Edge-gated injection molding apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is an edge gating injection molding apparatus for delivering a moldable material to an array of mold cavities, the array can have a first column and a last column of mold cavities, the edge gating injection molding apparatus comprising: a unidirectional delivery body for delivering a first stream of the moldable material to a different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities, via a first location of the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities; and a bidirectional delivery body for delivering a second stream of the moldable material to the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities, via a second location of the different one of each mold cavity of the first column and the last column of mold cavities.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An edge gating injection molding apparatus for delivering a moldable material to an array of rows and columns of mold cavities, the edge gating injection molding apparatus comprising:
 a first unidirectional delivery body for delivering a first stream of the moldable material to a first column of the array of mold cavities;   a second unidirectional delivery body for delivering a second stream of the moldable material to a last column of the array of mold cavities; and   a bidirectional delivery body for delivering a third stream of the moldable material to two adjacent columns of the array of mold cavities, the two adjacent columns located between the first and last columns of the array of mold cavities.   
     
     
         17 . The edge gating injection molding apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each of the delivery bodies include a first network of melt channels for feeding cavities at one side of the bidirectional delivery body and a second network of melt channels for feeding cavities at a second side opposite of the first side of the bidirectional delivery body. 
     
     
         18 . The edge gating injection molding apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of the unidirectional delivery bodies include tips pointing to one side of the respective unidirectional delivery body, the tips in fluid communication with one of the networks of melt channels of the respective unidirectional delivery body. 
     
     
         19 . The edge gating injection molding apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a manifold, a first transfer body interconnecting the manifold and the network of melt channels that is in communication with the tips.