Plural Female Molds And Means To Shape Parison At Each Directly By Internal Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 425/538)
  • Patent number: 11623383
    Abstract: A machine for blowing or stretch-blowing bottles or containers made of a polymer material includes molds movable on a transport system. Each mold includes a front, back, and bottom with a first and second half-molds hinged about a hinge axis and a base. Each of the molds includes a mechanism for synchronized actuation of the half-molds and the base independently from the machine's motor, to cyclically form with shaped portions, a closed cavity for receiving a preheated preform and to allow expansion by blowing or stretch-blowing the preform inside the cavity to obtain a bottle or container. The base is wedge-shaped with a horizontal closing surface facing the bottom of the mold, and an inclined surface. The actuation mechanism includes a wedge-shaped element having a surface inclining towards the front of the mold. The inclined surfaces of the base and of the wedge-shaped element are) being slidingly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SMI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Angelo Nava, Damiano Pesenti
  • Patent number: 11541592
    Abstract: A device for blow molding containers, provided with a supporting frame for at least one station for blow molding preforms in order to obtain containers, the blow molding station includes two lateral bodies and a bottom which are adapted to provide by blow molding at least one container, at least one of the two lateral bodies being movable on command by virtue of elements for cyclic opening and closing, with respect to the supporting frame, about an articulation axis which is substantially parallel to the axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SACMI IMOLA S.C.
    Inventor: Matteo Zanelli
  • Publication number: 20150145178
    Abstract: A system for transforming plastic parisons to plastic containers with a transport device which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has a movable station support disposed at least indirectly on a stationary base support on which a plurality of transforming stations is disposed. The transforming stations each have blow mould devices which each form cavities within which the plastic parisons can be transformed into the plastic containers and these blow mould devices are each disposed on blow mould supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Erik Blochmann
  • Patent number: 8939749
    Abstract: What is described is a blow-molding machine for plastic containers, comprising a plurality of platens for supporting blow mold halves, wherein at least two of the platens are in the form of movable multi-carriers for simultaneously supporting at least two blow mold halves which are assigned to different blow-molding cavities. Since the multi-carriers are driven in such a manner that at least one of the blow-molding cavities can be opened and at the same time at least one other of the blow-molding cavities can be closed by means of a continuous movement of the multi-carriers, acceleration and deceleration ramps can be reduced upon opening and closing and it is possible to gain process time for the blow molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Frank Winzinger
  • Patent number: 8858216
    Abstract: Plastic container manufacturing plant comprising devices for injection-compression of plastic in molds and effected by means of at least one rotary carousel actuated by electro-pneumatic actuators, of the single-stage type integrating at least one first rotary carousel (2) for molding of the preforms and a second rotary carousel (7) for stretch blow molding of the preforms. Moreover, the plant comprises a transport system (5) between said first (2) and second rotary carousel (7) comprising further handling wheels, of which at least one (8) comprises means for thermal conditioning of the preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa' Industrializzazione Progettazione e Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Zoppas, Alberto Armellin, Sandro Serra
  • Patent number: 8827688
    Abstract: A system for forming a container from a preform, wherein the preform has a finish and a support ring. The system includes a mold having a mold cavity defining an internal surface and adapted to accept the preform, a pressure system having an inlet and an outlet outputting fluid, a blow nozzle receiving the fluid from the pressure system and introducing the fluid at a pressure into the preform thereby expanding the preform toward the internal surface of the mold cavity and creating a resultant container. The system further includes a first seal engagement selectively engageable between the blow nozzle and the finish of the preform and a second seal engagement selectively engageable between the blow nozzle and an adjacent feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amcor Limited
    Inventors: Kirk Edward Maki, George David Lisch, Bradley Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140099396
    Abstract: A blow mold unit includes a first and a second blow cavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds. The blow mold unit also includes a first and a second securing plates on which the first and the second blow cavity split mold are secured, a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates respectively secured on the first and the second securing plates, a third securing plate disposed between the first and the second securing plates, the plurality of raised-bottom molds secured on the third securing plate, a plurality of shafts suspended from the third securing plate, and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates secured on the first and the second securing plates at a position below the third securing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki YOKOBAYASHI, Daisaburou TAKEHANA
  • Patent number: 8613614
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a neck mold assembly includes N rows of holding plates, each of the N rows of holding plates holding a plurality of neck molds. The neck mold assembly also includes a supporting-mechanism that supports the N rows of holding plates. The supporting mechanism includes at least one reinforcement shaft that is provided along a row direction of the N rows of holding plates, and two first securing sections that are secured at either end of the at least one reinforcement shaft. Each of the N rows of holding plates has at least one first through-hole that receives the at least one reinforcement shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horigome, Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburo Takehana
  • Patent number: 8535037
    Abstract: A blow molding machine for producing plastic bottles, particularly PET bottles, including a plurality of blow molding stations, which have assigned thereto valve blocks with control valves and blowing nozzles for introducing or discharging blowing air; and a cleaning-in-place (CIP) system for cleaning the blow molding machine. Since the valve blocks are configured such that they can be included in the CIP process, the system components, such as the blowing nozzle, which are particularly important for the production of PET bottles in terms of hygiene, can be cleaned and sterilized without disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Klaus Voth
  • Publication number: 20130236589
    Abstract: The injection stretch blow molding device includes an injection molding section that produces N (N is an integer equal to or larger 2) preforms by injection molding, a cooling section that subjects the N preforms transferred from the injection molding section to forced cooling, a heating section that continuously transfers and heats the N cooled preforms, and a blow molding section that subjects the N heated preforms to stretch blow molding in n (n is an integer equal to or larger than 2) operations, the blow molding section simultaneously stretch blow molding M (M=N/n, M is a natural number) preforms among the N preforms into M containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki YAMAGUCHI, Masatoshi ANDO, Shuichi OGIHARA
  • Patent number: 8512030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a blow-molding machine for thermoplastic pieces and containers, which is designed to work simultaneously with two or more molding lines, wherein said machine comprises an extrusion set (2), and a blow-molding set (3); said blow-molding set (3) is coupled to the extrusion set (2); said blow-molding set (3) is formed by an extrusion head (4), at least one blowing station (5), and at least one molding station (6). In addition to increase the productivity, the blow-molding machine disclosed herein also allows a slight increase in the diversity of finished products, provided that they are made from the same material (type of thermoplastic material) with similar dimensions. The main advantages of using the blow-molding machine are directly related to the fact that the production is increased in an exponential way, without the need to use other blowing stations, and using almost the same physical space of a conventional similar machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Gumercindo Pavan
  • Patent number: 8506285
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 10?) and a machine (100) for reforming a portion of a plastic package (50) using induction heating. The apparatus and machine comprise a frame (20) engaging the plastic package and a workpiece support (40) having an electrically conducting workpiece (44, 48, 102). An induction workhead (62) provides an alternating current power supply to an induction element (60, 104). The induction element is positioned proximate the workpiece of the workpiece support and heats the workpiece via induction. A mechanism (22) positions the plastic package proximate the heated workpiece so that the workpiece transfers heat to the portion of the plastic package thereby softening the portion. A forming die (30) supported on the frame engages the portion to reform the portion. Also provided is a process of using the apparatus and machine to reform a portion of a plastic package using induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Garrett R. Pennington, Thomas Scott Smeltzer, Patrick Matthew Oconnell, David Wayne Cargile, Gregory Duane Taylor
  • Patent number: 8366436
    Abstract: Apparatus, comprising a rotating carousel and a plurality of handling elements supported by said carousel and movable in relation to said carousel, said handling elements being so shaped as to remove a container from a blow-moulding mould arrangement, wherein said apparatus further comprises a plurality of further handling elements associated with said handling elements, said further handling elements being so shaped as to deliver a dose of plastics to a compression-moulding mould arrangement, each of said further handling elements being fixed to a corresponding handling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Parrinello, Maurizio Borgatti, Matteo Camerani, Emilio Re
  • Patent number: 8366435
    Abstract: A mold unit has first and second parts, each with a plurality of cooperating cavity portions. The mold unit further has similarly interconnected third and fourth mold parts. An operating system moves the mold parts to change the mold unit between first and second states. The first and third mold parts meet at a fixed, first parting line to define a first plurality of mold cavities, and the second and third mold parts meet at a fixed, second parting line to define a second plurality of cavities with the mold unit in the first state. In the second state, molded products formed from the parisons can be released from their cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: James Vassar
  • Publication number: 20120261428
    Abstract: Blow molding tools and a method of blow molding which provide that the tool have a retractable push up section in the base which allows for the article molded by the tool to have a recessed base internal to an otherwise hollow structure. As the push up is moveable, adjustment of the push up portion can be performed during an automated blow molding operation so as to allow release of the blow molded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond C. Eble
  • Publication number: 20120189727
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus includes an injection molding station (12) that injection-molds preforms (1A) held by N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) rows of holding plates (30), a temperature control station (14) that performs a temperature control operation on the preforms (1A), a blow molding station (16) that blow-molds the preforms into containers, and a row pitch change section (130) that changes the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates so that P1<P3<P2 is satisfied, P1 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the performs, P2 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the containers, and P3 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the preforms that are transferred to N rows of blow molds that are opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horigome, Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburo Takehana
  • Publication number: 20120153545
    Abstract: A device for forming containers and a method for damped closing of a mould carrier unit and a base mould carrier of a blow mould for forming containers, includes at least one mould carrier unit for holding blow mould parts and a base mould carrier for holding a base mould and a base mould carrier lift device for moving the base mould carrier in conjunction with the movement of the mould carrier unit. The mould carrier unit has at least two mould carriers which surround the container to be processed at least during a moulding process. The base mould carrier covers a base area of the container to be treated. The base mould carrier lift device includes at least one first damping element for damping and limiting the vertical movement of the base mould carrier in relation to the mould carrier unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20120040037
    Abstract: A machine (10) for blow molding containers (100). The machine (10) has a stationary flow head (26) located proximate a turntable (12) on which molds (16) are mounted. A dwell cam mechanism (110, 120, 132) on the turntable causes the molds to accelerate ahead of the turntable, stop under the flow head to receive a parison (31), then accelerate to catch up with the turntable. This sequence allows the turntable to rotate continuously. Blow pins (30) mounted on the turntable inject gas into the molds to blow mold the parison while traveling a first path (144). Paddles (142) grip the molded containers and travel a second path (146) radially outward from the first path. The containers blow-molded from the parisons at a first station (18) are retained on the turntable after the turntable completes one full revolution and again passes the first station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Waldemar Boleslaw Kwasniewski, Andrzej Tomasz Kowalczyk
  • Publication number: 20120034331
    Abstract: A blow mould assembly for moulding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include a blow mould unit forming a cavity, within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers. The blow mould unit may be of a design that includes at least two parts. The assembly further includes a blow mould holder for receiving the blow mould unit. The blow mould holder may include at least two mould holder elements for receiving parts of the blow mould unit. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism configured to arrest at least one part of the blow mould unit with respect to at least one mould holder element. The locking mechanism includes an engagement member that exerts a force, in a latched condition of the part of the blow mould unit with respect to a mould holder element, onto a section of the part of the blow mould unit. The force holds the part of the blow mould unit relative to the mould holder element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Bernhard DORRMANN
  • Publication number: 20120018928
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a plurality of tiered containers from a single parison. Two or more parisons can be arranged next to each other. A molding apparatus of this invention can have one or more mold sections that can be operated in a controlled fashion to form a stacked or tiered arrangement of containers from a single parison or can be arranged to form an array of containers including two or more columns of containers each having two or more tiered containers, all during a single cycle of the molding apparatus. Each container formed by the method and apparatus of this invention can be blow molded and/or vacuum formed and/or filled and/or sealed. Each seal can be a hermetic seal or any other suitable seal formed through a molding step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicants: Solutions
    Inventors: Arjun Ramrakhyani, Steve Karnatz
  • Publication number: 20110094059
    Abstract: A hinge member for a blow-molded article includes at least two hinge arms with axial holes defined therein and a hinge pin extended therethrough. The hinges arms include upper and lower ones provided on the two parts of the article respectively. At least two openings are defined in the wall of each hinge arm and parallel to a horizontal plane at which the axis of the axial hole is located. At least one opening is positioned at each side of the horizontal plane. The length and width of the openings are arranged such that each opening corresponds to a particular section of the axial hole. The axial hole can be formed by providing corresponding bulges in the mold without removing a core pin, thereby simplifying molding process and increasing yield rate. The present disclosure also provides a blow-molded article having the hinge member and a mold for forming the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Red Plastics Industry (Hong Kong) Co., L
    Inventor: Wai Po Sze
  • Patent number: 7901201
    Abstract: A press-molding machine is taught that may include an extrusion apparatus (10), a transfer apparatus (30), and a molding apparatus (40). The extrusion apparatus (10) may extrude a melted resin into a sheet shape. The transfer apparatus (30) may receive and transfer a sheet material that is extruded from the extrusion apparatus and cut in a predetermined length. The molding apparatus (40) may press and mold the sheet material transferred from the transfer apparatus. The extrusion apparatus (10), the transfer apparatus (30), and the molding apparatus (40), are allowed to be independently arranged and constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ando, Yoshihiro Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7892476
    Abstract: A blow moulding device configured to provide and exhaust compressed air at a plurality of points of use, the device comprising a compressed air source for providing compressed air at the points of use, a compressed air manifold to allow a transporting of the compressed air to the points of use, a plurality of exhaust valves positioned at the points of use for exhausting the compressed air, and a plurality of valves to effect the providing and exhausting of the compressed air at the points of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin Woods, Andrew Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110037205
    Abstract: A three dimensional foam costume molded from a vacuum molding or thermoforming machine which simultaneously molds two sheets of plastic. The machine is comprised of two female concave molds which are positioned one over the other and an opening mechanism to open and close the two molds. The machine accepts two sheets of plastic at one time and air is provided between the two sheets to force each sheet of plastic into one of the molds to form a three-dimensional costume in which the edges of the costume are sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Peter A. Russo, Cheuk-Tat Liu
  • Patent number: 7833006
    Abstract: A single-sided shuttle-type blow molding apparatus having an extruder for substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material in tubular form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. The apparatus includes a mold having a set of mold parts adapted to open and close relative to each other to define, when closed, a mold cavity. A shuttle having the mold mounted thereon is arranged to move along a closed path from a first position wherein the mold engages, when open, a finite length of the thermoplastic tube, to a second position away from the first position. The apparatus further includes a blow head adapted to blow the finite length of the thermoplastic tube to form the container as the mold moves from the first position to the second position of the closed path. The apparatus includes no more than one mold. A method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Plastic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel McGlynn, Gregory A. Geisinger, Thomas J. Krall
  • Publication number: 20100278960
    Abstract: A mold unit has first and second parts, each with a plurality of cooperating cavity portions. The mold unit further has similarly interconnected third and fourth mold parts. An operating system moves the mold parts to change the mold unit between first and second states. The first and third mold parts meet at a fixed, first parting line to define a first plurality of mold cavities, and the second and third mold parts meet at a fixed, second parting line to define a second plurality of cavities with the mold unit in the first state. In the second state, molded products formed from the parisons can be released from their cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: James Vassar
  • Patent number: 7811506
    Abstract: The invention discloses a mold, a molding assembly and a molding process for molding two tier array of containers of synthetic polymeric material. The process is particularly related to formed, filled and sealed molded containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Manoharlal Gupta
  • Patent number: 7775787
    Abstract: Blow molding tool arrangement is disclosed for an extrusion blow molding machine for plastic containers, especially for plastic bottles, comprising two or more blow mold parts (1, 2) which can be moved from an open into a closed position and vice versa and in the closed state border a mold cavity (7) which has at least one access opening (22) for a blow mandrel (8), and with at least one laterally movable ejection device (10) for removing from the mold a plastic tube which has been inflated by overpressure according to the mold cavity (7). The ejection device (10) is arranged such that it can be extended laterally relative to the inside wall of the mold during ejection and touches the plastic tubing upon ejection in a lost section (74) which is detached after removal from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Alpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co., KG.
    Inventor: Johann Künz
  • Publication number: 20100156009
    Abstract: An device for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers comprises at least one blow mold and a plurality of closure members interacting with one another in order to transfer the blow mold between an open state and a closed state. The blow mold forms a cavity, within which the plastic preforms may be expanded into the plastic containers. The closure members comprise at least one first mold part and one second mold part, which are moveable with respect to one another. The closure members further comprise a blow nozzle unit which is moveable with respect to the mold parts, and which closes the blow mold in the closed state in one direction. At least one first drive unit moves the mold parts with respect to one another. A second drive unit moves the blow nozzle unit with respect to the mold parts. At least one drive unit moving at least one of the closure members for transferring the blow mold between the closed state and the open state includes an electric drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Klaus Voth, Erik Blochmann, Frank Winzinger
  • Patent number: 7648662
    Abstract: A method and a device for processing preforms which are made of a thermoplastic plastic material and are blow molded into containers. In a first production process, the preforms are produced by injection molding in the area of an injection molding tool. At least some areas of the preforms are impinged upon by a cooling device. The preforms are deformed by applying negative pressure, wherefore the cooling device can be made at least in part of a porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Modesto M. Pesavento
  • Patent number: 7648359
    Abstract: A mold-conveying device for an plastic blow-molding machines includes a machine base and an auxiliary mold base. The machine base is located under a main mold base for positioning the lower mold of a shaping mold thereon, provided with plural correcting rods fitted in correcting rod holes in the bottom base of the auxiliary mold base. Further, a power member is provided under the auxiliary mold base for raising or lowering the auxiliary mold base, and the auxiliary mold base is provided with a transmitting device having a transmitting member to match with a rack provided in the machine base for shifting the auxiliary mold base rightward and leftward in accordance with the blow-molding movements of the plastic blow-molding machines for carrying out mold conveying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: Supreme Technic Package Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huang Sheng-Chang
  • Patent number: 7611658
    Abstract: A composite mould set for use on a conventional type of injection-molding machine is made up of composite mold halves (10) which are mounted one on each platen (12) of the injection molding machine. Each mold half (10) carries an array of injection molding cavities (16) for molding preforms, and an array of blow molding cavities (18) for stretch blow molding of the preforms into a blow molded product. The respective cavities (16) and (18) are arranged so that they open in a common mold separation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Constantinos Sideris
  • Patent number: 7601292
    Abstract: The blow molding machine is characterized in that that the preferably two closing units can be reciprocated along a first guide path extending in a direction transverse to a second guide path which extends from a central removal position of the first guide path to the insertion device, the lower closing plates with the lower mold halves of the two closing units being alternately movable on the second guide path from the removal position to the insertion device and back. The blow molding machine is characterized by an improved mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Bekum Maschinenfabriken GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Hennemann
  • Patent number: 7524181
    Abstract: A blowing assembly is connected to a body of a blowing mechanism and has a bracket, a driving device, a mold assembly and a peripheral-supplying device. The bracket is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism and has a frame, an actuating device and a transmitting device. The frame is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism and has multiple mounting shafts, a mounting board, a second moving board and a primary moving board. The driving device is mounted on the second moving board and has a motor, a driven device and a threaded rod. The mold assembly is connected to the bracket and has a primary mold and two second molds. The peripheral-supplying device is connected to the body of the blowing mechanism over the bracket and has two mounts located at two sides of the second moving board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Fu-Chuan Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090057953
    Abstract: An extrusion blow molding machine has a first and a second row of multiple extruded parisons. The device further includes a mold having a first molding block section having a first plurality of cavity portions, a second molding block section having a second plurality of cavity portions and a third molding block section. The third molding block section includes a third plurality of cavity portions that are alignable one each with the cavity portions in the first plurality of cavity portions to thereby define a first row of cavities. The third molding block section also includes a fourth plurality of cavity portions that are alignable one each with the cavity portions in the second plurality of cavity portions to thereby define a second row of cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: James Vassar
  • Publication number: 20090047374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mold module from a set of substantially structurally independent mold modules of at least one of a first mold assembly or a second mold assembly. The first mold assembly and the second mold assembly for accepting, in use, a plurality of first mold inserts and second mold inserts, respectively, to define, in use, a plurality of substantially identical molding cavities therebetween. A subset of at least one of the first mold inserts or the second mold inserts being accepted in the mold module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: John Robert GALT, Thomas Michael McGinley, Sheldon John Alexander, Christopher J. Brusa, Stephen Daniel Ferenc
  • Publication number: 20090047373
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stationary platen of a mold clamp for use with a molding system. The stationary platen includes a platen base configured to accept a first mold assembly of a mold, the platen base also defines a receptacle for embedding, in use, a bridge runner system. The bridge runner system is configured to fluidly connect, at least in part, a source of molding material with a molding cavity defined, at least in part, by a mold insert accepted in the first mold assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: John Robert Galt, Thomas Michael McGinley, Sheldon John Alexander, Christopher J. Brusa, Stephen Daniel Ferenc
  • Patent number: 7381045
    Abstract: Quick change blow mold tooling includes a pair of mold cavity blocks that cooperate to define a series of blow cavities. The tooling further includes a pushup plate having a series of bottom contours that plug the otherwise open bottoms of the cavities when the pushup plate is against the bottom of the mold blocks. Each mold block is quickly attached to and detached from its supporting back plate using studs that fit into receiving holes on the back plate and cam locking shafts that are accessible from opposite side edges of the back plates. The back plates thus remain secured to platens of the bottle forming machine during change out of the tooling. Similarly, the push up plate has a pair of locking studs projecting from the underside thereof that are received within socket members attached to the machine. The socket members are provided with quick release threaded couplers that can be locked and unlocked by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: R & D Tool & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Randal L. Fields, Michael D. Whitney
  • Patent number: 7378047
    Abstract: A method of inspecting wall thickness of blow-molded plastic containers includes providing a blow-molder having a plurality of molds and a plurality of associated spindles. The containers are inspected by impinging infrared light thereon and detecting the portion of the infrared light that passes through the container and converting the same into corresponding electrical signals which are delivered to a microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the electrical signals with stored information regarding desired wall thickness of the container and emits output thickness information. The microprocessor receives signals from sensors associated with the blow-molder relating to the position of the molds, the identity of the molds and the identity of the spindles in order that the wall thickness information that is determined by inspection can be associated with specific molds and spindles. The wall thickness information may be averaged over a period of time or a number of containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: AGR International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Birckbichler, Sudha Christy Jebadurai, Georg V. Wolfe, Ronald A. Puvak, William E. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7374713
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing plastic containers. The method may comprise the steps of (1) forming a plastic container from a preform in a blow-molder, where the blow-molder comprises a plurality of molds and spindles; and (2) inspecting the plastic container after formation in the blow-molder. The containers are inspected by impinging infrared light thereon and detecting the portion of the infrared light that passes through the container and converting the same into corresponding electrical signals which are delivered to a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives signals from sensors associated with the blow-molder relating to the position of the molds, the identity of the molds and the identity of the spindles in order that the information that is determined by inspection can be associated with specific molds and spindles. The information may be visually displayed so as to provide feedback regarding the inspection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: AGR International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Alan Birckbichler, Sudha Christy Jebadurai, Georg V. Wolfe, Ronald A. Puvak, William E. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080113061
    Abstract: A blow molding machine having a revolving blow mold holder and at least one blow mold held thereon, having at least two blow mold parts, whereby to open the blow mold at least one of the blow mold parts is stationary in comparison with the position of a finished blow molded article and the other blow mold part can be moved in a lateral movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: KRONES
    Inventors: Christian Stoiber, Klaus Voth
  • Patent number: 7354538
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a container manufacturing machine include a thickness monitor (10) for determining an average wall thickness of containers produced by the machine. The system uses the average wall thickness to adjust machine control to change operation of the machine and adjust the quality of the containers being produced. The system also responds to feedback from pneumatic devices (104), heaters (103), mechanical devices and temperature sensors (108, 109) to determine corrections to be made to the machine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Petwall, LLC
    Inventors: Frank E. Semersky, Ronald A. Puvak, Scott W. Steele, Donald Wayne Miller, William E. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080020085
    Abstract: A device for the moulding of thermoplastic containers by blowing comprises a mould (1) with two half-moulds (2, 3), each having a support (5, 6) and a mould block (7, 8) between which, in one half-mould, a compensating chamber (20) is defined, with elastic return means (26) and abutment means (27) being interposed, which are combined in unitary assemblies (35) each comprising: a bore (36) passing through the support and receiving a pin (38) having one end (39) fastened to the mould block and a first radial shoulder (40) against which bears the end (E) of a sleeve (46) screwed in the bore and having an outer head (47) capped by an axially displacaeable housing (49), with the elastic return means being interposed, which are preloaded by a nut (53) screwed on the free end of the pin against a second radial shoulder (54) of the pin, at the same time pushing the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Cedric Bianchini, Alexandre Toutoux
  • Patent number: 7300273
    Abstract: A system for forming a hollow body may include at least one closing unit positioned beneath the die of a tube extrusion device. The closing unit may include a first vertical closing plate and second vertical closing plate. Specifically, an upper horizontal closing plate is cantilevered to the first vertical closing plate carrying an upper mold half, while a lower horizontal supporting plate is cantilevered to the second vertical closing plate carrying a lower mold half. At least one hydraulic cylinder may connect to the horizontal supporting plate and be adapted to vertically displace the lower horizontal closing plate. The closing unit is configured in such a way that when the vertical closing plates are moved toward each other, the upper horizontal closing plate and the lower horizontal supporting plate interlock. The system can be configured to produce oblong hollow bodies requiring a horizontal mold parting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Thermo-Technik-Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Dieter Koetke
  • Patent number: 7153127
    Abstract: A mold system for blow molding hollow plastic containers includes an extruder for providing a hollow tube of plastic material having a longitudinal axis. Three mold segments include at least two mold segments that are movable against the third mold segment, in directions perpendicular to the tube axis, between a closed position in which the mold segments form a hollow mold cavity in which the tube is captured and an open position spaced from the tube axis. A blow pin is disposed on one of the mold segments to pierce the tube in the closed position of the mold segments. One of the mold segments may be a mold core movably mounted on a second of the mold segments, and cylinders are mounted on the second mold segment for moving the mold core between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the second mold segment. The blow pin may be movably mounted on the mold core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Struble, John W. Safian
  • Patent number: 7114945
    Abstract: The shifting of the parting line between split molds due to mold clamping force is prevented. A blow mold device (11) wherein a pair of split molds forming a blow cavity (12) are a set of molds, and a plurality of such sets are attached in parallel to mold-attaching plates (15, 16) with a clearance defined between adjacent sets. One split mold (13) is attached by bolts (17) inserted in bolt holes (23) in the form of loose holes in the mold-attaching plate (15) in such a manner as to allow relative lateral shifting of the split mold (13) and mold-attaching plate (15). The other split mold (14) is fixedly attached to the mold-attaching plate (16) by locating pins (18) and bolts (17). A joint is installed that integrally connects the two split molds to their parting surface and that is composed of a taper pin (19) and a socket (21) for preventing the shifting of the parting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: A.K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Takaharu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6994543
    Abstract: An internally label-sticking mold includes an outer mold and an inner mold. The outer mold has an interior hollow for containing a shaped material and the inner mold, and the inner mold has an interior hollow for containing a label therein. Thus, when the outer mold with the shaped material placed in its interior hollow is combined with the inner mold with the label placed in its interior hollow for blowing and molding a plastic product, the shaped material becomes a finished plastic product stuck with a label integral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Huang Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 6979188
    Abstract: An exemplary extrusion head for producing a plastic strand in the form of a flexible or rigid tube can be made to communicate with the outlet of an extruder and has a nozzle tool, which includes a mandrel, or core, and a nozzle ring. The mandrel and the nozzle ring define an opening gap, whose opening width is variable by means of an axial relative motion (A, B) between the core and the nozzle ring that can be controlled via an electric or hydraulic actuating drive. The extrusion head includes a suspension element and an extrusion element, detachably connected to it, which has all the connections and flow channels for the composition to be extruded and is equipped with the nozzle tool. The actuating drive is disposed on the suspension element and can be connected detachably to the mandrel or to the nozzle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Soplar SA
    Inventor: Wolfgang Messner
  • Patent number: 6971864
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing plastic hollow bodies using an extrusion blow molding process has an extrusion unit, which is mounted in a housing, and at least one blow molding station. The extrusion unit has an extruder and an extruder head, connected to the extruder, with at least one extrusion nozzle. The longitudinal extent of the extruder defines a longitudinal direction of the apparatus. The blow molding station has a blow molding table with at least one molding tool, which is provided with an opening disposed on the side of the molding tool toward the extrusion nozzle. The blow molding table is movable on a lateral path, extending essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, from a terminal position laterally of the extruder head into a position beneath the extruder head and back again, in order to make the extrusion nozzle and the opening of the molding tool coincide vertically with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Soplar SA
    Inventor: Wolfgang Messner
  • Patent number: 6923637
    Abstract: Each of the clamping plates of the closing unit of the blow molding machine has secured thereto a pivotable locking means which in the calibration position in the swung-up state comes into engagement with a plate which is part of the calibration device. A short friction-type connection which is symmetrical relative to the mold parting plane is thereby established between the blow mold and the calibration cylinder during calibration so that the calibration forces are transmitted in an exact manner. The locking means swing downwards when the blow mold is opened and/or the closing unit returns to the head station. Collisions with other machine parts are thereby ruled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: BEKUM Maschinenfabriken GmbH
    Inventors: Gottfried Mehnert, Ulrich Hennemann