Abstract: A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.

Abstract: A latching device (20) for a mold assembly (10) uses a cam action to hold the “A” side plate against the hot runner system/nozzle plate (18) during operation. Preferably, a latch (20) is provided on each side of the mold to effectively hold the “A” side plate against the nozzle plate (18) during the high pressure injection of plastic melt. For purposes of a mold insert change, each latch (20) is rotated to release the “A” side plate from the nozzle plate (18), and hold the “A” side plate against the “B” side plate. This enables the “A” (12) and “B” (14) portions of the mold assembly to be moved away from the nozzle plate (18), thereby avoiding interference of the hot runner nozzles and “A” side insert and enabling quick mold insert change.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has multiple piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a stationary cylinder that contains a movable cylinder having multiple inner chambers separated by stationary inner pistons. The inner chambers are in fluid communication with extension and retraction ports provided in the stationary cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n” piston surface(s) to retract the movable cylinder. Introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n+1” piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameters of the cylinders and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has multiple piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a stationary cylinder that contains a movable cylinder having multiple inner chambers separated by stationary inner pistons. The inner chambers are in fluid communication with extension and retraction ports provided in the stationary cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n” piston surface(s) to retract the movable cylinder. Introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n+1” piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameters of the cylinders and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A latching device (20) for a mold assembly (10) uses a cam action to hold the “A” side plate against the hot runner system/nozzle plate (18) during operation. Preferably, a latch (20) is provided on each side of the mold to effectively hold the “A” side plate against the nozzle plate (18) during the high pressure injection of plastic melt. For purposes of a mold insert change, each latch (20) is rotated to release the “A” side plate from the nozzle plate (18), and hold the “A” side plate against the “B” side plate. This enables the “A” (12) and “B” (14) portions of the mold assembly to be moved away from the nozzle plate (18), thereby avoiding interference of the hot runner nozzles and “A” side insert and enabling quick mold insert change.

Abstract: A flow nozzle designed to convey plastic melt from the injection unit of a molding machine to a mold cavity. The flow nozzle includes a nozzle body having a central plastic melt passageway, with a recess at an outermost end to receive a tip member. Positioned around the tip member and the recess of the nozzle body is a seal member made from a deformable material. A compression cap is threadedly carried on the outermost end of the nozzle body and is tightened on the nozzle body to force the seal member against the tip member and the nozzle body recess to provide a seal therebetween.

Abstract: In a thermal plastic molding device, a thermal insulator is provided between the nozzle assembly and the surrounding plates. Preferably, the insulator is a ceramic material, such as zirconia oxide, which is sprayed on in a thin coating, preferably in the range of 0.007-0.012 inches. Alternatively, other nonmetallic coatings can be used, or the insulator can be provided as a ring around the nozzle assembly instead of as a coating. A coating can be applied either to the plate or to the nozzle assembly. A protective coating, preferably a metal, is sprayed or plated over the ceramic insulator.