Patent ID: 6190585
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of operating and controlling an insulated runner injection molding system that includes separable mold-cavity-encasing mold parts which encase at least one mold cavity and further includes separable channel-encasing mold parts which encase a channel in which injected plastic material forms an insulated runner with a solidified insulating plastic shell and a molten plastic core for conducting further injected molten plastic material toward the at least one mold cavity, wherein the injection molding system includes a machine gate for controlling access to a space between disengaged channel-encasing mold parts, wherein the core eventually solidifies to form a sprue, the method comprising the steps of:(a) injecting a predetermined quantity of molten plastic material into the channel to form an insulated runner in the channel;(b) injecting further molten plastic material through the insulated runner into the at least one mold cavity in accordance with parameters of a molding sequence including a plurality of injection molding cycles;(c) subsequent to removal of the sprue, closing the machine gate;(d) in automatic response to a manual operation incident to said closure of the machine gate, adjusting the molding system in order to enable further said steps (a) and (b);(e) sensing said adjustment of the molding system; and(f) in automatic response to sensing said adjustment of the molding system, metering said predetermined quantity of molten plastic material for injection during a further said step (a).