Patent ID: 6599116
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
An injection molding system comprising:a mold; a clamp plate coupled to the mold; a manifold having at least one injection nozzle coupled thereto, the manifold being seated between the mold and clamp plate; a valve pin actuator mounted in a recess in the clamp plate so that the valve pin actuator is accessible from above the clamp plate, the valve pin actuator including a piston slidably and sealingly mounted therein; and a valve pin removably coupled to the piston so that movement of the piston causes axial movement of the valve pin, the valve pin extending from the clamp plate into the manifold, wherein the valve pin can be decoupled from the piston while the clamp plate and the valve pin actuator are coupled to the mold and while the piston remains sealingly mounted within the valve pin actuator, so that when the valve pin is decoupled from the piston, the clamp plate and the valve pin actuator, including the piston, can be removed from the mold while the valve pin remains extended into the manifold.