Patent ID: 7695266

Claim:
A molding structure, comprising: a modular molding system having an initial-build configuration for producing a molded article of a first molding composition; the modular molding system configured to be field upgradable with a module to an upgraded configuration for producing the molded article including a combination of the first molding composition and a second molding composition; wherein the initial-build configuration of the modular molding system includes: a molding structure of a purpose-built mono-layer molding system; a first subset of a molding structure of a purpose-built multi-layer molding system; the module having a remainder subset of the molding structure of the purpose-built multi-layer molding system; wherein the molding structure of a purpose-built mono-layer molding system includes: an injection unit having an ‘A’ injection unit; and a clamp unit; wherein the molding structure of the purpose-built multi-layer molding system further includes at least a subset of: a ‘B’ injection unit; a stationary platen having an ‘A’ passageway for accommodating a nozzle of the ‘A’ injection unit; a stationary platen having an ‘B’ passageway for accommodating a nozzle of a ‘B’ injection unit; a mount connected to the injection unit, the mount connectable with a ‘B’ injection unit support; a ‘B’ unit support for supporting a ‘B’ injection unit; a main control module including a controller linked with a control device for the ‘A’ injection unit and a control device for the ‘B’ injection unit; a computer-readable product embodying one or more instructions executable by a controller for controlling at least one of: (i) a control device for the ‘A’ injection unit, (ii) a control device for the ‘B’ injection unit, and (iii) a human machine interface; a power manifold connected to the injection unit configured to be connectable with a ‘B’ injection unit; an accumulator rack configured to receive an additional hydraulic accumulator; a hydraulic tank having a hydraulic oil capacity that is at least sufficient to accommodate a requirement for a drive for operation of the ‘A’ injection unit and a drive for operation of a ‘B’ injection unit; a ‘B’ nozzle shut-off actuator; an ‘A’ purge guard with a non-operator door access; a ‘B’ purge guard; a ‘B’ hopper valve; a ‘B’ service tray connected to the injection unit, ‘B’ the service tray configured for routing at least one of a hydraulic hose or a control cable to a ‘B’ injection unit; a walkway configured on the non-operator side of the injection unit; a hydraulic hose for linking a drive of a ‘B’ injection unit with a power manifold of the injection unit; a cable for linking a drive of a ‘B’ injection unit with at least one of a control bus and a power bus of the injection unit; a spacer for a molded article handling device; a gate for the clamp unit configured to enclose a platen ear of a stationary platen.