Abstract: An apparatus and method for blow molding and sealing an aseptic container. A pair of mold halves, including inner surfaces that when closed define a mold cavity, clamp about an extruded parison. The parison is inflated by high pressure blow air into conformity with the shape of the mold cavity. An evacuation device applies a force to an exterior portion of the blow molded container causing the portion to deform or flex inwardly, thereby reducing the internal volume and evacuating air from the blow molded container. A sealing tool thereafter causes the blow molded container to be sealed while the container is in the reduced volume condition. Upon removal from the mold assembly and cooling, the container returns to the desired shape.

Abstract: A molding tool for molding a substantially hollow article from a tubular parison comprises molding surfaces defining at least one cavity for forming a hollow portion of a molded article, the hollow portions having walls formed by expansion of the parison within the cavities and defining at least one solid area of the article to be molded attached to a wall of a hollow portion, the solid area comprising waste of the article as molded and the molding surfaces comprising surface undulations effective to improve the rate of heat transfer between the molding surfaces and the molding material comprising the solid areas. A mold assembly for molding hollow articles from tubular parisons comprises a molding tool in accordance with the invention. A blow molding machine comprises a mold assembly in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A mold assembly for blow molding comprises first and second mating mold components, each mating mold component comprising molding surfaces open to a mating face of the mold component and defining the exterior of an article to be molded from a tubular parison and at least one replaceable element being attached thereto by retaining means accessible from the mating face thereof whereby the replaceable elements may be installed and removed while the mating mold component is mounted in a press of a blow molding machine. The replaceable elements comprise any of inserts comprising molding surfaces defining a neck portion of an article to be molded, a blow needle to pierce the wall of and pressurize the parison and heat pipes for transferring heat from the molding surfaces. A blow molding machine comprises a press mechanism for operating a mold assembly and a mold assembly according to the invention mounted thereto.

Abstract: A mold assembly for blow molding comprises mating mold components having molding surfaces comprising a segment of at least one mold cavity, the mold cavities defining a plurality of containers arranged so as to permit substantially simultaneous blow molding of plural containers from a single tubular parison. In alternative configurations, the molding surfaces define (i) at least one cavity defining two containers joined by the neck portions thereof and each mold component comprises a single insert comprising molding surfaces for the neck portions of the joined containers, and (ii) at least two separate cavities at least one of which defines a single container and each mold component comprises inserts comprising molding surfaces defining the neck portions of containers defined by each cavity. Means for pressurizing the parison comprise means for piercing the parison wall. A blow molding machine comprises a press mechanism for operating a mold assembly in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A mold assembly for blow molding comprises mating mold components having opposed mating surfaces and each comprising an insert defining the exterior of a neck portion of the article to be molded and at least one heat pipe located with one end thereof proximate a molding surface and the other end thereof in the interior of a heat transfer fluid conducting passage within the mold component. Advantageously, each mold component includes sealing means effective to prevent passage of fluid from the mold component around heat pipes passing through walls thereof. Advantageously, each insert includes at least one knife insert for forming a parting groove for separating waste of the article as molded from the neck portion comprising a finished article. A blow molding machine comprises a mold assembly in accordance with the invention. Advantageously the molding machine comprises trimming means for parting the molded article at the parting grooves.