INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS AND PROCESS

摘要

Apparatus (1) and method for producing foam injection molded products. A solid polymer is melted. The melt is accumulated in an accumulator (3) having a telescoping inlet, which allows the first melt which enters to be the first to leave the accumulator (3). A preselected amount of melt is combined with a preselected amount of gas bubbles, and the polymer foam is injected through a special gate assembly (9) into a mold (11). The gate assembly (9) has a removable nose which remains with the mold (11), allowing the polymer foam to expand within the mold (11) but not allowing the foam to escape the mold. Recyclable thermoplastics can be processed without segregation of materials.