Small footprint apparatus, method, and tooling for molding large thermoplastic parts
AssigneeEdizone, LLC
InventorsRussell B. Whatcott, LaVon Lee Bennett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molding system includes a plurality of injection heads each configured to inject molten polymer into a mold cavity. Each injection head has an outer body, a piston disposed within the outer body and defining a polymer chamber on a first side of the piston and a pressure chamber on an opposite second side of the piston. The piston moves from a retracted position to an extended position responsive to pressurization of the pressure chamber. Molten polymer is injected from the polymer chamber into the mold cavity as the piston moves from the retracted position to the extended position. Such systems may be used to mold relatively large articles of manufacture.
Claims31
A molding system, comprising:
- a mold defining a mold cavity therein;
- a plurality of injection heads, each injection head of the plurality of injection heads configured to inject molten polymer into the mold cavity during a molding process, each injection head of the plurality of injection heads comprising:
- an outer body;
- a piston disposed within the outer body and defining a polymer chamber on a first side of the piston and a pressure chamber on an opposite second side of the piston, the piston configured to move back and forth within the outer body between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston configured to move from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to pressurization of the pressure chamber;
- and
- a nozzle through which molten polymer is injected from the polymer chamber into the mold cavity within the mold;
- and
- a polymer source configured to supply molten polymer to the polymer chamber of each injection head of the plurality of injection heads.
A method of molding an article of manufacture, comprising:
- providing a mold having a mold cavity therein;
- providing a plurality of injection heads each comprising:
- an outer body;
- a piston disposed within the outer body and defining a polymer chamber on a first side of the piston and a pressure chamber on an opposite second side of the piston, the piston configured to move back and forth within the outer body between a retracted position and an extended position, the piston configured to move from the retracted position to the extended position responsive to pressurization of the pressure chamber;
- and
- a nozzle through which molten polymer is injected from the polymer chamber into the mold cavity within the mold;
- melting a polymer at a molten polymer source;
- conveying molten polymer from the molten polymer source to the polymer chambers of the injection heads of the plurality of injection heads;
- pressurizing the pressure chamber and causing the piston to move from the retracted position to the extended position in each injection head of the plurality of injection heads to inject molten polymer into the mold cavity;
- and
- solidifying the molten polymer within the mold cavity to form the article of manufacture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.