Abstract: Method for compression molding plastic closures having a peripheral skirt with an internal thread includes a first mold assembly having a male mold core and a second mold assembly having a female mold cavity. At least one of the first and second mold assemblies is moved relative to the other to bring the male mold core into the female mold cavity for compression molding a closure, and then is moved to open the cavity such that the closure is retained on the male mold core. The male mold core is rotated relative to the first mold assembly to unthread the core from within the closure, and thereby strip the closure from the core, without stretching the closure skirt over the core or wiping the internal thread over the external surface of the mold core.

Abstract: Apparatus for compression molding plastic closures having a peripheral skirt with an internal thread includes a first mold assembly having a male mold core and a second mold assembly having a female mold cavity. At least one of the first and second mold assemblies is moved relative to the other to bring the male mold core into the female mold cavity for compression molding a closure, and then is moved to open the cavity such that the closure is retained on the male mold core. The male mold core is rotated relative to the first mold assembly to unthread the core from within the closure, and thereby strip the closure from the core, without stretching the closure skirt over the core or wiping the internal thread over the external surface of the mold core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing co-acting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making plastic articles utilizing a plurality of tools, each of which is moved by cams and includes a nitrogen cylinder wherein provision is made for catastrophic overload prevention. For catastrophic overload prevention, one of the cams is supplied by a top plate and held in normal fixed position by a plurality of nitrogen cylinders. Abnormal movement of the top plate is detected and the machine is stopped. For predictive overload protection, a load cell is positioned at the off load position of one of the cams and any excessive load provides a signal for an alarm, interrupting the feeding of plastic charges and stopping the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scoring plastic tamper indicating closures to provide the tamper indicating band that is connected to the closure by bridges formed by scoring. The scoring is achieved by successively moving a rotating closure past a stationary primary knife blade having an arcuate concave interrupted cutting edge to form the bridges and then past a secondary knife blade having an arcuate concave uninterrupted cutting edge to accurately dimension the bridges.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles such as closures include a plurality of tools mounted in opposed pairs with the tools of each pair including opposed male and female mold sections. The tool pairs are mounted for motion in an endless path. The tool pairs and associated mold sections are closed during motion in the path for compression a molding charge in the mold cavity formed between the mold sections of each pair, and opening the mold cavity to release an article formed between the mold sections. A latch mechanism is associated with each pair of tools for holding the tools and mold sections in the closed position during motion in the path independent of the mechanism for closing the tools and mold halves. In this way, forces imparted to the mold halves and tools to hold the mold closed are isolated from the machine frame. The latch mechanism is selectively unlatched to permit opening of the mold halves and release of the article compression-molded between the mold halves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. The second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. The flange is bent intermediate its ends so that the second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle than the first continuous flange portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing co-acting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding closure liners wherein a set of tooling including a first assembly and second assembly which are movable toward and away from one another. The first assembly of tooling has a liner forming member and a closure engaging sleeve thereon and the second assembly has a closure supporting pad thereon. A cam is associated with the first assembly of tooling for moving the closure engaging sleeve into engagement with a closure and the liner forming member into position for compression molding a charge of plastic extrudate in the closure when it is supported on the closure supporting pad. A gas cylinder is associated with the closure supporting pad providing a predetermined controlled pressure that determines the compression molding force on the plastic. In a preferred mode, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation to one another on a turret.

Abstract: A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. In one form the second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. In another form, the second portion comprises a second continuous flange portion.

Abstract: The method of compression molding an article such as a closure wherein a thermoplastic resin is mixed with additives including a metallic pigment additive, extruded through a nozzle, cut by a blade into individual pellets, and each pellet is deposited into the cavity of a mold which is then closed to compression mold the pellet into an article, including the step of adding a blowing agent to the resin prior to extrusion in a quantity sufficient to randomize the metallic particles in the metallic pigment additive such that gaseous bubbles are provided in the extruded melt and that the gaseous bubbles are substantially expelled during the compression molding resulting in an article that is substantially free of blemishes which normally occur. Preferably, the method includes positioning a mixer plate in the path of the resin immediately prior to the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression molding plastic articles including closures which includes providing coacting sets of tools including a first set for moving a core and core sleeve into engagement with a cavity mold on a second set of tooling. An actuator is provided between the first set of tooling and a fixed upper cam. The second set of tooling includes an associated actuator supporting the cavity mold and associated with a lower fixed cam. A nitrogen cylinder in the second set of tooling provides for control of the compression molding force. In a preferred form, a plurality of sets of tooling are provided in circumferentially spaced relation on a rotating turret supported by a central column. A common manifold supplies the pressure at accurately controlled pressure to each of the nitrogen cylinders. A control system is provided for monitoring and changing the pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scoring plastic tamper indicating closures to provide the tamper indicating band that is connected to the closure by bridges formed by scoring. The scoring is achieved by successively moving a rotating closure past a stationary primary knife blade having an arcuate concave interrupted cutting edge to form the bridges and then past a secondary knife blade having an arcuate concave uninterrupted cutting edge to accurately dimension the bridges.

Abstract: A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. In one form the second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. In another form, the second portion comprises a second continuous flange portion.