Abstract: The present invention relates to improved gripper bushing assemblies for use with injection molds, molding machines and other devices. In a first embodiment, the gripper bushing assemblies include an elongated flexible gripping sleeve positioned about a column member such as a tiebar. The sleeve is secured to a member such as a moving platen and is used to clamp the platen to the tiebar in a desired location. The gripper bushing assemblies further include one or more spacers intermediate the sleeve and the platen. The spacers engage the sleeve via a mechanical interlock. The sleeve and spacer(s) are capable of accommodating tiebar stretching which may occur as a result of clamping forces being applied to the mold via the platen. In a second embodiment, the spacer(s) are omitted and the gripping sleeve has a male thread which engages a female thread on the platen.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation having a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation having a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation.

Abstract: A stack mold apparatus for forming plastic articles is described. The apparatus includes an insulated runner system for delivering molten plastic material to the mold spaces for forming the parts. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for ejecting the solidified material of the runner when it becomes necessary to change the plastic material being used. In a first embodiment, the ejector mechanism has a pair of movable plates that form part of the central mold portion of the stack mold. In a second embodiment, the ejector mechanism has a movable plate, forming half of the central mold portion, having sucker pins and ejector bars incorporated therein.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation including a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation is disclosed having a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation. Means are provided for sequentially and selectively injecting molten plastic to the injection molds in an overlapping cycle.

Abstract: Injection molding machines for making plastic articles having a stack mold arrangement frequently suffer from the problem of unbalanced forces. Various novel techniques for counteracting and/or avoiding the production of these forces are disclosed. These techniques include the use of latches to lock an injection nozzle to a sprue bar, the use of shutters to lock the sprue bar to a stationary platen, the use of a force compensator in a moving stack mold half, and the use of an injection nozzle axially offset from the sprue bar.

Abstract: The method and apparatus includes an injection molding assembly including a mold, a core and a mold cavity therebetween wherein said mold cavity has a base, a peripheral area of said base and a central area of said base, at least two injection gates for injecting plastic material into said mold cavity situated adjacent the peripheral area of the mold cavity in a substantially balanced fashion, a source for injecting plastic material through the injection gates whereby molten plastic advances from the injection gates in the mold cavity to force gas in advance of the plastic and to stabilize the core, and means for venting the gas from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A high strength impact resistant hull structure including method of manufacture is disclosed having inner and outer skins wherein the outer skin comprises a plurality of wearstrips keyed to one another and keyed to the inner skin.

Abstract: An injection molding machine including an injection unit and a central movable platen supporting exterior manifold sections communicating with mold halves. The mold halves are clamped along a first axis and the injection unit is clamped to the platen along a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: Method for coinjecting a plurality of thermoplastic materials to mold an article having a layered wall structure using thermoplastic material having different optimum processing temperatures including the maintenance of the optimum temperatures in flow paths individual to each material from its source to a mold cavity.

Abstract: A reinforced water craft hull structure is disclosed having primary and secondary hull skins predominantly in the region of the hull bottom where the secondary skin functions as an armor or sheathing protecting the primary skin. The primary and secondary skins overlay one another and are connected mechanically so that the skins are movable relative to one another when wear and tear on the secondary skin requires renewal or replacement.

Abstract: An injection molding machine and method of operation having a plurality of accessory arrangements for molding a plurality of piece parts in efficient overlapping time cycle using primary and secondary molten plastic injection units, primary and secondary clamping units, a plurality of injection units in various arrays including molding piece parts in reverse or uniform orientation.

Abstract: A multi-cavity mold in combination with a hot runner system wherein the hot runner system includes metering means individual to each mold cavity for feeding precisely measured quantities of thermoplastic material to each cavity.

Abstract: Method for tri-injecting a plurality of thermoplastic materials to mold an article having a layered wall structure using thermoplastic materials having different optimum processing temperatures including the maintenance of the optimum temperatures in flow paths individual to each material from its source at least to the injection nozzle. At least two of the nozzle channels are insulated to prevent heat transfer and to maintain the temperature of the thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing molded plastic articles which is capable of simultaneously producing and cooling the plastic articles. The apparatus has a stationary mold half having at least one cavity, at least two mating mold portions, each having at least one core element, mounted to a movable carrier plate which aligns a first one of the mating mold portions with the stationary mold half and positions a second of the mating mold portions in a cooling position, a device for cooling the molded plastic article(s) when in the cooling position, and a device for moving the carrier plate along a first axis so that the aligned mold portion abuts the stationary mold half and the second mating mold portion simultaneously brings each plastic article(s) thereon into contact with the cooling device. The carrier plate is also rotatable about an axis parallel to the first axis to permit different ones of the mating mold portions to assume the aligned position during different molding cycles.

Abstract: An amphibious boat hull is disclosed having at least three co-extensive, longitudinally disposed hull sections in which at least two sections, in a projected condition, have sufficient buoyancy to support the overall boat independently of the third hull section when the boat is moored or underway.

Abstract: Apparatus for tri-injecting a plurality of thermoplastic materials to mold an article having a layered wall structure using thermoplastic materials having different optimum processing temperatures including the maintenance of the optimum temperatures in flow paths individual to each material from its source at least to the injection nozzle.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves transferring plastic parisons from a receiving station to a finishing station on a plurality of pallets in a single row for forming said parisons into hollow plastic articles. The pallets with parisons thereon are transported through a temperature conditioning means for temperature conditioning said parisons to render same suitable for forming into said hollow plastic articles at the finishing station.

Abstract: A clamp mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking a first member in a first position relative to a second member comprises a linkage system connecting the first and second members and drive means for articulating the linkage system for moving the first member relative to the second member. A fluid link is provided for locking the first member in position relative to the second member wherein the fluid link is actuated upon sensing the first member approaching the first position.