Mold insert with conduits for cooling injection molded item

1 . A mold insert part for injection molding, comprising:

a main body having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the first surface defining a plane;

a mold core extending from the first surface of the main body of the mold insert part;

a gas inlet port connectable to a supply of pressurized gas;

two or more gas outlet ports formed in and through the first surface of the main body and arranged around the mold core, at least two of the gas outlet ports being positioned on opposite sides of the mold core, each gas outlet port being oriented at an angle relative to the plane to direct gas toward a centerline of the mold core and toward an uncovered surface of an injection molded item located on the mold core after the mold core and the mold cavity are separated from each other; and

a gas conduit system extending inside the main body below the first surface and connecting the gas inlet port with the two or more gas outlet ports, wherein the gas conduit system comprises a circumferential conduit portion extending around the mold core and a plurality of sub-conduits branching from the circumferential conduit portion, each sub-conduit fluidly connecting the circumferential conduit portion with a respective one of the gas outlet ports.

2 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the two or more gas outlet ports are circumferentially distributed in a closed loop around the mold core.

3 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one conduit extends beneath a central region of the mold core and is routed around an injection channel extending centrally through the mold core.

4 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein the gas outlet ports are arranged at non-uniform angular orientations relative to the plane such that each gas outlet port directs gas toward a distinct region of the uncovered surface of the injection molded item.

5 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein each gas outlet port is oriented at an angle relative to the plane defined by the first surface, the angle being greater than 0° and less than 90°, such that the gas flow is directed both upwardly from the first surface and inwardly toward the mold core.

6 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein the gas conduit system includes at least one conduit having a bend of at least 90° formed in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the first surface.

7 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein all of the gas outlet ports are formed entirely within the first surface of the main body such that no portion of the gas outlet ports is disposed in a structure extending above the first surface.

8 . A mold insert comprising:

a housing defining a mold surface and an opposing support surface, the housing further defining at least one sidewall connecting the mold surface and the support surface;

a mold core positioned on the mold surface;

a gas inlet port defined by the at least one sidewall;

one or more gas outlet ports formed in and through the mold surface of the housing and arranged around the mold core, each gas outlet port being configured to direct a gas flow at an angle relative to the mold surface toward a centerline of the mold core; and

a gas conduit system extending within the housing below the mold surface and configured to transport gas from the gas inlet port to the one or more gas outlet ports,

wherein the gas conduit system comprises a circumferential conduit portion extending around the mold core and a plurality of sub-conduits branching from the circumferential conduit portion, each sub-conduit fluidly connecting the circumferential conduit portion with a respective one of the gas outlet ports.

9 . The mold insert of claim 8 , wherein the one or more gas outlet ports comprise a plurality of gas outlet ports circumferentially distributed around the mold core such that the mold core is at least partially surrounded by the gas outlet ports.

10 . A mold insert comprising:

a housing defining a mold surface;

a mold core positioned on the mold surface and configured to receive molding material from an injection channel defined by the housing; and

a gas delivery system comprising a gas inlet, a gas distribution manifold disposed within the housing, and one or more gas outlets defined at the mold surface, the gas distribution manifold being fluidly connected to the gas inlet and configured to distribute gas from the gas inlet to the one or more gas outlets,

wherein:

the gas distribution manifold extends within the housing in a path that is laterally offset from and extending at least partially around the injection channel such that gas is delivered to multiple regions of the mold surface adjacent the mold core after separation of a corresponding mold cavity, and

the gas distribution manifold comprises a circumferential conduit portion extending around the mold core and a plurality of sub-conduits branching from the circumferential conduit portion, each sub-conduit fluidly connecting the circumferential conduit portion with a respective one of the gas outlets.

11 . The mold insert of claim 10 , wherein the circumferential conduit portion forms a closed loop surrounding the mold core.

12 . The mold insert of claim 10 , wherein the gas delivery system comprises a plurality of gas outlet ports distributed around the mold core and fluidly connected to the gas distribution manifold such that gas is delivered to the gas outlet ports from multiple circumferential locations within the housing.

13 . The mold insert part according to claim 1 , wherein:

the two or more gas outlet ports comprise seven gas outlet ports formed in and through the first surface of the main body, the seven gas outlet ports being circumferentially spaced in a circular arrangement around the mold core, and

the gas conduit system comprises a main gas conduit extending from the gas inlet port and a plurality of sub-conduits branching from the main gas conduit to respective ones of the seven gas outlet ports, each sub-conduit meeting the main gas conduit at a bend of 90 degrees in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the first surface.

14 . The mold insert of claim 8 , wherein:

the housing further comprises two side flanges extending above the mold surface,

the gas outlet ports comprise a first gas outlet port arranged fully in and through the mold surface and a second gas outlet port arranged at an intersection between the mold surface and one of the side flanges, the first gas outlet port and the second gas outlet port being positioned on opposite sides of the mold core, and

the gas conduit system comprises a first conduit extending from the gas inlet port to the first gas outlet port and a second conduit extending from the gas inlet port to the second gas outlet port, the first conduit and the second conduit branching from one another in close vicinity of the gas inlet port.

15 . The mold insert of claim 10 , wherein:

the gas inlet is provided in and through a sidewall of the housing and includes a connection stud,

the gas distribution manifold comprises a main gas conduit extending within the housing below the mold surface and a plurality of sub-conduits branching from the main gas conduit to respective gas outlets defined at the mold surface,

the gas outlets comprise seven gas outlets arranged in a circular pattern around the mold core, and

each sub-conduit joins the main gas conduit at a bend of about 90 degrees, measured in a direction perpendicular to the mold surface.