Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: A method and modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member. The base member has end members provided thereon. Radial adjustment mechanisms are mounted on the end members, with the radial adjustment members configured to cooperate with turntables of the molding machine. At least one support bracket extends from the frame. The support bracket is configured to cooperate with at least one support fixture of the molding machine. The radial adjustment mechanisms and the at least one support bracket allow the modular mold clamp assembly to be moved toward and away from the center of a wheel of the molding machine.

Abstract: A rotary molding machine having a movable member mounted for rotation on a base about a rotational axis. The movable member has a first component and a second component which is parallel to the first component. The first and second components extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the movable member, with each mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations of the first and second components. An array of mounting openings are provided in the mounting locations of the first and second components of the movable members. The mounting openings are configured to accommodate multiple mold clamp assembly configurations.

Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed a rotary molding machine having a wheel mounted for rotation on a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel. A first shaft cooperates with a first turntable of the wheel and a second shaft cooperates with a second turntable. The first and second turntables extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of modular mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the wheel, with each modular mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each modular mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations each turntable. The modular mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: A method and modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member. The base member has end members provided thereon. Radial adjustment mechanisms are mounted on the end members, with the radial adjustment members configured to cooperate with turntables of the molding machine. At least one support bracket extends from the frame. The support bracket is configured to cooperate with at least one support fixture of the molding machine. The radial adjustment mechanisms and the at least one support bracket allow the modular mold clamp assembly to be moved toward and away from the center of a wheel of the molding machine.

Abstract: The invention is directed a rotary molding machine having a wheel mounted for rotation on a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel. A first shaft cooperates with a first turntable of the wheel and a second shaft cooperates with a second turntable. The first and second turntables extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of modular mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the wheel, with each modular mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each modular mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations each turntable. The modular mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: A method of cutting or trimming a plastic log ejected from a blow mold to form multiple open-mouthed bottles, the log having respective bottle portions on opposite ends of the log with each bottle portion having an offset neck and the bottle portions connected in neck-to-neck relationship by a neck ring having a central neck axis, that is especially suitable for high-output production lines. A log conveyor is continuously moved along a path. The body to be trimmed is placed between holders carried by the conveyor and trimmed by rotating the holders about the offset neck axis as the conveyor moves past a trim knife extending along the path.

Abstract: A method of cutting or trimming a plastic body ejected from a blow mold that is especially suitable for high-output production lines. A log conveyor is continuously moved along a path. The body to be trimmed is placed between holders carried by the conveyor and trimmed by rotating the holders as the conveyor moves past a trim knife extending along the path.

Abstract: A method of removing flash extending in a plane from a plastic bottle forming a portion of a plastic one-bottle or multi-bottle blow molded log includes continuously moving a log holder and a punch assembly along a path. The untrimmed log is placed on the log holder. The punch assembly carries a punch that moves in a direction perpendicular to the flash to impact and remove the flash.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming plastic from blow molded one-bottle or two-bottle logs during movement of the logs on log holders moving along a conveyor path extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The apparatus includes a frame and, connected to the frame, a log conveyor, a punch assembly, and a trim assembly. The punch assembly is located at a first portion of the conveyor path and the trim assembly is located at a different, second portion of the conveyor path. The apparatus trims neck flash and neck rings from logs moving along the path.

Abstract: A blow mold system take-out device includes a plurality of transfer heads positioned around a hub, and a plurality of arms associated with a plurality of the transfer heads. The arms receive and clamp a molded product. Each transfer head with arms moves around the hub to a position where the arms release the molded product onto a takeaway device.

Abstract: A take-out device for removing blow molded products from molds in a high speed rotary blow molding machine includes a plurality of transfer heads which are moved into and out of an ejection station to clamp logs or bottles stripped from the molds and move the logs or bottles away from the station toward a takeaway conveyor. The bottles or logs are turned ninety degrees before placement on a takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: A take-out device for removing blow molded products from molds in a high speed rotary blow molding machine includes a plurality of transfer heads which are moved into and out of an ejection station to clamp logs or bottles stripped from the molds and move the logs or bottles away from the station toward a takeaway conveyor. The bottles or logs are turned ninety degrees before placement on a takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: A take-out mechanism for removing sets of blow molded bottles from a blow mold includes a rotary turret, a take-away conveyor and a drive for moving the turret between the blow mold and the take-away conveyor. The turret has a number of sides with a plurality of vacuum plugs extending from each side. The drive moves the turret toward the mold to extend a set of plugs on one side of the turret into mold cavities and vacuum-capture bottles molded in the cavities. After opening of the mold, the turret is lowered and rotated 90.degree. to position the vacuum-held bottles at the infeed end of the take-away conveyor. Rotation of the turret positions a second set of plugs facing a second mold moved to the take-out position. Subsequent rapid retraction of the turret moves the set of removed bottles into the take-away conveyor and powers the conveyor to receive the bottles while maintaining orientation between individual bottles.

Abstract: A rotary blow molding machine includes a horizontal main shaft with a plurality of molds spaced around the shaft and mounted on the shaft by linear bearings for movement along the shaft. A shaft drive rotates the shaft and molds around the axis of the shaft in the steps and dwells the shaft and molds between steps. Open molds are rotated from a lower container eject position up to a parison capture position and then close on a parison. The closed molds are shifted axially along the main shaft and the parison is blown. Further rotation of the shaft returns the molds to the mold eject position where the molds open and molded containers are ejected downwardly with gravity assist.