Abstract: A coinjection molding apparatus is disclosed that provides a skin material melt stream and a core material melt stream to a nozzle. A nozzle tip of the nozzle defines a central skin material melt passage for receiving the skin material melt stream, an annular core material melt passage for receiving the core material melt stream and an annular outer layer melt passage, which receives a portion of the skin material melt stream from the central skin material melt passage. The skin material melt stream from the central skin material melt passage forms an inner layer of a molded article, the core material melt stream from the core material melt passage forms a core layer of the molded article, and the skin material melt stream from the outer layer melt passage forms an outer layer of the molded article, wherein the three melt streams combine prior to entering a mold cavity.

Abstract: Breakable mechanical connections connect valve pins to an actuated valve pin plate of an injection molding apparatus. The valve pin plate can move the valve pins between opened positions and closed positions of associated mold gates. Each breakable mechanical connection can be independently or singularly destroyed or broken to free a respective valve pin from the valve pin plate.

Abstract: A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. At least one shut-off valve is disposed within the second nozzle. The shut-off valve is associated with an outwardly extending melt passage and switchable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: One or more nozzles define separate nozzle channels. The nozzles are coupled to a manifold, so that each of the nozzle channels communicates with a different mold gate. A molding material distribution insert is coupled to the manifold and has a body defining a distribution channel and a plurality of drop channels equal in number to the nozzle channels. The distribution channel is an open distribution channel formed on an outer surface of the body and enclosed by the manifold. The drop channels intersect the distribution channel and exit the body at a different one of the nozzle channels. A valve pin bushing can extend into the drop channels. Valve pins can extend from actuators, through the valve pin bushing and the drop channels, and to the mold gates. A valve pin holder can be coupled to the actuator and coupled to heads of the valve pins.

Abstract: One or more nozzles define separate nozzle channels. The nozzles are coupled to a manifold, so that each of the nozzle channels communicates with a different mold gate. A molding material distribution insert is coupled to the manifold and has a body defining a distribution channel and a plurality of drop channels equal in number to the nozzle channels. The distribution channel is an open distribution channel formed on an outer surface of the body and enclosed by the manifold. The drop channels intersect the distribution channel and exit the body at a different one of the nozzle channels. A valve pin bushing can extend into the drop channels. Valve pins can extend from actuators, through the valve pin bushing and the drop channels, and to the mold gates. A valve pin holder can be coupled to the actuator and coupled to heads of the valve pins.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. A shut-off valve is disposed within a bore in the second nozzle. The bore intersects with one of the outwardly extending melt passages.

Abstract: One or more nozzles define separate nozzle channels. The nozzles are coupled to a manifold, so that each of the nozzle channels communicates with a different mold gate. A molding material distribution insert is coupled to the manifold and has a body defining a distribution channel and a plurality of drop channels equal in number to the nozzle channels. The distribution channel is an open distribution channel formed on an outer surface of the body and enclosed by the manifold. The drop channels intersect the distribution channel and exit the body at a different one of the nozzle channels. A valve pin bushing can extend into the drop channels. Valve pins can extend from actuators, through the valve pin bushing and the drop channels, and to the mold gates. A valve pin holder can be coupled to the actuator and coupled to heads of the valve pins.

Abstract: A nozzle has a valve pin for controlling flow of molding material through a nozzle melt passage. An actuator has a stationary part and a movable part. The actuator further has an extending rod connected to the movable part thereof and a block connected to the rod, the block being movable with the moveable part of the actuator. A pivoting linkage element is rotatably connected to the block of the actuator and is connected to the valve pin of the nozzle. The pivoting linkage element moves the valve pin in response to movement of the movable part of the actuator. A bracket is connected to the stationary part of the actuator. Two sensors are connected to the bracket for detecting different positions of the block. The sensors may be air proximity sensors.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. At least one shut-off valve is disposed within the second nozzle. The shut-off valve is associated with an outwardly extending melt passage and switchable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a first nozzle having a first nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with a manifold melt channel, and a second nozzle having a second nozzle melt channel in fluid communication with the first nozzle melt channel. A nozzle link is provided between the first nozzle and the second nozzle and includes a nozzle link melt passage for fluidly coupling the first nozzle melt channel and the second nozzle melt channel. The second nozzle includes a plurality of outwardly extending melt passages in fluid communication with the second nozzle melt channel. The outwardly extending melt passages deliver melt to a plurality of mold cavities through a plurality of respective gate seals and mold gates. A shut-off valve is disposed within a bore in the second nozzle. The bore intersects with one of the outwardy extending melt passages.