SEPARABLE FEED SYSTEM FOR AN INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to injection molding systems and methods of producing injection molded parts and, more particularly, to feed systems for injection molding machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Injection molding is a technology commonly used for high-volume manufacturing of parts made of meltable plastic material, most commonly of parts made of thermoplastic polymers. During a repetitive injection molding process, a plastic resin, most often in the form of small beads or pellets, is introduced to an injection molding machine that melts the resin beads under heat, pressure, and shear. The now molten resin is forcefully injected into a mold cavity having a particular cavity shape. The injected plastic is held under pressure in the mold cavity, cooled, and then removed as a solidified part having a shape that essentially duplicates the cavity shape of the mold. The mold itself may have a single cavity or multiple cavities. Each cavity may be connected to a feed channel by a gate, which directs the flow of the molten resin into the cavity. A molded part may have one or more gates. It is common for large parts to have two, three, or more gates to reduce the flow distance the polymer must travel to fill the molded part. The one or multiple gates per cavity may be located anywhere on the part geometry, and possess any cross-section shape such as being essentially circular or being shaped with an aspect ratio of 1.1 or greater.

A typical injection molding procedure comprises four basic operations: (1) heating the plastic in the injection molding machine to allow the plastic to flow under pressure; (2) injecting the melted plastic into a mold cavity or cavities defined between two mold halves that have been closed; (3) allowing the plastic to cool and harden in the cavity or cavities while under pressure; and (4) opening the mold halves and ejecting the part from the mold.

During the injection molding process, the molten plastic resin is injected into the mold cavity and the plastic resin is forcibly injected into the cavity by the injection molding machine until the plastic resin reaches the location in the cavity furthest from the gate. The resulting length and wall thickness of the part is a result of the shape of the mold cavity.

In some cases, it may be desirous to reduce the wall thickness of injected molded parts to reduce the plastic content, and thus cost, of the final part. Reducing wall thickness using a conventional injection molding process can be an expensive and a non-trivial task. In fact, conventional injection molding machines (e.g. machines injecting molten plastic resin at higher pressures) have a practical limit as to how thin walls of a part may be molded. Generally speaking, conventional injection molding machines cannot mold parts having a thinwall ratio (as defined by an L/T ratio set forth below) of greater than about 200. Furthermore, molding thinwall parts with thinwall ratios of more than 100 requires pressures at the high end of current capability and thus, presses that are capable of handling these high pressures.

When filling a thinwall part, the current industry practice is to fill the mold cavity at the highest possible rate the molding machine can achieve. This approach ensures that the mold cavity is filled before the polymer solidifies or "freezes off in the mold, and provides the lowest possible cycle time since the polymer is exposed to the cooled mold cavity as quickly as possible. This approach has two drawbacks. The first drawback is that to achieve very high filling velocities requires very high power loads, and this requires very expensive molding equipment. Further, most electric presses are unable to provide sufficient power to achieve these high filling rates, or require very complicated and expensive drive systems that substantially increase the cost of the molding equipment making them impractical economically.

The second drawback is that the high filling rates require very high pressures. These high pressures result in the need for very high clamping forces to hold the mold closed during filling, and these high clamping forces result in very expensive molding equipment. The high pressures also require injection feed systems and mold cores that are made from very high strength materials, typically hardened tool steels. These high strength feed systems and mold cores are also very expensive, and can be impractical economically for many molded components. Even with these substantial drawbacks, the need for thinwall injection molded components remains high, since these components use less polymer material to form the molded part, thereby resulting in material savings that more than offset the higher equipment costs. Further, some molded components require very thin design elements to perform properly, such as design elements that need to flex, or design elements that must mate with very small features of other design elements.

As a liquid plastic resin is introduced into an injection mold in a conventional injection molding process the material adjacent to the walls of the cavity, immediately begins to "freeze," or solidify, or cure, or in the case of crystalline polymers the plastic resin begins to crystallize, because the liquid plastic resin cools to a temperature below the material's no flow temperature and portions of the liquid plastic become stationary. This frozen material adjacent to the walls of the mold narrows the flow path that the thermoplastic travels as it progresses to the end of the mold cavity. The thickness of the frozen material layer adjacent to the walls of the mold increases as the filling of the mold cavity progresses, this causes a progressive reduction in the cross sectional area the polymer must flow through to continue to fill the mold cavity. As material freezes, it also shrinks, pulling away from the mold cavity walls, which reduces effective cooling of the material by the mold cavity walls. As a result, conventional injection molding machines fill the mold cavity with plastic very quickly and then maintain a packing pressure to force the material outward against the sides of the mold cavity to enhance cooling and to maintain the correct shape of the molded part. Conventional injection molding machines typically have cycle times made up of about 10% injection time, about 50% packing time, and about 40% cooling time.

As plastic freezes in the mold cavity, conventional injection molding machines increase injection pressure (to maintain a substantially constant volumetric flow rate due to the smaller cross- sectional flow area). Increasing the pressure, however, has both cost and performance downsides. As the pressure required to mold the component increases, the molding equipment must be strong enough to withstand the additional pressure, which generally equates to being more expensive. A manufacturer may have to purchase new equipment to accommodate these increased pressures. Thus, a decrease in the wall thickness of a given part can result in significant capital expenses to accomplish the manufacturing via conventional injection molding techniques.

In an effort to avoid some of the drawbacks mentioned above, many conventional injection molding operations use shear-thinning plastic material to improve flow characteristics of the plastic material into the mold cavity. As the shear-thinning plastic material is injected into the mold cavity, the shear rate generated due to the relative motion of the flowing plastic between the stationary mold cavity walls tend to reduce viscosity of the plastic material, thereby allowing the plastic material to flow more freely and easily into the mold cavity. As a result, it is possible to fill thinwall parts fast enough to avoid the material completely freezing off before the mold is completely filled.

Reduction in viscosity is directly related to the magnitude of shear rates generated due to the relative motion of the flowing plastic material and the stationary mold cavity walls. Thus, manufacturers of these shear-thinning materials and operators of injection molding systems have been driving injection molding pressures higher in an effort to increase shear, thus reducing viscosity. Typically, high output injection molding systems (e.g., class 101 and class 30 systems) inject the plastic material in to the mold cavity at higher melt pressures more. Manufacturers of shear-thinning plastic material teach injection molding operators to inject the plastic material into the mold cavities above a minimum melt pressure. For example, polypropylene resin is typically processed at pressures greater than 6,000 psi (the recommended range from the polypropylene resin manufacturers, is typically from greater than 6,000 psi to about 15,000 psi). Press manufacturers and processing engineers typically recommend processing shear thinning polymers at the top end of the range, or significantly higher, to achieve maximum potential shear thinning, which is typically greater than 15,000 psi, to extract maximum thinning, and to achieve better flow properties from the plastic material. Shear thinning thermoplastic polymers generally are processed in the range of over 6,000 psi to about 30,000 psi. Even with the use of shear thinning plastics, a practical limit exists for conventional injection molding of thin walled parts. This limit is currently in the range of thinwall parts having a thinwall ratio of 200 or more. Moreover, even parts having a thinwall ratio of between 100 and 200 may become cost prohibitive as these parts generally require injection pressures between about 15,000 psi and about 30,000 psi.

High production injection molding machines (i.e., class 101 and class 30 molding machines) that produce thinwalled consumer products exclusively use molds having a majority of the mold and feed system made from high hardness materials. High production injection molding machines typically experience 500,000 cycles per year or more. Industrial quality production molds must be designed to withstand at least 500,000 cycles per year, preferably more than 1,000,000 cycles per year, more preferably more than 5,000,000 cycles per year, and even more preferably more than 10,000,000 cycles per year. These machines have multi cavity molds and complex cooling systems to increase production rates. The high hardness materials are more capable of withstanding the repeated high pressure clamping operations than lower hardness materials. However, high hardness materials, such as most tool steels, have relatively low thermal conductivities, generally less than 20 BTU/HR FT °F, which leads to long cooling times as heat is transferred through from the molten plastic material through the high hardness material.

Furthermore, the high pressures existing in conventional injection molding machines require very robust feed systems. These feed systems are generally formed from a single piece of strong material to limit the number of seams or joints where molten plastic material could escape due to the high injection pressures. As a result, the feed channels are formed by drilling channels through a single piece of strong material, which greatly limits achievable flow geometries. Any change in flow direction must be formed by drilling channels along different axes, which necessarily meet at a junction that has sharp edges. These sharp edges disproportionately increase the energy required to drive the flow and create significant local increases in shear rate which can increase stress in molded parts. Even in the absence of sharp edges or corners, feed systems may contain constrictions or lengths that contribute to high shear rates.

In general, polymer flow in a feed system is laminar within the flow rates commonly used in the injection molding industry. Turbulent flow is generally understood not to occur within the feed system, even in flow systems with very high velocity and with polymers having relatively low flow viscosity. It is useful, however, to consider the Reynolds Number (Re) as a means of characterizing the influence of flow geometry on flow velocity, and the associated effects on polymer shear. The velocity of a polymer will vary in the feed system as flow encounters turns and changes in channel cross-sectional area. In the case of a corner, or a turn, in the feed system, these Re differences can be represented as a ratio of the faster moving flow portions relative to the slower moving flow portions. In general, reducing this ratio to a minimum value is desirable to achieve lower shear conditions and lower resistance to flow.

Generally, Reynolds Number (Re) is a dimensionless parameter familiar to those skilled in the art, which relates fluid density p, viscosity μ, velocity v, and hydraulic diameter of the flow path D as: Re = p νϋ/μ.

Stability and laminarity of flow are inversely proportional to Re. Typical flows in injection molding feed systems are stable or laminar, however Re will increase locally around sharp corners, bends, edges and in regions of constriction of flow. It is typically these regions that will create the highest shear rate in a feed system, and thus reduction of shear in these regions below critical or maximum permissible shear rates in plastic materials is of significant concern in feed system design. Even with the ever increasing injection pressure ranges of existing injection molding machines, a practical limit remains of about 200 (L/T ratio) for molding thinwalled parts in conventional (e.g. high) variable pressure injection molding machines and thinwall parts having a thinwall ratio of between about 100 and about 200 may be cost prohibitive for many manufacturers. Additionally, typical single piece drilled feed systems are difficult to clean when changing from one type (or color) of thermoplastic molding material to another. Currently, feed systems are cleaned by draining the system, using a brush of some sort to do a first stage cleaning, and running new molding material to flush out or purge the old material out of the feed system. This process results in considerable down time for the mold and a waste of new (flushing) thermoplastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a low constant pressure injection molding machine constructed according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a thin-walled part formed in the low constant pressure injection molding machine of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3D are side cross-sectional views of a portion of a thinwall mold cavity in various stages of fill by a conventional injection molding machine;

FIGS. 4A-4D are side cross-sectional views of a portion of a thinwall mold cavity in various stages of fill by the low constant pressure injection molding machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an injection molding cycle that may be carried out on a low constant pressure injection molding machine;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a feed system manifold block with two parts of the manifold block being slightly separated from one another;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the feed channels of the two parts of the manifold block of FIG. 8; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the manifold block of FIG. 8, which illustrates a joint between two pieces of the manifold block;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the feed system of FIG. 8 installed in a press of an injection molding machine;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the manifold block of FIG. 8 having a tapered seal arrangement between the two parts of the manifold block; and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of one part of the manifold block of FIG. 8, which includes a gasket or crush-seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems, machines, products, and methods of producing products by injection molding and more specifically to systems, products, and methods of producing products by low substantially constant pressure injection molding.

The term "low pressure" as used herein with respect to melt pressure of a thermoplastic material, means melt pressures in a vicinity of a nozzle of an injection molding machine of 15,000 psi and lower.

The term "substantially constant pressure" as used herein with respect to a melt pressure of a thermoplastic material, means that deviations from a baseline melt pressure do not produce meaningful changes in physical properties of the thermoplastic material. For example, "substantially constant pressure' includes, but is not limited to, pressure variations for which viscosity of the melted thermoplastic material do not meaningfully change. The term "substantially constant" in this respect includes deviations of approximately 30% from a baseline melt pressure. For example, the term "a substantially constant pressure of approximately 4600 psi" includes pressure fluctuations within the range of about 6000 psi (30% above 4600 psi) to about 3200 psi (30% below 4600 psi). A melt pressure is considered substantially constant as long as the melt pressure fluctuates no more than 30% from the recited pressure.

The term "melt holder", as used herein, refers to the portion of an injection molding machine that contains molten plastic in fluid communication with the machine nozzle. The melt holder is heated, such that a polymer may be prepared and held at a desired temperature. The melt holder is connected to a power source, for example a hydraulic cylinder or electric servo motor, that is in communication with a central control unit, and can be controlled to advance a diaphragm to force molten plastic through the machine nozzle. The molten material then flows through the runner system in to the mold cavity. The melt holder may be cylindrical in cross section, or have alternative cross sections that will permit a diaphragm to force polymer under pressures that can range from as low as 100 psi to pressures 40,000 psi or higher through the machine nozzle. The diaphragm may optionally be integrally connected to a reciprocating screw with flights designed to plasticize polymer material prior to injection. The term "high L/T ratio" generally refers to L/T ratios of 100 or greater, and more specifically to L/T ratios of 200 or greater, but less than 1000. Calculation of the L/T ratio is defined below.

The term "peak flow rate" generally refers to the maximum volumetric flow rate, as measured at the machine nozzle.

The term "peak injection rate" generally refers to the maximum linear speed the injection ram travels in the process of forcing polymer in to the feed system. The ram can be a reciprocating screw such as in the case of a single stage injection system, or a hydraulic ram such as in the case of a two stage injection system.

The term "ram rate" generally refers to the linear speed the injection ram travels in the process of forcing polymer into the feed system.

The term "flow rate" generally refers to the volumetric flow rate of polymer as measured at the machine nozzle. This flow rate can be calculated based on the ram rate and ram cross sectional area, or measured with a suitable sensor located in the machine nozzle.

The term "cavity percent fill" generally refers to the percentage of the cavity that is filled on a volumetric basis. For example, if a cavity is 95% filled, then the total volume of the mold cavity that is filled is 95% of the total volumetric capacity of the mold cavity.

The term "melt temperature" generally refers to the temperature of the polymer that is maintained in the melt holder, and in the material feed system when a hot runner system is used, which keeps the polymer in a molten state. The melt temperature varies by material, however, a desired melt temperature is generally understood to fall within the ranges recommended by the material manufacturer.

The term "gate size" generally refers to the cross sectional area of a gate, which is formed by the intersection of the runner and the mold cavity. For hot runner systems, the gate can be of an open design where there is no positive shut off of the flow of material at the gate, or a closed design where a valve pin is used to mechanically shut off the flow of material through the gate in to the mold cavity (commonly referred to as a valve gate). The gate size refers to the cross sectional area, for example a 1mm gate diameter refers to a cross sectional area of the gate that is equivalent to the cross sectional area of a gate having a 1mm diameter at the point the gate meets the mold cavity. The cross section of the gate may be of any desired shape. The term "effective gate area" generally refers to a cross sectional area of a gate corresponding to an intersection of the mold cavity and a material feed channel of a feed system (e.g., a runner) feeding thermoplastic to the mold cavity. The gate could be heated or not heated. The gate could be round, or any cross sectional shape, suited to achieve the desired thermoplastic flow into the mold cavity.

The term "intensification ratio" generally refers to the mechanical advantage the injection power source has on the injection ram forcing the molten polymer through the machine nozzle. For hydraulic power sources, it is common that the hydraulic piston will have a 10: 1 mechanical advantage over the injection ram. However, the mechanical advantage can range from ratios much lower, such as 2: 1, to much higher mechanical advantage ratio such as 50: 1.

The term "peak power" generally refers to the maximum power generated when filling a mold cavity. The peak power may occur at any point in the filling cycle. The peak power is determined by the product of the plastic pressure as measured at the machine nozzle multiplied by the flow rate as measured at the machine nozzle. Power is calculated by the formula P = p * Q where p is pressure and Q is volumetric flow rate.

The term "volumetric flow rate" generally refers to the flow rate as measured at the machine nozzle. This flow rate can be calculated based on the ram rate and ram cross sectional area, or measured with a suitable sensor located in the machine nozzle.

The terms "filled" and "full," when used with respect to a mold cavity including thermoplastic material, are interchangeable and both terms mean that thermoplastic material has stopped flowing into the mold cavity.

The term "shot size" generally refers to the volume of polymer to be injected from the melt holder to completely fill the mold cavity or cavities. The Shot Size volume is determined based on the temperature and pressure of the polymer in the melt holder just prior to injection. In other words, the shot size is a total volume of molten plastic material that is injected in a stroke of an injection molding ram at a given temperature and pressure. Shot size may include injecting molten plastic material into one or more injection cavities through one or more gates. The shot of molten plastic material may also be prepared and injected by one or more melt holders.

The term "hesitation" generally refers to the point at which the velocity of the flow front is minimized sufficiently to allow a portion of the polymer to drop below its no flow temperature and begin to freeze off. The term "electric motor" or "electric press," when used herein includes both electric servo motors and electric linear motors.

The term "Peak Power Flow Factor" refers to a normalized measure of peak power required by an injection molding system during a single injection molding cycle and the Peak Power Flow Factor may be used to directly compare power requirements of different injection molding systems. The Peak Power Flow Factor is calculated by first determining the Peak Power, which corresponds to the maximum product of molding pressure multiplied by flow rate during the filling cycle (as defined herein), and then determining the Shot Size for the mold cavities to be filled. The Peak Power Flow Factor is then calculated by dividing the Peak Power by the Shot Size.

The term "low constant pressure injection molding machine" is defined as a class 101 or a class 30 injection molding machine that uses a substantially constant injection pressure that is less than 15,000 psi. Alternatively, the term "low constant pressure injection molding machine" may be defined as an injection molding machine that uses a substantially constant injection pressure that is less than 15,000 psi and that is capable of performing more than 1 million cycles, preferably more than 1.25 million cycles, more preferably more than 2 million cycles, more preferably more than 5 million cycles, and even more preferably more than 10 million cycles before the mold core (which is made up of first and second mold parts that define a mold cavity therebetween) reaches the end of its useful life. Characteristics of "low constant pressure injection molding machines" include mold cavities having an L/T ratio of greater than 100 (and preferably greater than 200), multiple mold cavities (preferably 4 mold cavities, more preferably 16 mold cavities, more preferably 32 mold cavities, more preferably 64 mold cavities, more preferably 128 mold cavities and more preferably 256 mold cavities, or any number of mold cavities between 4 and 512), a heated runner, and a guided ejection mechanism.

The term "useful life" is defined as the expected life of a mold part before failure or scheduled replacement. When used in conjunction with a mold part or a mold core (or any part of the mold that defines the mold cavity), the term "useful life" means the time a mold part or mold core is expected to be in service before quality problems develop in the molded part, before problems develop with the integrity of the mold part (e.g., galling, deformation of parting line, deformation or excessive wear of shut-off surfaces), or before mechanical failure (e.g., fatigue failure or fatigue cracks) occurs in the mold part. Typically, the mold part has reached the end of its "useful life" when the contact surfaces that define the mold cavity must be discarded or replaced. The mold parts may require repair or refurbishment from time to time over the "useful life" of a mold part and this repair or refurbishment does not require the complete replacement of the mold part to achieve acceptable molded part quality and molding efficiency. Furthermore, it is possible for damage to occur to a mold part that is unrelated to the normal operation of the mold part, such as a part not being properly removed from the mold and the mold being force ably closed on the non-ejected part, or an operator using the wrong tool to remove a molded part and damaging a mold component. For this reason, spare mold parts are sometimes used to replace these damaged components prior to them reaching the end of their useful life. Replacing mold parts because of damage does not change the expected useful life.

The term "guided ejection mechanism" is defined as a dynamic part that actuates to physically eject a molded part from the mold cavity.

The term "coating" is defined as a layer of material less than 0.13 mm (0.005 in) in thickness, that is disposed on a surface of a mold part defining the mold cavity, that has a primary function other than defining a shape of the mold cavity (e.g., a function of protecting the material defining the mold cavity, or a function of reducing friction between a molded part and a mold cavity wall to enhance removal of the molded part from the mold cavity, or reducing friction between moving mold parts)).

The term "average thermal conductivity" is defined as the thermal conductivity of any materials that make up the mold cavity or the mold side or mold part. Materials that make up coatings, stack plates, support plates, and gates or runners, whether integral with the mold cavity or separate from the mold cavity, are not included in the average thermal conductivity. Average thermal conductivity is calculated on a volume weighted basis.

The term "effective cooling surface" is defined as a surface through which heat is removed from a mold part. One example of an effective cooling surface is a surface that defines a channel for cooling fluid from an active cooling system. Another example of an effective cooling surface is an outer surface of a mold part through which heat dissipates to the atmosphere. A mold part may have more than one effective cooling surface and thus may have a unique average thermal conductivity between the mold cavity surface and each effective cooling surface.

The term "nominal wall thickness" is defined as the theoretical thickness of a mold cavity if the mold cavity were made to have a uniform thickness. The nominal wall thickness may be approximated by the average wall thickness. The nominal wall thickness may be calculated by integrating length and width of the mold cavity that is filled by an individual gate.

The term "average hardness" is defined as the Rockwell hardness for any material or combination of materials in a desired volume. When more than one material is present, the average hardness is based on a volume weighted percentage of each material. Average hardness calculations include hardnesses for materials that make up any portion of the mold cavity. Average hardness calculations do not include materials that make up coatings, stack plates, gates or runners, whether integral with a mold cavity or not, and support plates. Generally, average hardness refers to the volume weighted hardness of material in the mold cooling region.

The term "mold cooling region" is defined as a volume of material that lies between the mold cavity surface and an effective cooling surface.

The term "cycle time" is defined as a single iteration of an injection molding process that is required to fully form an injection molded part. Cycle time includes the steps of advancing molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity, substantially filling the mold cavity with thermoplastic material, cooling the thermoplastic material, separating first and second mold sides to expose the cooled thermoplastic material, removing the thermoplastic material, and closing the first and second mold sides. This process is known in the art as a "fill, pack, and hold" cycle.

Low constant pressure injection molding machines may also be high productivity injection molding machines (e.g., a class 101 or a class 30 injection molding machine, or an "ultra high productivity molding machine"), such as the high productivity injection molding machine disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/601,514, filed August 31, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, that may be used to produce thinwalled consumer products, such as toothbrush handles and razor handles. Thin walled parts are generally defined as having a high L/T ratio of 100 or more.

Referring to the figures in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary low constant pressure injection molding apparatus 10 that generally includes an injection system 12 and a clamping system 14. A thermoplastic material may be introduced to the injection system 12 in the form of thermoplastic pellets 16. The thermoplastic pellets 16 may be placed into a hopper 18, which feeds the thermoplastic pellets 16 into a heated barrel 20 of the injection system 12. The thermoplastic pellets 16, after being fed into the heated barrel 20, may be driven to the end of the heated barrel 20 by a reciprocating screw 22. The heating of the heated barrel 20 and the compression of the thermoplastic pellets 16 by the reciprocating screw 22 causes the thermoplastic pellets 16 to melt, forming a molten thermoplastic material 24. The molten thermoplastic material is typically processed at a temperature of about 130°C to about 410°C.

The reciprocating screw 22 forces the molten thermoplastic material 24, toward a nozzle 26 to form a shot of thermoplastic material, which will be injected into a mold cavity 32 of a mold 28 via one or more gates 30, preferably three or less gates, that direct the flow of the molten thermoplastic material 24 to the mold cavity 32. In other embodiments the nozzle 26 may be separated from one or more gates 30 by a feed system (not shown). The mold cavity 32 is formed between first and second mold sides 25, 27 of the mold 28 and the first and second mold sides 25, 27 are held together under pressure by a press or clamping unit 34. The press or clamping unit 34 applies a clamping force during the molding process that is greater than the force exerted by the injection pressure acting to separate the two mold halves 25, 27, thereby holding the first and second mold sides 25, 27 together while the molten thermoplastic material 24 is injected into the mold cavity 32. To support these clamping forces, the clamping system 14 may include a mold frame and a mold base.

Once the shot of molten thermoplastic material 24 is injected into the mold cavity 32, the reciprocating screw 22 stops traveling forward. The molten thermoplastic material 24 takes the form of the mold cavity 32 and the molten thermoplastic material 24 cools inside the mold 28 until the thermoplastic material 24 solidifies. Once the thermoplastic material 24 has solidified, the press 34 releases the first and second mold sides 25, 27, the first and second mold sides 25, 27 are separated from one another, and the finished part may be ejected from the mold 28. The mold 28 may include a plurality of mold cavities 32 to increase overall production rates. The shapes of the cavities of the plurality of mold cavities may be identical, similar or different from each other. (The latter may be considered a family of mold cavities).

A controller 50 is communicatively connected with a sensor 52, located in the vicinity of the nozzle 26, and a screw control 36. The controller 50 may include a microprocessor, a memory, and one or more communication links. The controller 50 may also be optionally connected to a sensor 53 located proximate an end of the mold cavity 32. This sensor 53 may provide an indication of when the thermoplastic material is approaching the end of fill in the mold cavity 32. Depending on geometry and flow conditions, the last place in the mold cavity to fill with thermoplastic material (i.e., the end of fill location) may not necessarily be the furthest location from the gate. The sensor 53 may sense the presence of thermoplastic material optically, pneumatically, mechanically or otherwise sensing pressure and/or temperature of the thermoplastic material. When pressure or temperature of the thermoplastic material is measured by the sensor 52, this sensor 52 may send a signal indicative of the pressure or the temperature to the controller 50 to provide a target pressure for the controller 50 to maintain in the mold cavity 32 (or in the nozzle 26) as the fill is completed. This signal may generally be used to control the molding process, such that variations in material viscosity, mold temperatures, melt temperatures, and other variations influencing filling rate, are adjusted by the controller 50. These adjustments may be made immediately during the molding cycle, or corrections can be made in subsequent cycles. Furthermore, several signals may be averaged over a number of cycles and then used to make adjustments to the molding process by the controller 50. The controller 50 may be connected to the sensor 52, and/or to the sensor 53, and to the screw control 36 via wired connections 54, 57, and 56, respectively. In other embodiments, the controller 50 may be connected to the sensors 52, 53 and screw control 56 via a wireless connection, a mechanical connection, a hydraulic connection, a pneumatic connection, or any other type of communication connection known to those having ordinary skill in the art that will allow the controller 50 to communicate with both the sensors 52, 53 and the screw control 36.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the sensor 52 is a pressure sensor that measures (directly or indirectly) melt pressure of the molten thermoplastic material 24 in vicinity of the nozzle 26. The sensor 52 generates an electrical signal that is transmitted to the controller 50. The controller 50 then commands the screw control 36 to advance the screw 22 at a rate that maintains a desired melt pressure of the molten thermoplastic material 24 in the nozzle 26. While the sensor 52 may directly measure the melt pressure, the sensor 52 may also indirectly measure the melt pressure by measuring other characteristics of the molten thermoplastic material 24, such as temperature, viscosity, flow rate, etc, which are indicative of melt pressure. Likewise, the sensor 52 need not be located directly in the nozzle 26, but rather the sensor 52 may be located at any location within the injection system 12 or mold 28 that is fluidly connected with the nozzle 26. If the sensor 52 is not located within the nozzle 26, appropriate correction factors may be applied to the measured characteristic to calculate an estimate of the melt pressure in the nozzle 26. The sensor 52 need not be in direct contact with the injected fluid and may alternatively be in dynamic communication with the fluid and able to sense the pressure of the fluid and/or other fluid characteristics. If the sensor 52 is not located within the nozzle 26, appropriate correction factors may be applied to the measured characteristic to calculate the melt pressure in the nozzle 26. In yet other embodiments, the sensor 52 need not be disposed at a location that is fluidly connected with the nozzle. Rather, the sensor could measure clamping force generated by the clamping system 14 at a mold parting line between the first and second mold parts 25, 27. In one aspect the controller 50 may maintain the pressure according to the input from sensor 52. Alternatively, the sensor could measure an electrical power demand by an electric press, which may be used to calculate an estimate of the pressure in the nozzle.

Although an active, closed loop controller 50 is illustrated in Fig. 1, other pressure regulating devices may be used instead of the closed loop controller 50. For example, a pressure regulating valve (not shown) or a pressure relief valve (not shown) may replace the controller 50 to regulate the melt pressure of the molten thermoplastic material 24. More specifically, the pressure regulating valve and pressure relief valve can prevent overpressurization of the mold 28. Another alternative mechanism for preventing overpressurization of the mold 28 is an alarm that is activated when an overpressurization condition is detected.

Turning now to Fig. 2, an example molded part 100 is illustrated. The molded part 100 is a thin-walled part. Molded parts are generally considered to be thin-walled when a length of a flow channel L divided by a thickness of the feed channel T is greater than 100 (i.e., L/T > 100), but less than 1000. For mold cavities having a more complicated geometry, the L/T ratio may be calculated by integrating the T dimension over the length of the mold cavity 32 from the gate 30 to the end of the mold cavity 32, and determining the longest length of flow from the gate 30 to the end of the mold cavity 32. The L/T ratio can then be determined by dividing the longest length of flow by the average part thickness. In the case where a mold cavity 32 has more than one gate 30, the L/T ratio is determined by integrating L and T for the portion of the mold cavity 32 filled by each individual gate and the overall L/T ratio for a given mold cavity is the highest L/T ratio that is calculated for any of the gates. In some injection molding industries, thin-walled parts may be defined as parts having an L/T > 100, or having an L/T > 200, but < 1000. The length of the feed channel L is the longest flow length as measured from the gate 30 to the end 104 of the mold cavity. Thin- walled parts are especially prevalent in the consumer products industry.

High L/T ratio parts are commonly found in molded parts having average thicknesses less than about 10 mm. In consumer products, products having high L/T ratios generally have an average thickness of less than about 5 mm. For example, while automotive bumper panels having a high L/T ratio generally have an average thickness of 10 mm or less, tall drinking glasses having a high L/T ratio generally have an average thickness of about 5 mm or less, containers (such as tubs or vials) having a high L/T ratio generally have an average thickness of about 3mm or less, bottle cap enclosures having a high L/T ratio generally have an average thickness of about 2mm or less, and individual toothbrush bristles having a high L/T ratio generally have an average thickness of about 1 mm or less. The low constant pressure injection molding processes and devices disclosed herein are particularly advantageous for parts having a thickness of 5 mm or less and the disclosed processes and devices are more advantageous for thinner parts.

Thin-walled parts with high L/T ratios present certain obstacles in injection molding. For example, the thinness of the flow channel tends to cool the molten thermoplastic material before the material reaches the feed channel end 104. When this happens, the thermoplastic material freezes off and no longer flows, which results in an incomplete part. To overcome this problem, traditional injection molding machines inject the molten thermoplastic material at very high pressures, typically greater than 15,000 psi, so that the molten thermoplastic material rapidly fills the mold cavity before having a chance to cool and freeze off. This is one reason that manufacturers of the thermoplastic materials teach injecting at very high pressures. Another reason traditional injection molding machines inject at high pressures is the increased shear, which increases flow characteristics, as discussed above. These very high injection pressures require the use of very hard materials to form the mold 28 and the feed system, among other things. Moreover, the thin walled parts may include one or more special features 105, such as a living hinge, a filament, a closure, a dispenser, a spout, a bellows, and an actuator, that must be filled before the material freezes.

When filling at a substantially constant pressure, it was generally thought that the filling rates would need to be reduced relative to conventional filling methods. This means the polymer would be in contact with the cool molding surfaces for longer periods before the mold would completely fill. Thus, more heat would need to be removed before filling, and this would be expected to result in the material freezing off before the mold is filled. It has been unexpectedly discovered that the thermoplastic material will flow when subjected to substantially constant pressure conditions despite a portion of the mold cavity being below the no-flow temperature of the thermoplastic material. It would be generally expected by one of ordinary skill in the art that such conditions would cause the thermoplastic material to freeze and plug the mold cavity rather than continue to flow and fill the entire mold cavity. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the substantially constant pressure conditions of embodiments of the disclosed method and device allow for dynamic flow conditions (i.e., constantly moving melt front) throughout the entire mold cavity during filling. There is no hesitation in the flow of the molten thermoplastic material as it flows to fill the mold cavity and, thus, no opportunity for freeze-off of the flow despite at least a portion of the mold cavity being below the no-flow temperature of the thermoplastic material. Additionally, it is believed that as a result of the dynamic flow conditions, the molten thermoplastic material is able to maintain a temperature higher than the no-flow temperature, despite being subjected to such temperatures in the mold cavity, as a result of shear heating. It is further believed that the dynamic flow conditions interfere with transforming the molten thermoplastic material into a solid material as it begins the freezing process due to shear heating.

A molten inner layer is maintained in the mold cavity allowing polymer to flow throughout the mold cavity to the last point in order to fill the cavity for crystalline and semi-crystalline resins.

The disclosed low constant pressure injection molding methods and systems may use a sensor (such as the sensor 53 in Fig. 1 above) located near an end of flow position (i.e., near an end of the mold cavity) to monitor changes in material viscosity, changes in material temperature, and changes in other material properties. Measurements from this sensor may be communicated to the controller to allow the controller to correct the process in real time to ensure the melt front pressure is relieved prior to the melt front reaching the end of the mold cavity, which can cause flashing of the mold, and another pressure and power peak. Moreover, the controller may use the sensor measurements to adjust the peak power and peak flow rate points in the process, so as to achieve consistent processing conditions. In addition to using the sensor measurements to fine tune the process in real time during the current injection cycle, the controller may also to adjust the process over time (e.g., over a plurality of injection cycles). In this way, the current injection cycle can be corrected based on measurements occurring during one or more cycles at an earlier point in time. In one embodiment, sensor readings can be averaged over many cycles so as to achieve process consistency.

In various embodiments, the mold can include a cooling system that maintains the entire mold cavity at a temperature below the no-flow temperature. For example, even surfaces of the mold cavity which contact the shot comprising molten thermoplastic material can be cooled to maintain a lower temperature. Any suitable cooling temperature can be used. For example, the mold can be maintained substantially at room temperature. Incorporation of such cooling systems can advantageously enhance the rate at which the as-formed injection molded part is cooled and ready for ejection from the mold.

Thermoplastic Material:

A variety of thermoplastic materials can be used in the low constant pressure injection molding methods and devices of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the molten thermoplastic material has a viscosity, as defined by the melt flow index of about 0.1 g/10 min to about 500 g/10 min, as measured by ASTM D1238 performed at temperature of about 230C with a 2.16 kg weight. For example, for polypropylene the melt flow index can be in a range of about 0.5 g/10 min to about 200 g/10 min. Other suitable melt flow indexes include about 1 g/10 min to about 400 g/10 min, about 10 g/10 min to about 300 g/10 min, about 20 to about 200 g/10 min, about 30 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min, about 50 g/10 min to about 75 g/10 min , about 0.1 g/10 min to about 1 g/10 min , or about 1 g/10 min to about 25 g/10 min. The MFI of the material is selected based on the application and use of the molded article. For examples, thermoplastic materials with an MFI of 0.1 g/10 min to about 5 g/10 min may be suitable for use as preforms for Injection Stretch Blow Molding (ISBM) applications. Thermoplastic materials with an MFI of 5 g/10 min to about 50 g/10 min may be suitable for use as caps and closures for packaging articles. Thermoplastic materials with an MFI of 50 g/10 min to about 150 g/10 min may be suitable for use in the manufacture of buckets or tubs. Thermoplastic materials with an MFI of 150 g/lOmin to about 500 g/10 min may be suitable for molded articles that have extremely high L/T ratios such as a thin plate. Manufacturers of such thermoplastic materials generally teach that the materials should be injection molded using higher melt pressures. Contrary to conventional teachings regarding injection molding of such thermoplastic materials, embodiments of the low constant pressure injection molding method and device of the disclosure advantageously allow for forming quality injection molded parts using such thermoplastic materials and processing at melt pressures of 15,000 psi and below, such as 12,000 psi and below, 10,000 psi and below, 8,000 psi and below, or even 6,000 psi and below.

The Molten plastic comprises one or more thermoplastic materials. The molten plastic may also referred to as a molten plastic material. The thermoplastic material can be, for example, a polyolefin. Exemplary polyolefins include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethylpentene, and polybutene-1. Any of the aforementioned polyolefins could be sourced from bio-based feedstocks, such as sugarcane or other agricultural products, to produce a bio- polypropylene or bio-polyethylene. Polyolefins advantageously demonstrate shear thinning when in a molten state. Shear thinning is a reduction in viscosity as a result of increasing shear rates that occur as a fluid flows relative to a stationary boundary, or flow channel. Shear thinning can beneficially allow for the flow of the thermoplastic material to be maintained throughout the injection molding process. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the shear thinning properties of a thermoplastic material, and in particular polyolefins, results in less variation of the materials viscosity when the material is processed at constant pressures. As a result, embodiments of the method and device of the disclosure can be less sensitive to variations in the thermoplastic material, for example, resulting from colorants and other additives as well as processing conditions. This decreased sensitivity to batch-to-batch variations of the properties thermoplastic material can also advantageously allow post-industrial and post consumer recycled plastics to be processed using embodiments of the method and the device of the disclosure. Post- industrial, post consumer recycled plastics are derived from end products that have completed their life cycle as a consumer item and would otherwise have been disposed of as a solid waste product. Such recycled plastic, and blends of thermoplastic materials, inherently have significant batch-to- batch variation of their material properties. .

The thermoplastic material can also be, for example, a polyester. Exemplary polyesters include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terphthalate (PET). The PET polymer could be sourced from bio-based feedstocks, such as sugarcane or other agricultural products, to produce a partially or fully bio-PET polymer. Other suitable thermoplastic materials include copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, and polymers and copolymers of thermoplastic elastomers, polyester, polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), poly(lactic acid), bio- based polyesters such as poly(ethylene furanate) polyhydroxyalkanoate, poly(ethylene furanoate), (considered to be an alternative to, or drop-in replacement for, PET), polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyamides, polyacetals, ethylene-alpha olefin rubbers, and styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers. The thermoplastic material can also be a blend of multiple polymeric and non- polymeric materials. The thermoplastic material can be, for example, a blend of high, medium, and low molecular polymers yielding a multi-modal or bi-modal blend. The multi-modal material can be designed in a way that results in a thermoplastic material that has superior flow properties yet has satisfactory chemo/physical properties. The thermoplastic material can also be a blend of a polymer with one or more small molecule additives. The small molecule could be, for example, a siloxane or other lubricating molecule that, when added to the thermoplastic material, improves the flowability of the polymeric material.

Other additives may include inorganic fillers such calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, talcs, clays (e.g., nanoclays), aluminum hydroxide, CaSi03, glass formed into fibers or microspheres, crystalline silicas (e.g., quartz, novacite, crystallobite), magnesium hydroxide, mica, sodium sulfate, lithopone, magnesium carbonate, iron oxide; or, organic fillers such as rice husks, straw, hemp fiber, wood flour, or wood, bamboo or sugarcane fiber.

Other suitable thermoplastic materials include renewable polymers such as nonlimiting examples of polymers produced directly from organisms, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (e.g., poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate, NOD AX (Registered

Trademark) ), and bacterial cellulose; polymers extracted from plants, agricultural and forest, and biomass, such as polysaccharides and derivatives thereof (e.g., gums, cellulose, cellulose esters, chitin, chitosan, starch, chemically modified starch, particles of cellulose acetate), proteins (e.g., zein, whey, gluten, collagen), lipids, lignins, and natural rubber; thermoplastic starch produced from starch or chemically starch and current polymers derived from naturally sourced monomers and derivatives, such as bio-polyethylene, bio-polypropylene, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, NYLON 11, alkyd resins, succinic acid-based polyesters, and bio-polyethylene terephthalate.

The suitable thermoplastic materials may include a blend or blends of different thermoplastic materials such in the examples cited above. As well the different materials may be a combination of materials derived from virgin bio-derived or petroleum-derived materials, or recycled materials of bio-derived or petroleum-derived materials. One or more of the thermoplastic materials in a blend may be biodegradable. And for non-blend thermoplastic materials that material may be biodegradable.

Exemplary thermoplastic resins together with their recommended operating pressure ranges are provided in the following table:

Injection

Material Full Name Pressure Company Material Brand

Range (PSI) Name

RTP

10000 -

PP Polypropylene Imagineering RTP 100 series

15000

Plastics Polypropylene RTP

10000 -

Nylon Imagineering RTP 200 series

18000

Plastics Nylon

Acrylonitrile

ABS Butadiene 8000 - 20000 Marplex

Styrene Astalac ABS

Asia

PET Polyester 5800 - 14500

International AIE PET 40 IF

Acetal

7000 - 17000 API Kolon

Copolymer Kocetal

RTP

10000 -

PC Polycarbonate Imagineering RTP 300 series

15000

Plastics Polycarbonate

RTP

10000 -

PS Polystyrene Imagineering

15000

Plastics RTP 400 series

RTP

Styrene 10000 -

SAN Imagineering

Acrylonitrile 15000

Plastics RTP 500 series

RTP

10000 -

PE LDPE & HDPE Imagineering RTP 700 Series

15000

Plastics

RTP

Thermoplastic 10000 -

TPE Imagineering

Elastomer 15000

Plastics RTP 1500 series

RTP

Polyvinylidene 10000 -

PVDF Imagineering

Fluoride 15000

Plastics RTP 3300 series

RTP

Polytrimethylene 10000 -

PTI Imagineering

Terephthalate 15000

Plastics RTP 4700 series

Polybutylene 10000 - RTP

PBT

Terephthalate 15000 Imagineering RTP 1000 series Plastics

RTP

PLA Polylactic Acid 8000 - 15000 Imagineering

Plastics RTP 2099 series

Shear rate limits of some of these thermoplastic materials are provided in the following table:

While more than one of the embodiments involves filling substantially the entire mold cavity with the shot comprising the molten thermoplastic material while maintaining the melt pressure of the shot comprising the molten thermoplastic material at a substantially constant pressure, specific thermoplastic materials benefit from the invention at different constant pressures. Specifically: PP, nylon, PC, PS, SAN, PE, TPE, PVDF, PTI, PBT, and PLA at a substantially constant pressure of less than 10000 psi; ABS at a substantially constant pressure of less than 8000 psi; PET at a substantially constant pressure of less than 5800 psi; Acetal copolymer at a substantially constant pressure of less than 7000 psi; plus poly(ethylene furanate) polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyethylene furanoate (aka PEF) at substantially constant pressure of less than 10000 psi, or 8000 psi, or 7000 psi or 6000 psi, or 5800 psi.

As described in detail above, embodiments of the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding method and device can achieve one or more advantages over conventional injection molding processes. For example, embodiments include a more cost effective and efficient process that eliminates the need to balance the pre-injection pressures of the mold cavity and the thermoplastic materials, a process that allows for use of atmospheric mold cavity pressures and, thus, simplified mold structures that eliminate the necessity of pressurizing means, the ability to use lower hardness, high thermal conductivity mold cavity materials that are more cost effective and easier to machine, a more robust processing method that is less sensitive to variations in the temperature, viscosity, and other material properties of the thermoplastic material, and the ability to produce quality injection molded parts at substantially constant pressures without premature hardening of the thermoplastic material in the mold cavity and without the need to heat or maintain constant temperatures in the mold cavity.

In the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding method and device for molding a high L/T part, the part is molded by injecting a molten thermoplastic polymer into a mold cavity at an increasing flow rate to achieve a desired injection pressure and then decreasing the flow rate over time to maintain a substantially constant injection pressure. The low constant pressure injection molding method and device are particularly advantageous when molding thinwall parts (e.g., parts having an L/T ratio > 100 < 1000) and when using shot sizes of between O.lg and lOOg. Moreover, because high L/T products are thinner, these products require less pigment to impart a desired color to the resulting product. Furthermore, in no-pigment parts, the parts will have less visible deformities due to the more consistent molding conditions. Using less or no pigment saves costs.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3D and FIGS. 4A-4D a portion of a mold cavity as it is being filled by a conventional injection molding machine (FIGS. 3A-3D) and as it is being filled by a substantially constant pressure injection molding machine (FIGS. 4A-4D) is illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3D, as the conventional injection molding machine begins to inject molten thermoplastic material 24 into a mold cavity 32 through the gate 30, the high injection pressure tends to inject the molten thermoplastic material 24 into the mold cavity 32 at a high rate of speed, which causes the molten thermoplastic material 24 to flow in laminates 31, most commonly referred to as laminar flow (FIG. 3A). These outermost laminates 31 adhere to walls of the mold cavity and subsequently cool and freeze, forming a frozen boundary layer 33 (FIG. 3B), before the mold cavity 32 is completely full. As the thermoplastic material freezes, however, it also shrinks away from the wall of the mold cavity 32, leaving a gap 35 between the mold cavity wall and the boundary layer 33. This gap 35 reduces cooling efficiency of the mold. Molten thermoplastic material 24 also begins to cool and freeze in the vicinity of the gate 30, which reduces the effective cross-sectional area of the gate 30. In order to maintain a constant volumetric flow rate, the conventional injection molding machine must increase pressure to force molten thermoplastic material through the narrowing gate 30. As the thermoplastic material 24 continues to flow into the mold cavity 32, the boundary layer 33 grows thicker (FIG. 3C). Eventually, the entire mold cavity 32 is substantially filled by thermoplastic material that is frozen (FIG. 3D). At this point, the conventional high pressure injection molding machine must maintain a packing pressure to push the receded boundary layer 33 back against the mold cavity 32 walls to increase cooling.

A low constant pressure injection molding machine, on the other hand, flows molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity 32 with a constantly moving flow front 37 (FIGS. 4A-4D). The thermoplastic material 24 behind the flow front 37 remains molten until the mold cavity 37 is substantially filled (i.e., 99% or more filled) before freezing. As a result, there is no reduction in effective cross-sectional area of the gate 30, which may be between 30% and 70%, preferably between 50% and 70%, of the nominal wall thickness of the molded part. Moreover, because the thermoplastic material 24 is molten behind the flow front 37, the thermoplastic material 24 remains in contact with the walls of the mold cavity 32. As a result, the thermoplastic material 24 is cooling (without freezing) during the fill portion of the molding process. Thus, the cooling portion of the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding process need not be as long as a conventional process.

Because the thermoplastic material remains molten and keeps moving into the mold cavity 32, less injection pressure is required than in conventional molds. In one embodiment, the injection pressure may be 15,000 psi or less. As a result, the injection systems and clamping systems need not be as powerful. For example, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding devices may use clamps requiring lower clamping forces, and a corresponding lower clamping power source. Moreover, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines, because of the lower power requirements, may employ electric presses, which are generally not powerful enough to use in conventional class 101 and 102 injection molding machines that mold thinwall parts at high variable pressures. Even when electric presses are sufficient to use for some simple, molds with few mold cavities, the process may be improved with the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding methods and devices as smaller, less expensive electric motors may be used. The disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines may comprise one or more of the following types of electric presses, a direct servo drive motor press, a dual motor belt driven press, a dual motor planetary gear press, and a dual motor ball drive press having a power rating of 200 HP or less. Turning now to FIG. 5, operation of an example molding cycle 1000 for the low constant pressure injection molding process is illustrated. The molding cycle 1000 may be carried out on a low constant pressure injection molding machine constructed in accordance with the disclosure, for example, on the low constant pressure injection molding machine of FIG. 1. More specifically, the example molding cycle 1000 may be carried out on a low constant pressure injection molding machine having a mold including a first mold side and a second mold side, at least one of the first mold side and the second mold side having an average thermal conductivity of more than 51.9 W/m- °C (30 BTU/HR FT °F) and less than or equal to 385.79 W/m-°C (223 BTU/HR FT °F), and a mold cavity that is formed between the first mold side and the second mold side. In some preferred embodiments, both the first and second mold side may have an average thermal conductivity of more than 51.9 W/m-°C (30 BTU/HR FT °F) and less than or equal to 385.79 W/m-°C (223 BTU/HR FT °F).

Some preferred materials for manufacturing the first and/or second mold sides or the feed system, include aluminum (for example, 2024 aluminum, 2090 aluminum, 2124 aluminum, 2195 aluminum, 2219 aluminum, 2324 aluminum, 2618 aluminum, 5052 aluminum, 5059 aluminum, aircraft grade aluminum, 6000 series aluminum, 6013 aluminum, 6056 aluminum, 6061 aluminum, 6063 aluminum, 7000 series aluminum, 7050 aluminum, 7055 aluminum, 7068 aluminum, 7075 aluminum, 7076 aluminum, 7150 aluminum, 7475 aluminum, QC-10, Alumold™, Hokotol™, Duramold 2™, Duramold 5™, and Alumec 99™), BeCu (for example, C17200, C 18000, C61900, C62500, C64700, C82500, Moldmax LH™, Moldmax HH™, and Protherm™ ^} , Copper, and any alloys of aluminum (e.g., Beryllium, Bismuth, Chromium, Copper, Gallium, Iron, Lead, Magnesium, Manganese, Silicon, Titanium, Vanadium, Zinc, Zirconium), any alloys of copper (e.g., Magnesium, Zinc, Nickel, Silicon, Chromium, Aluminum, Bronze). More ductile grades of aluminum 1000, 3000, or 6000 would be more appropriate for use as a gasket member. Other preferred materials for manufacturing the first and/or second mold sides or the feed system include Aluminum alloyed with any one or more of Si, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Mg. These materials may have Rockwell C (Rc) hardnesses of between 0.5 Rc and 20 Rc, preferably between 2 Rc and 20 Rc, more preferably between 3 Rc and 15 Rc, and more preferably between 4Rc and 10 Rc. While these materials may be softer than tool steels, the thermal conductivity properties are more desirable. The disclosed low constant pressure injection molding methods and devices advantageously operate under molding conditions that allow molds made of these softer, higher thermal conductivity, materials to extract useful lives of more than 1 million cycles, preferably between 1.25 million cycles and 10 million cycles, and more preferably between 2 million cycles and 5 million cycles.

Initially, molten thermoplastic material is advanced into a mold cavity that defines a thin- walled part (e.g., 100 < L/T < 1000) at 1110. A shot of molten thermoplastic material may be between 0.5g and lOOg and may be advanced through three or fewer gates into the mold cavity. In some cases one or more of the three of fewer gates may have a cross-sectional area that is between 30% and 70% of a nominal wall thickness of a part that is formed in the mold cavity, and preferably between 50% and 70% of the nominal wall thickness. In some examples, this percentage may correspond to a gate size of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm. .

Molten thermoplastic material is advanced into the mold cavity until the mold cavity is substantially filled at 1112. The mold cavity may be substantially filled when the mold cavity is more than 90% filled, preferably more than 95% filled and more preferably more than 99% filled. After the mold cavity is substantially filled, the molten thermoplastic material is cooled at 1114 until the molten thermoplastic material is substantially frozen or solidified. The molten thermoplastic material may be actively cooled with a cooling liquid flowing through at least one of the first and second mold sides, or passively cooled through convection and conduction to the atmosphere.

After the thermoplastic material is cooled, the first and second mold sides may be separated to expose the cooled thermoplastic material at 1116. The cooled thermoplastic material (in the form of the molded part) may be removed from the mold at 1118. The thermoplastic material may be removed by, for example, ejection, dumping, extraction (manually or via an automated process), pulling, pushing, gravity, or any other method of separating the cooled thermoplastic material from the first and second mold sides.

After the cooled thermoplastic material is removed from the first and second mold sides, the first and second mold sides may be closed, reforming the mold cavity, at 1120, which prepares the first and second mold sides to receive a new shot of molten thermoplastic material, thereby completing a single mold cycle. Cycle time 1001 is defined as a single iteration of the molding cycle 1000. A single molding cycle generally take between 2 seconds and 2 minutes depending on the part size and material.

Generally speaking, the lower injection pressures employed by the injection molding machines disclosed herein allow a wider variety of feed systems to be used. In particular, these lower pressures allow a two-part feed system to be employed. While a two-part feed system is disclosed herein, any multi-part feed system would fall within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the feed system could be made of three, four, five, six, or more parts. The two parts of the feed system may be joined together by a fixed joint, such as, a brazed joint, a sintered joint, or a welded joint. In some embodiments, it may be sufficient to simply press the two pieces of the feed system together with force to prevent plastic leakage, without brazing, welding, sintering, or otherwise bonding the two parts together. Two-part feed systems generally are not employed in conventional injection molding machines because the joints between the two parts are susceptible to plastic leakage due to the high pressures in conventional injection molding machines. Moreover, brazing, welding, or sintering, does not typically produces strong enough joints to prevent such leakage in conventional injection molding machines. Additionally, two part manifolds allow for smoother transitions and less shear imbalances than one part manifold systems.

Multi-part feed systems, however, provide certain advantages for injection molding machines. In particular, multi-part feed systems provide a much wider variety of feed channel geometries that may be employed. A conventional single part feed system is limited in the number of feed geometries that may be produced because the feed channels must be formed by drilling into a face of the single part feed system. As a result, when feed channels having different axes are drilled and meet within the single part feed system, the junction between those two feed channels necessarily incorporates a sharp turn, or transition, which causes low flow areas to form downstream of the sharp turn. These low flow areas increase residence time of the feed material, which can lead to degradation of the feed material due to heat buildup, which is particularly troublesome for thermally sensitive feed materials, such as rigid PVC. Moreover, feed material in these low flow areas is hard to flush out of the system, making color changes difficult and costly. To the contrary, multi-part feed systems allow feed channels with smooth transition geometries (e.g., radiused corners) to be formed, because the interior of the feed system is easily accessible when the parts of the feed system are separated. In addition to providing improved flexibility in channel layouts, the ability to use smooth transition geometries, such as radiused corners, reduces or eliminates low flow regions, which results in less feed material degradation and more efficient flushing of old material during color changes.

Moreover, smooth turns and transitions maintain flow through the feed channel in a more highly-laminar state, characterized by having a low Reynolds number. By keeping the flow of the molten plastic material more highly-laminar state within the feed channel, overall energy requirements may be reduced. Furthermore, highly-laminar, low Reynolds number, flow tends to reduce the structural load of the feed channel, which increases the useful life of the feed system. Another advantage of maintaining laminar flow includes reducing the required effective diameter of the feed channel to maintain adequate material flow rates with less potential for melt fracture or other damage to the molten plastic material. Still another advantage of multi-part feed system is the ease of cleaning. More specifically, the parts of the feed system may be separated for cleaning (when the parts are not joined together with brazing or welding), thereby exposing the inner feed surfaces, which makes cleaning of these surfaces (e.g., when changing from one thermoplastic material to another, or when changing from one color additive to another) more effective and shorter in duration.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an exemplary multi-part feed system 1200 is illustrated. The exemplary feed system 1200 may include a manifold block 1210 that is formed by two manifold parts 1212, 1214, respectively, which are illustrated in a separated state in FIG. 7 for ease of reference. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first manifold part 1212 is a top manifold part, and the second manifold part 1214 is a bottom or lower manifold part. In other embodiments, the manifold parts 1212, 1214 may be reversed, or the manifold parts 1212, 1214 may be left and right parts as opposed to top and bottom parts. In other embodiments, one or both of the first manifold part 1212 in the second manifold part 1214 may be actively heated, thereby forming a hot runner feed system. The first manifold part 1212 and the second manifold part 1214 may be formed of a high thermal conductivity material, which are discussed above. However, the first manifold part 1212 and the second manifold part 1214 need not be formed of the same material.

The first manifold part 1212 may include a first feed channel 1216 and the second manifold part 1214 may include a second feed channel 1218. The first feed channel 1216 may be a mirror image of the second feed channel 1218 so that when the first manifold part 1212 is placed adjacent to the second manifold part 1212, the first feed channel 1216 and the second feed channel 1218 form a feed conduit 1234 for directing molten plastic material from the nozzle of the injection molding machine to the gate of a mold cavity. The feed conduit may also be referred to as a plastic feed conduit, a molten plastic feed conduit, a plastic material feed conduit. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second feed channel 1218 includes a plurality of openings 1219 that direct molten plastic material flowing through the feed system through a gate into a mold cavity. Although the second feed channel 1218 illustrated in FIG. 7 as having four openings 1219, other embodiments may include more or less openings 1219. For example, other embodiments may include virtually any number of openings 1219, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, or any number in between.

By forming the manifold block 1210 in two separate manifold parts 1214, 1216, the feed channels 1216, 1218 may be milled or otherwise cut into the manifold sides 1214, 1216 easily and flexibly. Moreover, a junction 1220 within each feed channel 1216, 1218 may include blended turns 1222 having a turn radius 1224. Preferred embodiments may include blended turns 1222 having a turn radius 1224 of between 1mm and 10mm, although larger turn radii may be incorporated into the blended turns 1222. The blended turns 1222 improve flow characteristics within the feed conduit. More specifically, the blended turns 1222 reduce or eliminate low flow regions, thereby reducing feed material degradation and increasing color change efficiency. Furthermore, blended turns facilitate more highly laminar flow of molten plastic material through the feed conduit, which reduces power requirements for moving the molten plastic material through the feed conduit.

Because feeding molten plastic material through the feed conduit from the nozzle to the gate at lower injection pressures (e.g., less than 15,000 psi) is less stressful on the feed system, the first manifold part 1212 and the second metal part 1214 may be joined to one another with one of a brazed joint, a welded joint, and a sintered joint. Alternatively, the first manifold part 121 and the second manifold part 1214 may be simply pressed together without brazing, welding, sintering, or otherwise bonding, as will be further discussed with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11. A brazed joint 1230 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The brazed joint 1230 includes a brazed region 1232 that is located proximate the feed corridor 1234. The brazed joint 1230 may include a brazed region 1232, having a thickness d of a few microns (e.g., 2 microns) to a few tenths of a millimeter (e.g., 0.2 mm), that extends from the feed conduit 1234 completely to an outer surface 1236 of the first and second manifold parts 1212, 1214. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the brazed joint 1230 may extend only partially to the outer surface 1236 leaving and unbrazed region 1238 distal to the feed corridor 1234, and proximate the outer surface 1236, which would reduce the cost of forming the brazed joint 1230 and/or make repair of the brazed joint 1230 easier. Furthermore having an unbrazed region 1238 may form a more uniform brazed region 1232 because there may be less of an opportunity for "cold spots" or uneven heating during the brazing process.

Another advantage to low injection pressures is the ability to use seal bushings that are joined to the manifold block. In some embodiments, the seal bushings may simply be pressed against the manifold block with adequate force to prevent molten plastic from escaping. In other embodiments, the seal bushings may be joined to the manifold block with a joint, which may be a brazed joint, a welded joint, or a sintered joint. Turning now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of the manifold block 1200 is disposed between a backplate 1300 of a press and a mold core 1400. Molten plastic material may flow through the flow conduit 1234 and into the mold core 1400 through the orifice 1219. The mold core 1400 may include a material drop 1410 (sometimes called a "gate drop," a "hot drop," or a "gate nozzle") through which molten plastic material is fed from the manifold block 1200 to the mold cavity. The material drop 1410 may include an annular collar 1412 that forms a seal bushing 1414 between the mold cavity 1400 and the manifold block 1200 or may be a separate element similar to a "O" ring made from various materials including metal or elastic or putty-like materials. The annular collar 1412 may be biased towards the manifold block 1200 by biasing device, such as a spring 1416. The spring 1416 forces the annular collar 1412 against an outer surface 1236 of the manifold block 1200, thereby forming a fluid tight seal between the drop 1410 and the manifold block 1200. In one embodiment, the biasing device may be a Belleville spring or Belleville washer. In some embodiments, a spring support 1420 maybe disposed between the spring 1416 and the mold core 1400.

When comparing Reynolds numbers between a multi-piece feed system and a conventional one-piece feed system at different feed system diameters for a theoretical 25 g PP part. The Reynolds number of the multi-piece feed system is generally an order of magnitude less than conventional feed systems at a given feed system diameter. More specifically, one embodiment of the disclosed multi-part feed systems may have molten plastic material flowing through the feed conduit that has a Reynolds number of 1.0 or less throughout at least 90% of the feed system during the phase of highest flow rate. In other embodiments, the Reynolds number may be approximately 0.1 when the feed conduit has an effective diameter of less than 1mm. In yet other embodiments, the Reynolds number may be approximately 0.01 when the feed conduit has an effective diameter of less than 1cm.

Turning now to Fig. 10, a multi-part feed system 1410 is illustrated that has unbonded parts. The multi-part feed system 1410 may include a first manifold part 1412 and a second manifold part 1414 that are pressed against one another without being bonded together (e.g., without brazing, sintering, or welding of the two manifold parts). The first manifold part 1412 may have a first sealing surface 1450 and the second manifold part 1414 may have a second sealing surface 1452 that are pressed together (without being bonded) during the injection molding process. A feed corridor 1434 may be formed between the first and second sealing surfaces 1450, 1452. The first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 may include an alignment feature 1460. The alignment feature 1460 brings the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 into proper alignment when the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 are brought together along the respective sealing surfaces 1450, 1452.

In one embodiment, the alignment feature 1460 may be formed by a channel 1462 formed in the first manifold part 1412 and a ridge 1464 formed in the second manifold part 1414. In other embodiments, the channel 1462 and the ridge 1464 may be reversed. The channel 1462 may include outwardly tapering chamfered walls 1466 and the ridge 1464 may include complimentary inwardly tapering chamfered walls 1468. The outwardly tapering chamfered walls 1466 may diverge outwardly between 10° and 80°, preferably between 20° and 60°, and more preferably between 30° and 45°. The inwardly tapering chamfered walls 1468 may converge inwardly in the same preferred ranges. The outwardly tapering chamfered walls 1466 and the inwardly tapering chamfered walls 1468 cooperate to draw the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 into proper alignment. The alignment feature 1460 also advantageously resists side-to-side movement between the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 when the two parts are pressed together. Because the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414 are pressed together without being bonded to one another, the two parts may be quickly and easily separated for easy and efficient cleaning without the need for flushing the feed system with a new polymer or color additive.

For those injection molding operations requiring a higher level of sealing without bonding of the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414, a gasket or crush ring 1470 may be disposed between the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414, proximate the feed channel 1218. The gasket or crush ring 1470 may be a separate component, or the gasket or crush ring 1470 may be integrally formed with either the first manifold part 1412 or the second manifold part 1414, forming a crush bead. In either case, the low injection molding pressures disclosed herein allow the gasket or crush ring 1470 to be formed from materials that would not withstand the high injection molding pressures of conventional injection molding machines. In some embodiments, the gasket or crush ring 1470 may be formed of copper or aluminum. In other embodiments, the gasket or crush ring 1470 may be formed of multi-layered materials such as a metal carrier with a vulcanized elastomer profile or a blended elastomer coated spring steel. Facing materials of the gasket or crush ring 1470 may advantageously include expanded graphite or reinforced rubber fiber. Additionally, non-stick coatings, such as Teflon®, or other silicone based coatings, may be disposed on the gasket or crush ring 1470 to facilitate clean separation of the first manifold part 1412 and the second manifold part 1414. In other embodiments, the gasket or crush ring 1470 may be formed from multiple layers of steel with a thin rubber coating or from wire-ring (e.g., copper or pre-flattened steel) combustion seals encased in stainless steel armor. Other gasket materials may be made of elastic, putty-like, or rope-like materials.

The gasket or crush ring 1470 may be formed of virtually any material that deforms less than 10 μιη under operating conditions. The gasket or crush ring 1470 may also have a surface roughness of less than 20 μιη.

The disclosed low constant pressure injection molding methods and machines advantageously reduce cycle time for the molding process while increasing part quality. Moreover, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines may employ, in some embodiments, electric presses, which are generally more energy efficient and require less maintenance than hydraulic presses. Additionally, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines are capable of employing more flexible support structures and more adaptable delivery structures, such as wider platen widths, increased tie bar spacing, elimination of tie bars, lighter weight construction to facilitate faster movements, and non-naturally balanced feed systems. Thus, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines may be modified to fit delivery needs and are more easily customizable for particular molded parts.

Additionally, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molding machines and methods allow the molds and feed systems to be made from softer materials (e.g., materials having a Rc of less than about 30), which may have higher thermal conductivities (e.g., thermal conductivities greater than about 20 BTU/HR FT °F), which leads to molds with improved cooling capabilities and more uniform cooling or feed systems (in the case of hot runners) with improved heating capabilities or more uniform heating. Because of the improved cooling capabilities, the disclosed low constant pressure injection molds may include simplified cooling systems. Generally speaking, the simplified cooling systems include fewer cooling channels and the cooling channels that are included may be straighter, having fewer machining axes. One example of an injection mold having a simplified cooling system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 61/602,781, filed February 24, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The lower injection pressures of the low constant pressure injection molding machines allow molds made of these softer materials to extract 1 million or more molding cycles, which would not be possible in conventional injection molding machines as these materials would fail before 1 million molding cycles in a conventional injection molding machine.

Finally, the lower injection pressures of the low constant pressure injection molding machines allow more types of feed systems to be used, which provide improved flow geometries and improve flow characteristics. This leads to reduced clamp tonnage requirements and longer life of these multi-part feed systems, and less potential damage or leaks in the joints between the parts of the feed systems. These lower injection pressures and multi-part feed systems also lead to the use of reduced-feed conduit diameters, which also reduces stress on joints between parts of the multi-part feed system. In some embodiments, feed conduits may have diameters of 1 centimeter or less. These lower pressure laminar flows also lead to a wider range of mold materials and feed system materials that may be brazed, welded, sintered, or otherwise joined, including materials, which may allow greater sized flaws in the joined regions, or cracks, with less risk of fracture or ductile failure. These lower profile laminar flows may also lead to a selection of feed system materials that need not be bonded to one another, which results in more economical cleaning of the feed channels.

It is noted that the terms "substantially," "about," and "approximately," unless otherwise specified, may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and "approximately" mean the quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation may fall within 20% of the stated reference.

It should now be apparent that the various embodiments of the products illustrated and described herein may be produced by a low, substantially constant pressure molding process. While particular reference has been made herein to products for containing consumer goods or consumer goods products themselves, it should be apparent that the molding method discussed herein may be suitable for use in conjunction with products for use in the consumer goods industry, the food service industry, the transportation industry, the medical industry, the toy industry, and the like. Moreover, one skilled in the art will recognize the teachings disclosed herein may be used in the construction of stack molds, multiple material molds including rotational and core back molds, in combination with in-mold decoration, insert molding, in mold assembly, and the like.

Part, parts, or all of any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined with part, parts, or all of other injection molding embodiments known in the art, including those described below.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection molding at low constant pressure, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,045 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Apparatus and Method for Injection Molding at Low Constant Pressure" (applicant's case 12127) and published as US 2012-0294963 Al, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for pressure control, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,047 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Alternative Pressure Control for a Low Constant Pressure Injection Molding Apparatus" (applicant's case 12128), now US patent 8,757,999, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for non-naturally balanced feed systems, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,073 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Non-Naturally Balanced Feed System for an Injection Molding Apparatus" (applicant's case 12130) and published as US 2012-0292823 Al, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection molding at low, substantially constant pressure, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,197 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Method for Injection Molding at Low, Substantially Constant Pressure" (applicant's case 12131Q) and published as US 2012-0295050 Al, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection molding at low, substantially constant pressure, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,178 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Method for Injection Molding at Low, Substantially Constant Pressure" (applicant's case 12132Q) and published as US 2012-0295049 Al, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for co-injection processes, as disclosed in US patent application 13/774,692 filed February 22, 2013, entitled "High Thermal Conductivity Co-Injection Molding System" (applicant's case 12361), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding with simplified cooling systems, as disclosed in US patent application 13/765,428 filed February 12, 2013, entitled "Injection Mold Having a Simplified Evaporative Cooling System or a Simplified Cooling System with Exotic Cooling Fluids" (applicant's case 12453M), now US patent 8,591,219, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding thinwall parts, as disclosed in US patent application 13/476,584 filed May 21, 2012, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Substantially Constant Pressure Injection Molding of Thinwall Parts" (applicant's case 12487), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding with a failsafe mechanism, as disclosed in US patent application 13/672,246 filed November 8, 2012, entitled "Injection Mold With Fail Safe Pressure Mechanism" (applicant's case 12657), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for high-productivity molding, as disclosed in US patent application 13/682,456 filed November 20, 2012, entitled "Method for Operating a High Productivity Injection Molding Machine" (applicant's case 12673R), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding certain thermoplastics, as disclosed in US patent application 14/085,515 filed November 20, 2013, entitled "Methods of Molding Compositions of Thermoplastic Polymer and Hydrogenated Castor Oil" (applicant's case 12674M), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for runner systems, as disclosed in US patent application 14/085,515 filed November 21, 2013, entitled "Reduced Size Runner for an Injection Mold System" (applicant's case 12677M), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for moving molding systems, as disclosed in US patent application 61/822,661 filed May 13, 2013, entitled "Low Constant Pressure Injection Molding System with Variable Position Molding Cavities:" (applicant's case 12896P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection mold control systems, as disclosed in US patent application 61/861,298 filed August 20, 2013, entitled "Injection Molding Machines and Methods for Accounting for Changes in Material Properties During Injection Molding Runs" (applicant's case 13020P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection mold control systems, as disclosed in US patent application 61/861,304 filed August 20, 2013, entitled "Injection Molding Machines and Methods for Accounting for Changes in Material Properties During Injection Molding Runs" (applicant's case 13021P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for injection mold control systems, as disclosed in US patent application 61/861,310 filed August 20, 2013, entitled "Injection Molding Machines and Methods for Accounting for Changes in Material Properties During Injection Molding Runs" (applicant's case 13022P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for using injection molding to form overmolded articles, as disclosed in US patent application 61/918,438 filed December 19, 2013, entitled "Methods of Forming Overmolded Articles" (applicant's case 13190P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for controlling molding processes, as disclosed in US patent 5,728,329 issued March 17, 1998, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Injecting a Molten Material into a Mold Cavity" (applicant's case 12467CC), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for controlling molding processes, as disclosed in US patent 5,716,561 issued February 10, 1998, entitled "Injection Control System" (applicant's case 12467CR), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding preforms, as disclosed in US patent application 61/952281, entitled "Plastic Article Forming Apparatus and Methods for Using the Same" (applicant's case 13242P), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with embodiments for molding preforms, as disclosed in US patent application 61/952283, entitled "Plastic Article Forming Apparatus and Methods for Using the Same" (applicant's case 13243P), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.