Injection Molding Apparatus and Method of Use

Abstract

The present invention surrounds an apparatus and method for the use in injection molding of articles of manufacture using an injection molding apparatus having a valve-gate pin or a plurality of valve-gate pins for actuation to extend and retract from a cavity within an injection mold. The valve-gate pin may have a retention feature or retention features configured for the retention of molded parts such that the retraction or extension of the valve-gate pin provides part removal from an associated injection mold. Further, the valve-gate pin may have a feature or features to facilitate the injection of fluids, gases or particles during or after the primary injection process. Additionally, a plurality of such valve-gate pins may be employed within each mold cavity, or within each valve-gate actuation system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An injection molding apparatus for the extraction of a part comprising:
 a first side of an injection mold and a second side of an injection mold having a cavity therebetween;   said first side of said injection mold further comprising a material delivery chamber and an aperture extending from said material delivery chamber to said cavity;   a first valve-gate pin having a first end, said first end of said first valve-gate pin disposed through said aperture with said first end protruding into said cavity;   said valve-gate pin having a retention feature proximate to said first end of said first valve-gate pin;   said retention feature comprising a first dimension proximate to said first end of said first valve-gate pin, and a second dimension offset from said first dimension toward a second end of said first valve-gate pin;   said first dimension is greater than said second dimension; and   said first valve-gate pin having connection to an actuating mechanism wherein said actuating said first valve-gate pin is positionable through said aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retention feature comprises an annular recess. 
     
     
         3 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retention feature comprises a threaded feature. 
     
     
         4 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retention feature comprises a projecting feature. 
     
     
         5 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first valve-gate pin further comprises a pathway. 
     
     
         6 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said pathway is consistent with a central axis of said first valve-gate pin. 
     
     
         7 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said valve-gate pin is constructed of a material selected from the list consisting of: metals, polymeric, composite, nano-particle enhanced composite. 
     
     
         8 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said injection molding apparatus further comprises a second valve-gate pin. 
     
     
         9 . The injection molding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said actuating mechanism is programmably controlled. 
     
     
         10 . A method for the injection molding of a part comprising:
 clamping a first side of an injection mold to a second side of an injection mold creating a cavity therebetween;   a first positioning step to position a valve-gate pin to an open position;   injecting a first material into said cavity;   a maintaining step to hold said injected material under pressure within said injection mold for a predetermined period of time;   a second positioning step to position a valve-gate pin to a closed position; and   opening said injection mold, to separate said first side of said injection mold from said second side of said injection mold;   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising a fourth positioning step following said third positioning step to position the valve-gate pin to force the part away from the first side of the injection mold. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising pushing a second material through a pathway in said valve-pin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said second material comprises a gaseous material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said first positioning step occurs prior to said clamping step. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising a third positioning step to retract said valve-gate pin thereby breaking a connection between said valve-gate pin and said part.