The invention relates to a device for producing a spacer having a stem mold (1) which has an inner space (2), wherein the inner space (2) is accessible via a proximal opening (3) and wherein the stem mold (1) has a proximal wall (4) which peripherally delimits the proximal opening (3) of the stem mold (1), a head mold (5) which has in the interior thereof a hollow space (6), wherein the hollow space (6) has a spherical surface-shaped inner surface (7) and is accessible via a distal opening (8), wherein the head mold (5) has a distal wall (9) which peripherally delimits the distal opening (8) of the head mold (5), a metal core (10) which has a stem part (12), a head part (14) and a flange (16), wherein the flange (16) projects out from the metal core (10), is arranged between the stem part (12) and the head part (14) and has a proximal surface (18) and a distal surface (20), wherein the stem mold (1) and the stem part (12) are shaped such that the stem part (12) is arranged in the inner space (2), when the proximal wall (4) is resting against the distal surface (20), and wherein the head mold (5) and the head part (14) are shaped such that the head part (14) is arranged in the hollow space (6), when the distal wall (9) is resting against the proximal surface (18).

The invention also relates to a set with such a device and to a method for producing spacers with such a device.

The invention relates to a device for producing a spacer having a stem mold (1) which has an inner space (2), wherein the inner space (2) is accessible via a proximal opening (3) and wherein the stem mold (1) has a proximal wall (4) which peripherally delimits the proximal opening (3) of the stem mold (1), a head mold (5) which has in the interior thereof a hollow space (6), wherein the hollow space (6) has a spherical surface-shaped inner surface (7) and is accessible via a distal opening (8), wherein the head mold (5) has a distal wall (9) which peripherally delimits the distal opening (8) of the head mold (5), a metal core (10) which has a stem part (12), a head part (14) and a flange (16), wherein the flange (16) projects out from the metal core (10), is arranged between the stem part (12) and the head part (14) and has a proximal surface (18) and a distal surface (20), wherein the stem mold (1) and the stem part (12) are shaped such that the stem part (12) is arranged in the inner space (2), when the proximal wall (4) is resting against the distal surface (20), and wherein the head mold (5) and the head part (14) are shaped such that the head part (14) is arranged in the hollow space (6), when the distal wall (9) is resting against the proximal surface (18).

The invention also relates to a set with such a device and to a method for producing spacers with such a device.

The invention relates to a mould (1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a body (2); a lid (4) configured to close said body (2); and incorporated closing and opening means (5) configured to keep the body (2) and the lid (4) joined during the movement thereof. A machine (M1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a receiving module (M2) configured to receive the mould (1); a conditioning module (M3) configured to receive the mould (1) from the receiving module (M2) and act on the incorporated closing and opening means (5) in order to separate the lid (4) from the body (2); and a handling module (M4) configured to receive the body (2) from the conditioning module (M3) and enable the placement of the components of the item to be manufactured. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional items and manufacturing plant associated with said machine (M1).

The invention relates to a mould (1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a body (2); a lid (4) configured to close said body (2); and incorporated closing and opening means (5) configured to keep the body (2) and the lid (4) joined during the movement thereof. A machine (M1) for manufacturing three-dimensional items, comprising a receiving module (M2) configured to receive the mould (1); a conditioning module (M3) configured to receive the mould (1) from the receiving module (M2) and act on the incorporated closing and opening means (5) in order to separate the lid (4) from the body (2); and a handling module (M4) configured to receive the body (2) from the conditioning module (M3) and enable the placement of the components of the item to be manufactured. A method for manufacturing three-dimensional items and manufacturing plant associated with said machine (M1).

A preform mold (100) including a core plate (210), a cavity plate (410) and a plurality of mold stacks (MS) mounted between the core and cavity plates (210, 410). Each mold stack (MS) includes a core insert (250) mounted to the core plate (210), a cavity insert (440) mounted to the cavity plate (410) and split mold inserts (350) mounted between the core and cavity inserts (250, 440). The core inserts (250) are mounted to the core plate (210) by fasteners accessible from a rear side of the core plate (210). When the mold (100) is assembled, the core inserts (250) can be secured by the fasteners in a fixed condition in which they are immovable relative to the core plate (210). Also disclosed is a method of aligning the core inserts (250) by securing the core inserts (250) from a floating condition, in which they are able to slide relative to the core plate (210) along a sliding interface therebetween, to the fixed condition.

A catheter includes: a catheter shaft; and a hub on a proximal side of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a shaft inner surface inclined portion at a proximal portion, the diameter of which increases proximally such that the shaft inner surface inclined portion forms an angle with the catheter central axis. The hub includes a first hub inner surface inclined portion continuous from the shaft inner surface inclined portion and inclined at the same inclination angle as the shaft inner surface inclined portion, and a second hub inner surface inclined portion proximal of the first hub inner surface inclined portion. The second hub inner surface inclined portion inclination angle differs from the first hub inner surface inclined portion inclination angle. The hub does not cover an inner peripheral surface of the catheter shaft in an interlock portion in which the catheter shaft and the hub are interlocked together.

A catheter includes: a catheter shaft; and a hub on a proximal side of the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a shaft inner surface inclined portion at a proximal portion, the diameter of which increases proximally such that the shaft inner surface inclined portion forms an angle with the catheter central axis. The hub includes a first hub inner surface inclined portion continuous from the shaft inner surface inclined portion and inclined at the same inclination angle as the shaft inner surface inclined portion, and a second hub inner surface inclined portion proximal of the first hub inner surface inclined portion. The second hub inner surface inclined portion inclination angle differs from the first hub inner surface inclined portion inclination angle. The hub does not cover an inner peripheral surface of the catheter shaft in an interlock portion in which the catheter shaft and the hub are interlocked together.

A core lifter having a lifter bar assembly formed of an elongate lifter bar with a replaceable lifter bar extension coupling carrying a coupling ball pivotably, rotatably, and translationally coupled to a lifter base fixed to an ejector plate of a plastic injection molding apparatus, the bar extension coupling removably coupled to the bar by a coupling joint configured to automatically self-align the bar relative to the base and mold in which the bar extends in a direction generally orthogonal to a lengthwise extent of the bar. Bar extension coupling is formed of an extension link having one end carrying the ball and an opposite end slidably coupled to an end of the bar by coupling joint. A preferred extension link is of breakaway sacrificial construction and slidably attached to the bar via a coupling joint that is a floating dovetail joint.

A core lifter having a lifter bar assembly formed of an elongate lifter bar with a replaceable lifter bar extension coupling carrying a coupling ball pivotably, rotatably, and translationally coupled to a lifter base fixed to an ejector plate of a plastic injection molding apparatus, the bar extension coupling removably coupled to the bar by a coupling joint configured to automatically self-align the bar relative to the base and mold in which the bar extends in a direction generally orthogonal to a lengthwise extent of the bar. Bar extension coupling is formed of an extension link having one end carrying the ball and an opposite end slidably coupled to an end of the bar by coupling joint. A preferred extension link is of breakaway sacrificial construction and slidably attached to the bar via a coupling joint that is a floating dovetail joint.

An injection mold with a centering device includes a die-holding plate with a cavity-forming die unit, a core-holding plate with a core unit, and a stripping plate between the core-holding and die-holding plates. The centering device has a insert and a mount with a clearance, which is rotationally symmetrical about a center axis and is for receiving the insert. The insert has an opening for receiving the core unit and the insert and the clearance of the mount are insertable in a torsion-free manner in the clearance of the mount in at least three positions rotatable about a center axis of the insert, and the center axis of the clearance and the center axis of the insert overlie one another. A center axis of the opening of the insert is arranged eccentrically in relation to the center axis of the insert by an offset. The centering unit is arranged in the stripping plate.