Stack mold transfer device

A stack mold transfer device for delivering a molding material across a parting line of a stack molding apparatus, the stack mold transfer device comprising:

• a first transfer member having a first transfer channel, a first valve seat, and a first valve member slidably disposed within and extending through the first transfer channel, the first valve member having a flow portion and a first valve sealing surface defined along an outer circumferential length of a first end of the first valve member;
• and
• a second transfer member having a second transfer channel, a second valve seat, and a second valve member slidably disposed within and extending through the second transfer channel, the second valve member having a second sealing surface and a receiving pocket extending within a first end of the second valve member, wherein the receiving pocket has an inner diameter sized to slidably receive the first valve sealing surface of the first end of the first valve member,
• wherein when the stack molding apparatus is in a mold-closed configuration and the first transfer member and the second transfer member are in an engaged configuration, the first transfer channel and the second transfer channel form a common transfer channel, and
• wherein when the stack molding apparatus is in the mold-closed configuration and the transfer device is in a closed-flow configuration, the first valve sealing surface at the first end of the first valve member engages the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface at the first end of the second valve member engages the second valve seat to block the molding material flow within the common transfer channel, and a gap is provided between a downstream surface of the first end of the first valve member and a bottom surface of the receiving pocket at the first end of the second valve member, and
• wherein when the transfer device is in an open-flow configuration, the first end of the first valve member is slidably received within the receiving pocket at the first end of the second valve member and the first ends of the first and second valve members so positioned slide together into the second transfer channel
• whereby the flow portion of the first valve member is positioned across the parting line of the stack molding apparatus to allow the molding material flow within the common transfer channel, and
• whereby the first valve sealing surface of the first valve member is disengaged from the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface of the second valve member is disengaged from the second valve seat.

A stack mold transfer device actuatable between an open-flow configuration and a closed-flow configuration, the stack mold transfer device comprising:

• a first transfer member having a first transfer channel, a first valve seat, and a first valve member slidably disposed within and extending through the first transfer channel, the first valve member having a flow portion and a first valve sealing surface that surrounds an end of the first valve member;
• and
• a second transfer member having a second transfer channel, a second valve seat, and a second valve member slidably disposed within and extending through the second transfer channel, the second valve member having a second valve sealing surface and a receiving pocket,
• wherein the second valve member further comprises a vent channel in fluid communication with atmosphere that extends from the receiving pocket thereof, and
• wherein when the first transfer member and the second transfer member are in an engaged configuration the first transfer channel of the first transfer member and the second transfer channel of the second transfer member form a common transfer channel, and
• wherein when the transfer device is in the closed-flow configuration, the first valve sealing surface engages the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface engages the second valve seat to block a molding material flow within the common transfer channel, and
• wherein when the transfer device is in the open-flow configuration, the first valve sealing surface is disengaged from the first valve seat and the second valve sealing surface is disengaged from the second valve seat, and the first valve sealing surface surrounding the end of the first valve member is slidably received in the receiving pocket of the second valve member, and the flow portion of the first valve member is positioned to allow the molding material flow within the common transfer channel.