Patent ID: 6196822
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
An injection molding apparatus comprising:a platen;a mold which is fixed to said platen, defining a mold cavity, said mold cavity having an inlet;a false platen mounted to said platen;a manifold mounted on said false platen, said manifold having an exit nozzle and a pair of inlet nozzles;a first injection nozzle in communication with one of said pair of inlet nozzles;a second injection nozzle in communication with the other of said pair of inlet nozzles;an inlet passage extending from each of said pair of inlet nozzles for transferring a molten material form a respective one of said first or second injection nozzles to said exit nozzle, said inlet passages meeting at a juncture such that said molten material flows through an exit passageway to said exit nozzle; anda valve pin for controlling the flow of fluid from each of said inlet passages to said exit nozzle;said valve pin being rotatable between three positions, a first position allowing flow of molten material from a first of said pair of inlet nozzles to said exit nozzle and preventing flow of molten material from the second of said pair of inlet nozzles, a second position allowing flow of molten material from the second of said pair of inlet nozzles to said exit nozzle and preventing flow of molten material from the first of said pair of inlet nozzles, and a third position allowing flow of molten material from both of said pair of inlet nozzles to said exit nozzle.