Abstract: A web handling apparatus for splicing the terminal end of one roll of web stock to the lead end of a second roll of web stock in an uninterrupted feed to a machine. The first roll web is fed into the machine and a second roll web in parallel relationship to the first is guided by two turning bars laterally and again in parallel and overlying relationship to the first. Thereafter a splicer device joins the second roll to the first roll. The second turning bar is pivotally mounted on a vertical axis and movable vertically such that it can be moved from below the first roll web vertically upwardly and by pivoting about the vertical axis to a position whereat the second turning bar overlies the first roll web. Subsequently, the second roll web will overlie the first web in splicing relationship.

Abstract: A multi-layered blown plastic container is formed by injection molding a first thermoplastic parison, axially stretching the first parison at its orientation temperature, injection molding a second thermoplastic parison around the first parison, and blowing the multi-layered parison at its orientation temperature to provide an oriented container, the inner layer being oriented in the axial and hoop directions, and the outer layer oriented in the hoop direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding plastic articles from preformed parisons by reheating the parisons and then stretching and blowing them. The parisons are conveyed in series to a plurality of fixed heating stations at which the parisons are fixedly positioned for heating, the parisons being rotated for uniform heating. The heating is enhanced by blowing air under pressure through a tunnel enclosing the successive heating stations. Finally, the parison is stretched and blown at a blow station in a blow mold of unique design.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple, yet highly accurate device for synchronizing the speeds of two power-driven machines having separate, variable speed power-drives. A pair of shafts are respectively connected to the two machines and mounted in opposed concentric relationship for rotation in opposite directions at rates respectively proportional to the speed of rotation of the two machines. A differential unit is connected between the two shafts, such unit having equal size input and output sun gears respectively connected to the shafts. The planetary output of the differential unit is connected to a speed control element for at least one of the motors respectively driving the machines to vary the speed of such machine to bring it into rotational synchronization with the other machine.

Abstract: This invention provides a machine for assembling cup shaped base members onto the bottom portions of bottle shaped containers. The assembly machine comprises a continuously rotating base transport table receiving successive bases in pockets on its periphery from a supply source of bases. A plurality of vacuum chucks are positioned above the base pockets and successively engage the side walls of containers supplied in timed sequence to such pockets. A plurality of vertically shiftable plungers are mounted above the position of the containers and actuated by a peripheral stationary cam to depress such plungers into engagement with the neck portion of the containers and to push the containers into engagement with the cup shaped bases disposed below the containers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding plastic articles from preformed parisons by reheating the parisons and then stretching and blowing them. The parisons are conveyed in series to a plurality of fixed heating stations at which the parisons are fixedly positioned for heating, the parisons being rotated for uniform heating. The heating is enhanced by blowing air under pressure through a tunnel enclosing the successive heating stations. Finally, the parison is stretched and blown at a blow station in a blow mold of unique design.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding plastic articles from preformed parisons by reheating the parisons and then stretching and blowing them. The parisons are conveyed in series to a plurality of fixed heating stations at which the parisons are fixedly positioned for heating, the parisons being rotated for uniform heating. The heating is enhanced by blowing air under pressure through a tunnel enclosing the successive heating stations. Finally, the parison is stretched and blown at a blow station in a blow mold of unique design.

Abstract: A parison handling assembly receives tubular plastic parisons from a random bulk storage, orients the parisons, and feeds the parisons in a controlled manner to one or more blow molding machines. Parisons are stored in the random bulk storage and fed at a controlled rate by a metering apparatus to a parison orienter which orients the parisons into a closely grouped arrangement wherein the parisons are both upright and side-by-side. The parisons are fed from the parison orienter to a parison escapement mechanism which holds the parisons temporarily. The escapement mechanism is actuated to release parisons into a parison transporter depending on the production demands of the individual blow-molding machines. Released parisons, from the parison escapement mechanism, move along the parison transporter to be pushed axially into stuffer tubes. The stuffer tubes hold the parisons in properly oriented, end-to-end relationship for delivery to the actual loading station of the blow-molding machine.

Abstract: A apparatus are disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure. The apparatus includes a rotatable support for displacing the mold between the first and second stations, a plastic supply means at the first station to fill the molds, and a displaceable rod at the second station for insertion into the mold to apply pressure to the plastic material during solidification cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material under relatively low pressure from a first pressure source and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure from a second pressure source. During the displacing step, the mold is conveyed along an arcuate path and the mold orientation is maintained. The apparatus includes a cantilevered core pin concentrically positioned in the mold cavity and a set of radially biased neck rings which preferably open automatically under a constant biasing force to release the neck of a molded article after the core pin is withdrawn from the article.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure. The apparatus includes a rotatable support for displacing the mold between the first and second stations, a plastic supply means at the first station to fill the molds, and a displaceable rod at the second station for insertion into the mold to apply pressure to the plastic material during solidification cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding an end portion of a tubular thermoplastic parison prior to a blow molding operation to form a parision finish and an annular support flange. The method includes closing a laterally movable, sectional mold onto a circumferential section of a parison so that at least one end portion of the parison extends out of the mold. The extending end portion of the parison is then thermally conditioned to a deformable temperature and thereafter the parison is axially displaced to telescopically insert the thermally conditioned end portion within the mold into general radial alignment with annular, longitudinally spaced finish and support flange cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for molding plastic articles, wherein the method includes the steps of filling a mold cavity at a first station with heated flowable plastic material under relatively low pressure from a first pressure source and then displacing the mold to a second station where the plastic material is cooled under pressure from a second pressure source. During the displacing step, the mold is conveyed along an arcuate path and the mold orientation is maintained. The apparatus includes a cantilevered core pin concentrically positioned in the mold cavity and a set of radially biased neck rings which preferably open automatically under a constant biasing force to release the neck of a molded article after the core pin is withdrawn from the article.

Abstract: An extrusion head and a method for controlling the concentricity of extruded tubular products. A die member has a generally spool shaped configuration with front and rear flanges connected by a hub. The die member has a bore extending completely through it in the hub area. A mandrel is inserted and held in the bore to define an annular space. The rear flange is rigidly connected to a source of molten material to be extruded. The material is introduced into the annular space and issues from the die as a tubular product. Connected to the front flange is a means for deflecting the front flange and the connecting means for deflecting the front flange and the connecting hub relative to the mandrel in order to correct out of concentric formation of the tubular article.

Abstract: A method for molding an end portion of a tubular thermoplastic parison prior to a blow molding operation to form a parison finish and an annular support flange. The method includes closing a laterally movable, sectional mold onto a circumferential section of a parison so that at least one end portion of the parison extends out of the mold. The extending end portion of the parison is then thermally conditioned to a deformable temperature and thereafter the parison is axially displaced to telescopically insert the thermally conditioned end portion within the mold into general radial alignment with annular, longitudinally spaced finish and support flange cavities. Next, an internal support is telescopically inserted within the thermally conditioned parison portion in preparation for the compression molding steps; which include axially displacing the opposed ends of the parison to force thermally conditioned, deformable plastic parison material radially outwardly into the flange and finish cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting a cup-shaped support base onto a convex bottom of a container. The apparatus includes adjacent wheels mounted for rotation about angularly related, non-parallel axes, so that the wheels are closer to one another in one circumferential region than in any other such region. In the method, a container is retained on the periphery of one wheel for displacement along a partial-circumferential path. A cup-shaped support base is retained on a second wheel in alignment with a convex bottom on the container. As the wheels rotate, the base and container are displaced in unison to said one circumferential region, with the base progressively moving closer to the convex bottom for their telescopic assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for blow molding a thermoplastic container having a concave bottom. A plurality of concentric, nested tubes surround a central rod, the tubes and rod have cooperating end faces which define the bottom of a blow mold. The tubes are interconnected through an actuating key fixed to the central rod and projecting through slots in the tubes. Actuation of the rod actuates the tubes in sequence as the key bottoms in the slots. A second, stop key is fixed relative to the rod and all of the tubes to position the rod and tube end faces in either a concave or convex configuration to defining two consecutive desired bottom shapes for the blow mold.