Abstract: A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A nozzle retaining clip for retaining a nozzle assembly with a material distributing manifold comprises an attachment portion for attaching the clip to the manifold and an engagement portion for engaging a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold. Two clips located to engage opposite sides of a nozzle assembly abutted to the manifold member are effective to retain the nozzle assembly and to allow the manifold and nozzle assembly to move relative to one another while the clips and nozzle assembly remain engaged. A first alternative clip achieves only surface contact and a second alternative clip allows protrusion of a segment of a nozzle assembly periphery through the clip. Advantageously, the clip comprises at least one locating tap to restrain movement of the clip relative to a manifold. An apparatus for injection molding comprises a manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprising clips in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: An adaptor bushing for an injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, a nozzle assembly and a nozzle retention device, comprises: (i) a bushing passage for fluid communication between a passage of the manifold and a nozzle passage; (ii) at least one transition region joining portions of the bushing passage; and, (iii) at least one alignment surface effective to (a) align longitudinal centerlines of the bushing passage, manifold passage and nozzle passage and (b) eliminate or reduce relative tilt of the adaptor bushing, nozzle assembly and manifold so that with the adaptor bushing clamped between the manifold and nozzle assembly, leakage of material at the interfaces of the bushing passage with the manifold passage and nozzle passage is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level under normal operating conditions. A manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprises an adaptor bushing interposed between a manifold passage and a nozzle passage.

Abstract: An adaptor bushing for an injection molding apparatus comprising a manifold, a nozzle assembly and a nozzle retention device, comprises: (i) a bushing passage for fluid communication between a passage of the manifold and a nozzle passage; (ii) at least one transition region joining portions of the bushing passage; and, (iii) at least one alignment surface effective to (a) align longitudinal centerlines of the bushing passage, manifold passage and nozzle passage and (b) eliminate or reduce relative tilt of the adaptor bushing, nozzle assembly and manifold so that with the adaptor bushing clamped between the manifold and nozzle assembly, leakage of material at the interfaces of the bushing passage with the manifold passage and nozzle passage is eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level under normal operating conditions. A manifold and nozzle assembly construction comprises an adaptor bushing interposed between a manifold passage and a nozzle passage.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for selectably conveying material in a flowable condition to a cavity of a mold assembly comprises a nozzle body, a removable nozzle tip, a valve pin member extending through the nozzle body and having a tip end for selectably forming a seal with a valve seat to selectably prevent passage of material into the mold cavity and a pin guide for guiding the valve pin member, the pin guide being partially received within the nozzle tip and partially received within the nozzle body and having at least one alignment surface on the exterior thereof and cooperating with an aligning surface of the nozzle body to align the pin guide relative to the nozzle body and with an aligning surface of the nozzle tip to align the nozzle tip relative to the pin guide whereby the nozzle tip is aligned relative to the nozzle body.

Abstract: A sprue bar nozzle assembly for controlling flow of melt through conduits of a mold assembly for injection molding comprises a sprue bar extension and nozzle, the sprue bar extension comprising means for adjusting the overall length of the sprue bar nozzle assembly and the nozzle comprising a nose comprising a seating surface for mating engagement with a mating surface of a mating segment of a melt conveying conduit and a slide valve, an open position of the slide valve permitting melt to flow through the sprue bar nozzle assembly and a closed position preventing melt from flowing through the sprue bar nozzle assembly, the slide valve being biased to a closed position by a biasing means and being driven to the open position by forces applied to the nose of the nozzle as a result of closure of an associated mold assembly.

Abstract: An expansion nozzle for conducting melt from a floating manifold to a mold assembly comprises a bushing having a bushing flange and spigot having a passage therethrough joining a nozzle inlet and an outlet, a head having a seating surface and a bore through the head slidably receiving the spigot so that the spigot is movable relative to the head over a range from abutting contact of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange to a limit of axial separation of the opposing surfaces, axial separation of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange being maintained throughout an operating temperature range. Springs maintain sealing contact of a seating surface of the head with a mating surface of the mold assembly. Advantageously, a locating ring provides a reaction surface for the springs and supports the head to resist moments arising from axial misalignment of the expansion nozzle and mold assembly.

Abstract: A nozzle controls flow of melt in injection molding equipment by passive actuation with opening and closing of a mold assembly. The nozzle comprises a valve pin having a pin passage therethrough movably supported within a nozzle passage and a contact arm transverse to and extending beyond the nozzle passage, the valve pin sealingly engaging the nozzle passage. Biasing means biases the valve pin to a closed position preventing passage of melt through the nozzle. The contact arm effects movement of the valve pin to an open position when closing of the mold assembly exerts a force on the contact arm to overcome the biasing means. A mold arrangement of plural mold assemblies comprises pairs of nozzles of the invention to control flow of melt through mating conduit segments between an injection unit and at least one mold assembly, the nozzles arranged and configured for seating engagement with abutment of the conduit segments.

Abstract: A nozzle for controlling flow of melt in a mold assembly comprises a valve pin guide interposed between a nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet, a valve pin movably supported thereby, and a contact arm engaging the valve pin and transverse to and passing through the valve pin guide. Biasing means acting on the contact arm hold the valve pin in a position preventing flow of melt. As the mold assembly closes, forces exerted on the contact arm overcome the biasing means and allow the valve pin to move to a position permitting flow of melt. Relief of pressure of retained melt is effected when force therefrom exerted on the valve pin exceeds an adjustable pre-load of the biasing means. The nozzle advantageously comprises an inlet bushing movably supported by the nozzle body enabling adjustment of the overall length of the nozzle to accommodate a range of spacing of elements of the mold assembly.

Abstract: An expansion nozzle for conducting melt from a floating manifold to a mold assembly comprises a bushing having a bushing flange and spigot having a passage therethrough joining a nozzle inlet and an outlet, a head having a seating surface and a bore through the head slidably receiving the spigot so that the spigot is movable relative to the head over a range from abutting contact of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange to a limit of axial separation of the opposing surfaces, axial separation of opposing surfaces of the head and bushing flange being maintained throughout an operating temperature range. Springs maintain sealing contact of a seating surface of the head with a mating surface of the mold assembly. Advantageously, a locating ring provides a reaction surface for the springs and supports the head to resist moments arising from axial misalignment of the expansion nozzle and mold assembly.

Abstract: A pressure indicating fitting for injection molding equipment comprises a fitting body with a fitting bore therethrough, the fitting body being installed in the equipment with the fitting bore open to the interior of a passage for conveying melt, an indicating member received within the fitting bore and being bonded thereto to be retained in a normal position and being displaced therefrom to an indicating position by force from melt applied to the indicating member sufficient to cause the bond to fail, the indicating position determined by abutting contact of a surface of the indicating member with a surface of the fitting body and exposing a portion of a stem of the indicating member. Advantageously, the indicating member is retained in an indicating position by a press fit between the indicating member and fitting body. An injection molding manifold comprises a pressure indicating fitting in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A sprue bar nozzle assembly for controlling flow of melt through conduits of a mold assembly for injection molding comprises a sprue bar extension and nozzle, the sprue bar extension comprising means for adjusting the overall length of the sprue bar nozzle assembly and the nozzle comprising a nose comprising a seating surface for mating engagement with a mating surface of a mating segment of a melt conveying conduit and a slide valve, an open position of the slide valve permitting melt to flow through the sprue bar nozzle assembly and a closed position preventing melt from flowing through the sprue bar nozzle assembly, the slide valve being biased to a closed position by a biasing means and being driven to the open position by forces applied to the nose of the nozzle as a result of closure of an associated mold assembly.

Abstract: A nozzle controls flow of melt in injection molding equipment by passive actuation with opening and closing of a mold assembly. The nozzle comprises a valve pin having a pin passage therethrough movably supported within a nozzle passage and a contact arm transverse to and extending beyond the nozzle passage, the valve pin sealingly engaging the nozzle passage. Biasing means biases the valve pin to a closed position preventing passage of melt through the nozzle. The contact arm effects movement of the valve pin to an open position when closing of the mold assembly exerts a force on the contact arm to overcome the biasing means. A mold arrangement of plural mold assemblies comprises pairs of nozzles of the invention to control flow of melt through mating conduit segments between an injection unit and at least one mold assembly, the nozzles arranged and configured for seating engagement with abutment of the conduit segments.

Abstract: A nozzle for controlling flow of melt in a mold assembly comprises a valve pin guide interposed between a nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet, a valve pin movably supported thereby, and a contact arm engaging the valve pin and transverse to and passing through the valve pin guide. Biasing means acting on the contact arm hold the valve pin in a position preventing flow of melt. As the mold assembly closes, forces exerted on the contact arm overcome the biasing means and allow the valve pin to move to a position permitting flow of melt. Relief of pressure of retained melt is effected when force therefrom exerted on the valve pin exceeds an adjustable pre-load of the biasing means. The nozzle advantageously comprises an inlet bushing movably supported by the nozzle body enabling adjustment of the overall length of the nozzle to accommodate a range of spacing of elements of the mold assembly.