Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying vibration and/or oscillation to melt within an injection mold includes at least one stable surface within the mold, at least one movable surface within the mold, at least one active material element affixed to each stable surface, and adjacent to each movable surface. In use, a control means repeatedly energizes the at least one active material element, wherein the repeated energizing of the at least one active material element generates vibration and/or oscillation in the melt. In the method, at least one active material element is activated intermittently to move the at least one movable surface with respect to the at least one fixed surface. In the apparatus, a wiring conduit is coupled to the active material insert, and is configured to carry vibration signals to the at least one active material element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system. The system includes a mold-moving assembly that is cooperative with an insert-forming station to form an insert at least in part. The mold-moving assembly is also cooperative with an overmolding station to overmold another insert previously formed by the insert-forming station in cooperation with the mold-moving assembly. The mold-moving assembly, when so actuated, moves inserts between the insert-forming station and the overmolding station. Operation of the insert-forming station and operation of the overmolding station overlap one another at least in part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molding system. According to an aspect, the molding system includes molding-system elements configured to process a molding material. The molding system includes a mold surface configured to cooperate with the molding-system elements. The molding system also includes a fibrous-insert generating mechanism configured to generate a fibrous insert onto the mold surface. The mold surface, in use, encapsulates the fibrous insert received by the mold surface with the molding material, at least in part.

Abstract: Platen-mounted, post-mold cooling apparatus and method includes structure and/or steps for handling molded parts in an injection molding machine having a fixed platen, a moving platen, a core half, and a cavity half. A take off device coupled to the fixed platen is configured to remove molded parts from either the core half or the cavity half. A cooling device coupled to the moving platen is configured to cool the molded parts carried by the take off device. Preferably, the take off device extracts the just molded parts from the mold's core half and then moves linearly outboard of the mold halves. The subsequent movement of the moving platen to close the mold in the next molding cycle causes the cooling device's pins to engage the molded parts in the take off device part carriers. When the moving platen opens again, the molded parts are extracted from the part carriers by the cooling device pins. When the moving platen is fully open, the cooling device is rotated to eject the cooled parts from the machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an injection mold having a first surface and a second surface includes an active material element configured to be disposed between the first surface and a second surface. The active material element may be configured to sense a force between the first surface and the second surface, and to generate corresponding sense signals. Transmission structure is coupled to the active material element and is configured to carry the sense signals. Preferably, an active material element actuator is also disposed between the first surface and a second surface, and is configured to provide an expansive force between the first surface and a second surface in accordance with the sense signals. The method and apparatus may be used to counter undesired deflection and/or misalignment in an injection mold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying vibration and/or oscillation to melt within an injection mold includes at least one stable surface within the mold, at least one movable surface within the mold, at least one active material element affixed to each stable surface, and adjacent to each movable surface. In use, a control means repeatedly energizes the at least one active material element, wherein the repeated energizing of the at least one active material element generates vibration and/or oscillation in the melt. In the method, at least one active material element is activated intermittently to move the at least one movable surface with respect to the at least one fixed surface. In the apparatus, a wiring conduit is coupled to the active material insert, and is configured to carry vibration signals to the at least one active material element.

Abstract: Post mold cooling apparatus and method having transverse movement preferably includes structure and/or steps for cooling a plurality of plastic articles molded on a row of mold cores. A post mold cooling device is provided having (i) a first row of cooling tubes configured to hold a first plurality of the molded plastic articles, and (ii) a second row of cooling tubes configured to hold a second plurality of the molded plastic articles. A cooling station is disposed adjacent the cooling device and is configured to provide a cooling fluid to an interior of both the first and second pluralities of molded articles inside the respective first and second rows of cooling tubes.

Abstract: Post mold cooling apparatus and method having transverse movement preferably includes structure and/or steps for cooling a plurality of plastic articles molded on a row of mold cores. A post mold cooling device is provided having (i) a first row of cooling tubes configured to hold a first plurality of the molded plastic articles, and (ii) a second row of cooling tubes configured to hold a second plurality of the molded plastic articles. A cooling station is disposed adjacent the cooling device and is configured to provide a cooling fluid to an interior of both the first and second pluralities of molded articles inside the respective first and second rows of cooling tubes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling molded plastic pieces preferably includes a take out structure/step configured to hold the plurality of plastic parts oriented such that closed ends thereof are disposed toward an inside of the take out structure and open ends thereof are disposed toward an outside of the take out structure. A movement structure/step is configured to cause relative movement between the take out structure and at least one of a first cooling station and a second cooling station. The first cooling station includes a first cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof. The second cooling station includes a second cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling molded plastic pieces preferably includes a take out structure/step configured to hold the plurality of plastic parts oriented such that closed ends thereof are disposed toward an inside of the take out structure and open ends thereof are disposed toward an outside of the take out structure. A movement structure/step is configured to cause relative movement between the take out structure and at least one of a first cooling station and a second cooling station. The first cooling station includes a first cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof. The second cooling station includes a second cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of the present invention includes a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and a rotatable turret block rotatable on an axis for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves thereof into alignment with the first mold half. Each of the movable mold halves include one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core matable with the first mold half for forming a mold for molding a molded article. The rotatable turret block is further for clamping the movable mold halves and the first mold half together. The machine further includes a mechanism for moving the rotatable turret block relative the first mold half a first injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of the present invention includes a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and a rotatable turret block rotatable on an axis for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves thereof into alignment with the first mold half. Each of the movable mold halves include one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core matable with the first mold half for forming a mold for molding a molded article. The rotatable turret block is further for clamping the movable mold halves and the first mold half together. The machine further includes a mechanism for moving the rotatable turret block relative the first mold half, a first injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity, to form an injected article and a second injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity over the injected article to form an injected article having at least two layers.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of the present invention includes a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and a rotatable turret block rotatable on an axis for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves thereof into alignment with the first mold half. Each of the movable mold halves include one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core matable with the first mold half for forming a mold for molding a molded article. The rotatable turret block is further for clamping the movable mold halves and the first mold half together. The machine further includes a mechanism for moving the rotatable turret block relative the first mold half a first injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of the present invention includes a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and a rotatable turret block rotatable on an axis for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves thereof into alignment with the first mold half. Each of the movable mold halves include one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core matable with the first mold half for forming a mold for molding a molded article. The rotatable turret block is further for clamping the movable mold halves and the first mold half together. The machine further includes a mechanism for moving the rotatable turret block relative the first mold half a first injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding plastic articles including oscillating the molten plastic in the mold cavity. The method and apparatus is particularly suitable for use with a plurality of mold cavities supplied from a single feeding means or extruder. The disclosure teaches alternately feeding molten plastic to the mold cavity from at least one shooting pot while the flow of molten plastic to the mold cavity from the feeding means is discontinued.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding plastic articles including oscillating the molten plastic in the mold cavity. The method and apparatus is particularly suitable for use with a plurality of mold cavities supplied from a single feeding means or extruder. The disclosure teaches alternately feeding molten plastic to the mold cavity from at least one shooting pot while the flow of molten plastic to the mold cavity from the feeding means is discontinued.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding plastic articles including oscillating the molten plastic in the mold cavity. The method and apparatus is particularly suitable for use with a plurality of mold cavities supplied from a single feeding means or extruder. The disclosure teaches alternately feeding molten plastic to the mold cavity from shooting pots while the flow of molten plastic to the mold cavity from the feeding means is discontinued.