Cube injection mold with system for changing position of partforming inserts for manufacturing multi-color articles
The cube injection mold with a part forming insert position control system addresses the challenges of large core plates and complex control in rotatory bi-injection molding by using a sliding block and actuators to efficiently manage core sub-inserts, resulting in a compact design and reduced cycle time for multi-color article production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing rotatory bi-injection molding systems for manufacturing multi-color articles face challenges such as complex control processes, large core plate sizes, increased cycle time, and higher production costs due to the need for precise rotation and accommodation of multiple core inserts, which results in larger machinery and longer production cycles.
A cube injection mold with a part forming insert position control system that uses a sliding block and linear actuators to control and change the position of core sub-inserts, allowing simultaneous injection and cooling of multiple colors/materials without requiring core plate rotation, thereby reducing the size of the core plate and cycle time.
The system reduces the size of the core plate, decreases cycle time, and increases production output by enabling more articles to be manufactured in less time, while eliminating the need for complex indexing and reducing overall production costs.
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Figure IN2025051570_02042026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
CUBE INJECTION MOLD WITH SYSTEM FOR CHANGING POSITION OF PARTFORMING INSERTS FOR MANUFACTURING MULTI-COLOR ARTICLESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThis Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202441072862 filed on 26thSeptember 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to injection molding systems and more particularly to cube injection mold with a part forming insert position control system for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) in the cube injection mold for manufacturing multi-color and / or multi-material articles.BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, articles such as toothbrushes, caps and closures, handles, etc., are manufactured by injection molding process. Typically, rotatory bi-inj ection molding systems are used to manufacture multi-color articles such as toothbrushes. For example, the rotatory biinjection molding system is designed to allow simultaneous injection of a first color material and a second color material. The rotatory bi-inj ection molding system includes a rotating mold that can move between different injection stations thereby enabling the sequential or simultaneous injection of different materials or colors into the same rotating mold.
[0003] Some of the rotatory bi-inj ection molding systems include a core plate with a rotatable central block to allow the sequential injection of the first color material and the second color material. In such rotatory bi-inj ection molding systems, the core plate includes multiple sets of core inserts in which a first set of core inserts are positioned above a center line of the core plate and a second set of core inserts are positioned below the center line of the core plate. The rotatable central block is configured to move forward and rotate / index by 180 degrees to allow articles formed in the first set of core inserts corresponding to the first color material to be transferred into second set of core inserts to allow injection of the second color material. Simultaneously, the articles formed in the second set of core inserts are ejected and the rotation of the central block allows the injection of the first color material into the emptied first coreinserts of the core plate. The rotation of the central block requires precise control, thereby making the control process complex. Further, the core plate sizes for such rotatory bi-inj ection molding systems are quite large, since double of the core inserts need to be accommodated in the same core plate, which results in significant increase in size of the core plate. Also, such molding process involves higher cycle time, therefore requiring a larger injection molding machine, which impacts the production costs of the articles.
[0004] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a cube molding method for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) in a cube injection mold for manufacturing multi-color and / or multi-material articles which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.OBJECTS
[0005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a cube injection mold with a system (part forming insert position control system) for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) in the cube injection mold for manufacturing multicolor and / or multi-material articles.
[0006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a cube molding method for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) in the cube injection mold for manufacturing multi-color and / or multi-material articles.
[0007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the part forming insert position control system in the cube injection mold, which reduces size of core plate required for manufacturing the multi-color and multi-material articles.
[0008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the part forming insert position control system in the cube injection mold, which reduces cycle time for manufacturing multi-color and multi-material articles.
[0009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the part forming insert position control system in the cube injection mold for eliminating indexing of the core plate for injecting different color materials, thereby making the system compact and reduces cycle time.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the cube injection mold with the part forming insert position control system which increases production output by allowing more articles to be manufactured in less cycle time.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to reduce size of core plate due to reduced pitch distance between the core impressions thereby reducing an overall size of the cube injection molding system (cube molding machine) as well as reducing the production costs of the article.
[0012] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the cube injection mold with the part forming insert position control system which allows the first color material to get cooling time of four cycles and the second color material to get cooling time of two cycles thereby reducing an overall cycle time for manufacturing of the article.
[0013] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0015] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a cube injection mold with a system (part forming insert position control system) for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) for manufacturing multi-color and / or multi-material articles, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 2 depicts a top view of the cube injection mold with the part forming insert position control system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a cube mold assembly of the cube injection mold, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 4 depicts a front view of a second face of the cube mold assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 5 depicts a front view of a fourth face of the cube mold assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of a sliding block of the part forming insert position control system, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0021] Fig. 7 depicts an exploded view of the sliding block, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 8 depicts sectional views of the sliding block, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0023] Figs. 9A depicts magnified perspective view of the second face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a first color position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0024] Figs. 9B depicts another magnified perspective view of the second face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a first extracted position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0025] Fig. 10 illustrates the second face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a second color switching position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0026] Figs. 11 A depicts magnified perspective view of the fourth face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a second color position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0027] Figs. 1 IB depicts another magnified perspective view of the fourth face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a second extracted position, and the articles are ejected from the core sub-inserts, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0028] Fig. 12A illustrates the fourth face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at a first color switching position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0029] Fig. 12B illustrates the fourth face of the cube mold assembly with the sliding block at the first color position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0030] Fig. 13 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a cube molding method for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) to facilitate manufacturing of multi-color and multi-material articles, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0032] The words / phrases "exemplary", “example”, “illustration”, “in an instance”, “and the like”, “and so on”, “etc.”, “etcetera”, “e.g.,”, “i.e.,” are merely used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein using the words / phrases "exemplary", “example”, “illustration”, “in an instance”, “and the like”, “and so on”, “etc.”, “etcetera”, “e.g.,”, “i.e.,” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0033] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any modifications, equivalents, and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings and the corresponding description. Usage of words such as first, second, third etc., to describe components / elements / steps is for thepurposes of this description and should not be construed as sequential ordering / placement / occurrence unless specified otherwise.
[0034] The embodiments herein achieve a cube injection mold with a system (part forming insert position control system) for controlling / changing position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) in the cube injection mold for manufacturing multi-color and / or multimaterial articles. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the part forming insert position control system which reduces the size of core plate thereby making the cube injection mold, compact in size as well as reduces cycle time for manufacturing multi-color and / or multimaterial articles. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 13, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0035] Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a cube injection mold (100) with the part forming insert position control system (400) for controlling position of part forming inserts (core sub-inserts) for manufacturing multi-color articles (10), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The cube injection mold (100) includes a cube mold assembly (200), at least two injecting assemblies (300A, 300B), an electronic controller unit (ECU) (not shown in figures) and the system (400) (part forming insert position control system) for controlling position of core subinserts (206) (part forming inserts). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the cube injection mold (100) with the part forming insert position control system (400) is explained herein with below reference to controlling / changing position of core sub-inserts (206) (as shown in figs. 3 to 5) for facilitating manufacturing of the multi-color articles (10) (as shown in figs. 9A to 1 IB) such as but not limited to a toothbrush. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use / practice the components of cube injection mold (100) and the part forming insert position control system (400) for controlling position of core sub-inserts (206) for facilitating manufacturing of any other articles having multi-color and / or multi-material composition, or handles of articles such as shavers, brushes, caps and closures, etc., without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cube injection mold (100) and the part forming insert position control system (400) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The cube injection mold (100) with the part forming insert position control system (400) is configured to facilitate simultaneous injection of a first color molten material,
[0036] cooling of partially formed articles, injection of a second color molten material, and cooling and ejection of formed / finished articles.
[0037] The electronic controller unit (ECU) is configured to: control rotation of the cube mold assembly (200); control the first injecting assembly (300 A) to inject first color molten material into at least one of first color core impressions (204A) and corresponding common core sub-insert impression (206C) thereby forming partially formed articles (10A) with the first color material (10A) at the first face (200 A); control the second injecting assembly (300 A) to inject second color molten material to the partially formed articles (10A) placed in the second color core impressions (204B) and corresponding common core sub-insert impressions (206C) at the third face (200C); control the first and second linear actuators (406, 408) for changing positions of core sub-inserts (206) for facilitating at least one of injection of first color molten material, cooling of partially formed articles (10), injection of second color molten material, cooling of finished articles (10) and ejection of finished articles (10); and synchronize injection of first and second color molten materials, cooling of partially formed articles (10), position changing of core sub-inserts (206), and cooling and ejection of finished articles (10) to allow simultaneous injection of the first color molten material, cooling of partially formed articles, injection of the second color molten material, and cooling and ejection of finished articles (10).
[0038] The cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to rotate about a central axis and has at least four faces (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D). The at least four faces (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) includes a first face (200A), a second face (200B), a third face (200C) and a fourth face (200D) (as shown in figs. 1 to 3). At each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D), the cube mold assembly (200) includes a core plate (202) and a plurality of core inserts (204) (as shown in fig. 4) provided on the core plate (202). Each core insert (204) includes a plurality of core impressions (204A, 204B) in which each core impression (204A, 204B) corresponds to a shape and
[0039] dimension of a portion (body portion) of the article (10), wherein the core impressions (204A, 204B) of each core insert (204) are adapted to receive the material for formation of the article (10). In an embodiment, the plurality of core impressions (204A, 204B) of each core insert (204) includes a plurality of first color core impressions (204A) (as shown in fig. 4) adapted to receive a first color material, and a plurality of second color core impressions (204B) (as shown in fig. 5) adapted to receive a second color material. The first color core impressions (204A) and the second color core impressions (204B) of each core insert (204) are designed according to the distribution pattern of a color and / or material of the article (10). In an embodiment, the plurality of first and second color core impressions (204A, 204B) are defined on each core insert (204) in an alternate configuration (shown in Figs 4 and 5) along a top-to-bottom direction of the core inserts (204). Each injecting assembly (300A, 300B) is configured to inject the corresponding color molten material into corresponding color core impressions (204 A, 204B) of the core insert (204) to form the article (10) corresponding to the color material. In an embodiment, the at least two injecting assemblies (300 A, 300B) includes a first injecting assembly (300 A) (as shown in fig. 1 & fig. 2) adapted to inject the first color molten material into each first color core impression (204A), and a second injecting assembly (300B) (as shown in fig. 1 & fig. 2) adapted to inject the second color molten material into each second color core impressions (204B). In an embodiment, the first injecting assembly (300 A) and the second injecting assembly (300B) are positioned at the first face (200 A) and the third face (200C) of the cube mold assembly (200) respectively. The second injecting assembly (300B) is opposite and spaced away from the first injecting assembly (300A). Further, the first injecting assembly (300 A) includes a first cavity plate (not shown in figures) and a plurality of first cavity inserts (not shown in figures) provided on the first cavity plate. Each first cavity insert (not shown in figures) includes a plurality of first color cavity impressions (not shown in figures) corresponding to the plurality of first color core impressions (204A) of corresponding core insert (204) (part forming inserts). The first cavity plate (not shown) of the first injecting assembly (300 A) is adapted to be pressed against the core plate (202) such that the plurality of first color core impressions (204A) of each core insert (204) aligns with respect to the corresponding plurality of first color cavity impressions of respective first cavity insert for receiving the first color material, thereby forming the article (10, shown in Figs. 10A and 10B) corresponding to the first color material (10A, as shown in figs. 9A & 9B). Similarly, the second injecting assembly (300B) includes a second cavity plate (not shown) and a plurality of second cavity inserts (not shown) provided on the second cavity plate. Each second cavity insert (not shown) includes a plurality of second color cavity impressions (not shown)corresponding to the plurality of second color core impressions (204B) of corresponding core insert (204). The second cavity plate of the second injecting assembly (300B) is adapted to be pressed against the core plate (202) such that the plurality of second color core impressions (204B) of each core insert (204) aligns with respect to the corresponding plurality of second color cavity impressions (not shown) of respective second cavity insert (not shown) for receiving the second color material thereby forming the article (10, shown in Figs. 11 A, and 1 IB) corresponding to the second color material (10B) (as shown in fig. 11A & 1 IB). This results in formation of the finished article (10) (final product / completely formed article / fully formed article) with the first and second color material (10A, 10B).
[0040] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the cube mold assembly (200), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Figs. 4 and 5 depict a front view of the second face (200B) and the fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200) respectively, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, at each of face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D), the central mold assembly (200) includes a plurality of core sub-inserts (206) (as shown in fig. 3 to fig. 5). In an embodiment, the part forming insert position control system (400) includes a sliding block (400S) (as shown in fig. 3 to fig. 5) at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200). Each core sub-insert (206) is mounted / affixed onto the sliding block (400S) at respective face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200). Each core sub-insert (206) defines a plurality of common core sub-insert impressions (206C) in which each common core sub-insert impression (206C) corresponds to a shape and dimension of another portion (head portion) of the article (10). The common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) is common for both of the first color core impressions (204A) and second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204). Each common core sub-insert impression (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) is aligned with respect to corresponding first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) when the first color molten material is injected to the first color core impressions (204A) of respective core insert (204) and the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206). Further, each common core sub-insert impression (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) along with the article (10) formed with the first color material is aligned with respect to corresponding second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) when the second color molten material is injected to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204).
[0041] Figs. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the sliding block (400S) of the system (400) respectively, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Figs. 9A and 9B depict magnified perspective views of the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), and Figs. 11 A and 11B depict magnified perspective views of the fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The corresponding linear actuator (406, 408) positioned at respective face (200A, 200 B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly the sliding block (400S) with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202) positioned at corresponding face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to one of a first color position (Pl) (as shown in figs. 8, 9 A and 12B), a first extracted position (P2) (as shown in figs. 9B), a second color switching position (P3) (as shown in fig. 8 and fig. 10), a second color position (P4) (as shown in Fig. 11 A), a second extracted position (P5) (as shown in fig. 11B) and a first color switching position (P6) (as shown in fig. 12A). In the first color position (Pl) (as shown in 9 A), the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) defined on each core sub-insert (206) is configured to be aligned coplanar with respect to the first color core impressions (204A) (shown in Figs. 4, and 9A) of respective core insert (204). In the first extracted position (P2) (as shown in fig. 9B), the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) along with the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be disengaged / extracted from corresponding each first color core impression (204 A) of respective core insert (204). In order to move from the first color position (Pl) to the first extracted position (P2), the second linear actuator (408) positioned at second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) forward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202). In the first extracted position (P2), each core sub-insert (206) at respective face (200B) is adapted to be displaced outwards up to a pre-determined distance, positioned forward with respect to the corresponding first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204). The pre-determined distance is such that, when the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) is moved to the first extracted position (P2), the plurality of articles (10) formed with the first color (10A) in the respective first color core impression (204A) are extracted from the respective first color core impressions (204A) and are held by the respective common core sub-insert impression (206C) of the core subinserts (206), thereby disengaging / lifting the articles (10) from core inserts (204) of the core plate (202).
[0042] In the second color switching position (P3) (as shown in fig. 10), the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be positioned parallel with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204). In order to move from the first extracted position (P2) to the second color switching position (P3), the first linear actuator (406) positioned at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) upward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202). In the second color position (P4) (as shown in fig. 11 A), the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be aligned coplanar with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204). In order to move from the second color switching position (P3) to the second color position (P4), the second linear actuator (408) positioned at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly move the core sub-insert (206) along with the partially formed article (10) backward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202) thereby aligning and engaging the article (10) formed with the first color material with second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204. At the third face (200C) of the cube mold assembly (200), the second injecting assembly (300B) is configured to inject second color molten material (10B) onto each article (10) positioned in corresponding second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204).
[0043] In the second extracted position (P5) (as shown in fig. 1 IB), the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the second color material (10B) is configured to be disengaged / extracted from corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204). In order to move from the second color position (P4) to the second extracted position (P5), the second linear actuator (408) positioned at fourth face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly move the core sub-inserts (206) along with the articles (10) forward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202). In the second extracted position (P5), each core sub-insert (206) at the fourth face (200D) is adapted to be displaced outwards up to a pre-determined distance, positioned forward with respect to the corresponding second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204). The pre-determined distance is such that, when the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) is moved to the second extracted position (P5), the plurality of articles (10) formed with the second color (10B)in the respective second color core impression (204B) are extracted from the respective second color core impressions (204B) and are held by the respective common core sub-insert impression (206C) of the core sub-inserts (206), thereby disengaging / lifting the articles (10) from core inserts (204) of the core plate (202). Thereafter, at the fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200), the articles (10) are ejected from the core sub-inserts (206). Once the articles (10) are ejected, the first linear actuator (406) positioned at fourth face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to linearly move the core sub-inserts (206) downward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to the first color switching position (P6) (as shown in fig. 12A) such that the common core impressions (206) of respective core sub-insert (206) are positioned parallel to the first color core impressions (204A) of the respective core inserts (204). Subsequently, at the fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200), the second linear actuator (408) is configured to linearly move the core sub inserts (206) backward with respect to the core inserts (204) of the core plate (202) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to the first color position (Pl) (initial position or home position) (as shown in fig. 12B) such that the common core impressions (206) of respective core sub-insert (206) are positioned co-planar to the first color core impressions (204 A) of the respective core inserts (204).
[0044] In an embodiment (shown in Figs. 4 and 5), the plurality of first and second color core impressions (204A, 204B) are positioned on each core insert (204) from a top end to a bottom end of the respective core insert (204) in the alternate configuration. An entirety of each color core impression (204A, 204B) of each core insert (204) extends along a widthwise direction of the core insert (204). In an embodiment, each core plate (202) includes two columns of core inserts (204), wherein the sliding block (400S) is positioned between the two columns of core inserts (204), such that the common core sub-insert impression (206C) of respective core sub-inserts (206) are aligned with respect to the corresponding color core impression (204A, 204B)).
[0045] The part forming insert position control system (400) positioned at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) includes a sliding block (400S), at least one first linear actuator (406) and at least one or more than one second linear actuator (408). As shown in figs. 6 and 7, the sliding block (400S) of the part forming insert position control system (400) positioned at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) includes a base member (402) and a sliding member (404). The base member (402) is adapted to be slidably connected with at least one of therespective core plate (202) and core inserts (204). The base member (402) is adapted to be coupled to the at least one second linear actuator (408). The sliding member (404) is adapted to be slidably mounted on the base member (402) and is configured to slide on the base member (402) along an upward and downward directions when the sliding member (404) is moved by the first linear actuator (406) controlled by ECU. Further, each core sub-insert (206) is mounted on the respective sliding member (404) at its corresponding position so that the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) are common to both first-color core impressions (204A) and the second-color core impressions (204B) of the respective core insert (204). The first linear actuator (406) is coupled with the sliding member (404) through a coupler (410) (as shown in fig. 7) and is configured to displace the sliding member (404) on the base member (402) along one of upward and downward directions with respect to the respective core inserts (204) thereby moving the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to one of the second color switching position (P3) and the first color switching position (P6). In an embodiment, the sliding block (400S) includes at least one guide rail (412) (shown in Fig. 7) mounted on the base member (402). Furthermore, the sliding block (400S) includes at least one or more than one guiding member (414) (shown in Fig. 7) mounted on a rear side of the sliding member (404) and is adapted to slide along the guide rail (412) thereby guiding the linear movement of the sliding member (404) on the guide rail (412) when the first linear actuator (406) moves the sliding member (404). The guiding members (414) are configured to slidably mount the sliding member (404) onto the base member (402) via the guide rail (412). Further, the at least one second linear actuator (408) is coupled to the base member (402) and is configured to displace the base member (402) in one of forward and backward directions with respect to the respective core inserts (204) thereby moving the respective core sub -inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to one of the first color position (Pl), the first extracted position (P2), the second color position (P4) and the second extracted position (P5). The sliding block (400S) further includes a plurality of guiding bushes (416) (shown in Fig. 7) and a plurality of guiding pins (418) (as shown in fig. 7). The guiding bushes (416) are provided on the base member (402). Each guiding pin (418) is connected to the cube mold assembly (200). Each of the guiding bush (416) is slidably mounted onto the respective guiding pin (418) thereby slidably mounting the base member (402) onto the guiding pins (418). Each guiding bush (416) is adapted to slide onto respective guiding pin (418) thereby guiding the movement of the base member (402) with respect to one of the respective core plate (202) and core inserts (204) for moving the respective core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) to one of the first color position (Pl), the first extracted position (P2), the second color position(P4) and the second extracted position (P5). In an embodiment, the first linear actuator (406) is a hydraulic actuator, and similarly, the second linear actuator (216) is a hydraulic actuator. However, it is within the scope of the invention to consider the first linear actuator (406), and the second linear actuator (408) as any other actuator, such as but not limited to, an electric actuator such as a motor, an electromagnetic actuator, a pneumatic actuator and a mechanical actuator.
[0046] The electronic controller unit (ECU) (not shown in figures) of the cube injection mold (100) is configured to control movement of the cube mold assembly (200), the at least two injecting assemblies (300A, 300B) Further, the ECU is configured to control the operation of the first and second linear actuators (406, 408) of each sliding block (400S). For example, the electronic controller unit is configured to rotate the cube mold assembly (200) by increments of 90° during an operating cycle and to actuate the first and second linear actuators (406, 408) in a sequence that (i) disengages the partially formed article (10) from the first-color core impression (204A) by moving the core sub-insert (206) to the first extracted position (P2) (ii) lifts / moves the core sub-insert (206) to the second color switching position (P3), and (iii) translates / moves the core sub-insert (206) to the second color position (P4) to engage / place the partially formed articles (10) in the respective second-color core impressions (204B). In an embodiment, the electronic controller unit is provided in communication with the cube mold assembly (200), wherein the electronic controller unit is configured to control rotation of the cube mold assembly (200) about the central axis, and control linear movement (sliding movement) of the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200). In an embodiment, at a first operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), the first face (200A) of the cube mold assembly (200) is adapted to be positioned in front of the first injecting assembly (300A), wherein the first injecting assembly (300A) is adapted to inject the first color material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core inserts (204) thereby forming the article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material. At a second operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), the cube mold assembly (200) is configured to be rotated by 90 degrees about the central axis, such that the first face (200A) takes the position of the second face (200B). At the second face (200B), each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) and each common core sub-insert impression (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) hold the partially formed article (10) with the first color material. At a third operation stage of the cubeinjection mold (100), the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) positioned on the sliding block (400S) at the second face (200B) from the first color position (Pl) to the first extracted position (P2) thereby disengaging / pulling out the partially formed articles (10) from corresponding first color core impressions (204 A) of the core inserts (204) in which the partially formed article (10) with the first color material (10A) is injected during previous cycle (first stage operation). Further, in the third operation stage, the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the first linear actuator (406) to move the core sub-inserts (206) linearly upwards to the second color switching position (P3), and subsequently actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core subinserts (206) linearly backwards to the second color position (P4), such that each article (10) with the first color material is placed in the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204). At this stage, the partially formed articles (10) are cooled simultaneously. Further, at a fourth operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), the electronic controller unit is configured to rotate the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees such that the second face (200B) takes the position of the third face (200C). At a fifth operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), at the third face (200C), the second injecting assembly (300B) is adapted to inject the second color material to the partially formed articles (10) placed in second color core impressions (204B) thereby facilitating formation of the article (10) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10). Simultaneously, in the fifth operation stage, at the first face (200 A), the first injecting assembly (300 A) is configured to inject the first color material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) thereby forming the article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for next cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material. At sixth operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), the electronic controller unit is configured to rotate the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees such that the third face (200C) takes the position of the fourth face (200D), and the first face (200A) with the next cycle partially formed articles (10) takes the position of the second face (200B). At a seventh operation stage of the system (100), at the fourth face (200D), the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) linearly forward to the second extracted position (P5), such that each article (10) is disengaged / pulled out from the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204), and the articles (10) are subsequently ejected from the corresponding the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) and the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206). At this seventh operation stage, the completelyformed articles (10) / final product are cooled simultaneously. Further, in the seventh operation stage after the ejection of the articles (10) from the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) and the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206), the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the first linear actuator (406) to move the core sub-inserts (206) linearly downwards to the first color switching position (P6), and further configured to move the core sub -inserts (206) linearly backwards to the first color position (Pl). Simultaneously, in the seventh operation stage, at the second face (200B), the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) linearly forwards to the first extracted position (P2), and subsequently actuate the first linear actuator (406) to move the core sub -inserts (206) linearly upwards to the second color switching position (P3). Thereafter, the electronic controller unit is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) move the core subinserts (206) linearly backwards to the second color position (P4) such that next cycle partially formed article (10) with the first color material (10A) is placed in the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of the respective core insert (204) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the first color material. At an eighth operation stage, the electronic controller unit is configured to rotate the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees such that the fourth face (200D) takes the position of the first face (200A), and the second face (200B) takes the position of the third face (200C). At a ninth operation stage of the cube injection mold (100), the first injecting assembly (300A) is adapted to inject the first color material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) thereby forming the article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for subsequent cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material. Simultaneously, in the ninth operating stage, at the third face (200C), the second injecting assembly (300B) is configured to inject the second color material to the previous cycle partially formed articles (10) which are placed in second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204) during the seventh operation stage and thereby facilitating formation of the article (10) in the ninth operation stage as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article, and thereafter the operating cycle is repeated in a closed loop cycle for manufacturing the articles (10) in lesser cycle time. Therefore, the cube injection mold (100) simultaneously facilitates injection of the first color material at the first face (200 A) as well as undergoes cooling of the partially formed articles (10), and changing position of the partially formed article (10) to align the partially formed article with second color core impressions (204B) of respective core inset (204) at the second face (200B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10); injecting the second color material tothe partially formed articles (10) at the third face (200C) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the fully formed article (10); and cooling the completely formed articles (10) and ejecting the articles (10), and changing position of the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) to align the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) with respect to first color core impressions (204A) of respective core insert (204) at the fourth face (200D). This simultaneous operation of the core injection mold (100) with the part forming position control system (400) facilitates in reducing the cycle time, thereby increasing the production output. Further, by eliminating the need for indexing / rotating the core plate for injecting different colors / materials, the size of the core plate is reduced, thereby allowing more articles to be manufactured within less space and cycle time.
[0047] Fig. 13 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a cube molding method (500) for manufacturing multi-color and / or multi-material articles (10). The method (500) includes, at step (502), injecting, by a first injecting assembly (300A) controlled by an electronic controller unit (ECU), a first color molten material to each first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204), at a first face (200A) of the cube mold assembly (200), thereby partially forming the plurality of articles (10) with the first color material (10A). At step (504), the method (500) includes rotating, by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees thereby positioning the partially forming articles (10) at a second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) as well as undergoing partial cooling of the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A). Further, at step (506), the method (500) includes, actuating, by the ECU, a second linear actuator (408) of a part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via a sliding block (400S) from a first color position (Pl) to a first extracted position (P2) in which the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are disengaged or pulled out from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204). At step (508), the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, a first linear actuator (406) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first extracted position (P2) to a second color switching position (P3) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material (10A) is configured to be positioned parallel with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert(204). Further, at step (510), the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color switching position (P3) to a second color position (P4) in which the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are placed in the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) and simultaneously allowing cooling of the partially formed articles (10). Further, at step (512), the method (500) includes rotating, by the electronic controller unit, the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees thereby positioning the partially forming articles (10) placed in the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) at a third face (200C) of the cube mold assembly (200). At step (514), the method (500) includes injecting, by a second injecting assembly (300B) controlled by the ECU, the second color molten material to the partially formed articles (10) at the third face (200C), thereby forming the plurality of articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B), and simultaneously allowing cooling of the articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B). The method (500) includes, at step (516), rotating, by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) by 90 degrees thereby positioning the articles (10) formed with the first and second color material at a fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200). Furthermore, at step (518), the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the fourth face (200D), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color position (P4) to the second extracted position (P5) in which the finished articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B) are disengaged / pulled out from the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core inserts (204), and ejecting by the cube injection mold (100), the plurality of articles (10) from the plurality of second color core impressions (204B) while simultaneously allowing cooling of the articles (10). At step (520), the method (500) includes, actuating, by the ECU, the first linear actuator (406) of part forming insert position control system (400) at the fourth face (200D), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second extracted position (P5) to the first color switching position (P6) and subsequently actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first color switching position (P6) to the first color position (Pl).
[0048] Further, the method (500) includes injecting, by the first injecting assembly (300A) controlled by the ECU at the same time of performing method step (514), the first colormolten material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) at the first face (200A) thereby forming next cycle partially formed articles (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for next cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material.
[0049] The method (500) includes positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) at the second face (200B) at the same time of positioning the previous cycle articles (10) formed with the first and second color material at the fourth face (200D) during the method step (516). Further, the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) at the same time of performing method step (518), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first color position (Pl) to the first extracted position (P2) in which next cycle partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are disengaged or pulled out from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204).
[0050] Furthermore, the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, the first linear actuator (406) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first extracted position (P2) to the second color switching position (P3) thereby positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) parallel to the second color core impressions (204B) subsequent to performing pulling out of the next cycle partially formed articles (10) from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204). Further, the method (500) includes actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color switching position (P3) to the second color position (P4) such that next cycle partially formed article (10) with the first color material (10A) is placed in the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of the respective core insert (204) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the first color material.
[0051] The method (500) includes rotating, by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) such that the fourth face (200D) takes the position of the first face (200A), and the second face (200B) takes the position of the third face (200C) thereby positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) placed in the second color impressions (204B) at the third face (200B). Yet the method (500) includes injecting, by the first injecting assembly (300A) controlled by the ECU at the first face (200A), first color molten material to corresponding each first colorcore impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) thereby forming the subsequent cycle article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for subsequent cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material.
[0052] The method (500) includes injecting, by the second injecting assembly (300B) controlled by the ECU at the third face (200C) at the same time of forming subsequent cycle article (10) with the first color material, the second color molten material to the next cycle partially formed articles (10) thereby facilitating formation of the finished article (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10).
[0053] Furthermore, the method (500) includes operating cycle is repeated in a closed loop cycle for manufacturing the articles (10) in a lesser cycle time, wherein the operating cycle includes: simultaneous injection of the first color material at the first face (200 A) as well as undergoes cooling of the partially formed articles (10), and changing position of the partially formed article (10) to align the partially formed article with second color core impressions (204B) of respective core inset (204) at the second face (200B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10); simultaneous injecting the second color material to the partially formed articles (10) at the third face (200C) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the fully formed article (10); and simultaneous cooling of the finished articles (10) and ejecting the articles (10), and changing position of the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) to align the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) with respect to first color core impressions (204A) of respective core insert (204) at the fourth face (200D).
[0054] The technical advantages of the cube injection mold (100) and cube molding method (500) for manufacturing multi-color and multi-material articles are as follows. Reduction of size of core plate due to reduced pitch distance between the core impressions of core inserts thereby reducing an overall size of the cube injection mold (100) (cube molding machine) as well as reducing the production costs of the article. Eliminates need for indexing the core plate, thereby making the cube injection molding system compact in size. Increases production output by allowing more articles to be manufactured in less cycle time. The cubeinjection mold allows the first color material to get cooling time of four cycles and the second color material to get cooling time of two cycles thereby reducing an overall cycle time for manufacturing of the article.
[0055] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and / or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Claims
STATEMENT OF CLAIMSWe claim:
1. A cube injection mold (100) for manufacturing multi-color articles (10), the cube injection mold (100) comprising: a cube mold assembly (200) rotatable about a central axis and having a first face (200A), a second face (200B), a third face (200C) and a fourth face (200D), wherein at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D), the cube mold assembly (200) includes a core plate (202) and a plurality of core inserts (204) provided on the core plate (202), wherein each core insert (204) defines a plurality of first color core impressions (204A) and a plurality of second color core impressions (204B); a first injecting assembly (300 A) positioned adjacent or near to the first face (200A) of the cube mold assembly (200); a second injecting assembly (300B) positioned adjacent or near to the third face (200C) of the cube mold assembly (200); a part forming insert position control system (400), wherein at each face (200A, 200B, 200B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200), the part forming insert position control system (400) includes a sliding block (400S), at least one first linear actuator (406), at least one second linear actuator (408) and a plurality of core sub-inserts (206) coupled to the sliding block (400S), wherein each core sub-insert (206) defines a plurality of common core sub-insert impressions (206C) configured to be common for both of the first and second color core impressions (204A, 204B) of respective core insert (204); and an electronic controller unit (ECU) configured to: control rotation of the cube mold assembly (200); control the first injecting assembly (300 A) to inject first color molten material into at least one of first color core impressions (204A) and corresponding common core sub-insert impression (206C) thereby forming partially formed articles (10A) with the first color material (10A) at the first face (200A); control the second injecting assembly (300 A) to inject second color molten material to the partially formed articles (10A) placed in the second color core impressions (204B) and corresponding common core sub-insert impressions (206C) at the third face (200C);control the first and second linear actuators (406, 408) for changing positions of core sub-inserts (206) for facilitating at least one of injection of first color molten material, cooling of partially formed articles (10), injection of second color molten material, cooling of finished articles (10) and ejection of finished articles (10); and synchronize injection of first and second color molten materials, cooling of partially formed articles (10), position changing of core sub-inserts (206), and cooling and ejection of finished articles (10) to allow simultaneous injection of the first color molten material, cooling of partially formed articles, injection of the second color molten material, and cooling and ejection of finished articles (10).
2. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first and second color core impressions (204A, 204B) are defined on each core insert (204) in an alternate configuration at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) of the cube mold assembly (200).
3. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding block (400S) positioned at each face (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) includes: a base member (402) adapted to be coupled to the at least one second linear actuator (408); a sliding member (404), wherein each core sub-insert (206) is mounted on the sliding member (404) at its corresponding position; a guide rail (412) mounted on the base member (402); a plurality of guiding members (414) adapted to be provided on the sliding member (404), wherein the guiding members (414) are configured to slidably mount the sliding member (404) onto the base member (402) via the guide rail (412); a coupler (410) adapted to couple the sliding member (404) with the first linear actuator (406); a plurality of guiding pins (418) connected to the cube mold assembly (200); and a plurality of guiding bushes (416) provided on the base member (402), wherein each of the guiding bush (416) is slidably mounted onto the respective guiding pin (418) thereby slidably mounting the base member (402) onto the guiding pins (418).
4. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first injecting assembly (300 A) includes a first cavity plate and a plurality of first cavity inserts provided on the first cavity plate; wherein each first cavity insert includes a plurality of first color cavity impressions corresponding to the plurality of first color core impressions (204A) of corresponding core insert (204); and the first cavity plate of the first injecting assembly (300A) is adapted to be pressed against the core plate (202) such that the first color core impressions (204A) of each core insert (204) aligns with respect to the corresponding first color cavity impressions of respective first cavity insert for receiving the first color material (10A), thereby forming the partially formed article (10) corresponding to the first color material(IOA).
5. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second injecting assembly (300B) includes a second cavity plate and a plurality of second cavity inserts provided on the second cavity plate,Wherein each second cavity insert includes a plurality of second color cavity impressions corresponding to the plurality of second color core impressions (204B) of corresponding core insert (204); and the second cavity plate of the second injecting assembly (300B) is adapted to be pressed against the core plate (202) such that the second color core impressions (204B) of each core insert (204) aligns with respect to the corresponding second color cavity impressions of respective second cavity insert for receiving the second color material(IOB) to form the article (10) corresponding to the second color material (10B) thereby resulting in formation of the finished article (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B).
6. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the core inserts (204) positioned on the sliding block (400S) at the first face (200A) is configured to be initially positioned in a first color position (Pl) in which the common core sub -insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) is configured to be aligned co-planar with respect to the first color core impressions (204A) of respective core insert (204); andthe first injecting assembly (300A) is configured to be operated by the ECU to press the first cavity plate of the first injecting assembly (300 A) against the core plate (202) and inject the first color molten material into at least one of first color core impressions (204A) and corresponding common core sub-insert impression (206C) at first face (200 A) thereby forming the article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material when the core inserts (204) are positioned in the first color position (Pl).
7. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein the ECU is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) at the second face (200B) from the first color position (Pl) to a first extracted position (P2) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core subinsert (206) along with the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be disengaged / extracted from corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204); the ECU is configured to actuate the first linear actuator (406) at the second face (200B) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) linearly upwards from first extracted position (P2) to a second color switching position (P3) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be positioned parallel with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204); the ECU is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) at the second face (200B) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) linearly backwards from the second color switching position (P3) to a second color position (P4) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material is configured to be aligned coplanar with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204) thereby placing each article (10) with the first color material in the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204).
8. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claims 6 and 7, wherein the ECU is configured to actuate the second injecting assembly (300B) at the third face (200C) to press the second cavity plate of the second injecting assembly (300B) against the core plate (202) and inject the second color molten material to the partially formed articles (10) placed in second color core impressions (204B) thereby facilitating formation of the finished article (10)with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10); the ECU is configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) linearly forward from the second color position (P4) to a second extracted position (P5) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the finished article (10) is configured to be disengaged / extracted from corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204), and the finished articles (10) are subsequently ejected from the corresponding second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) and the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub -insert (206).
9. The cube injection mold (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein ECU is configured to actuate the first linear actuator (406) at the fourth face (200D) to move the core sub -inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) linearly downwards from the second extracted position (P5) to a first color switching position (P6) in which the common core impressions (206) of respective core sub-insert (206) are positioned parallel to the first color core impressions (204A) of the respective core inserts (204); and the ECU is further configured to actuate the second linear actuator (408) at the fourth face (200D) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) linearly backwards from the first color switching position (P6) to the first color position (Pl) such that the common core impressions (206) of respective core sub-insert (206) are positioned co-planar to the first color core impressions (204 A) of the respective core inserts (204).
10. A cube molding method (500) for manufacturing multi-color articles (10), the cube molding method (500) comprising: injecting (502), by a first injecting assembly (300A) controlled by an electronic controller unit (ECU), a first color molten material to each first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204), at a first face (200A) of the cube mold assembly (200), thereby partially forming the plurality of articles (10) with the first color material (10A); rotating (504), by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) thereby positioning the partially forming articles (10) at a second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200) as well as undergoing partial cooling of the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A);actuating (506), by the ECU, a second linear actuator (408) of a part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via a sliding block (400S) from a first color position (Pl) to a first extracted position (P2) in which the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are disengaged or pulled out from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204); actuating (508), by the ECU, the first linear actuator (406) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first extracted position (P2) to a second color switching position (P3) in which the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of each core sub-insert (206) which holds the article (10) formed with the first color material (10A) is configured to be positioned parallel with respect to the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core insert (204); actuating (510), by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) of the cube mold assembly (200), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color switching position (P3) to a second color position (P4) in which the partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are placed in the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) and simultaneously allowing cooling of the partially formed articles (10); rotating (512), by the electronic controller unit, the cube mold assembly (200) thereby positioning the partially forming articles (10) placed in the second color core impression (204B) of respective core insert (204) at a third face (200C) of the cube mold assembly (200); injecting (514), by a second injecting assembly (300B) controlled by the ECU, the second color molten material to the partially formed articles (10) at the third face (200C), thereby forming the plurality of articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B), and simultaneously allowing cooling of the articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B); rotating (516), by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) thereby positioning the articles (10) formed with the first and second color material at a fourth face (200D) of the cube mold assembly (200); actuating (518), by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the fourth face (200D), to move the core sub-inserts(206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color position (P4) to a second extracted position (P5) in which the finished articles (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B) are disengaged / pulled out from the second color core impressions (204B) of respective core inserts (204), and ejecting by the cube injection mold (100), the plurality of articles (10) from the plurality of second color core impressions (204B); and actuating (520), by the ECU, the first linear actuator (406) of part forming insert position control system (400) at the fourth face (200D), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second extracted position (P5) to the first color switching position (P6) and subsequently actuate the second linear actuator (408) to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first color switching position (P6) to the first color position (Pl).
11. The cube molding method (500) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method (500) includes: injecting, by the first injecting assembly (300 A) controlled by the ECU at the same time of performing method step (514), the first color molten material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) at the first face (200 A) thereby forming next cycle partially formed articles (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for next cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material; positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) at the second face (200B) at the same time of positioning the previous cycle articles (10) formed with the first and second color material at the fourth face (200D) during the method step (516); actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B) at the same time of performing method step (518), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first color position (Pl) to the first extracted position (P2) in which next cycle partially formed articles (10) with the first color material (10A) are disengaged or pulled out from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204); actuating, by the ECU, the first linear actuator (406) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the first extracted position (P2) to the second color switching position (P3) thereby positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) parallel to the second color core impressions (204B) subsequent to performing pulling outof the next cycle partially formed articles (10) from the first color core impressions (204A) of respective each core insert (204); actuating, by the ECU, the second linear actuator (408) of the part forming insert position control system (400) at the second face (200B), to move the core sub-inserts (206) via the sliding block (400S) from the second color switching position (P3) to the second color position (P4) such that next cycle partially formed article (10) with the first color material (10A) is placed in the corresponding each second color core impression (204B) of the respective core insert (204) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the first color material; rotating, by the ECU, the cube mold assembly (200) such that the fourth face (200D) takes the position of the first face (200A), and the second face (200B) takes the position of the third face (200C) thereby positioning the next cycle partially formed articles (10) placed in the second color impressions (204B) at the third face (200B); injecting, by the first injecting assembly (300 A) controlled by the ECU at the first face (200A), first color molten material to corresponding each first color core impression (204A) of respective core insert (204) thereby forming the subsequent cycle article (10) corresponding to the first color material (10A) required for subsequent cycle as well as undergoes partial cooling of first color material; injecting, by the second injecting assembly (300B) controlled by the ECU at the third face (200C) at the same time of forming subsequent cycle article (10) with the first color material, the second color molten material to the next cycle partially formed articles (10) thereby facilitating formation of the finished article (10) with the first and second color materials (10A, 10B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10); and operating cycle is repeated in a closed loop cycle for manufacturing the articles (10) in a lesser cycle time, wherein the operating cycle includes: simultaneous injection of the first color material at the first face (200 A) as well as undergoes cooling of the partially formed articles (10), and changing position of the partially formed article (10) to align the partially formed article with second color core impressions (204B) of respective core inset (204) at the second face (200B) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the article (10); simultaneous injecting the second color material to the partially formed articles (10) at the third face (200C) as well as undergoes partial cooling of the fully formed article (10); andsimultaneous cooling of the finished articles (10) and ejecting the articles (10), and changing position of the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) to align the common core sub-insert impressions (206C) of respective core sub-insert (206) with respect to first color core impressions (204A) of respective core insert (204) at the fourth face (200D).
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