract: A simple injection molding machine structure including a stationary platen, a movable platen, and an injection unit, and an injection method for the simple injection molding machine structure are provided. The stationary platen and the movable platen each carry a mold core for defining a mold cavity. The movable platen is movable freely relative to the stationary platen. The injection unit is disposed on the movable platen and includes an injection barrel, a heating member, a screw rod and a driving member. The screw rod is coupled to the driving member, extended into, and received in the injection barrel. The heating member is disposed on the injection barrel. The screw rod pressurizes, injects, and delivers molten plastic. The simple injection molding machine operates by controlling the speed of advancement of the screw rod to stabilize pressure and thus allow the molten plastic to take shape easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Yu-Sheng Kao
  • Method and apparatus for making preformed seals
    Patent number: 9308702
    Abstract: A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jonathan Christopher Heath
  • Rotary knob assembly
    Patent number: 9296140
    Abstract: A rotary knob assembly and methods for forming and controlling friction effecting features of the knob assembly are disclosed. The knob assembly includes a mounting structure and a knob. The knob is rotatably coupled to a bezel of the mounting structure. The knob includes a stabilizer, a guide member, and a retainer having a patterned surface. At least a portion of the stabilizer is disposed between the bezel and the retainer to maintain an axial position and a radial position of the knob. A detent formed on the guide member cooperates with a patterned surface of the retainer to provide a haptic feedback to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daren Lee Harris, Sabin Oana, James Joseph Kornacki
  • Shooting pot circuit valve
    Patent number: 9296136
    Abstract: An injection molding system including a valve operated shooting pot and methods of use are disclosed. The shooting pot may have an inlet and an outlet and a valve may be control flow through both the inlet and the outlet. The valve may be selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The valve may block flow through the inlet and permit flow through the outlet in the first position, and permit flow through the inlet and block flow through the outlet in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventor: Manon Danielle Belzile
  • Cycle time reduction masterbatches and their use in thermoplastic compounds
    Patent number: 9290645
    Abstract: A masterbatch for a thermoplastic compound is disclosed, comprising fly ash and/or cinders and a carrier thermoplastic resin, compatible with or the same as the thermoplastic resin used in the compound. The amount of fly ash and/or cinders comprises at least 50 percent by weight of the masterbatch. Presence of the fly ash and/or cinders can reduce cycle time for molding of the compound into a plastic article by from about 5 percent to about 30 percent merely because of the presence of the fly ash and/or cinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: PolyOne Corporation, Revolutionary Plastics, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Prince, Jason D. Piunti
  • Control method for injection molding machine
    Patent number: 9289934
    Abstract: In an injection process in which a screw or a plunger is advanced to inject a molten resin into a mold, the advance of the screw or the plunger is stopped and held just before a leading flow end of the resin reaches a gate portion, and the advance of the screw or the plunger is resumed for an injection operation after the passage of a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuhiro Uchiyama
  • Wear resistant assembly for contacting components of mold-tool system
    Patent number: 9289930
    Abstract: A mold-tool system (10), comprising: a first component (12) defining a first passageway (13) configured to convey, in use, a flowable molding material; a second component (14) defining a second passageway (15) configured to: (i) be in fluid communication with the first passageway (13), and (ii) convey, in use, the flowable molding material. A wear-resistant assembly (16) contacts, at least in part, the first component (12) and the second component (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Sarah Kathleen Overfield, Stephen Linwood Gray, Douglas Oliver Hall
  • Method and apparatus for substantially constant pressure injection molding of thinwall parts
    Patent number: 9272452
    Abstract: A substantially constant pressure injection molding method and machine that forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at a substantially constant pressures. As a result, the mold cavity is filled with molten thermoplastic material by advancing a continuous flow front of thermoplastic material from a gate to an end of the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: iMFLUX, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Michael Altonen, Michael Thomas Dodd, Natalia Maria Ramon-Martinez, Kimberly Nichole McConnell, Danny David Lumpkin, Vincent Sean Breidenbach, John Russell Lawson
  • Rubber vulcanizer and rubber vulcanizing method
    Patent number: 9272445
    Abstract: A rubber vulcanizer includes: a pair of heat plates disposed to be opposed to each other in a prescribed direction and to be apart from each other in the prescribed direction; and one or more dies for rubber molding stacked on each other in the prescribed direction between the heat plates. The rubber vulcanizer is able to realize either a state in which the dies of which the number is N are stacked on each other in the prescribed direction between the heat plates, or a state in which the dies of which the number is (N+1) are stacked on each other in the prescribed direction between the heat plates, where N is a natural number that satisfies at least a condition that 1?N?M, and M is a certain positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Hamada, Isao Usuki