Abstract: An adjustable platen assembly and method of assembly therefore. The platen assembly has a platen and a pressure plate attached to the platen. The pressure plate may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the rod according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The platen assembly may have at least one platen support mounted to the platen. The at least one platen support may be rotatably mounted to the mold clamp. The at least one platen support can be rotated according to the size of a mold half mounted to the platen. The adjustable platen provides support to the mold half to reduce the amount of deformation to the mold half that is caused by the application of a closing force.

Abstract: The invention is directed a rotary molding machine having a wheel mounted for rotation on a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel. A first shaft cooperates with a first turntable of the wheel and a second shaft cooperates with a second turntable. The first and second turntables extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of modular mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the wheel, with each modular mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each modular mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations each turntable. The modular mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.

Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.

Abstract: A pultrusion article and method for manufacturing the same is disclosed. The article has a core of cured thermoset material and foaming agent. Unidirectional fibers are distributed about the periphery of the article. A shell of cured thermoset material encapsulates the unidirectional fibers, with the shell having a greater density than the core. The core and the shell are bonded together. The article provides increased strength without the use of cross-fibers.

Abstract: A method of cutting or trimming a plastic log ejected from a blow mold to form multiple open-mouthed bottles, the log having respective bottle portions on opposite ends of the log with each bottle portion having an offset neck and the bottle portions connected in neck-to-neck relationship by a neck ring having a central neck axis, that is especially suitable for high-output production lines. A log conveyor is continuously moved along a path. The body to be trimmed is placed between holders carried by the conveyor and trimmed by rotating the holders about the offset neck axis as the conveyor moves past a trim knife extending along the path.

Abstract: A method of cutting or trimming a plastic body ejected from a blow mold that is especially suitable for high-output production lines. A log conveyor is continuously moved along a path. The body to be trimmed is placed between holders carried by the conveyor and trimmed by rotating the holders as the conveyor moves past a trim knife extending along the path.

Abstract: A method of removing flash extending in a plane from a plastic bottle forming a portion of a plastic one-bottle or multi-bottle blow molded log includes continuously moving a log holder and a punch assembly along a path. The untrimmed log is placed on the log holder. The punch assembly carries a punch that moves in a direction perpendicular to the flash to impact and remove the flash.

Abstract: A mold clamp assembly for a rotary-type or shuttle-type blow molding machine is mounted on a frame and includes a mold opening and closing drive connected to the two mold halves independently of the frame so that when the mold halves are closed, clamp forces are not transmitted to the mold halves through the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a plastic blow molded body ejected from a blow mold, the apparatus includes spaced holders rotatable about a common axis. Each holder receives an end of a plastic body. A first drive rotates the holders about the axis. A second drive moves the holders and plastic body against a trim knife to cut the body. The holders start and stop rotation with the body at a predetermined orientation with respect to the common axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a plastic blow molded log having a neck offset to a side of the log and extending along an axis. The apparatus includes spaced holders that receive the ends of the log. A first drive rotates the holders about the neck axis and a second drive moves the holders and log against a trim knife to trim the neck.

Abstract: A blow mold system take-out device includes a plurality of transfer heads positioned around a hub, and a plurality of arms associated with a plurality of the transfer heads. The arms receive and clamp a molded product. Each transfer head with arms moves around the hub to a position where the arms release the molded product onto a takeaway device.

Abstract: A vertical rotary blow molding machine with dual cavity molds includes two coextrusion flow heads for extruding multi-layer parisons for capture and blowing in the dual cavity molds.

Abstract: A blow molding machine and method for blowing sealed aseptic bottles includes a blow pin having separate blow air and exhaust passages. The retracted blow pin is dwelled in a pin housing filled with sterile air. The housing is connected to the pin by two thin rolling diaphragm seals. Sterile air in the chamber maintains the sterility of the sides and end of the blow pin. The separate blown air and exhaust passages maintain sterility of the machine despite possible rupture of a parison or bottle.

Abstract: An accumulator-type blow molding machine includes hydraulic cylinders for closing mold parts on platens and a control system for valves flowing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders. The control system calculates the desired position of one platen from the measured position of the other platen and generates work output signals accordingly.

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.

Abstract: An accumulator-type blow molding machine includes hydraulic cylinders for closing mold parts on platens and control systems for valves flowing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders. The control systems generate work output signals for the valves according to the operational parameters of the valves, the hydraulic systems and the bearings supporting the platens.

Abstract: A rotary blow molding machine includes a horizontal main shaft with a plurality of molds spaced around the shaft and mounted on the shaft by linear bearings for movement along the shaft. A shaft drive rotates the shaft and molds around the axis of the shaft in the steps and dwells the shaft and molds between steps. Open molds are rotated from a lower container eject position up to a parison capture position and then close on a parison. The closed molds are shifted axially along the main shaft and the parison is blown. Further rotation of the shaft returns the molds to the mold eject position where the molds open and molded containers are ejected downwardly with gravity assist.

Abstract: A method for trimming an inner ring from the neck flange of a blow-molded plastic bottle by extending a reverse punch into the bottle through the flange opening, elastically bending the flange into the interior of the bottle as the punch passes and withdrawing the reverse punch from the bottle and trimming a ring from the flange.

Abstract: A parison extrusion head includes a cylindrical body, a programing rod in the body, a die pin on the end of the rod, and a die ring mounted on the end of the body by a clamp assembly having a pair of clamp arms which are connected to the body by hinges and are rotated between a closed position holding the die ring on the body an open position permitting free removal of the die ring. The clamp arms carry bolts used to move the die ring laterally and adjust the thickness of the extruded parison.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming an inner ring from the neck flange of a blow-molded plastic bottle by extending a reverse punch having a lead end and a trailing end larger than the lead end into the bottle through the flange opening, elastically bending the flange into the interior of the bottle as the punch passes and withdrawing the reverse punch from the bottle and trimming a ring from the flange.