Abstract: An improved nozzle feed assembly is described. The assembly includes temperature-controlled member, preferably cylindrical in shape, having a closed end and an open end. The open end is fitted with standard threads to facilitate attachment of the nozzle member to the feed barrel of a conventional screw-type molding machine. The nozzle member has an internal temperature controlling means and a plurality of feed outlets positioned on the periphery of the nozzle member near the closed end. The temperature maintained in the nozzle member is sufficiently high to maintain the thermosetting molding material within the nozzle member in a plasticized state and sufficiently low that no substantial curing of the thermosetting molding material takes place. In an alternate mode, the assembly includes a sleeve member positioned around the periphery of the nozzle member and moveable to cover and uncover the feed outlets in the periphery of the nozzle member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding articles of manufacture of resinous materials whereby, the surface of the molded article contains a pile-like texture or structure. The pile-like structure is composed of material of the surface stratum of the article and is formed by the adherence of such material to the surface of the mold cavity wall in which the article is molded and by pulling the article away from the mold cavity wall while at least the surface stratum thereof is in a deformable condition such as a semimolten or plastic state resulting from the elevated temperature thereof caused either by the manner in which it is cooled or by applying heat thereto through the mold cavity wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described. A thermosetting molding material, suitably a synthetic resin composition such as a phenolic molding composition, is initially heated and plasticized. The plasticized mass is passed as a stream through an injection nozzle which is maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. The plasticized mass is next passed through a temperature-controlled manifold maintained at a temperature sufficiently high to keep the mass in a plasticized condition but sufficiently low to avoid any substantial curing or setting-up of the mass. In the manifold the plasticized stream is divided into two or more smaller streams which are passed through a plurality of outlets into a plurality of partially open, heated molds. The mold cavities are maintained at temperatures sufficiently high to cure the thermosetting molding material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding single stems and buds of greenery in flat form projecting from an elongated strip in one continuous piece, softening and curving the flat piece of spaced stems and buds, and then compressing such piece so that the previous flat sections are curved and repositioned to create conically-shaped interfering buds. The method is carried out by the apparatus disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An injector for molding machine capable of operation with a simple mold having few cavities at a total cycle of as little as one to five seconds, thereby accomplishing high speed production with a minimum number of mold cavities; the injector having a nozzle structure so arranged as to minimize heat transfer to the mold whereby the mold may be maintained at a temperature to effect rapid cooling and ejection of the molded part, while the molding material in the nozzle is maintained in a fluid condition; the rapid cycle of operation serving to maintain the desired nozzle temperature, also.

Abstract: A mold suitable for use in simultaneous molding of a large number of articles at a time by hot-runner molding technique. The mold has a hot-runner block in which disposed are a plurality of gates through which the molten resin is delivered to the molding cavities formed in a cavity block which is usually kept at a low temperature. The gate area of the hot-runner block is kept in contact with the cavity block, for the safe deliver of the resin to the molding cavities, in the injection step and, therefore, is cooled by the cavity block. Consequently, when the injection is completed, the gate area has been cooled to such a low temperature as to cause a solidification of the resin in the gate area. The hot-runner block is then separated from the cavity block and brought into contact with a hot gate-temperature recovering block, so that the gates are heated to remelt the solidified resin, before the next batch of injection is performed, so as to recover the fluidity of the resin.

Abstract: Synthetic-resin articles are injection molded with at least one stationary mold cavity on the stationary mold plate being alternately aligned with carriers on the mold-closure plate so that each article is entrainable by this plate into a working station in which, for example, it can be cooled. During the injection molding of one article in the mold cavity defined between the stationary mold half and one of these carriers, a previously molded article is solidified on the other carrier in a working station offset from the stationary mold half. The newly injected mass is retained in the mold cavity only until the surface regions have cooled and set and the plate is then laterally shifted perpendicular to the mold closing direction to carry the article having the set surface regions and still fluid core into a working station while the other carrier, from which the cooled article has been ejected, is aligned with the stationary mold cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injection molding tubular plastic articles around cylindrical core pins at a molding station, for cooling the articles while supported on the core pins, and for then axially stripping the articles from the core pins at an ejection station. The article stripping step is accomplished by a horizontally reciprocable carriage which is selectively moved into and out of vertical alignment with a set of core pins and molded articles positioned at the ejection station. Sectional gripping members on the carriage are radially closable when in alignment with the molded articles, to grasp the articles for their axial removal from the core pins upon the horizontal displacement of the carriage. The stripped articles may be held in a horizontal cantilever position between the gripping members during an operational dwell time for additional cooling subsequent to their removal from the core pins.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus, including a mold having a mold cavity therein defining the outer periphery of a pipe fitting, has a core pin assembly adapted to be positioned in the cavity and which comprises opposing distal core sections whose proximal ends abut an intermediate core section therebetween. The core sections are mutually separable and have passages for accommodating a fluid coolant therein, and when the core sections are assembled, at least certain passages in either or both distal core sections are in fluid intercommunicating relation with passages in the intermediate core section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injection molding tubular plastic articles around cylindrical core pins at a molding station, for cooling the articles while supported on the core pins, and for then axially stripping the articles from the core pins at an ejection station. The article stripping step is accomplished by a horizontally reciprocable carriage which is selectively moved into and out of vertical alignment with a set of core pins and molded articles positioned at the ejection station. Sectional gripping members on the carriage are radially closable when in alignment with the molded articles, to grasp the articles for their axial removal from the core pins upon the horizontal displacement of the carriage. The stripped articles may be held in a horizontal cantilever position between the gripping members during an operational dwell time for additional cooling subsequent to their removal from the core pins.

Abstract: Multi-cavity molds, comparatively small in size and stick-like in shape, are passed through mold inspection station, mold locking station, preheating station, a first orientation station, a molding station, a second orientation station, a curing station, an unlocking station, a molded product ejection station, an insert loading station, and to the inspection station again. The molding station provides means for temperature control of a runner and shothead, facilitating use of thermoset materials, with provision for easy cleaning thereof. Insert loading apparatus is employed where the molded product is to include an insert or inserts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nozzle seal to be used in multi-cavity valve-gated injection molding. A heater cast with a lower nozzle portion is spaced from a cavity plate by an insulating air space and the valve pin reciprocates vertically in the heater cast bore into a gate in the cavity plate. A hollow generally cylindrical nozzle seal is provided across the air space between the lower tip of the nozzle portion and the cavity plate around the gate. The cylindrical seal provides additional heat transfer from the heater to the area of the gate to facilitate operation of the valve pin, particularly seating of the valve pin in the gate, during molding of certain plastic materials with high temperature characteristics. The nozzle seal is formed of a high yield strength titanium alloy and structured to avoid leakage or breakage in this critical area due to high injection pressure and both vertical and lateral relative movement between the nozzle and the cavity plate due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A system for distributing a single stream of plastic into a multiplicity of streams is disclosed. The system includes two members, a plastic receiving member and a plastic discharge member. The receiving and discharge members are connectable in telescoping relationship. The receiving member has a central plastic receiving opening and a plurality of channels extending from said opening. The discharge member has a like number of passages communicating with the channels and terminating in discharge openings adapted to communicate with a mold. Also, internal heaters are provided to heat the plastic.

Abstract: In an injection molding apparatus, wherein a plasticizing chamber has a nozzle attached to one end thereof, with the nozzle having a passageway therein and being in communication with the sprue of a mold, the improvement which constitutes a compact, pneumatically-powered, reciprocable spool-type device having a passageway therein, operated by alternately actuated opposed pistons, interposed between the nozzle and the plasticizing chamber, in one position blocking the communication between the plasticizing chamber and the nozzle and in the other position allowing molten material to enter the nozzle.