CA2741937A1 - Mold insert alignment structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A mold, comprising: a mold plate; a mold stack being located relative to the mold plate, the mold stack including: a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component, the mold plate, the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component defining a common mounting aperture being configured to receive a tool assembly being adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

Description

MOLD INSERT ALIGNMENT STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments generally relate to (by way of example, but is not limited to) mold structures.
More specifically, embodiments relate to mold structures arranged as `stacks'.
BACKGROUND

It is known to use stack molds with alignment features. For example, US
4706924 to de Larosiere (issued 1987-11-17) teaches a stack mold having a pair of mold halves movable toward and away from another along an axis of movement and in which a plurality of mold plates are arranged parallel to one another between the mold halves and parallel to the axis of movement of the mold halves. This arrangement of the mold plates enables a larger number of large, thin parts to be simultaneously molded in a given size press than is possible in the prior art. Further, the mold plates are formed with hangers which support the mold plates on the mold halves, enabling different mold plates to be easily substituted without disassembling the mold structure and slides, and also eliminating the need for guide pins or pillars for the mold plates. The mold plates are supported on program plates having guide surfaces thereon for determining the opening and closing sequence of the mold plates during opening and closing movement of the mold press, and the central portion of the endmost mold plates is wedge-shaped. This structure also eliminates the need for guide pins or pillars for the mold plates.

US 4435147 to Myers and Dunas (issued 1984-03-06) teaches a structure that relates to an improved injection molding apparatus which enables change out of the injection mold without requiring core pin to injection mold cavity alignment for each change out operation.
Automatic alignment is provided by pockets into which the injection mold halves fit. The injection mold halves and the pockets are configured to insure correct alignment.

US 6569370 to Amin et al. (issued 2003-05-27) teaches an injection molding system for molding a molded article and method for forming same, including a mold cavity for forming the molded article, wherein the mold cavity is defined at least in part by a mold core defining inner walls of the molded article, a first insert defining at least outer side walls of the molded article, and a second insert defining an outer wall of a neck of the molded article. In addition, a cavity plate at least partly surrounds the first insert and a cavity flange retains the first insert in the cavity plate.

US publication 2009/0022844A1 to Mai et al. (published on 2009-01-22) teaches a compensating mold stack, a molding system incorporating same and a method of aligning the compensating mold stack. A mold stack for use in a molding system is provided.
The mold stack comprises at least two compensating components.

SUMMARY
It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claims, and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) description provided outside of the instant patent application.

According to one aspect, there is provided a mold, comprising: a mold plate; a mold stack being located relative to the mold plate, the mold stack including: a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component, the mold plate, the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component defining a common mounting aperture being configured to receive a tool assembly being adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

According to another aspect, there is provided a mold, comprising a plurality of mold plates and a mold stack for forming a molded article, the mold stack having a plurality of mold stack components located between the plurality of mold plates. Mold stack components include a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component, the second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component. At least one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates, the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component define a common mounting aperture for receiving a tool assembly adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

According to another aspect, there is provided a mold stack for forming a molded article, the mold stack being adapted for retention between a plurality of mold plates of a mold. The mold stack is defined by a plurality of mold stack components, including a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component, the second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component. The first mold stack component and the second mold stack component each define a portion of a common mounting aperture operable to be aligned with another portion of the common mounting aperture located on one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates for receiving a tool assembly adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for aligning a mold stack having a plurality of mold stack components that are adapted to be retained between a plurality of mold plates of a mold. The method comprises loosely tightening at least some fasteners of all the fasteners used to loosely mount a first mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components to a second mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components.
The method further comprises assembling the plurality of mold stack components so that the first mold stack component is located between one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates and the second mold stack component, the assembling of the plurality of mold stack components aligning the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component with the one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates to define a common mounting aperture between an outside of the mold and the at least some of the fasteners. The method further comprises using a tool assembly, fully tightening the at least some of the fasteners to fully mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component through the common mounting aperture.

According to another aspect, there is provided a mold stack component for use in a mold, the mold stack component comprising: a surface on the mold stack component for engaging an opposing surface of another mold stack component, and a common mounting aperture formed by the mold stack component for association with a fastener of the another mold stack component; and wherein the common mounting aperture is configured to receive a tool assembly used to fasten the another mold stack component with the mold stack component.

These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mold according to a first embodiment in a closed position;
Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mold stack in the mold shown in Fig. 1;
Fig 3 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the mold shown in Fig. 1 during a stage of assembly of the mold stack shown in Fig 2;
Fig 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the mold shown in Fig. 1, during another stage of assembly of the mold stack shown in Fig. 2;
Fig 5 shows a flowchart for a method of assembling and aligning the at least one mold stack component of the mold stack shown in Fig. 2;
Fig 6 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a mold according to another embodiment during a stage of assembly;
Fig 7 is a perspective view of a mold stack for the mold shown in Fig. 6, where the mold plates have been removed;
Fig 8 is an exploded view of the mold stack shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cavity flange for the mold stack shown in Fig. 6; and Fig 10 shows a flowchart for a method of assembling and aligning the at least one mold stack component of the mold stack shown in Fig. 6.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S) Referring now to Fig. 1, a mold is shown generally at 20. Mold 20 defines or includes at least one mold stack 22, and each mold stack 22 is adapted to produce, in use, a molded article (not shown). By way of example, there may be a quantity of ninety six (96) or more mold stacks 22 defined in the mold 20. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, the molded article(s) produced by each mold stack 22 are PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) preforms.
Other molded articles may be produced by mold 20. The mold stacks 22 are mounted to, or are otherwise retained by, a plurality of mold plates 24. The plurality of mold plates 24 may include but is not limited to (for example): a cavity plate 26, a stripper plate 29, and a core plate 28. Those of skill in the art may recognize that this list of mold plates 24 is neither exhaustive nor exclusive, and that mold 20 may include other types of mold plates.
Alternatively, one mold plate 24 or all of the mold plates 24 may be subdivided into multiple sub-plates.

For each of the mold stacks 22, a plurality of mold stack components may be mounted to (or positioned relative to) a mold plate 24. By way of example, the plurality of mold stack components may include (but is not limited to): a core insert 38, a lock ring 40, a gate insert 56, a cavity insert 58, a cavity flange 62, a pair of neck ring slides 74 and a neck ring assembly 78. Those of skill in the art may recognize that the list of mold stack components is neither exhaustive nor exclusive, and that each mold stack 22 may include other mold stack components. Alternatively, some of the aforementioned mold stack components may be combined or subdivided. For example, the cavity insert 58 and the gate insert 56 may be combined as a single mold stack component (not shown).

Cavity plate 26 and its attached mold stack components can be generally referred to as a cavity half assembly 30. In use, the cavity half assembly 30 is mounted to a runner system for the delivery of a molten material and stationary platen (none shown). Core plate 28 and its attached components can be generally referred to as a core half assembly 32.
In use, the core half assembly 32 is mounted to a movable platen (not shown), and is operable to be translated towards or away from the cavity half assembly 30. During a molding operation, the cavity half assembly 30 generally defines the exterior surface of the molded article and the core half assembly 32 defines the interior surface of the molded article.

Referring now to Fig. 2, one of the mold stacks 22, and proximate portions of the mold plates 24 is shown in greater detail. In Fig. 2, the cavity half assembly 30 and the core half assembly 32 are abutted together. The mold stack 22, core plate 28 defines a core bore 34. Mounted within core bore 34 is the core insert 38. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, core insert 38 is hollow and may be fitted with a cooling tube (not shown). Typically, core bore 34 provides minimal clearance around the core insert 38 to ensure a proper perpendicular alignment between the core plate 28 and the core insert 38.

Mounted to core plate 28 around the core insert 38 is the lock ring 40. A
small clearance is provided between the opposing surfaces 42 and 44 of lock ring 40 and core insert 38, respectively. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, each opposing surface of opposing surfaces 42 and 44 is tapered relative to the other opposing surface. The lock ring 40 includes a flange 46 that is adjacent to core plate 28. A small preload gap is provided between flange 46 and core plate 28. The preload gap may disappear upon application of a clamping force on mold 20. Coaxial lock ring apertures 48 and 50 are provided in flanges 46 and core plate 28 respectively. A lock ring fastener 52 is provided for each pair of lock ring apertures 48 and 50 to secure the lock ring 40 in place. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, lock ring fastener 52 is a threaded bolt.

For each mold stack 22, cavity plate 26 defines a cavity bore 54. Located within the cavity bore 54 on the side furthest from the core half assembly 32 is the gate insert 56, adapted in use to receive the nozzle of a runner system (not shown). Also located within the cavity bore 54 is the cavity insert 58. Cavity insert 58 further defines cooling channels 60 for the circulation of a cooling fluid (not shown). The cavity insert 58 in cooperation with the gate insert 56 define, in use, at least some of an exterior surface of the molded article. Although the presently-illustrated embodiment shows the cavity insert 58 and the gate insert 56 formed as separate inserts, those of skill in the art may recognize that the two inserts can also be integrally formed together as a single component. Typically, cavity bore 54 provides a small clearance around the cavity insert 58.

Cavity insert 58 is retained within cavity bore 54 by the cavity flange 62.
Coaxial cavity apertures 64 and 68 are provided in cavity plate 26 and cavity flange 62, respectively. A
cavity flange fastener 72 is provided for each pair of cavity apertures 64 and 68 to securely mount the cavity flange 62 to the cavity plate 26. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, cavity flange fastener 72 is a threaded bolt.

In the presently-illustrated embodiment, cavity flange 62 further defines a tapered surface 70 to assist in the alignment of the mold stack 22 upon closure of the core half assembly 32 with the cavity half assembly 30. Typically, a small clearance is provided between the sides of cavity flange 62 and cavity insert 58.

Within each mold stack 22, between the cavity flange 62 and lock ring 40 is the neck ring assembly 78. Each neck ring assembly 78 is split into a symmetrical pair of neck ring portions 80. Neck ring assembly 78, in use, defines the neck finish portion of the molded article. Neck ring assembly 78 includes a lock ring tapered surface 82 that assists in the alignment of mold stack 22 with an opposing mated tapered surface 81 on the end of lock ring 40.
Neck ring assembly 78 further includes a wear taper surface 84 that assists in the alignment of mold stack 22 with the opposing mated tapered surface 70 on cavity flange 62.

Neck ring portions 80 abut each other when the mold half assemblies are closed together to cooperate and form the molded article. When the molded article is to be removed from mold 20, the neck ring portions 80 are translated apart form each other by a pair of neck ring slides 74 which are operable to slide or otherwise move away from core insert 38 (movement not depicted). Those of skill in the art may recognize that wear plates or other such structures may be present between neck ring slides 74 and the core plate 28 (none depicted).
Coaxial neck ring apertures 86 and 88 are provided in neck ring portions 80 and neck ring slides 74, respectively. A neck ring fastener 90 is provided for each pair of neck ring apertures 86 and 88 to secure the neck ring portion 80 to its respective neck ring slide 74. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, neck ring fastener 90 is a threaded bolt.

It can clearly be seen in Fig. 2, when mold 20 is in the closed position, a mold cavity 92 for the molded article is cooperatively defined by the core insert 38, the cavity insert 58, gate insert 56, and the neck ring assembly 78. Those of skill in the art may appreciate that proper alignment of these aforementioned components is required to ensure consistency between molded articles over repeated molding cycles.

As seen in Fig. 2, when the core half assembly 32 and the cavity half assembly 30 are closed together, the cavity apertures 64 and 68 on the cavity plate 26 and the cavity flange 62, respectively, and the neck ring apertures 86 and 88 on neck ring portion 80 and the neck ring slide 74, respectively are all coaxially aligned and in communication with each other, defining a common mounting aperture 94 for the mold stack 22. Thus, each of cavity plate 26, cavity flange 62, and neck ring apertures 86 and 88 each define a portion of the common mounting aperture 94. Thus, the cavity plate 26 forms one portion of the common mounting aperture 94 and the cavity flange 62 defines another portion of the common mounting aperture 94. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, each mold stack 22 includes four common mounting apertures 94, radially distributed around the mold stack 22 (best seen in Fig.
4).

In use, the core half assembly 32 and the cavity half assembly 30 of mold 20 are closed together and pressure is applied by platens (not depicted). When pressure is applied, the opposing tapered surfaces, such as i) opposing tapered surfaces 42 and 44 of lock ring 40 and core insert 38, respectively, ii) opposing tapered surfaces 82 and 81 on neck ring assembly 78 and lock ring 40, respectively and iii) wear tapered surfaces 84 and 70 on neck ring assembly 78 and cavity flange 62, respectively, all cooperate to help align mold stack 22.
However, the core half assembly 32 and the cavity half assembly 30 may need to be closed and latched together, with some amount of pressure applied (referred to as "clamped down"), when the mold 20 is removed from one or both of the platens. Examples of this situation could include transportation of mold 20, and as is described in greater detail below, assembly and alignment of the mold stacks 22 of mold 20. To facilitate clamping down of the mold 20, coaxial latch apertures 96, 98 and 100 are defined in cavity plate 26, neck ring slides 74, and core plate 28. To clamp down mold 20, a latch fastener 102 is mounted within latch apertures 96, 98 and 100. In the presently-illustrated embodiment latch fastener 102 is a threaded bolt.
Those of skill in the art may recognize that mold 20 may be clamped down by other means such as external clamps and the like. In lieu of latch fasteners 102, guide pins or the like may be inserted through latch apertures 96, 98 and 100.

Referring now to Fig. 5 and with reference back to Figs. 2-4, a method of method for aligning one of the mold stacks 22 for mold 20 by mounting a first mold stack component to the second mold stack component using a tool assembly through the common mounting apertures 94 is shown, beginning at step 200. The tool assembly may include an elongated tool 104 that is configured to tighten or loosen a fastener 90, for example. At step 200, mold 20 remains separated into its respective core half assembly 32 and its cavity half assembly 30 (separation not depicted). Within the cavity half assembly 30, the gate insert 56 and the cavity insert 58 are already inserted to cavity bore 54 and aligned as necessary as part of their constituent mold stack 22. Cavity flange 62 is located over the cavity insert 58. Step 200 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

At step 210, some but not all of the cavity flange fasteners 72 for the mold stack 22 are mounted within cavity apertures 64 and 68 on the cavity flange 62 and the cavity plate 26.
The mounted cavity flange fasteners 72 are located on opposing sides of cavity flange 62, and correspond to an initial subset of the common mounting apertures 94. The other sets of cavity apertures 64 and 68 remain empty so that their respective common mounting apertures 94 are still unblocked. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, the initial subset of the common mounting aperture 94 comprises two of the four common mounting apertures 94 locating on the cavity flange 62. The other common mounting apertures 94 remain unblocked.
During the mounting of cavity flange 62 to the cavity plate 26 by the cavity flange fasteners 72, care should be taken to minimize unwanted rotation of cavity flange 62. Step 210 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

At step 220, within the core half assembly 32, the core insert 38 is located within core plate 28. The lock ring 40 is then located around core insert 38. The lock ring fasteners 52 are mounted in lock ring apertures 48 and 50 to secure lock ring 40 in place while leaving the preload gap. During the mounting of lock ring 40 onto core plate 28 by lock ring fasteners 52, care should be taken to minimize deflection of the lock ring 40, and hence the core insert 38.
The neck ring slides 74 are subsequently mounted to stripper plate 29. Step 220 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

At step 230, the neck ring assemblies 78 are mounted to their pair of neck ring slides 74. All of the neck ring fasteners 90 (four in the presently-illustrated embodiment) are located within each set of neck ring apertures 86 and 88. The neck ring fasteners 90 are only loosely tightened, such as by hand tightening. Step 230 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

At step 240, the cavity half assembly 30 is located over the core half assembly 32 (corresponding to mold 20's closed position) so that the latch apertures 96 (on cavity plate 26), latch aperture 98 (on neck ring slide 74) and latch aperture 100 (on core plate 28) are aligned. A latch fastener 102 is mounted in each set of latch apertures 96, 98 and 100. Mold 20 is clamped down sufficiently so that by applying pressure, the preload gaps are removed.
When the core half assembly 32 and the cavity half assembly 30 are clamped down together, the neck ring assemblies 78, lock rings 40 and core inserts 38 may be forced into alignment to match the tapered surface 70 of cavity flange 62.

At step 250, an installer (not depicted) using an elongated tool 104 (shown in Fig. 3) tightens further the exposed neck ring fasteners 90 through the common mounting aperture 94 (i.e., the neck ring fasteners 90 which are not blocked by the initial subset of cavity flange fasteners 72). As the mold stack 22 is fully clamped up, the neck rings are secured in place through the cooperation of tapered surfaces 82 and 84. The rotation and or deflection of the neck ring portions 80 are thereby reduced. Additional tightening of the initial subset of cavity flanges 62 through the common mounting aperture 94 while mold 20 is in the clamped up condition may further compensate for some shifting in the alignment of the mold stack components.
Step 250 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

At step 260, the mold 20 is unclamped by removing all the latch fasteners 102 from their respective sets of latch apertures 96, 98 and 100. The cavity half assembly 30 is removed from the core half assembly 32. The neck ring assemblies 78 may remain securely fastened, but the lock rings 40 and core insert 38 may spring back to their preloaded position.

At step 270, all of the neck ring fasteners 90 are fully tightened. As some of the neck ring fasteners 90 have already been at least partially tightened through the common mounting aperture 94 in step 250, unwanted rotation and/or deflection of the neck ring portions 80 is thus reduced while the neck ring fasteners 90 are being tightened. Step 270 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20.

Referring now to Figs. 6-9, a mold stack according to another embodiment is shown generally at 22B. Mold stack 22B is adapted to be mounted within a mold 20B, and includes a core insert 38, a cavity insert 58 and a gate insert 56, which cooperate to define a mold cavity 92 (Fig. 2), as are described in greater detail above. Mold stack 22B further includes a neck ring assembly 78, as is described in greater detail above. Within each mold stack 22B, the cavity insert 58 is retained within cavity bore 54 (Fig. 2) by a cavity flange 62B.

Cavity flange 62B includes separate cavity flange mounting apertures 106 and cavity apertures 68B (best seen in Fig. 9). As with the previously-described embodiment, cavity apertures 68B define a portion of the common mounting aperture 94B. However, in this embodiment, the cavity flange mounting apertures 106 are used to mount the cavity flange 62B to the cavity plate 26B. A cavity flange fastener 72B is provided for each cavity flange mounting aperture 106. In the presently-illustrated embodiment, cavity flange fastener 72B is a threaded bolt. Unlike the previously-described embodiment, the presence of a cavity flange fasteners 72B within cavity flange mounting apertures 106 does not occlude the common mounting aperture 94B. Thus, the cavity flange 62B may be fully mounted to the cavity plate 26B by all four cavity flange fasteners 72B without blocking access to the neck ring apertures 88 via the common mounting apertures 9413, permitting the tightening of all the neck ring fasteners 90.

Referring now to Fig. 10 and with reference back to Figs. 6-9, a method of aligning one of the to mold stacks 22B for mold 20B is shown, beginning at step 200B. At step 200B, mold 20B
remains separated into its respective core half assembly 32 and its cavity half assembly 30 (separation not depicted). Within the cavity half assembly 30, the gate insert 56 and the cavity insert 58 are already inserted to cavity bore 54 and aligned as necessary as part of their constituent mold stack 22. Cavity flange 62B is located over the cavity insert 58. Step 200 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within mold 20B.

At step 210B, all of the cavity flange fasteners 72B for the mold stack 22B
are mounted within cavity apertures 64B and 68 (not shown) on the cavity flange 62B and the cavity plate 26B. All the common mounting apertures 94B remain unblocked.

At step 220B, the core half assembly 32 is assembled as is described in greater detail with reference to step 220 above.

At step 230B, the neck ring assemblies 78 are mounted to their pair of neck ring slides 74, by loosely tightening the neck ring fasteners 90, as is described in greater detail with reference to step 230 above.

At step 240B, the cavity half assembly 30 is located over the core half assembly 32, and the two are latched together with pressure applied, as is described in greater detail with reference to step 240 above.

At step 250B, an installer (not depicted) using an elongated tool 104 further tightens all the neck ring fasteners 90 through the common mounting aperture 94. Step 250 is repeated for each mold stack 22 within the mold 20B.

At step 260B, the mold 20B is unlatched, as is described in greater detail with reference to step 260 above.

It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent non-limiting embodiments. Thus, although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept of the aspects is suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be effected without departing from the scope the independent claims. It is understood that the described embodiments are merely illustrative of the independent claims.

Claims (31)

1. A mold, comprising:
a mold plate;
a mold stack being located relative to the mold plate, the mold stack including:
a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component, the mold plate, the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component defining a common mounting aperture being configured to receive a tool assembly being adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

2. A mold, comprising:
a plurality of mold plates;
a mold stack for forming a molded article, the mold stack having a plurality of mold stack components located between the plurality of mold plates, the mold stack including:
a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component; and wherein at least one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates, the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component define a common mounting aperture, the common mounting aperture for receiving a tool assembly adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

3. The mold of claim 2, wherein at least one mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack is adapted to align themselves relative to another mold stack component the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure.

4. The mold of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mold plates includes a cavity plate and a core plate.

5. The mold of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a core mounted to a core plate.

6. The mold of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a cavity insert located within a cavity bore defined by a cavity plate.

7. The mold of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a cavity flange adapted to retain a cavity insert located within a cavity bore defined by a cavity plate.

8. The mold of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a neck ring assembly, adapted to be mounted to a pair of neck ring slides.

9. The mold of claim 2, wherein:
the plurality of mold plates includes a cavity plate;
the plurality of mold stack components include a cavity flange adapted to retain a cavity insert located within a cavity bore defined by the cavity plate, and a neck ring assembly, adapted to be mounted to a pair of neck ring slides; and the common mounting aperture is defined between the cavity plate, the cavity flange, a neck ring portion and at least one of the pair of neck ring slides.

10. The mold of claim 2, wherein:
at least one mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack is adapted to align themselves relative to another mold stack component the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure; and the plurality of mold stack components includes a neck ring assembly, the neck ring assembly defining a tapered surface for interfacing with an opposing mated tapered surface on a lock ring when the mold is under pressure.

11. The mold of claim 2, wherein:
at least one mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack is adapted to align themselves relative to another mold stack component the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure; and the plurality of mold stack components includes a neck ring assembly, the neck ring assembly defining a tapered surface for interfacing with an opposing mated tapered surface on a cavity flange when the mold is under pressure.

12. The mold of claim 2, wherein the first mold stack component includes a neck ring assembly.

13. The mold of claim 2, wherein the tool assembly includes a fastener being partially received by the second mold stack component, and an elongated tool configured to be received through the common mounting aperture to fully tighten the fastener.

14. A mold stack, comprising:
a first mold stack component; and a second mold stack component, the second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component; and wherein the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component each define a portion of a common mounting aperture operable to be aligned with another portion of the common mounting aperture being defined by a mold plate, the common mounting aperture for receiving a tool assembly adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

15. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein at least some of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack are adapted to align themselves relative to other components of the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure.

16. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a core mounted to a core plate.

17. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a cavity insert located within a cavity bore defined by a cavity plate.

18. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the plurality of mold stack components includes a cavity flange adapted to retain a cavity insert located within a cavity bore defined by a cavity plate.

19. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the neck ring assembly is adapted to be mounted to a pair of neck ring slides.

20. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein:
at least some of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack are adapted to align themselves relative to other components of the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure; and the neck ring assembly defines a tapered surface for interfacing with an opposing mated tapered surface on a lock ring when the mold is under pressure.

21. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein:
at least some of the plurality of mold stack components of the mold stack is adapted to align themselves relative to other components of the plurality of mold stack components while the mold is under pressure; and the neck ring assembly defines a tapered surface for interfacing with an opposing mated tapered surface on a cavity flange when the mold is under pressure.

22. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the second mold stack component includes a neck ring slide.

23. The mold stack of claim 12, wherein the tool assembly includes a fastener being partially received by the second mold stack component, and an elongated tool configured to be received through the common mounting aperture to fully tighten the fastener.

24. A method of assembling a mold, comprising:
using a mold plate, a first mold stack component and a second mold stack component of a mold stack to define a common mounting aperture being configured to receive a tool assembly being adapted for fastening the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component, the mold stack being located relative to the mold plate, the second mold stack component being located adjacent to the first mold stack component.

25. A method for aligning a mold stack having a plurality of mold stack components that are adapted to be retained between a plurality of mold plates of a mold, comprising:
loosely tightening at least some fasteners of all the fasteners used to loosely mount a first mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components to a second mold stack component of the plurality of mold stack components;

assembling the plurality of mold stack components so that the first mold stack component is located between one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates and the second mold stack component, the assembling of the plurality of mold stack components aligning the first mold stack component and the second mold stack component with the one mold plate of the plurality of mold plates to define a common mounting aperture between an outside of the mold and the at least some of the fasteners; and using a tool assembly, fully tightening the at least some of the fasteners to fully mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component through the common mounting aperture.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
applying pressure to the mold stack so that the at least some of the plurality of mold stack components are aligned.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least some of the fasteners used to loosely mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component includes all of the fasteners used to mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein loosely tightening the at least some of the fasteners used to loosely mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component comprises hand tightening the at least some of the fasteners of the used to loosely mount the first mold stack component to the second mold stack component.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least some of the plurality of mold stack components are aligned by interfacing of opposed tapered surfaces on some of the plurality of mold stack components.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the first mold stack component includes a neck ring assembly and the second mold stack component includes a neck ring slide.

31. A mold stack component, comprising:
a surface on the mold stack component for engaging an opposing surface associated with another mold stack component, and a common mounting aperture formed by the mold stack component for association with a fastener of the another mold stack component; and wherein the common mounting aperture is configured to receive a tool assembly used to fasten the another mold stack component with the mold stack component.