Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing targeted cooling to a pre-molded article, such as a preform. A cooling pin is inserted into the preform such that it makes contact with targeted area, such as the mold gate area. This permits conductive cooling of the targeted area. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to post-mold cooling in conjunction with a robotic take-out plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing targeted cooling to a pre-molded article, such as a preform. A cooling pin is inserted into the preform such that it makes contact with targeted area, such as the mold gate area. This permits conductive cooling of the targeted area. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to post-mold cooling in conjunction with a robotic take-out plate.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes various devices for reducing injection cycle time. A molded article detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The detection system and method determines if an article, or a portion thereof, remains on a machine core pin after the article ejection cycle has occurred, and, if so, communicates this condition to both the machine controller and the take-out controller. This prevents the machine from starting a new cycle and damaging the injection mold. Also, by communicating the extraction status to both the take-out controller and machine controller, if no articles or portions remain, injection cycle time is reduced. Additionally, a variable vacuum pressure apparatus and method are described. The apparatus and method allows early removal of molded articles from the molds into a take-out plate while the parts are still warm.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. More particularly, the present invention teaches a high speed robot that transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones. Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an innovative cooling pin for cooling molded articles, a system which incorporates same, and a method for cooling a molded article which utilizes the cooling pin. The cooling pin of the present invention has a central pin structure with a head portion, a cooling fluid channel within the central pin structure terminating in an outlet in the head portion, and a plurality of fins positioned along the length of the central pin structure. Adjacent ones of the fins are preferably separated by a spacer. Each of the fins is preferably formed from a flexible material such as a flexible plastic material. The fins force and maintain cooling fluid introduced into the interior of the molded article in close proximity to the interior surfaces of the molded article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for injection molding and cooling molded articles such as preforms so as to avoid crystallinity. The apparatus and method make use of a take-off plate for removing articles from a mold, which plate may include heat transfer devices for cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms, and a system for cooling in a controlled manner interior surfaces of the molded articles or preforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage, post-mold cooling method and apparatus used in conjunction with an injection molding machine having an aggressive cycle time and a high output. The apparatus of the present invention includes a thermal conditioning device/station with cooling tubes for keeping separate the preforms of each batch and effecting cooling of the molded preforms, several separated cooling levels for simultaneously cooling multiple batches of preforms, and internal devices for automatically transferring each batch of molded preforms from one cooling level to the next. In a preferred embodiment, the thermal aconditioning device/station is partially sealed to create a controlled temperature environment for conditioning the molded articles. In another embodiment, the thermal conditioning device/station includes a level for re-heating the preforms.