Abstract: An apparatus for producing containers with a film made of thermoplastic synthetic material, having elements for advancing, along an advancement direction, two facing strips of film made of thermoplastic synthetic material; a thermal bonding station including thermal-bonding half-molds which face said two strips of film on opposite sides thereof along the advancement direction of the two strips of film, the thermal-bonding half-molds being adapted to thermally bond the strips of film to each other at preset regions thereof so as to form thermal bond regions delimiting between the two strips of film, a plurality of pouches that are each open at a longitudinal edge end of the two strips of film; a cooling station arranged downstream of the thermal bonding station along the advancement direction and including cooling half-molds being shaped so as to carry out a film strip cooling which is limited only to the thermal bond regions; a thermoforming station, arranged downstream of the cooling station and including a

Abstract: A blow pin assembly for a rotary blow molding machine having a carrousel that supports a number of molds located about the circumference of the carrousel. Each mold includes a separate blow pin assembly mounted on the mold clamp. The blow pin assemblies each includes a base, a carriage supported by the base, a sub-base supported by the carriage, and a blow pin mounted to the sub-base for movement therewith. The carriage moves the sub-base and blow pin linearly along a first path from a home position, in which the blow pin is retracted away from the mold opening, to an alignment position, in which the blow pin is located directly above the mold opening. The sub-base then moves the blow pin in a direction perpendicular to the first path from the alignment position into a mold-engaging position, in which the blow pin is inserted into the mold opening.

Abstract: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.

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: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.

Abstract: An assembly for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding machine is provided. The assembly includes a blow rod, a blow pin mounted to the blow rod, and a heat sink for removing heat from the blow pin. The heat sink includes flow channels for facilitating the dissipation of heat. It is located in proximity to the shearing edge of the blow pin to enable the removal of heat therefrom. As the shearing edge of the blow pin is maintained at a relatively low temperature, the blow molding machine can be operated at faster cycle times without reducing the sealing capability of the container neck portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns the manufacture of hollow plastic articles by inflating a preform (4) in a blowing mandrel. The aim of the invention is to reduce the so-called cycle time--the time interval between a preform (4) entering the blowing mould (1, 1') and the next preform (4) entering the same blowing mould (1, 1')--compared with prior art methods in which the initially open mould encloses the preform along the appropriate length when the preform is extruded from the blow-moulding nozzle, the mould then being transferred to a second station, adjacent to the tubular body receiving station, where the preform is inflated by insertion of an inflation and sizing mandrel. This aim is achieved by introducing the inflation gas into the preform, received by the mandrel, while the preform is being transferred from the first station, in which the tubular body is received, to the second station, in which release is effected.

Abstract: A machine for blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding a preform (5) in a mould (6), wherein an O-ring seal (20) is provided between the preform and the blow moulding nozzle (1). The seal is mounted on the nozzle and can be moved between two positions, i.e., a first position in which it is prevented from contacting the preform during the insertion of the nozzle into the preform, and a second position in which it forms the seal therebetween. Members (18, 21, 26, 27) are provided for moving the seal from the first to the second positions once the nozzle has been fully positioned within the preform.

Abstract: The invention aims at enabling inexpensive manufacture of a preform carrying mechanism of a simple construction for a blow molding apparatus for biaxial stretching of hollow moldings such as PET bottles from preforms. The molding apparatus is provided with a linear carrying line for carrying preforms (P), and the carrying line comprises a beam (81), on which a multiplicity of carrying members (82) are supported, a carrying mechanism (83) and a lifting mechanism (84) for the beam. The carrying members (82) on the beam are repeatedly moved back and forth at a constant feed pitch by means of the mechanisms. A preform grasping/releasing mechanism (85) is actuated in synchronism with the movement so that while the respective carrying members (82) are caused to advance from backward positions, the preforms are delivered to the respective carrying members (82).

Abstract: In an apparatus for extruding plastic into a length of parison in the form of a vertically oriented hollow tube, molding a container from the parison and for filling the container with liquid product, the apparatus having a extruder, with a parison head, for forming the parison, a hot knife for cutting the parison to a selected length with concomitant release of plastic particulates, gripping apparatus for maintaining an opening at a top of the cut parison, a sealer for sealing a bottom of the cut parison, vacuum apparatus for molding the container with a temporary top opening, an extendable and retractable nozzle for filling the molded container through the temporary top opening with the liquid product and a sealer for sealing the filled container, the improvement including an outer shroud for surrounding the extruder, including the parison head, with H.E.P.A.

Abstract: A pair of shear steels are carried by companion mold members. Each shear steel including a shearing edge and a sealing rim, is slidable along a path perpendicular to the axis of a blow pin and to the open-close path of the mold members. The shearing edges of the shear steels are aligned with each other and with the blow pin by a locating element of each of the shear steels. Alignment takes place during the closing of the mold members. The locating elements may be discrete elements or the sealing rims may perform the locating function.

Abstract: A gas-feeding nozzle is to be used with a mold attached to an injection molding machine and for introducing a pressurized gas into molten resin injected in a cavity of the mold to produce an injection molded article having a hollow structure. A top forward portion of the gas-feeding nozzle is formed of a gas ejection portion having an inner side wall, along a direction of flow of the pressurized gas, having at least one concavo-convex portion.

Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus for a blow mold, which includes a control valve having multiple positions for alternatively supplying fluid to the blow mold from a fluid supply and a metering chamber. The control valve has a further position configured to fill the metering chamber with fluid, and empty the blow mold chamber into an exhaust conduit. The apparatus is useful for performing pulse blow inflations at a high-strain rate in order to increase the crystallinity level in the body of a container.

Abstract: An adapter for blow molding machines mounted upon the piston of an expansible chamber motor for advancing and retracting the blow pin, the blow pin being mounted upon the adapter, and the adapter includes adjusting means for laterally adjusting the blow pin relative to the expansible chamber piston so as to accurately position the blow pin end within the mold to permit the blow pin end to be accurately located with respect to the associated shear steels and air seal.

Abstract: Tooling for a quick change of molds and associated accessories for a blow molding machining for blow molding hollow plastic articles or articles, including a mold (2) that can be opened, with a feed opening (20) for introducing compressed air, an air injection nozzle (4) for the passage of compressed air, a nest (5) to hold the articles (31) after being produced and released by the mold, trim tooling (6) for the removal of the flash (32), characterized by the mold, the nest and the trim tooling being supported by two parallel opposing, spaced apart supporting plates (10), which constitute a modular assembly (1) that is movable lengthwise by a corresponding carriage (50), and by the fact that the air injection nozzle for the introduction of compressed air into the mold is assembled on a movable, self-retaining support (40).

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: A molding tool has a mold cavity provided with a recess with a blowing needle guiding seat. Located in the blowing needle guiding seat is a tapered hole in which the blowing needle is movably received to carry out the blowing process. The blowing needle is caused to descend so as to seal off the blow hole before the hollow object takes shape in the mold cavity. The hollow object so formed is therefore devoid of a blow hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a hollow article having a blow molded portion and a compression molded portion. Plastic is extruded over a blow pin assembly to form a parison having an open end and a diameter larger than the diameter of the article's mouth. The blow pin is movable relative to the parison and includes a male mold member on its end. The male mold member has a molding surface corresponding in shape to the compression molded portion of the article. A cutting member is also provided on the blow pin. The cutting member is also movable relative to said parison. Once the parison is enclosed in a hollow mold, the male mold member of the blow pin compresses a portion of the parison between the second portion of the hollow mold and the molding surfaces of the male mold member so as to form the compression molded portion of the article.

Abstract: A method for blow molding a hollow body from thermoplastic material, including the steps of providing a blowing nozzle with a mechanical device for stirring. A thermoplastic parison is located within a mold. At least one pressurized gas is injected through the blowing nozzle and into a portion of the thermoplastic parison. A hollow body is formed. The hollow body contains the at least one pressurized gas. The mechanical device continuously stirs to forcible agitate the at least one pressurized gas contained within the hollow body.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for driving a movable member of a plastic molding die apparatus is provided which drives and controls a movable shaft for holding a gas injection nozzle by using a plurality of cylinders so that the gas injection nozzle of the die apparatus for use in a gas injection molding method can easily be changed. Resin is supplied from a position through a second die into a cavity formed between a first die and the second die, the drive apparatus disposed adjacent to the first die is used to drive the movable shaft for holding the nozzle of a gas supply means to supply gas into the resin in the cavity so that a hollow product is molded. The nozzle of the gas supply means is disposed at the leading portion of the hollow movable shaft.

Abstract: A face block (10) for an injection blow molding machine of the type used in producing thermoplastic containers. The face block has a lateral series of openings (14) extending axially therethrough, and each opening receives an end portion of an elongate tubular core rod (16). The core rod has an annular bushing (18) secured to the end portion that is received in the opening, and the opening is sized to permit radial movement of the annular bushing therein to permit the core rod to move relative to the face block. The annular bushing has an annular recess (18a) in an end surface thereof and the recess carries an elastomeric O-ring (20) which sealingly engages an inturned annular flange (14a) at the rear of the opening. The core rod is axially positioned relative to the annular flange to maintain the O-ring in sealing engagement therewith by a U-shaped retainer (22) which is secured to the front of the face block. The retainer has legs (22a, 22b) which engage a recess (16a) in the outside of the core rod.

Abstract: The invention resides in a rotary blow molding machine in which under an extruder for extruding a parison, a turntable is arranged which has plural sets of molds mounted thereon for holding the parison therebetween and blow-molding the parison, the turntable is rotated by a motor, an annular driven gear is provided on the turntable, and one pair of idle gears are made to intervene between the driven gear and a driving gear for transmitting the rotation of the motor so as to intermesh with both the gears.

Abstract: Gas transmission plugs are placed in a supporting strip portion in plastics injection mold tooling so that an appropriate gas assist injection location can be readily selected, and mated, with a gas injection nozzle thereby eliminating the requirement for pre-drilling mold tooling with gas injection points and removing the tooling from the press so that a gas injection nozzle can be installed relative to the selected injection location. The plugs can be made from porous metal or ceramic with pores that are so small that plastics cannot enter the plug to cause pore clogging. Also, linear gas transmitting passages can be laser beam drilled through plugs of steel or other material with diameters that are sufficiently minute to prevent entry of plastics melt and resultant clogging.

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: The device for blow molding of a thermoplastic material contains a heating device for tempering preforms and a blow device for blow forming the preforms into a container. For controlling at least one blow station provided in the region of the blow device at least one preloadable control disk is provided. The control disk is preloaded relative to a carrier disk by at least one pneumatic spring and is connected to a pressure relief device allowing pressure free maintenance.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for locally introducing fluid, such as a gas, at a predetermined location into molten resin downstream from a resin injection aperture to form a hollow part. The gas is utilized at the localized area to distribute the molten resin, to eliminated molded in stress and to prevent formation of sink marks in the part during resin solidification. An overflow reservoir outside of the mold cavity is filled with the resin during resin injection and then the gas is introduced into the reservoir through a fluid aperture and into the part. The reservoir creates a cocoon of solidified material to act as a seal to prevent gas leakage. One hollow body formed by the method and system includes a substantially endless hollow body portion with a fluid opening for communicating the interior of the hollow body portion with the locally introduced fluid. The hollow body provides an internal gas manifold and means for greater structural integrity.

Abstract: In general, it is difficult to mold properly sized automotive boots without flash to be removed from the top end thereof. In accordance with the present invention, such molding is achieved placing a tubular parison between a pair of mold halves, moving a blow pin assembly downwardly partly into the top end of the parison, closing the mold by moving the mold halves together, using fingers to stretch the open bottom end of the parison, moving a sizing mandrel into the bottom end of the parison, closing inserts on the bottom of the mold around the bottom end of the parison to size the latter, blowing the parison using air under pressure discharged from the blow pin, moving the blow pin assembly farther down into the parison to size and cut the top end of the parison, opening the inserts and removing the lower sizing mandrel, opening the mold, closing the stretching fingers, and removing the blow pin assembly from the boot, which is stripped from the mold.

Abstract: A method of molding a fuel tank wherein two baffle plates mounted on a blow-in are inserted in a molten parison of a thermoplastic resin surrounded by a split metal mold. The split metal mold is closed around the parison and a pressurized fluid is fed through the blow-in into the molten parison to blow-mold the fuel tank. The baffle plates, during the blow-molding, are melt-adhered onto the inner wall of the fuel tank. A blow-molded fuel tank containing two baffle plates adhered to the inner wall of the fuel tank is obtained.

Abstract: A blowpin assembly for blow molding apparatus wherein the assembly utilizes a molded article shear ring cooperating with a mold ring opening to shear the neck of the molded article following the molding process. The shear ring is mounted upon the blowpin assembly for limited radial and axial movement thereto for automatically aligning itself with the mold opening during shearing.

Abstract: Molds are exchanged by moving a carrier loaded with a cradle between below a mold fitting position of a blow molding apparatus and the mold carrying in and out position. The cradle for supporting the mold is provided with an air blowing means for letting an air into a parison at the time of molding.

Abstract: An article is formed in a mold by blowing a hot plastic material with a blowing gas. A cooling fluid is introduced into the article to cool the article and allow its removal from the mold. A warmed gaseous form of a cryogen is added to a pressurized liquid form of the cryogen to form the cooling fluid by introducing the pressurized form of the cryogen into a jet pump and drawing the warmed gaseous form of the cryogen in the pressurized liquid form of the cryogen. The resultant cooling fluid circulates through the article by being introduced into the article and discharged from the article by two or more blow pins. Part of the discharged cooling fluid is then recovered in a storage tank. The cooling fluid, which after cooling the article is composed of the warmed gaseous form of the cryogen, is then drawn from the storage tank into the jet pump during formation of the cooling fluid. Additionally, the blowing gas can comprise cooling fluid formed in the manner outlined above.

Abstract: The apparatus includes advancement clamps which move two mutually facing films along an advancement direction on which the following are arranged in sequence: two welding half-molds, which by mutually welding the two films in preset regions define cells which are open toward a longitudinal edge of the films; two half-molds for heating the welded films; a cell forming station. Air injection nozzles, inserted between the two flaps of the films on the side of the above mentioned longitudinal edge, and two forming half-molds, in which forming cavities are defined at the cells, operate in the forming station. Divaricators for divaricating the two flaps of the films are provided proximate to the forming station so as to facilitate the insertion of the air injection nozzles.

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: 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: A parison stick is used with an injection-blow molding machine for injection-blow molding of a hollow article of plastic material from a parison of this plastic material. The stick has three axially-contiguous portions. The portion (A) connects the parison stick to the injection-blow molding machine. The portion (B) positions the parison stick in the wall of a mold within the machine. The portion (C) terminates in the cavity of the mold and includes distinctly and axially-spaced first and second openings through which gas blows and inflates a parison previously injected around this portion. The openings are connected to a gas-feed chamber via at least one channel. The parison stick further includes at least one obturator connected to an actuator which is controlled by a control member of the machine.

Abstract: A method for stretch blow molding a preform into a hollow container having a heat-resistant property, including the steps of heat setting the hollow container by maintaining the hollow container heated for a predetermined period of time within a blow mold and cooling the hollow container by the use of a cooling medium blown out from the forward end of a stretching rod at least during backward movement of the stretching rod. If the heat setting operation is to be performed in a heat setting mold separately of the blow mold, the hollow container is cooled by the cooling medium blown out from the forward end of a cooling medium introducing rod while being moved. Since the cooling medium outlet is axially moved, the hollow container can be cooled uniformly, even if the hollow container has a particularly increased rate of longitudinal stretch.

Abstract: A hollow injected shaped body of synthetic plastic is produced by injecting a predetermined quantity of a synthetic plastic melt into a multi-part mold, and forming the melt to the shaped body by a gas under pressure. After bringing the synthetic plastic melt into the mold cavity, the gas is injected into the synthetic plastic melt, then after overcoming the shaped body wall it flows into an overflow chamber from it into a gas circulation system so that during the forming of the melt a hollow formed in the shaped body is continuously supplied with the gas until rigidification of the shaped body.

Abstract: The core rod according to the invention includes a first part (A) for mounting on an injection blow-moulding machine and a second part (B) intended to be received in a mould having an inclined cylindrical stage (30), an inclined part (34) and a connecting zone (36), in order, by the injection blow-moulding technique, to produce a bottle in one piece which has a neck inclined relative to the axis of the bottle.

Abstract: A vertically movable blow molding arrangement includes a whole set of molds and mold plates, two blowing needle cylinders, a set of oil spraying structures, and a conveying machine. The whole set of molds and mold plates can close or open for receiving, pinching, sealing and inflating a plastic material to shape, and moves up and down vertically between an extrusion head and the conveying machine by means of oil pressure. The whole set of molds and mold plates can automatically inflate the material without air blowing for shaping.

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

Abstract: A multilayer mold for use in blow molding parts within short cycle times is provided. The multilayer mold has a hard skin layer, an insulating layer and a base containing cooling means. The transient temperature increase of the skin layer of the mold as a hot parison contacts the mold is used to produce smooth surfaces on parts since the skin layer remains hot during parison inflation.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a plastic injection molded part with a smooth surface or skin and a hollow core wherein thermoplastic material is injected as a molten stream into the mold cavity through a sprue bushing fixed in the mold. Simultaneously, an unmeasured quantity of inert gas is introduced through an adapter into the molten stream at the sprue bushing substantially coaxially with the melt stream and at a pressure sufficient to penetrate the thermoplastic material to form a gas cavity in the molten material in the mold. For retrofitting an existing mold, an adapter can be added to the existing sprue bushing. During plastic injection and cooling in the mold the gas is maintained at a high pressure, preset, constant and adequate to maintain the plastic against the mold surface until it is self-supporting. The gas is exhausted from the mold, back through the sprue bushing and adapter, before the mold is opened.

Abstract: A blow mold for use with the blow pin assembly having article body, neck, and finish defining portions including an anvil portion to permit severing of a flash portion of the parison from the article. A shearing ring portion cooperates with the anvil portion to sever the flash portion of the parison from the article and both portions are inclined with respect to a plane normal to the axis of reciprocation of the blow pin to form an inclined finish on the article. A tip portion has an outer surface cooperating with the finish defining portion to calibrate the thickness of the article between the neck and anvil portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control means for actuating the valves for supplying pressurized blowing fluid and working fluid to the blow mold stations of the blow wheel of a blow mold machine. The blow wheel comprises a center-free wheel ring of which the outer periphery is rotatably supported on a base. Facing the inner periphery of the wheel ring there is a stationary rail on which carriages are adjustably mounted. The carriages accommodate cams for actuating the plungers of the valves mounted on the wheel ring through a yoke which provides a self-holding action. Thus, adjusting of proper valve operation is facilitated while the operation of the blow molding machine is continued.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming dilatation balloons and catheters including same are provided. The balloons are fabricated of a biaxially orientable material such as a nylon or a polyamide material, and they have an inflated, non-distended working profile as well as a stretched inflated profile which is achieved by applying pressure through a dilatation catheter or the like that is in excess of that needed to achieve the inflated, non-distended profile and which is adequate to effect dilatation 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 or axial orientation and biaxial or radial orientation.

Abstract: A method for blow-molding a thermoplastic container having a body-portion and a neck-portion provided with a dispensing orifice and internal attachment means, with such method including the steps of: (a) forming a hollow parison of thermoplastic material having an open end; (b) placing the parison within a female mold cavity having a body-forming portion and a neck-forming portion such that the open end of the parison is located within the neck-forming portion of the mold cavity; (c) inserting an expandable core pin into the open end of the parison, with such core pin including blowing means connected to a pressure source and having relieved areas formed on its exterior surfaces; (d) expanding the core pin such that the open upper end of the parison is forced against the neck-forming portion of the mold cavity and into the relieved areas on the exterior of the core pin, thereby forming the internal attachment means on the inner surface of the open end of the parison; (e) introducing pressure through the blowi

Abstract: A rotary blow molding machine includes a plurality of mold stations on a rotary carousel. Each mold station includes a pair of mold sections movable toward and away from one another to close or open the mold sections. When closed, the mold sections define a mold blowing cavity and a mold mouth communicating with the blowing cavity and opening external of the closed mold sections. A blowing/neck finishing mechanism preferably is mounted on one of the mold sections for movement between a retracted position where the blow pin is offset from the mold mouth so as not to hinder capturing of the parison in the mold station and a blowing position where the blow pin is inserted in the mold mouth. A pivotal linkage moves the blow pin in an arcuate path toward the mold mouth to insert the blow pin therein to blow a parison received in the blowing cavity and away from the mouth to extract the blow pin from the mouth after parison blowing.

Abstract: A blow molding parison (10) being draped around a generally rectangular mold part (12) is spread from its extruded cylindrical shape into a generally rectangular shape (14), as it descends from an extrusion head (11). Before the open bottom (20) of the parison reaches a clamp (25) on the mold part, a jet of air is blown downward through the open bottom to draw in the parison's side and end regions (21 and 22 respectively). This reduces the size of parison (10) and helps it fit within the clamp and also forms the end regions (22) of the parison into a pair of opposed pleats (23) extending inward from the ends of the pinch-off line when clamp (25) closes. Further descending of the parison unfolds the pleats into gussets (24) extending toward corner regions (27) of mold part (12) so that the parison can drape around the mold part corners.

Abstract: On the sizing unit of a blow molding machine, one or more blow mandrels are mounted in blow mandrel holders and are centered in sizing plate openings. To obtain faster and more accurate centering, the blow mandrel holder has independently adjustable sleeve and flange parts. The sleeve adjusts axial location while the flange fixes radial location. Conical mandrel tips and sizing plate openings facilitate rapid alignment as the blow mandrels are lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a drawn heat-set plastic hollow vessel, which comprises a rotary member having a plurality of openable-closable blow-forming and heat-setting molds and preform-supporting mechanisms corresponding to said molds, a preform supply mechanism for supplying a preform maintained at a drawing temperature into the mold of the rotary member at the opening position and a vessel withdrawal mechanism for withdrawing a drawn and heat-set vessel from the mold of the rotary member at the opening position, wherein the rotary member comprises a mold-heating mechanism for maintaining the molds at a heat-setting temperature through the entire rotation course of the rotary member, an opening and closing mechanism for closing the molds after passage through the position of the preform supply mechanism and opening the molds before arrival at the position of the vessel withdrawal mechanism, a sealing member capable of reciprocating relatively to the preform supported by the preform support mechanism while