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:
Apr. 27, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2002
Brian R. Lefebure, Lee's Summit, MO (US);
R&D Tool & Engineering Co., Lee's Summit, MO (US);
Abstract
Multi-cavity injection molding apparatus includes a plurality of injection nozzles, each of which has a two-piece tip assembly in the nature of a replaceable tip and a retainer that detachably secures the tip to the nozzle body. The retainers are constructed from material having a lower coefficient of thermal conductivity than the tips so that the retainers also serve to insulate the tips from the relatively cold, surrounding heat sink presented by the mold. Although each retainer prevents its tip from being unintentionally axially released from the nozzle body, the retainer engages the tip at only two axially spaced locations along its length so as to present an insulating air gap in surrounding relationship to much of the tip. The otherwise exposed end of the air gap is sealed off when the nozzle is hot by virtue of a sealing collar on the retainer that progressively tightens against the cooperating, beveled surface of the tip as the tip heats up. Each nozzle is mounted on the manifold block in a ball and socket relationship so that the nozzles can swivel and self-align as the manifold block and nozzles heat up from room temperature to operating temperature at the commencement of the injection process.