Abrégé

An injection molding machine includes a machine base extending lengthwise along a machine axis. The base has a platen support portion extending along a first axial portion of the base, and an injection unit support portion extending along a second axial portion of the base. The machine further includes a platen supported by the platen support portion for carrying a mold half apparatus. The machine further includes a first injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion for discharging a first melt through the platen into a first mold inlet of the mold half apparatus, and a second injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion for discharging a second melt around the platen into a second mold inlet of the mold half apparatus.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/16 - Fabrication d'objets multicouches ou polychromes
• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires

Abrégé

A cooling plate assembly includes (a) a cooling plate having a plate front surface; (b) an air channel extending within a thickness of the cooling plate; (c) a plate bore extending into the cooling plate from the plate front surface for providing fluid communication between the air channel and a cavity of a cooling tube mountable to the cooling plate; and (d) a valve within the plate bore. The valve is movable between a first position in which a first air flow passage extending within the plate bore is open for conducting air from the cavity to the air channel, and a second position in which the first air flow passage is obstructed to reduce air flow between the cavity and the air channel, and in which a second air flow passage extending within the plate bore is open for conducting air from the air channel to the cavity.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/73 - Chauffage ou refroidissement du moule

Abrégé

A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes (a) a clamp cylinder housing and (b) a clamp piston affixed to an end portion of a tie bar and slidable within the housing among a clamping position, a mold break position, and a 5 meshing position disposed axially intermediate the clamping and the mold break positions. The clamp assembly further includes (c) a clamp chamber for urging the clamp piston towards the clamping position when pressurized; (d) a return device for urging the clamp piston towards the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved; and (e) a mold break chamber for urging the 10 clamp piston towards the mold break position when pressurized. The mold break chamber is bounded axially by opposed surfaces of the tie bar and the return device.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules

Abrégé

A retaining pin for handling injection molded preforms includes a body including an internal body flow channel, and a plunger coupled to the body and movable relative to the body between advanced and retracted positions. The plunger includes an internal plunger flow channel. The plunger further includes a plunger abutment surface directed away from the body. The plunger is biased toward the advanced position and movable to the retracted position by engagement of the plunger abutment surface with an inner surface of a closed end of a preform when the preform and retaining pin are moved toward each other. The body flow channel and the plunger flow channel are in fluid communication when the plunger is in the retracted position. Fluid communication between the plunger flow channel and the body flow channel is inhibited when the plunger is in the advanced position.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires

Abrégé

A platen apparatus for supporting a mold portion in an injection molding machine includes a platen body and a mold mounting face adjacent a front of the platen body for supporting a mold half. The mold mounting face includes a rotary central surface that is rotatable about an axis relative to the platen body and a fixed peripheral surface that is fixed relative to the platen body. The peripheral surface is disposed about a periphery of the central surface. The central surface and the peripheral surface are alignable in a common vertical plane.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires

Abrégé

An injection molding machine includes a base, a stationary platen fixed to the base for holding a first mold section, and a moving platen for holding a second mold section. The moving platen is slidably supported on a platen slide surface fixed to the base and moveable along a machine axis between a mold closed position, in which the moving platen is drawn towards the stationary platen, and a maximum daylight position, in which the moveable platen is spaced axially apart from the stationary platen by a platen opening. The machine further includes a carriage support structure slidably supporting a stack mold carriage for holding a mold center section. The stack mold carriage is translatable parallel to the machine axis between a carriage advanced position and a carriage retracted position spaced axially apart from the carriage advanced position by a carriage stroke length. The carriage support structure includes a pair of beams removably fixed relative to the base, the beams extending parallel to the machine axis and spaced apart from each other by a lateral spacing, each beam having a beam length that is less than the platen opening and greater than the carriage stroke length.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires

Abrégé

A clamp assembly for an injection molding machine includes: (a) a cylinder housing having an inner end and an outer end spaced axially apart from the inner end; (b) a piston assembly comprising a tie bar end portion of a tie bar and a piston head affixed to the tie bar end portion, the piston assembly slidable within the housing between a meshing position and a clamped position spaced axially apart from the meshing position; (c) a clamp chamber between the piston head and the inner end of the cylinder housing for holding pressurized fluid and urging the piston assembly to the clamped position when pressurized; and (d) a spring return device adjacent the outer end of the cylinder housing, the spring return device pushing the piston assembly from the clamped position back to the meshing position when pressure in the clamp chamber is relieved.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules

Abrégé

An injection molding machine comprises a machine base, a first platen for supporting a first mold half, and a second platen for supporting a second mold half. The platens are supported by the machine base, and at least one of the platens is translatable along a machine axis for moving the mold halves between a mold-open and a mold-closed position. I he first and second mold halves define a first set of cavities for forming a first set of articles, and a second set of cavities for forming a second set of articles. The machine further comprises a manipulator comprising a first set of receivers for receiving the first set of articles The manipulator is moveable among a retracted position, a first advanced position, and a second advanced position. When in the retracted position, the manipulator is clear of the mold halves When in the first advanced position, the first set of receivers is aligned with the first set of cavities for receiving the first set of articles. When in the second advanced position, the first set of receivers is aligned with the second set of cavities for receiving the second set of articles in an assembled condition with the first set of articles.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules
• B29C 45/26 - Moules
• B29C 45/40 - Démoulage ou éjection des objets formés

Abrégé

An injection cylinder for an injection molding machine includes a cylinder housing and an injection piston slidably disposed in the cylinder housing. The injection piston is translatable between a piston retracted position and a piston advanced position, the injection piston having a length and an internal cavity extending axially along at least a portion of the piston length. A sensor rod is fixed to the housing and extends axially through at least a portion of the internal bore of the piston. A first sensing element is slidably disposed within the internal bore of the piston, the first sensing element moveable relative to the piston between sensor advanced and sensor retracted positions, and the first sensing element moveable with the piston when translating between the piston advanced and piston retracted positions.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/76 - Mesure, commande ou régulation

Abrégé

An injection molding machine includes a base; a pair of platens supported by the base, the platens supporting respective mold halves to form a mold; and a part-handling apparatus for holding and treating articles from the mold, the part handling apparatus separate from the mold. The part handling apparatus includes a take-out plate including at least one set of first cooling receivers for receiving and retaining a first set of molded articles from the mold, the first cooling receivers conductively transferring a first amount of thermal energy away from the first molded articles; and a supplemental cooling plate comprising at least one set of second cooling receivers for receiving and retaining the first set of articles; and the second cooling receivers conductively transferring a second amount of thermal energy away from the first molded articles.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/72 - Chauffage ou refroidissement

Abrégé

A part handling apparatus has a first locating member and a first cooling plate mounted to a first plate support column that has a target axial position relative to the first locating member. A first plate actuator is connected to the first locating member and moves the first locating member in a first actuating direction from a first axial position to a second axial position. A first force accommodating apparatus mechanically links the first locating member to the first plate support column and is connected to the first locating member at a first connection and to the first plate support column at a second connection. In response to an external displacement force acting opposite the first actuating direction, the first plate support column moves away from the target axial position and the force accommodating apparatus length changes from an unactivated length to an activated length.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires
• B29C 45/80 - Mesure, commande ou régulation de la position relative des parties de moule

Abrégé

A part handling apparatus for handling preforms molded in an injection molded machine includes a transfer shell having at least one shell side and a plurality of transfer pins mounted to the at least one shell side for insertion into the preforms. Each pin includes a base for mounting to a transfer shell side and a tip spaced apart from the base; an interior pin channel extending between the base and the tip; and a base journal having a journal outer surface sized smaller than the neck region inner surface of the preform to provide a generally annular flow gate between the journal outer surface and the neck region inner surface. The annular flow gate forms a flow restriction when air is drawn through the preform, maintaining a vacuum force on the preform and convectively cooling the preform.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/40 - Démoulage ou éjection des objets formés
• B29C 45/03 - Appareils de moulage par injection
• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires
• B29C 45/73 - Chauffage ou refroidissement du moule

Abrégé

An injection molding machine includes a machine base; a stationary platen mounted to the base for supporting a stationary mold half; and a moving platen slidably supported by the base for supporting a moving mold half, the moving platen translatable along a machine axis between an advanced and a mold-change position. An inter-platen space extends axially between the stationary and moving platens when the moving platen is in the mold-change position. The machine further includes a take-out plate for reaching between the platens to remove molded parts from one of the mold halves; and a transfer shell coupled to the base along a linear slide. The shell is moveable to a maintenance position in which the shell is generally clear of the inter-platen space when viewed from a non-operator side of the machine.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/40 - Démoulage ou éjection des objets formés
• B29C 45/03 - Appareils de moulage par injection
• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires
• B29C 45/73 - Chauffage ou refroidissement du moule

Abrégé

An injection molding machine includes a base; a first platen and a second platen supported by the base, the first and second platens moveable between mold open and mold closed positions and between clamped and undamped positions; a first electrical cabinet affixed to the base, the first electrical cabinet housing a plurality of stationary electrical components for operating the injection molding machine; and an injection unit mounted on the base, the injection unit movable relative to the base in at least one of an axial and rotational direction. A plurality of transducers may be mounted on the injection unit for monitoring at least one operating parameter of the injection unit, the plurality of transducers fixed relative to the injection unit and moveable with the injection unit relative to the base. An on-board electrical cabinet may be fixed to the injection unit and moveable with the injection unit relative to the base, the on-board electrical cabinet housing a plurality of on-board electrical components, each of the transducers in electrical communication with at least one of the on-board electrical components, and each of the on-board electrical components in electrical communication with at least one of the stationary electrical components.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires
• B29C 45/76 - Mesure, commande ou régulation

Abrégé

An injection molding machine comprises a machine base supporting a pair of platens defining a mold area therebetween, and a cooling shell adjacent the base and disposed outside the mold area of the injection molding machine. The cooling shell includes at least first and second sides, and is rotatable about a shell axis for moving the sides between load and unload stations. The cooling shell includes a hollow interior chamber bounded at least partially by the first and second sides. The machine further includes a pressurized fluid delivery device in fluid communication with the hollow interior chamber of the cooling shell via a conduit first portion, the conduit first portion free of openable/closeable flow blocking members, wherein fluid communication between the pressurized fluid delivery device and the hollow interior chamber is continuously provided. A plurality of cooling pins are mounted to each of the sides of the cooling shell for cooling interior surfaces of molded articles loaded thereon, each cooling pin including a pin outlet in fluid communication with the hollow interior chamber via a conduit second portion, the conduit second portion including a fluid channel internal to each cooling pin, wherein fluid communication between the hollow interior chamber and the pin outlets is continuously provided.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/76 - Mesure, commande ou régulation
• B29C 45/17 - Éléments constitutifs, détails ou accessoiresOpérations auxiliaires
• B29C 45/40 - Démoulage ou éjection des objets formés
• B29C 45/73 - Chauffage ou refroidissement du moule

Abrégé

An injection drive unit includes a hollow cylindrical casing rotatably supported by a housing, the cylindrical casing having an axis and a front end and a back end spaced apart along the axis; a piston in the cylindrical casing, the piston axially slidable relative to the cylindrical casing along the axis between advanced and retracted positions, and the piston rotationally locked with the cylindrical casing to rotate therewith; and a cylinder cap generally closing off the back end of the cylindrical casing and providing a first pressure chamber between the piston and the cylinder cap, the cylinder cap including a stationary part affixed to the housing and a rotary part affixed to the cylindrical casing, at least the stationary part providing a stationary end face opposed to the piston and against which fluid in the first pressure chamber bears when pressurized.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/47 - Moyens pour plastifier ou homogénéiser la matière à mouler ou pour la forcer dans le moule utilisant des vis

Abrégé

An injection unit includes a cylinder casing comprising an inner cylindrical surface extending along an axis, and a piston housed in the casing and translatable along the axis between an advanced and a retracted position. The piston includes a piston radial surface in facing relation to the inner cylindrical surface, and the piston radial surface has a measurement detection feature. A probe is fixed relative to the cylinder casing, the probe communicating with the measurement detection feature when the piston is in and moving between the advanced and retracted positions to measure the translation of the piston.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/76 - Mesure, commande ou régulation
• G01D 5/00 - Moyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière
• G01D 5/04 - Moyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens mécaniques utilisant des leviersMoyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens mécaniques utilisant des camesMoyens mécaniques pour le transfert de la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensibleMoyens pour convertir la grandeur de sortie d'un organe sensible en une autre variable, lorsque la forme ou la nature de l'organe sensible n'imposent pas un moyen de conversion déterminéTransducteurs non spécialement adaptés à une variable particulière utilisant des moyens mécaniques utilisant des engrenages

Abrégé

An injection molding machine comprises: a machine base having a top surface, and a pair of platens supported on the top surface of the machine base, at least one of the platens translatable along a machine axis between open and closed positions. An end-effector is moveable relative to the machine base between an advanced position and a retracted position for interacting with parts associated with production in the injection molding machine. An upright has a lower end adjustably coupled to the machine base and an upper end spaced apart from the top surface of the machine base and coupled to the end-effector.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules

Abrégé

A method for injection molding comprises pre-positioning a clamp piston within a cylinder housing to a datum position axially intermediate a clamping position and an unclamped position, the clamp piston affixed to a tie bar, the clamp piston and cylinder housing cooperating to provide a clamp chamber and an unclamp chamber in a clamp cylinder housing on axially opposite sides of the clamp piston for urging the clamp piston towards the clamping and unclamped positions, respectively, when pressurized. Pre-positioning the clamp piston can include leaving a positioning gap between portions of a mold before releasably locking a tie bar to one of the moving or stationary platens, and then advancing the moving platen to substantially close the positioning gap after the releasable locking has been completed. Pre-positioning the clamp piston can include moving a stop member to an advanced position in the cylinder housing, and urging the clamp piston to bear against the stop member before the releasable locking step has been completed.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules
• B29C 45/08 - Appareils de moulage par injection avec unités d'injection mobiles se déplaçant avec le moule pendant l'opération d'injection

Abrégé

A combination comprises first and second platens of an injection molding machine, a tie bar extending from the second platen to the first platen, and a locking device for releasably securing together the tie bar and the first platen. The locking device includes: a) a housing extending along an axis coaxial with the tie bar and including a first bearing surface affixed to the first platen; and b) a lock nut received in the housing and rotatable within the housing about the axis between locked and unlocked positions, the lock nut comprising an inner bore with radially inwardly projecting engagement elements that engage the tie bar when in the locked position to transfer an axial clamp load from the tie bar to the lock nut, the radially inwardly projecting engagement elements provided along a first axial extent of the lock nut and defining a tie bar engagement portion; an outer surface with at least a first step face for abutting the first bearing surface to transfer the axial clamp load from the lock nut to the first platen, the first step face having a first radially outer extent; and the lock nut including a narrowing section having a second axial extent bounded by a first position proximate the first step face and a second position spaced axially from the first step face in a direction towards the second platen, wherein the outer surface has a first diameter at the first position and a second diameter at the second position, the first diameter being less than the first radially outer extent and greater than the second diameter.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules

Abrégé

An injection molding machine comprises a first platen and a second platen, the first platen movable relative to the second platen in an axial direction between open and closed positions, and a plurality of tie bars extending generally between the first and second platens for coupling together the first and second platens. At least a first locking device is mounted to the first platen and associated with a first one of the tie bars for selectively locking and unlocking the moving platen relative to the tie bar. At least a first clamping mechanism is mounted to the second platen and associated with the first tie bar, the clamping mechanism including clamp and unclamp chambers on either side of a piston for moving the piston towards clamp and unclamp positions to exert a clamping force and a mold break force, respectively. The machine further includes a traverse actuator comprising one or more linear actuators coupled to at least one of the first and second platens for effecting said movement of the first platen relative to the second platen between the open and closed positions, the one or more linear actuators together being free of provision for applying a mold break force to the platens.

Classes IPC  ?

• B29C 45/64 - Dispositifs d'ouverture, de fermeture ou de serrage des moules
• B29C 45/08 - Appareils de moulage par injection avec unités d'injection mobiles se déplaçant avec le moule pendant l'opération d'injection