System and process for molding polymeric articles while reducing gate blush
AssigneeTicona LLC
InventorsMichael P. Kowalski, Robert A. Felster, Scott A. Klingler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and process for injection molding polymer articles is described. The system and process are designed to reduce gate blush. In one embodiment, an injection molding device injects a molten polymer composition into a runner that extends from an injection point to a gate. The gate is positioned adjacent to an opening leading into a mold cavity. In accordance with the present disclosure, the system includes one or more overflow passages that divert flow of the polymer composition so as to temporarily reduce the flow rate and pressure of the polymer composition entering the mold.
Claims17
A process for molding a polymer material comprising:
- feeding a molten polymer material into a flow path that leads into a mold cavity through a gate;
- during initial flow of the polymer material into the flow path, temporarily diverting a portion of the flow into at least one overflow passage, wherein each overflow passage is positioned upstream from the gate on the flow path;
- filling the mold cavity with the polymer material to form a molded article, wherein initial flow of the polymer material into the mold occurs simultaneously while a portion of the flow is being diverted into the overflow passage;
- removing the molded article from the mold;
- and
- wherein the initial flow of the polymer material is temporarily diverted into the one or more overflow passages, the one or more overflow passages collectively having a volume ranging from about 20% to about 1000% of the volume of the flow path between an entrance to the overflow passage positioned farthest upstream and the gate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.