INJECTION MOLDING APPARATUS AND INJECTION MOLDING METHOD

Abstract

Described is an injection molding apparatus including a mold body having an inner surface defining a main cavity to contain primary molten polymeric material, a tank in fluid communication with the main cavity which contains auxiliary molten polymeric material, a pressurized vas injector in communication with the tank to inject the pressurized gas into the tank to displace part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank into the main cavity to prevent entry of the pressurized gas into the main cavity. The invention also relates to an injection molding plant for making an article and to an injection molding method for making an article. The apparatus, the plant and method for the injection molding of polymeric material according to the invention improve the mechanical properties and the aesthetic characteristics of an article to be made at or near the melt lines of the article.

Claims

1. An injection molding apparatus for making an article comprising: a mold body having an inner surface defining a main cavity apt in use to contain primary molten polymeric material; a tank in fluid communication with said main cavity by means of a mouth passing through said inner surface and apt in use to contain auxiliary molten polymeric material; a pressurized gas injector, said gas injector being in communication with said tank and configured to inject said pressurized gas into said tank to displace at least part of said auxiliary molten polymeric material from said tank into said main cavity and wherein said pressurized gas injector is configured for keeping said pressurized gas outside said main cavity and/or in such a way that at least part of said auxiliary molten polymeric material acts as a barrier against an entry of said pressurized gas into the cavity.

2. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main cavity is extended along at least one filling direction of said primary molten polymeric material, and said inner surface comprises a side surface which delimits said main cavity at least around said filling direction and wherein said mouth passes through said side surface.

3. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressurized gas injector is configured to inject said pressurized gas into said tank to displace at least part of said auxiliary molten polymeric material from said tank into said main cavity along a thrust direction; wherein said thrust direction is oriented substantially transversely with respect to said filling direction, or intersects said filling direction.

4. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface corresponds to a negative of, or is complementary to, said article to be made.

5. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main cavity comprises a first region apt to receive a first fraction of said primary molten polymeric material and a second region adapted to receive a second fraction of said primary molten polymeric material.

6. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said tank communicates with an area interposed between said first inlet region and said second inlet region.

7. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said gas injector comprises a nozzle having an outlet completely contained within said tank.

8. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main cavity and said tank are defined within said mold body.

9. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inlet channel, interposed between said tank and said mouth and wherein said inlet channel has a constant cross-section or one which gradually narrows towards said inlet.

10. The injection molding apparatus, according to claim 1, in which said tank is a first tank, said mouth is a first mouth, said injector is a first injector, and further comprising: a second tank in fluid communication with said main cavity by means of a second mouth passing through said inner surface and apt in use to contain auxiliary molten polymeric material; a second pressurized gas injector, said second injector being in communication with said second tank and configured to inject the pressurized gas into said second tank to displace at least part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material from said second tank into said main cavity in such a way as to prevent an entry of said pressurized gas into the cavity.

11. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first tank is in fluid communication with said first region and said second tank fluidly communicates with said second region and wherein said first mouth and said second mouth are arranged substantially opposite each other.

12. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said nozzle is a first nozzle and said second injector comprises a second nozzle having an outlet completely contained within said second tank.

13. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second tank is defined within said mold body.

14. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said inlet channel is a first inlet channel and comprising a second inlet channel interposed between said second tank and said second mouth and wherein said second inlet channel has a constant cross-section or one which narrows progressively towards said second mouth.

15. The injection molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling, heating and cooling device configured to cool or heat the mold body.

16. A plant for injection molding according to claim 1, wherein said pressurized gas injector is configured so as not to form empty spaces in the primary molten polymeric material and/or said article is a solid article.

17. The plant for injection molding comprising an injection molding apparatus for making an article according to claim 1 and primary molten polymeric material, which comprises a first fraction of said primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction of said primary molten polymeric material, and auxiliary molten polymeric material; where the placing alongside of the first fraction of said primary molten polymeric material and of the second fraction of said primary molten polymeric material defines or determines a melt line within said main cavity; and wherein said pressurized gas injector is configured to inject said pressurized gas into said tank to displace at least part of said auxiliary molten polymeric material from said tank into said main cavity, in such a way as to prevent an entry of said pressurized gas into said main cavity and/or that at least part of said primary molten polymeric material acts as a barrier against a penetration of said pressurized gas into the cavity and in such a way that at least part of said first fraction is forced through said second fraction of material and/or at least part of said second fraction is forced through said first fraction of material.

18. The plant for injection molding according to claim 17, wherein said first pressurized gas injector and said second pressurized gas injector are configured to inject said pressurized gas into said tank and said second tank respectively to displace at least part of said auxiliary molten polymeric material respectively from said first tank and said second tank into said main cavity in such a way as to prevent an entry of said pressurized gas into said main cavity and in such a way that at least part of said first fraction is forced through said second fraction of material and/or at least part of said second fraction is forced through said second material fraction in opposite directions.

19. A method of injection molding of an article comprising the steps of: injecting primary molten polymeric material comprising a first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction of primary molten polymeric material into a main cavity of a mold body, advancing said first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and said second fraction of primary molten polymeric material along a filling direction in such a way that said first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and said second fraction of primary molten polymeric material meet along a melt line; providing auxiliary molten polymeric material; blowing pressurized gas into said auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said auxiliary molten polymeric material towards said main cavity through a mouth in fluid communication with said main cavity so as to displace part of the primary molten polymeric material inside said main cavity and in such a way as to prevent an entry of said pressurized gas inside said main cavity.

20. The method of injection molding of an article according to claim 19, wherein said first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and said second fraction of primary molten polymeric material respectively advance in a first region and a second region of said main cavity and said melt line is formed in a zone interposed between said first region and said second region; and wherein the displacement of part of the primary molten polymeric material within said main cavity occurs in correspondence with said zone interposed between said first region and said second region.

21. The method of injection molding of an article according to claim 19, wherein the displacement of part of the primary molten polymeric material within said main cavity occurs along a direction transverse or parallel to said melt line.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein auxiliary molten polymeric material is a first auxiliary molten polymeric material and said mouth is a first mouth, and said step of blowing pressurized gas into said first auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said first auxiliary molten polymeric material towards said main cavity takes place along a thrust direction in a first orientation; and wherein the method also includes the steps of: providing a second auxiliary molten polymeric material; blowing pressurized gas into said second auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said second auxiliary molten polymeric material towards said main cavity through at least a second mouth in fluid communication with said main cavity so as to displace part of the primary molten polymeric material into said main cavity and in such a way as to prevent an entrance of pressurized gas into said main cavity, and said step of blowing pressurized gas into said second auxiliary molten polymeric material in such a way as to feed said second auxiliary molten polymeric material through said main cavity occurs substantially along said thrust direction, or a direction substantially parallel to said thrust direction, in a second direction opposite said first direction.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said step of blowing pressurized gas into said first auxiliary molten polymeric material and said step of blowing pressurized gas into said second auxiliary molten polymeric material occur simultaneously or alternately.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the pressurized gas is injected without forming empty spaces in the primary molten polymeric material and/or wherein said article is a solid article.

Description

[0062] Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, in which:

[0063] FIGS. 1A-1C show respectively an axonometric view, a side sectional view and a front sectional view of a part of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0064] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate some steps of an embodiment of the method according to the invention;

[0065] FIGS. 3A-3B show respectively a top view and a sectional view of a part of an apparatus according to the invention.

[0066] As mentioned above, for simplicity in the context of the invention, the expression joint line will also mean a melt line. In other words, according to the invention, the joint line will generally refer to the line along which two different flows, or different fractions, of molten polymeric material meet or converge inside the mold cavity during the filling process.

[0067] With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, according to the invention, is denoted overall with the reference number 1.

[0068] This apparatus 1 is aimed at making an article P and comprises a mold body 10 having an inner surface 11 which defines a main cavity 12. The main cavity 12 is apt in use to contain primary molten polymeric material.

[0069] The apparatus 1 further comprises a tank 20 apt, in use, to contain auxiliary molten polymeric material, that is, reserve or additional primary molten polymeric material. In other words, the auxiliary molten polymeric material is polymeric material, having the same chemical composition as the primary molten polymeric material, which is temporarily stored in the tank 20. The tank 20 is configured to act, therefore, as a reserve or accumulation of primary polymeric material. The tank 20 is in fluid connection with the main cavity 12. In particular, the tank 20 is in fluid communication with the main cavity 12 by means of a mouth 21, that is, an opening, passing through the inner surface 11.

[0070] In addition, the apparatus 1 comprises a pressurized gas injector 30 communicating with the tank 20. The pressurized gas injector 30 is in fluid communication with the tank 20. The pressurized gas injector 30 is configured to inject or blow the pressurized gas into the tank 20 to displace at least part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material contained in the tank 20 into the main cavity 12 in such a way that an entry of the pressurized gas is prevented inside the main cavity 12, and/or in such a way that no cavities/gaps are formed in the mass of the article to be obtained.

[0071] In other words, the injector 30 is configured to inject the pressurized gas into the tank 20 to displace at least part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 into the main cavity 12 along a thrust direction S, and at the same time to prevent the pressurized gas entering the main cavity 12 of the mold body 10. It follows that part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material of the tank 20 interrupts a communication or any passage between the pressurized gas and the main cavity 12. In other words, the auxiliary molten polymeric material of the tank 20 acts as a protective barrier to prevent the pressurized gas from entering the main cavity 12.

[0072] By exploiting the volumetric shrinkage which occurs due to the cooling as soon as molten material is fed to the main cavity 12, in use it is possible to introduce further molten material from the tank 20, that is, the auxiliary molten polymeric material, into the main cavity 12.

[0073] In use, the pressurized gas blown into the tank 20 exerts a pressure or a thrust on the auxiliary molten polymeric material contained therein. The auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 is then forced, through the mouth 21, into the main cavity 12. The auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 passes, through the mouth 21, and enters into the main cavity 12 in the thrust direction S. In other words, the injection of pressurized gas into the tank 20 generates a flow of auxiliary molten polymeric material starting from the same tank 20 up to the main cavity 12, where it meets the primary molten polymeric material present there, whilst the pressurized gas does not move into the main cavity 12, that is, it remains entirely inside the tank 20.

[0074] The auxiliary molten polymeric material entering the tank 20 compresses and displaces the primary molten polymeric material present in the main cavity 12. The displacement of the primary molten polymeric material makes it possible to modify the geometric shape of any joint line J formed within the main cavity 12. In fact, the pressurized gas acts on the more fluid, less viscous, auxiliary molten polymeric material contained in the tank 20 and, consequently, on the primary molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12. In this way the primary molten polymeric material is remixed or moved; and by virtue of this it is possible to obtain an effect of interpenetration of any flow fronts that have given rise to a joint line J and, therefore, to make the latter less clear.

[0075] In other words, therefore, the auxiliary molten polymeric material acts as a motion transmission fluid, that is to say, the thrust of the pressurized gas is transmitted to the primary molten polymeric material through the action of the auxiliary molten polymeric material, but at the same time acts as a penetration barrier so that the pressurized gas does not enter the main cavity 12. Moreover, in use, the main cavity 12 of the mold is full, that is, it is completely filled with primary molten polymeric material and/or auxiliary molten polymeric material, and there are no zones in which there is pressurized gas, even after solidification of the article P.

[0076] As a result, a solid article P can be obtained.

[0077] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the main cavity 12 extends, or develops, along at least a filling direction I of the primary molten polymeric material. In particular, the filling direction I is the direction along which, mainly, the primary molten polymeric material advances into the main cavity 12. In other words, the filling direction is the direction of injection or introduction of the primary molten polymeric material along which, in use, it flows into the main cavity 12. In use, especially during the step for filling the cavity, the primary molten polymeric material is injected into the main cavity 12 and flows inside the latter along the filling direction I.

[0078] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the inner surface 11 of the mold body 10 further comprises at least one side surface 13 which delimits or surrounds the main cavity 12 around the filling direction I. That is to say, the side surface 13 surrounds the main cavity 12 around the filling direction I. The side surface 13 forms or defines, that is to say, the shell of the main cavity 12 and has an axis of extension parallel to the filling direction I.

[0079] Furthermore, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, the mouth 21 is made in the side surface 13. That is to say, the mouth 21 passes through the side surface 13. Since the tank 20 is in fluid connection with the side surface 11, the auxiliary molten polymeric material enters the main cavity 12 laterally. In other words, the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 enters from the side of the main cavity 12; that is to say, it enters transversely to the filling direction I. For this reason, the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 can exert a thrust on the primary molten polymeric material transversely to the filling direction I. In this way, if the joint line J has formed parallel to the filling direction I, the auxiliary molten polymeric material tends to generate a thrust on the primary molten polymeric material such that it is conducted transversely through the joint line J. That is to say, the primary molten polymeric material is induced to cross the interface between the two flow fronts which gave rise to the joint line. If the joint line J has formed transversely to the filling direction I, the auxiliary molten polymeric material can generate a thrust on the primary molten polymeric material such that it is displaced in the same direction as the joint line J is present, attenuating, especially near the inner surface 11 the visibility of the joint line J. This attenuation is particularly appreciable when the polymeric material comprises fillers and/or reinforcing fibres, such as for example a metallised or glittered polymer.

[0080] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, as mentioned above, the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 is then forced, through the mouth 21, into the main cavity 12 and the thrust direction S is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the filling direction I. That is to say, the thrust direction S intersects the filling direction I. In this way, the molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 receives from the molten polymeric material entering the tank 20 a thrust transversal to the filling direction I. This is particularly useful when any joint line J formed is parallel to the filling direction I. As mentioned above, if the joint line J has formed along a direction parallel to the filling direction I, the auxiliary molten polymeric material tends to push the primary molten polymeric material transversely through the joint line J, thus inducing an interpenetration of the interfaces of the flow fronts which have given rise to the joint line. In addition, in the event that the joint line J has formed transversely to the filling direction I, the auxiliary molten polymeric material can induce a thrust on the primary molten polymeric material such that it is forced to move in the same direction in which the joint line J is present. In this case it is possible to obtain an attenuation, especially near the inner surface 11, of the visibility of the joint line J. This attenuation is particularly appreciable when the polymeric material comprises fillers and/or reinforcing fibres, such as for example a metallised or glittered polymer.

[0081] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the main cavity 12 is defined inside the mold body 10. Preferably, according to this aspect, the mold body 10 comprises two dies, one of which is movable to allow the removal or extraction of the finished article P from the main cavity 12. Coupled, that is to say, in a condition of closed mold body 10, the two dies identify between them the main cavity 12.

[0082] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the tank 20 can also be defined within the mold body 10. The tank 20 which, as mentioned, is apt to act as a reserve or accumulation of primary polymeric material, can be defined as an auxiliary cavity in the mold body 10. The tank 20 preferably has a smaller volume than the main cavity 12. Furthermore, the tank 20 preferably extends mainly along a axis of extension A and the injector 30 is configured to inject the pressurized gas into the tank 20 along this axis of extension A.

[0083] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the pressurized gas is selected from nitrogen and carbon dioxide, or mixtures thereof.

[0084] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the primary molten polymeric material and auxiliary molten polymeric material are a thermoplastic polymer.

[0085] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the inner surface 11 of the mold body 10, which delimits the main cavity 12, corresponds to a negative of the article P to be made or is complementary to the article P to be made.

[0086] According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the mold body 10 comprises at least one injection mouth 50 passing through the inner surface 11. The at least one injection mouth 50 is configured to allow a fluid communication between the main cavity 12 and the environment outside the mold body 10. The position of the at least one injection mouth 50 determines the injection point with respect to the main cavity 12.

[0087] If the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of injection mouths 50, a fraction, that is, a portion, of the primary molten polymeric material intended to be contained in the main cavity 12 is introduced into the main cavity 12 through each mouth of the plurality of injection mouths 50. That is to say, each mouth of the plurality of injection mouths 50 is configured to introduce or convey or move into the main cavity 12 a fraction, that is, a portion, of the primary molten polymeric material. The presence of a plurality of injection mouths 50 makes it possible to make the filling of the main cavity 12 more homogeneous and rapid.

[0088] According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 further comprises a feeding device 40, configured to inject or feed the primary molten polymeric material, and the auxiliary molten polymeric material, into the main cavity 12. In fact, the feeding device 40 is in fluid communication with the main cavity 12, and through this with the tank 20; the feeding device is therefore also configured to feed the tank 20. The feeding device 40 can be in fluid communication with the main cavity 12 by means of the one or more injection mouths 50. In other words, the feeding device 40 can be connected to at least one of the injection mouths 50.

[0089] Preferably, the feeding device 40 is configured to exert a variable pressure on the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 and, consequently, on the molten polymeric material present inside the tank 20. In other words, the feeding device 40 is configured to apply a different pressure on the molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12, for example depending on the step of the injection molding process. The feeding device 40 may be configured to exert a positive pressure on the primary molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12 to favour the compaction of the latter. The feeding device 40 can also be configured to a exert negative pressure. In other words, the feeding device 40 may be exerting a sucking or drawing action of the primary molten polymeric material from the main cavity 12.

[0090] As is known, and illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1B, the feeding device 40 can be of the screw type.

[0091] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the injector 30 is contained inside the mold body 10. In other words, the mold body 10 comprises internally a seat suitable for receiving the injector 30. Preferably, the injector 30 has a first dimension of less than about 1 cm and a second dimension of less than about 5 cm. The injector preferably has substantially negligible dimensions with respect to the dimensions of the mold body 10.

[0092] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the injector 30 comprises a nozzle 31 having an outlet mouth 310 completely contained inside the tank 20. In this way, the outlet mouth 310 of the nozzle 31 can be, in use, completely immersed in the auxiliary molten polymeric material contained inside the tank 20. The pressurized gas is then blown directly into the auxiliary molten polymeric material inside the tank 20. In this way, the pressurized gas can be injected directly into the central region or heart of the tank 20 in which the more fluid and less viscous auxiliary molten polymeric material is contained, as it is less subject to the cooling.

[0093] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 can comprise an inlet channel 22, interposed between the tank 20 and the mouth 21. In other words, the inlet channel 22 is configured to connect in fluid communication the tank 20 with the mouth 21. The inlet channel 22 can have a decreasing cross section towards the mouth 21; that is to say that the inlet channel 22 can be configured to provide a narrowing or constriction. Preferably, the inlet channel 22 is therefore a substantially tubular body which can have a constant cross section or which narrows progressively towards the mouth 21. In this way the solidification of the auxiliary molten polymeric material present in the inlet channel 22 is favoured. Moreover, at the end of the injection molding process, that is, when the complete solidification of the primary polymeric material has taken place, the presence of a constriction between the main cavity 12 and the inlet channel 22 can simplify the detachment of the auxiliary polymeric material solidified in the inlet channel 22 and inside the tank 20 from the article P formed inside the main cavity 12. Alternatively, the inlet channel 22 can have a constant cross section; in this way it is possible to minimise the pressure drops of the auxiliary molten polymeric material entering the main cavity. Moreover, in this case with respect to the narrowing, since the cooling of the auxiliary molten polymeric material inside the inlet channel 22 is slowed down, it is possible to prolong the thrust action exerted by it.

[0094] According to a further preferred aspect, the main cavity 12 comprises a first region 12 apt for receiving a first fraction of the primary molten polymeric material and a second region 12 apt for receiving a second fraction of the primary molten polymeric material. In other words, in the main cavity 12 a first region 12 and a second region 12 are defined, that is to say they are identifiable, respectively apt for receiving a first fraction, that is, a first flow, of the primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction, that is, a second flow, of the primary molten polymeric material. Depending on the geometry of the main cavity 12, this first region 12 and the second region 12 can be two regions of the main cavity 12 which, in the filling direction I, are arranged downstream of an obstacle 60 apt, in use, be to determine a subdivision of the primary molten polymeric material into a first fraction and a second fraction. Preferably, the first region 12 and this second region 12 can be two regions of the main cavity 12 which, in the filling direction I, are arranged downstream of an obstacle 60. In particular, the mold body 10 can comprise an obstacle 60 configured to define a projection or a protuberance in the main cavity 12. It follows that the obstacle is configured in such a way as to create a recess or a through hole in the article P to be made. This obstacle 60 can be, for example, a core or pin. If the apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of injection mouths 50, this first region 12 and second region 12 can be two regions of the main cavity 12 which, in the filling direction I, are arranged downstream respectively of a first injection mouth and a second injection mouth of the plurality of injection mouths 50. In this case, the first region 12 corresponds to a first inlet region and the second region corresponds to a second inlet region of the molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12. Preferably, the first region 12 and this second region 12 can be two regions of the main cavity 12 which, in the filling direction I, are arranged downstream respectively of a first injection mouth and a second injection mouth.

[0095] According to this same preferred aspect, in the main cavity 12 a zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12 is defined or can be identified. This interposed zone is a meeting zone or a boundary area between the first region 12 and the second region 12 in which the first fraction, that is, a first flow, of the primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction, that is, a second flow, of the primary molten polymeric material are intended to join together. It follows that the interposed zone is that zone or area of the main cavity 12 in which at least one joint line J is destined to form in article P.

[0096] According to a further preferred aspect, the tank 20 is in fluid communication with the zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12. That is to say, the tank 20 is configured to be in fluid communication with the zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12, that is to say, as mentioned above, with the zone or area of the cavity where it is intended to form in the article P at least one joint line J. In other words, the mouth 21 is made in the side surface 13 or in the inner surface 11 at the zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12 of the main cavity. In this way, the auxiliary molten polymeric material contained inside the tank 20 is injected directly into the zone of the main cavity 12 in which the joint line J is destined to form. The auxiliary molten polymeric material then acts locally in the vicinity of the melt line J. In particular, the auxiliary molten polymeric material forces the primary molten polymeric material present in the interposed zone between the first region 12 and the second region 12 to flow through the joint line J. The interpenetration of the interfaces of the flow fronts of the first fraction and of the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material is then promoted, resulting in an increase in the molecular inter-diffusion of the molten polymeric material at the joint line J and a re-orientation of any reinforcement fibres and/or fillers present.

[0097] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises a single injection mouth 50 and at least one obstacle 60. According to this same preferred aspect, the mouth 21 is made through the inner surface 11 or the side surface 13 at the interposed zone between the first region 12 and the second region 12. The auxiliary molten polymeric material can then be injected into the main cavity 12 and, consequently, part of the primary polymeric material contained inside the latter can be pushed, in the opposite direction to the filling direction I up to the injection mouth 50 and, through it, it can be made to flow into the feeding device 40. That is to say, the thrust direction S can be opposite to the filling direction I. By varying the pressure applied by the feeding device 40 on the primary molten polymeric material contained inside the main cavity 12, it is possible to force the primary molten polymeric material to move towards the feeding device 40 or away from the feeding device 40. In this way the mixing of the molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12 is favoured and therefore the attenuation of any joint line J formed.

[0098] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one further tank 70, a further mouth 71, and a further injector 80; hereinafter referred to respectively as second tank 70, second mouth 71 and second injector 80. According to a further preferred aspect, the apparatus 1 also comprises a further inlet channel 72, that is, a second inlet channel 72. For the sake of clarity, reference will be made below to the tank 20 as the first tank, to the mouth 21 as the first mouth, to the injector 30 as the first injector, and to the inlet channel 22 as the first inlet channel.

[0099] The second tank 70 is structurally and functionally identical to the first tank 20 and, similarly, the second injector 80 is structurally and functionally identical to the first injector 30. In particular, the second injector 80 also comprises a respective nozzle, that is a second nozzle, 81 having a mouth 810 completely contained inside the second tank 70.

[0100] The second mouth 71 and the inlet channel 72 are also structurally and functionally identical to the first mouth 21 and the first inlet channel 22 respectively. For reasons of brevity, it is assumed that everything described with reference to the first tank 20, the first mouth 21, the first injector 30 and the first inlet channel 22 applies equally to the second tank 70, the second mouth 71, the second injector 80 and the second inlet channel 72, respectively.

[0101] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the first injector 30 and the second injector 80 are independent; that is, they can be activated or controlled individually. It follows that the first injector 30 and the second injector 80 are configured to inject pressurized gas into the respective tank starting from different instants and/or for time periods of different duration and/or at different pressures from each other.

[0102] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the first tank 20 is in fluid communication with the first region 12 of the main cavity 12 and the second tank is in is in fluid communication with the second region 12 of the main cavity 12 and the first mouth 21 and the second mouth 71 are arranged substantially one in front of the other, that is to say, they face each other. In other words, the first mouth 21 is made substantially in front of the second mouth 71. In other words, the first mouth 21 and the second mouth 71 are made on opposite sides of the inner surface 11 of the mold body 10. For this reason, the first injector 30 is configured to introduce auxiliary polymeric material from the first tank 20 to the first region 12 and the second injector is configured to introduce auxiliary polymeric material from the second tank 70 to the second region 12. Alternatively, according to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the first tank 20 is in fluid communication with the first region 12 of the main cavity 12 and the second tank is in fluid communication with the second region 12 of the main cavity 12 and the first mouth 21 and the second mouth 71 are arranged substantially side by side. In other words, the first mouth 21 and the second mouth 71 are made on the same side as the inner surface 11.

[0103] According to one of the last two preferred aspects listed above, by completely or partially emptying the first tank 20 and the second tank 70, in an alternating manner, a flow of molten polymeric material is generated which is forced to cross the zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12, therefore to cross the polymeric material J possibly formed from one tank to another. In other words, the first injector 30 and the second injector 80, positioned in the respective tanks, can be used to inject the pressurized gas alternatively, that is, intermittently, into the respective tank, thus generating a flow of primary molten polymeric material into the main cavity from one tank to the other and thus forcing the primary molten polymeric material to repeatedly cross the zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12, hence the joint line J.

[0104] In fact, when a tank is partially or completely emptied, the gas supply can be interrupted, and the tank therefore becomes available to house the primary molten polymeric material coming from the main cavity 12 following the thrust action of the auxiliary molten polymeric material introduced from the other tank, which had been partially emptied. By feeding the injectors alternately, it will therefore be possible to make the primary molten polymeric material flow in two opposite directions near or at the joint line J in such a way as to allow an interpenetration of the flow fronts of the first fraction and of the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material.

[0105] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a heating and cooling device (not shown in the accompanying drawings). The heating and cooling device is configured to vary the temperature of the mold body 10; preferably the heating and cooling device is configured to vary the temperature of the inner surface 11. It follows that, in this way, the temperature variation effect is particularly effective on the surface layer of the article P to be made. The presence of a heating and cooling device allows improvement of the re-orientation effect of the fillers and/or of the reinforcing fibres, possibly present in the molten polymeric material, also in proximity of the surface layer of the article P to be made. For example, such a heating and cooling device may be of the type known as variotherm or heat & cool or Rapid Heat Cycle Molding (RHCM).

[0106] The invention also relates to a plant 2 for injection molding 1 for making an article P which comprises an apparatus 1 according to one or more of the aspects described above, primary molten polymeric material and auxiliary molten polymeric material.

[0107] In describing the plant 2, the elements of the apparatus 1 previously described retain the same reference number and are not again described in detail.

[0108] According to the invention, the placing alongside in the plant 2 of a first fraction of the primary molten polymeric material and of a second fraction of the primary molten polymeric material defines or determines a joint line J within the main cavity 12. The pressurized gas injector 30 is configured to inject the pressurized gas into the tank 20 to displace at least part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the tank 20 into the main cavity 12 so as to prevent entry of the pressurized gas into the main cavity 12 and in such a way that at least part of the first fraction is forced through the second fraction of material and/or at least part of the second fraction is forced through the first fraction of material. The pressurized gas injector 30 is configured to cause an interpenetration, that is to say, a mutual or reciprocal penetration, of the flow front interface of the first fraction of the primary molten polymeric material and of the second fraction of the primary molten polymeric material at the joint line J, and at the same time preventing the pressurized gas from advancing or entering the main cavity 12 of the mold.

[0109] The article which is obtained is therefore a solid article, that is to say, substantially devoid of cavities. In other words, by ensuring that the pressurized gas does not reach the cavity 12, the entire cavity 12 can be filled with the primary molten polymeric material.

[0110] A preferred aspect comprises a first injector 30 and a second injector 80 configured to inject the pressurized gas into the tank 20 and the second tank 70, respectively, to displace at least part of the auxiliary molten polymeric material from the first tank 20 and from the second tank 70, respectively, into the main cavity 12 in such a way as to prevent entry of the pressurized gas into the main cavity 12 and in such a way that at least part of the first fraction is forced through the second fraction of material and/or at least part of the second fraction is forced through the first fraction of material in opposite directions. In other words, the primary molten polymeric material is pushed in opposite directions, under the action of the auxiliary molten polymeric material coming from the first tank 20 and from the second tank.

[0111] The invention also relates to a method for injection molding an article P.

[0112] In the description of the method, the elements of the apparatus 1 or of the plant 100 involved in the method and having the same function and the same structure as the elements previously described retain the same reference number and are not again described in detail.

[0113] Specifically, the above-mentioned molding method comprises the step of injecting primary molten polymeric material comprising a first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction of primary molten polymeric material into a main cavity of a mold body. That is to say, this step consists in feeding or introducing the primary molten polymeric material into the main cavity 12. In particular, the primary molten polymeric material comprises a first fraction and a second fraction, that is, a first portion, or first flow, and a second portion, or second flow. Preferably, this step continues until the main cavity 12 is completely filled with the primary molten polymeric material.

[0114] The molding method according to the invention also comprises a step of advancing the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material along a filling direction I in such a way that the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material meet along a joint line J. In other words, at least two distinct fractions of primary molten polymeric material are formed in this step inside the main cavity 12 and these fractions of primary molten polymeric material advance in the filling direction I until they meet, that is, until they join or unite. The meeting between the front of the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the front of the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material determines the formation of a joint line J.

[0115] Moreover, the molding method according to the invention comprises a step which provides auxiliary molten polymeric material. That is to say, the method provides additional or reserve molten polymeric material.

[0116] Finally, the molding method according to the invention comprises a step of blowing pressurized gas into the auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to displace it into the main cavity 12, through at least one mouth in fluid communication with the main cavity 12, so as to displace at least part of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 and in such a way as to prevent a displacement of the pressurized gas inside the main cavity 12. In other words, the auxiliary molten polymeric material is used to exert a thrust action on the primary molten polymeric material. The primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 is then forced to move inside the main cavity 12. This movement of the primary molten polymeric material determines a redistribution of the same inside the main cavity 12 and consequently a redistribution of the material can also be obtained near or at the joint line J. In particular, the pressurized gas makes it possible to act on the molten polymeric material which is more fluid, that is, less viscous, and which offers less resistance to displacement. The molten polymeric material tends, in fact, to move along a direction of minimal resistance inside the cavity. In particular, the pressurized gas exerts a thrust on the more fluid molten polymeric material remaining outside the main cavity 12 of the mold, that is, without entering the main cavity 12.

[0117] As a result of the cooling effect due to the contact with the inner surface 11 of the mold body 10 and the increase in the viscosity of the thermoplastic polymers with the temperature, the more fluid polymeric material is concentrated in the core, that is, in a central region, of the main cavity 12 and of the at least one tank.

[0118] According to a preferred aspect of the molding method according to the invention, the primary molten polymeric material and the auxiliary molten polymeric material have the same composition. The primary and auxiliary polymeric material is a thermoplastic polymer. In particular, according to this preferred aspect, the step of providing auxiliary molten polymeric material comprises providing and filling at least one tank 20 in fluid communication with the main cavity 12 with the primary molten polymeric material. Preferably, therefore, the step of providing the primary molten polymeric material comprises the step of providing the auxiliary molten polymeric material.

[0119] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material advance, respectively in a first region 12 and a second region 12 of the main cavity 12 and the joint line J is formed in a zone interposed between the first region 12 and the second region 12. According to this aspect, moreover, the displacement of at least part of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 occurs at the interposed zone between the first region 12 and the second region 12. In this way, the displacement of the primary molten polymeric material occurs locally where the joint line J is present. The mixing and displacement action of the primary molten polymeric material occurs locally and is therefore targeted close to or at the joint line J.

[0120] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the displacement of part of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 occurs along a direction transversal or parallel to the joint line J. In other words, under the action of the auxiliary molten polymeric material, at least part of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 is pushed against or towards the joint line J in a direction substantially transversal or parallel to the latter. In particular, if the primary molten polymeric material is pushed transversely to the joint line J, the interpenetration of the interfaces of the flow fronts of the first and second fractions is favoured. If the primary molten polymeric material is pushed parallel to the joint line J, it is possible to obtain an attenuation of the visibility of the joint line J, especially near the inner surface of the mold body 10 which surrounds the main cavity 12.

[0121] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material are injected or introduced separately into the main cavity 12 from two distinct injection points, that is, from two distinct injection mouths 50. In other words, the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material are injected or introduced into the main cavity 12 respectively through a first injection mouth and a second injection mouth; where the first injection mouth and the second injection mouth are distinct or separate from each other. For this reason, in this case, it is possible to identify a first region 12 of the main cavity 12, apt for receiving the first fraction of primary molten polymeric material, and a second region 12 of the main cavity 12, apt for receiving the second fraction of primary molten polymeric material, downstream of the first injection mouth 50 and the second injection mouth 50, respectively.

[0122] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the first fraction and the second fraction split or separate once inside the main cavity 12. In particular, this preferred aspect provides for a step of providing an obstacle 60 and positioning it inside the main cavity 12. The primary molten polymeric material splits or subdivides into the first fraction and the second fraction of molten polymeric material at the obstacle 60. In this case, the first region 12 and the second region 12 can be two regions of the main cavity 12 which, in the filling direction I, are arranged downstream of the obstacle 60.

[0123] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the auxiliary molten polymeric material is a first auxiliary molten polymeric material and the mouth 21 is a first mouth. According to this same preferred aspect, the method further comprises the steps of providing a second auxiliary molten polymeric material and blowing pressurized gas into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said second auxiliary molten polymeric material towards the main cavity 12 through at least a second mouth 71 in fluid communication with the main cavity 12 so as to prevent a displacement of the pressurized gas inside the main cavity 12 and to displace part of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12. It follows that the second auxiliary molten polymeric material is also pushed, thanks to the pressurized gas, into the main cavity 12 in such a way as to exert in turn a thrust on the primary molten polymeric material. In this way the mixing of the primary molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12 is further promoted and it is therefore possible to further mitigate the presence of the joint line J.

[0124] In particular, according to the above-mentioned preferred aspect, the step of blowing pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said first auxiliary molten polymeric material towards the main cavity occurs along a thrust direction S in a first direction and the step of blowing pressurized gas into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed said second auxiliary molten polymeric material towards the main cavity 12 occurs substantially along the same thrust direction S, or a direction substantially parallel to the thrust direction S, but in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0125] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the method provides at least one feeding device 40 of the primary molten polymeric material. According to this aspect, the step of injecting primary molten polymeric material comprising a first fraction of primary molten polymeric material and a second fraction of primary molten polymeric material into the main cavity 12 of the mold body is carried out through the feeding device 40.

[0126] According to a further preferred aspect of the invention, the step of blowing pressurized gas into the auxiliary molten polymeric material so as to feed the auxiliary molten polymeric material towards the main cavity 12 through at least one injection mouth 50 in fluid communication with the main cavity 12 in order to displace part of the primary molten polymeric material into the main cavity 12, is followed by a step of re-entering or withdrawing part of the primary molten polymeric material from the main cavity 12 inside the feeding device 40. In other words, part of the primary molten polymeric material can be displaced under the action of the pressurized gas inside the feeding device 40. Preferably, the method further comprises a step of controlling the pressure that can be exerted on the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 by the pressurized gas, therefore by the auxiliary molten polymeric material, and by the feeding device 40. Even more preferably, this control step can provide for generating, in an alternating manner, a pressure on the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 through the pressurized gas, therefore by the auxiliary molten polymeric material, and the feeding device 40. That is to say, the pressure on the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 is exerted in turn, or in rotation, by the pressurized gas or feeding device 40. As mentioned above, when the pressure is exerted by the pressurized gas on the auxiliary molten polymeric material, the primary molten polymeric material can move inside the feeding device 40 and when the latter exerts a pressure, the primary molten polymeric material can move inside, for example, the tank 20. In this way, it is possible to generate a motion or movement along opposite directions of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 which promotes the remixing thereof.

[0127] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, in addition to the above-mentioned tank 20, the step of providing auxiliary molten polymeric material comprises providing a further, or second, tank 70 in fluid communication with the main cavity and filling the latter with the second primary molten polymeric material. This is illustrated, by way of example, in FIG. 2A. The second auxiliary molten polymeric material contained inside the second tank 70 is, that is to say, corresponds to, the auxiliary polymeric material. Preferably, therefore, the step of providing the primary molten polymeric material comprises the step of providing the auxiliary molten polymeric material to the first tank 20 and to the second tank 70. The auxiliary molten polymeric material contained in the first tank 20 and in the second tank 70 are the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and the second auxiliary molten polymeric material, respectively. In particular, according to this preferred aspect, the step of providing auxiliary molten polymeric material comprises providing and filling at least the first tank 20 and the second tank, in fluid communication with the main cavity 12, with the primary molten polymeric material. Preferably, therefore, the step of providing the primary molten polymeric material comprises the step of providing the auxiliary molten polymeric material.

[0128] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the step of blowing pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and the step of blowing pressurized gas into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material take place in an alternating fashion. In other words, firstly the pressurized gas is blown into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and then the pressurized gas is blown into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material and vice versa. In other words, the pressurized gas is periodically blown into the first molten polymeric material and, subsequently, into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material. Therefore, preferably, in turn or in rotation, the first tank 20 and the second tank 70 are completely or partially emptied. Preferably, this alternation is repeated cyclically. When a tank is partially or completely emptied, the pressurized gas supply can be interrupted and the tank therefore becomes available to receive the primary polymeric material coming from the main cavity 12 following the action of the pressurized gas introduced into the other tank. By blowing in pressurized gas alternately, it will be possible to move the primary molten polymeric material near the joint line J. The different pressure generated by the pressurized gas inside the tanks forces the primary molten polymeric material to flow through or along the joint line J promoting an interpenetration of the flow fronts, increasing the molecular inter-diffusion and causing a re-orientation of any reinforcement present. Even more preferably, this occurs concurrently with the exerting of positive pressure on the primary molten polymeric material in the main cavity 12, that is, during the compacting step.

[0129] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the step of blowing pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and the step of blowing pressurized gas into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material take place simultaneously. As shown for example in FIG. 2B, the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and the second auxiliary molten polymeric material are at the same time conveyed or pushed into the main cavity 12. In other words, the pressurized gas can be injected simultaneously into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material. Preferably, this means that the pressurized gas is injected simultaneously into the first tank 20 and into the second tank 70, simultaneously emptying, at least partially, the first tank 20 and the second tank 70.

[0130] Preferably, the step of simultaneously blowing pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material can be carried out at the end of the step of injecting the primary molten polymeric material into the main cavity 12. The pressurized gas is injected into all the tanks and partially or completely empties the core, whilst the pressurized gas 12 remains entirely outside the main cavity 12, displacing the auxiliary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12, exploiting the natural shrinkage that the molten polymeric material exhibits during cooling and the compressibility of the molten polymeric material in the molten state.

[0131] In this way, thanks to the combination of the use of secondary molten polymeric material and the configuration of the gas injector, it is possible to use gas as a thrust member and at the same time obtain a solid article without internal cavities.

[0132] Preferably, the step of simultaneously blowing pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material can also be carried out after alternating the feeding of pressurized gas into the first auxiliary molten polymeric material and into the second auxiliary molten polymeric material. In this way it is possible to perform a synchronous compaction action. This action allows the control of the volumetric shrinkage of the primary polymeric material during its solidification to be improved. In addition, the emptying, albeit partial, of the first tank 20 and of the second tank 70 facilitates the removal with respect to the remaining polymeric material solidified in the cavity of the remaining polymeric material solidified in the tanks.

[0133] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the method further provides a step of lowering or raising the temperature of the mold body 10. Preferably, this step provides for lowering or raising the temperature of the mold body near or at the main cavity 12. In particular, the lowering of the temperature favours and speeds up the solidification of the primary molten polymeric material inside the main cavity 12 and of the auxiliary primary molten polymeric material inside the first tank 20 and/or inside the second tank 70. Furthermore, a step of lowering the temperature of the mold body 10 is preferably carried out at the end of the operations or steps described up to now.

[0134] The invention has thus far been described with reference to its embodiments. It is to be understood that there may be other embodiments pertaining to the same inventive core, all falling within the scope of protection of the claims set forth below.