Seal of a metal molding system

Abstract

Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a seal of a metal molding system; (ii) a runner system of a metal molding system including a seal; (iii) a barrel assembly of a metal molding system including a seal; (iv) a metal molding system including a seal; and (v) a method of configuring a seal of a metal molding system, amongst other things.

1 . A seal of a metal molding system, comprising:
 a seal member configured to be chemically compatible with, and of a different composition than, a molding material processed in the metal molding system, the seal member in conforming co-operation with an interface controls leaking of the molding material at the interface subject to the molding material approaching an injection pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a first melt conduit,   a second melt conduit,   a first manifold,   a second manifold,   a nozzle drop,   a sprue bushing,   a barrel,   a barrel liner,   a barrel head,   a barrel portion,   a machine nozzle,   an auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is plastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is elastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member is re-moldable to conform to the interface. 
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the re-molded seal member adheres to the interface. 
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 heating structure for melting of the seal member, at least partially, to a temperature above a melting temperature thereof that is selected to be above a processing temperature range of the molding material.   
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is further defined at a spigot connection between spigot portions. 
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 8 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on an annular faces of the spigot portions. 
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member is configured to include an annular body. 
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on a peripheral face of spigot portions. 
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 11 , wherein the peripheral faces are tapered. 
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member configured to include a frusto-conical shaped tubular body. 
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is made of:
 a low-carbon steel,   an alloy of stainless steel,   a gold alloy,   a cobalt alloy,   a brazing alloy that is chemically compatible with the molding material, the brazing alloy also having a melting temperature that is above of a processing temperature range of the molding material, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is a coating disposed on an outer surface of the seal member. 
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member is a composite structure including a casing that is chemically compatible with the molding material. 
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the composite structure of the seal member is spring energized. 
     
     
         18 . The seal of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 cooling structure for cooling of the interface to control the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the interface.   
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 18 , wherein the cooling structure cools the interface sufficiently to solidify, at least partially, molding material in the vicinity of the interface. 
     
     
         20 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is configured in a runner system. 
     
     
         21 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a first manifold,   a second manifold,   a nozzle drop,   a sprue bushing,   a machine nozzle,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         22 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the seal is configured in a barrel assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a barrel,   a barrel portion,   a barrel liner,   a barrel head,   a machine nozzle,   a auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         24 . A runner system of a metal molding system, comprising:
 a seal including:
 a seal member configured to be chemically compatible with, and of a different composition than, a molding material processed in the metal molding system, the seal member in conforming co-operation with an interface controls leaking of the molding material at the interface subject to the molding material approaching an injection pressure. 
   
     
     
         25 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a first melt conduit,   a second melt conduit,   a first manifold,   a second manifold,   a nozzle drop,   a sprue bushing,   a machine nozzle,   an auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         26 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is plastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         27 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is elastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         28 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal member is re-moldable to conform to the interface. 
     
     
         29 . The runner system of  claim 28 , wherein the re-molded seal member adheres to the interface. 
     
     
         30 . The runner system of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 heating structure for melting of the seal member, at least partially, to a temperature above a melting temperature thereof that is selected to be above a processing temperature range of the molding material.   
     
     
         31 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the interface is further defined at a spigot connection between spigot portions. 
     
     
         32 . The runner system of  claim 31 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on an annular faces of the spigot portions. 
     
     
         33 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal member configured to include an annular body. 
     
     
         34 . The runner system of  claim 31 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on a peripheral face of the spigot portions. 
     
     
         35 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the peripheral faces are tapered. 
     
     
         36 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal member is configured to include a frusto-conical shaped tubular body. 
     
     
         37 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is made of:
 a low-carbon steel,   an alloy of stainless steel,   a gold alloy,   a cobalt alloy,   a brazing alloy that is chemically compatible with the molding material, the brazing alloy also having a melting temperature that is above of a processing temperature range of the molding material, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         38 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is a coating disposed on an outer surface of the seal member. 
     
     
         39 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the seal member is a composite structure including a casing that is chemically compatible with the molding material. 
     
     
         40 . The runner system of  claim 24 , wherein the composite structure of the seal member is spring energized. 
     
     
         41 . The runner system of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 cooling structure for cooling of the interface to control the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the interface.   
     
     
         42 . The runner system of  claim 41 , wherein the cooling structure cools the interface sufficiently to solidify, at least partially, molding material in the vicinity of the interface to form a supplemental seal. 
     
     
         43 . A barrel assembly of a metal molding system, comprising:
 a seal including:
 a seal member configured to be chemically compatible with, and of a different composition than, a molding material processed in the metal molding system, the seal member in conforming co-operation with an interface controls leaking of the molding material at the interface subject to the molding material approaching an injection pressure. 
   
     
     
         44 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a barrel,   a barrel portion,   a barrel liner,   a barrel head,   a machine nozzle,   an auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         45 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is plastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         46 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is elastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         47 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the seal member is re-moldable to conform to the interface. 
     
     
         48 . The barrel assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the re-molded seal member adheres to the interface. 
     
     
         49 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , further comprising:
 heating structure for melting of the seal member, at least partially, to a temperature above a melting temperature thereof that is selected to be above a processing temperature range of the molding material.   
     
     
         50 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the interface is further defined at a spigot connection between spigot portions. 
     
     
         51 . The barrel assembly of  claim 50 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on an annular faces of the spigot portions. 
     
     
         52 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the seal member is configured to include an annular body. 
     
     
         53 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on a peripheral face of spigot portions. 
     
     
         54 . The barrel assembly of  claim 53 , wherein the peripheral faces are tapered. 
     
     
         55 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the seal member is configured to include a frusto-conical shaped tubular body. 
     
     
         56 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein at least a portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is made of:
 a low-carbon steel,   an alloy of stainless steel,   a gold alloy,   a cobalt alloy,   a brazing alloy that is chemically compatible with the molding material, the brazing alloy also having a melting temperature that is above of a processing temperature range of the molding material, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         57 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is a coating disposed on an outer surface of the seal member. 
     
     
         58 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the seal member is a composite structure including a casing that is chemically compatible with the molding material. 
     
     
         59 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the composite structure of the seal member is spring energized. 
     
     
         60 . The barrel assembly of  claim 43 , further comprising:
 cooling structure for cooling of the interface to control the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the interface.   
     
     
         61 . The barrel assembly of  claim 60 , wherein the cooling structure cools the interface sufficiently to solidify, at least partially, molding material in the vicinity of the interface to form a supplemental seal. 
     
     
         62 . A metal molding system, comprising:
 a seal including:
 a seal member configured to be chemically compatible with, and of a different composition than, a molding material processed in the metal molding system, the seal member in conforming co-operation with an interface controls leaking of the molding material at the interface subject to the molding material approaching an injection pressure. 
   
     
     
         63 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the interface is defined between any of:
 a first melt conduit,   a second melt conduit,   a first manifold,   a second manifold,   a nozzle drop,   a sprue bushing,   a barrel,   a barrel portion,   a barrel liner,   a barrel head,   a machine nozzle,   an auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         64 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is plastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         65 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein at least one of the seal member and the interface is elastically deformable to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface. 
     
     
         66 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal member is re-moldable to conform to the interface. 
     
     
         67 . The metal molding system of  claim 66 , wherein the re-molded seal member adheres to the interface. 
     
     
         68 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , further comprising:
 heating structure for melting of the seal member, at least partially, to a temperature above a melting temperature thereof that is selected to be above a processing temperature range of the molding material.   
     
     
         69 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the interface is further defined at a spigot connection between spigot portions. 
     
     
         70 . The metal molding system of  claim 69 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on an annular faces of the spigot portions. 
     
     
         71 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal member is configured to include an annular body. 
     
     
         72 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the interface is defined, at least in part, on a peripheral face of spigot portions. 
     
     
         73 . The metal molding system of  claim 72 , wherein the peripheral faces are tapered. 
     
     
         74 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal member is configured to include a frusto-conical shaped tubular body. 
     
     
         75 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein at least a portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is made of:
 a low-carbon steel,   an alloy of stainless steel,   a gold alloy,   a cobalt alloy,   a brazing alloy that is chemically compatible with the molding material, the brazing alloy also having a melting temperature that is above of a processing temperature range of the molding material, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         76 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material is a coating disposed on an outer surface of the seal member. 
     
     
         77 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal member is a composite structure including a casing that is chemically compatible with the molding material. 
     
     
         78 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the composite structure of the seal member is spring energized. 
     
     
         79 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , further comprising:
 cooling structure for cooling of the interface to control the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the interface.   
     
     
         80 . The metal molding system of  claim 79 , wherein the cooling structure cools the interface sufficiently to solidify, at least partially, molding material in the vicinity of the interface to form a supplemental seal. 
     
     
         81 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal is configured in a runner system. 
     
     
         82 . The metal molding system of  claim 62 , wherein the seal is configured in a barrel assembly. 
     
     
         83 . A method of configuring a seal in a metal molding system, comprising:
 arranging a seal member configured to be chemically compatible with, and of a different composition than, a molding material processed in the metal molding system in conforming co-operation with an interface to control leaking of the molding material at the interface subject to the molding material approaching an injection pressure.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface between any of:   a first melt conduit,   a second melt conduit,   a first manifold,   a second manifold,   a nozzle drop,   a sprue bushing,   a barrel,   a barrel portion,   a barrel liner,   a barrel head,   a machine nozzle,   an auxiliary member,   a cooling structure, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 plastically deforming at least one of the seal member and the interface to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface.   
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming at least one of the seal member and the interface to conform to the other in response to a sealing force applied across the interface.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 re-molding the seal member to conform to the interface.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 re-molding the seal member to adhere to the interface.   
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 heating the seal member with a heating structure for melting, at least partially, the seal member at a melting temperature thereof that is selected to be above a processing temperature range of the molding material, and cooling of the seal member below the melting temperature thereof once it has been re-molded.   
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface at a spigot connection between spigot portions.   
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface, at least in part, on an annular faces of spigot portions.   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring the seal member to include an annular body.   
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface, at least in part, on a peripheral face of spigot portions.   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring the peripheral faces to include a taper.   
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring the seal member to include a frusto-conical shaped tubular body.   
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring at least a portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material to be made of:   a low-carbon steel,   an alloy of stainless steel,   a gold alloy,   a cobalt alloy,   a brazing alloy that is chemically compatible with the molding material, the brazing alloy also having a melting temperature that is above of a processing temperature range of the molding material, and   any combination and permutation thereof.   
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring the portion of the seal member that is exposed to the molding material to include a coating disposed on an outer surface of the seal member.   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 configuring the seal member to include a composite structure including a casing that is chemically compatible with the molding material.   
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 spring energizing the composite structure of the seal member.   
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 cooling of the interface with a cooling structure to control the viscosity of the molding material in the vicinity of the interface.   
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 cooling of the interface with the cooling structure to solidify, at least partially, the molding material in the vicinity of the interface to form a supplemental seal.   
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface in a runner system.   
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface between any of:
 a first manifold, 
 a second manifold, 
 a nozzle drop, 
 a sprue bushing, 
 a machine nozzle, 
 a cooling structure, and 
 any combination and permutation thereof. 
   
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface in a barrel assembly.   
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 83 , further comprising:
 defining the interface between any of:
 a barrel, 
 a barrel portion, 
 a barrel liner, 
 a barrel head, 
 a machine nozzle, 
 a auxiliary member, 
 a cooling structure, and 
 any combination and permutation thereof.