Abstract: A method is provided of cleaning of a portion of a mold component, the portion of the mold component including a passage configured, in use, to allow passage of fluid and to prevent passage of melt, the method comprising: entering the mold component into a cleaning configuration, whereby a portion of the passage becomes part of a molding surface; performing a molding cycle to fill in at least the portion of the passage with molding material for incorporation and removal of a residue there from. Also provided is a mold having a first mold half and a second mold half, the halves being movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A preform (200, 300, 400, 500, 800a, 800b, 900, 1000) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped article is provided. The preform (200, 300, 400, 5000, 800a, 800b) comprises a neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); a gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506); and a body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) extending between the gate portion (206, 306, 406, 506) and the neck portion (202, 302, 402, 502); the body portion (204, 304, 404, 504) defining: a first portion (210, 310, 410, 510, 810), a second portion (212, 312, 412, 512, 812) and a third portion (214, 314, 414, 514, 814), the second portion being disposed in-between the first portion and the third portion located in sequence along one of: (i) substantially the whole circumference of the body portion and (ii) substantially the whole length of the body portion; one of the first portion, second portion and the third portion having a stretch ratio different that at least one of the other ones of the first portion, the second portion and the third portion.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system, a method and an apparatus for configuring an end of arm tool within a molding environment. The end of arm tool comprises a base structure attachable, in use, to an actuator of the molding system, the base structure comprising a mounting structure interface; a mounting structure configured to be releasably accepted, in use, within the mounting structure interface; the mounting structure for receiving, in use, a part receptacle; the base structure comprising a service connecting interface configured to connect, in use, a service to the part receptacle via the mounting structure.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a split mold insert for a molding system. A first split mold insert complementary to a second split mold insert, the first and second split mold inserts configured, in use, to form a neck region of a preform capable of being blow-molded. The first split mold insert comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; the top portion for abutting, in use, a cavity plate assembly and the bottom portion being at an opposite extreme relative to the top portion; a back portion and a face portion opposite each other, extending between the top and bottom portions, the face portion defining a molding surface defining portion for forming, in use, at least a portion of the neck region of the preform; the back portion comprising a connecting interface for connecting, in use, to a slide bar.

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: A mold insert retaining structure including a retainer plate connectable, in use, to a mold plate with a spring-clamp, a complementary bayonet structure defined on the retainer plate and a mold insert for providing a twistable interconnection therebetween, a portion of the mold insert clamped between the retainer plate and the mold plate.

Abstract: An air ring is provided for a stripper plate assembly. The air ring is removably situated within bores defined in the stripper plate. An air manifold is also defined within the stripper plate, which is connected to a pressurized air source for communication of a pressurized air flow to each of the bores air ducts within each air ring direct the pressurized air flow from the air manifold towards a preferred location on the molded article that passed through the air ring.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a slide bar for slidably linking a split mold insert to a first mold half of an injection mold for forming a preform capable of being blow-molded into a container. The slide bar comprises a base structure defining a first slide interface for linking the base structure to an actuating bar of the injection mold; a second slide interface for receiving the split mold insert; a third slide interface for cooperating with a locking structure of the first mold half of the injection mold; the second slide interface and the third slide interface formed on opposing extremes of the base structure.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a split mold insert for a molding system. A first split mold insert complementary to a second split mold insert, the first and second split mold inserts configured, in use, to form a neck region of a preform capable of being blow-molded. The first split mold insert comprises a top portion and a bottom portion; the top portion for abutting, in use, a cavity plate assembly and the bottom portion being at an opposite extreme relative to the top portion; a back portion and a face portion opposite each other, extending between the top and bottom portions, the face portion defining a molding surface defining portion for forming, in use, at least a portion of the neck region of the preform; the back portion comprising a connecting interface for connecting, in use, to a slide bar.

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: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system, a method and an apparatus for configuring an end of arm tool within a molding environment. The end of arm tool comprises a base structure attachable, in use, to an actuator of the molding system, the base structure comprising a mounting structure interface; a mounting structure configured to be releasably accepted, in use, within the mounting structure interface; the mounting structure for receiving, in use, a part receptacle; the base structure comprising a service connecting interface configured to connect, in use, a service to the part receptacle via the mounting structure.