Patent Application
20170165890
Injection molding systems have been developed having flow control mechanisms that control the movement of a valve pin over the course of an injection cycle to cause the pin to move either upstream or downstream over the course of injection cycle in order to raise or lower the rate of flow of fluid material to correspond to a predetermined profile of fluid flow rates for the injection cycle. A sensor can sense a condition of the injection fluid material or of the apparatus such as pin position and send a signal indicative of the sensed condition to a program contained in a controller that uses the signal as a variable input to control movement of the valve pin in accordance with the predetermined profile.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of performing an injection molding cycle in an injection molding apparatus comprising:
an injection molding machine and a manifold that receives an injected mold material from the injection molding machine, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the mold material under an injection pressure to a first gate of a mold cavity,
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin driving the valve pin from a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, upstream to a second position upstream of the gate where the mold material flows at a high rate through the gate and continuously upstream from the start position through one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection mold material to one or more rates less than the high rate,
a valve system for controllably driving the valve pin, the valve system being controllably movable from a start position to a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the high drive rate position driving the pin upstream at a high rate of travel, the intermediate drive rate positions driving the pin upstream at one or more intermediate rates of travel that are less than the high rate of travel,
the valve system including a fluid flow line routing a drive fluid out of an exit of the valve system under a metered drive pressure,
the method comprising:
selecting one or more lengths of time for the valve system to operate or reside in one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions, beginning an injection cycle with the tip end of the valve pin in the first position and the valve system in the start position,
sensing the metered pressure of the drive fluid within the fluid flow line, selecting a profile of metered pressures versus the selected one or more lengths of time where the profile of metered pressures correspond to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions,
adjusting the valve system according to the selected profile to operate at the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions for the selected one or more lengths of time to drive the valve pin continuously upstream.
The step of adjusting can comprises operating the valve system at one or more selected intermediate drive rate positions for the length of an entire injection cycle where the pin travels from the first position to an end of stroke position with the valve system in one or more selected intermediate drive rate positions.
The method can further comprise adjusting the valve system to operate at the high drive rate position to drive the tip end of the valve pin continuously upstream at the high rate of travel upon expiration of the selected one or more lengths of time.
The valve system can be adjusted to operate at the one or more intermediate drive rate positions after the mold material has been injected into the cavity through another gate and has travelled through the cavity past the first gate.
The valve system can be adjusted to operate at a single intermediate drive rate position for a single selected length of time.
The valve system can be interconnected to an electrical signal generating device operable to generate electrical signals of controllably variable output, the valve system being adjustable in drive rate position to increase the flow of drive fluid to a degree that is proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signals, the steps of adjusting the valve system comprising operating the electrical signal generating device to generate electrical signals that adjust the drive rate positions of the valve system according electrical signals of selected degree of output.
Each of the drive rate positions of the valve system typically have a degree of openness, the drive fluid of the valve system driving the actuator and the valve pin at a rate that is proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the one or more intermediate drive rate positions having a degree of openness that is less than the degree of openness of the high drive rate flow position.
The length of travel between the first position and the one or more intermediate positions along the drive path is typically between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
an injection molding machine and a manifold that receives the injected mold material from the machine, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the mold material at one or more flow rates through a gate to the mold cavity,
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end, the actuator being drivable to move the valve pin along a path of travel starting from a downstream gate closed position continuously upstream to and through a series of successively upstream intermediate upstream gate open positions and further continuously upstream to a high upstream gate open position,
a valve system in fluid communication with the actuator to drive the actuator with drive fluid at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in the gate closed position, the high drive rate position driving the actuator upstream at a selected high velocity, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions driving the actuator upstream at one or more corresponding velocities that are less than the selected high velocity,
a controller interconnected to the valve system, the controller being adapted to control movement of the valve system between the start position, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and the high drive rate position,
a pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move from the start position to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus one or more preselected amounts of time and further drives the valve system to move from the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on expiration of the one or more preselected amounts of time.
The positions of the valve system typically each have a corresponding degree of openness, the controller being adapted to generate an electrical signal of selectable degree of output, the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system being proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signal generated by the controller.
The output of the electrical signal is typically one or more of electrical energy, electrical power, voltage, current or amperage.
The degree of openness of the positions of the valve system preferably each have a corresponding rate of flow of the drive fluid that is proportional to the corresponding degree of openness of the positions of the valve system.
The tip end of the valve pin can obstruct the gate to prevent the mold material from flowing into the cavity in the first position, the mold material flows at the high rate through the gate in the second position and the tip end of the valve pin restricts the flow of the mold material to less than the high rate in the one or more intermediate upstream positions between the first position and the second position, and wherein the valve pin is in one or more of the intermediate upstream positions when the valve system is in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions.
the rate of travel of the actuator that corresponds to a highest of the one or more intermediate drive rate positions of the valve system is typically less than about 75% of the rate of travel of the actuator that corresponds to the high drive rate position of the valve system.
Each of the positions of the valve system preferably have a corresponding degree of openness, the actuator being driven at a velocity that is proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the electrical signals generated by the controller each having a degree of output that adjusts the valve system to a degree of openness that is proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signals.
The controller is preferably programmable to automatically generate one or more first electrical signals having one or more corresponding first selected degrees of output that move the valve system to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to drive the actuator continuously upstream at one or more corresponding first velocities that are less than the high velocity, the controller generating a second electrical signal on expiration of the one or more predetermined amounts of time, the second electrical signal having a second selected degree of output that moves the valve system to the high drive rate position to drive the actuator at the high velocity.
The controller can include electrical or electronic instructions interconnected to an electrical signal generator that automatically instructs the electrical signal generator to generate the electrical signals that drive the valve system to move from the start position to the one or more intermediate drive positions and to remain in the one or more intermediate drive positions for the one or more predetermined amounts of time and further instructs the electrical signal generator to generate an electrical signal that drives the valve system to move from the one or more intermediate drive positions to the high drive position on expiration of the one or more predetermined amounts of time.
Each of the positions of the valve system preferably have a corresponding degree of openness, the actuator being driven at a velocity that is proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the electrical signals generated by the controller each having a degree of output that adjusts the valve system to a degree of openness that is proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signals.
The output of the electrical signal is typically one or more of electrical energy, electrical power, voltage, current or amperage.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a sequentially gated molding system comprising a mold having first and second gates leading to a common cavity and a manifold having first and second fluid flow channels respectively delivering a fluid mold material through the first and second gates into the cavity, the system comprising:
a first valve controlling delivery of the fluid material through the first gate into the cavity beginning at a first time;
a second valve controlling delivery of the fluid material through the second gate beginning at a second time subsequent to the first time such that the fluid material has entered the cavity through the first gate and approached the second gate prior to the second time;
the second valve comprising an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end, the actuator being drivable to move the valve pin along a path of travel starting from a downstream gate closed position continuously upstream to and through a series of successively upstream intermediate upstream gate open positions and further continuously upstream to a high upstream gate open position,
a valve system in fluid communication with the second actuator to drive the second actuator with drive fluid at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in the gate closed position, the high drive rate position driving the second actuator upstream at a selected high velocity, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions driving the actuator upstream at one or more corresponding velocities that are less than the selected high velocity,
a controller interconnected to the valve system, the controller being adapted to control movement of the valve system between the start position, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and the high drive rate position,
a pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move from the start position to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus one or more preselected amounts of time and further drives the valve system to move from the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on expiration of the one or more preselected amounts of time.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of performing an injection molding cycle in an injection molding apparatus comprising:
a manifold that receives an injection fluid mold material, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the injection fluid mold material under an injection pressure to a first gate of a mold cavity,
an actuator drivably interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, a second position upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position, and a third position upstream of the second position where the injection fluid material flows freely without restriction from the tip end of the pin through the first gate,
the actuator being driven by a valve system that is controllably adjustable between a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the actuator being driven upstream at a plurality of corresponding intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in one of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and at a higher rate of travel than the plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in the high drive rate position,
the valve system including a fluid flow line routing a drive fluid out of an exit of the valve system under a metered pressure,
the method comprising:
selecting the length of travel between the first position and the second position,
sensing the metered pressure of the drive fluid within the fluid flow line,
sensing the position of the valve pin,
selecting a profile of metered pressures versus position of the valve pin where the profile of metered pressures correspond to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions,
beginning an injection cycle with the tip end of the valve pin in the first position and the valve system in the start position,
adjusting the valve system according to the selected profile to operate at the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions to drive the tip end of the valve pin continuously upstream from the first position to the second position,
sensing the position of the valve pin to determine when the tip end of the valve pin has reached the second position,
adjusting the valve system to operate at the high drive rate position to drive the tip end of the valve pin continuously upstream at the higher rate of travel when the tip end of the valve pin has been determined in the step of sensing to have reached the second position.
In such a method, the step of adjusting the valve system to operate at the one or more selected intermediate drive rate positions is begun after the injection fluid mold material has been previously injected into the cavity through another gate and the fluid mold material has travelled through the cavity past the first gate.
The step of adjusting the valve system to operate at the one or more selected intermediate drive rate positions typically comprises adjusting the valve system to operate at a single intermediate drive rate position.
The high drive rate position of the valve system preferably drives the actuator at a rate of travel that is a maximum at which the valve system is capable of driving the actuator.
The valve system is preferably interconnected to an electrical signal generating device operable to generate an electrical signal of controllably variable degree, the valve system being adjustable in position to increase the flow of drive fluid to a degree that is proportional to the degree of electrical signal input by the electrical signal generating device to the valve system, the steps of adjusting the valve system comprising operating the electrical signal generating device to adjust the positions of the valve system.
Each of the start, intermediate drive rate and high drive rate positions of the valve system can have a different degree of openness, the drive fluid of the valve system driving the actuator and the valve pin at a rate that is approximately proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the one or more intermediate drive rate positions having a degree of openness that is less than the degree of openness of the high drive rate position.
The length of travel between the first position and the second position along the drive path is selected to be between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.
The step of sensing preferably includes sensing the position of the valve pin with a position sensor that automatically sends one or more signals indicative of the position of the tip end of the valve pin to a control mechanism that automatically adjusts the positions of the valve system in response to receipt of the one or more signals from the position sensor.
The control mechanism typically comprises an electrical signal generating device operable to generate an electrical signal of controllably variable degree, the valve system being adjustable in position to a degree of openness that is approximately proportional to the degree of electrical signal input by the electrical signal generating device to the valve system, the steps of adjusting the valve system comprising operating the electrical signal generating device to controllably adjust the degree of electrical signal input to the valve system.
The tip end of the valve pin preferably restricts flow of the injection fluid along the entire length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid mold material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold receiving the injected fluid mold material, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the injected fluid material to a first gate leading to the mold cavity;
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the first gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, a second position upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid through the first gate along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position, and a third position upstream of the second position where the injection fluid material flows freely through the first gate without restriction from the tip end of the pin,
the actuator and the valve pin being translationally driven at a controllable rate of travel by a valve system that is controllably adjustable between a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the actuator being driven upstream at a corresponding plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and at a higher rate of travel than the plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in the high drive rate position;
a position sensor,
a pressure sensor,
a controller,
the position sensor sensing the position of the valve pin and sending a signal indicative of the position of the pin to the controller;
the pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller:
the controller instructing the valve system to drive the actuator and the valve pin continuously upstream from the start position to the second position to the third position;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus pin positions from the start position to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures and subsequently move from the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on receipt by the controller of a signal from the position sensor that is indicative of the valve pin having reached the second position.
Such an apparatus preferably further comprises an electrical signal generating device interconnected to the valve system to controllably drive the valve system to selected degrees of openness, the electrical signal generating device generating an electrical signal of controllably variable degree of output, the valve system being adjustable in degree of openness that is approximately proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signal.
The electrical signal generating device is typically interconnected to the controller, the controller instructing the electrical signal generating device to generate electrical signals of varying degrees of output that correspond to a degree of openness of the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and the third drive rate position of the valve system.
The portion of the drive path over which the flow of injected material is restricted is preferably at least about 30% of the length of the drive path between the first position and the second position.
The length of the drive path between the first position and the second position is typically between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.
The valve pin and actuator are preferably driven at a maximum rate of upstream travel that the valve system is capable of driving the actuator at when the valve system is in the high drive rate position.
The rate of travel of the valve pin corresponding to the highest of the one or more intermediate drive positions of the valve system is typically less than about 75% of the rate of travel of the valve pin corresponding to the high drive position.
The positions of the valve system can each have a different degree of openness, the actuator and valve pin being driven at a velocity that is proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the controller instructing the generation of an electrical signal that adjusts the valve system to a degree of openness that is proportional to a degree of output of the electrical signal, the controller being programmable to instruct the generation of one or more first electrical signals having one or more corresponding first selected degrees of output that moves the valve system to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to drive the actuator at one or more first velocities in an upstream direction, the controller being programmed to instruct the generation of a second electrical signal when the controller receives a signal from the position sensor that the tip end of the valve pin has reached the second position, the second electrical signal having a second selected degree of output that moves the valve system to the high drive rate position that drives the actuator at a second velocity that is higher than the one or more first velocities.
The valve system is typically driven to a degree of openness that is approximately proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signal.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a sequentially gated molding system comprising a mold having first and second gates leading to a common cavity and a manifold having first and second fluid flow channels respectively delivering a fluid mold material through the first and second gates into the cavity, the system comprising:
a first valve controlling delivery of the fluid material through the first gate into the cavity beginning at a first time;
a second valve controlling delivery of the fluid material through the second gate beginning at a second time subsequent to the first time such that the fluid material has entered the cavity through the first gate and approached the second gate prior to the second time;
the second valve comprising an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the second gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, a second position upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid through the second gate along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position, and a third position upstream of the second position where the injection fluid material flows freely through the second gate without restriction from the tip end of the pin,
the actuator and the valve pin being translationally driven at a controllable rate of travel by a valve system that is controllably adjustable between a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the actuator being driven upstream at a corresponding plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and at a higher rate of travel than the plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in the high drive rate position;
a position sensor,
a pressure sensor,
a controller,
the position sensor sensing the position of the valve pin and sending a signal indicative of the position of the pin to the controller;
the pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller:
the controller instructing the valve system to drive the actuator and the valve pin continuously upstream from the start position to the second position to the third position;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus pin positions from the start position to selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures and subsequently move from the selected ones of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions to the high drive rate position on receipt by the controller of a signal from the position sensor that is indicative of the valve pin having reached the second position.
An apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid mold material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold receiving the injected fluid mold material, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the injected fluid material to a first gate leading to the mold cavity;
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the first gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, a second position upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid through the first gate along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position, and a third position upstream of the second position where the injection fluid material flows freely through the first gate without restriction from the tip end of the pin,
the actuator and the valve pin being translationally drivable at a controllable rate of travel by a valve system that is controllably adjustable between a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the actuator being drivable upstream and downstream at a corresponding plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and at a higher rate of travel than the plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in the high drive rate position;
a position sensor or an injection fluid condition sensor,
a pressure sensor,
a controller,
the position sensor sensing the position of the valve pin and sending a signal indicative of the position or the injection fluid of the pin to the controller or the injection condition sensor sending a signal indicative of a selected condition of the injection fluid to the controller;
the pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller:
the controller instructing the valve system to drive the actuator and the valve pin continuously upstream from the start position to the second position or continuously downstream from the third position to the second position;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move upstream or downstream either (a) from the start position to one or more of the plurality of the intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures or (b) from the third position to one or more of the intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures.
The one or more intermediate drive rate positions can include a stop drive position wherein the drive fluid is shut off from driving the actuator.
The metered pressure corresponding to the stop drive position can be zero or about zero.
Such an apparatus can further comprise an electrical signal generating device interconnected to the valve system to controllably drive the valve system to selected degrees of openness, the electrical signal generating device generating an electrical signal of controllably variable degree of output, the valve system being adjustable in degree of openness that is approximately proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signal.
The electrical signal generating device is typically interconnected to the controller, the controller instructing the electrical signal generating device to generate electrical signals of varying degrees of output that correspond to a degree of openness of the one or more intermediate drive rate positions and the third drive rate position of the valve system.
The portion of the drive path over which the flow of injected material is restricted is typically at least about 30% of the length of the drive path between the first position and the second position.
The length of the drive path between the first position and the second position is typically between about 1 mm and about 5 mm.
The rate of travel of the valve pin corresponding to the highest of the one or more intermediate drive positions of the valve system is typically less than about 75% of the rate of travel of the valve pin corresponding to the high drive position.
The positions of the valve system each preferably have a different degree of openness, the actuator and valve pin being driven at a velocity that is proportional to the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system, the controller instructing the generation of an electrical signal that adjusts the valve system to a degree of openness that is proportional to a degree of output of the electrical signal, the controller being programmable to instruct the generation of one or more first electrical signals having one or more corresponding first selected degrees of output that moves the valve system to the one or more intermediate drive rate positions to drive the actuator at one or more first velocities in an upstream or downstream direction, the controller being programmed to instruct the generation of a second electrical signal when the controller receives a signal from the position sensor that the tip end of the valve pin has reached the second position, the second electrical signal having a second selected degree of output that moves the valve system to the high drive rate position that drives the actuator at a second velocity that is higher than the one or more first velocities.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling operation of the valve system of the apparatus of claim 1 comprising operating the apparatus of claim 1 to cause the actuator and the valve pin to be translationally driven at a rate of travel that is adjustable between either the start position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions or between the high drive rate position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of mold material to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
an injection molding machine and a manifold that receives the injected mold material from the machine, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the mold material at one or more flow rates through a gate to the mold cavity,
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end, the actuator being drivable to move the valve pin along a path of travel starting from a downstream gate closed position continuously upstream to and through one or more intermediate gate open positions or starting from an upstream gate open position continuously downstream to and through one or more intermediate gate open positions,
a valve system in fluid communication with the actuator to drive the actuator with drive fluid at one or more rates of travel, the valve system having a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the start position holding the valve pin in the gate closed position, the high drive rate position driving the actuator upstream or downstream at a selected high velocity, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions driving the actuator upstream or downstream at one or more corresponding velocities that are less than the selected high velocity,
a controller interconnected to the valve system, the controller being adapted to control movement of the valve system between the start position, the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and the high drive rate position,
a pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move either (a) from the start position to one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus one or more preselected amounts of time or (b) from the high drive rate position to one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions according to a predetermined profile of metered pressures versus one or more preselected amounts of time.
In such an apparatus the positions of the valve system each preferably have a corresponding degree of openness, the controller being adapted to generate an electrical signal of selectable degree of output, the degree of openness of the positions of the valve system being proportional to the degree of output of the electrical signal generated by the controller.
The output of the electrical signal is typically one or more of electrical energy, electrical power, voltage, current or amperage.
The degree of openness of the positions of the valve system each preferably have a corresponding rate of flow of the drive fluid that is proportional to the corresponding degree of openness of the positions of the valve system.
The tip end of the valve pin preferably obstructs the gate to prevent the mold material from flowing into the cavity in the first position, the mold material flows at the high rate through the gate in the second position and the tip end of the valve pin restricts the flow of the mold material to less than the high rate in the one or more intermediate upstream positions between the first position and the second position, wherein the valve pin is in one or more of the intermediate positions when the valve system is in the one or more intermediate drive rate positions.
The rate of travel of the actuator that corresponds to a highest of the one or more intermediate drive rate positions of the valve system is typically less than about 75% of the rate of travel of the actuator that corresponds to the high drive rate position of the valve system.
The one or more intermediate drive rate positions preferably include a stop drive position wherein the drive fluid is shut off from driving the actuator.
The metered pressure corresponding to the stop drive position can be zero or about zero.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling operation of the valve system of the apparatus claimed above comprising operating the apparatus to cause the actuator and the valve pin to be translationally driven at a rate of travel that is adjustable between either the start position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions or between the high drive rate position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid mold material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold receiving the injected fluid mold material, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the injected fluid material to a first gate leading to the mold cavity;
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the first gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, a second position upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid through the first gate along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the second position, and a third position upstream of the second position where the injection fluid material flows freely through the first gate without restriction from the tip end of the pin,
the actuator and the valve pin being translationally drivable at a controllable rate of travel by a valve system that is controllably adjustable between a start position, a plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and a high drive rate position, the actuator being drivable upstream and downstream at a corresponding plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in one or more of the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions and at a higher rate of travel than the plurality of intermediate rates of travel when the valve system is in the high drive rate position;
a pressure sensor,
a controller,
the pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller:
the controller instructing the valve system to drive the actuator and the valve pin continuously upstream from the start position to the second position or continuously downstream from the third position to the second position;
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to move upstream or downstream either (a) from the start position to one or more of the plurality of the intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures or (b) from the third position to one or more of the intermediate drive rate positions that correspond to the profile of metered pressures.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling operation of the valve system of the apparatus of claim 20 comprising operating the apparatus of claim 20 to cause the actuator and the valve pin to be translationally driven at a rate of travel that is adjustable between either the start position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions or between the high drive rate position and the plurality of intermediate drive rate positions.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid mold material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:
a manifold receiving the injected fluid mold material, the manifold having a delivery channel that delivers the injected fluid material to a first gate leading to the mold cavity;
an actuator interconnected to a valve pin having a tip end drivable along a drive path that extends between a first position where the tip end of the valve pin obstructs the first gate to prevent the injection fluid material from flowing into the cavity, one or more intermediate positions upstream of the first position wherein the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of the injection fluid through the first gate along at least a portion of the length of the drive path extending between the first position and the intermediate position,
a pressure sensor,
a controller,
the pressure sensor sensing a metered pressure of a drive fluid flowing out of an exit of the valve system, the metered pressure corresponding to a drive rate position of the valve system, the pressure sensor sending a signal indicative of the metered pressure to the controller:
the controller including instructions that instruct the valve system to drive the actuator and the valve pin to be disposed or held in a selected intermediate position for a selected period of time during the course of an injection cycle where the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of injection fluid through the gate to the mold cavity according to a profile of metered pressures.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling operation of the valve system of the apparatus described immediately above comprising operating the apparatus to cause the actuator and the valve pin to be disposed in the selected intermediate position for the selected period of time.
The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 2AAA is a schematic cross-sectional view of the
FIG. 5AAA shows a plot also corresponding to the velocity versus position plot of
FIG. 5BBB shows a plot also corresponding to the velocity versus position plot of
As shown in
In alternative embodiments, the center gate 32 and associated actuator 940 and valve pin 1040 can remain open at, during and subsequent to the times that the lateral gates 34, 36 are opened such that fluid material flows into cavity 30 through both the center gate 32 and one or both of the lateral gates 34, 36 simultaneously.
When the lateral gates 34, 36 are opened and fluid material NM is allowed to first enter the mold cavity into the stream 102p that has been injected from center nozzle 22 past gates 34, 36, the two streams NM and 102p mix with each other. If the velocity of the fluid material NM is too high, such as often occurs when the flow velocity of injection fluid material through gates 34, 36 is at maximum, a visible line or defect in the mixing of the two streams 102p and NM will appear in the final cooled molded product at the areas where gates 34, 36 inject into the mold cavity. By injecting NM at a reduced flow rate for a relatively short period of time at the beginning when the gate 34, 36 is first opened and following the time when NM first enters the flow stream 102p, the appearance of a visible line or defect in the final molded product can be reduced or eliminated.
The rate or velocity of upstream withdrawal of pins 1041, 1042 starting from the closed position is controlled via controller 16,
A “controller,” as used herein, refers to electrical and electronic control apparati that comprise a single box or multiple boxes (typically interconnected and communicating with each other) that contain(s) all of the separate electronic processing, memory and electrical signal generating components that are necessary or desirable for carrying out and constructing the methods, functions and apparatuses described herein. Such electronic and electrical components include programs, microprocessors, computers, PID controllers, voltage regulators, current regulators, circuit boards, motors, batteries and instructions for controlling any variable element discussed herein such as length of time, degree of electrical signal output and the like. For example a component of a controller, as that term is used herein, includes programs, controllers and the like that perform functions such as monitoring, alerting and initiating an injection molding cycle including a control device that is used as a standalone device for performing conventional functions such as signaling and instructing an individual injection valve or a series of interdependent valves to start an injection, namely move an actuator and associated valve pin from a gate closed to a gate open position. In addition, although fluid driven actuators are employed in typical or preferred embodiments of the invention, actuators powered by an electric or electronic motor or drive source can alternatively be used as the actuator component.
As shown in
The user programs controller 16 via data inputs on a user interface to instruct the hydraulic system 700 via control of the degree of openness of the restriction valve 600 to drive pins 1041, 1042 at an upstream velocity of travel that is reduced relative to a maximum velocity that the hydraulic system 700 can drive the pins 1041, 1042 to travel. The reduced velocity at which the actuator 941 and associated valve pin 1041 are driven is determined by a predetermined profile of reduced drive fluid pressures that is followed by the controller 16 based on the metered pressure exiting valve 600 that is sensed by sensor 603 in line 703 and sent to the controller 16 during an injection cycle, the controller 16 controlling the degree of openness of valve 600 which in turn controls the degree of pressure exiting valve 600 in line 703.
As described below, the controller 16 drives the actuator 941/valve pin 1041 at the profile of reduced pin withdrawal rate or velocity either until a position sensor such as 951, 952 detects that an actuator 941, 952 or an associated valve pin (or another component), has reached a certain position (e.g. as in
In an alternative embodiment, the user can program controller 16 via to instruct the hydraulic system 700 to drive pins 1041, 1042 at the profile of reduced velocity of upstream travel for a predetermined amount of time. In such an embodiment, the reduced pin withdrawal rate or velocity is executed for a preselected amount of time that is less than the time of the entire injection cycle, the latter part of the injection cycle being executed with the pins 1041, 1042 being withdrawn at a higher velocity typically the highest velocity at which the hydraulic system is capable of driving the pins 1041, 1042. A typical amount of time over which the pins are instructed to withdraw at a reduced velocity is between about 0.25 and about 10 seconds, more typically between about 0.5 and about 5 seconds, the entire injection cycle time typically being between about 4 seconds and about 30 seconds, more typically between about 6 seconds and about 12 seconds. In such an embodiment, the periods of time over which the pins 1041, 1042 are withdrawn at reduced velocities are typically determined empirically by trial and error runs. One or more, typically multiple, trial injection cycle runs are carried out to make specimen parts from the mold. Each trial injection cycle run is carried out using a different period or periods of time at which the pins 1041, 1042 are withdrawn at one or more reduced velocities over the trial period(s) of time, and the quality of the parts produced from all such trial runs are compared to determine the optimum quality producing time(s) of reduced velocity pin withdrawals. When the optimum time(s) have been determined, the controller is programmed to carry out an injection cycle where the pin withdrawal velocities of pins 1041 are reduced for the predetermined amounts of time at the predetermined reduced withdrawal rates.
The pins 1041 can be controllably withdrawn at one or more reduced velocities (less than maximum) for one or more periods of time over the entirety of the length of the path RP over which flow of mold material 1153 is restricted. Preferably the pins are withdrawn at a reduced velocity over more than about 50% of RP and most preferably over more than about 75% of the length RP. As described below with reference to
The trace or visible lines that appear in the body of a part that is ultimately formed within the cavity of the mold on cooling above can be reduced or eliminated by reducing or controlling the velocity of the pin 1041, 1042 opening or upstream withdrawal from the gate closed position to a selected intermediate upstream gate open position that is preferably 75% or more of the length of RP.
RP can be about 1-8 mm in length and more typically about 2-6 mm and even more typically 2-4 mm in length. As shown in
The velocity of withdrawal of the valve pins 1041, 1042 is determined by regulation of the flow of hydraulic drive fluid that is pumped from a supply 14 to the actuators 941, 942 through flow restrictor valve 600,
According to the invention, the degree of openness of the flow restrictor valve 600 is adjusted in response to sensing with sensor 603 of the drive fluid pressure that exits restrictor valve 600. The controller automatically adjusts the degree of openness of flow restrictor valve 600 to less than 100% open to cause the reduced pressure in line 703 to match and follow the predetermined profile of pressure shown for example in
In the
The valve 600 typically comprises a restrictor valve that is controllably positionable anywhere between completely closed (0% open) and completely open (100% open). Adjustment of the position of the restrictor valve 600 is typically accomplished via a source of electrical power that controllably drives an electromechanical mechanism that causes the valve to rotate such as a rotating spool that reacts to a magnetic or electromagnetic field created by the electrical signal output of the controller 16, namely an output of electrical energy, electrical power, voltage, current or amperage the degree or amount of which can be readily and controllably varied by conventional electrical output devices. The electro-mechanism is controllably drivable to cause the valve 600 to open or close to a degree of openness that is proportional to the amount or degree of electrical energy that is input to drive the electro-mechanism. The velocity of upstream withdrawal travel of the pins 1041, 1042 are in turn proportional to the degree of openness of the valve 600. Thus the rate of upstream travel of the pins 1041, 1042 is proportional to the amount or degree of electrical energy that is input to the electro-mechanism drives valves 600. The electro-mechanism that is selected for driving the valve 600 establishes in the first instance the maximum amount of electrical energy or power (such as voltage or current) that is required to open the valve to its 100% open position.
The user implements a reduced upstream velocity of the pins 1041, 1042 over a given upstream length of travel or over a given amount of time by inputting to the controller 16 a profile of reduced exit fluid pressures that are implemented by adjusting the electrical drive mechanism that operates metering valve 600 to less than 100% of the maximum amount of electrical energy or power input (voltage or current) needed to open the valve 600 to 100% open at which setting maximum drive fluid pressure and, a fortiori, maximum actuator/pin velocity occurs.
In one embodiment, the user can implement reduced actuator/pin withdrawal velocity profiles by inputting reduced exit pressure profiles (or other data corresponding thereto) versus actuator/pin position into the controller 16. Exit pressure is the pressure of the valve drive fluid that exits the metering valve 600 during the upstream withdrawal portion of the injection cycle. In the examples provided, the exit pressure would be the pressure in one of lines 703, 705 or 707 as sensed by a respective one of sensors 603, 605, 607. In another embodiment, the user can implement reduced actuator/pin withdrawal velocity profiles by inputting to the controller 16 reduced exit pressure profiles or other data corresponding. thereto) versus time of withdrawal beginning from the time at which the gate is closed.
The user can also preselect the length of the path of travel RP, RP2 of the valve pin or other end of reduced velocity position of the valve pin or other component over the course of travel of which the material flow through the gate is restricted and input such selections into the controller 16. In an alternative embodiment the user can preselect the length of time during which the gate is restricted by a valve pin travelling over a restricted path length RP, RP2 and input such a selection into the controller 16.
The controller 16 includes conventional programming or circuitry that receives and executes the user inputs. The controller may include programming or circuitry that enables the user to input as a variable a selected pin velocity rather than a percentage of electrical output, the programming of the controller 16 automatically converting the inputs by the user to appropriate instructions for reduced energy input to the electro-mechanism that drives the valve 600.
Typically the user selects a profile of metered exit drive fluid pressures that corresponds to reduced pin withdrawal velocities that are less than about 90% of the maximum velocity (namely the velocity when the valve 600 is fully open), more typically less than about 75% of the maximum velocity and even more typically less than about 50% of the maximum velocity at which the pins 1041, 1042 are drivable by the hydraulic system. The actual maximum velocity at which the actuators 941, 942 and their associated pins 1041, 1042 are driven is predetermined by selection of the size and configuration of the actuators 941, 942, the size and configuration of the restriction valve 600 and the degree of pressurization and type of hydraulic drive fluid selected for use by the user. The maximum drive rate of the hydraulic system is predetermined by the manufacturer and the user of the system and is typically selected according to the application, size and nature of the mold and the injection molded part to be fabricated.
As shown by the series of examples of programs illustrated in
As shown in
Most preferably, the actuator, valve pin, valves and fluid drive system are adapted to move the valve pin between a gate closed position and a maximum upstream travel position that defines an end of stroke position for the actuator and the valve pin. Most preferably the valve pin is moved at the maximum velocity at one or more times or positions over the course of upstream travel of the valve pin past the upstream gate open position. Alternatively to the hydraulic system depicted and described, a pneumatic or gas driven system can be used and implemented in the same manner as described above for a hydraulic system.
Preferably, the valve pin and the gate are configured or adapted to cooperate with each other to restrict and vary the rate of flow of fluid material 1153,
In one embodiment, as the tip end 1142 of the pin 1041 continues to travel upstream from the gate closed GC position (as shown for example in
In embodiments, where the tip 1142 has reached the end of restricted flow path RP2 and the tip 1142 is not necessarily in a position where the fluid flow 1153 is not still being restricted, the fluid flow 1153 can still be restricted to less than maximum flow when the pin has reached the changeover position COP2 where the pin 1041 is driven at a higher, typically maximum, upstream velocity FOV. In the examples shown in the
In another alternative embodiment, shown in
In the
At the expiration of the predetermined reduced velocity drive time, the pins 1041, 1042 are typically driven further upstream past the COP, COP2 position to a maximum end-of-stroke EOS position. The upstream COP, COP2 position is downstream of the maximum upstream end-of-stroke EOS open position of the tip end 1142 of the pin. The length of the path RP or RP2 is typically between about 2 and about 8 mm, more typically between about 2 and about 6 mm and most typically between about 2 and about 4 mm. In practice the maximum upstream (end of stroke) open position EOS of the pin 1041, 1042 ranges from about 8 mm to about 18 inches upstream from the closed gate position GC.
The controller 16 includes a processor, memory, user interface and circuitry and/or instructions that receive and execute the user inputs of percentage of maximum valve open or percentage of maximum voltage or current input to the motor drive for opening and closing the restriction valve, time duration for driving the valve pin at the selected valve openings and reduced velocities.
With regard to embodiments where the use of a position sensor is employed,
As discussed above, control over the withdrawal (upstream) velocity of actuator or pin movement is accomplished by controlling the degree of fluid pressure that exits the metering valve which in turn is controlled by controlling the degree of openness of the fluid restriction valve 600. A profile of exit fluid pressures versus time or pin position is determined in advance and input to the controller which includes a program and instructions that automatically adjust the position of valve 600 based on the real time pressure signal received from sensor 603 (or 605 or 607) to adjust the exit pressure of the drive fluid in line 703 (or 705 or 707) which in turn adjusts the rate or velocity of upstream movement of the actuator 941/valve pin 1041 (and/or actuators 1040, 1042 and valve pins 940, 942).
In an alternative embodiment, the actuators can be controlled to cause the valve pins 1041, 1042, 1043 to travel beginning from an upstream gate open position (such as the maximum upstream position), downstream at a reduced velocity for one or more portions of the downstream path of travel from the gate open to the gate closed position. Controller 16 or 176 can also include an interface that enables the user to input any selected degree of electrical energy or power needed to operate the motors 940, 941, 942 at less than full speed any portion or all of the downstream portion of an injection cycle as shown and described with reference to
The user inputs such selections into the controller 16 or 176. Where a position sensor and a protocol for selection of the velocities over selected path lengths is used, the user also selects the length of the path of travel RP, RP2 of the valve pin or the position of the valve pin or other component over the course of travel of which the valve 600 is to be maintained partially open and inputs such selections into the controller 16 or 176. The controller 16 or 176 includes conventional programming or circuitry that receives and executes the user inputs. The controller may include programming or circuitry that enables the user to input as a variable a selected pin velocity rather than a degree of electrical energy input to the motors, the programming of the controller 16 automatically converting the inputs by the user to appropriate instructions for reduced energy input to the motors at appropriate times and pin positions as needed to carry out a pin profile such as in
Typically the user selects one or more reduced pin velocities that are less than about 90% of the maximum velocity at which the motors 940, 941, 942 can drive the pins, more typically less than about 75% of the maximum velocity and even more typically less than about 50% of the maximum velocity at which the pins 1041, 1042 are drivable by the electric motors. The actual maximum velocity at which the actuators 941, 942 and their associated pins 1041, 1042 are driven is predetermined by selection of the size and configuration of the actuators 941, 942. The maximum drive rate of the motors 940, 941, 942 is predetermined by the manufacturer and the user of the motors and is typically selected according to the application, size and nature of the mold and the injection molded part to be fabricated.
In the
As shown in the
In the
The
The electric actuator controlled pins 1041 of the present invention as shown in
In one embodiment, after the pins 1041 have been withdrawn upstream to an upstream position where the flow of injection fluid material is no longer restricted (and thus at maximum flow rate), the pins 1041 can be withdrawn at maximum rate of upstream travel or velocity in order to shorten the injection cycle time. Alternatively, when the pins 1041 have been withdrawn to a position upstream where maximum injection flow rate is occurring, the pins 1041 can continue to be withdrawn at a reduced rate of travel or velocity to ensure that injection fluid does not flow through the gates 34 at a rate that causes a defect in the molded part.
Similarly, on downstream closure of the pins 1041 after they have reached their maximum upstream withdrawal positions, the rate of travel of the pins is preferably controlled by controller 176 such that the pins 1041 travel downstream to a fully gate closed position at a reduced rate of travel or velocity that is less than the maximum rate of downstream travel or velocity over some portion or all of the stroke length between fully upstream and closed.
Graphs such as shown in
The four different graphs of
In the
In the
Through a user interface,
Screen 1300,
A profile 1310 includes (x, y) data pairs, corresponding to time values 1320 and pressure values 1330 which represent the desired pressure sensed by the pressure transducer for the particular nozzle being profiled. The screen shown in
The screen also allows the user to select the particular valve pin they are controlling displayed at 1390, and name the part being molded displayed at 1400. Each of these parameters can be adjusted independently using standard windows-based editing techniques such as using a cursor to actuate up/down arrows 1410, or by simply typing in values on a keyboard. As these parameters are entered and modified, the profile will be displayed on a graph 1420 according to the parameters selected at that time.
By clicking on a pull-down menu arrow 1391, the user can select different nozzle valves in order to create, view or edit a profile for the selected nozzle valve and cavity associated therewith. Also, a part name 1400 can be entered and displayed for each selected nozzle valve.
The newly edited profile can be saved in computer memory individually, or saved as a group of profiles for a group of nozzles that inject into a particular single or multi-cavity mold. To create a new profile or edit an existing profile, first the user selects a particular nozzle valve of the group of valves being profiled. The valve selection is displayed at 1390. The user inputs an alpha/numeric name to be associated with the profile being created, for family tool molds this may be called a part name displayed at 1400. The user then inputs a time displayed at 1340 to specify when injection starts. A delay can be with particular valve pins to sequence the opening of the valve pins and the injection of melt material into different gates of a mold.
The user then inputs the fill (injection) pressure displayed at 1350. In the basic mode, the ramp from zero pressure to max fill pressure is a fixed time, for example, 0.3 seconds. The user next inputs the start pack time to indicate when the pack phase of the injection cycle starts. The ramp from the filling phase to the packing phase is also fixed time in the basic mode, for example, 0.3 seconds.
The final parameter is the cycle time which is displayed at 1380 in which the user specifies when the pack phase (and the injection cycle) ends. The ramp from the pack phase to zero pressure may be instantaneous when a valve pin is used to close the gate, or slower in a thermal gate due to the residual pressure in the cavity which will decay to zero pressure once the part solidifies in the mold cavity.
User input buttons 1415 through 1455 are provided for purposes of enabling the user to save and load target profiles. Button 1415 permits the user to close the screen. When this button is clicked, the current group of profiles will take effect. Cancel button 1425 is used to ignore current profile changes and revert back to the original profiles and close the screen. Read Trace button 1435 is used to load an existing and saved target profile from memory. The profiles can be stored in memory contained in one or more of the operator interface 21, in random access or permanent memory contained in the controller. Save trace button 1440 is provided for purposes of enabling a user to save the current profile. Read group button 1445 is provided for purposes of enabling a user to load an existing profile or set of profiles. Save group button 1450 is provided for purposes of enabling a user to save the current group of target profiles for a group of nozzle valve pins. The process tuning button 1455 is provided for purposes of enabling a user to change the settings (for example, the gains) for a particular nozzle valve in a control zone. Also displayed is a pressure range 1465 for the injection molding application.
While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that many modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in one embodiment the controller can be mounted on a hydraulic power unit.
Thus as described, the control data can comprise a profile of values of a condition of the injected polymer material or a condition or position of a selected component of the injection molding apparatus that is specified to occur at each point in time over the course or duration of an injection cycle when a part is produced in the mold cavity. Thus a profile defines a set of conditions, events or positions to which the injection material or the component of the apparatus is adjusted to attain over the course of a particular injection cycle. Typical injection material conditions that can be specified and controlled are pressure of the injection material at selected positions within a flow channel of the manifold, within an injection nozzle or within the mold cavity. Typical conditions or positions of components of the apparatus that can be controlled and comprise a profile are the position of the valve pin, the position of the screw of the barrel of the injection molding machine and position of an actuator piston. Such profiles are disclosed in detail in for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,909 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,581 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,828, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/708,533 (7127US1) filed May 11, 2015 which is a continuation of international application PCT/US2013/071667 filed Nov. 25, 2013 the disclosures of both which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application is also a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/930,692 filed Nov. 3, 2015 (7117US1) which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/569,464 filed Aug. 8, 2012 (7117US0), the disclosures of all of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application is also a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/291,721 filed Oct. 12, 2016 (7134US2) which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/311,785 filed Jun. 23, 2014 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,336 filed May 31, 2012 which is a continuation of PCT/US2011/062099 filed Nov. 23, 2011, the disclosures of all of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application is also a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/286,917 filed Oct. 6, 2016 (7135US2) which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/325,443 filed Jul. 8, 2014 the disclosures of all of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application is also a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/567,308 filed Dec. 11, 2014 (7100US4) which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,336 filed May 31, 2012 which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority of PCT/US11/62099 filed Nov. 23, 2011 which in turn claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/475,340 filed Apr. 14, 2011 and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/416,583 filed Nov. 23, 2010, the disclosures of all of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application is also a continuation in part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/567,369 filed Dec. 11, 2014 (7100US5) which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,408 filed May 31, 2012, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to PCT/US11/62096 filed Nov. 23, 2011, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/475,340 filed Apr. 14, 2011 and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/416,583 filed Nov. 23, 2010, the disclosures of all of the foregoing of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. The disclosures of all of the following are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein: International Application Publication No. WO2012/074879, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0248644, International Application Publication No. 2012/087491, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0248652, U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,025, U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,840, U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,122, U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,208, U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,107, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,921, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,922, U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,377, U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,075, U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,300 (7006), U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,870, U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,909 (7031), U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,116, U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,929 (7075US1), U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,625 (7075US2), U.S. Pat. No. 7,569,169 (7075US3), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/214,118, filed Aug. 8, 2002 (7006), U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,268 (7077US1), U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,537 (7077US2), U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,828 (7077US3), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/699,856 filed Oct. 30, 2000 (7056), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/269,927 filed Oct. 11, 2002 (7031), U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,832 filed Feb. 15, 2000 (7053), U.S. application Ser. No. 09/656,846 filed Sep. 7, 2000 (7060), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/006,504 filed Dec. 3, 2001, (7068) and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/101,278 filed Mar. 19, 2002 (7070), U.S. Pat. No. 8,297,836 (7087), U.S. Pat. No. 8,328,549 (7096) and international applications PCT/US2011/062099 (7100) and PCT/US2011/062096 (7100), PCT/US2014/043612, PCT/US2013/075064 filed Dec. 13, 2013, PCT/US2014/019210 filed Feb. 28, 2014, PCT/US2014/031000 and PCT/US2014/032658.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61475340 | Apr 2011 | US | |
| 61416583 | Nov 2010 | US | |
| 61475340 | Apr 2011 | US | |
| 61416583 | Nov 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13484336 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14567308 | US | |
| Parent | 13484408 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14567369 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14708533 | May 2015 | US |
| Child | 15442173 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2013/071667 | Nov 2013 | US |
| Child | 14708533 | US | |
| Parent | 13569464 | Aug 2012 | US |
| Child | 14930692 | US | |
| Parent | 15291721 | Oct 2016 | US |
| Child | 13569464 | US | |
| Parent | 14311785 | Jun 2014 | US |
| Child | 15291721 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2011/062099 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 13484336 | US | |
| Parent | 14325443 | Jul 2014 | US |
| Child | 15286917 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2011/062099 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 13484336 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US2011/062096 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 13484408 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14930692 | Nov 2015 | US |
| Child | PCT/US2013/071667 | US | |
| Parent | 13484336 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14311785 | US | |
| Parent | 15286917 | Oct 2016 | US |
| Child | PCT/US2011/062099 | US | |
| Parent | 14567308 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | 14325443 | US | |
| Parent | 14567369 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | PCT/US2011/062099 | US |
