Multi-directional casting nozzle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12521925-B2
Application number	US-202218262925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 25, 2022
Priority date	Jan 26, 2021
Publication date	Jan 13, 2026
Grant date	Jan 13, 2026

Abstract

An injection molding assembly configured for use with an injection molding machine includes a mixing chamber configured for receiving a flowable molding material and a nozzle assembly connectable to the mixing chamber. The nozzle assembly includes a cap removably connectable to the mixing chamber for enclosing the mixing chamber, and a nozzle extending through the cap and configured to deliver the flowable molding material from the mixing chamber to a mold. The nozzle is rotatable relative to the cap when the cap is connected to the mixing chamber. Also disclosed is an injection molding machine having a feeding device for feeding a flowable molding material, a mixing chamber configured for receiving the flowable molding material from the feeding device, and the nozzle assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An injection molding assembly configured for use with an injection molding machine, the injection molding assembly comprising:
a mixing chamber configured for receiving a flowable molding material; and a nozzle assembly connectable to the mixing chamber, the nozzle assembly comprising:
a cap removably connectable to the mixing chamber for enclosing the mixing chamber; and
a nozzle extending through the cap and configured to deliver the flowable molding material from the mixing chamber to a mold,
wherein the nozzle is rotatable relative to the cap when the cap is connected to the mixing chamber.

2 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is rotatable during delivery of the flowable molding material.

3 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is rotatable 360° about a longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber.

4 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle has a first end at the cap, a second end terminating in a nozzle tip, and a bend between the first end and the second end.

5 . The injection molding assembly of claim 4 , wherein the bend is a 90° bend.

6 . The injection molding assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first end of the nozzle is flared such that an outer diameter of the first end is larger than an outer diameter of a remainder of the nozzle between the first end and the second end.

7 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly further comprises a seal disposed between the cap and the mixing chamber, and wherein the seal is configured to prevent a flow of the flowable molding material at an interface between the cap and the mixing chamber.

8 . The injection molding assembly of claim 7 , wherein the seal is made from a plastic material.

9 . The injection molding assembly of claim 8 , wherein the plastic material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

10 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle assembly further comprises a clamp configured for fixing the cap on the mixing chamber, and wherein the clamp is configured to removably connect to a locking element on the injection molding machine.

11 . The injection molding assembly of claim 10 , wherein the clamp has a body having a first through hole for receiving at least a portion of the nozzle therethrough and at least one second through hole or notch configured for receiving the locking element on the injection molding machine, and wherein a first end of the at least one second through hole or notch is configured to support a fastener removably connectable to the locking element on the injection molding machine.

12 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap is made from stainless steel.

13 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is made from stainless steel.

14 . A nozzle assembly configured for connecting to a mixing chamber of an injection molding machine, the nozzle assembly comprising:
a cap configured for enclosing the mixing chamber; and a nozzle extending through the cap and configured to deliver a flowable molding material from the mixing chamber to a mold, wherein the nozzle is rotatable 360° relative to the cap when the cap is connected to the mixing chamber.

15 . The nozzle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the nozzle has a first flared end at the cap, a second end terminating in a nozzle tip, and a 90° bend between the first flared end and the second end.

16 . The nozzle assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a seal disposed between the cap and the mixing chamber, wherein the seal is configured to prevent a flow of the flowable molding material at an interface between the cap and the mixing chamber.

17 . The nozzle assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a clamp configured for fixing the cap on the mixing chamber, wherein the clamp is configured to removably connect to a locking element on the injection molding machine.

18 . An injection molding machine comprising:
a feeding device for feeding a flowable molding material; a mixing chamber configured for receiving the flowable molding material from the feeding device; and a nozzle assembly removably connectable to the mixing chamber, the nozzle assembly comprising:
a cap configured for enclosing the mixing chamber; and
a nozzle extending through the cap and configured to deliver the flowable molding material from the mixing chamber to a mold,
wherein the nozzle is rotatable 360° relative to the cap when the cap is connected to the mixing chamber.

19 . The injection molding machine of claim 18 , further comprising a clamp configured for fixing the cap on the mixing chamber, wherein the clamp is removably connectable to a locking element on a frame of the injection molding machine.

20 . The injection molding machine of claim 18 , further comprising a seal disposed between the cap and the mixing chamber, wherein the seal is configured to prevent a flow of the flowable molding material at an interface between the cap and the mixing chamber.

21 . The nozzle assembly of claim 15 , wherein the flared end of the nozzle comprises an outwardly-extending surface, and wherein the outwardly-extending surface forms a non-perpendicular angle with a longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber.

22 . The nozzle assembly of claim 21 , further comprising a seal disposed between the cap and the mixing chamber, wherein the seal is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, wherein the seal comprises an opening extending through a body of the seal and the nozzle extends through the opening in the seal, and wherein the opening in the seal comprises a tapered portion engaging the flared end of the nozzle.

23 . The injection molding assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises:
a first side connectable to the mixing chamber; a second side opposite the first side; and an opening extending through the cap from the first side to the second side; and wherein the nozzle extends through the opening through the cap from the first side to the second side.

24 . The nozzle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the cap comprises:
a first side connectable to the mixing chamber; a second side opposite the first side; and an opening extending through the cap from the first side to the second side; and wherein the nozzle extends through the opening through the cap from the first side to the second side.

25 . The injection molding machine of claim 18 , wherein the cap comprises:
a first side connectable to the mixing chamber; a second side opposite the first side; and an opening extending through the cap from the first side to the second side; and wherein the nozzle extends through the opening through the cap from the first side to the second side.

Assignees

• Ppg Ind Ohio Inc

Inventors

• Galo Jr George A

Classifications

• B29L2011/0016

  Lenses · CPC title

• B29C45/1775

  Connecting parts, e.g. injection screws, ejectors, to drive means · CPC title

• B29C45/03

  Injection moulding apparatus (transfer moulding B29C45/02) · CPC title

• B29B7/04

  with non-movable mixing or kneading devices · CPC title

• B29C2045/2779

  Nozzles with a plurality of outlets · CPC title