Universal cold runner block

Abstract: A cold runner block (38) has spaced drop holes (54) arranged in a selected pattern for supplying fluid molding material to nozzles (60) con­ nected to the mold gates (62). The drop holes (54) open on nozzle runners (52) in the cold runner block (38) which are in communication with a source of fluid molding material. Close-off rods (68) are selectively positioned in the runners (52) to block the flow of fluid molding material beyond the drop holes (54) communicating with a mold (12) for an object of a particular size and shape. Drop hole plugs (66) are provided for the drop holes (54) which open on the nozzle runners (52) in the section of the runners (52) not blocked by the close-off rods (68).

Description: This invention relates to injection molding ring members having different sizes and shapes and especially tire treads. JP-A-63-77724 describes a hot runner block which can be used for feeding a plurality of metal molds with resin by opening or closing the gates of the block. An apparatus which is adaptable for injection molding either a ring tread or a continuous tread is described in EP-A-345 201, published after the priority date of the instant application. A cylindrical segmented mold has a core and radially movable segments forming a mold cavity. A container ring is movable into engagement with the segments during closing of the mold to retain the segments into position during injection and curing. The segments are positioned in abutting relationship around the core with runners and gates extending from cold runner blocks to the mold cavities for injection and curing of the tread. Heretofore it has been necessary to use a different cold runner block for tread molds of different diameters. This has increased the cost of molding the treads and also required storage space for storing the cold runner blocks. The present invention provides a universal cold runner block having drop holes at different diameters opening on nozzle runners for supplying the fluid molding material to nozzles which are connected to the gates of the mold. Close-off rods are provided to block the nozzle runners at positions adjacent the drop holes for the particular size tread mold. Close-off plugs are provided for closing drop holes for other diameter treads which open on the sections of the runners not closed off by the close-off rods. In accordance with the invention there is provided an injection mold universal cold runner block for injection molding ring members having different shapes or sizes; an apparatus for injection molding tire treads of different diameters; and a method of injection molding ring members of different shapes and sizes with a universal cold runner block, such as defined in the appended claims. To acquaint persons skilled in the arts most closely related to the present invention, certain preferred embodiments thereof illustrating best modes now contemplated for putting the invention into practice are described herein by and with reference to the annexed drawings forming a part of the specification. The embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative and as will become apparent to those skilled in these arts can be modified in numerous ways within the scope of the invention defined in the claims hereof. In the drawings : Fig 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of one half of a segmental mold mounted in a tire press showing the cold runner block embodying the invention with one of the nozzles positioned for injection of a tread of one diameter. Fig 2 is a sectional view of the cold runner block taken along line 2-2 in Fig 1 with parts being broken away to show the passages for the temperature moderating fluid. Fig 3 is a view like Fig 1 showing one of the nozzles positioned for injection of a tread of another diameter with a close-off plug inserted in one of the drop holes in the section of the nozzle runner not blocked by the close-off rod. Fig 4 is a sectional view like Fig 1 of the cold runner block showing a modification of the invention with vertically disposed intersecting close-off rods for blocking the nozzle runners spaced from the supply runner and with one of the rods at a position adjacent one of the drop holes at a radially inner, generally circular, portion of the cold runner block. In this modification the supply runner is spaced circumferentially from the nozzle runner and is therefore not shown in this sectional view. Fig 5 is a sectional view like Fig 4 showing one of the vertically disposed close-off rods blocking the nozzle runner at a position adjacent one of the drop holes in a radially outer circular portion of the cold runner block and showing a close-off plug inserted in a drop hole in the section of the nozzle runner not blocked by the close-off rod. Referring to Figs 1, 2 and 3, part of an apparatus 10 for injection molding ring members such as tire treads is shown. A generally cylindrical mold 12 is fastened to a top end plate 14 of the apparatus 10 which, in this case, is a tire press. A core 16 is mounted on the top end plate 14. Mold segments 18a and 18b, shown in Figs 1 and 3, respectively, have slide blocks 20a and 20b slidably mounted on slide rods 22 for radial movement of the segments. In the embodiment shown, eight mold segments 20a, 20b provide a continuous segmental outer tread insert 24 which defines mold cavities 26a and 26b with the surface of the core 16. Segmental mold actuating cylinders 28 are supported on brackets mounted to the top end plate 14 and connected to the mold segments 18a and 18b by piston rods 30. The mold actuating cylinders 28 may be in communication with a source of fluid pressure and suitable controls for radially contracting and expanding the mold segments 20a and 20b, as desired. A container ring 32 is mounted on a bottom hot plate 34 and has a tapered inner surface for engagement with tapered surfaces of the mold segments 18a, 18b. The upper edge of the container ring 32 may have slots for the piston rods 30 and extends within a tapered register 36 of the top end plate 14 providing a register for seating the container ring and holding it in position during the molding process. The bottom hot plate 34 is supported on a cold runner block 38 insulated from the bottom hot plate 34 by suitable insulation 40. The cold runner block 38 may be supported on a vertically movable plate of the press (not shown). The cold runner block 38 is a generally flat plate member having fluid passages 42 in communication with a suitable source of temperature moderating fluid such as water. A central manifold 44 is provided at a central portion of the cold runner block 38 and is connected to a conduit 46 at an edge of the cold runner block by a supply runner 48 extending from the manifold to the conduit. The conduit 46 may be mounted in a connecting block 50 fastened to the edge of the cold runner block 38 and positioned for engagement with a source of fluid molding material such as an injection molding machine (not shown). Nozzle runners 52 in the cold runner block 38 extend from the central manifold 44 to at least one edge of the cold runner block and are in communication with drop holes 54 circumferentially spaced in the cold runner block in generally circular portions 56 and 58 having different diameters. Cooled nozzles 60 are attached to the cold runner block 38 and are in communication with the drop holes 54. The cooled nozzles 60 are also connected to circumferentially spaced gates 62 along at least one side of the mold cavity 26a and 26b by tapered sprues 64. The fluid molding material remaining in the cooled nozzles 60 and in the nozzle runners 52 and supply runner 48 is prevented from curing. The cured fluid molding material in the gates 62 and sprues 64 is removable after curing of the treads in the mold cavities 26 and 26b. Referring to Figs 1 and 2, the mold cavity 26a is for molding a tread ring having a diameter A which corresponds with the drop holes 54 in the circular portion 56. Close-off means for directing the fluid molding material from the manifold 44 to the drop holes 54 include plug members 66 and close-off rods 68. In the embodiment shown in Fig 1 and 2, the plug members 66 are mounted on the cold runner block 38 and close the drop holes 54 in the circular portion 58 between the manifold 44 and the drop holes 54 in the circular portion 56. The close-off rods 68 have substantially the same diameter as the nozzle runners 52 and are slidable into the nozzle runners to a position adjacent the drop holes 54 in the circular portion 56. The close-off rods 68 may have threaded portions 70 for threaded engagement with threads in the nozzle runners 52 to hold the rods in position. An opening 72 may be provided in the connecting block 50 through which one of the close-off rods 68 is inserted into one of the nozzle runners 52 which leads to the connecting block. When it is desired to injection mold tread rings of a smaller diameter B into the mold cavity 26b, as shown in Fig 3, longer close-off rods 74 are slidably inserted in the nozzle runners 52 and are of a length to block the nozzle runners at positions adjacent the drop holes 54 in the circular portion 58. The plug members 66 are removed and the cooled nozzles 60 mounted for communicating the fluid molding material through the sprues 64 to the gates 62 of the mold cavity 26b. The mold segments 18b are also substituted for the mold segments 18a. In operation of the apparatus 10, shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3, the segmental molds 12 are closed by closing the tire press and applying a clamping pressure which is preferably from 600 to 1000 tons (609.62 to 1016 metric tons). Heating of the segmental molds 12 may be provided by heating passages (not shown) in communication with a suitable heating means such as steam. The molds 12 are heated to a relatively high temperature in the range from 300°F to 400°F (149°C to 204°C) and preferably to around 340°F (171°C). The curing time of the ring treads in the mold cavities 26a and 26b may be from one and one-half to eight minutes, depending upon the curing properties of the injected rubber, the temperature of the segmental molds 12 and the thickness of the ring treads which may be in the range of from 12/32 to one inch (0.95 to 2.54cm). Vacuum passages (not shown) may be provided in the segmental mold 12 in communication with the mold cavities 26a and 26b. Also a bumping cycle may be used if required. The cold runner block 38 is cooled by circulating a suitable cooling medium through the fluid passages 42 and around the nozzles 60. For example, water, which may be in the range of 160°F to 260°F (71°C to 127°C), and preferably around 220°F (104°C) at 80 psi (5.62 kg/cm²) may be used. The temperature of the cold runner block 38 is maintained between 200°F and 280°F (93°C to 138°C) for optimum results. After injection and curing of the treads in the mold cavities 26a and 26b, the press is opened by separating the cold runner block 38 from the top end plate 14 whereupon the container ring 32 is moved away from the mold segments 18a and 18b so that the segments and the outer tread insert 24 may be pulled away from the core 16 by retracting the piston rods 30 into the mold actuating cylinders 28. The tread can then be removed in a manner well known to those skilled art. Referring to Figs 4 and 5, a modification of the cold runner block 38′ is shown in which all of the parts are identical with the parts of the cold runner block shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3 except close-off rods 76, 77 and 78 are used instead of the close-off rods 68 and 74. Also the supply runner 48 is not in the same plane as any of the nozzle runners 52′. In describing the construction of the modification shown in Figs 4 and 5, those parts, which are identical with the parts of the cold runner block 38 shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3, will be identified with the same number and a prime mark. As shown in Fig 4, the drop holes 54′ in communication with the nozzles 60′ for molding a tread with a diameter A open on the nozzle runner 52′. Adjacent the drop holes 54′ are elongated holes 80 in the cold runner block 38′ intersecting the nozzle runners 52′. The close-off rods 76 are slidably inserted in the elongated holes 80 and project into the nozzle runners 52′ at positions adjacent the drop holes 54′ in the circular portion 56′. Plug members 66′ are mounted on the cold runner block 38′ to block the drop holes 54′ and prevent movement of the fluid molding material through the drop holes. Second elongated holes 82 are provided in the cold runner block 38′ at positions adjacent the drop hole 54′ in the circular portion 58′ and in this case the holes are filled with the close-off rods 78 which have a length terminating at the side of the nozzle passage 52′ so that the fluid molding material can flow by the plug members 66′ and the close-off rods 78 for communication with the nozzles 60′. Referring to Fig 5, the cold runner block 38′ has the nozzles 60′ located in the circular portion 58′ for communication with the mold cavity 26b for molding tread rings having diameter B. Close-off rods 77 having a length the same as the close-off rods 76 are slidably inserted in the elongated holes 82 to block the nozzle runners 52′. The operation of the apparatus 10 with the cold runner block 38′ shown in Figs 4 and 5 is substantially the same as the operation described hereinabove for the cold runner block shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3. It can be seen that the drop holes 54 and 54′, which are located in the circular portions 56, 56′, 58 and 58′ may be located in other circular portions having lesser or greater diameters. Also, additional drop holes 54 and 54′ may be added in circular portions having other diameters in a manner such as that described for the embodiments shown in the drawings. Although the invention has been applied to circular objects such as tire molds, it is applicable to universal cold runner blocks for molding other objects. This can be accomplished by arranging the drop holes in a selected pattern in communication with nozzle runners positioned for communication with a manifold and the drop holes. While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

Claims: An injection mold universal cold runner block (38) for injection molding ring members having different shapes or sizes comprising: (a) a plate member (38); (b) fluid passages (42) in said plate member (14) for the circulation of temperature moderating fluids; (c) a manifold (44) in said plate member (14) for receiving and distributing fluid molding material; (d) a supply runner (48) extending from said manifold (44) to a location outside said plate member (14) for communication with a source of said fluid molding material; (e) a plurality of spaced drop holes (54) in said plate member (14) arranged for communication with nozzles (60) disposed between said plate member (14) and the molds (12) for said ring members; (f) nozzle runners (52) in said plate member (14) extending from said manifold (44) to positions adjacent said drop holes (54) to communicate said fluid molding material to said nozzles (60) with each of said nozzle runners (52) being in communication with at least two of said drop holes (54) to provide for communicating said fluid molding material a different distance in said runners for said ring members; (g) close-off means (66,68,74,76,77,78) adjacent said nozzle runners (52) to direct said fluid molding material into said drop holes (54) in communication with said nozzles (60) for one of said ring members. An injection mold universal cold runner block (38) according to claim 1 wherein said close-off means includes plug members (66) for insertion in said drop holes (54) opening on said nozzle runners (52) and not in communication with said nozzles (60) for said one of said ring members. An injection mold universal cold runner block (38) according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle runners (52) extend form said manifold (44) to at least one edge of said plate member (14) and said close-off means comprises close-off rods (68,74) movable into positions adjacent said drop holes (54) to close off said nozzle runners (52). An injection mold universal cold runner block (38) according to claim 3 wherein said close-off rods (68,74) are of substantially the same diameter as said nozzle runners (52) and are slidable into said nozzle runners (52) from an edge of said plate member (14 to said positions adjacent said drop holes (54) and means (70) to hold said close-off rods (68) in said positions. An injection mold universal cold runner block (38) according to claim 3 wherein said close-off rods (76,77,78) are slidably mounted in elongated holes (80,82) in said plate member (38') intersecting and blocking said nozzle runners (52') at said positions adjacent said drop holes (54') and means (70) to hold said close-off rods (76,77,78) in said positions. Apparatus (10) for injection molding tire treads of different diameters comprising a generally cylindrical mold (12) having a mold cavity (26A,26B) for a tire tread of a predetermined diameter, a plurality of inlet gates (62) in said mold (12) in connection with said mold cavity (26A,26B), a cold runner block member (38) connected to said mold (12), a central manifold (44) at a central portion of said block member (38) for receiving and distributing a fluid molding material, a supply runner (48) extending from said manifold (44) to an edge of said cold runner block member (38) for communication with a source of said fluid molding material, characterized by a plurality of circumferentially spaced drop holes (54) in said cold runner block member (38) arranged in generally circular portions about said manifold (44) at different diameters for communication with nozzles (60) mounted between said block member (38) and said mold (12), said drop holes (54) being positioned in said generally circular portions so that at least some of said drop holes (54) in one of said circular portions are in alignment with some of said drop holes (54) in another of said circular portions, nozzle runners (52) in said block member (38) extending from said manifold (44) to a radially outside edge of said cold runner block (38), each of said nozzle runners (52) extending to positions adjacent said drop holes (54) to communicate said fluid molding material to said nozzles (60), and close-off means (66,68,74,76,77,78) adjacent said drop holes (54) at one of said circular portions to block said nozzle runners (52) and direct said fluid molding material into said drop holes (54) and through said nozzles (60) to said inlet gates (62) of said mold (12), and said nozzles (60) and said cold runner block (38) being cooled whereby said fluid molding material remaining in said nozzles (60) and in said cold runner block (38) is prevented from curing so that said cured fluid molding material remaining in said mold (12) is removable after curing of said tire tread. Apparatus (19) in accordance with claim 6 wherein said close-off means comprises close-off rods (68,74) movable into said positions adjacent said drop holes (54) to close off said nozzle runners (52). Apparatus (10) in accordance with claim 7 wherein said close-off rods (68,74) are of substantially the same diameter as said nozzle runners (52) and are slidable into said nozzle runners (520 from an edge of said block member (38) to said positions adjacent said drop holes (54) and means to hold said close-off rods (68,74) in said positions. A method of injection molding ring members different shapes and sizes with a universal cold runner block (38) having fluid passages (42) in said cold runner block (38) for the circulation of temperature moderating fluid, a manifold (44) in said cold runner block (38), a supply runner (48) extending from said manifold (44) to a location outside said cold runner block (38), a plurality of spaced drop holes (54) in said cold runner block (38) arranged for communication with nozzles (60) disposed between said cold runner block (38) and molds (12) for said ring members, nozzle runners (52) in said cold runner block (38) extending from said manifold (44) to positions adjacent said drop holes (54) comprising: (a) mounting a mold (12) for one of said ring members on said universal cold runner block (38) with at least some of said nozzles (60) being in communication with gates (62) of said mold (12); (b) circulating temperature moderating fluid through said fluid passages (42) in said cold runner block (38); characterized by (c) blocking said nozzle runners (52,52') with close-off means (66,68,74,76,77,78) at positions adjacent said drop holes (54,54') in communication with said nozzles (60,60') in communication with said gates (62) of said mold (12); (d) communicating said fluid material through said supply runner (48) to said manifold (44); (e) communicating said fluid molding material from said manifold (44) through said nozzle runners (52) to said drop holes (54) and said nozzles (60) in communication with said gates (62) of said mold (12) for filling a mold cavity (26A) of said mold (12); (f) heating said mold (12) to cure said fluid molding material in said nozzles (60) and drop holes (54) in communication with said gates (62) of said mold (12); and (g) opening said mold (12) and removing said one of said ring members. The method of claim 9 including the step of blocking said nozzle runners (52,52') by inserting close-off rods (68,74,76,77,78) in said nozzle runners (52,52') to positions adjacent said drop holes (54,54') and said nozzles (60,60') in communication with said gates (62) of said mold (12).

Inventors: MAJERUS NORBERT, MAJERUS, NORBERT
Applicants: GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER, THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B29C45
IPC codes: B29C45, B29D30, B29L30