Reusable cartridge for injection molding

A injection apparatus comprising a removable cartridge and an injector base system:

• the removable cartridge comprising
• a barrel configured to withstand high pressure and/or high vacuum at elevated temperatures,
• the barrel having a cylindrical internal circumferential surface enclosing a hollow interior with a proximal end and an open distal end, and one or more stop tab structures near the distal end that extend from the internal circumference surface of the barrel into the hollow interior;
• the proximal end having structure with a reversibly sealable outlet to selectively seal or provide access to the hollow interior of the barrel;
• piston within the barrel that can be longitudinally moved along a portion of the cylindrical internal circumferential surface
• such that a portion of the hollow interior between the proximal end and the piston changes volume by movement of the piston,
• the piston having locking structure such that when the piston is longitudinally rotated the locking structure can be moved relative to the stop tab structures between a locked position and an open position,
• the locked position where the tab structures and locking structure are aligned to prevent movement of the piston,
• the open position where the tab structure and locking structures are aligned to allow movement of the piston,
• the injector base system comprising
• cartridge housing for receiving and holding the removable cartridge in a locked position,
• injector cap that reversibly locks the removable cartridge in the cartridge housing,
• the injector cap including injection line structure that communicate with the outlet in the proximal end of the cartridge,
• the injector cap including structure such that when the removable cartridge is reversibly locked the removable cartridge is rotated relative to the cartridge housing,
• an actuator for applying longitudinal force to the piston and having a rod end structure for rotating the piston locking structure such that the relative rotation of the removable cartridge to the cartridge housing causes a rod end structure to rotate the piston to selectively align the one or more stop tabs and the piston locking structure, which allows longitudinal movement of the piston in the barrel.