Abstract: A multiple-piece cam unit for use in a molding machine. The cam unit has a cam track which engages cam followers of mold assemblies of the molding machine to move the cam followers between a first position and a second position. The cam unit includes a first cam section and a second cam section. The first cam section has an entrance portion which is dimensioned to receive the cam followers therein. The second cam section has an exit portion positioned to release the cam followers therefrom. The second cam section is moveably mounted to the molding machine to allow the exit portion of the second cam section to be moved relative to the entrance portion of the first cam section, to insure that the cam followers exiting the exit portion of the second cam section are properly aligned to enter the entrance portion of the first cam section.

Abstract: A multiple-piece cam unit for use in a molding machine. The cam unit has a cam track which engages cam followers of mold assemblies of the molding machine to move the cam followers between a first position and a second position. The cam unit includes a first cam section and a second cam section. The first cam section has an entrance portion which is dimensioned to receive the cam followers therein. The second cam section has an exit portion positioned to release the cam followers therefrom. The second cam section is moveably mounted to the molding machine to allow the exit portion of the second cam section to be moved relative to the entrance portion of the first cam section, to insure that the cam followers exiting the exit portion of the second cam section are properly aligned to enter the entrance portion of the first cam section.

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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A die head for extruding an annular body includes a mandrel having a warp portion with a number of segments spaced around the circumference of the mandrel. Heat is selectively flowed to the segments to warp the mandrel and vary the position of a die pin on the end of the mandrel in a die bushing to control the thickness of the extruded body.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling apparatus includes a label transfer assembly having a pair of label carriage each with two label heads and two suction cups for engagement with labels from a magazine or a source of labels and placement of the labels in mold cavities of a blow molding machine. A continuously rotating drive member operates a first rotary drive to raise and lower the label transfer assembly between the label pick up and label discharge positions while dwelling the assembly at the two positions during label pick up and transfer. The drive member also operates a second rotary drive to extend and retract the dwelled label transfer heads at the two positions to pick up labels and then place the labels in mold cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, trimming and discharging blow molded plastic bottles includes a rotary turntable and a plurality of bottle transfer units spaced around the turntable. A drive indexes the units past the stations at which bottles are extracted from mold halves in an inverted position, righted, trimmed and discharged to a take away conveyor.

Abstract: An in-mold labeling apparatus includes a label transfer assembly carrying a number of label carriages each with a number of label transfer heads. A continuously rotating drive arm raises and lowers the assembly in simple harmonic motion to move the label transfer heads between label magazines for pickup of labels and mold halves of a blow molding machine. Lost motion connections are provided at the top and bottom of the stroke to facilitate pickup of labels and placement of labels in the mold halves.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, trimming and discharging blow molded plastic bottles includes a rotary turntable and a plurality of bottle transfer units spaced around the turntable. A drive indexes the units past the stations at which bottles are extracted from mold halves in an inverted position, righted, trimmed and discharged to a take away conveyor.