Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating removal and installation of mold insert members of a mold assembly from and into the clamp unit of an injection molding machine comprising a material distributing sub-assembly from which at least one material distributing nozzle projects, the apparatus comprises a two-part frame comprising an ejector part, an injection part being releasably connectable to the material distributing sub-assembly, and support pins spanning between the ejector part and the injection part when the injection part is separated from the material distributing sub-assembly, and guide elements projecting from the material distributing sub-assembly to engage a mold insert member received in the injection part and effective to align that mold insert member relative to the material distributing sub-assembly. The two-part frame comprises first clearance bores and second clearance bores allowing protrusion into the mold insert member of, respectively, the material distributing nozzles and the guide elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating removal and installation of mold insert members of a mold assembly from and into the clamp unit of an injection molding machine comprising a material distributing sub-assembly from which at least one material distributing nozzle projects, the apparatus comprises a two-part frame comprising an ejector part, an injection part being releasably connectable to the material distributing sub-assembly, and support pins spanning between the ejector part and the injection part when the injection part is separated from the material distributing sub-assembly, and guide elements projecting from the material distributing sub-assembly to engage a mold insert member received in the injection part and effective to align that mold insert member relative to the material distributing sub-assembly. The two-part frame comprises first clearance bores and second clearance bores allowing protrusion into the mold insert member of, respectively, the material distributing nozzles and the guide elements.

Abstract: A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: An adaptor bushing for an injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, a nozzle assembly and a nozzle retention device, comprises: (i) a bushing passage for fluid communication between a passage of the manifold and a nozzle passage; (ii) at least one transition region joining portions of the bushing passage; and, (iii) at least one alignment surface effective to (a) align longitudinal centerlines of the bushing passage, manifold passage and nozzle passage and (b) eliminate or reduce relative tilt of the adaptor bushing, nozzle assembly and manifold so that with the adaptor bushing clamped between the manifold and nozzle assembly, leakage of material at the interfaces of the bushing passage with the manifold passage and nozzle passage is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level under normal operating conditions. A manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprises an adaptor bushing interposed between a manifold passage and a nozzle passage.

Abstract: An adaptor bushing for an injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, a nozzle assembly and a nozzle retention device, comprises: (i) a bushing passage for fluid communication between a passage of the manifold and a nozzle passage; (ii) at least one transition region joining portions of the bushing passage; and, (iii) at least one alignment surface effective to (a) align longitudinal centerlines of the bushing passage, manifold passage and nozzle passage and (b) eliminate or reduce relative tilt of the adaptor bushing, nozzle assembly and manifold so that with the adaptor bushing clamped between the manifold and nozzle assembly, leakage of material at the interfaces of the bushing passage with the manifold passage and nozzle passage is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level under normal operating conditions. A manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprises an adaptor bushing interposed between a manifold passage and a nozzle passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding wherein melt is conveyed to a gate in fluid communication with at least one mold cavity comprises a nozzle for conveying melt, the nozzle having an inlet for admitting melt, at least one outlet for directing melt to mold cavities and received within a recess of the gate, a nozzle body having a passage therethrough for conveying melt from the inlet to the outlet, and at least one split ring seal received in a groove in the exterior of the nozzle body so as to be displaceable relative to the associated groove, the split ring seal having an outside perimeter for contacting the surface of the recess of a gate, the split ring seals maintaining separation of the periphery of the nozzle body from the surface of the recess with the outlet positioned within the recess. Each split ring seal advantageously comprises overlapping end segments abuttingly engaged with the outlet positioned within the recess.