Patent Application
20180370101
The specification relates to injection molding machines, elements thereof, and methods and apparatuses for injecting mold material into a mold half apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,500 (Wilhelm) relates to a two-stage injection-molding machine with a fixed mold plate, a movable mold plate and a two-part intermediate assembly, arranged to be movable between said plates, and with a supply of injection-molding material for the intermediate assembly to supply the stages formed between the intermediate assembly and the mold plates with injection-molding material. In order to simplify the production of injection-molded parts of different colors in one and the same injection-molding process it is proposed, in accordance with the invention, that for each stage there has been provided a separate supply of injection-molding material via a separate main channel. In addition to the free choice of the color for each stage, it is possible to use various types of plastic per stage in one and the same injection-molding process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,839 (Kurumaji et al.) discloses an injection molding machine in which molten resin from an extruder is injected into the cavity of a mold through a nozzle. A runner body disposed between the mold and the extruder has a substantially L-shaped hot runner for supplying the molten resin from the extruder to the mold therethrough. The runner body is pivotably supported by a support assembly and is horizontally slidable relative to the support assembly to accommodate thermal expansion, whereby the nozzle mounted on the runner body can be brought into or out of intimate contact with the mold. To accommodate the thermal expansion of the runner body only toward the extruder, a stopper is provided on the base frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,538 (Mai) discloses an injection molding coupling apparatus and method configured to be installed between a relatively movable injection unit and a relatively stationary unit base. A subplate is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the unit base, and preferably includes linear bearings for rolling on a pair of linear rails. A flexible pad device is configured to be disposed between the subplate and the injection unit. The flexible pad device is configured to minimize misalignment caused by thermal elongation of heated components and the relative movement between the injection unit and the unit base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,822 (Hara et al.) discloses an injection molding machine in which a plurality of stationary molds are securely disposed in a row on a stationary platen and transversely extending parallel to one another, and a moving mold to be coupled with the stationary molds is supported as a unit displaceable in a lateral direction in a mold holder with regard to a moving platen, by coupling and clamping the moving mold and one of a plurality of stationary molds together, injection molding is accomplished, thus by changing stationary molds one after another and clamping the moving mold, the injection molding is accomplished to obtain multi-colored or multi-material molded products. The moving mold protrudes a small distance beyond the end surface of the mold holder facing the stationary mold to minimize flash produced by slanting due to off-center pressure on the molds.
The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention. In general, disclosed herein are one or more methods or apparatuses related to injection molding, and to injecting melt into a mold half apparatus.
According to some aspects, an injection molding machine comprises: (a) a machine base extending lengthwise along a generally horizontal machine axis, the base having 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; (b) a platen supported by the platen support portion for carrying a mold half apparatus; (c) a first injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion, the first injection unit including a first barrel and a first nozzle assembly at a front end of the first barrel for discharging a first melt through the platen into a first mold inlet of the mold half apparatus; and (d) a second injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion, the second injection unit including a second barrel and a second nozzle assembly at a front end of the second barrel for discharging a second melt around the platen into a second mold inlet of the mold half apparatus.
In some examples, the first barrel extends lengthwise along the machine axis. In some examples, the second barrel extends lengthwise alongside the first barrel. In some examples, the second barrel is laterally offset from and generally parallel to the first barrel.
In some examples, the injection unit support portion has a base width bounded laterally by an axially extending first side at an operator side of the machine, and an axially extending second side at a non-operator side of the machine, the first and second barrels laterally intermediate the first side and the second side.
In some examples, the first and second barrels are at a generally common elevation.
In some examples, the platen includes a platen front face having a front face central portion for abutting the mold half apparatus, a platen rear face axially opposite the platen front face, a platen bottom surface directed toward the base, a platen top surface opposite the platen bottom surface, and a platen side surface extending vertically between the platen top and bottom surfaces and axially between the platen front and rear faces, and wherein the second nozzle assembly extends around the platen laterally outboard of the platen side surface.
In some examples, the platen front face includes a front face marginal portion laterally offset from the front face central portion, and wherein the second nozzle assembly includes a second barrel nozzle at a front end of the second barrel and a nozzle extension mounted to the front face marginal portion for conducting the second melt from the second barrel nozzle to the second mold inlet.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes an extension inlet laterally outboard of the platen side surface of the platen for receiving the second melt from the second barrel nozzle.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes an extension outlet laterally inboard of the platen side surface of the platen for discharging the second melt into the second mold inlet.
According to some aspects, an injection molding machine comprises: (a) a machine base extending lengthwise along a generally horizontal machine axis, the base having 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; (b) a platen supported by the platen support portion for carrying a mold half apparatus, the platen including a platen front face having a front face central portion for abutting the mold half apparatus and a front face marginal portion laterally offset from the front face central portion; (c) a first injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion, the first injection unit including a first barrel and a first barrel nozzle at the front end of the first barrel for discharging a first melt into a first mold inlet of the mold half apparatus; and (d) a second injection unit supported by the injection unit support portion, the second injection unit including a second barrel, a second barrel nozzle at the front end of the second barrel for discharging a second melt, and a nozzle extension mounted to the front face marginal portion of the platen for conducting the second melt from the second barrel nozzle to a second mold inlet of the mold half apparatus.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes an extension inlet for receiving the second melt in an axial direction from the second barrel nozzle and an extension outlet for discharging the second melt in a lateral direction into the second mold inlet.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes an extension body having an internal extension conduit extending between the extension inlet and the extension outlet for conducting the second melt from the extension inlet to the extension outlet.
In some examples, the extension conduit includes a curved portion for directing the second melt from the axial direction to the lateral direction. In some examples, the curved portion extends along a curved portion centerline between a curved portion inlet directed axially toward the extension inlet and a curved portion outlet directed laterally toward the extension outlet. In some examples, the extension conduit includes an axial portion extending axially from the extension inlet to the curved portion inlet and a lateral portion extending laterally from the curved portion outlet to the extension outlet. In some examples, the extension conduit has a generally circular cross-section along at least the curved portion, and the curved portion centerline has a radius of curvature greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the conduit along the curved portion. In some examples, the radius of curvature is at least twice the diameter.
In some examples, the body includes an extension inlet engagement surface circumscribing the extension inlet, the extension inlet engagement surface directed axially rearward toward the second barrel nozzle for engagement by the second barrel nozzle.
In some examples, the body includes an extension outlet engagement surface circumscribing the extension outlet, the extension outlet engagement surface directed laterally inward for engagement with a second mold inlet engagement surface circumscribing the second mold inlet.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes a housing fixed to the front face marginal portion, the body mounted within and laterally slidable relative to the housing.
In some examples, the nozzle extension includes a pushing device coupled to the housing and disposed laterally outward of the body, the pushing device exerting a laterally inwardly directed force on the body to hold the extension outlet engagement surface in engagement with the second mold inlet engagement surface during injection of the second melt into the second mold inlet. In some examples, a magnitude of the laterally inwardly directed force is adjustable.
In some examples, the pushing device comprises a compression spring for pushing the body laterally inward, the spring laterally compressed between a first abutment surface locked relative to the housing and a second abutment surface fixed relative to the body during injection of the second melt. In some examples, a preload on the spring is adjustable. In some examples, the first abutment surface is locked at a lateral location relative to the housing, the lateral location adjustable for adjusting the preload on the spring.
In some examples, the housing includes a housing sidewall laterally outward of the body and an internally threaded bore extending laterally through the sidewall, and the pushing device includes an endcap having a threaded outer surface in threaded engagement with the internally threaded bore, and wherein the first abutment surface is fixed to the endcap and the endcap is rotatable relative to the housing sidewall for adjusting the lateral location of the first abutment surface.
In some examples, the body is supported within the housing on a plurality of contact pads fixed to inner surfaces of the housing, the contact pads inhibiting axial and vertical movement of the body and accommodating lateral movement of the body.
In some examples, the contact pads inhibit heat transfer between the body and the housing.
In some examples, the contact pads space apart outer surfaces of the body from the inner surfaces of the housing to inhibit heat transfer between the body and the housing.
In some examples, the contact pads are formed of thermally insulative material for inhibiting heat transfer between the body and the housing.
According to some aspects, an injection molding machine comprises: (a) a machine base; (b) a platen supported on the machine base for carrying a mold half apparatus, the platen including a platen front face having a front face central portion for abutting the mold half apparatus, and a front face marginal portion laterally offset from the front face central portion; and (c) a nozzle extension mounted to the front face marginal portion, the nozzle extension including an extension inlet for receiving a mold material in an axial direction from a barrel nozzle of an injection unit, and an extension outlet for discharging the mold material in a lateral direction into a mold inlet of the mold half apparatus.
According to some aspects, a method of operating an injection molding machine comprises: (a) discharging a first melt in an axial direction into a first mold inlet of a first mold half apparatus, the first mold half apparatus mounted to a front face central portion of a platen; (b) discharging a second melt in an axial direction into a nozzle extension, the nozzle extension mounted to a front face marginal portion of the platen, the front face marginal portion laterally offset from the front face central portion; and (c) discharging the second melt from the nozzle extension in a lateral direction into a second mold inlet of the first mold half apparatus.
Other aspects and features of the present specification will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.
The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the first platen 106 is also referred to as a stationary platen, and the second platen 108 is also referred to as a moving platen. The second (moving) platen 108 can translate towards and away from the first (stationary) platen 106 along the machine axis 104 to close and open the mold.
In the example illustrated, the first platen 106 includes a platen front face 160 having a front face central portion 160a (
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the first injection unit 122 can inject a first melt into the first mold half apparatus 106a, and the second injection unit 124 can inject a second melt into the first mold half apparatus 106a. The first and second melts can have different properties such as, for example, different compositions or different colors. In some examples, the first melt and the second melt can be the same.
Referring to
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In the example illustrated, the first barrel assembly 129 is slidably mounted on the base 102. The first barrel assembly 129 is slidable parallel to the machine axis 104 between a first advanced position and a first retracted position for advancing and retracting the first barrel nozzle 138 relative to the first platen 106. Referring to
Optionally, the first barrel assembly 129 can be pivotable relative to the base 102 about a generally vertical first pivot axis. In the example illustrated, the first drive 130 is pivotable about the first pivot axis between a first injection position, in which the first barrel 132 extends generally parallel with the machine axis 104, and a first service position, in which the front end of the first barrel assembly 129 is swung out toward a first side 126a of the injection molding machine 100. This can help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the first injection unit 122.
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the injection unit support portion 126 has a base width 127 bounded laterally by an axially extending first side 126a and an axially extending second side 126b of the injection unit support portion 126. The first side 126a is at the operator side of the machine 100 and the second side 126b is at the non-operator side of the machine 100. In the example illustrated, the first and second barrels 132, 152 are generally laterally intermediate the first side 126a and the second side 126b of the injection unit support portion 126. The first barrel 132 is laterally centered between the first side 126a and the second side 126b in the example illustrated. The second barrel 152 is laterally offset from the first barrel 132 toward the second side 126b of the injection unit support portion 126 in the example illustrated.
Referring to
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In the example illustrated, the second barrel nozzle 158 and the extension inlet 172 are laterally outboard of the platen side surface 168. The second barrel nozzle 158 includes an axially extending second barrel nozzle conduit 158a for discharging the second melt in the axial direction into the extension inlet 172. The extension outlet 174 is laterally inboard of the platen side surface 168, and is axially forward of the front face marginal portion 160b.
Referring to
In the example illustrated, the extension conduit 180 includes a curved portion 182 for directing the second melt from the axial direction to the lateral direction. The curved portion 182 extends along a curved portion centerline 184 between a curved portion inlet 182a directed axially toward the extension inlet 172 and a curved portion outlet 182b directed laterally toward the extension outlet 174. In the example illustrated, the extension conduit 180 includes a conduit axial portion 186 extending axially from the extension inlet 172 to the curved portion inlet 182a, and a conduit lateral portion 188 extending laterally from the curved portion outlet 182b to the extension outlet 174.
The extension conduit 180 can have a generally circular cross section along at least the curved portion 182. In the example illustrated, the extension conduit 180 has a generally circular cross section along an entire length of the conduit 180. The curved portion centerline 184 has a radius of curvature 190 greater than a cross-sectional diameter 191 of the extension conduit along the curved portion 182. The radius of curvature 190 can be at least twice the diameter 191. In the example illustrated, the radius of curvature 190 is approximately twice the diameter 191. This can help reduce inertial resistance of the second melt conducted through the conduit 180.
In the example illustrated, the body 178 includes an extension inlet engagement surface 192 circumscribing the extension inlet 172. The extension inlet engagement surface 192 is directed axially rearward toward the second barrel nozzle 158 for engagement by the second barrel nozzle 158. In the example illustrated, the body 178 includes an extension inlet bushing 194 comprising the extension inlet 172 and the extension inlet engagement surface 192.
In the example illustrated, the second barrel assembly 149 is slidably mounted on the base 102. The second barrel assembly is slidable parallel to the machine axis 104 between a second advanced position and a second retracted position for advancing and retracting the second barrel nozzle 158 relative to the nozzle extension 170. Referring to
Optionally, the second barrel assembly 149 can be pivotable relative to the base 102 about a generally vertical second pivot axis. In the example illustrated, the second barrel assembly 149 is pivotable about the second pivot axis between a second injection position, in which the second barrel 152 extends lengthwise generally parallel with the machine axis 104, and a second service position, in which a front end of the second barrel 152 is swung out toward the second side 126b of the machine 100. This may help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the second injection unit 124. This may also help maintain lateral alignment between the second barrel nozzle 158 and the extension inlet 172 in cases where the extension inlet 172 is laterally displaced, for example, due to thermal expansion or contraction of the body 178.
Referring to
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The magnitude of the laterally inwardly directed force is adjustable in the example illustrated. In the example illustrated, the pushing device 210 comprises a compression spring 212 for exerting the laterally inwardly directed force on the body 178 to push the body 178 laterally inward. The spring 212 comprises a plurality of laterally stacked coned-disc springs in the example illustrated. The spring 212 is laterally compressed between a first abutment surface 214 locked relative to the housing 176 and a second abutment surface 216 locked relative to the body 178 during injection of the second melt. The preload on the spring 212 is adjustable. In the example illustrated, the first abutment surface 214 is locked at a lateral location relative to the housing 176. The lateral location is adjustable for adjusting the preload on the spring 212.
In the example illustrated, the housing 176 includes a housing sidewall 218 laterally outward of the body 178, and an internally threaded bore 220 extending laterally through the housing sidewall 218. The pushing device 210 includes an endcap 222 having a threaded outer surface 224 in threaded engagement with the internally threaded bore 220. The first abutment surface 214 is fixed to the endcap 222. In the example illustrated, the endcap 222 is rotatable relative to the housing sidewall 218 for adjusting the lateral location of the first abutment surface 214.
In the example illustrated, the body 178 is supported within the housing 200 on a plurality of contact pads 225 fixed to inner surfaces of the housing 200. The contact pads 225 inhibit axially forward and vertical movement of the body 178, and accommodate lateral movement of the body 178. The contact pads 225 inhibit heat transfer between the body 178 and the housing 200. In the example illustrated, the contact pads 225 space apart outer surfaces of the body 178 from inner surfaces of the housing 200 to inhibit heat transfer between the body 178 and the housing 200. In the example illustrated, the contact pads 225 are formed of thermally insulative material for inhibiting heat transfer between the body and the housing.
In the example illustrated, the housing 200 includes a housing spacer portion 226 mounted against the front face marginal portion 160b, and a housing support portion 228 axially forward of and fixed to the housing spacer portion 226. The housing spacer portion 226 and the housing support portion 228 are bolted to the front face marginal portion 160b. In the example illustrated, the body 178 is supported within the housing support portion 228.
Referring to
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In the example illustrated, the machine 1100 includes a first injection unit 1122 and a second injection unit 1124 supported by an injection unit support portion 1126 of a machine base 1102. In the example illustrated, the second injection unit 1124 includes a second nozzle assembly 1156 at a front end of a second barrel 1152 for discharging the second melt around the platen 1106 into a second mold inlet 1107b of a first mold half apparatus 1106a. The second nozzle assembly 1156 includes a second barrel nozzle 1158 at a front end of the second barrel 1152, and a nozzle extension 1170 for conducting the second melt from the second barrel nozzle 1158 to the second mold inlet 1107b.
In the example illustrated, the nozzle extension 1170 includes an extension inlet 1172 for receiving the second melt from the second barrel nozzle 1158, and an extension outlet 1174 for discharging the second melt into the second mold inlet 1107b. The nozzle extension 1170 includes an extension body 1178 having an internal extension conduit 1180 extending between the extension inlet 1172 and the extension outlet 1174.
In the example illustrated, the body 1178 includes a plunger apparatus 1235 for discharging the second melt from the extension outlet 1174. The plunger apparatus 1235 includes a first chamber 1236 in fluid communication with the extension conduit 1180. The first chamber 1236 has an adjustable volume for receiving and dispensing the second melt. The first chamber 1236 is disposed laterally intermediate the extension outlet 1174 and an injection plunger 1238. The injection plunger 1238 is laterally slideable relative to the extension outlet 1174 between a plunger retracted and a plunger advanced position to increase and decrease, respectively, the volume of the first chamber 1236. The plunger 1238 is, in the example illustrated, pushed to the plunger retracted position as the first chamber 1236 receives the second melt, and is pushed to the plunger advanced position to dispense the melt. The plunger apparatus 1235 includes a spring 1240 for urging the plunger 1238 toward the plunger retracted position, and a second chamber 1244 for urging the plunger 1238 toward the plunger advanced position when pressurized.
This application is a continuation of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/CA2017/050289, filed Mar. 3, 2017, which claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/302,930, filed Mar. 3, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62302930 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/CA2017/050289 | Mar 2017 | US |
| Child | 16116314 | US |
