Abstract: A single-sided shuttle-type blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. The apparatus includes a mold having a set of mold parts adapted to open and close relative to each other to define, when closed, a mold cavity. A shuttle having the mold mounted thereon is arranged to move along a closed path from a first position wherein the mold engages, when open, a finite length of the thermoplastic tube, to a second position away from the first position. The apparatus further includes a blow head adapted to blow the finite length of the thermoplastic tube to form the container as the mold moves from the first position to the second position of the closed path. The apparatus includes no more than one mold. A method is also described.

Abstract: Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A first finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves outwardly and downwardly with respect to the extruder to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the extruded thermoplastic tube. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the finite length of thermoplastic tube therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set at a second position of the first mold set.