Abstract: A cryogenic stretch blow molding apparatus including a stretching rod mounted to a blow mold rod seal assembly for sliding movement therethrough, into and longitudinally stretching a plastic parison, the stretching rod including a cooling fluid tube defining a cooling fluid inlet port for connection to a source of a cooling fluid and a cooling fluid outlet port to introduce the cooling fluid within the container, and a heater disposed in a cavity defined in the blow mold rod seal assembly for heating the blow mold rod seal assembly so that at least a portion of the stretching rod is maintained at a temperature above a preselected level to prevent accumulation thereon of ice sublimated from water vapor present in the blow air and portions of seals of the blow mold rod seal assembly are maintained at a temperature above a predetermined level to prevent seal failure.

Abstract: An injection blow molding system includes an injection molding station 22, a first delivery section 24, a cooling station 26, a heating station 30, a second delivery section 32 and a plurality of blow molding stations 34. The injection molding station 22 is designed to simultaneously injection mold M rows of N preforms 36 arranged in a second direction B perpendicular to a first direction A in which the preforms 36 are carried. The first delivery section 24 is designed to remove the M rows of preforms 36 injection molded by the injection molding station 22 through a removing mechanism 102 in their upright state while decreasing the pitch in the rows. The preforms 36 are inverted with the column pitch being changed by an inverting mechanism 104 before they are delivered to the cooling station in their inverted state. The cooling and heating stations 26, 30 are designed to cool and heat one row of N preforms 36 while parallel carrying them along a first carrying chain 200.

Abstract: An improvement for a stretch blow molding apparatus, including a cryogenic liquid pulse pump disposed in sealed fluid connection between a cryogenic liquid reservoir and a stretch blow molding machine, a subcooler connected between the reservoir and the pulse pump for supplying cryogenic liquid at a preselected temperature, a vacuum jacket casing disposed generally surrounding a stretch blow rod, the reservoir, and the pulse pump for preventing vaporization of cryogenic liquid prior to delivery into a container, and control means for controlling the pulse pump to deliver a preselected amount of cryogenic liquid into the container through the stretch rod during a predetermined time interval beginning at a preselected time after formation of the container.

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus for blow molding a preform into a container has a rectangular carrying path, carrier members each of which supports and carries the preform and container, an endless carrying member for circulatorily driving the carrier members along the path, a first transferring portion for transferring the preform supplied from outside of the apparatus to at least one of the carrying members, a heating section for heating the preform supported by the at least one carrying member, a blow molding section for blow molding the heated preform into the container, a second transferring portion for transferring the blow molded container outside of the apparatus, at least one guidable member disposed at each of the carrying members, and at least one guide member for guiding the at least one guidable member in each of the carrying members in order to transfer each of the carrying members along the rectangular carrying path.

Abstract: A container obtained by biaxially stretch-blow-molding a resin. Except the mouth-and-neck portion, vicinities thereof and the center of the bottom portion, the container as a whole is reduced in thickness under a highly drawing condition without accompanied by whitening, and a portion constituting the bottom valley portions has an yielding load of not smaller than 25 kg/cm at 70.degree. C. The container exhibits excellent heat resistance, pressure resistance, shock resistance as well as self-standing ability.

Abstract: A resin molded article having a highly expanded undercut shape and a uniform wall thickness distribution is produced with good productivity by forming a parison as an intermediate molded article by injection molding a thermoplastic resin, expanding said parison in open molds prior to blow molding of the parison in the final shape, then closing the molds, and blow molding said parison in the closed molds to form the final shape of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of molding a double-wall bottle consisting of an outer bottle (12) and an inner bottle (14). A outer bottle (12) is first formed from a first preform by biaxial Stretch blow molding. After this molding step, a plurality of air vent holes (24) are formed in a biaxially orientated region of the outer bottle (12). Next, a second preform (70) and the outer bottle (12) are set together within a first blow cavity mold (100). Subsequently, the inner bottle (24) is formed by biaxial stretch blow molding from the second preform (70) while the air within the outer bottler (12) is expelled through the air vent holes (24). Circumferential concave ribs (22) are formed around the entire circumference of the outer bottle (12), and at least one of the air vent holes (24) is formed in a region either inside or outside the region in which the circumferential concave ribs are formed.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus has an injection molding station and a blow molding station, with a transfer station positioned therebetween. The injection molding station has an injection molding section which molds preforms and a removal section which removes the preforms from an injection core mold. The blow molding station carries out circulating transfer of carrying members which support the preforms, and in the blow molding section the preforms are blow molded into containers. The transfer station has a receiving mechanism which receives preforms removed from the injection core mold in the injection molding station in the upright state, an inverting receiving mechanism which inverts the preforms and passes them in the inverted state to carrying members, and between the receiving mechanism and the inverting receiving mechanism, a movement mechanism transferring the preforms from the receiving mechanism to the inverting receiving mechanism.

Abstract: The machine for the production of receptacles of plastic material includes a loading device (5) in which the preforms are disposed neck down on supports (7) of double carriers (8) heated in a heating device (10) and moved into a drawing-blowing device (12). In this latter, the receptacles are formed and then discharged into a discharging device (14). In the part (21) of the guide track (20) the supports (7) and the preforms are aligned in a single row, whilst in the part (22) the supports (7) and the preforms are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows. Between each row of preforms of a row of carriers (8), the heating device (10) includes a heating body (42) arranged so as to heat bidirectionally the preforms located on each side of the heating body (42). The heating device can moreover be raised from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa. There is thus obtained a machine with a very high output, of reduced size and low consumption of energy.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an injection moulding machine including an injection moulding tool which includes at least one female die and one male die. A blow moulding tool is arranged in closely spaced relationship with the injection moulding tool. A transfer member is arranged between the injection moulding tool and the blow moulding tool, the transfer member being used for transferring a preform from the injection moulding tool to the blow moulding tool. The movement of the transfer member is synchronized with the opening and closing movements of the injection moulding tool and of the blow moulding tool in such a way that said transfer member moves into the tool area of the open injection moulding tool, removes the respective preform from the male die or from the female die, moves out of the tool area and introduces the preform into the blow moulding tool that is open to an adequate extent.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a container has a standby section disposed between a heating section and a blow molding section. A preform is supported by carrier members, and is intermittently carried from the heating section via the standby section to the blow molding section. In the standby section are provided a temperature conditioning member which conditions temperature on the preform carried from the heating section; a positioning plate which positions a carrier member stopped at the standby section; and a cylinder which advances and withdraws the temperature conditioning member with respect to the preform, and simultaneously advances and withdraws the positioning plate with respect to the carrier member. The advanced positioning plate contacts with the carrier member to position the carrier member. The advanced temperature conditioning member is set enabling temperature conditioning of the preform.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a stretch blow molding machine includes devices for monitoring the position of a stretch rod with respect to a mold, an air pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure introduced through the stretch rod, and a sensor for monitoring temperature of fluid within a fluid cavity for chilling the mold. The system includes a display for monitoring position data, pressure data, and temperature data generated by the respective sensors.

Abstract: In order to stretch an injection-molded preform by a stretching rod in the axis direction and to blow mold it into a hollow product such as a vessel with a predetermined shape in a blow mold, some of the blow air after used is collected in a low-pressure working-air tank set separately from a high-pressure blow-air tank and operating selector valves in a circuit and the collected air is used for some of the working air for an air cylinder for operating units related to stretch-blow molding by air cylinders. To decrease the availability factor of a compressor by collecting used blow air and thereby, make it possible to cut the cost required for compressed air and decrease exhaust noises.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus and method wherein while the preforms are amply cooled the injection molding cycle time is shortened and furthermore a small number of blow cavities are used. In an injection molding section, N (N.gtoreq.2) preforms are injection molded in an upright state and then released from the injection cavity mold. While the preforms are cooled by the injection core mold, they are carried to a preform ejecting section. After the preforms cool to a temperature at which they can be ejected, the preforms are ejected from the injection core mold. In a transfer station, an array pitch of the simultaneously molded preforms are changed to a blow molding pitch, and then the preforms are transferred to a blow molding station in an inverted state. In the blow molding station, each preform is carried by a carrier member through a heating section into a blow molding section. In the blow molding section, n bottles are simultaneously blow molded from n preforms.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus and method wherein while the preforms are amply cooled the injection molding cycle time is shortened and furthermore a small number of blow cavities are used and the operation rate of these blow cavities is increased. In an injection molding section, N (N.gtoreq.2) preforms are injection molded and then released from the injection cavity mold at a relatively high mold-release temperature. While the preforms are cooled by the injection core mold, they are carried to a preform ejecting section. After the preforms cool to a temperature at which they can be ejected, the preforms are ejected from the injection core mold. In a transfer station, n (1.ltoreq.n<N) of the simultaneously molded N preforms at a time are transferred to a blow molding station in (N/n) transfer operations. In the blow molding station, each preform is carried by a carrier member through a heating section and a standby section into a blow molding section.

Abstract: A self-lubricating ring assembly (10) for use in forming a finish portion (F) of a hollow formable glass parison (P), the neck ring assembly (10) having an opposed pair of part cylindrical metallic neck ring sections (22a, 22b) that can be opened and closed with respect to one another. The opening and closing of the neck ring sections is guided by a guide ring assembly (24) that is made up of a larger diameter flange member (26) and a smaller diameter hub member (28) that is coaxially and removably joined to the flange member (26). A peripheral portion of the flange member (26) is slidably received in a slot that is defined by opposed slot portions (30, 30b) of the neck ring sections (22a, 22b). The flange member (26) of the guide ring assembly (24) is formed of graphite, to eliminate the need for external lubrication of the neck ring assembly (10), and the hub member (28) is formed of a hardened metal alloy.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent the deformation of a cylindrical mouth portion of a preform when a blow pressure acts thereon in a diameter expanding direction during biaxial orientation blow molding. During biaxial orientation blow molding, sealing of the blow pressure is accomplished by means of a neck ring P1 circumferentially provided on a lower end of the circumferentially provided on a lower end of the circumferential surface of a cylindrical mouth portion P2 of a preform to thereby make the blow pressure act uniformly on the whole area of the cylindrical mouth portion P2, whereby the unreasonable deformation of the cylindrical mouth portion P2 due to the ununiform application of blow pressure thereto can totally be eliminated.

Abstract: There is provided a method of molding a large container including the steps of preparing a preform from an injection-molded, thick-wall, closed-end parison by repeatedly and intermittently applying an air blow pressure to the parison and releasing the air blow pressure therefrom, and stretch blow molding the preform to a thin-wall large container. The closed-end parison is released from a mold immediately after a skin layer, keeping a parison shape, is formed on the surface of the closed-end parison having a high inner temperature, and is then molded to a preform with a preform mold heated to a predetermined temperature, while the surface temperature of the parison is increased by the inner temperature. The preform is kept at a stretch blow molding temperature and is stretch blow molded into a blow mold to produce a large container.

Abstract: A composite molding device is provided at the same site for preforming a closed-end parison or controlling the temperature of the closed-end parison as well as stretch blow molding the preform or temperature-controlled parison to a final product, such as a bottle. The composite molding device applied for stretch blow molding includes a clamping device, a pair of first mold halves, and a pair of second mold halves. The pair of second mold halves are removably placed between the pair of first mold halves in the clamping device so as to use the clamping device as a common clamping device.

Abstract: A process for producing biaxially drawn plastic bottles having excellent heat resistance and an apparatus therefor. The process comprises a step of biaxially drawing and free blow-molding the preformed article to obtain a secondary molded article thereof, a step of heating the secondary molded article by inserting it for 0.3 to 5 seconds in the infrared rays emitted from an infrared-ray radiation member that has a substantially planar radiation surface having a height larger than that of the secondary molded article in the direction of height and having a surface temperature of from 350.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C., in order to obtain a tertiary product thereof that is shrunk, and a step for blow-molding the tertiary product that is in a heated state in a metal mold to obtain a final molded article. A single metal mold is used for blow-molding to shorten the time occupied by the metal mold and to produce the bottles having excellent heat resistance maintaining high productivity.

Abstract: A self-lubricating ring assembly (10) for use in forming a finish portion (F) of a hollow formable glass parison (P), the neck ring assembly (10) having an opposed pair of part cylindrical metallic neck ring sections (22a, 22b) that can be opened and closed with respect to one another. The opening and closing of the neck ring sections is guided by a guide ring assembly (24) that is made up of a larger diameter flange member (26) and a smaller diameter hub member (28) that is coaxially and removably joined to the flange member (26). A peripheral portion of the flange member (26) is slidably received in a slot that is defined by opposed slot portions (30, 30b) of the neck ring sections (22a, 22b). The flange member (26) of the guide ring assembly (24) is formed of graphite, to eliminate the need for external lubrication of the neck ring assembly (10), and the hub member (28) is formed of a hardened metal alloy.

Abstract: The procedure is designed for the pneumatic operation of a device in which at least one structural element is pneumatically actuated. The actuation is done by primary working air, which is fed to the pneumatic structural element from a primary working-air supply. In addition to the primary working-air supply at least one secondary working-air supply is used, which is provided with a lower pressure level than that of the primary working-air supply. After the execution of a working operation by a pneumatic structural element by means of a compressed-air supply from the primary working-air supply, during a transition phase a venting into the secondary working-air supply is carried out. After the transition phase a venting of the first pneumatic structural element vis-a-vis an ambient pressure is carried out. A second pneumatic working operation is powered by air from the secondary working-air supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a blow-molded container from a strain-hardenable polymer, the container having deep recesses for secure "post mold" attachment of a handle. The container is formed in a modified blow mold having retractable blades. The blades are partially extended for blow molding partial recesses, and then further extended for mechanically forming the deep handle recesses. The mechanical forming operation overcomes the stretch limits imposed by strain-hardening of the plastic material during blow molding, and the "post-mold" attachment of the handle provides a reduced cycle time and lower level of defects compared to the known "in-mold" handle forming operations.

Abstract: A blow molding machine configured to receive plastic parisons and output blow mold formed containers has a support frame having a trackway. A parison conveyor is attached to the support frame, and a blow mold assembly is positionable in its operating position within the support frame to receive parisons from the parison conveyor. A track mounted frame is movably supported by the trackway, with the track mounted frame configured to support the blow mold assembly as the blow mold assembly is moved outward from its operating position within the support frame to its service position adjacent to the support frame, with outward movement of the blow mold assembly permitting improved access for servicing.

Abstract: A parison injection blow molding apparatus injection molds parisons, transfers them to cooling stations then to orient-stretch blow stations and thereafter ejection stations. While at the injection molding station, cooling stations and during transfer therebetween prior to being placed at the blow stations, the parisons are continuously cooled. The parisons are transferred to each station by an axially and laterally indexing platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for blow-molding PET containers suitable for hot-filling includes a first machine having an injection station, a thermal conditioning station, a primary blow-molding station, and an exit station. A second machine includes the oven chambers and a final blow-molding station. The primary article is sealed by a cap member that has a pressure relief valve connected to it to limit the internal pressure during heating, an air supply passage for final blow-molding, and a tensioning rod for insertion into the primary article and engaging a pocket in the center of the article's bottom. In some applications, it is necessary to stiffen the neck, particularly when hot-filling at about 200.degree. F. or higher, or when using a closure roll-on die or a lugged neck finish to apply a bottle cap to the final container.

Abstract: A blow molding machine comprising two calibration stations and an extruder arranged between the two calibration stations. The machine produces hose-shaped parisons to be blown into hollow bodies by mold forms in an alternating sequence and in a periodical sequence at the respective calibration stations. An extruder is located along a vertically extending longitudinal center plane of the blow molding machine along which the mold forms are displaceable back and forth between the associated calibration stations and the extruder. A transport device transports the respective hollow bodies blown at the calibration stations to at least one post processing station in sequence. A transport mask is displaceable back and forth along a transport path disposed at a lateral distance from the longitudinal center plane of the blow molding machine and parallel thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a hollow article, wherein all the operations such as shifting and opening/closing of a die are performed by electric actuators such as motors which operate in accordance with a program operation, thus improving the quality of the hollow article as the product. A parison extruded from an extruder is introduced into and held in a die which has been opened by the operation of a die compacting motor. A crosshead associated with the extruder is lifted to draw the parison, and a parison cutting motor operates to cut the drawn parison. Thus, fully automatic production is realized, to ensure high yield of the product.

Abstract: The tip of the blow core on a stretch blow molding machine is slightly smaller in diameter than the neck of the preform into which it is inserted such that during both insertion and withdrawal there is no physical contact between the core and the preform. However, when the core tip is in place within the preform and the blow surge commences, a resilient sealing ring around the core tip expands into radial contacting engagement with the preform to seal off what would otherwise be an air escape route. When the air surge terminates, the ring contracts into a dove tail gland around the core tip so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the tip, permitting the core to be withdrawn without contacting the preform.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for orienting amorphous plastic material causes the material to be displaced through a gap with a smallest gap width less than the material thickness of the plastic material. During such displacement, the material is oriented, under the formation of a transition zone (18) between as yet unoriented (thicker) material (16b) and oriented (thinner) material (16a). The material is displaced at a speed entailing that crystallization energy released on orientation reaches the defining surfaces (14, 17) of the plastic material at a point in time when the material has already assumed its reduced thickness. The apparatus includes a drawing ring (50) and a mandrel (60), between which the gap is formed. When the plastic material enters into the gap, the gap is of a width which substantially corresponds to the material thickness of the amorphous material.

Abstract: A container with a suspension grip can be used as an infusion solution container for drip transfusion of blood or drip infusion of a solution. A method of manufacturing the container comprises making the bottom of the preform relatively thick and providing a blow metal mold on the bottom of its cavity having the shape of a container to be produced from the preform with a resin receptacle for forming a container grip so that at least part of the thick bottom of the preform enters the resin receptacle for grip formation at the time of blow molding to form a container grip.

Abstract: A two station machine forms a parison from a plastic resin and then stretch blowing into a hollow-molded product. The machine has a preform station for forming a parison and a blow mold station for stretching and inflating the parison into the hollow molded object and then ejecting the hollow-molded product from the machine. The preform station and the blow mold station are disposed at diametrically opposite locations on a circumference of a circle. A transfer portion has a transfer head rotatable about an axis extending through the center of the circle and having a pair of identical transfer stations located at diametrically opposite locations with respect to the axis. An indexer rotates the transfer head between two aligned positions in which one of the transfer stations is in registry with the preform station and the other transfer station is in registry with the blow mold station.

Abstract: In a method of molding a heat resistant container whose bottom has an inwardly raised part, firstly a preform is primary blow molded to form a primary blow molded article which is greater at least in length than the container to be obtained as a final product. Then the primary blow molded article is heat shrunk. This heat shrinking is restricted in such a manner that the length of the heat shrunk primary blow molded article from its top to its bottom center is greater than the length of the final product from its top to a peak of the raised part. Then at least the central region of the bottom of the heat shrunk primary blow molded article is inwardly pushed within a secondary blow cavity mold having a bottom mold by vertically moving the bottom mold. Finally in the secondary blow cavity mold, the resulting product is secondary blow molded so that the heel of a heat resistant container, as the final product, has a desired thickness.

Abstract: When a resin article having at least one thickened part is blow-molded, a parison is extruded and suspended between halves of a blow mold the inner surface of which defines the outer shape of the article to be molded. An expander panel is inserted into the space inside the parison, and is moved toward the part of the inner surface of the blow mold corresponding to the thickened part of the article to press thereagainst a part of the parison. Then the blow mold is closed and pressurized gas is blown into the parison.

Abstract: A method for temperature conditioning a blank of plastic material in which a conditioning mandrel is placed within the blank and thereafter expanded into reliable abutment against the inner surface of the blank. The mandrel is thereafter returned to its initial position. The outer surface of the mandrel is adjusted to and maintained at a certain temperature, whereby, during the abutment, an energy exchange takes place between the blank and the mandrel for adjusting the temperature of the blank. At high temperatures of the mandrel, the mandrel is displaced out of the blank after such short time that the plastic material in the region of the abutment surface never passes the critical temperature of tackiness of the plastic material and/or thermal crystallization of the plastic material. As a rule, the expansion and contraction of the mandrel is repeated one or more times.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming hollow plastics including reciprocable mold portions to form a blow mold movable from an open position to a closed position a holding device for holding the parison within the blow mold. An alignment device is provided for aligning the parison with the blow mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tube-like preform having a longitudinal wall with a variable cross-section for blow molding of a hollow body from a thermoplastic material, includes a tubular die having a variable exit opening, and a collar die having a recess and movable into engagement with and away from the tubular die, the preform being produced by ejecting of the thermoplastic material from the exit opening of the tubular die into the recess of the collar die while moving tubular die, with controlling a speed of movement of the collar die and a cross-section of the exit opening of the tubular die in such a manner that larger and smaller cross-section of the exit opening correspond to speed rate of the collar die, so that a thickness of the wall of the producible preform changes from peaks to valleys in a wave-like manner to form the variable cross-section of the wall.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding process forms a hollow article having a thick-walled bottom wall by regulating the bottom region of an injection molded preform to a temperature lower than that of a barrel preform portion at a blow molding station. In the process, a bulged portion formed on the distal end of a stretching rod and regulated in temperature is brought into contact with the inner bottom and adjacent side walls of the preform which correspond to the bottom region of the hollow article to be formed into an increased wall thickness, before start of a biaxially stretch blow molding step wherein the preform having a potential heat provided in the injection molding step is biaxially stretched to form the hollow article. The region of the preform contacting the bulged end portion has a temperature lower than another region of the preform non-contacting the bulged end portion.

Abstract: A servo stretch assembly for blow molding hollow injection molded preforms in which the stretch rod is driven by a servo motor that is electronically controlled to produce a precise and repeatable stretch stroke and stretch profile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for blow-molding hollow articles from open-ended tubular bodies of thermoplastics material include dimensionally expanding the open end of the tubular body to accomodate a blow pin plate of preselected dimension and/or geometry. The expanded open end of the tubular member will thus be closed by the blow pin plate. Subsequent introduction of pressurized fluid (e.g., air) into the tubular body through the blow pin plate will cause the tubular body to conform to the female cavity which envelops the same. In such a manner, hollow articles having relatively large sized and/or irregular shaped openings may be fabricated utilizing blow-molding techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a hollow container from a hot closed-end parison includes injection molding a hot-closed-end parison, adjusting the temperature of the hot closed-end parison by heating or cooling the hot closed-end parison by heating in a predetermined location within a temperature adjusting pot in a temperature adjusting device. The parison is then blow-molded into a hollow container having a predetermined configuration after the parison has been adjusted in temperature. The temperature adjusting operation uses at least either of the temperature adjusting pot or a temperature adjusting core in the temperature adjusting device so as to apply a pre-treatment, such as by clamping, to a portion of the hot closed-end parison for obtaining the predetermined concavo-convex pattern in the hollow container formed at the subsequent blowing step. Thus, a hollow container, a portion of which has the desired concavo-convex pattern, can be mass-produced simply and inexpensively.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming dilatation balloons and catheters including same are provided. The balloons are fabricated of a material such as a nylon or a polyamide material, and they have been inflated, non-distended working profile as well as a stretched inflated profile which is achieved by applying pressure through a dilation catheter or the like that is in excess of that needed to achieve the inflated, non-distended profile and which is adequate to effect dilation or the like up to a maximum pre-bursting pressure application. The maximum pre-bursting size of the balloon can be tailored depending upon the needs of the particular balloon within a wide range of possible maximum pre-bursting sizes. The apparatus and methods facilitate fabrication of the balloons which are subjected to longitudinal elongation and radial expansion.

Abstract: The process and apparatus of stretch-blow molding a preform in the axial and radial directions into a biaxially oriented container by the use of a stretching rod assembly and a blowing of pressurized fluid. In the axially stretching step, the surface area of the working end of the stretching rod assembly is changed. The axially stretching step is carried out through a plurality of stages each of which provide a different surface area of the working end of the stretching rod assembly. The apparatus preferred to carry out this process has a plurality of concentrically disposed stretching rods and an tip piece fixedly mounted on the working end of each of the stretching rods and having an external diameter at the surface area different from those of the other stretching rods. When such stretching rods are driven independently or in combination, the bottom surface area of the stretching rod assembly to be engaged by the inner bottom wall of the preform can be easily changed.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus performs a cycle of molding steps by circulating a plurality of neck mold sets for holding the neck portions of preforms. In a first portion of the operating sequence, a neck mold used in the injection molding stage to mold a preform, is conveyed from one end of a horizontal path of movement for conveying said neck mold to the stretch blow molding stage disposed at the other end of the horizontal path of movement. In a second portion of the operation sequence a neck mold, from which a blow molded product has been ejected in the ejection stage, offset vertically from the middle of the horizontal path of movement, is returned back to the injection molding stage, which is empty, through a vertical path of movement connecting the horizontal path of movement with the ejection stage and through the horizontal path of movement, after the first portion of the operating sequence has started.

Abstract: For stretching blowing up a preheated preform, the preform is mechanically stretched longitudinally by a rod simultaneously to its blowing up, causing its transverse deformation. The displacement of the stretching rod is caused by a pneumatic piston fed by the same pressurized air supply as feeds the inside of the preform for its blowing up. Air is supplied under pressure inside the preform through a regulating valve which does not open until the stretching rod has contacted a closed end of the preform. An open end of the preform is sealed against a sleeve which is mounted for movement relative to but in the same direction as the rod. The pressurized air is applied against this sleeve to force the sleeve into sealing contact with the open end of the preform with a sealing pressure that varies as the pressure of the pressurized air. A piston on the sleeve rides in a cylinder into which the pressurized air is introduced on a side of the piston opposite the preform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for stretch blow molding a preform into a hollow container having a heat-resistant property, including a heatable blow mold for forming the preform located therein into a hollow container by a biaxial stretching and blow molding process, and a heat setting mold for heat setting the hollow container. The apparatus includes a stretching rod for longitudinally stretching the preform when the stretching rod is forwardly moved in engagement with the inner bottom of the preform. The stretching rod has a cooling medium introducing tube centrally located therein with an outlet port adapted to introduce cooling medium into the interior of the hollow container. The cooling medium introducing tube is surrounded by thermal insulation.

Abstract: A stretched bottle (1) has an inclined mouth portion (31). The bottle (1) is formed in a manner that a straight parison is set in a blow mold (M.sub.1, M.sub.2) having an inclined cavity (20, 404) to be stretched by a stretching rod (17) during an air-blow operation or that a curved parison (405, 512) is set in the blow mold (M.sub.1, M.sub.2) to be stretched by air-blow. The parison is curved or deformed by a defining mold (431, 711) or a pushing bar (514).

Abstract: Apparatus includes a blow mold, a holding device for holding the parison within the blow mold, a blow device for forming a blown article in the blow mold and a stretch rod for stretching the parison movable in the holding device. A device is provided for determining the position of the stretch rod in the holding device channel and for synchronizing the transmission of high pressure fluid to the parison based on the position of the stretch rod.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene terephthalate articles. Articles produced according to this invention may be monolayer or multilayer; they may be circumferentially or biaxially oriented; and they may be heat set.

Abstract: A method for temperature conditioning a blank of plastic material in which a conditioning mandrel is placed within the blank and thereafter expanded into reliable abutment against the inner surface of the blank. The mandrel is thereafter returned to its initial position. The outer surface of the mandrel is adjusted to and maintained at a certain temperature, whereby, during the abutment, an energy exchange takes place between the blank and the mandrel for adjusting the temperature of the blank. At high temperatures of the mandrel, the mandrel is displaced out of the blank after such short time that the plastic material in the region of the abutment surface never passes the critical temperature of tackiness of the plastic material and/or thermal crystallization of the plastic material. As a rule, the expansion and contraction of the mandrel is repeated one or more times.