Abstract: In the forming of an article by blow molding parisons into conformity with cavities of an array of mold sections wherein parisons in the form of tubes are extruded from an extruder into an array of neck molds on a head, the head is moved axially away from the extruder to define the parisons, mold sections are closed about the parisons and the parisons are blown outwardly and a take out mechanism grasps and removes the containers after the mold sections are opened, the apparatus for application of labels to the hollow blown plastic articles which comprises a label carrier mounted for reciprocating movement between the open mold sections and supporting an array of spaced vacuum pick up devices.

Abstract: In the forming of an article by blow molding parisons into conformity with cavities wherein parisons in the form of tubes are extruded from an extruder into a plurality of neck molds on a head, the head is moved axially away from the extruder to define the parisons and then an array of mold sections are closed about the parisons and the parisons are blown outwardly, the apparatus for applying labels to the hollow blown plastic articles which comprises a vacuum slide mounted for indexing movement adjacent a source of labels for successively removing labels from a source to provide an array of labels on the slide and label pick up and delivery devices on the head for simultaneously removing the array of labels from the vacuum slide and delivering the array of labels to the array of cavities of the mold sections when the head is moved between the mold sections.

Abstract: In the making of a hollow plastic articles wherein a label is positioned in each of a plurality of spaced partible molds in a predetermined array, a preform is positioned in each set of partible molds and the molds are closed and the preform is blown outwardly to the confines of the mold to apply the label to the resultant hollow plastic article, the apparatus for indexing an endless conveyor in precise increments for receiving longitudinally spaced labels providing an array of labels which are thereafter simultaneously removed from the endless conveyor and delivered between the open partible molds which comprises a fixed conveyor gripper in a first position, a second conveyor gripper mounted for movement longitudinally of the belt and means for individually controlling the gripping of the first gripper and second gripper such that the second gripper can be actuated to engage the conveyor while the first gripper is disengaged and the second gripper can be moved longitudinally to thereby move the conveyor a pr

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering labels to the blow molds and removing blown containers with the labels thereon from a blow molding apparatus wherein the apparatus precludes access to the upper or lower ends of the molds. A carriage is reciprocated horizontally between a position externally of the blow molds and a position within the blow molds. The carriage supports pick-up heads that pick up labels from magazines, deliver them between the mold halves and deposit them on the mold halves. The carriage also supports container removal devices that engage the blown containers with the labels thereon and remove them from a position between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming molded hollow plastic articles having flash and a finish for a closure. Articles are moved in succession through the load, deflashing, facing, inspection, rejection and unload stations of a trimming apparatus by vacuum heads. The articles are picked up by vacuum heads and transferred through the stations by intermittent rotation of a turret carrying the vacuum heads. To ensure proper location, each article is picked up in the load station by a vacuum head and continuously engaged by this vacuum head throughout the deflashing, facing and inspection stations and into the unloading station unless rejected and released in the rejection station.To facilitate loading, unloading and operations in the work stations on the articles, their orientation can be changed from one station to another. To enable variation of the cycle time of the apparatus, the turret and the operating mechanism in the various stations is driven by a common variable speed drive.

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus wherein a plurality of sets of molds are mounted on a wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis and each set of molds comprises mold sections that are movable radially inwardly toward and away from one another to define a blow molding cavity wherein the plastic material is extruded from an extruder having an extruder head downwardly between the open molds, comprising a base plate, a platen pivoted on the base plate for movement about a vertical axis, such that an extruder mounted on the platen and having an extrusion head can be adjusted radially of the wheel to align the extruded plastic material with the plane of juncture of the mold sections.

Abstract: An improved safety closure for containers of harmful products includes an inverted cup-shaped body member formed of resilient plastic material and an integrally molded locking flap connected by an integral hinge to the top periphery of the body member. The locking flap folds into a conforming recess in the top surface or panel of the body portion, and, in its folded position, all edges of the locking flap are flush with the adjacent surface of the panel. One or more dispensing openings are provided in the panel and sealing means are provided on the bottom of the flap to close the dispensing openings in the folded position of the locking flap. Two distinct sets of cooperating locking surfaces are provided on the flap and body portion to retain the locking flap in its folded position. The one set requires a vertically downward pressure on a specific area on the panel to release.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly for blowmolding plastic containers is disclosed. The assembly includes threads and an annular shoulder for molding a threaded bunghole with a flat sealing surface. The annular shoulder is provided by the bottom end of a cylindrical sleeve which fits over the main body of the blow pin. A narrow gap is defined between the main body and the sleeve, which provides a vent for air that otherwise gets captured between the parison and the main body.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of plastic containers. In a first embodiment of the invention a tubular length of thermoplastic material is severed from an extruder and blown into a preform shape in a movable preform mold. After completion of the cycle, the preform mold opens and returns to the extruder for a new section of material. The preform shape remains in the location where it was formed. Return of the preform mold moves the previously completed preform shape into registry with a conditioning mold. At this location, it is grasped by an indexable neck clamp. After completion of the thermal conditioning provided by the conditioning mold, the preform shape is indexed to a final shape mold where it is given its final configuration. The completed container is then indexed to a removal station for ejection from the forming process.

Abstract: A method for molding a threaded bunghole in a blowmolded article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: positioning a parison between open mold sections, partially extending a threaded pin assembly into one end of the parison, partially closing the mold sections, fully extending the pin assembly when the threads on the pin assembly are filling up with a portion of the parison, completing closure of the mold sections, and then expanding the parison into contact with the blow cavity formed by the mold sections.

Abstract: A method for forming thermoplastic containers utilizing a final blow station remote from a parison formation station. In the method, a finish portion of a plastic container is formed by the injection of molten thermoplastic material into a neckring. The neckring is then moved relative to the thermoplastic material issuing orifice while the flow of material continues. This causes formation of a tubular parison. The parison is then transported, while hanging from the neckring, to a final blow station where a blow mold or final shape mold closes around it. The parison is then blown to the contours of the interior of the blow mold. While this is taking place, a second neckring has been brought into registry with the material orifice and a new parison formed. The second parison is then moved to the final blow station while the finished plastic container is moved to a removal station.

Abstract: A method utilizing preform and final blow molds for forming molecularly oriented thermoplastic articles. According to the method, an extruded tubular parison is positioned within the pre-form blow mold and blown to a pre-form configuration. The blown pre-form is then conveyed, while suspended from a moveable carrier, through a thermal conditioning chamber and the temperature of the pre-form is adjusted to within the range for molecular orientation. Next, the thermally conditioned pre-form is conveyed by the moveable carrier to a final blowing station where the pre-form is blown to the configuration of the final article. In a first disclosed embodiment, the carrier is a blow pin which is inserted into the tubular parison at the pre-form molding station prior to the first molding operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blow molding plastic articles, particularly containers. The method involves shuttling a pre-form blow mold between a parison forming location and a pre-form blowing location, and the transfer of a blown pre-form to a fixed final blow mold. The movement of the pre-form blow mold, both in its shuttling movement and in its open and closing movement, is utilized to transfer the blown pre-form. A clamp arm is secured to each pre-form mold section for engaging the pre-form at the pre-form blowing location and for transferring the pre-form to the final blow mold as the pre-form blow mold moves.In the use of the method and apparatus for the forming of containers, the clamp arms form the finish-defining portions of the final blow mold. When the pre-form blow mold is at its blowing location, the clamp arms register with the mold cavity of the fixed final blow mold to define the complete final article mold.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for blow molding a plastic article by forming a parison into a blown pre-form and then blowing the pre-form into the final article. The final blow mold is fixed, and the pre-form mold is movable from a parison-forming location to a pre-form blowing location. An arcuately movable turret carries a plurality of blow tubes sequentially registerable with the pre-form blowing location and the final blow mold location, these tubes are utilized for the blowing operation and also transfer the preform to the final mold location. The turret thus traverses the two blowing locations, but not the parison-forming location. The turret may also traverse additional thermal conditioning or ejection stations, or the like, if desired. The turret may also move vertically for mold clearance, if necessary. The turret can oscillate between the two blow mold stations or can rotate through a complete 360.degree. traverse, as required by the number of indexing positions desired.

Abstract: A method for blow molding plastic articles, particularly containers. The method involves shuttling a pre-form blow mold between a parison forming location and a pre-form blowing location, and the transfer of a blown pre-form to a fixed final blow mold. The movement of the pre-form blow mold, both in its shuttling movement and in its open and closing movement, is utilized to transfer the blown pre-form. A clamp arm is secured to each pre-form mold section for engaging the pre-form at the pre-form blowing location and for transferring the pre-form to the final blow mold as the pre-form blow mold moves.The clamp arms form the finish-defining portions of the final blow mold. When the pre-form blow mold is at its blowing location, the clamp arms register with the mold cavity of the fixed final blow mold to define the complete final article mold.