Injection molding head for forming honeycombed thermoplastic structures

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the instant invention, there is disclosed an injection molding head for forming honeycombed structures of thermoplastic materials, which comprises a fixed mouthpiece having a plurality of strand channels extending longitudinally therethrough; a plurality of guide channels extending longitudinally therethrough and interposed between said strand channels; a strand deviation guide mechanism comprising a plurality of elongated members each slidably mounted in one of said guide channels; a frame arrangement attached to one end of each of a group of the elongated members for moving in a longitudinal direction one end of each of the elongated members beyond the exit end of the fixed mouthpiece for the provision of high thrust, lateral forces proximate to the output of said strand channels, and withdrawing the ends of the said elongated members from said extended position to within said fixed mouthpiece; and a drive apparatus coupled to the frame arrangement for moving the frame arrangement toward and away from the fixed mouthpiece in an oscillatory manner. The elongated members may be configurated as organ-type pipes for directing high pressure jets obliquely and rearward toward the output end of the fixed mouthpiece, as such pipes are extended beyond the exit end of the fixed mouthpiece. Alternatively, the elongated members comprise bundles of elongated spring lamellas which spread laterally when they are extended beyond the output end of the fixed mouthpiece. In either case, longitudinally moving strands of thermoplastic material that are emitted from the strand channels are momentarily deviated in a lateral direction by the high pressure jets or spreading spring lamellas, to achieve precisely controlled welding contact between adjacent strands.