Including Product Ejector Patents (Class 425/537)
  • Patent number: 6709624
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a blow molded plastic preform and container in a blow mold during a demolding operation. The blow mold has a first mold section, a second mold section, and a mandrel. The mandrel cooperates with a pair of spring loaded jaws slidingly coupled to one or both of the mold sections. With the mold sections in their fully open position, the mandrel with an attached preform and/or container travels into the blow mold. During the final stage of closing the mold sections, the jaws contact the finish and restrain the container. As the mold sections begin to open, the jaws prevent any movement of the container relative to the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: G. David Lisch, Anthony B. Keen
  • Patent number: 6702567
    Abstract: A shuttle blow molding machine having two groups of mold units located on opposite sides of a series of workstations spaced along a horizontal workstation path. Each mold unit includes a mold that reciprocates in a direction transverse to the workstation path between a retracted position that is spaced from the workstation path and an extended position aligned with the workstation path. The mold units within each group are located in side-by-side relation adjacent each other and each group is indexed as a single unit along a path parallel to the workstation path. The transverse motion of the molds between their retracted and extended positions allows one group to be retracted out of the way while the other group advances through the workstations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: R&B Machine Tool Company
    Inventor: David M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6701213
    Abstract: In a data registration method for a molding system including a molding machine and a take-out machine, after completion of operation of setting molding conditions for the molding machine and operation of setting take-out conditions for the take-out machine, data of the molding conditions and data of the take-out conditions are registered in a memory unit provided in the molding machine, while being interrelated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Fujiki
  • Patent number: 6685873
    Abstract: A production method is disclosed for separating integrally attached gutter flash from a blow-molded thermoplastic resin product utilizing tensile forces applied to the gutter flash while the product is fully restrained within the closed co-operating product mold in which the product is formed, as well as different embodiments of apparatus suitable for accomplishing the production method in a conventional industrial blow-molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce V. Weeks
  • Patent number: 6669461
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for transferring hollow blow molded articles from a vertically disposed wheel blow molding machine to a horizontally-disposed takeaway conveyor. Each mold on the wheel releases multiple blown articles at the six o'clock position on the wheel such that the articles fall freely from the wheel. An inclined end of a takeaway conveyor is located directly underneath the six o'clock position in order to receive the free falling blown articles and transport them to a horizontal transporting section of the takeaway conveyor. Flanges which extend upwardly from the conveying surface of the takeaway conveyor in combination with a powered endless positioning belt which extends a spaced distance along the inclined receiving end are utilized to confine the blown articles on the receiving end and uniformly position the blown articles on the takeaway conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Taylor, Matthew A. Crider, Bernd Klingenmaier, Jeffery C. Enfield
  • Patent number: 6649120
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus (10) including four molds (21, 22, 23, 24) that move into a common parison receiving position (26) from directions different from the directions that the molds move out of the parison receiving position (26). When in the parison receiving position (26), each mold receives, encloses and severs a length of parison then shapes the parison during blow molding. Two molds (21, 22) alternately move in respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) from the parison receiving position (26) to respective first and second outer positions (38, 39), to a common article take-out position (45) and then back to the parison receiving position (26) from a third radial direction (96). The third radial direction is angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: R&B Machine Tool Company
    Inventor: David M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030173718
    Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, at least one row of tray plates in a tray unit is used to collect molded preforms ejected from the opening clamp of a preform-molding unit, transfer the preforms with or without transfer beads out of the molding area and align them with the center row distances of the downstream processing units. At least one robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up either all or consecutively fractions of the preforms align them to the center distances of the blow mold cavities to place them at variable time intervals into a conditioning, stretch blow molding and oriented discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding and tray unit again at the preform mold's center distance independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices may pick up external components, i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Ernst Dieter Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 6562280
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing plastic hollow bodies has a blow-moulding station, a device for introducing thereinto a sequence of trains of preforms, an ejection station adapted to separate the ejected hollow bodies, and devices provided downstream of the ejection station to handle the hollow bodies, the devices including a conveyor belt capable of being driven by a pulley and provided with plugs adapted to pick up the hollow bodies. The pulley is provided on its outer surface with a plurality of ejectors that are arranged to sequentially engage and disengage the pick-up plugs so as to release the blow-moulded hollow bodies therefrom. Beneath said ejectors there is arranged a guide which is adapted to intercept the so released hollow bodies, and which is provided with two parallel rails adapted to retain the hollow bodies by their neck portion and push them, preferably with jets of blown air, towards their utilization apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sipa S.p.A.
    Inventor: Eligio De Marchi
  • Patent number: 6551544
    Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a body mold (12) for forming a body portion (B) of a blow molded container (C) from a blowable, extruded thermoplastic parison (P). The blow molding apparatus also has a neck mold (14) for forming an annular finish portion (15) of the container from the parison, the neck mold being removable from the body mold at the conclusion of the blowing step. A blow pin (16), which is reciprocable relative to the body mold, introduces blowing air into the parison during the blowing cycle, and an outside diameter of the blow pin provides a surface against which an internal diameter of the finish is formed. The process also forms a moil portion (M) that extends upwardly and outwardly from a rim (R) at the top of the finish portion of the container, and an anvil (18) with a moil retention element (18a) with an inwardly projecting flange (18b) is provided in contact with an exterior of the neck mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl K. Singleton
  • Publication number: 20030042219
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container and reinforced lid are simultaneously produced in a blow mold. A lid is reinforced by having a portion of the lid formed by blow molding techniques and another portion of the lid formed by compression molding techniques. The container and lid combination, a method for making the combination and apparatus for making the combination are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Matthew A. Crider
  • Patent number: 6450795
    Abstract: The vertically reciprocable eject head at the finished article eject station of a molding machine has a row of cylindrical eject cores that project downwardly from the head during operation. From time-to-time, the eject cores must be replaced with a different set of cores having a different spacing and number. A universal mounting plate forming part of the quick change apparatus of the eject head has an elongated through slot extending longitudinally along the length of the universal plate that receives the eject cores but does not establish their position. One or more adaptor plates detachably fastened to the bottom side of the universal plate has a row of holes therein that register with the receiving slot of the mounting plate so as to establish the number and location of eject cores that can be carried by the eject head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: R & D Tool & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Randal L. Fields, Vladimir Feldman
  • Patent number: 6386858
    Abstract: A rotary blow molding machine comprising a rotatable wheel, a plurality of mold assemblies mounted on the wheel in circumferentially spaced apart relation, each of said mold assemblies being openable to expose a finished workpiece as the mold assembly moves through a workpiece discharge station. A take-out assembly removes a finished workpiece from a mold assembly as the mold assembly moves through said discharge station, the take-out assembly including a first transfer mechanism mounted adjacent said discharge station and including a first pick-up unit for grasping a finished workpiece and moving it in a substantially linear direction upwardly away from said wheel to a transfer station. A second rotary transfer mechanism is mounted at the transfer station for receiving a workpiece from the first pick-up unit and moving the workpiece to an exit station as the first pick-up unit returns to the discharge station to pick up another finished workpiece from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Ring Can Corporation
    Inventor: Harold H. Riddell
  • Patent number: 6348173
    Abstract: A mold core having an upper surface and at least one hole passing therethrough is provided. An ejector pin is disposed within at least one of the holes in the mold core. The ejector pin includes a bushing having an undercut portion protruding above the upper surface of the mold core for enhancing the adherence of a part molded on the mold core thereto. The bushing also has a hole passing laterally therethrough through which passes an ejector pin shaft. The ejector pin shaft, which includes a head, forces a part adhered to the mold core off of the mold core when so desired. The protruding portion of the bushing is undercut in the form of a back-drafted angle, a circumferential rib, either indented or projecting, and of a partially round or V-shaped cross-section, a series of dimples, or of any other shape which will cause the molded plastic to adhere tightly to it. The head of the ejector pin may be located out beyond bushing and may be dome-shaped, conical, or any of other various shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Anderson
  • Patent number: 6334766
    Abstract: A take-out system for a shuttle-type blow moulding machine having two moulding assemblies has a single gripper head for taking out moulded articles from both moulding assemblies. The gripper head is carried by a vertical gripper arm which can be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion drive with respect to a carriage that moves in line with the two moulding assemblies. Electric servomotors are used to raise and lower the gripper head and move the carriage under software control so that the motion of the gripper head can be programmed to match a particular moulding machine. The articles may be moulded with tabs that can be gripped by the gripper head, and the take-out system may include a trimmer for removing those tabs, and a waste conveyor for the trimmed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: John McCormick
  • Patent number: 6315543
    Abstract: An injection molding machine includes various devices for reducing injection cycle time. A molded article detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The detection system and method determines if an article, or a portion thereof, remains on a machine core pin after the article ejection cycle has occurred, and, if so, communicates this condition to both the machine controller and the take-out controller. This prevents the machine from starting a new cycle and damaging the injection mold. Also, by communicating the extraction status to both the take-out controller and machine controller, if no articles or portions remain, injection cycle time is reduced. Additionally, a variable vacuum pressure apparatus and method are described. The apparatus and method allows early removal of molded articles from the molds into a take-out plate while the parts are still warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manfred Lausenhammer, Arnold Mai, Frank Oster, Stephan Klang, Sven Mertes, Witold Neter, Hai Luong, Tiemo Brand
  • Publication number: 20010038163
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injection molding including at least one nozzle capable of injecting a molten material, and a shuttling system with a first mold part and a second mold part. The first mold part has at least one injection cavity for receiving molten material that is aligned and in communication with the at least one nozzle. The first mold part also has at least a pair of cooling chambers flanking the at least one injection cavity. The second mold part has a laterally moveable shuttle plate with a first mold core and a second mold core. The first and second mold cores are capable of being aligned with and inserted into both the at least one injection cavity and the cooling chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: PAUL R. MATYSEK
  • Patent number: 6213756
    Abstract: Extrusion blow molding apparatus (10) having a blow mold (12), a neck mold (14) positioned above the blow mold and an anvil (30) positioned in an outwardly facing cavity (32) of the neck mold. A container (C) is produced in the molding apparatus from a parison of a heated thermoplastic material by introducing pressurized blowing fluid into the container being formed by way of a blow pin assembly (16) that is reciprocable relative to the blow mold. The blow pin assembly has an inner tubular member (20) with a free end that is within the container during blowing, and an outer tubular member (22) that surrounds the inner tubular member and defines an annulus therewith for withdrawing spent blowing fluid from the container. The outer tubular member has radial ports (24) for directing spent blowing fluid against a moil (M) being formed at a rim (R) of a finish (F) of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Czesak, Thomas J. Krall, William P. Atkins
  • Patent number: 6196829
    Abstract: Provided is a swing-driving device for driving two low molding units so as to swing around corresponding swinging fulcrums, each of the blow molding units having a carriage, one end portion of which is supported by the swinging fulcrum so as to swing, and a blow molding mold disposed on the carriage. The blow molding mold of one blow molding unit receives a parison on a common receiving position and is made to be an mold close state. The blow molding mold swings around a swinging fulcrum, and moves from the receiving position to a shunting position via a detaching position. Thereafter, the blow molding mold returns to the detaching position and is made to be a mold open state. A hollow article formed by blow-molding the parison in the blow molding mold is take out and moved to the receiving position kept in the mold open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kagitani, Shouji Abe
  • Patent number: 6171542
    Abstract: Wheel molding apparatus for molding thermoplastic containers or other articles, the apparatus having a multiplicity of sets (10) of opposed, separable radially aligned mold halves (12, 14) that travel in a circular path about a horizontal axis. The inner of the mold halves (14) is separated from the outer of the mold halves (12) at the 12:00 o'clock position of the mold set that includes such mold halves to permit the molded article to be ejected from the mold set. However, the ejection of the molded article should not take place until after the separation of the mold halves, and this requires that the molded article be positively retained within the outer mold half until it is desired to eject the article therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas S. Struble
  • Patent number: 6136254
    Abstract: A rotary take-out apparatus for removing blow-molded articles from rotary blow-molding machine molds. The apparatus includes a rotary take-out carrousel and a take-out carrousel drive configured to rotate the take-out carrousel. Pick-up stations on the take-out carrousel rotate along a circular pick-up station path. Each station includes a pick-up head array comprising at least one pick-up head. Fluid cylinders are supported on the take-out carrousel and are each operatively connected to one of the pick-up head arrays. Each cylinder is configured to move a pick-up head array between extended and retracted positions when differential fluid pressure is directed to respective first and second chambers in the cylinder. Each pick-up head is configured to releasably grasp a blow-molded article. Cylinder valves are supported on the take-out carrousel and are connected between each cylinder and a source of differential fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventor: Lawrence H. Weber
  • Patent number: 6093014
    Abstract: In an apparatus wherein a plastic blow molding machine is operated to make hollow containers which are discharged and fall by gravity out of the machine wherein an endless moving conveyor which includes closely spaced vacuum cups is provided and positioned such that a reach of the conveyor is positioned horizontally and such that the vacuum cups face upwardly to grab and hold the plastic containers as they are discharged such that containers are held in axial alignment and circumferential orientation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack B. Anderson, James E. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 6062845
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Conaway, David N. Fiorani, John M. Mathy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6060012
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for blow-molding hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding work stations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each work station one time during each carrousel revolution. The molds pause by each work station to allow blow-molding operations to be performed in conjunction with each mold at each work station. At one blow-molding work station, located at the 12:00 position of the mold path, an extruder injects parison into each mold. At the other work station, located in the 9:00 position of the mold path, a take-out mechanism extracts blow molded articles from the molds and places them upright on a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Weber, David M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5939014
    Abstract: In an apparatus wherein a plastic blow molding machine is operated to make hollow containers which are discharged and fall by gravity out of the machine wherein an endless moving conveyor which includes closely spaced vacuum cups is provided and positioned such that a reach of the conveyor is positioned horizontally and such that the vacuum cups face upwardly to grab and hold the plastic containers as they are discharged such that containers are held in axial alignment and circumferential orientation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jack B. Anderson, James E. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 5736170
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for blow molding interlocking drink containers. Each container having a hollow container body with a top including an upwardly tapered neck and an opening into the hollow body, a bottom, a first side with an upper and a lower male lug, a second side with an upper and a lower female cavity and a third and a fourth side. The apparatus includes a split mold having a male block and a female block. The female block used for forming the first side of the container with male lugs and a portion of the third and fourth sides and a portion of the top and bottom of the container. The male block used for forming the second side of the container with female cavities and a portion of the third and fourth sides and a portion of the top and bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Theodore A. Stoner
  • Patent number: 5681597
    Abstract: A vacuum conveyor made up of a plenum and a moving plastic chain with attached buckets shaped to guide and accept and emerging molded article which travelling at zero relative velocity operates as a picker device for a blow molding machine of the type having a rotating mold wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Liquid Container L.P.
    Inventors: Albert Aguilar, Larry A. White
  • Patent number: 5576034
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the production of hollow bodies from thermoplastic material by use of extrusion blow molding, having at least two blow molding units and an extrusion system, in an operating cycle each blow molding unit is movable between a receiving position in which the opened blow molding mold receives a preform and at least one other position in which the expanded hollow body is removed from the blow molding mold. Each blow molding unit is firstly moved from a station remote from the removal station in at least one direction into the removal station and opened after reaching the removal station, whereupon the hollow body previously produced in the blow molding mold is removed. The respective blow molding unit is then moved by use of a second movement in another direction, with the blow molding mold open, into the receiving position which is arranged laterally displaced relative to the path of movement along which the blow molding unit is moved into the removal station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Krupp Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Kiefer, Karsten Friedrichs, Klaus Baltes
  • Patent number: 5573791
    Abstract: An apparatus forms multiple resin layered parisons that are cooled or blown into bottles. The individual resin layers are injection molded in sequence and the formed parisons are transferred to each cooling and molding station by an axially and laterally indexing platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Paul Marcus
  • Patent number: 5511967
    Abstract: A gas assisted injection molding machine includes an injector valve assembly secured to the clamping plate and having an elongate supply duct extending through the core and into the mold cavity. The duct supports a valve member for sliding movement and is itself supported in the core by an ejector sleeve. The ejector sleeve moves with the ejection mechanism to force molded articles off the end of the supply duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: PEBRA GmbH Paul Braun
    Inventor: Karl Berdan
  • Patent number: 5509796
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing hollow bodies by blow molding thermoplastic preforms includes at least one preform heating apparatus and an assembly of molding stations fixedly arranged in an arc of a circle. The molding stations each further include a finished product ejector. A rotary transfer device is provided between the heating apparatus and the molding stations to transfer the heated preforms. The transfer device preferably has the shape of a wheel coaxial with an arc of a circle on which the molding stations are arranged. The wheel includes a carrier distributed uniformly along a circle to take heated preforms and deposit them into receptors on the molding stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: ADS
    Inventor: Antoine Di Settembrini
  • Patent number: 5501593
    Abstract: A parison injection molding apparatus injection molds parisons, transfers them to cooling stations and then ejection stations. While at the injection molding station, cooling stations and during transfer therebetween up to the time they are ejected, the parisons are continuously cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Paul Marcus
  • Patent number: 5454708
    Abstract: A mold is equipped with a flash removal system for automatically removing flash from a molded part. A flash-retaining pin is mounted in one of the mold parts in the flash area outside of the pinch line so that flash flows around the pin during molding. When the mold opens, the molded part and the flash is retained against the mold part. An ejector pin in the mold part inside the pinch line is extendable to eject the molded part along the pinch line while the flash is retained by the flash retaining pin. The flash retaining pin can be retractable to allow the flash to drop off, or an extendable flash ejecting piston can be used to eject the flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Boenig, Randall R. Kuntz
  • Patent number: 5447426
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved take-off plate device for removing molded articles from a molding machine and delivering them to a transfer or receiving station. The device of the present invention includes a plate, one or more tubes mounted to the plate for receiving molded articles, and one or more ejector bars for engaging portions of the molded articles to remove or eject them from the tubes. Each of the tubes is provided with a cooling passageway for effecting cooling of the molded articles as they are moved between the molding machine and the receiving station. A bottom plug, which is in contact with the cooling passageway, is provided in each tube to more efficiently cool an end portion of the molded article in the tube. Preferably, the bottom plug has an end surface which matches the shape of the molded article end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Dieter Gessner, Thomas M. McGinley
  • Patent number: 5308237
    Abstract: A PET bottle forming machine used to mold clear plastic bottles of the type now widely used for mayonaise jars, cosmetic jars, perfume jars and the like, is modified to reduce the potential damage to such jars or containers at the time they are released from the machine. The machine includes an ejector pad, which enters into the open end of the container to center the container at the time a lip spreader operates to part the lip forming portion to release the container. The ejector pad is mounted on the end of a hollow rod, which extends through the pad. When the ejector pad is inserted into the open end of the container at the time of release, a vacuum is applied through the hollow rod to cause the container to be secured to the ejector pad. The hollow rod, with the ejector pad and container releaseably secured to it, then is lowered to place the bottom of the container on a support surface, at which time the vacuum is removed to release the container from the ejector pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Star Container, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Kieran
  • Patent number: 5297950
    Abstract: A stripping station for stripping hollow plastic articles from a holding means is disclosed and includes a nest for receiving neck portions of the articles, and a cutout bar for admitting, trapping and ejecting the articles in the nest, the cutout bar being slidably mounted to the nest and being displaceable between an admitting position, wherein the articles can be admitted into the nest, a trapping position wherein the articles are trapped in the nest for transport, and an ejecting position wherein the articles are ejected from the nest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul F. Kresak
  • Patent number: 5156798
    Abstract: An improved part removal assembly (17) particularly for a shuttle-type blow molding machine (10). The part removal assembly includes a plurality of suction cups (95) mounted on a vertically moveable piston (87) that travels along a vertically oriented rodless cylinder (81) and a plurality of suction cups (115) mounted on a horizontally moveable piston (107) that travels along a horizontally oriented rodless cylinder (83). A mold assembly (15) shuttles between an extruder head assembly (11) where a plurality of parisons of molten plastic are captured in mold cavities (25) in the mold assembly, and a blow station assembly (13) where the parisons are blown to form a molded workpiece (31). The mold assembly then opens which causes a flash removal assembly (57) to remove a waste flash portion (55) from a bottom portion (31a) of the workpieces. The bottom of the workpieces are then engaged by the vertically moveable suction cups which lower the workpieces to a position adjacent to a conveyor (117).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Bekum America Corporation
    Inventor: Karl H. Bruning
  • Patent number: 5129814
    Abstract: An injection blow molding machine construction utilizes pairs of C-shaped cut plate members to support clamps for the injection mold and for the blow mold, respectively. The injection molding frame members are angularly disposed at 60 degrees with respect to the blow molding frame members. The frame members are co-mounted at the ends of the C-shaped members to a pre-stressed central vertically disposed column or post. The respective injection mold and blow mold clamp forces are transmitted to the respective frame members and in turn to the column in a balanced manner to avoid flexure of the plate members. The present construction reduces the bulk of conventional injection blow molding machines, eliminates weldments and provides for ready assembly of the machine and ready access to the molds so as to reduce downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: BM Corp.
    Inventor: John J. Farrell
  • Patent number: 5051084
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blow molded article and an apparatus and method for blow molding the article. The article contemplated by the present invention includes a recessed lip. The apparatus includes two plates reciprocally movable toward and away from one another. A center ring member and a separating ring are fixedly and perpendicularly mounted on each plate. A mold half is mounted on each plate and is divided into two sections. One section is located on each side of the center ring member and is reciprocally movable toward and away from the center ring member. A first insert member is provided in each mold section in proximity to said center insert member. The first insert has a channel therein for receiving a second insert member. The second insert member is reciprocally movable in said channel and engages the center ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventors: Henry J. Guarriello, Joseph A. Guarriello, Theodore J. Guarriello
  • Patent number: 4992038
    Abstract: A molding machine is provided comprising a rotary type molding machine (1) having an injection molding portion (3) for molding a preform, an orientation blow molding portion (5) provided with a blow mold (13) which receives the preform directly or after being subjected to temperature control for molding the preform into a hollow container such as a bottle by means of an orientation blow device and, a molded product removing portion (6), and a label insertion device (20) provided adjacent the orientation blow molding portion (5). The label insertion device (20) comprises a label supply device (26) positioned to the side of the blow mold, a drive device for moving the label supply device (26) forward and backward with respect to the blow mold, and a label magazine (42) disposed between the label supply device (26) and the orientation blow molding portion (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignees: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd., Yusin Precision Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Furuse, Keiji Kazato, Katsuyuki Ohno, Katsuhiko Kimura, Yoshinori Nakamura, Katsumi Noda
  • Patent number: 4902217
    Abstract: The blow molding machine includes a rotary carousel having a plurality of mold stations thereon with each mold station including a pair of openable and closeable mold sections. A rotary take-out mechanism removes a blown article from each pair of mold sections as they pass the take-out mechanism. In particular, the take-out mechanism includes a take-out member inserted into the blown article to grip same while the mold sections are closed. The take-out member is carried on a turret arm rotated in oscillatory manner about the axis of revolution of the carousel and in synchronism therewith to cause the inserted take-out member to follow rotation of the mold sections as they are opened. When the mold sections are sufficiently opened, the take-out member is rotated about another axis so as to remove the blown article from between the opened mold sections. The take-out member is carried on a spindle that is rotatably indexable on the turret arm about the other axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventors: M. Warren Martin, Lawrence H. Weber
  • Patent number: 4886443
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, trimming and discharging blow molded plastic bottles includes a rotary turntable and a plurality of bottle transfer units spaced around the turntable. A drive indexes the units past the stations at which bottles are extracted from mold halves in an inverted position, righted, trimmed and discharged to a take away conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Klinedinst, Thomas Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 4854848
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Krall, Robert A. Myers
  • Patent number: 4834643
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, trimming and discharging blow molded plastic bottles includes a rotary turntable and a plurality of bottle transfer units spaced around the turntable. A drive indexes the units past the stations at which bottles are extracted from mold halves in an inverted position, righted, trimmed and discharged to a take away conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Klinedinst, Thomas Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 4832592
    Abstract: An apparatus for making hollow objects comprises a preform core neck ring arrangment which include a support frame and thereon having a core with a base and a projecting portion, core neck ring segments disposed adjacent the base of the core to form a neck mold when in a closed position, a preform mold having a cavity for receiving the projecting portion, and means supported on the support frame for relatively moving the neck ring segments and core through means for maintaining the segments closed and moving the neck mold relative to the core in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the core, away from the base, and then moving the neck ring segments laterally away from the longitudinal axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Robert W. Saumsiegle
  • Patent number: 4767311
    Abstract: A reheat blow molding machine having an article handling system that carries heated preforms by a carriage assembly from an oven to a chain conveyor which moves them to a blow mold from whence the blown product is moved to an eject station. Attached to the chain conveyor are preform holder assemblies each of which contains a resilient spindle nose which supports the preforms by engaging an internal surface at one end of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Cincinnati Milacron Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Gibbemeyer
  • Patent number: 4752206
    Abstract: An improved take-out assembly for removing workpieces from a blow molding machine particularly adapted for blow molding machines having a continuously rotating turn table which rotates about a horizontal axis. The take-out assembly includes a turntable with a plurality of extending pick-up units having suction cup type engaging pads at their ends. Rotation of the take-out assembly turntable is coordinated with the blow molder turntable such that a suction cup pick-up unit is positioned to engage a workpiece at the desired work station. The pick-up units are radially movable to extend and retract to provide clearance during rotation and to properly engage the workpiece at the discharge station. A rotary timing valve is used to conduct a vacuum source to the individual pick-up heads at the desired point in the operating cycle of the take-out assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventors: Witold Nowicki, Joe N. Carr
  • Patent number: 4732557
    Abstract: The present invention provides an injection stretch blow molding apparatus in which a peripheral edge of a flat preform forms the edge or lip portion of a cup-like container. A securing or grip mold and a core mold are brought together to form the lip. The securing or grip mold is carried on the underside of a rotary transfer disk. The peripheral edge of the preform is sandwiched in between a shoulder formed at the lower end of a blow core and the securing or grip mold when stretch blow molding is performed, resulting in a cup-like container. The finished container is then removed upwardly from the securing or grip mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daiichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 4708632
    Abstract: A mould which is used for the production by injection moulding of fittings which have an inner annular groove includes a divisible outer mould, a mould core and a mould ring. The mould core has a plurality of segments which can be folded together. In order to ensure with absolute reliability that the fitting does not remain clinging to the mould ring during removal of the fitting from the mould, the mould ring is connected to the mould core and is withdrawn together with the mould core from the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: I.F.W.-Industrie-Formen und Werkzeugbau-Manfred Otte Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Erich Mitteregger, Ernst Schwaiger
  • Patent number: 4676474
    Abstract: A coupling provides for the control of the ejection assembly of a mold. It consists of an ejection member fastened to this assembly and of a claw which can be adapted to control means in the injection press. A tip which is fastened to these means is extended by a rod around which there are mounted jaws, which can tilt and which are themselves surrounded by a sliding sleeve. In an advanced position, the sleeve maintains the jaws tightened so that they retain the head of the ejection lug. In the recessed position, the sleeve maintains the jaws spread out, so as to liberate the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventors: Marc Vallet, Claude Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 4650412
    Abstract: This relates to a blow molding machine of the type for blow molding large articles such as containers of the one gallon to five gallon size from a parison in the form of an extruded plastic material tube. The machine is of the rotary type and has a plurality of stations each carrying a mold unit of which one half is fixed and the other is mounted for radial movement between open and closed positions. The main shaft of the machine is of a large diameter and is tubular so that the necessary manifolding for gas and coolant supplies may be readily incorporated in the main shaft in an entirely different manner from that heretofore utilized. Also, among other features of the machine, is the provision of hollow spokes which serve not only to support outer mold halves for radial movement, but also serve as manifold accumulators for the necssary operating gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: The Continental Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Windstrup, Steven A. Bodnar, B. Pershing Larsen