Abstract: A non-hydraulic injection blow molding machine for making hollow plastic articles. The machine has a parison mold having top and bottom portions for injecting a parison onto each of a plurality of core rods, and a blow mold having top and bottom portions for blowing the parisons into hollow work pieces. The articles are removed from the core rods at an eject station. The core rods are mounted on a turret. The turret rotates to advance the core rods from the parison mold to the blow mold, and from the blow mold to the eject station. The machine has a rotating crank shaft. A translating mechanism translates the rotation of the crank shaft to a vertical reciprocating motion. A clamp beam is connected to the translating mechanism and is actuated by rotation of the crank shaft to move between raised and lowered positions which are separated by a fixed stroke.

Abstract: A partially PTFE laminated rubber closure for pharmaceutical vials which resists undesired removal prior to placement of an aluminium over-cap on the vial and closure. The rubber closure includes a flat circular head which protrudes over the end of the pharmaceutical vial. Secured to the underside of the head is a cylindrical sealing portion which is partially laminated with PTFE at its lower end. Above the end of the PTFE on the outside of the sealing portion is a protruding ring of rubber. This ring allows good high friction contact between the closure and the vial which prevents the closure from dislodging during transportation of the vial after application of the closure and prior to application of an aluminum overcap. A method for making the closure is also provided.

Abstract: An improved injection blow molding apparatus. The apparatus includes an injection blow molding machine having work stations and molds. The apparatus includes a process controller for operating the blow molding machine according to a set of processing parameters. Each processing parameter has a respective desired operating range. The apparatus includes a touch screen for inputting signals to the processor for commanding the process controller to adjust the processing parameters. Display software and hardware coupled to the process controller and the touch screen cause the monitor to display respective icons representing each processing parameter. The value of each respective processing parameter is displayed adjacent to the icon. Graphing software generates signals which are transmitted to the monitor. The monitor displays a graph of the selected processing parameter value as a function of time.