An injection molding apparatus having a valve pin plate coupling at least one valve pin to an actuator which, in operation, axially moves the valve pin plate between a closed position and an open position. The valve pin is coupled to the valve pin plate via a valve pin coupler. A biasing member is compressed against a support surface by the valve pin holder when the valve pin plate is in the closed position to create a supplementary coupling force coupling the valve pin to the valve pin holder.

An injection molding apparatus having a valve pin plate coupling at least one valve pin to an actuator which, in operation, axially moves the valve pin plate between a closed position and an open position. The valve pin is coupled to the valve pin plate via a valve pin coupler. A biasing member is compressed against a support surface by the valve pin holder when the valve pin plate is in the closed position to create a supplementary coupling force coupling the valve pin to the valve pin holder.

A multi-layer nozzle for injection molding includes a nozzle housing, a valve stem, a stem guide, an insert, and a nozzle tip. The insert may comprise a 3D metal printed insert. In embodiments, a 3D metal printed insert may be configured to split and combine the flow of materials, which may form a multi-layered article, such as a preform. A method of using such a multi-layer nozzle to form articles is also disclosed.

A hot runner nozzle includes a nozzle body, an annular outlet channel in the nozzle body, a source channel upstream of the annular outlet channel in the nozzle body, and a flow transition channel in the nozzle body. The flow transition channel interconnects the source channel with a part-annular segment of the annular outlet channel. The flow transition channel widens in a downstream direction and has a non-uniform cross-sectional channel thickness in either or both of the longitudinal (downstream) and transverse directions. The geometry of the flow transition channel may promote at least one of a uniform velocity profile and a uniform temperature profile in a generated annular or part-annular melt flow.

The invention relates to a method for producing a shoe (1), comprising a shoe sole (2) and an upper (3). In order to provide an optimally fitting shoe in a simple manner, the method comprises the following steps according to the invention: a) providing a casting mould (4) for forming at least part of the shoe sole (2), the casting mould (4) having a bottom region (5), which lies vertically at the bottom, and having a side region (6), the side region (6) forming a side wall of the casting mould cavity (7) and initially being open in the end region lying vertically at the top; b) injecting a first liquid plastic material into a first surface section (8) of the bottom region (5) of the casting mould (4) and at least injecting a second liquid plastic material into a second surface section (9) of the bottom region (5) of the casting mould (4), the two plastic materials being different, the injection of the liquid plastic material being accomplished by means of at least one nozzle (10), by means of which the plastic material is sprayed in a free jet into the surface section (8, 9) in question; c) closing the casting mould (4) by means of a cover region (11) lying vertically at the top, which cover region (1) is placed onto the side region (6) of the casting mould (4), and allowing the plastic materials to harden; d) opening of the casting mould (4) and removing the produced moulded part.

The invention relates to a method for producing a shoe (1), comprising a shoe sole (2) and an upper (3). In order to provide an optimally fitting shoe in a simple manner, the method comprises the following steps according to the invention: a) providing a casting mould (4) for forming at least part of the shoe sole (2), the casting mould (4) having a bottom region (5), which lies vertically at the bottom, and having a side region (6), the side region (6) forming a side wall of the casting mould cavity (7) and initially being open in the end region lying vertically at the top; b) injecting a first liquid plastic material into a first surface section (8) of the bottom region (5) of the casting mould (4) and at least injecting a second liquid plastic material into a second surface section (9) of the bottom region (5) of the casting mould (4), the two plastic materials being different, the injection of the liquid plastic material being accomplished by means of at least one nozzle (10), by means of which the plastic material is sprayed in a free jet into the surface section (8, 9) in question; c) closing the casting mould (4) by means of a cover region (11) lying vertically at the top, which cover region (1) is placed onto the side region (6) of the casting mould (4), and allowing the plastic materials to harden; d) opening of the casting mould (4) and removing the produced moulded part.

There is disclosed an in-mould labelling process for the manufacture of a labelled article comprising the steps of: feeding a labelstock web into a mould; forming an article in the mould such that the formed article contacts and effectively adheres to a label of the labelstock web; detaching the adhered label from the labelstock web; and removing the formed and labelled article from the mould.

A process includes: supplying a main resin from outer and inner flow channel, to a joined flow channel at a predetermined supply velocity for a predetermined time; supplying a second resin from a middle flow channel to the joined flow channel simultaneously with the main resin at a predetermined supply velocity for a certain time within the predetermined time; and sliding a shut-off pin to bring the pin forefront to a predetermined position near an outlet of the inner flow channel, open to the joined flow channel, before the second resin is supplied, or during a time starting after a time from the start of the second resin supply and ending with the termination of the supply, so that the velocity of main resin supply from the inner flow channel to the joined flow channel is reduced to a predetermined level by adjusting the degree of aperture for the outlet.

A co-injection nozzle for an injection moulding device for producing multi-layered injection-moulded products. The nozzle includes: a central bore; a valve needle for opening and closing a nozzle opening; an annular inner melt channel for the first melt; an annular central melt channel for a second melt; and an annular outer melt channel for the first melt, the inner, central and outer melt channels being fluidically combined in the nozzle tip to form a concentrically-layered melt stream. The nozzle further includes a nozzle body and a melt runner insert having the central bore of the nozzle. The melt runner insert has a circular cylindrical section, by which the insert is held in a central bore of the nozzle body. At least one distribution channel for the first melt and at least one distribution channel for the second melt are formed in the outer surface of the circular cylindrical section, with the distribution channels running substantially in the axial direction.

A co-injection nozzle is disclosed that includes a combining means configured to reduce shear heating and create a more even shear heating profile in core and skin material flow streams. The combining means is configured to reduce shear heating peaks and valleys in core and skin material flow streams as the streams flow between annular channels of the combining means during a mold filling process.