Patent ID: 8708692
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for facilitating removal and installation of mold components of a mold assembly from and into a clamp unit of an injection molding machine, the apparatus comprising a two-part frame comprising an ejector part mounted and attached to a movable platen of the clamp unit, the ejector part configured to receive mold insert members of a primary core component of the mold assembly, and an injection part releasably connected to a material distributing sub-assembly of the mold assembly, the material distributing sub-assembly being mounted and attached to a fixed platen of the clamp unit, the injection part configured to receive mold insert members of a primary cavity component of the mold assembly, wherein the primary cavity component comprises a member for receiving the outlet ends of material distributing nozzles comprising the material distributing sub-assembly, a plurality of support pins projecting from one of the ejector part and injection part toward the other of the ejector part and injection part, the one of the ejector part and injection part not comprising the support pins comprising a plurality of support pin bores for receiving the support pins, the support pins and support pin bores lying outside the area circumscribed by sides of the mold insert members received in the two-part frame, the injection part being supported by the ejector part when the injection part is separated from the material distributing sub-assembly, a plurality of guide elements projecting from the material distributing sub-assembly toward the movable platen for engaging a mold insert member received in the injection part and effective to align that mold insert member relative to the material distributing sub-assembly.