Patent ID: 7156651
Filing Date: 2007-01-02
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. An injection molding apparatus for forming injection molded articles that include a vestige portion on an end thereof, the vestige portion includes a side and a top, said apparatus including: a mold with a mold cavity defined therein; a valve-gate injection nozzle assembly; a connecting passageway configured in the mold between the nozzle assembly and the mold cavity; a moveable valve member provided in the nozzle assembly for regulating a flow of molten material through the connecting passageway to the mold cavity; a sealing portion configured along at least a forward portion of the connecting passageway, the sealing portion is configured to cooperate, in use, with an end portion of the valve member, in use, when the valve member is configured in a closed position; a vestige forming portion configured in the mold, as a portion of the mold cavity, adjacent the connecting passageway; the vestige forming portion having a side and a top portion, that correspond to the side and top of the vestige portion respectively; and a central portion of the top of the vestige forming portion is provided by a bottom portion of the valve member, in use, when the valve member is arranged in the closed position; the vestige forming portion is configured to extend radially outwardly from the sealing portion such that a first cross-sectional area of the sealing portion is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of the vestige forming portion; wherein, in use, on ejection of the molded article from the molding cavity, tearing along the side of the vestige portion of the molded article is substantially avoided.