An injection molding apparatus comprising: a pneumatically driven actuator, the piston forming first and second drive chambers, a source of pressurized gas that generates gas flow to the drive chambers, a gas metering mechanism, a controller including programmable instructions that: automatically controllably positions the gas metering mechanism such that the piston or valve pin is disposed or held in one or more selected intermediate positions for a selected period of time during the course of an injection cycle where the tip end of the valve pin restricts flow of injection fluid through the gate to the mold cavity.

An injection molding apparatus comprising: a pneumatically driven actuator having a piston mounted within a fluid sealed chamber for slidable axial movement along or against an interior surface of the fluid sealed chamber via a non-elastomeric engagement or with a non-elastomeric material disposed between the piston and the interior surface of the fluid sealed chamber, the piston forming first and second drive chambers within the fluid sealed chamber, each drive chamber having respective fluid flow ports, a source of pressurized gas that generates gas flow at a selected maximum pressure or flow rate, a gas metering mechanism, a controller interconnected to the gas metering mechanism, the controller controllably moving the gas metering mechanism to selectable positions that correspond to reduced pressures or reduced flow rates during the course of pin travel from the fully downstream gate closed position to the fully upstream gate open position.

The disclosed technology includes a biodegradable utensil and methods for manufacturing the same. The utensil can comprise a utility portion configured to manipulate a food item, a handle portion, and a transition portion disposed between the handle portion and the utility portion. The handle portion can comprise a body having a first thickness, thickness-reducing features each having a thickness less than the first thickness, and a bead extending along at least some of a length of the handle portion. The bead can be continuous and uninterrupted, can extend between a first thickness-reducing feature and a second thickness-reducing feature, and can have a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

A load bearing panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion is formed by injection molding such that the first portion includes a plurality of ribs forming a grid pattern on the first portion and another plurality of ribs extending toward the periphery of the first portion which may be non-orthogonal to each other and to the ribs forming the grid pattern. An internal channel may be formed within each of the non-orthogonal ribs by injecting a gas into the rib during the molding process forming the panel. An appearance surface portion attached to the first portion and second portion of the panel member forms an integral hinge between the first and second portions of the panel member. The panel member may be configured as a floor panel of a vehicle.

An injection molding method is provided. A molding device is provided and includes a first mold, a second mold over the first mold and a mold cavity defined by the first mold and the second mold. A first mixture is injected into the mold cavity through a first feeding port. A first component is formed from the first mixture. A second mixture is injected into the mold cavity through a second feeding port. A second component is formed from the second mixture. The second component is at least partially contact with the first component, and the first component and the second component have different physical properties.

An injection molding apparatus comprising: a pneumatically driven actuator having a piston mounted within a fluid sealed chamber for slidable axial movement along or against an interior surface of the fluid sealed chamber via a non-elastomeric engagement or with a non-elastomeric material disposed between the piston and the interior surface of the fluid sealed chamber, the piston forming first and second drive chambers within the fluid sealed chamber, each drive chamber having respective fluid flow ports, a source of pressurized gas that generates gas flow at a selected maximum pressure or flow rate, a gas metering mechanism, a controller interconnected to the gas metering mechanism, the controller controllably moving the gas metering mechanism to selectable positions that correspond to reduced pressures or reduced flow rates during the course of pin travel from the fully downstream gate closed position to the fully upstream gate open position.

A load bearing panel member having a first portion, a second portion, and an appearance surface portion is formed by injection molding such that the first portion includes a plurality of ribs forming a grid pattern on the first portion and another plurality of ribs extending toward the periphery of the first portion which may be non-orthogonal to each other and to the ribs forming the grid pattern. An internal channel may be formed within each of the non-orthogonal ribs by injecting a gas into the rib during the molding process forming the panel. An appearance surface portion attached to the first portion and second portion of the panel member forms an integral hinge between the first and second portions of the panel member. The panel member may be configured as a floor panel of a vehicle.

Acupuncture needles may be used for piercing tissue with less trauma than may occur when employing larger gauge needles. However, because acupuncture needles are fabricated and packaged differently than are larger gauge needles, acupuncture needles may be less compatible with certain manufacturing processes. Needle assemblies compatible with manufacturing processes may comprise a continuous support material having a plurality of apertures defined therein, and a first injection molded coupler that surrounds a proximal portion of an acupuncture needle and connects the acupuncture needle to a first location upon the continuous support material, such that the acupuncture needle is held in a pre-determined orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first injection molded coupler. The acupuncture needles in adjacent apertures may also be spaced apart substantially uniformly.

Acupuncture needles may be used for piercing tissue with less trauma than may occur when employing larger gauge needles. However, because acupuncture needles are fabricated and packaged differently than are larger gauge needles, acupuncture needles may be less compatible with certain manufacturing processes. Needle assemblies compatible with manufacturing processes may comprise a continuous support material having a plurality of apertures defined therein, and a first injection molded coupler that surrounds a proximal portion of an acupuncture needle and connects the acupuncture needle to a first location upon the continuous support material, such that the acupuncture needle is held in a pre-determined orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first injection molded coupler. The acupuncture needles in adjacent apertures may also be spaced apart substantially uniformly.

An injection molding machine includes an injection device including at least first and second injection units, and one mold clamping device. A molding material is injected into a first cavity space by the first injection unit, and a molding material is injected into a second cavity space by the second injection unit. The injection molding machine further includes a control device controlling the injection device and the mold clamping device, and a storage device storing a set time in advance. The control device starts injection of the second injection unit after elapse of the set time from a predetermined time point. The predetermined time point is a time point at which the first injection unit starts injection or an earlier time point. The set time is a delay time for delaying start of injection of the second injection unit from start of injection of the first injection unit.