Abstract: A plastic molding method comprises moving each part of a plurality of parts along a selected one of a plurality of possible paths through dispensing and molding stations of a molding system. A controller tracks an operating state of each station, selects process stations capable of receiving a part for processing; identifies parts capable of processing at the selected process stations, and assigns individual parts to individual process stations.

Abstract: A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

Abstract: A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a nozzle with a nozzle body having inner and outer flow channels, and at least one intermediate flow channel in between. A valve stem is slideable in the inner flow channel and moveable between open and closed positions. In a first closed position, the valve stem blocks an outlet of the inner flow channel but not outlets of the outer or at least one intermediate flow channels. In the open position, melt exiting the at least one intermediate flow channel simultaneously intersect melt exiting the outer and inner flow channels. The flow channels may be arranged concentrically. The outlets of the flow channel may be separated by a knife edge. The outlets of the flow channels may be adjacent to one another. The inner and outer flow channels may be substantially perpendicular to one another, but not to the at least one intermediate flow channel.

Abstract: A plastic molding system comprises: dispensing, pre-shaping and shaping cells and a transport subsystem. The dispensing cell has a station for dispensing a dose of plastic feedstock. The pre-shaping and shaping cells each comprise a plurality of stations for shaping the workpiece into a preform shape and into a final shape, respectively. The transport subsystem advances a workpiece along a selected one of a plurality of process paths to form a molded article. Each of the plurality of process paths is defined by a combination of stations of the dispensing cell, the pre-shaping cell and the shaping cell.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a nozzle with a nozzle body having inner and outer flow channels, and at least one intermediate flow channel in between. A valve stem is slideable in the inner flow channel and moveable between open and closed positions. In a first closed position, the valve stem blocks an outlet of the inner flow channel but not outlets of the outer or at least one intermediate flow channels. In the open position, melt exiting the at least one intermediate flow channel simultaneously intersect melt exiting the outer and inner flow channels. The flow channels may be arranged concentrically. The outlets of the flow channel may be separated by a knife edge. The outlets of the flow channels may be adjacent to one another. The inner and outer flow channels may be substantially perpendicular to one another, but not to the at least one intermediate flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component of a molding system (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a post-mold system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for conditioning a molded article (130). The post-mold system comprises a retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) that is configured to retrieve the molded article (130) from a mold (132) and a conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) is configured to be selectively transferable between the retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520) includes a first thermal regulator (140, 240, 440) that is configured to thermally regulate the receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) when connected thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component of a molding system (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) of a molding system (402) (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030) that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article (120, 220, 320, 420) that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things is a component (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) of a molding system (402) (e.g. mold component, post-mold component, etc.) having a heat dissipater (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030) that is configured to impart a profiled heat removal rate on a selected portion of a molded article (120, 220, 320, 420) that generally matches a heat distribution therein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a post-mold system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for conditioning a molded article (130). The post-mold system comprises a retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) that is configured to retrieve the molded article (130) from a mold (132) and a conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) is configured to be selectively transferrable between the retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520) includes a first thermal regulator (140, 240, 440) that is configured to thermally regulate the receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) when connected thereto.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a nozzle housing (102) having a melt passageway (103) extending from an input end (106) to an output end (108). A valve stem (104) is: (i) slide movable along the melt passageway (103), and (ii) slide supported by the input end (106) and by the output end (108).

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) configured to accommodate a valve stem (104), the mold-tool system (100) comprising: a nozzle assembly (402) having: a nozzle-output end (408) being configured to support, at least in part, slide movement of the valve stem (104).

Abstract: There is provided a neck ring for defining at least a portion of a neck portion of a preform. The neck ring comprises a body having: mounting flange and a molding face, the molding face including a venting structure, the venting structure having: (i) a plurality of air vent grooves for collecting and venting, in use, excess air from a molding cavity as it is being filled with the molding material, and (ii) an air collector groove in fluid communication with the plurality of air vent grooves for providing an evacuation path for the air to be vented from the plurality of air vent grooves.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100) configured to accommodate a valve stem (104), the mold-tool system (100) comprising: a nozzle assembly (402) having: a nozzle-output end (408) being configured to support, at least in part, slide movement of the valve stem (104).

Abstract: There is provided a neck ring for defining at least a portion of a neck portion of a preform. the neck ring comprises a body having: mounting flange and a molding face, the molding face including a venting structure, the venting structure having: (i) a plurality of air vent grooves for collecting and venting, in use, excess air from a molding cavity as it is being filled with the molding material, and (ii) an air collector groove in fluid communication with the plurality of air vent grooves for providing an evacuation path for the air to be vented from the plurality of air vent grooves.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a nozzle housing (102) having a melt passageway (103) extending from an input end (106) to an output end (108). A valve stem (104) is: (i) slide movable along the melt passageway (103), and (ii) slide supported by the input end (106) and by the output end (108).