Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending substantially circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end along a longitudinal axis. The barrel is formed from an injection molding process including aligning a mold die defining an internal shape of the barrel in a molding cavity defining an external shape of the barrel, the molding cavity defined by first and second mold sections. Each mold section includes at least one gate adapted to control the flow of a molding material into the molding cavity. The gates of each mold section are opened to permit the first and second melt streams of molding material to fill the molding cavity surrounding the mold die, where the molding material takes the shape of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A multi-shot injection mold utilizes a minimum of a first shot cavity and a second shot cavity for receiving injected molded plastic to produce a completed multi-component product. In conventional two shot molding, the injection of molten resin, cooling time of such resin, transportation of product to subsequent position and ejection of completed product requires a restrictive sequence. The invention allows flexibility in the sequence to gain efficiency within the molding cycle. The invention uses a three position/station concept which allows each position to act independently of each other. The independent positions allow injection of first shot, injection of second shot and ejection of finished product to occur simultaneously. This effectively removes any additional cycle time required for ejection in the molding cycle.

Abstract: A rotatable platen assembly is adapted to support a mold used in multi-shot plastic injection molding. The platen assembly includes a non-rotatable machine platen having a central bore formed therethrough. A non-rotatable base plate is connected to the machine platen, the base plate having a central opening aligned with the central bore of the machine platen. A rotating plate is adapted to retain a mold thereon. The rotating plate is provided with a rotatable center axle passing through the central opening in the central bore, and a gear mounted for rotation on the axle. A rack system is engageable with the gear for moving the mold rotating plate between a starting position and a finishing position. A shock absorber arrangement is mounted externally of the base plate for dampening the momentum of the rotating plate between the starting position and the finishing position.