Abstract: An injection nozzle that can be used in an injection blow molding system without use of an external heat source comprises a two-piece structure broadly including a structural outer body for coupling the nozzle to a resin manifold and a thermally conductive insert. At least a portion of an axial length of the insert has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of a coinciding coaxial portion of the outer body, such that the differences in the inner and outer diameters present an insulating air gap along at least a portion of the nozzle length. A sufficient operating temperature for hot melt resin can then be obtained without use of the external heat source.

Abstract: An injection nozzle that can be used in an injection blow molding system without use of an external heat source comprises a two-piece structure broadly including a structural outer body for coupling the nozzle to a resin manifold and a thermally conductive insert. At least a portion of an axial length of the insert has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of a coinciding coaxial portion of the outer body, such that the differences in the inner and outer diameters present an insulating air gap along at least a portion of the nozzle length. A sufficient operating temperature for hot melt resin can then be obtained without use of the external heat source.

Abstract: An injection nozzle that can be used in an injection blow molding system without use of an external heat source comprises a two-piece structure broadly including a structural outer body for coupling the nozzle to a resin manifold and a thermally conductive insert. At least a portion of an axial length of the insert has an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of a coinciding coaxial portion of the outer body, such that the differences in the inner and outer diameters present an insulating air gap along at least a portion of the nozzle length. A sufficient operating temperature for hot melt resin can then be obtained without use of the external heat source.

Abstract: Injection molding apparatus has upper and lower mold halves that split along the center line of the parison cavity and the gate passage leading thereto. Each hot melt injection nozzle is received within a tubular insert cup having a reduced diameter tip that is seated within the gate passage. The cup is supported on the lower mold half so as to remain thereon as the upper mold half opens and closes the mold. The base end of each nozzle has a swivel ball and socket relationship with the manifold block which supplies it with hot melt, while the tip end of each injection nozzle is configured to permit swivelling within the insert cup as need be to accommodate dimensional changes that arise during non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction of different parts of the tooling.

Abstract: Injection molding apparatus has upper and lower mold halves that split along the center line of the parison cavity and the gate opening leading thereto. Each hot melt injection nozzle is received within a tubular insert cup having a reduced diameter tip that is seated within the gate opening. The cup is mounted to the lower mold half so as to remain secured thereto as the upper mold half opens and closes the mold. The base end of each nozzle has a swivel ball and socket relationship with the manifold block which supplies it with hot melt, while the tip end of each injection nozzle has a swivel ball and socket type interface with the interior front end of the insert cup, thus providing for dimensional variations in the parts of the tooling that arise during non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction thereof.

Abstract: Injection molding apparatus has upper and lower mold halves that split along the center line of the parison cavity and the gate passage leading thereto. Each hot melt injection nozzle is received within a tubular insert cup having a reduced diameter tip that is seated within the gate passage. The cup is supported on the lower mold half so as to remain thereon as the upper mold half opens and closes the mold. The base end of each nozzle has a swivel ball and socket relationship with the manifold block which supplies it with hot melt, while the tip end of each injection nozzle is configured to permit swivelling within the insert cup as need be to accommodate dimensional changes that arise during non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction of different parts of the tooling.

Abstract: Tooling for the injection station of an injection blow molding machine includes a set of individual mounting bracket assemblies that attach an elongated manifold block to the lower die set of the machine. The relatively slender brackets are designed to have minimal thermal contact with the manifold block without sacrificing stability and structural integrity. Standard sizes of the brackets maybe manufactured in advance to accommodate manifold blocks of different lengths but standard widths.

Abstract: Tooling for the injection station of an injection blow molding machine includes a set of individual mounting bracket assemblies that attach an elongated manifold block to the lower die set of the machine. The relatively slender brackets are designed to have minimal thermal contact with the manifold block without sacrificing stability and structural integrity. Standard sizes of the brackets maybe manufactured in advance to accommodate manifold blocks of different lengths but standard widths.

Abstract: Injection molding apparatus has upper and lower mold halves that split along the center line of the parison cavity and the gate opening leading thereto. Each hot melt injection nozzle is received within a tubular insert cup having a reduced diameter tip that is seated within the gate opening. The cup is mounted to the lower mold half so as to remain secured thereto as the upper mold half opens and closes the mold. The base end of each nozzle has a swivel ball and socket relationship with the manifold block which supplies it with hot melt, while the tip end of each injection nozzle has a swivel ball and socket type interface with the interior front end of the insert cup, thus providing for dimensional variations in the parts of the tooling that arise during non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction thereof.

Abstract: Auxiliary end heating devices on an elongated, heated hot melt distribution manifold body assist in maintaining uniform temperatures throughout all portions and passageways of the manifold body. The heating devices preferably take the form of thick film electrical resistive heaters of plate-like construction. The end heaters are on their own control circuit separate and apart from the circuit for other heaters for remaining portions of the manifold body. Special isolating slots are formed in lower corners of the manifold body between supporting standoffs and overhead melt passageways in the manifold body.

Abstract: An injection manifold has a main runner provided with a supply inlet intermediate opposite ends of the runner. A number of branches intersect with the runner along its length so as to be disposed at unequal distances from the inlet. In order to achieve more simultaneous delivery, uniform fill rate, and identity of temperature of hot melt across all cavities of a multi-cavity set to achieve more uniform cooling of the preforms, restrictor pin assemblies are provided in association with certain of the branches to adjustably constrict the space available for melt flow from the runner into the branch. In a preferred form each restrictor pin assembly includes a pin aligned axially with the branch and passing transversely through the runner, the pin being adjustable between a fully extended, maximum constriction position in which the tip of the pin is located within the branch and a fully retracted, open position in which the tip is withdrawn out of the branch and is spaced below the opening of the branch.

Abstract: Auxiliary end heating devices on an elongated, heated hot melt distribution manifold body assist in maintaining uniform temperatures throughout all portions and passageways of the manifold body. The heating devices preferably take the form of thick film electrical resistive heaters of plate-like construction. The end heaters are on their own control circuit separate and apart from the circuit for other heaters for remaining portions of the manifold body. Special isolating slots are formed in lower corners of the manifold body between supporting standoffs and overhead melt passageways in the manifold body.

Abstract: Auxiliary end heating devices on an elongated, heated hot melt distribution manifold body assist in maintaining uniform temperatures throughout all portions and passageways of the manifold body. The heating devices preferably take the form of thick film electrical resistive heaters of plate-like construction. The end heaters are on their own control circuit separate and apart from the circuit for other heaters for remaining portions of the manifold body. Special isolating slots are formed in lower corners of the manifold body between supporting standoffs and overhead melt passageways in the manifold body.

Abstract: Auxiliary end heating devices on an elongated, heated hot melt distribution manifold body assist in maintaining uniform temperatures throughout all portions and passageways of the manifold body. The heating devices preferably take the form of thick film electrical resistive heaters of plate-like construction. The end heaters are on their own control circuit separate and apart from the circuit for other heaters for remaining portions of the manifold body. Special isolating slots are formed in lower corners of the manifold body between supporting standoffs and overhead melt passageways in the manifold body.

Abstract: An injection manifold has a main runner provided with a supply inlet intermediate opposite ends of the runner. A number of branches intersect with the runner along its length so as to be disposed at unequal distances from the inlet. In order to achieve more simultaneous delivery, uniform fill rate, and identity of temperature of hot melt across all cavities of a multi-cavity set to achieve more uniform cooling of the preforms, restrictor pin assemblies are provided in association with certain of the branches to adjustably constrict the space available for melt flow from the runner into the branch. In a preferred form each restrictor pin assembly includes a pin aligned axially with the branch and passing transversely through the runner, the pin being adjustable between a fully extended, maximum constriction position in which the tip of the pin is located within the branch and a fully retracted, open position in which the tip is withdrawn out of the branch and is spaced below the opening of the branch.

Abstract: The take-out device for use with a machine for injection molding plastic articles such as PET preforms has a plurality of cooling tubes that receive hot preforms from the molding machine, carry them to a position remote from the molds of the machine for cooling, and then eject the cooled preforms onto a conveyor or other handling apparatus. The preforms are retained within the cooling tubes by vacuum pressure, but are then ejected by positive air pressure. A retaining plate spaced slightly outwardly beyond the outer ends of the cooling tubes is shiftable into a closed position in which it momentarily blocks ejection of the preforms during the application positive air pressure, yet allows them to be dislodged slightly axially outwardly from the tubes. Such slight dislodging movement is inadequate to vent the air system to atmosphere such that sufficient dislodging air pressure remains in tubes where the preforms might otherwise tend to stick and resist ejection.