FLEXIBLE HOT MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY FOR INJECTION MOLDING MACHINES

摘要

A manifold assembly for supplying plastic material from a source of molten plastic to a mold assembly in an injection molding machine includes a base which is adapted to be secured to the injection molding machine. A manifold inlet coupled to the base and adapted to be coupled to a source of molten plastic provides a flow path for molten plastic to at least one flow divider dividing the flow into a plurality of flow paths. A plurality of manifold outlets are coupled to the base through a support and adapted to be fixed to inlets of a mold assembly, A plurality of flexible manifold conduits of uniform preselected length are connected between the flow divider and the manifold outlets each flexible conduit including at least one flexible curved portion for permitting thermally induced changes in conduit length while maintaining the constant positioning between the manifold inlet and the manifold outlets. The flexible conduits are formed of seamless metal tubing having a smooth interior wall and an exterior including a spiral groove preferably of varying pitch along substantially the entire length. The spiral groove receives a heater element which provides heat to the tube and any plastic resin within the tube to maintain the resin within a temperature range best suited for the molding conditions.