Abstract:
An injection molding machine (F) having a side-injection sub-assembly ( 30 ) and a method for readily providing access to a hot passage distributor system ( 40 ) contained therein are provided. The injection molding machine (F) includes a side-injection sub-assembly ( 30 ) having a tool injection part (B) and a hot passage distributor system ( 40 ). The hot passage distributor system ( 40 ) is sandwiched and fixedly held between the tool injection part (B) and a head plate (D). Specifically, two or more bolt members ( 10 ) attach the tool injection part (B) to the head plate (D) and are accessible from a side of the tool injection part (B). In that regard, these bolt members ( 10 ) can be detached to remove the tool injection part (B) from the hot passage distributor system ( 40 ) and provide access thereto. The injection molding machine (F) further includes a tool ejection part (A) for releasably mating to the tool injection part (B) and defining a mold cavity ( 28 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to injection molding machines, and more particularly to an injection molding machine having side-injection sub-assembly that readily allows access to a hot passage distributor system contained therein.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Injection molding machines are well known. Typical injection molding machines generally include a tool injection part and a tool ejection part, which together form two tool halves for defining a mold cavity. The tool injection part typically has one or more channels for partially receiving a hot passage distributor system therethrough.  
         [0003]     Existing injection molding machines have a construction that is substantially difficult to dismantle for accessing various parts of the machine, e.g. the hot passage distributor system, for maintaining and/or repairing those parts.  
         [0004]     Therefore, a need exists for an injection molding machine having a side-injection sub-assembly that is easily manipulated for providing access to components therein.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides an injection molding machine having a side-injection sub-assembly and a method for readily providing access to a hot passage distributor system contained therein. The injection molding machine includes a side-injection sub-assembly having a tool injection part and a hot passage distributor system. The hot passage distributor system is sandwiched and fixedly held between the tool injection part and a head plate. Specifically, two or more bolt members attach the tool injection part to the head plate and are accessible from a side of the tool injection part. In that regard, these bolt members can be detached to remove the tool injection part from the hot passage distributor system and provide access thereto. The injection molding machine further includes a tool ejection part for releasably mating to the tool injection part and defining a mold cavity.  
         [0006]     One advantage of the present invention is that a side-injection sub-assembly is provided having a construction that allows easy dismantling thereof in substantially few steps.  
         [0007]     Another advantage of the present invention is that a method for accessing a hot passage distributor system is provided that renders easy access to the hot passage distributor system for maintenance, repair, or replacement thereof.  
         [0008]     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of the examples of the invention:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a side-injection sub-assembly and its mode of installation in an injection molding machine, according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the injection molding machine and the side-injection sub-assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrating first and second steps of a first operation of a method for making accessible a hot passage distributor system contained within the side-injection sub-assembly;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the injection molding machine and the side-injection sub-assembly of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a third step of the first operation method;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates the injection molding machine and the side-injection sub-assembly of  FIG. 3 , illustrating a fourth step of the first operation method;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows the injection molding machine and the side-injection sub-assembly of  FIG. 4 , illustrating first and second steps of a second operation of the method initiated in  FIGS. 1-4 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  shows the injection molding machine and the side-injection sub-assembly of  FIG. 3 ′  5 , illustrating a third step of the second operation method; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a logic flow diagram illustrating the method of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]     In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same parts in the various views.  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an injection molding machine F having a side-injection sub-assembly  30  installed therein, according to one embodiment of the invention. The injection molding machine F includes a tool ejection part A and a tool injection part B, which are utilized for forming a mold cavity. The tool ejection part A and the tool injection part B have a parting plane  1  therebetween generally indicating the plane of separation between the two tool halves.  
         [0019]     The side-injection sub-assembly  30  generally includes the tool injection part B and a hot passage distributor system  40 . The hot passage distributor system  40  includes a hot passage distributor block C, two nozzles  2 , and a mold-on sleeve  3 . It is understood that more or less than two nozzles  2  can be utilized as desired.  
         [0020]     The hot passage distributor system  40  has a compact construction with the nozzles  2  fixedly connected thereto. This hot passage distributor system is also ready-wired for connection to the injection molding machine F. In other words, the hot passage distributor system  40  represents a complete unit on which all electrical and hydraulic connections have already been made and which can be tested as is before installation thereof. It is contemplated that the hot passage distributor system  40  can have more or less parts than those enumerated above.  
         [0021]     The tool injection part B has two channels  25  formed therein for receiving the nozzles  2  of the hot passage distributor system  40 . Each nozzle  2  has a tip opening  2 A at one end that protrudes through a gate point into the mold cavity  26 . The opposing end of each nozzle  2  is fixedly connected to the hot passage distributor block C. This hot passage distributor block C is coupled to the injection molding machine F by way of the mold-on sleeve  3 . Moreover, the hot passage distributor block C is held between the tool injection part B and the head plate D by way of a series of bolt fasteners  10 .  
         [0022]     The side-injection sub-assembly  30  is fastened to the fixed platform E of the injection molding machine F by means of clamps  22 . The exact alignment of the two tool halves A and B is accomplished by guide pins  7 , introduced from the head plate D and supported on the fixed platform E of the injection molding machine F.  
         [0023]     The tool ejection part A is fastened to the movable platform G of the injection molding machine F via clamps  23 . Although only two clamps  23  are illustrated, it will be appreciated that more or less than two clamps  23  can be utilized as desired. In this way, the tool injection part A can travel back and forth (left and right as shown in FIGS.  1  and  2 ) with the movable platform G thereby respectively opening and closing the mold cavity.  
         [0024]     Referring collectively to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is sequentially shown a first operation of a method for disassembling the injection molding machine F and making the hot passage distributor system  40  partially accessible for maintenance and/or repair. Moreover,  FIGS. 5-6  illustrate a second operation of the method, which is in continuation of the first operation. This second method makes the hot passage distributor system  40  completely accessible from all directions for maintenance, repair, and/or other suitable purposes. It will be appreciated that these sequences merely exemplify one method for accessing the hot passage distributor system  40 . In this regard, other suitable methods can be utilized with the injection molding machine and side-injection sub-assembly, as exemplified above and otherwise claimed.  
         [0025]     With particular attention to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is sequentially shown the first operation of accessing the hot passage distributor system  40 . Also,  FIG. 7  shows a logic flow diagram of this method.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the first operation of the method commences in step  100  and then immediately proceeds to step  102 .  
         [0027]     In step  102 , as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the injection molding machine F is opened. Specifically, the tool ejection part A is moved away from the tool injection part B by moving the movable platform G accordingly. Then, the bolt fasteners  10 , which are utilized for attaching the tool injection part B to the head plate D, are released. These bolt fasteners  10  are introduced and made accessible from the side of the tool injection part B. This feature is beneficial over existing side-injection sub-assemblies, which include bolt fasteners introduced from the side of the head plate D, because it provides a construction that can be more readily disassembled.  
         [0028]     Furthermore, the head plate D is connected to the hot passage distributor block C via a series of fastening screws  24 . This feature allows the hot passage distributor block C to remain attached to the head plate D while the bolt fasteners  10  are released and the tool injection part B is removed from the side-injection sub-assembly  30 .  
         [0029]     It is understood that existing side-injection sub-assemblies include a positive dynamic connection between the head plate D and the hot passage distributor block C by means of bolts introduced from the head plate D. According to the invention, by contrast, the corresponding bolt fasteners  10  ( FIG. 2 ) are introduced from the side of the tool injection part B and removed in the very first operation method. Then, the sequence proceeds to step  104 .  
         [0030]     In step  104 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the tool is closed again. In the closed position, fastening devices  11 , e.g. bar members  12 , are utilized for receiving screws  14 ,  15  and attaching the tool injection part B to the tool ejection part A. In particular, screw  15  is unscrewed and removed from a first hole  16   a  formed within the bar member  12 . Then, screw  14  is loosened and the bar member  12  is rotated 180 degrees around screw  14 . Next, screw  15  is inserted into a second hole  16   b  of the bar member  16  and utilized for fixedly attaching the bar member  12  to the tool ejection part A. As a result, the new configuration includes the tool injection part A being fixedly connected to the tool injection part B. In this regard, the bar member  12  provides a releasable connection between the two tool parts A and B. This feature is beneficial because it eliminates any obstruction typically associated with the tool injection part B being attached to the hot passage distributor system  40 .  
         [0031]     Each bar member  12  is initially fastened only to the tool injection part B when the bar member  12  is not being utilized to attach the two tool halves A and B together. However, it is understood that the bar member can instead be stored on the tool ejection part A as desired.  
         [0032]     It will be appreciated that the fastening device  11  may be of any configuration other than the one hereinbefore exemplified. Then, the sequence proceeds to step  106 .  
         [0033]     In step  106 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the injection molding machine F is re-opened by moving the movable platform G away from the tool injection part B. In that way, the tool ejection part A is carried with the movable platform G away from the tool injection part B. As a result, the hot passage distributor system  40  with its hot passage distributor block C and the nozzles  2  are accessible from one side for maintenance, repair, or various other purposes.  
         [0034]     That completes the first operation of the method of clearing the hot passage distributor system. It will be appreciated that the first operation provides for extensive maintenance opportunities without requiring that the side-injection sub-assembly  30  is completely removed from the injection molding machine F. For example, after completion of the first operation, typical maintenance performed can include replacement of gate caps, gate points, nozzle heating means, nozzle sensors, and distributor sensors, as well as checking electrical devices and inspecting for leakage.  
         [0035]     The invention, therefore, after completion of the first operation, allows maintenance of the hot passage distributor system, while the system remains fastened to the injection molding machine.  
         [0036]     If no further maintenance work is required, the tool injection part B is moved back over the nozzles  2  again and the hot passage distributor block C. Then, the bar members  12  are replaced to their original positions on the tool injection part B. Also, the injection molding machine F is re-opened, by reinserting the bolt fasteners  10  and utilizing them to re-connect the tool injection part B to the head plate D.  
         [0037]     If further maintenance work is required, specifically maintenance on the side of the hot passage distributor system  40  opposite to the nozzles  2 , then the first operation is followed by a second operation. This second operation is sequentially shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , as well as in steps  108  and  110  in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0038]     In step  108 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a hook member  20 , e.g. an eye hook, is fastened to the head plate D within a threaded hole  29  formed within the head plate D. Thereafter, the hook (not shown) of a crane is attached to the hook member  20 . Next, the fastening of the head plate D to the fixed platform E of the injection molding machine F is released by freeing and removing clamps  22  from their threaded shaft  22   a . Thereafter, the head plate D and the hot passage distributor system  40  are transported to a workbench. The sequence then proceeds to step  110 .  
         [0039]     In step  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the hot passage distributor system  40  and the head plate D are placed on a workbench. On the workbench, fastening screws  24 , which are utilized for attaching the head plate D to the hot passage distributor block C, are removed therefrom. Also, a screw  27 , which is utilized for attaching the support flange  26  to the head plate D, is removed therefrom. As a result, the head plate D can be lifted off the hot passage distributor system  40 .  
         [0040]     Thus, the entire hot passage distributor system  40 , consisting of the hot passage distributor block C, the nozzles  2 , the mold-on sleeve  3  and the corresponding electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic connections, is omni-laterally accessible for maintenance work or a variety of other purposes. It is understood that the bench service associated with the second operation is possible without breaking the electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic connections.  
         [0041]     In corresponding reverse sequence of the steps of the two operations described, the side-injection sub-assembly is reassembled after completion of maintenance.  
         [0042]     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.