Abstract: A continuous motion stretch blow molding apparatus for blow molding hollow articles from tubular parisons. A rotary parison loading turret loads parisons sequentially onto a plurality of stretch pin means operatively carried on a continuous motion transfer means which then conveys each of said stretch pin means into an operative position in a molding station on a continuous motion multi-station rotary molding turret. The parisons are stretched longitudinally, blown to form a final article, cooled in the molding stations, and then said article is ejected.

Abstract: A method for feeding and discharging a blow mold employs a carrier tube adjacent the mold cavity for temporarily storing a workpiece, a discharge chute coaxially above the mold cavity, cam-positioned, slidably journaled shafts for moving the tube transversely through a slot in the discharge chute into and out of mold loading position and a stop plate blocking the delivery end of the tube when in storage position. The method involves charging a preform to the carrier tube moving with the mold while a preform is being molded into an article therein, opening the mold and ejecting the article through the discharge chute and transferring the carrier tube laterally to a mold-loading position on the cavity axis within the discharge chute while removing an obstruction at the base of the tube during such movement to permit the preform to exit the tube into the mold.

Abstract: A continuous motion stretch blow molding apparatus for blow molding hollow articles from tubular parisons. A rotary parison loading turret loads parisons sequentially onto a plurality of stretch pin means operatively carried on a continuous motion transfer means which then conveys each of said stretch pin means into an operative position in a molding station on a continuous motion multi-station rotary molding turret. The parisons are stretched longitudinally, blown to form a final article, cooled in the molding stations, and then said article is ejected.

Abstract: A stretch blow molding method for blow molding hollow articles from tubular parisons, and a molding apparatus for carrying out the method. The method includes mounting a tubular parison having a closed end and an open end on a stretch pin means with the closed end in the upper position, and then moving the stretch pin means into an open multi-section molding apparatus. The stretch pin means is then operated to stretch the parison to a predetermined length with the mold halves in an open position. The mold halves are closed after said stretching operation and blow air under pressure is introduced into the parison near the neck portion to blow the parison into molding contact with the closed multi-section mold apparatus. After the molds are opened the article is ejected by air exiting from the tip of the stretch pin near the base of the article.

Abstract: A continuous process for forming hollow, molecularly oriented articles which comprises: gravity-dropping molded preforms at molecular orientation temperature onto upwardly disposed moving stretch pin assemblies continuously presented at a loading station such that after loading, a closed end is above an open end of each preform, conveying the loaded assemblies into operative position between separated sections of continuous and synchronously moving molds, distending the preforms upwardly via stretch pin members and circumferentially via pressurized air after mold closing and while the preforms are at molecular orientation temperature in order to form the articles, opening the continuously moving molds, conveying the stretch pin assemblies with the upwardly disposed articles thereon away from the molds toward a removal station where the articles are removed from the assemblies without interrupting assembly movement generally back toward the loading station where the unloaded assemblies are again presented for

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and discharging a blow mold includes a carrier tube adjacent the mold cavity for temporarily storing a workpiece, a discharge chute coaxially above the mold cavity, cam-positioned, slidably journaled shafts for moving the tube transversely through a slot in the discharge chute into and out of mold loading position and a stop plate blocking the delivery end of the tube when in storage position. The method involves charging a preform to the carrier tube moving with the mold while a preform is being molded into an article therein, opening the mold and ejecting the article through the discharge chute and transferring the carrier tube laterally to a mold-loading position on the cavity axis within the discharge chute while removing an obstruction at the base of the tube during such movement to permit the preform to exit the tube into the mold.

Abstract: A lateral transfer preform loading method and apparatus for stretch blow molding machines. The method of the present invention incorporates the principle of laterally shuttling a set of finished products from a mold assembly and simultaneously shuttling laterally a set of preforms into the mold assembly. The first named set of finished products is discharged while the aforementioned preforms are going through a stretch blow molding operation to produce a second set of finished products. The second named set of finished products is then shuttled laterally from the mold assembly while simultaneously another set of preforms is moved laterally into operative relationship with the mold assembly. The aforementioned simultaneous steps of loading and unloading the mold assembly are continuously repeated. The mold assembly may be provided with one or more molds. The method may be carried out with a plurality of mold assemblies.

Abstract: Carton feeding and erecting apparatus for transferring flattened cartons from one location to another while simultaneously unfolding the cartons to an erect, or partially erect, condition. The apparatus is particularly useful in high speed packaging operations such as operations wherein thermoplastic coated paperboard cartons are to be sequentially unfolded or erected from a flattened condition, closed and sealed at their bottom ends, filled with milk or other contents, and closed and sealed at their top ends. The apparatus includes a carton receiving station at one location, a carton delivery station at another location, carton carrying means operable to engage a flattened carton at the receiving station and carry the carton to the delivery station, and carton unfolding means operatively associated with the carrying means and operable to unfold a carton to its erect condition as the carton is carried by the carrying means from the receiving station to the delivery station.