Abstract: Disclosed herein are, amongst other things, a molding apparatus with which to mold, in use, a preform of a type for blow molding into a container. The molding apparatus includes a lock ring (104, 204) for use in a first stack portion (108) of a mold stack (120). The lock ring (104, 204) includes a tubular body (150, 250) that is configured to define, amongst other things, a support interface (194) in cooperation, in use, with a split insert (6, 106) of the first stack portion through which a compressive load is transferrable during molding of the preform, wherein the support interface (194) includes a support shelf (154) that is defined, at least in part, on a first major promontory (152, 252) of the tubular body (150, 250).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is, amongst other things, a molding apparatus that includes a core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) that is configured to seat, in use, around a core insert (120, 320, 420, 620) in a mold stack (116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716). The core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) is configured to be received, at least in part, within a pocket (152) that is defined within a split insert (150) of the mold stack (116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716). The core ring (140, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740) is also configured to define at least a portion of a molding cavity (119) having a core ring-to-split insert parting line (180) that is within the pocket (152) of the split insert (150).

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a stripper assembly and a mold stack incorporating same. More specifically, there is provided the stripper assembly (212) for use in a mold stack (202) for forming a preform (210) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cavity insert for a molding system, the cavity insert having a deformable portion. More specifically, A cavity insert (106) is provided, the cavity insert (106) is for a molding stack (102) for use in an injection mold, the cavity insert (106). The cavity insert (106) comprises a body (122) configured to be received, in use, within a cavity plate (104) of the injection mold; the body (122) defining: a cavity molding surface (124) along an inner portion thereof; a circumferentially deformable portion (123); and an actuator interface (134) configured to cooperate, in use, with a complementary actuating interface (136) that is defined on a compression member (138) to generate a compressive force that selectively elastically deforms the circumferentially deformable portion (123).

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a stripper assembly and a mold stack incorporating same. More specifically, there is provided the stripper assembly (212) for use in a mold stack (202) for forming a preform (210) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container.

Abstract: Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620) for controlling air flow in an air pressure channel (354, 454) of a molded article holder (50, 150, 250, 350, 450); (ii) a molded article holder (350, 450) co-operable with the valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620); and (iii) a post-mold holding device (315, 415) including the molded article holder (350, 450) and valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620).

Abstract: Disclosed are a mold stack of a molding machine. A cavity insert is provided. The cavity insert comprises a body having: an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a front face of a cavity plate, the mounting flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling channel.

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 machine is provided, including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate, the at least one cavity insert defining a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defining a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided, including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate, the at least one cavity insert defining a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defining a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mold stack of a molding machine. A cavity insert is provided. The cavity insert comprises a body having: an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a front face of a cavity plate, the mounting flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling channel.

Abstract: A molded article picker for use in a treatment device in a molding system, the molded article picker including an orienting seal mount associated with a seal member that permits the seal member to re-orient as required to seal with a molded article.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided, including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate, the at least one cavity insert defining a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defining a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mold including a first mold half, a second mold half and a retainer plate. The first and second mold halves are configured to open and close. The first and second mold halves are configured to capture a molded part therebetween when closed. The retainer plate is positioned between the first and second mold halves and defines an aperture having a first aperture portion that is sized to prevent the pass-through of the molded part, and a second aperture portion that is sized to permit the pass-through of the molded part during opening of the first and second mold halves. The retainer plate is movable to control which of the first and second aperture portions is aligned with the molded part.

Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided, including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate, the at least one cavity insert defining a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defining a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mold and a method of using the mold. The mold includes a first mold half, a second mold half and a stripper assembly. The first mold half defines a first mold half molding structure. The first and second mold halves are openable and closable along a mold opening axis. The second mold half includes a first sub-assembly defining a first sub-assembly molding structure and a second sub-assembly defining a second sub-assembly molding structure. The first and second sub-assembly molding structures are each matable with the first mold half molding structure to define a mold cavity. The first and second sub-assemblies are at least partially independently movable along the mold opening axis. The stripper assembly includes first and second split inserts. The first and second split inserts are movable along a stripper assembly axis that is normal to the mold opening axis.

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: 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.