Biased, Pressure Responsive Means Patents (Class 425/563)
  • Patent number: 10882233
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen Daniel Ferenc, William Steven Keir, Brandon Douglas White
  • Patent number: 9296138
    Abstract: An injection-molding machine comprising a hot runner, arranged in a manifold, for feeding a melt into a mold, a shut-off needle for optionally closing or opening the hot runner, a piston connected to the needle, is arranged in a housing with an opening and to which a fluid can be applied from both sides, and a covering plate having two fluid feeds, into the opening wherein the covering plate, the hot runner manifold and the housing are arranged in such a way that, at a first temperature of the manifold, a distance remains between the housing and the covering plate and, at a second higher temperature the thermal expansion of the manifold and/or housing causes the housing to come into contact with the covering plate, closing the opening. In a further embodiment, a flexible seal is provided between the housing and the covering plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MHT MOLD & HOTRUNNER TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Stefan Schweininger, Christian Wagner
  • Patent number: 8985997
    Abstract: A valve bushing having an actuator portion and a pin guiding component is disclosed. The actuator portion has a cup-shaped body with a stepped bore that defines a chamber in which a piston for opening and closing a valve gate disposed, and also defines a transfer bore extending through a base portion of the cup-shaped body. A stand-off member elevates the cup-shaped body from the manifold. The pin guiding component defines a sealing bore that extends between a body portion and a boss that extends rearward from the body portion. The boss is received in the transfer bore of the cup-shaped body to define a thermal transfer area between the pin guiding component and the actuator portion that is spaced apart from the manifold, and the actuator portion is located relative to the pin guiding component by engagement between the pin guiding component and the stand-off member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Peter Klobucar, Denis Babin, Fabrice Fairy
  • Patent number: 8974221
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present teachings, a molding machine includes an injection device and a mold. The injection device can inject molten resin. The mold is directly supported by the injection device and defines a cavity for receiving the molten resin injected by the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kensuke Suenami
  • Patent number: 8734146
    Abstract: An improved automatic shutoff nozzle tip which is mounted on the downstream end of a nozzle body of an injection molding machine or the like who's purpose is to act as a passageway for molten plastic fluid allowing the fluid to flow in one direction when urged to open by the pressure created by the forward motion of the plasticizing screw of said molding machine and to close when said pressure is lower than the designed opening pressure. The nozzle, having an convex outwardly extended portion that mates up with a sprue bushing or mold having complimentary convex radii, said nozzle having a orifice on the distal end that mates with a complimentary orifice of said sprue bushing. A nozzle that has a means for attachment to a nozzle body or the like with a rear seat, poppet and spring or similar device who's poppet is normally in the closed position until pressure is applied urging the poppet to move in the downstream direction and providing for a passageway for molten plastic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Michael F Durina
  • Publication number: 20130243901
    Abstract: An edge-gated injection molding apparatus is disclosed having an injection manifold assembly for distributing a melt stream of moldable material to a plurality of mold cavities aligned on opposing sides of the injection manifold assembly. The injection manifold assembly includes a plurality of melt outlets with each melt outlet being in fluid communication with a respective mold cavity, and a plurality of biasing components disposed along a centerline of the injection manifold assembly. A nozzle seal is disposed between each injection manifold assembly melt outlet and its corresponding mold cavity, with an upstream end of the nozzle seal being slidably disposed against its respective melt outlet. Each biasing component is disposed between a pair of melt outlets and corresponding nozzle seals for biasing the melt outlets and nozzle seals outward from the centerline of the injection manifold assembly toward their respective mold cavities and applying a preload thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Payman Tabassi, Kenneth Jacob
  • Publication number: 20130062813
    Abstract: A plastic injection product manufacturing system includes a forming machine, a PLC module, an oil output module, an oil vat, and a cutter. The forming machine includes a mold cavity for forming a plastic injection product. The mold cavity defines a gate for receiving molten plastic material. The PLC module is connected to the forming machine. The oil output module is connected to the PLC module. The oil vat is connected to the oil output module. The oil vat includes a vat body and a piston slidably mounted in the vat body. The cutter is connected to the piston. The PLC module controls the oil output module to output hydraulic pressure oil, after receiving a control signal from the forming machine, to the vat body of the oil vat to drive the piston to move. The cutter is driven to move to cut off plastic material out of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: FANG JIANG, FA-YE LI, SHUN-BAI WU, DAI-PING ZHOU, HAO-QUAN WU, PENG TAN, CUI CHEN
  • Patent number: 8348661
    Abstract: A check valve (36, 136) for a screw (24) is provided. The check valve (36, 136) includes a retainer tip (54, 154), operable to be attached to a distal end of a screw shaft (52, 152), the retainer tip (54, 154) defining at least one melt channel (30). A first ring (60) is coaxially mounted to and rotationally-coupled with the retainer tip (54, 154). A second ring (66) is coaxially and slidably mounted to the retainer tip (54, 154), and is operable to rotate relative to the retainer tip (54, 154). The second ring (66) is operable to reversibly move between an open position which permits melt to flow through the check valve (36, 136) and a closed position which prevents backflow of the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Maciej Brelski, Christophe Halter
  • Patent number: 8293162
    Abstract: A method for producing a molded product consisting of a resin polymerized by a melt polycondensation reaction, comprising continuous feeding of a prepolymer in molten state from a prepolymer feeding port to a polymerization reactor, discharging from holes of a porous plate, followed by polymerization while dropping along a supporting substrate under reduced pressure, and molding by transferring to at least one molding machine in molten state without solidification, wherein transfer pressure to said molding machine is controlled so as to maintain at an arbitrary pressure from 0.1 to 100 MPa (absolute pressure).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yokoyama, Hiroshige Okamoto, Muneaki Aminaka, Kouji Takeuchi, Hironobu Yamauchi, Ken Someya
  • Patent number: 8087925
    Abstract: A device for forming headrest in a foaming die, which includes a lid engagement mechanism operable to keep a lid member engaged in an injection nozzle placed in the foaming die, thereby preventing leakage of liquid foaming agent from the injection nozzle. Further, the device includes a lid disengagement mechanism operable to disengage the lid member from the injection nozzle and an injection gun movable vertically. The lid disengagement mechanism includes a pressure element provided at the injection gun. Upon downward movement of the injection gun, the pressure element acts on the lid member, so that the lid member is disengaged from the injection nozzle and the injection gun is then engaged with the injection nozzle, thereby allowing liquid foaming agent to be injected into a trim cover assembly placed in the foaming die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Katsuta, Tsuyoshi Tabata
  • Patent number: 7964825
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for attaching electrical leads (22, 24) to a heating layer (16) of a heater are provided. An attachment material (50) is thermally sprayed over cords (32) of the electrical leads (22, 24), which are in contact with the heating layer (16) over a contact area (20). The attachment material (50) and the heating layer 16 are further thermally sprayed with a layer (52), which is an isolating material. The thermal sprayed connection between the electrical leads (22, 24) and the heating layer (16) thus provides more intimate contact and an improved electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elias Russegger, Reinhardt W. Lehnert
  • Patent number: 7963762
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus is disclosed having an actuated part that is movable in forward and rearward directions with a coupling part attached thereto having a spring coupling and a magnetic coupling. A valve pin for opening and closing a mold gate is coupled to the coupling part to be movable with the actuated part. When the actuated part is moved and the valve pin experiences a stopping force, either a spring of the spring coupling is positioned for dampening the stopping force encountered by the valve pin or the magnetic coupling, which is magnetically coupled to the actuated part and/or the valve pin, decouples from the actuated part or the valve pin to limit or prevent continued movement of the valve pin with the actuated part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Payman Tabassi, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 7934923
    Abstract: An object is to reduce the cost of a screw (20) and improve the quality of molded products. A rear end of the screw (20) is connected to a drive apparatus. The screw includes a screw head, a reverse-flow prevention apparatus, and a plasticizing member disposed rearward of the reverse-flow prevention apparatus. The plasticizing member includes a screw body (52), a flight (53) projectingly formed on an outer circumferential surface of the screw body (52), and a pressure member (54) formed to extend over a predetermined distance from the front end of the screw body (52) and to be located adjacent to the reverse-flow prevention apparatus. The pressure member (54) has a flat outer circumferential surface. Since the pressure member (54) has a flat outer circumferential surface having a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the screw body (52), the shape of the screw (20) can be simplified, and the cost of the screw (20) can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Spiral Logic Limited
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Marumoto, Munekatsu Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7909600
    Abstract: A die and mold for manufacturing a mold product is provided. The die and mold includes a body having a cavity that has a shape corresponding to the mold product. The body includes an upper body plate, and a lower body plate facing the upper body plate and combined with the upper body plate. The die and mold also includes a gate. The gate includes an upper gate plate, a plurality of recesses formed on a lower surface of the upper gate plate, and a lower gate plate facing the upper gate plate. A plurality of protrusions is formed on an upper surface of the lower gate plate in a location corresponding to a location in which the plurality of recesses is formed. The gate also includes a resin injection portion through which a resin is injected into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Gwan Kim, Tae-Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20110049759
    Abstract: A bond metal injection tool can include a fill head having a sealed chamber for containing a molten bond metal (e.g., solder) and a gas, and a nozzle for directing a flow of the molten bond metal into cavities in a major surface of a mold. A pressure control device can controllably apply pressure within the chamber to eject the bond metal from the nozzle into the cavities. The pressure control device may also controllably reduce a pressure within the chamber to inhibit the bond metal from being ejected from the nozzle, such as when the fill head is being moved onto the mold surface from a parking location or when the fill head is being moved off the mold surface onto a parking location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John J. Garant, Robert G. Haas, Bouwe W. Leenstra, Phillip W. Palmatier
  • Publication number: 20110018172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety connector (100; 200; 300) for a hot runner (600) having a valve stem (104) and an actuation assembly (102), the safety connector (100) including: a shear member (106) releasably interlocking the valve stem (104) with the actuation assembly (102), once the shear member (106) has interlocked the valve stem (104) with the actuation assembly (102), the valve stem (104) becomes movable in response to movement of the actuation assembly (102), and the shear member (106) being configured to shear destructively, and responsive to a predetermined undesired force acting on the shear member (106), the shear member (106) shears and the valve stem (104) becomes released from the actuation assembly (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Abdeslam Bouti, Stephen Linwood Gray, Thomas Andrew Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20100278962
    Abstract: An upstream runner component defines an upstream channel for flow of molding material. A downstream runner component defines a downstream channel for flow of molding material. A wedge seal is disposed in a converging gap defined surface of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component. The wedge seal defines a seal channel connecting the upstream channel to the downstream channel. Pressure of molding material acting on an inside surface of the wedge seal defining the seal channel pushes the wedge seal into sealing contact with the surfaces of the upstream runner component and the downstream runner component defining the converging gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Hitesh Kaushal
  • Patent number: 7824175
    Abstract: A shutoff nozzle body and valve assembly operative to reduce molten plastic resin drool when the nozzle body is separated from the mold or runner system. The apparatus includes a porting system that shuts off the flow of resin through the sprue plunger of the valve nozzle body before the valve body seals on the valve seat so as to permit any resin that is within the sprue passages to drain out through the sprue plunger into the mold cavity or runner system before the sprue tip completely withdraws from the mold or runner system thereby eliminating drool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: John Dominka
  • Publication number: 20100233311
    Abstract: An actuator is disposed between a back plate and a manifold and is connected to a valve pin. A nozzle flange, locating ring, or pressure disc can transmit a first load between the manifold and a mold plate. A pressure disc can be disposed between the actuator and the back plate. The pressure disc transmits a second load between the back plate and the manifold through the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITED
    Inventor: Calin Tapuchievici
  • Publication number: 20100209547
    Abstract: A valve pin bushing assembly for an injection molding apparatus. The assembly includes a bushing body for connection to a manifold, a flexible barrier having a first end that is continuously connected to the bushing body, and a valve pin continuously connected to a second end of the flexible barrier. The valve pin extends through a nozzle in a downstream direction towards a mold gate, wherein the valve pin is movable in an upstream direction and in the downstream direction for opening and closing the mold gate. The flexible barrier seals a channel of molding material from an outside space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MOLD-MASTERS (2007) LIMITED
    Inventors: Uwe Heissler, Harold Godwin, Douglas Ursu
  • Patent number: 7771184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a press for encapsulating electronic components, comprising: two displaceable mold parts (5,6), feed means for encapsulating material, and a drive mechanism connecting onto the mold parts. In a first embodiment the drive mechanism is provided with a fluid bed (14) and a first fluid feed (15) whereby their connection can be interrupted by a displacer (16). In a further embodiment a displacer (28) is provided in the feed channel (26) to place the encapsulating material (25) under pressure. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for encapsulating electronic components with encapsulating material in such presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Fico B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Lambertus Gerardus Maria Venrooij, Adrianus Henricus Ignatius Maria Verkuijlen
  • Patent number: 7754134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection molding process that improves recovery limited productivity. The present invention advantageously applies pressurized fluid within the nozzle of an injection molding machine to improve the machine's productivity. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an existing or new injection molding machine is outfitted with a pressurized fluid system at the nozzle between the plasticizer barrel and the melt manifold. The use of a specialized nozzle and isolation valve allows the pressurized fluid to displace material within the nozzle and runner, ensuring the proper pressure is applied to the plastic resin within the mold during pack and hold while the plasticizing screw can begin its recovery cycle. Finally, the pressurized fluid can be evacuated from the nozzle melt stream area either via the fluid entrance or a fluid pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Michael S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7678320
    Abstract: A shut-off valve for preventing drool from an injection molding apparatus is provided in a melt channel of a sprue bushing. The shut-off valve includes a fixed member located in the melt channel and a reciprocating member coupled to the fixed member. The reciprocating member is biased toward an extended position in which an inlet of the sprue bushing is blocked thereby. The reciprocating member is movable from the extended position towards a retracted position in which the inlet of the sprue bushing is clear by the force of a melt stream entering the melt channel of the sprue bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventor: Peter Klobucar
  • Patent number: 7566216
    Abstract: An injection molding machine is provided, including a nozzle assembly having a channel for conveying a fluid. At least one cavity insert is removably mounted within a cavity plate, the at least one cavity insert defining a mold cavity, and a first portion of a gate for communicating the fluid between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity. A gate insert defines a receptacle for the nozzle assembly, and further defining a second portion of the gate. The gate insert is floatably retained between the nozzle assembly and the at least one cavity insert. Preferably, the gate insert is retained by a gate insert plate that is disposed between the cavity plate and the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Sven Kmoch, Ralf Walter Fisch, Derek Robertson McCready, Joachim Johannes Niewels
  • Publication number: 20090121394
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection molding process that improves recovery limited productivity. The present invention advantageously applies pressurized fluid within the nozzle of an injection molding machine to improve the machine's productivity. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an existing or new injection molding machine is outfitted with a pressurized fluid system at the nozzle between the plasticizer barrel and the melt manifold. The use of a specialized nozzle and isolation valve allows the pressurized fluid to displace material within the nozzle and runner, ensuring the proper pressure is applied to the plastic resin within the mold during pack and hold while the plasticizing screw can begin its recovery cycle. Finally, the pressurized fluid can be evacuated from the nozzle melt stream area either via the fluid entrance or a fluid pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Michael S. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090028986
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid material through an injection molding flow channel leading to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: a pin having a longitudinal length being adapted for back and forth axial movement through the flow channel; the pin having a protrusion at a selected position along its length, the protrusion having an upstream end and a downstream end and a maximum diameter circumferential surface intermediate the upstream and downstream ends; the channel having an interior surface area portion which is complementary to the maximum diameter circumferential surface of the protrusion of the pin; and the pin being slidable to a position within the channel such that the maximum diameter circumferential surface of the protrusion forms a seal with the complementary interior surface portion of the channel to stop flow of the fluid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vasapoli, Sergio Antunes, Mark Moss, Christopher W. Lee, Mark Doyle
  • Publication number: 20090017152
    Abstract: A method for controlling measurement in a motor-driven in-line screw type injection molding machine using servo-motors as a measurement driving source and an injection driving source. Control is made so that all of a measured value of back pressure controlled by the measurement servo-motor, a measured value of an astern speed of a screw controlled by the injection servo-motor, and a measured rotational speed of the screw turn zero concurrently at timing when the screw reaches a measurement completion position. Thus, suck-back can be made dispensable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Toyo Machinery & Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20080274224
    Abstract: An injection nozzle is provided having a nozzle body, defining an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a connecting channel therebetween for communicating a working fluid into and out of the nozzle body. A shut-off pin is slidably mounted within the nozzle body and having a spigot mounted thereto. The shut-off pin is movable between a closed position, where the working fluid is substantially blocked from moving from the inlet channel to the outlet channel, and an open position where the spigot is withdrawn, unblocking the working fluid from moving from the inlet channel to the outlet channel. An actuator is operably connected to the shut-off pin to move the shut-off pin from the open position to the closed position. Moving the shut-off pin from the open position to the closed position generates a region of low pressure in the working fluid in the portion of working fluid trailing the spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Josef GRAETZ, Douglas James WEATHERALL, Giuseppe Edwardo MARICONDA
  • Patent number: 7404713
    Abstract: A shutoff valve mechanism for a plastic injection molding system and process. The shutoff valve mechanism is positioned between the nozzle of the injection molding machine and the hot runner manifold. Force applied by the machine nozzle moves an inner body member in the shutoff valve mechanism and opens a valve allowing molten plastic material to flow through the valve and into the hot runner, sprue bushings, and mold cavities. A biasing mechanism, such as a plurality of spring washer members, returns the inner body member to its rest position, thereby closing the valve mechanism when the machine nozzle is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Incoe Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Goinski
  • Patent number: 7396227
    Abstract: When a molding machine nozzle is separated from a nozzle touch surface of a hot runner sprue, application of external pressure on resin in a resin supply passage is stopped. At this time, back pressure of resin in the resin supply passage that is received by a seal exceeds atmospheric pressure, and thus the seal is moved to seal an opening of the resin supply passage from the inside of the resin supply passage. As a result, leakage of resin from the hot runner sprue is inhibited, and mixing of air in the resin in a runner is also inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nakaya, Shozo Tabata
  • Patent number: 7377769
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus for a two-stage injection molding machine, includes a check shaft seat having a runner, and disposed between a feeding portion and an injection portion of the two-stage injection molding machine, for allowing a plastic material in the feeding portion to enter the injection portion via the runner; at least one check shaft disposed in the check shaft seat, and for opening and closing the runner via movement of the check shaft; at least one cover provided at a side of the check shaft seat, and having at least one discharge hole for discharging residues of the plastic material between the check shaft seat and the check shaft; and at least one adjustable unit for adjusting a discharge speed of the residues of the plastic material. The discharge hole and the adjustable unit can prevent locking of the check shaft and pollution from degraded residues of plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Chi Chen, Ming-Chang Teng, Wen-Hung Feng
  • Patent number: 7329118
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: D-M-E Company
    Inventors: Trevor Pruden, Fred Steil
  • Patent number: 7326048
    Abstract: The valve nozzle according to the invention is constructed so that, in the internal space of a valve nozzle main body, a gate opening and closing mechanism is disposed in which a piston having a head part and a shaft part, a torpedo that is disposed in the internal space of the nozzle head and slidably supports the piston and guides the piston, and is provided with, on its outer circumferential surface, concaved grooves that are twisted with respect to a resin injection direction and serve as a plurality of wound resin flow channels, a coil spring that presses the piston in the direction toward a gate, and a cover that closes the rear end of the torpedo and serves as a spring receiving part of the coil spring are integrally assembled, and when the resin pressure is at a predetermined value or less, the entire circumference of the circular section of the head part of the piston comes into contact with the inner wall of the gate of the nozzle head to close the resin flow channels, and when the resin pressure be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: FISA Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Saito, Mei Mori
  • Patent number: 7322817
    Abstract: An injection molding nozzle (1) for plastic with at least two outlet openings (2) facing toward different sides and directed oppositely is not constructed as an open injection molding nozzle but has a respective closure needle (5) in the outlet openings (2), and a drive is also provided for displacing the closure needles (5) at least into the closing position. Thus a cold plug at the end of the outlet openings (2) facing a mold (3) can be avoided, independently of whether the closure needles completely close these outlet openings (2) at their mouth (6) or still leave a minimum gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Otto Manner Innovation GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Männer
  • Patent number: 7296993
    Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in a plastic injection molding machine injection unit is disclosed. The check valve utilizes a free-floating poppet member which has tapered angularly spaced-apart tapered flutes on the outer surface thereof and a self-aligning spherical valve seating surface at one end thereof. When a predetermined shot volume in front of the check valve has been filled, forward advancement of the feed screw within the injection unit causes the molten thermoplastic material to grippingly engage the tapered surfaces of the flutes causing the poppet member to move along with the backflow of thermoplastic material closing the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel E. Crist
  • Patent number: 7287549
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a cross over nozzle (10) is provided of two parts (22,24) which, when joined, define a housing (20) having a passage (30) extending therethrough, a tapered valve seat (50) extending about the passage and a value member (60) having a tapered valve head (62) disposed in the passage for engaging the valve seat. The two parts (64,66) are axially separable at an interface (68) extending through the valve seat/valve head. In order to open the valve, both valve parts are first joined and then moved together as one member in the same direction relative to the housing axially away from the valve seat. Similarly, the valve members are jointly moved into engagement with the valve seat before the cross over nozzle is separated. Accordingly, unlike the valve gate design, the valve interface between the two parts of the valve head isn't exposed to molten resin and therefore molten resin isn't trapped therebetween to cause a string upon opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Stackteck Systems, Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Rick
  • Patent number: 7270536
    Abstract: A screw tip for use in a molding system apparatus is disclosed. The screw tip includes a connection section and screw tip head section. The screw tip head houses an entry port, or entry ports, an accumulation chamber, and a check valve chamber. A check valve is provided when assembled with the screw tip. The check valve may be a cylindrical plate or a spherical member or a conical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Ilmonen
  • Patent number: 7252500
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus which includes a check valve assembly mounted at the forward end of a feed-screw, the valve assembly having forward and rearward valve seat surfaces which co-act in a first position to allow a plasticized polymeric material to enter and flow through the valve into an injection chamber and which co-act in a second position to stop any additional material from entering the valve assembly. The second valve position is effected by a feed-screw injection stroke which generates a back pressure to close the valve, the back pressure moving a check ring of the valve assembly into a position to block entry into the valve. Part of the valve seat surfaces are covered with a plurality of ceramic disks and other valve seat surfaces are covered with a metal alloy which effectively increases the abrasion resistance of the valve seat surfaces and thus also increases the wear service life of the check valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph R Gill, Daniel W Shelter
  • Patent number: 7244118
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes combined sealing elements located between a nozzle head of an injection molding nozzle and a mold plate. The sealing elements are arranged so that they force the nozzle head toward an outlet surface of a manifold and provide a seal therebetween over a range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Patent number: 7241132
    Abstract: A screw tip is provided in front of a screw with a shaft interposed therebetween, and a check ring is fitted around the shaft. The check ring is separated from a front end portion of the screw when the screw is rotated in a forward direction. The check ring contacts the front end portion of the screw when the screw is advanced. A front end surface of the check ring is provided with teeth, and a rear end surface of the screw tip is provided with grooves with which the respective teeth are engaged. Respective one side surfaces of the grooves and the teeth which are pressed against each other when the screw is rotated in the forward direction are formed vertical to the front end surface of the check ring, and side surfaces thereof located on the reverse sides of the above respective one side surfaces are inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Matsubayashi, Keisuke Mori, Shigehiro Saitou
  • Patent number: 7234929
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine having upstream and downstream channels communicating with each other for delivering fluid material to one or more mold cavities, apparatus for controlling delivery of the melt material from the channels to the one or more mold cavities, each channel having an axis, the downstream channel having an axis intersecting a gate of a cavity of a mold, the upstream channel having an axis not intersecting the gate and being associated with an upstream actuator interconnected to an upstream melt flow controller disposed at a selected location within the upstream channel, the apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing a selected condition of the melt material at a position downstream of the upstream melt flow controller; an actuator controller interconnected to the upstream actuator, the actuator controller comprising a computer interconnected to a sensor for receiving a signal representative of the selected condition sensed by the sensor, the computer including an algorithm utilizing a v
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Vasapoli, Sergio Antunes, Mark Moss, Christopher W. Lee, Mark Doyle
  • Patent number: 7210922
    Abstract: A hot runner injection molding apparatus includes a manifold for transferring molten plastic into a channel to a mold gate. A valve pin extends at least partially through the channel and is reciprocally movable from a retracted position to an extended position to close the mold gate when the valve pin is in the extended position, and to open the mold gate when the valve pin is in the retracted position. A valve pin moving mechanism is coupled with the valve pin to directly move the valve pin to the extended position; and a resilient coupling is located between the valve pin and the valve pin moving mechanism for normally moving the valve pin to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Tech Mold, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell G. Kohler
  • Patent number: 7189071
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus including a manifold having a manifold melt channel, a nozzle having a nozzle melt channel, a slidable seal having seal melt channel located between the nozzle and the manifold melt channels, and a biasing element that provides sealing contact between the slidable seal and the manifold and nozzle to maintain a sealed melt path through the manifold, seal and nozzle melt channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventor: George Olaru
  • Patent number: 7172333
    Abstract: An injection molding screw for metal injection molding includes a first end, a second end, a longitudinal body with a first stage and a second stage extending axially along a length of the screw between the ends, a pressure retention device, and optionally, a screw tip. The pressure retention element minimizes loss of pressure in the second stage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignees: Southco, Inc., Trexel, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Anderson, Jingyi Xu
  • Patent number: 7125246
    Abstract: A hot runner system for injecting plastics material from a plasticizer unit into an injection mold for molding very small plastic devices, includes a hot runner manifold having an inlet for receiving melted plastics material from the plasticizer unit and a heater for maintaining the manifold at an elevated temperature. A check valve mounted in the manifold allows one way flow of the plastic in the feed conduit. This valve preferably comprises a ball type valve. A metering apparatus includes a cylinder forming an elongate metering chamber and a ram movable therein. An inner end of the chamber opens into one side of the feed conduit downstream of the check valve and the longitudinal axis of the chamber is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit where they meet. At least one injector is connected to a downstream end of the feed conduit and it is spaced from the metering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mold Hotrunner Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Harald Hans Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7125242
    Abstract: A sprue bushing includes a melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source. The melt channel includes a first portion, a second portion and a decompression cavity located between the first portion and the second portion. A manifold having a manifold channel receives the melt stream from the melt channel of the sprue bushing and delivers the melt stream through the nozzle channels of several hot runner nozzles towards at least one mold cavity. A decompression device, which includes a rod having an enlarged head, is movable by an actuator to reciprocate within the decompression cavity between a retracted position and an extended position. Movement of the enlarged head from the extended position to the retracted position causes the suck back of the molten material in the hot runner nozzle and causes a portion of the molten material to be drawn toward the decompression cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventor: Neil Dewar
  • Patent number: 7033163
    Abstract: A backflow prevention device for an injection molding machine includes a screw tip having a tip end, a central body member connected to the tip end, a thrust ring at a rear end of the body member, and a mounting end for attachment to a plasticizing screw. A locking ring is arranged at a distance to the body member to define an annular gap and is axially movable between an open position, in which a first sealing surface rests against a shoulder of the tip end, allowing passage of material, and a closed position, in which a second sealing surface rests against a shoulder of the thrust ring, prohibiting entry of material. Disposed in the annular gap coaxial to the locking ring is at least one mixing element in the form of a circular ring which has circumferential bores in spaced-apart disposition for axial material transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Würtele
  • Patent number: 6857867
    Abstract: A backflow prevention device for a plasticizing and injection screw axially movable in a plasticizing cylinder of an injection molding machine, includes a base body having a leading head portion and a trailing neck portion and formed with a channel for passage of plastic melt by the screw to an anterior screw space, whereby a check valve is disposed in the channel. Bearing against an inner wall of the plasticizing cylinder and axially moving between open and closed positions is a locking ring so positioned behind the head portion in the area of the neck portion as to define a gap with the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Demag Ergotech GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Schimmel
  • Patent number: 6840757
    Abstract: An injection nozzle for mixing heads of reaction molding machines is disclosed which comprises a housing in which a adjustment assembly is provided for slidably moving between two adjustable stops, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured as a control sleeve which includes a pressure chamber with a movable control piston disposed therein and the pressure chamber can be impinged upon by a pressure medium, for example hydraulic fluid and wherein a first stop is provided for the control sleeve and a second stop is provided for the control plunger thereby permitting an adjustment of two operating points that are exactly reproducible, so as to prevent disturbances during operation of the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Sochtig
  • Patent number: RE39935
    Abstract: Valve gated injection molding apparatus having several valve pins (62) extending through each heated nozzle (12) driven by a common actuating mechanism (70). A valve bushing (100) is seated in the front end (96) of each heated nozzle (12). A central melt bore (50) in each heated nozzle (12) splits in the valve bushing (100) near the front end of the heated nozzle (12) from where the melt flows around each of the valve pins (62) to the gates (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Mold-Masters Limited
    Inventor: Denis L Babin