Pin mold system

• US 20040245428A1
• Filed: 06/05/2003
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sol Advanced Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Sol Advanced Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Moshe, Ben-Haim, Ilan, Ehrenfeld, Shemi, Sagiv, Armando, Nowominski
• Application Number:
  US10/454,639
• Publication Number:
  US 20040245428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 249/102
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/308 Adjustable moulds for injection moulding B29C45/376
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/585 with adjustable size of the mould cavity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/376 adjustable B29C45/374 takes precedence

Abstract

Adjustable pin mold systems are provided, which include features specifically suited for injection molding of foamed polymers and for high-pressure injection molding of plastics.

Claims

1. A pin of an adjustable length, comprising:

an x;

y;

z coordinate system;

proximal and distal ends, with respect to an operator, defining +z and −

z directions, respectively;

a screw, aligned with the z axis, and including;

a proximal portion, formed as a head, adapted to engage with a tool, for turning said screw, and adapted to engage with a locking mechanism, for preventing motion of said screw in the ±

z direction, as said screw turns; and

a distal portion, formed as a stem, which issues from said head and which is threaded at least along part of its length; and

a pin body, aligned with the z axis, said pin body defining an inner cavity, having a threaded portion, adapted for threaded communication with said stem, wherein as said screw is turned in a first direction, into said pin body, the length of said pin along the z axis is shortened, and as said screw is turned in the reverse direction, the length of said pin is increased,

wherein said pin is adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 20 tons.

2. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 100 tons.

3. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 500 tons.

4. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 1000 tons.

5. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 5000 tons.

6. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 10000 tons.

7. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 12000 tons.

8. The pin of claim 1, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 15000 tons.

9. The pin of claim 1, adapted for temperatures of 400°

C.

10. The pin of claim 1, wherein said pin further includes at least one through channel, operable for injection of a molding substance.

11. The pin of claim 1, wherein said pin further includes at least one through channel, operable for temperature control.

12. The pin of claim 1, wherein said pin further includes at least one through channel, operable for housing at least one sensor.

13. The pin of claim 1, wherein said inner cavity is a lumen, which runs the length of said pin body.

14. A pin assembly, comprising:

an x;

y;

z coordinate system;

proximal and distal ends, with respect to an operator, defining +z and −

z directions, respectively;

an array of pins of adjustable lengths, having m by n pins, wherein both m and n are integers, each individually selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, and integers greater than 2, and wherein each pin comprises;

a screw, aligned with the z axis, and including;

a proximal portion, formed as a head, adapted to engage with a tool, for turning said screw, and adapted to engage with a locking mechanism, for preventing motion of said screw in the ±

z direction, as said screw turns; and

a distal portion, formed as a stem, which issues from said head and which is threaded at least along part of its length; and

a pin body, aligned with the z axis, said pin body defining an inner cavity, having a threaded portion, adapted for threaded communication with said

stem, wherein as said screw is turned in a first direction, into said pin body, the length of said pin along the z axis is shortened, and as said screw is turned in the reverse direction, the length of said pin is increased; and

said locking mechanism, adapted for engagement with said screw heads, for preventing motion of said screws in the ±

z direction, as said screws turn, wherein said pin assembly is adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 20 tons.

15. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein said locking mechanism includes:

a first plate, on the proximal side of, and abut against said screw heads, for preventing any of said screws from moving proximally;

a second plate, on the distal side of and abut against said screw heads, for preventing any of said screws from moving distally; and

bolts for holding said first and second plates together.

16. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein said locking mechanism includes:

a first plate, on the proximal side of, and abut against said screw heads, for preventing any of said screws from moving proximally; and

locking ohms, arranged on said screws, on the distal side of and abut against said screw heads, for preventing said screws from moving distally.

17. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein said array further includes sidewalls, which are bolted to each other, in a direction selected from the group consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, for pressing said pins tightly to each other.

18. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein said array of pins may be selectively disassembled and rearranged into a different array.

19. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 100 tons.

20. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 500 tons.

21. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 1000 tons.

22. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 5000 tons.

23. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 10000 tons.

24. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 12000 tons.

25. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 15000 tons.

26. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted for temperatures up to 400°

C.

27. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said pins further includes at least one through channel, operable for injection of a molding substance.

28. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said pins further includes at least one through channel, operable for temperature control.

29. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said pins further includes at least one through channel, operable for housing at least one sensor.

30. The pin assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said pins includes a plurality of through channels.

31. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted for the production of insole molds.

32. The pin assembly of claim 14, adapted for the production of packaging materials.

33. An injection molding press, comprising:

a first, stationary pin assembly, which includes;

an x;

y;

z coordinate system;

proximal and distal directions, defined as +z and −

z directions, respectively;

a first array of pins of adjustable lengths, having m1 by n1 pins, wherein both m1 and n1 are integers, each individually selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, and integers greater than 2;

a first tool, mounted on a first gantry on the proximal side of said first pin assembly, for adjusting the lengths of said pins of said first pin assembly, so as to form a distal-most cavity, therein; and

an injection system, external to said first pin assembly and in liquid communication with said distal-most cavity, through at least one channel, arranged along at least one pin; and

a pressure applicator, capable of producing a pressure of at least 20 tons, said pressure applicator comprising;

a press gantry, which provides movement in the ±

z direction;

a second pin assembly, comprising a second array of m2 by n2 of said pins, wherein both m2 and n2 are integers, each individually selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, and integers greater than 2, and wherein said second array is constructed in a manner analogous to said first array, but arranged as mirror image across the x;

y plane, to said first array, on said press gantry;

a second tool, mounted on a second gantry on the distal side of said second pin assembly, for adjusting the lengths of said pins of said second pin assembly, so as to form a proximal-most cavity, therein;

wherein as said pressure applicator brings said first and second pin assemblies abut, under pressure, said first and second pin assemblies form an inner space, within which a mold product forms, under said pressure.

34. The injection molding press of claim 33, wherein each pin of said first, stationary pin assembly comprises:

a screw, aligned with the z axis, and including;

a proximal portion, formed as a head, adapted to engage with a tool, for turning said screw, and adapted to engage with a locking mechanism, for preventing motion of said screw in the ±

z direction, as said screw turns; and

a distal portion, formed as a stem, which issues from said head and which is threaded at least along part of its length; and

a pin body, aligned with the z axis and having a distal-most surface, said pin body defining an inner cavity, having a threaded portion, adapted for threaded communication with said stem, wherein as said screw is turned in a first direction, into said pin body, a length of said pin along the z axis is shortened, and as said screw is turned in the reverse direction, the length of said pin is increased; and

said locking mechanism, adapted for engagement with said screw heads, for preventing motion of said screws in the ±

z direction, as said screws turn.

35. The injection-molding press of claim 33, and further including placing first and second insert portions, in said distal-most and proximal-most inner spaces.

36. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said second pin assembly further includes at least one mold ejector, arranged in at least one channel within said pins, for providing travel into said second inner space, for ejecting said mold.

37. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said second pin assembly further includes at least two mold ejectors, arranged in channels within said pins, for providing travel into said second inner space, for ejecting said mold.

38. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said injection system includes at least two channels, arranged in said first pin assembly, for providing liquid communication with said first portion of mold insert.

39. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said first pin assembly further includes sidewalls, which are bolted to each other, in a direction selected from the group consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, for pressing said pins tightly to each other.

40. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said second pin assembly further includes sidewalls, which are bolted to each other, in a direction selected from the group consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, for pressing said pins tightly to each other.

41. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said first array of pins may be selectively disassembled and rearranged into a different array.

42. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said second array of pins may be selectively disassembled and rearranged into a different array,

43. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 20 tons.

44. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 100 tons.

45. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 500 tons.

46. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 1000 tons.

47. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 5000 tons.

48. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 10000 tons.

49. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 12000 tons.

50. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted to withstand a pressure of at least 15000 tons.

51. The injection-molding press of claim 33, adapted for temperatures of 400°

C.

52. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said press further includes temperature-control channels, arranged within said pins.

53. The injection-molding press of claim 33, wherein said press further includes at least one channel, arranged within said pins, for housing at least one sensor.

54. A method of plastic injection molding comprising:

providing an injection molding press, comprising;

a first, stationary pin assembly, which includes;

an x;

y;

z coordinate system;

proximal and distal directions, defined as +z and −

z directions, respectively;

a first array of pins of adjustable lengths, having m1 by n1 pins, wherein both m1 and n1 are integers, each individually selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, and integers greater than 2;

a first tool, mounted on a first gantry on the proximal side of said first pin assembly, for adjusting the lengths of said pins of said first pin assembly, so as to form a distal-most cavity, therein; and

an injection system, external to said first pin assembly and in liquid communication with said distal-most cavity, through at least one channel, arranged along at least one pin; and

a pressure applicator, capable of producing a pressure of at least 20 tons, said pressure applicator comprising;

a press gantry, which provides movement in the ±

z direction;

a second pin assembly, comprising a second array of m2 by n2 of said pins, wherein both m2 and n2 are integers, each individually selected from the group consisting of 1, 2, and integers greater than 2, and wherein said second array is constructed in a manner analogous to said first array, but arranged as mirror image across the x;

y plane, to said first array, on said press gantry; and

a second tool, mounted on a second gantry on the distal side of said second pin assembly, for adjusting the lengths of said pins of said second pin assembly, so as to form a proximal-most cavity, therein;

arranging pins of at least one of said first and second pin arrays, to form at least one cavity;

bringing said first and second pin assemblies together, by said pressure applicator, thus forming an inner space therein, and applying pressure thereto;

injecting the plastic fluid to said inner space, under said pressure;

separating said first and second pin assemblies, by said pressure applicator; and

ejecting a plastic mold product, formed within said inner space.

55. The method of plastic injection molding of claim 54, and further including placing first and second insert portions, in said distal-most and proximal-most inner spaces.