Modular injection molding hot runner system
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsGlen R. Kloeppel, Claudio A. Grubicy, Timothy C. Moritz, Margo E. Bubb, Brenda S. Spell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An injection molding hot runner system of modular construction adapted for rapid removal and replacement during required maintenance. The system includes at least one hot runner module adapted for mounting at a support surface. The hot runner module includes one or more injection nozzles adapted for fluid communication with a supply of molten material and an arrangement of acceptance openings adapted to engage mounting projection elements extending away from the support surface.
Claims17
A hot runner system configured to transport molten material to a mold module having a mold cavity for injection molding, the hot runner system comprising:
- a support frame including a plurality of mounting projection elements extending horizontally away from a substantially vertical support surface;
- and
- at least one hot runner module adapted for mounting at said support surface, said at least one hot runner module including at least one injection nozzle projecting away from a module surface and adapted for fluid communication with a supply of said molten material, said at least one hot runner module including a plurality of acceptance openings adapted to engage said mounting projection elements such that said mounting projection elements extend at least partially across said at least one hot runner module and are configured to support a weight of said at least one hot runner module.
A hot runner system configured to transport molten material to a mold cavity of a mold module for injection molding, the hot runner system comprising:
- a support frame including a plurality of mounting projection elements extending horizontally away from a substantially vertical support surface;
- and
- at least one hot runner module adapted for mounting at said support surface, said at least one hot runner module including a plurality of injection nozzles projecting away from a manifold plate having a molten material distribution channel disposed at least partially within said manifold plate, said at least one hot runner module further including a hydraulic plate adapted to supply hydraulic fluid to said injection nozzles, said hydraulic plate being disposed in juxtaposed relation to said manifold plate, said at least one hot runner module including a first plurality of passages extending through said manifold plate and said hydraulic plate, said first plurality of passages being adapted to slidingly engage said mounting projection elements such that said mounting projection elements extend at least partially across said at least one hot runner module to support a weight of said at least one hot runner module, said at least one hot runner module further including a second plurality of passages extending across said manifold plate and said hydraulic plate with attachment members extending through said second plurality of passages into fixing engagement with said support surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.