Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a nozzle with a nozzle body having inner and outer flow channels, and at least one intermediate flow channel in between. A valve stem is slideable in the inner flow channel and moveable between open and closed positions. In a first closed position, the valve stem blocks an outlet of the inner flow channel but not outlets of the outer or at least one intermediate flow channels. In the open position, melt exiting the at least one intermediate flow channel simultaneously intersect melt exiting the outer and inner flow channels. The flow channels may be arranged concentrically. The outlets of the flow channel may be separated by a knife edge. The outlets of the flow channels may be adjacent to one another. The inner and outer flow channels may be substantially perpendicular to one another, but not to the at least one intermediate flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a nozzle with a nozzle body having inner and outer flow channels, and at least one intermediate flow channel in between. A valve stem is slideable in the inner flow channel and moveable between open and closed positions. In a first closed position, the valve stem blocks an outlet of the inner flow channel but not outlets of the outer or at least one intermediate flow channels. In the open position, melt exiting the at least one intermediate flow channel simultaneously intersect melt exiting the outer and inner flow channels. The flow channels may be arranged concentrically. The outlets of the flow channel may be separated by a knife edge. The outlets of the flow channels may be adjacent to one another. The inner and outer flow channels may be substantially perpendicular to one another, but not to the at least one intermediate flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for actuating a valve stem between an open position and a closed position and for taking one or more valve gated nozzle out of service is disclosed. The hot runner includes a valve gated nozzle having a valve stem, the valve stem coupled to a piston that is held against an actuation plate via pressurized air. When a valve stem becomes stuck in a gate of the hot runner, the actuation plate can continue to move while the piston remains stationary. The valve stem may also be protected from an over force situation such as if the valve stem encounters an obstruction as the actuation plate is moving toward the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a post-mold system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for conditioning a molded article (130). The post-mold system comprises a retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) that is configured to retrieve the molded article (130) from a mold (132) and a conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) is configured to be selectively transferable between the retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520) includes a first thermal regulator (140, 240, 440) that is configured to thermally regulate the receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) when connected thereto.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises a manifold plate, a nozzle extending through the manifold plate, and a gate pad. A valve stem is disposed within the nozzle and is movable between a first position in which the valve stem extends through an outlet of the nozzle, and a retracted position. The gate pad has an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with a gate aperture. The inlet end is removably attachable to the manifold plate so that the nozzle is received through the inlet opening and the outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the gate aperture, wherein the valve stem seals the gate aperture in the extended position. The outlet end of the gate pad abuts a mold insert and molding material is delivered from the nozzle to a cavity defined by the mold insert through the gate aperture.

Abstract: An injection molding machine comprises a manifold plate, a nozzle extending through the manifold plate, and a gate pad. A valve stem is disposed within the nozzle and is movable between a first position in which the valve stem extends through an outlet of the nozzle, and a retracted position. The gate pad has an inlet end with an inlet opening and an outlet end with a gate aperture. The inlet end is removably attachable to the manifold plate so that the nozzle is received through the inlet opening and the outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the gate aperture, wherein the valve stem seals the gate aperture in the extended position. The outlet end of the gate pad abuts a mold insert and molding material is delivered from the nozzle to a cavity defined by the mold insert through the gate aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a post-mold system (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for conditioning a molded article (130). The post-mold system comprises a retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) having a receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) that is configured to retrieve the molded article (130) from a mold (132) and a conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) is configured to be selectively transferrable between the retrieval device (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) and the conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520). The conditioning device (120, 320, 420, 520) includes a first thermal regulator (140, 240, 440) that is configured to thermally regulate the receptacle (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) when connected thereto.

Abstract: A mold-tool system (100), comprising: a valve-stem assembly (102) being configured to be: (i) intractable with a valve-actuator assembly (202) while the valve-actuator assembly (202) remains connected with a manifold assembly (614), the manifold assembly (614) being supported by a runner system (600) of a molding system (200); and (ii) removable from the runner system (600) while the valve-actuator assembly (610) remains connected with the manifold assembly (614) inside the runner system (600).

Abstract: Injection molding machine apparatus and method with moving platen injection and ejection actuation is provided for an injection molding machine clamp assembly configured to clamp a relatively movable platen to a relatively stationary platen. Injector structure is coupled to the relatively movable platen and is configured to actuate a molten material injection structure when the relatively movable platen and the relatively stationary platen are closed. Ejector structure is coupled to the relatively movable platen and is configured to actuate a molded article ejection structure when the relatively movable platen and the relatively stationary platen are open.