Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a split mold insert for a molding system. A first split mold insert complementary to a second split mold insert, the first and second split mold inserts configured, in use, to form a neck region of a preform capable of being blow-molded. The first split mold insert comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; the top portion for abutting, in use, a cavity plate assembly and the bottom portion being at an opposite extreme relative to the top portion; a back portion and a face portion opposite each other, extending between the top and bottom portions, the face portion defining a molding surface defining portion for forming, in use, at least a portion of the neck region of the preform; the back portion comprising a connecting interface for connecting, in use, to a slide bar.

Abstract: To facilitate cleaning of melt channels in a runner system (102) in a centre-section carrier (20) or the like, a multi-piece interface adaptor (114, 116, 118) is detailed in FIG. 4. A male portion (114) of the interface adaptor (112) is securely coupled to the runner system (102) to extend the melt channel (63) thereof. The male portion (114) preferably includes a branching feature (124) that splits melt flow into opposing directions to feed distinct nozzles (60, 62). A female portion (116) of the interface adaptor includes bores (140, 142) that align with the branching feature (124, 134, 136) and support the mounting of nozzles (60, 62) therein. The female portion (116) is fixedly secured within the carrier (20). The male portion (114) and the female portion (116) are slidably engageable with one another along sealing surfaces (130, 220).

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.

Abstract: An injection molding three way shut off valve assembly and method in which the three way valve assembly is configured to be disposed to control a flow of a molten material from an injection unit to a runner system. Preferably, the valve assembly has a valve plunger configured to be disposed between the injection unit and the runner system; the valve plunger having a flow-through channel and a purge channel. Movement structure is configured to control the position of the valve plunger between (i) a molten material flow position where the molten material flows through the flow-through channel, (ii) a molten material blocked position where the molten material is blocked from flowing through the flow-through channel, and (iii) a molten material purge position where the molten material flows through the purge channel, without disconnecting the injection unit from the runner system.

Abstract: An injection molding self aligning articulated joint configured to be disposed between an injection unit and a hot runner. A joint is provided having first and second spherical surfaces and a melt channel therein. The joint is coupled to one of the injection unit and the hot runner. First and second concave pads are provided to as to be respectively in contact with the first and second spherical surfaces. The first and second concave pads are configured to be movable with respect to the first and second spherical surfaces. At least one of the first and second concave pads is coupled to the other one of the injection unit and the hot runner.

Abstract: Injection molding coupling apparatus and method is configured to be installed between a relatively movable injection unit and a relatively stationary unit base. A subplate is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the unit base, and preferably includes linear bearings for rolling on a pair of linear rails. A flexible pad device is configured to be disposed between the subplate and the injection unit. The flexible pad device is configured to minimize misalignment caused by thermal elongation of heated components and the relative movement between the injection unit and the unit base.

Abstract: An injection molding self aligning articulated joint configured to be disposed between an injection unit and a hot runner. A joint is provided having first and second spherical surfaces and a melt channel therein. The joint is coupled to one of the injection unit and the hot runner. First and second concave pads are provided to as to be respectively in contact with the first and second spherical surfaces. The first and second concave pads are configured to be movable with respect to the first and second spherical surfaces. At least one of the first and second concave pads is coupled to the other one of the injection unit and the hot runner.

Abstract: An injection molding three way shut off valve assembly and method in which the three way valve assembly is configured to be disposed to control a flow of a molten material from an injection unit to a runner system. Preferably, the valve assembly has a valve plunger configured to be disposed between the injection unit and the runner system; the valve plunger having a flow-through channel and a purge channel. Movement structure is configured to control the position of the valve plunger between (i) a molten material flow position where the molten material flows through the flow-through channel, (ii) a molten material blocked position where the molten material is blocked from flowing through the flow-through channel, and (iii) a molten material purge position where the molten material flows through the purge channel, without disconnecting the injection unit from the runner system.

Abstract: Injection molding coupling apparatus and method is configured to be installed between a relatively movable injection unit and a relatively stationary unit base. A subplate is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the unit base, and preferably includes linear bearings for rolling on a pair of linear rails. A flexible pad device is configured to be disposed between the subplate and the injection unit. The flexible pad device is configured to minimize misalignment caused by thermal elongation of heated components and the relative movement between the injection unit and the unit base.

Abstract: Stripper assembly for an injection molding machine comprising at least one slide pair having a first slide and a second slide and actuation means operatively coupled to said first slide for moving the first slide in a first direction. According to an important aspect of the invention, the stripper assembly further comprises transmission means operatively coupled to said first slide and said second slide for transforming the movement of the first slide in the first direction in a movement of the second slide in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Stripper assembly for an injection molding machine comprising at least one slide pair having a first slide and a second slide and actuation means operatively coupled to said first slide for moving the first slide in a first direction. According to an important aspect of the invention, the stripper assembly further comprises transmission means operatively coupled to said first slide and said second slide for transforming the movement of the first slide in the first direction in a movement of the second slide in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A device for temperature adjustment of an object comprises a conditioning tube with at least one temperature conditioning means, said conditioning tube having an open front end for receiving said object at least partially, wherein a conditioning sleeve is slideably arranged inside said conditioning tube, said conditioning tube having an open front end for receiving said object at least partially and an inner cooling surface for leaning against an outer surface of said object, said conditioning sleeve being biased towards the front end of said conditioning tube by an elastic means.

Abstract: At least one mold is provided having a mold cavity and a mold gate communicating with the mold cavity, an injection nozzle for feeding molten plastic material to the injection mold having a nozzle outlet in line with the mold gate, and a thin movable valve gating arrangement positioned between the mold gate and nozzle outlet having an orifice therein permitting and shutting off flow of molten plastic from the nozzle to the mold.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes various devices for reducing injection cycle time. A molded article detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The detection system and method determines if an article, or a portion thereof, remains on a machine core pin after the article ejection cycle has occurred, and, if so, communicates this condition to both the machine controller and the take-out controller. This prevents the machine from starting a new cycle and damaging the injection mold. Also, by communicating the extraction status to both the take-out controller and machine controller, if no articles or portions remain, injection cycle time is reduced. Additionally, a variable vacuum pressure apparatus and method are described. The apparatus and method allows early removal of molded articles from the molds into a take-out plate while the parts are still warm.

Abstract: The injection nozzle includes a longitudinal flow channel, a plurality of angular channels extending from the longitudinal flow channel (1) in a first direction at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, and (2) in a second direction at an acute angle with respect to the first direction, an annular channel extending from the angular channels, and a passageway extending from the annular channel to the injection orifice, wherein the angular channels cause a swirling action in the annular channel to flush out resin from the annular channel.

Abstract: At least one mold is provided having a mold cavity and a mold gate communicating with the mold cavity, an injection nozzle for feeding molten plastic material to the injection mold having a nozzle outlet in line with the mold gate, and a thin movable valve gating arrangement positioned between the mold gate and nozzle outlet having an orifice therein permitting and shutting off flow of molten plastic from the nozzle to the mold.

Abstract: At least one mold is provided having a mold cavity and a mold gate communicating with the mold cavity, an injection nozzle for feeding molten plastic material to the injection mold having a nozzle outlet in line with the mold gate, and a thin movable valve gating arrangement positioned between the mold gate and nozzle outlet having an orifice therein permitting and shutting off flow of molten plastic from the nozzle to the mold.

Abstract: A valve gating apparatus and method for injection molding includes at least one shutter disposed between the gate and the cavity melt channel into a mold cavity. The shutter is moved laterally, between a closed position wherein flow of melt from the nozzle into the cavity is inhibited, and an open position wherein flow of melt into the cavity is unimpeded by the shutter. Intermediate these two positions, the shutter can be employed to reduce the cross sectional area of the gate to throttle the gate. Embodiments are disclosed wherein one shutter or pairs of shutters are employed to gate the gate. Further, when pairs of shutters are employed, the shutters can abut each other in the close position or can overlie each other. This novel design prevents generation of waste material and eliminates the need to have devices for removing cold plugs.