Sprue apparatus
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorJan Marius Manda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sprue apparatus for use in a molding apparatus for connecting the melt duct of a molding machine nozzle with a runner system of a molding apparatus. The sprue apparatus includes a plurality of thermal regulators that regulate a plurality of thermal zones that segment the length of the sprue apparatus for the purpose of localized temperature control in support of a molding process. The plurality of zones may be thermally regulated such as to enable a substantially leak-free junction between the machine nozzle and the molding apparatus. The sprue apparatus may include an isolating coupler that substantially isolates a heated sprue bushing from carriage force. The invention has been found particularly useful when injecting metal alloys such as magnesium based alloys when in the thixotropic state.
Claims23
A sprue apparatus configured to be received in a molding apparatus for connecting a molding machine nozzle with a runner system of the molding apparatus, the sprue apparatus comprising:
- a sprue bushing;
- an isolating coupler;
- and
- a plurality of thermal regulators disposed along the sprue apparatus;
- the sprue bushing including:
- a first tubular body having a first end and a second end;
- a nozzle connection interface configured on a first inner surface of the first tubular body, at the first end of the first tubular body, for connecting with a first complementary connection interface on the molding machine nozzle;
- an outer surface of the first tubular body being configured to receive the plurality of thermal regulators that thermally regulate a plurality of thermal zones that segment a length of the sprue apparatus;
- a first isolating coupler connection interface configured on the outer surface of the first tubular body, at the first end of the first tubular body, substantially adjacent the nozzle connection interface;
- a second isolating coupler connection interface configured on the outer surface of the first tubular body, at the second end of the first tubular body;
- and
- a melt duct configured through the first tubular body, on the first inner surface of the first tubular body, from the first end to the second end of the first tubular body;
- and
- the isolating coupler including:
- a second tubular body having a first end and a second end;
- a first sprue bushing connection interface configured on a first inner surface of the second tubular body, at the first end of said second tubular body, for receiving the first isolating coupler connection interface on the sprue bushing;
- a second sprue bushing connection interface configured on the second inner surface of the second tubular body, in proximity to the second end of said second tubular body, for receiving the second isolating coupler connection interface on the sprue bushing;
- and
- a mold connection interface configured at the second end of the second tubular body for connecting with a second complementary connection interface on the molding apparatus;
- wherein the first isolating coupler connection interface and the first sprue bushing connection interface are configured to cooperate to substantially isolate the sprue bushing from an applied carriage force from the molding machine nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.