MOLD INSERT AND MOLD STACK FOR USE WITH MOLDING MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to, but is not limited to, molding systems, and more
specifically the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, a mold insert and a mold
stack for use with a molding system and the molding system incorporating same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Molding is a process by virtue of which a molded article can be formed from molding material
by using a molding system. Various molded articles can be formed by using the molding
process, such as an injection molding process. One example of a molded article that can be
formed, for example, from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material is a preform that is
capable of being subsequently blown into a beverage container, such as, a bottle and the like.
A typical molding system includes an injection unit, a clamp assembly and a mold assembly.
The injection unit can be of a reciprocating screw type or of a two-stage type. The clamp
assembly includes inter alia a frame, a movable platen, a fixed platen and an actuator for
moving the movable platen and to apply tonnage to the mold assembly arranged between the
platens. The mold assembly includes inter alia a cold half and a hot half. The hot half is
usually associated with one or more cavities (and, hence, also sometimes referred to by those
of skill in the art as a "cavity half), while the cold half is usually associated with one or more
cores (and, hence, also sometimes referred to by those of skill in the art as a "core half). The
one or more cavities together with one or more cores define, in use, one or more molding
cavities. The hot half can also be associated with a melt distribution system (also referred to
sometimes by those of skill in the art as a "hot runner") for melt distribution. The mold
assembly can be associated with a number of additional components, such as neck rings, neck
ring slides, ejector structures, wear pads, etc.
As an illustration, injection molding of PET material involves heating the PET material (ex.
PET pellets, PEN powder, PLA, etc.) to a homogeneous molten state and injecting, under
pressure, the so-melted PET material into the one or more molding cavities defined, at least in
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part, by the aforementioned one or more cavities and one or more cores mounted respectively
on a cavity plate and a core plate of the mold assembly. The cavity plate and the core plate are
urged together and are held together by clamp force, the clamp force being sufficient enough
to keep the cavity and the core pieces together against the pressure of the injected PET
material. The molding cavity has a shape that substantially corresponds to a final cold-state
shape of the molded article to be molded. The so-injected PET material is then cooled to a
temperature sufficient to enable ejection of the so-formed molded article from the mold. When
cooled, the molded article shrinks inside of the molding cavity and, as such, when the cavity
and core plates are urged apart, the molded article tends to remain associated with the core.
Accordingly, by urging the core plate away from the cavity plate, the molded article can be
demolded, i.e. ejected from the core piece. Ejection structures are known to assist in removing
the molded articles from the core halves. Examples of the ejection structures include stripper
plates, ejector pins, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cavity insert for a
mold stack of a molding machine. The cavity insert comprises a body having an internal
surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface
defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow
of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a face of a
cavity plate, the mounting flange including: a member configured to define, in use, a second
portion of the cooling channel.
According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cavity insert
for use in a mold stack of a molding machine. The cavity insert comprises a body having a
mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a face of a cavity plate, the
mounting flange defining a rear mounting extremity thereof; an internal surface defining, in
use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; and an external surface defining, in use, at
least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant, the first
portion of the cooling channel, in use, projecting beyond the rear mounting extremity.
According to a third broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mold stack of a
molding machine. The mold stack comprises a core assembly receivable, in use, in a core
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plate, the core assembly defining, in use, at least a core portion of a molding cavity; a gate
insert receivable, in use, within a cavity plate, the gate insert defining, in use, at least a gate
portion of the molding cavity; a neck ring located between the core assembly and a cavity
insert, the neck ring configured to define, in use, a neck portion of the molding cavity; and the
cavity insert including: a body having: a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the
body relative to a face of the cavity plate, the mounting flange having a rear mounting
extremity thereof; an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of the molding
cavity; and an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel
configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant, the first portion of the cooling channel, in use,
projecting beyond the rear mounting extremity.
According to yet another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mold stack
of a molding machine. The mold stack comprises a core assembly receivable, in use, in a core
plate, the core assembly defining, in use, at least a core portion of a molding cavity; a gate
insert receivable, in use, within a cavity plate having a face; the gate insert defining, in use, at
least a gate portion of the molding cavity; a neck ring located between the core assembly and a
cavity insert, the neck ring configured to define, in use, a neck portion of the molding cavity;
and the cavity insert including a body having an internal surface defining, in use, at least a
body portion of the molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion
of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange
configured to support, in use, the body relative to the face of the cavity plate, the mounting
flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling
channel.
These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention
will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention (including
alternatives and/or variations thereof) may be obtained with reference to the detailed
description of the non-limiting embodiments along with the following drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a portion of a mold stack implemented according to a nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a portion of a mold stack implemented according to another
non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a cavity insert and a mounting flange of a mold
stack, including a positioning member implemented according to yet another non-limiting
embodiment of the present invention, in an exploded configuration and an assembled
configuration, respectively.
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the mold stack including the mold stack of FIG 3B.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a portion of a mold stack according to yet another nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are may be illustrated by phantom lines,
diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to
perceive may have been omitted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a portion of a mold stack 100a according to a nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention. The mold stack 100a can be used as part of a
molding machine (not depicted) for producing a molded article. In the specific non-limiting
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the mold stack 100a is configured for producing a preform
capable of being blow molded into a container (such as a bottle and the like), but this need not
be so in every embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that
teachings of the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to mold stacks 100a
configured to produce other types of molded articles. The mold stack 100a includes a core
assembly 170, a gate insert 162, a neck ring 140, and a cavity insert 102.
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The core assembly 170 is receivable, when in use, in a core plate (not depicted). The
connection between the core assembly 170 and the core plate (not depicted) is well known to
those of skill in the art and, as such, will not be described here at any length. Generally
speaking, the purpose of the core assembly 170 is to define, when in use, at least a core
portion 174 of a molding cavity 101. The structure of the core assembly 170 will be described
in greater detail herein below.
The gate insert 162 is receivable, when in use, within a cavity plate 190. The connection
between the gate insert 162 and the cavity plate 190 is well known to those of skill in the art
and, as such, will not be described here at any length. Suffice it to state that the gate insert 162
can be-coupled to the cavity plate 190 (or to the cavity insert 102) by means of suitable
fasteners (such as, for example, one or more bolt with a washer or the like). The cavity plate
190 can be said to have a front face 130 and a rear face 131, located opposite of the front face
130.
The gate insert 162, receivable within a rear portion of the cavity plate 190 located between
the front face 130 and the rear face 131, is configured to define, in use, at least a gate portion
160 of the molding cavity 101. The gate insert 162 is further configured to receive, in use, a
nozzle (not depicted) of a molding machine (not depicted) for accepting the melt therethrough.
The gate insert 162 can be associated with a sealing member (not separately numbered) for
preventing coolant from leaking into the molding cavity 101. For example, as depicted in
Figure 1, a pair of O-rings (not separately numbered) associated with the gate insert 162 is
provided.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG 1, the mold stack 100a can be said to be associated with a
rear portion and with a front portion (both not separately numbered). The rear portion of the
mold stack 100a refers to the portion of the mold stack 100a that is proximate, in use, to a
stationary platen (not depicted), which typically includes the cavity plate 190. The front
portion of the mold stack 100a generally refers to the portion of the mold stack 100a that is
proximate, in use, to a moveable platen (not depicted), which typically includes the
aforementioned core plate (not depicted).
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Located between the core assembly 170 and the cavity insert 102 is the neck ring 140. The
neck ring 140 is configured to define, when in use, a neck portion 142 of the molding cavity
101 which forms the neck of a preform (not depicted). The neck ring 140, typically, consists
of two complementary neck ring halves (not separately numbered), with each of the neck ring
halves (not separately numbered) being supported, in use, on a respective slide (not depicted)
by means of suitable fasteners (not depicted) such as bolts and the like. Slides can be actuated
by known means (such as, for examples, cams) to impart lateral movement onto the neck ring
halves.
The cavity insert 102 includes a body 104. The body 104 is associated with a mounting flange
116, an-external surface 110 and an internal surface 106. The mounting flange 116 is
configured to support, when in use, the body 104 relative to the front face 130 of the cavity
plate 190 by means of suitable fasteners (not depicted), such as bolts and the like. The
mounting flange 116 has a rear mounting extremity thereof, generally depicted in FIG. 1 at
141. Generally speaking, the rear mounting extremity 141 is the rear-most portion of the
mounting flange 116. The internal surface 106 of the cavity insert 102 is used to define, when
in use, at least a body portion 108 of the molding cavity 101.
The external surface 110 of the cavity insert 102 is used to define, when in use, at least a first
portion 112 of a cooling channel 113 that is configured to direct a flow of coolant used to cool
the preform formed within the molding cavity 101. The first portion 112 of the cooling
channel 113 generally refers to the portion of the cooling channel 113 which is found on the
extreme front of the external surface 110 of the body 104 of the cavity insert 102. Within the
embodiments depicted in FIG. 1, the first portion 112 of the cooling channel 113, when in use,
is projecting beyond the rear mounting extremity 141 of the mounting flange 116.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the mounting flange 116 further includes a
member 124 that is configured to define, in use, a second portion 126 of the cooling channel
113. The member 124 further defines the aforementioned rear mounting extremity 141,
wherein the first portion 112 of the cooling channel 113, in use, projects beyond the rear
mounting extremity 141.
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According to variants, the mounting flange 116 and the member 124 may be: (i) separately
formed and then assembled together and (ii) integrally formed. Alternatively or additionally
the body 104, the mounting flange 116 and the member 124 may be: (i) separately formed and
then assembled together; and (ii) integrally formed.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cooling channel 113 can be said to be
a first cooling channel 114 and the external surface 110 is further configured to define at least
a second cooling channel 118. The first cooling channel 114 and the second cooling channel
118 may be joined by a connecting channel, which is best seen in FIG. 3A and is depicted at
119.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the core assembly 170 includes a core 172
and a lock ring 180. The core 172 defines, when in use, the core portion 174 of the molding
cavity 101 and the lock ring 180 is configured to support, when in use, the core 172 relative to
the core plate (not depicted). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this needs
not be so in every embodiments of the present invention. For example, in an alternative nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention, the lock ring 180 can be omitted or may form a
unitary structure with the core 172.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the neck ring "140 is implemented as a core
lock type neck ring 140. To that extent, the neck ring includes (i) a body 140a, (ii) a first male
taper 140b extending towards the rear of the mold stack 100a; and (iii) a second male taper
140c extending towards the front of the mold stack 100a. The first male taper 140b abuts with
both the mounting flange 116 and the cavity insert 102, both of which together form a first
female taper (not separately numbered) complementary to the first male taper 140b. The
second male taper 140c abuts the lock ring 180 which forms a second female taper (not
separately numbered) complementary to the second male taper 140c.
Generally speaking, the tapers (i.e. the first male taper 140b, the second male taper 140c and
the associated female tapers) are dimensioned and configured to positively locate the neck ring
140 relative to the cavity insert 102. For example, the first male taper 140b and the associated
female taper can be configured in an interference fit type relationship to provide for positive
location of the neck ring 140 relative to the cavity insert 102. The second male taper 140c and
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the associated female taper can be configured in a clearance type relationship to provide for
positive location of the neck ring 140 relative to the core assembly 170. Other configurations
for the tapers are, of course, possible. In this non-limiting embodiment, depicted in FIG. 1, the
neck ring 140 completely defines a support ledge portion 121 of the molding cavity 101.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the cavity plate 190 includes a receptacle
120 for receiving, when in use, the cavity insert 102, the receptacle 120 is configured to
define, when in use, a third portion 122 of the cooling channel 113.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the member 124 can define an interface
,, (not separately numbered) for accepting, in use, a sealing member 125. The interface (not
separately numbered) is positionable, in use, between the member 124 and the cavity plate
190. Alternatively, the cavity plate 190 can define an interface (not separately numbered) for
accepting, in use, a sealing member 125. The interface (not separately numbered) is
positionable, in use, between the member 124 and the cavity plate 190. Furthermore, the
sealing member 125 is intended to prevent coolant from leaking into the molding cavity 101 or
outside of the mold stack 100a.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the external surface 110 defines an
interface (not separately numbered) for accepting, in use, a sealing member 127. The interface
(not separately numbered) is positionable, in use, between the mounting flange 116 and the
external surface 110. Alternatively, the mounting flange 116 can define an interface (not
separately numbered) for accepting, in use, a sealing member 127. The interface (not
separately numbered) is positionable, in use, between the mounting flange 116 and the
external surface 110.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the sealing member 127 and the associated
interface (not depicted) can be omitted from the design of Figure 1. This is particularly true,
but is not limited, to those embodiments of the present invention, where the body 104, the
mounting flange 116 and the member 124 are integrally made.
Also provided within the architecture of FIG. 1 is a positioning member 191. Generally
speaking, the purpose of the positioning member 191 is to positively locate the cavity insert
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102 vis-a-vis the cavity plate 190. More specifically, the positioning member 191 comprises a
dowel associated with the gate insert 162 and a complementary receptacle defined in the
cavity insert 102. In an alternative implementation, the dowel can be associated with the cavity
insert 102 and the complementary receptacle can be defined in the gate insert 162.
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section view of a portion of a mold stack 100b according to another
non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The mold stack 100b is substantially
similar to the mold stack 100a, but for the specific differences discussed herein below and, as
such, like elements are depicted with like numerals. In this non-limiting embodiment, the neck
ring 140 is implemented as a cavity lock type neck ring 140', The neck ring 140' includes (i) a
body 140a', (ii) a first male taper 140b' extending towards the rear of the mold stack 100b;
and (iii) a first female taper 140c" defined within the body 140a of the neck ring 140', The
first male taper 140b" abuts with both the mounting flange 116 and the cavity insert 102, both
of which together form a second female taper (not separately numbered) complementary to the
first male taper 140b", similar to the core lock type neck ring 140 shown in FIG. 1. The first
female taper 140c" is configured to receive a lock ring 180 which forms a second male taper
(not separately numbered) complementary to the first female taper 140c', Generally speaking,
the tapers (i.e. the first male taper 140b', the first female taper 140c' and the associated
male/female tapers) are dimensioned and configured to positively locate the neck ring 140"
relative to the cavity insert 102, as is known to those skilled in the art. In this non-limiting
embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2, the neck ring 140" partially defines a support ledge portion
121a of the molding cavity 101. In other words, within this embodiment of the present
invention, the support ledge portion 121a is defined partially by the neck ring 140" and
partially by the cavity insert 102. Within these embodiments of the present invention, a
witness line will be defined on the preform molded within the mold stack 100b.
It should be noted that the implementation of the positioning member 191 depicted in FIG. 1 is
but one example of how such an element can be implemented. Other alternatives are also
possible. For example, with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, which depict a cavity insert
102a according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, one such alternative
implementation will now be described in greater detail. In the non-limiting embodiment
depicted in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a member 124a includes a positioning member 191a, which
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in this example comprises a notch 191a that is configured to be coupled with a protrusion 107
located on the cavity insert 102a and is complementary to the notch 191a.
The protrusion 107 and the notch 191a may be configured to positively locate, when in use,
the mounting flange 116 relative to the cavity insert 102a. Within these embodiments of the
present invention, the mounting flange 116 can be positively located vis-a-vis the front face
130 of the cavity plate 190 by means of fasteners and the like. The purpose of positively
locating the mounting flange 116 relative the cavity plate 190 and positively locating the
cavity insert 102a relative to the mounting flange 116, is to ensure the cooling channel 113 is
properly aligned with the cooling distribution channels (not depicted) of the cavity plate 190.
It can be said that, the notch 191a is associated with a first configuration and the protrusion
107 is associated with a second configuration; the first configuration and the second
configuration is so selected such that the notch 191a fits securely within, when in use.
In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, the first cooling channel 114 is
associated with a first depth Dl and the second cooling channel 118 is associated with a
second depth D2. It can be said that the first depth Dl is greater than the second depth D2.
Generally speaking, it can be said that the first cooling channel 114 is sized in order to
compensate for the notch 191a and protrusion 107 interlocking-locating design. To
demonstrate these embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section view
of a mold stack 100c implemented according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present
invention, the mold stack 100c incorporating the cavity insert 102a of FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B.
FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section view of a portion of a mold stack 100d according to another
non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The mold stack lOOd is substantially
similar to the mold stack 100a, but for the specific differences discussed herein below and, as
such, like elements are depicted with like numerals In this non-limiting embodiment, the neck
ring 140 is implemented as a core lock type neck ring 140". The neck ring 140" includes (i) a
body 140a", (ii) a first male taper 140b" extending towards the rear of the mold stack lOOd;
and (iii) a second male taper 140c" extending towards the front of the mold stack lOOd. The
first male taper 140b" abuts with both the mounting flange 116 and the cavity insert 102, both
of which together form a first female taper (not separately numbered) complementary to the
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first male taper 140b". The second male taper 140c" abuts the lock ring 180 which forms a
second female taper (not separately numbered) complementary to the second male taper
140c". Generally speaking, the tapers (i.e. the first male taper 140b", the second male taper
140c" and the associated female tapers) are dimensioned and configured to positively locate
the neck ring 140" relative to the cavity insert 102.
It will be recalled that within the embodiment of FIG. 1, the support ledge portion 121 is
defined exclusively by the neck ring 140". In the embodiments of FIG. 5, however, only a
portion of the support ledge portion 121b is defined by the neck ring 140" and another portion
of the support ledge portion 120b is defined by the cavity insert 102. Similar to the
embodiments of FIG. 2, a witness line will be defined on the preform molded within the mold
stack 100d.
A technical effect of the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, amongst others,
includes improved cooling efficiency in a desired region of the preforms, such as a region in
proximity to a neck portion of the preform and, particularly, the cooling of the support ledge
121. Another technical effect of embodiments of the present invention may include ability to
enhance cooling in the neck portion of the preform to supplement cooling provided by neck
ring 140. Another technical effect of embodiments of the present invention, may include more
even heat profile along the cavity insert 102. It should be expressly understood that various
technical effects mentioned above need not be realized in their entirety in each and every nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the non-limiting embodiments of the present inventions provides examples of
the present invention, and these examples do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is
to be expressly understood that the scope of the present invention is limited by the claims. The
concepts described above may be adapted for specific conditions and/or functions, and may be
further extended to a variety of other applications that are within the scope of the present
invention. Having thus described the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, it
will be apparent that modifications and enhancements are possible without departing from the
concepts as described. Therefore, what is to be protected by way of letters patent are limited
only by the scope of the following claims:
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What is claimed is:
1. A cavity insert (102, 102a) for a mold stack (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a molding
machine, the cavity insert (102, 102a) comprising:
a body (104) having:
an internal surface (106) defining, in use, at least a body portion (108) of a molding cavity
(101);
an external surface (110) defining, in use, at least a first portion (112) of a cooling channel
(113) configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and
a mounting flange (116) configured to support, in use, the body (104) relative to a front face
(130) of a cavity plate (190), the mounting flange (116) including:
a member (124, 124a) configured to define, in use, a second portion (126) of the cooling
channel (113), the member (124, 124a) further defining a rear mounting extremity (141), and
wherein at least a portion of the first portion (112) of the cooling channel (113), in use,
projects beyond the rear mounting extremity (141).
2. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the mounting flange (116) and the
member (124, 124a) are separately formed.
3. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the mounting flange (116) and the
member (124, 124a) are integrally formed.
4. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the body (104), the mounting flange
(116) and the member (124, 124a) are separately formed.
5. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the body (104), the mounting flange
(116) and the member (124, 124a) are integrally formed.
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6. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the mounting flange (116) defines an
interface for accepting, in use, a sealing member (127), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the mounting flange (116) and the external surface (110).
7. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the external surface (110) defines an
interface for accepting, in use, a sealing member (127), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the mounting flange (116) and the external surface (110).
8. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 1, wherein the member (124, 124a) defines an
interface, for accepting, in use, a sealing member (125), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the member (124, 124a) and the cavity plate (190).
9. The cavity insert (102a) of claim 1, wherein:
the member (124a) includes:
a notch (191a) configured to be coupled with a protrusion (107), complementary to the notch
(191a), the protrusion (107) and the notch (191a) being configured to positively locate, in use,
the cavity insert (102, 102a) relative to the cavity plate (190).
10. The cavity insert (102a) of claim 9, wherein said notch (191a) is associated with a first
configuration and the protrusion (107) is associated with a second configuration; the first
configuration and the second configuration being so selected such that the notch (191a) fits
securely within, when in use.
11. A cavity insert (102, 102a) for use in a mold stack (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a
molding machine, comprising:
a body (104) having:
a mounting flange (116) configured to support, in use, the body (104) relative to a front face
(130) of a cavity plate (190), the mounting flange (116) defining a rear mounting extremity
(141) thereof;
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an internal surface (106) defining, in use, at least a body portion (108) of a molding cavity
(101); and
an external surface (110) defining, in use, at least a first portion (112) of a cooling channel
(113) configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant, at least a portion of the first portion (112)
of the cooling channel (113), in use, projecting beyond the rear mounting extremity (141).
12. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 11, wherein:
said mounting flange (116) further includes a member (124, 124a) configured to define, in use,
a second portion (126) of the cooling channel (113).
13. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 18, wherein the mounting flange (116) defines an
interface for accepting, in use, a sealing member (127), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the mounting flange (116) and the external surface (110).
14. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 18, wherein the external surface (110) defines an
interface for accepting, in use, a sealing member (127), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the mounting flange (116) and the external surface (110).
15. The cavity insert (102, 102a) of claim 19, wherein the member (124, 124a) defines an
interface for accepting, in use, a sealing member (125), the interface being positionable, in
use, between the member (124, 124a) and the cavity plate (190).
16. The cavity insert (102a) of claim 19, wherein the member (124a) includes:
a notch (117) configured to be coupled with a protrusion (107), complementary to the notch
(117), the protrusion (107) and the notch (117) being configured to positively locate, in use,
the cavity insert (102, 102a) relative to the cavity plate (190).
17. The cavity insert (102a) of claim 33, wherein said notch (117) is associated with a first
configuration and the protrusion (107) is associated with a second configuration; the first
configuration and the second configuration being so selected such that the notch (117) fits
securely within, when in use.
18. A mold stack (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a molding machine, the mold stack (100a,
100b, 100c, 100d) comprising:
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a core assembly (170) receivable, in use, in a core plate, the core assembly (170) defining, in
use, at least a core portion (174) of a molding cavity (101);
a gate insert (162) receivable, in use, within a cavity plate (190), the gate insert (162) defining,
in use, at least a gate portion (160) of the molding cavity (101);
a neck ring (140, 140', 140'') located between the core assembly (170) and a cavity insert
(102, 102a), the neck ring (140) configured to define, in use, a neck portion (142) of the
molding cavity (101); and
the cavity insert (102, 102a) including:
a body (104) having:
a mounting flange (116) configured to support, in use, the body (104) relative to a front face
(130) of the cavity plate (190), the mounting flange (116) having a rear mounting extremity
(141) thereof;
an internal surface (106) defining, in use, at least a body portion (108) of the molding cavity
(101); and
an external surface (110) defining, in use, at least a first portion (112) of a cooling channel
(113) configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant, the first portion (112) of the cooling
channel (113), in use, projecting beyond the rear mounting extremity (141).
19. The mold stack (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of claim 18, wherein:
said mounting flange (116) further includes:
a member (124, 124a) configured to define, in use, a second portion (126) of the cooling
channel (113).
20. A mold stack (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d) of a molding machine, the mold stack (100a,
100b, 100c, 100d) comprising:
a core assembly (170) receivable, in use, in a core plate, the core assembly (170) defining, in
use, at least a core portion (174) of a molding cavity (101);
a gate insert (162) receivable, in use, within a cavity plate (190) having a front face (130); the
gate insert (162) defining, in use, at least a gate portion (160) of the molding cavity (101);
15
a neck ring (140) located between the core assembly (170) and a cavity insert (102, 102a), the
neck ring (140, 140', 140") configured to define, in use, a neck portion (142) of the molding
cavity (101); and
the cavity insert (102, 102a) including:
a body (104) having:
an internal surface (106) defining, in use, at least a body portion (108) of the molding cavity
(101);
an external surface (110) defining, in use, at least a first portion (112) of a cooling channel
(113) configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and
a mounting flange (116) configured to support, in use, the body (104) relative to the front face
(130) of the cavity plate (190), the mounting flange (116) including:
a member (124, 124a) configured to define, in use, a second portion (126) of the cooling
channel (113), the member (124, 124a) further defining a rear mounting extremity (141), and
wherein at least a portion of the first portion (112) of the cooling channel (113), in use,
projects beyond the rear mounting extremity (141).
Dated this 08/12/2009 \J ft J f~~
HMSHIKESttI ^YCimUDHURY
VjOF REMFI .Y & SiJGAR
ATTORNEY KejR. THE APPLICANTS