Valve pin locking mechanism

1. An injection molding method comprising the steps of:

injecting a molten material through a plurality of valve gated nozzles;

moving a valve pin through each of said plurality of nozzles between a retracted position and an extended position; and

locking at least one valve pin in said extended position by setting a locking mechanism into a single engaged position, wherein the locking mechanism acts on the valve pin to thereby close a mold gate, while at least another valve pin is in said retracted position.

2. An injection molding method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said locking step further includes manually actuating the locking mechanism to thereby lock the valve pin in the extended position.

3. An injection molding method as defined in claim 2 , wherein said locking mechanism is manually actuated by turning a handle extending from the locking mechanism, to thereby lock the valve pin in the extended position.

4. An injection molding method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said locking step further includes automatically actuating the locking mechanism, by means of an automatic control panel, to thereby lock the valve pin in the extended position.

5. An injection molding method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:

examining a molded article; and

determining whether the molded article meets pre-set standards,

wherein said locking step is performed on the valve gated nozzle which injected the molten material that created the molded article, if the molded article does not meet the pre-set standards.

6. An injection molding method as defined in claim 5 , wherein said locking step is performed by manually actuating the locking mechanism by turning a handle extending from the locking mechanism.

7. An injection molding method as defined in claim 5 , wherein said locking step is performed by automatically actuating the locking mechanism, by means of an automatic control panel, to thereby lock the valve pin in the extended position.

8. An injection molding apparatus comprising:

a manifold having a manifold channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material under pressure and delivering said melt stream to a nozzle having a nozzle channel, said nozzle channel communicating with an outlet of said manifold channel to receive said melt stream;

a mold cavity receiving said melt stream from said nozzle, said nozzle channel communicating with said mold cavity through a mold gate;

a valve pin extending at least partially through said nozzle channel, said valve pin being movable by a piston between a retracted position and an extended position, said mold gate being closed when said valve pin is in said extended position; and

a locking mechanism adapted to be placed in one of only two settings, a first setting being in a disengaged position wherein the locking mechanism does not act on the valve pin, and a second setting being in an engaged position wherein the locking mechanism locks said valve pin in said extended position.

9. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism engages the piston in said extended position.

10. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism engages the valve pin in said extended position.

11. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a detent having a first end and a second end; and

a pin for coupling said detent wherein said detent is pivotable to rotate said second end of said detent into abutment with said piston to lock said valve pin in an extended position.

12. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein a handle is in communication with said pin for actuating said detent.

13. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a detent, said detent being actuatable to selectively communicate with a return surface of said piston to lock said valve pin in an extended position.

14. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a rod, said rod being actuatable to selectively communicate with an upstream surface of a valve pin projection, said valve pin projection extending outwardly from said valve pin between an enlarged head of said valve pin and a tip of said valve pin, wherein interaction between said rod and said valve pin projection locks said valve pin in said extended position.

15. The injection molding apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said locking mechanism includes a rod, said rod being actuatable to selectively communicate with an aperture provided in said valve pin, said aperture being located between an enlarged head of said valve pin and a tip of said valve pin, wherein interaction between said rod and said aperture of said valve pin locks said valve pin in said extended position.

16. An injection molding apparatus having a mold gate, comprising:

a manifold having a manifold channel;

a nozzle coupled to the manifold and having a nozzle channel in fluid communication with the manifold channel;

a valve pin extending through the nozzle channel;

an actuating mechanism coupled to the valve pin and adapted to move the valve pin between a retracted position, wherein the mold gate is open, and an extended position, wherein the mold gate is closed by the valve pin;

a locking mechanism adapted to lock the valve pin in the extended position;

a control panel coupled to the locking mechanism and adapted to actuate the locking mechanism by setting the locking mechanism in one of only two settings, wherein a first setting is in a disengaged position wherein the locking mechanism does not act on the valve pin, and a second setting is in an engaged position wherein the locking mechanism locks the valve pin in the extended position.

17. An injection molding apparatus as defined in claim 16 , wherein the control panel is configured to receive inputs indicative of the quality of a molded article.