An additive injection system for use in injection molding machines to inject additive materials, such as fluids or powders, downstream of a nozzle of the injection molding machine. The additive injection unit has an additive tank to store or contain additive material and additive injectors that inject an additive material into an injection molding machine. A pump pumps the additive material from the tank through a common manifold connected to the additive injectors to be injected into the injection molding machine. A controller controls operation of the additive injection device and one or more sensors coupled to the additive injection device can provide feedback to the controller.

A controller for an injection molding system is in communication with a melt flow control unit, a gas assist control unit, and a gas counter pressure control unit. The controller can effect real-time adjustments to gas assist pressure and/or gas counter pressure as a function of melt pressure or flow front position.

A controller for an injection molding system is in communication with a melt flow control unit, a gas assist control unit, and a gas counter pressure control unit. The controller can effect real-time adjustments to gas assist pressure and/or gas counter pressure as a function of melt pressure or flow front position.

A coinjection molded multi-layer container includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer. The inner layer includes a first polymeric material and forms an inside surface of the container. The outer layer includes the first polymeric material and forms an outside surface of the container. The barrier layer is located between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes a second polymeric material less permeable to gas than the first polymeric material. The barrier layer is biased toward the inside surface or the outside surface such that the inner layer and the outer layer have different thicknesses.

A coinjection molded multi-layer container includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer. The inner layer includes a first polymeric material and forms an inside surface of the container. The outer layer includes the first polymeric material and forms an outside surface of the container. The barrier layer is located between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes a second polymeric material less permeable to gas than the first polymeric material. The barrier layer is biased toward the inside surface or the outside surface such that the inner layer and the outer layer have different thicknesses.

A system for coinjection molding a multi-layer container includes an injection molding apparatus, a camera, and a controller. The injection molding apparatus is configured to coinject a plurality of polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a multi-layer container including an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer located between the inner layer and the outer layer. The camera is configured to capture an image indicating a location of the barrier layer within the multi-layer container. The controller is configured to monitor the location of the barrier layer using the image captured by the camera, compare the location of the barrier layer to a threshold location, and provide a control signal to the injection molding apparatus based on the location of the barrier layer relative to the threshold location.

An additive injection system for use in injection molding machines to inject additive materials, such as fluids or powders, downstream of a nozzle of the injection molding machine. The additive injection unit has an additive tank to store or contain additive material and additive injectors that inject an additive material into an injection molding machine. A pump pumps the additive material from the tank through a common manifold connected to the additive injectors to be injected into the injection molding machine. A controller controls operation of the additive injection device and one or more sensors coupled to the additive injection device can provide feedback to the controller.

A method for manufacturing an injection molded container includes operating an injection molding apparatus to inject one or more polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a container. The container includes an energy director ring protruding from an inside surface of the container and extending circumferentially along the inside surface. The method includes welding a filter onto the inside surface by applying a welding force to the inside surface. The energy director ring causes the welding force to be concentrated at a location of the energy director ring, thereby forming a circumferential weld that secures the filter to the inside surface the location of the energy director ring.

A method for manufacturing an injection molded container includes operating an injection molding apparatus to inject one or more polymeric materials into a mold cavity to form a container. The container includes an energy director ring protruding from an inside surface of the container and extending circumferentially along the inside surface. The method includes welding a filter onto the inside surface by applying a welding force to the inside surface. The energy director ring causes the welding force to be concentrated at a location of the energy director ring, thereby forming a circumferential weld that secures the filter to the inside surface the location of the energy director ring.

A controller for an injection molding system is in communication with a melt flow control unit, a gas assist control unit, and a gas counter pressure control unit. The controller can effect real-time adjustments to gas assist pressure and/or gas counter pressure as a function of melt pressure or flow front position.