Five layer injection molding apparatus having four position valve member actuating mechanism

摘要

Valve gated multi-cavity injection molding apparatus for five layer molding having actuating mechanisms for reciprocating elongated valve members between four different positions. Each actuating mechanism has a front and a rear aligned cylinders, a first piston connected to the head of one of the valve members in the front cylinder and second and third pistons in the rear cylinder. The third piston has a stem portion which extends forwardly through the second piston into the front cylinder. Hydraulic pressure from four hydraulic lines connected to each actuating mechanism reciprocates each elongated valve member between the different positions. In the first closed position, the front end of the valve member is seated in the gate. In the second position, the front end of the valve member is retracted sufficiently to allow an initial amount of PET to flow from an outer annular melt channel through the gate. Then the valve member is retracted further to a third position to allow simultaneous flow of the PET and a barrier material from an inner annular melt channel. Then the valve member is retracted to a fully open position which allows the simultaneous flow of PET from a central melt channel. When the cavity is almost filled, the valve member returns briefly to the second position for filling before returning to the closed position for ejection.