Injection mold apparatus and method
OwnerMichael Smith, Thomas Skorchinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An injection mold apparatus is configured with one or more secondary mold locks and matched shear parting lines to prevent relative movement of individual mold elements parallel to, and normal to a mold opening and closing axis. The secondary mold locks operate conjunction with a primary mold clamping unit to secure the injection mold in a closed configuration against movement parallel to a mold opening and closing axis. The matched shear parting lines are orientated at an angle relative to the mold opening and closing axis, defining contact surfaces which secure the injection mold elements against relative movement normal to the mold opening and closing axis.
Claims20
In an injection molding machine having at least a first mold element and a second mold element configured for movement in a draw direction between an open position and a closed position in which the mold elements define a mold cavity, an improvement comprising:
- at least one lock element secured to the first mold element and configured for reciprocating movement between a retracted position in which the first and second mold elements are free to move relative to one another, and an extended position in which the first and second mold elements are mechanically interlocked in said closed position, said at least one lock element configured to engage said second mold element in said closed configuration by extending from said first mold element into said second mold element, and further configured to resist movement of said first and second mold elements in said draw direction.
In an injection molding machine having a first mold element and a second mold element configured for movement in a draw direction between an open position and a closed position in which the first and second mold elements define a mold cavity, an improvement comprising:
- said first and second mold elements adapted for closed position contact along matched parting lines, at least a portion of said matched parting lines orientated at an angle relative to said draw direction, and said portion of matched parting lines defining engaging surfaces resistant to relative movement of said first and second mold elements normal to said draw direction.
In an injection molding machine having a first mold element and a second mold element configured for movement in a draw direction between an open position and a closed position in which the first and second mold elements define a mold cavity, an improvement comprising:
- a first means for providing a releasable positive interlock between said first and second mold elements, said first means adapted to prevent relative movement between said first and second mold elements parallel to said draw direction;
- and
- a second means for providing a releasable positive interlock between said first and second mold elements, said second means adapted to prevent relative movement between said first and second mold elements normal to said draw direction.
A method for positively securing at least first and second mold elements of an injection molding apparatus in a closed configuration, comprising:
- relatively moving at least one of the first and second movable mold elements along a draw direction into engagement in a closed configuration;
- exerting a compressive holding force on the first and second mold elements to maintain said closed configuration;
- and
- actuating at least one lock element along an axis orientated at an angle relative to said draw direction, said at least one lock element positively securing the first and second mold elements in the closed configuration against relative movement parallel to said draw direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.