Manifold and adjustable nozzle assembly for molding machines

Claim 2

In machinery for injection molding: a nozzle supporting member having openings extending therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the member; a plurality of nozzle holders, each holder received by the member in one of said openings and comprising arcuate wall portions in closely fitting generally concentric relation with a surface defining the opening, an adjustable means connecting with the member and each holder and acting therebetween for locating and securing the holder at different positions within a range of movement of the nozzle relative to the member and lengthwise of said opening; an elongate nozzle extending through each holder, said nozzle and said holder having cooperating ball-in-socket means for supporting the nozzle at a fixed pivotal point within said holder, said nozzle except for said ball-in-socket means having clearance with the interior surface of the holder to permit limited universal movement of the nozzle relative to the holder and the member, said nozzle having a distal end disposed outwardly of the member and a longitudinal bore opening in said distal end for discharging a fluid therefrom.

Claim 3

In machinery for injection molding: a nozzle supporting member having openings extending therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the member; a plurality of sleeves; each sleeve received by the member in one of said openings in closely fitting generally concentric relation with surfaces defining said opening, adjustable means connecting with each sleeve and the holder and acting for locating and securing the sleeve within a range of positions relative to the member and along the axis of said opening, said sleeve having an internal surface defining a hole therethrough normally centered along the axis of the respective opening, said surface having a concentric longitudinally concave portion which conforms to an equatorial surface of a sphere; a plurality of elongated nozzles, each nozzle having a bore for discharging fluid material from its distal end, said nozzle being received within one of said sleeves with its distal end disposed outwardly from the end of the corresponding openiNg receiving said sleeve, said nozzle having an annular enlargement within said sleeve defining a longitudinally convex surface conforming generally to an equatorial surface of said sphere, said concave sleeve surface receiving said convex nozzle surface for movement of the nozzle therein in ball-in-socket relationship; said nozzle, in portions other than said enlargement, having clearance with the sleeve and the member enabling limited universal movement of the nozzle within said opening and said hole.

Claim 4

In machinery for injection molding: a nozzle supporting member having openings extending therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the member; a plurality of sleeves; each sleeve received by the member in one of said openings in closely fitting generally concentric relation with surfaces defining said opening, adjustable means connecting with each sleeve and the holder and acting for locating and securing the sleeve within a range of positions relative to the member and along the axis of said opening, said sleeve having an internal surface defining a hole therethrough normally centered along the axis of the respective opening, said surface having a concentric longitudinally concave portion which conforms to an equatorial surface of a sphere; a plurality of elongated nozzles, each nozzle having a bore for discharging fluid material from its distal end, said nozzle being received within one of said sleeves with its distal end disposed outwardly from the end of the corresponding openiNg receiving said sleeve, said nozzle having an annular enlargement within said sleeve defining a longitudinally convex surface conforming generally to an equatorial surface of said sphere, said concave sleeve surface receiving said convex nozzle surface for movement of the nozzle therein in ball-in-socket relationship; said nozzle, in portions other than said enlargement, having clearance with the sleeve and the member enabling limited universal movement of the nozzle within said opening and said hole.

Claim 5

The machinery of claim 2 wherein: the sleeve is longitudinally bifurcate and comprises an annular flange element at one end of the sleeve and a tubular portion split into two transversely arcuate elements to dispose the elements on opposite sides of a diametral plane, each arcuate element having one end thereof secured to said flange element in concentric relation with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve; and means on the member adjustable therewith for applying force on one of said semi-cylinder elements in a direction toward said plane.

Claim 6

The machinery of claim 3 wherein: said flange element extends radially outwardly relative to the sleeve axis into overlapping relation with an area of the member surrounding one end of said opening; and said adjustable means comprises fastening means extending loosely through firstly a resilient means and then said flange element into attachment with the manifold.

Claim 7

The machinery of claim 4 comprising: set screws in threaded relation with said flange element and extending outwardly therefrom into bearing relation with said manifold area.

Claim 8

In machinery for injection molding: an elongate manifold having openings extending therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the manifold; a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve received by the manifold in one of said openings in closely fitting generally concentric relation with surfaces defining said opening, means for securing the sleeve to the manifold within a range of positions along the axis of said opening, said sleeve having an internal surface defining a hole therethrough normally centered along the axis of the respective opening, said surface having a concentric longitudinally concave portion which conforms to an equatorial surface of a sphere; a plurality of elongated nozzles, each nozzle having a bore for conducting a fluid material to its distal end, said nozzle being received within one of said sleeves with its distal end disposed outwardly from the end of the corresponding opening receiving such sleeve, said nozzle having an annular enlargement within said sleeve defining a longitudinally convex surface conforming to an equatorial surface of said sphere, said concave sleeve surface receiving said convex nozzle surface for movement of the nozzle therein in ball-in-socket relationship; said nozzle, in portions other than said enlargement, having clearance with the sleeve and the manifold enabling limited universal movement of the nozzle within said opening and said hole; and said manifold having branch passageways and said sleeve surrounding said nozzle having an aperture therethrough, said bore of each nozzle being in contiguous relation with said aperture of the adjacent sleeve and one of said passageways through said concave surface portion and said convex surface.

Claim 9

In machinery for injection molding: an elongate manifold having openings extending therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the manifold; a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve received by the manifold in one of said openings in closely fitting generally concentric relation with surfaces defining said opening, means for securing the sleeve to the manifold within a range of positions along the axis of said opening, said sleeve having an internal surface defining a hole therethrough normally centered along the axis of the respective opening, said surface having a concentric longitudinally concave portion which conforms to an equatorial surface of a sphere; a plurality of elongated nozzles, each nozzle having a bore for conducting a fluid material to its distal end, said nozzle being received within one of said sleeves with its distal end disposed outwardly from the end of the corresponding opening receiving such sleeve, said nozzle having an annular enlargement within said sleeve defining a longitudinally convex surface conforming to an equatorial surface of said sphere, said concave sleeve surface receiving said convex nozzle surface for movement of the nozzle therein in ball-in-socket relationship; said nozzle, in portions other than said enlargement, having clearance with the sleeve and the manifold enabling limited universal movement of the nozzle within said opening and said hole; and said manifold having branch passageways and said sleeve surrounding said nozzle having an aperture therethrough, said bore of each nozzle being in contiguous relation with said aperture of the adjacent sleeve and one of said passageways through said concave surface portion and said convex surface.

Claim 10

The machinery of claim 6 wherein: said nozzle aperture is located intermediately between said distal end and a proximal end of the nozzle and said bore extends between said ends; and the nozzle comprises shutoff valve mechanism including a plunger received in said bore which is traversable from a portion of the bore extending between said aperture and the proximal end to a portion between said aperture and said distal end.

Claim 11

The machinery of claim 6 wherein: the sleeve is longitudinally bifurcate and comprises an annular element at one end and a tubular portion split into two transversEly arcuate elements to dispose the elements on opposite sides of a diametral plane, each arcuate element having one end thereof secured to said flange in concentric relation with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve; and said machinery includes set screw means in threaded relation with said manifold on the side of said opening opposite from said opening an aligned for adjustment toward and away from said aperture.

Claim 12

The machinery of claim 8 wherein: said annular element is a flange which extends radially outwardly relative to the sleeve axis into overlapping relation with a manifold area surrounding one end of said opening; and means for securing the sleeve includes resilient means affording slight yielding movement of the nozzle and sleeve carrying the annular element from said area.

Claim 13

The machinery of claim 8 comprising: set screw means in threaded relation with said annular element for engaging said area.

Claim 14

In machinery for injecting molding: a nozzle-supporting member having openings therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the member; a plurality of elongate nozzles, each positioned in one of said openings and having a longitudinal bore opening in a distal end thereof for discharging a fluid therefrom; and adjustable means associated with each nozzle attaching it to said member in positions wherein said nozzle extends through the member with said distal end thereof disposed outwardly of the member; said adjustable means being adjustable to locate the nozzle at different positions along the axis of its respective opening of said openings.

Claim 15

In machinery for injecting molding: a nozzle-supporting member having openings therethrough along axes which are substantially parallel and in transverse relation with the length of the member; a plurality of elongate nozzles, each positioned in one of said openings and having a longitudinal bore opening in a distal end thereof for discharging a fluid therefrom; and adjustable means associated with each nozzle attaching it to said member in positions wherein said nozzle extends through the member with said distal end thereof disposed outwardly of the member; said adjustable means being adjustable to locate the nozzle at different positions along the axis of its respective opening of said openings.

Claim 16

In machinery according to claim 11 wherein: said adjustable means comprises means for fixing said positions of the nozzle.

Claim 17

In machinery according to claim 11 comprising: means for supporting a nozzle in fixed parallel to coaxial alignment with the axis of its respective opening.

Claim 18

In machinery according to claim 11 wherein: said adjustable means comprises screw means acting between the nozzle and the member simultaneously in opposite directions to fix the axial position of the nozzle relative to the member.

Claim 19

In machinery according to claim 12 wherein: said adjustable means comprises one set of screws acting between the nozzle and the member in tension and another set acting in compression to fix the axial position of the nozzle relative to the member.

Claim 20

Machinery according to claim 11 wherein: said member is a manifold having a longitudinal passageway and branch passageways leading therefrom to said openings; and the nozzles have lateral apertures contiguous with said bore and in registry with said branch passageway.

Claim 21

The machinery of claim 15 comprising: set screw means in threaded relation with the manifold and lateral engagement with said nozzle on a side thereof diametrically opposite the aperture of said nozzle.