Patents by Inventor Bruce Catoen
Bruce Catoen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9186833Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Publication number: 20150102515Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Patent number: 8940202Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Publication number: 20140203466Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Patent number: 8715547Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Patent number: 8475155Abstract: A runnerless nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a bracing component having an internal space and a lateral bore, a nozzle tip extending from the internal space through the lateral bore of the bracing component, and a securing component installable in the internal spaced of the bracing component. At least one of the bracing component and the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with and upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The securing component includes an angled surface for wedging a likewise angled surface of the nozzle tip to engage the nozzle tip with the bracing component when the securing component is installed in the bracing component.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Patent number: 8449287Abstract: A valve pin that accommodates side loading for use in a valve-gated nozzle of a hot runner injection molding system is disclosed. The valve pin is operably coupled at a rearward end to an actuating mechanism and includes a shaft that extends through the system such that a forward end thereof engages with a mold gate of a mold cavity. The valve pin shaft has a region forward of the rearward end thereof that accommodates side loading under operating conditions. The region may be a slidable or rotatable interface configured to provide lateral or angular movement between upstream and downstream portions of the valve pin shaft under side loading conditions or may be configured to provide increased flexibility to the valve pin shaft within the region to permit deflection of the valve pin under side loading conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Patent number: 8425216Abstract: There is set forth herein a system having an injection molding assembly mold including a stationary section and moveable section, the stationary section having a channel assembly, one or more nozzle and a mold cavity, the mold further having a sensor unit array, the sensor unit array comprising one or more sensor unit. The system can include one or more processing circuit that utilizes an output of the one or more sensor unit for determining a condition prevailing within the injection molding assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Publication number: 20120277900Abstract: There is set forth a system comprising an injection molding assembly mold and a processing circuit. The mold can have a stationary section and a moveable section. The stationary section can have a channel assembly and one or more nozzle. The processing circuit can comprise one or more processor, a communication interface, and a memory including a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The processing circuit can be mounted to the stationary section or the moveable section in a manner that the processing circuit can be supported in a fixed position relative to the stationary section or the moveable section. The mold can further comprise one or more sensor unit, each sensor unit including one or more sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Publication number: 20120263823Abstract: A runnerless nozzle for an injection molding apparatus includes a bracing component having an internal space and a lateral bore, a nozzle tip extending from the internal space through the lateral bore of the bracing component, and a securing component installable in the internal spaced of the bracing component. At least one of the bracing component and the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with and upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The securing component includes an angled surface for wedging a likewise angled surface of the nozzle tip to engage the nozzle tip with the bracing component when the securing component is installed in the bracing component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITEDInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Patent number: 8280544Abstract: There is provided a system for use in performance of injection molding operations, wherein the system can include a plurality of injection molding assembly components. In one embodiment, the system can be operative so that various information respecting components of the system can be recorded within a component database. The component database can be a computer implemented database and in one embodiment can be utilized to output information that indicates past and/or present conditions prevailing within the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Mold Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Bruce Catoen, Louis Gorgenyi
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Publication number: 20120231111Abstract: A valve pin that accommodates side loading for use in a valve-gated nozzle of a hot runner injection molding system is disclosed. The valve pin is operably coupled at a rearward end to an actuating mechanism and includes a shaft that extends through the system such that a forward end thereof engages with a mold gate of a mold cavity. The valve pin shaft has a region forward of the rearward end thereof that accommodates side loading under operating conditions. The region may be a slidable or rotatable interface configured to provide lateral or angular movement between upstream and downstream portions of the valve pin shaft under side loading conditions or may be configured to provide increased flexibility to the valve pin shaft within the region to permit deflection of the valve pin under side loading conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITEDInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Publication number: 20120231103Abstract: There is set forth herein a system having an injection molding assembly mold including a stationary section and moveable section, the stationary section having a channel assembly, one or more nozzle and a mold cavity, the mold further having a sensor unit array, the sensor unit array comprising one or more sensor unit. The system can include one or more processing circuit that utilizes an output of the one or more sensor unit for determining a condition prevailing within the injection molding assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Publication number: 20120217668Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITEDInventors: Bruce Catoen, Scott Gammon
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Patent number: 8210842Abstract: A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Patent number: 8206145Abstract: A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Patent number: 8202082Abstract: A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventor: Bruce Catoen
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Publication number: 20110304075Abstract: Breakable mechanical connections connect valve pins to an actuated valve pin plate of an injection molding apparatus. The valve pin plate can move the valve pins between opened positions and closed positions of associated mold gates. Each breakable mechanical connection can be independently or singularly destroyed or broken to free a respective valve pin from the valve pin plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITEDInventors: Bruce Catoen, Murray Feick, Valery Ten
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Patent number: 8062025Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a manifold defining a manifold channel for receiving pressurized molding material from an upstream source and a nozzle defining a nozzle channel in communication with the manifold channel to define a flow channel. The nozzle is associated with a mold gate of a mold cavity and delivers molding material to the mold gate. A vane, such as that of an impeller or screw, is rotatably disposed in the flow channel upstream of a mold gate. A motor is coupled to the vane and rotates the vane in either direction. Rotation of the impeller or screw can be automatically adjusted by a controller and a sensor that measures pressure, temperature, or other property of the molding material.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) LimitedInventors: Peter Klobucar, Bruce Catoen, Rhonda Goslinski
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Publication number: 20110240687Abstract: A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITEDInventor: Bruce Catoen