Multi-cavity melt distribution manifold
First Claim
1. A unitary injection molding distribution manifold which branches at only two transverse planes to provide at least thirty-two outlets from a single common inlet, comprising:
- (1) two brazed-together plates forming a unitary distribution manifold having a first plate with a rear face and a second plate with a forward face and first and second spaced-apart transverse planes which extend parallel to and lie between the rear and forward faces;
(2) a single melt passage extending generally longitudinally in the manifold from the rear face to the forward face and having;
(a) an unbranched, single, common inlet portion extending longitudinally from an inlet on the rear face to the first transverse plane where the melt passage branches in that transverse plane to at least four spaced-apart, unbranched first transverse plane passages;
(b) at least four spaced-apart, unbranched intermediate portions, each of which extends longitudinally from one respective first transverse plane passage to the second transverse plane where the melt passage branches in that second transverse plane to at least thirty-two second unbranched transverse plane passages;
(c) at least thirty-two spaced-apart, unbranched outlet portions, each of which extends longitudinally from one respective second transverse plane passage to a respective outlet on the forward face; and
wherein the melt passage extends an equal distance between the inlet and each outlet.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An injection molding manifold for distributing pressurized melt from a common inlet to thirty two outlets. The steel manifold has rear and forward plate portions which are integrally brazed together. The rear portion is drilled and plugged along a first transverse plane to provide the melt passage with branches from a common inlet portion to four intermediate portions. Four sets of matching grooves are machined in the joining faces of the rear and forward portions whereby each intermediate portion of the melt passage in turn branches along a second transverse plane to eight outlet portions, each leading to a cavity. The combination of the melt passage branching in several different directions in two different transverse planes with the second plane having different sets of curved portions allows the melt passage to have a large number of outlets while still having smoothly curved bends without having a leakage problem.
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Citations
3 Claims
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1. A unitary injection molding distribution manifold which branches at only two transverse planes to provide at least thirty-two outlets from a single common inlet, comprising:
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(1) two brazed-together plates forming a unitary distribution manifold having a first plate with a rear face and a second plate with a forward face and first and second spaced-apart transverse planes which extend parallel to and lie between the rear and forward faces; (2) a single melt passage extending generally longitudinally in the manifold from the rear face to the forward face and having; (a) an unbranched, single, common inlet portion extending longitudinally from an inlet on the rear face to the first transverse plane where the melt passage branches in that transverse plane to at least four spaced-apart, unbranched first transverse plane passages; (b) at least four spaced-apart, unbranched intermediate portions, each of which extends longitudinally from one respective first transverse plane passage to the second transverse plane where the melt passage branches in that second transverse plane to at least thirty-two second unbranched transverse plane passages; (c) at least thirty-two spaced-apart, unbranched outlet portions, each of which extends longitudinally from one respective second transverse plane passage to a respective outlet on the forward face; and wherein the melt passage extends an equal distance between the inlet and each outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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Specification