US 5,846,472 A · Melt distribution arrangement for three level stack molds

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distributing melt through three level stack molds. According to the method a crossover manifold is provided between adjacent mold levels of the stack mold, the crossover manifold having a plenum generally coaxial with a mold axis. Melt is introduced into the plenum through an inlet passage and distributed from the plenum to respective nozzle arrays through a separate outlet conduit associated with each mold level. The apparatus includes a crossover manifold mounted between first and second mold levels and having a plenum generally coaxial with the mold axis. An inlet conduit fluidly communicates with the plenum and an injection head to provide a melt path from the injection head into the plenum. A separate outlet conduit is provided for each mold level. Each outlet conduit fluidly communicates at one end with the plenum and at an opposite end with the injection nozzles of a respective mold level to provide a melt path from the plenum to each of the injection nozzles of the respective mold level. Each outlet conduit defines a respective melt path of generally equal length and resistance to melt flow.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method of providing melt at substantially equal pressures to each nozzle array of a stack mold having three levels and a nozzle array with at least one injection nozzle associated with each said level, said method comprising the steps of:

i) providing a crossover manifold between adjacent mold levels of said multi-level stack mold, said crossover manifold having a plenum generally coaxial with a mold axis;
ii) introducing melt into said plenum through an inlet conduit;
and,
iii) distributing melt from said plenum to each said nozzle array through three separate outlet conduits, each of said three outlet conduits serving a different one of said mold levels, each of said three outlet conduits fluidly communicating with said plenum and each said injection nozzle of a respective of said mold levels to provide a melt path from said plenum to each said injection nozzle of said respective mold level, each said outlet conduit being of generally equal length and configuration.

1 more element

A melt distribution arrangement for three level stack molds having mold levels separable in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to a generally centrally disposed mold axis, each said mold level having at least one injection nozzle, said melt distribution arrangement comprising:

a crossover manifold mounted between adjacent of said mold levels and having a plenum generally coaxial with said mold axis;
said crossover manifold having an inlet conduit fluidly communicating with said plenum and an injection head to provide a melt path from said injection head into said plenum at least when said stack mold is closed;
said crossover manifold having three outlet conduits with each of said three outlet conduits serving a different one of said mold levels, each of said three outlet conduits fluidly communicating with said plenum and each said injection nozzle of a respective of said mold levels to provide a melt path from said plenum to each said injection nozzle of said respective mold level;
and,
each of said three outlet conduits defining a respective melt path of generally equal length and resistance to melt flow.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Melt distribution arrangement for three level stack molds

Life of this patent

Melt distribution arrangement for three level stack molds

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6