Recent Patents on the Equipment of Microcellular Injection Molding Machine

Background: In recent years, as microcellular plastics have been used in different economic and life fields, microcellular injection molding machine has been paid more and more attention and been developed into various structures. Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the supercritical fluid injecting system, mixing, and nucleating equipment of the microcellular injection molding, and explain how the technologies influence the product's quality and application. Methods: The paper reviews various patents and research developments about supercritical fluid injecting system, mixing, and nucleating equipment of microcellular injection molding machine, and analyses their effects on cell diameter, weight reduction, and product appearance. Results: Current and future developments of the injection apparatus, nozzle, and mold apparatus of microcellular injection molding are finally provided to improve the microcellular injection molded product's quality. Conclusion: The considerable attention has been paid on the microcellular injection technology. The recent patents and technologies have provided help to apply microcellular injection molding in a wider range, however how to inject physical agent into resin melt, mix them, and form fine cell structure is still difficult. For further enhancement, more devices should be invented in order to solve or simplify the above difficulties. Keywords: Injection molding machine, microcellular, mixing, patent, structure, supercritical fluid.