The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 22, 1996
James W Hendry, Brooksville, FL (US);
Melea Limited, Gibraltar Heights, GI;
Abstract
A method and system for injection molding plastic articles which utilize a spill cavity whose volume varies. In one embodiment, the volume varies during introduction of pressurized gas into a mold cavity flow coupled to the spill cavity. In another embodiment, the volume of the spill cavity varies during a plastic injection which fills the mold cavity. A piston reciprocally mounted within a cylinder defines the variable volume of the spill cavity. In one embodiment, a pneumatic control circuit controls the pressure on a lower surface of the piston to thereby control the position of the piston within the cylinder and therefore the volume of the spill cavity. In another embodiment, an air spring is utilized to control pressure on the piston which counters the pressure of the plastic on the piston. In one embodiment, a stop pin connected to the piston prevents the piston from leaving the cylinder when the mold is opened and solidified plastic in the spill cavity is to be ejected therefrom. An ejector pin ejects plastic after it is pulled out of the spill cavity. Various ways of introducing a controlled amount of gas pressure at the lower surface of the piston are provided including through the stop pin.