# US 5,346,382 A · Hot runner exchange apparatus for use in an injection molding machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,346,382 A - Document ID: US5346382A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/912,755 - Filed: 1992-07-13 - Granted: 1994-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 1991-07-12 - Assignees: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Hiroshi Kanno; Tsugio Toyama; Koichi Kanazawa; Koichi Ozawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5346382A ## CPC - B29C 45/17: Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract In a hot runner exchange apparatus for use in a vertical type injection molding machine made up of a metal mode, a mold clamping device for opening and closing the metal mold in the vertical direction, an injection device having a nozzle provided at the front end of a heating cylinder and a hot runner acting as a passage of molten resin supplied to the metal mold, there are provided a hanger for hanging the hot runner, a device for vertically moving the hung hot runner and a driving device for moving the hung hot runner in the axial direction thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Hot runner exchange apparatus utilized in a vertical injection molding machine comprising a metal mold opened and closed in a vertical direction, a mold clamping device, an injection device having a cylinder, a nozzle at a front end of said heating cylinder, said nozzle being directed in a horizontal direction, and a hot runner acting as a passage for supplying molten resin to said mold clamping device from said injection device, said hot runner exchange apparatus comprising: hanging means for hanging said hot runner; means for moving said hanging means in a vertical direction; means for moving said hanging means in a horizontal direction; a frame member for supporting said hanging means, said vertical moving means and said horizontal moving means; means for moving said frame member in taking in and taking out directions of said hot runner; and means, disposed in said frame member, for moving said frame member in a direction perpendicular to said taking in and taking out directions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for hanging said hot runner comprises an electromagnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hanging means comprises a hanging bar pivotally coupled to a cylinder via a coupling member at a first end thereof and connected to a hanging member at a second end thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said hung hot runner in a vertical direction comprises a cylinder having a piston rod moved in a vertical direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said hung hot runner in a horizontal direction comprises a swinging arm swung about a guide rod of the mold clamping device, and means for driving said swinging arm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an openable and closable opening is provided for said hot runner on a side of said injection device such that said hot runner can be moved in a horizontal direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hot runner exchange apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said hot runner in the vertical direction includes a positioning cylinder for holding one end of said hot runner and for determining the position of the hot runner, and an urging cylinder for holding the other end of said hot runner to urge an injection nozzle of said hot runner against a metal mold. ### Claim 8 Hot runner exchange apparatus utilized in a vertical injection molding machine comprising a metal mold opened and closed in a vertical direction, a mold clamping device, an injection device having a heating cylinder, a nozzle at a front end of said heating cylinder, said nozzle being directed in a horizontal direction, and a hot runner acting as a passage for supplying molten resin to said mold clamping device from said injection device, said hot runner exchange apparatus comprising: supporting means for supporting a plurality of hot runners in a juxtaposed state, in a groove formed in a stationary die plate; a shaft about which said supporting means is rotated; driving means for rotating said shaft; and means for reciprocating said hot runners for causing one of said hot runners to contact said metal mold. ### Claim 9 Hot runner exchange apparatus utilized in a vertical injection molding machine comprising a metal mold opened and closed in a vertical direction, a mold clamping device, an injection device having a heating cylinder, a nozzle at a front end of said heating cylinder, said nozzle being directed in a horizontal direction, and a hot runner acting as a passage for supplying molten resin to said mold clamping device from said injection device, said hot runner exchange apparatus comprising: supporting means for supporting a plurality of hot runners in a juxtaposed state in a groove formed in a stationary die plate; driving means for reciprocating said supporting means in a perpendicular direction to an axis of said hot runner; and means for reciprocating said hot runners for causing one of said hot runners to contact said metal mold. ### Claim 10 Hot runner exchange apparatus utilized in a vertical injection molding machine comprising a metal mold opened and closed in a vertical direction, a mold clamping device, an injection device having a heating cylinder, a nozzle at a front end of said heating cylinder, said nozzle being directed in a horizontal direction, and a hot runner acting as a passage for supplying molten resin to said mold clamping device from said injection device, said hot runner exchange apparatus comprising: hanging means for hanging said hot runner; means for moving said hanging means in a vertical direction comprising a cylinder having a piston rod movable in a vertical direction; and means for moving said hanging means in a horizontal direction. ### Claim 11 Hot runner exchange apparatus utilized in a vertical injection molding machine comprising a metal mold opened and closed in a vertical direction, a mold clamping device, an injection device having a heating cylinder, a nozzle at a front end of said heating cylinder, said nozzle being directed in a horizontal direction, and a hot runner acting as a passage for supplying molten resin to said mold clamping device from said injection device, said hot runner exchange apparatus comprising: hanging means for hanging said hot runner; means for moving said hanging means in a vertical direction including a positioning cylinder for holding and fixing the position of one end of said hot runner, and an urging cylinder for holding the other end of said hot runner to urge an injection nozzle of said hot runner against said metal mold; and means for moving said hanging means in a horizontal direction.