Abstract: Hollow nickel blow molds produced by nickel vapor deposition have an inner wall defining a mold cavity and an integral outer wall defining a hollow interior therebetween for coolant fluid. The outerwall has inlet and outlet ports therein for admission and exhaustion of the coolant fluid. A holder is provided for mounting the molds in a blow molding machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a container (45″), with an opening (53), whose opening axis (57) is at an angle to the container axis (23), whereby a blank (45) is introduced into a blowing mould (11, 13), a fixing region (47) of the blank (45) pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould and the blank pneumatically formed in the blowing mould. The fixing region (47) of the blank (45) is pressed against a stop zone (41) on the blowing mould, inclined at an angle other than 90°. The moulding thus occurs such that an opening region axis (58) of the blank (45, 45′) is at an angle to the container region axis (59) of the blank (45, 45′). The opening axis (57), of the blowing mould (11), forms an angle to a longitudinal axis (51) of a stretching drift (49), which may be extended along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A mold is provided for use with a wheel-type blow mold machine, the mold being one of a plurality of molds for locating in a circular pattern on a wheel of the blow-mold machine and having a longitudinal direction for aligning tangentially with a circumferential direction of the mold wheel and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The mold has a first part and a second part. The first part has a first molding portion with a longitudinal end in the longitudinal direction of the mold and a first end portion adjoining the first molding portion at the longitudinal end of the first molding portion and having a free edge opposite the first molding portion, the free edge being non-parallel to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The first part also has an outer cooling circuit located in the first end portion, and an inner cooling circuit located in the first end portion at a different location in the transverse direction than the outer cooling circuit.

Abstract: An oven in a production facility for thermoplastic receptacles, including a conveyor chain which is provided with gripping devices (16), whereby each gripping device engages axially with the neck of a receptacle blank in order to transport it into the oven. The gripping devices are displaced axially by a mechanism which is provided with an arm (44) which can move along a path that is substantially parallel to the axial direction (An) in which gripping takes place and which bears an interface element (40) which is designed to come into contact with the gripping device (30). The interface element (40) is movably mounted on the arm (44) to enable slip-free contact with the gripping device while it is immobilized in relation to the arm according to the axial direction in which gripping occurs.

Abstract: A hot fill hot fill mold assembly has two mold half shells and two mold half carriers for supporting the mold half shells. The shells each have an inner wall that defines the shape of at least a portion of the container to be formed. Each shell has outer wall surface portions and a plurality of spaced apart slotted grooves extending between the outer wall surface portions that define open air spaces recessed from the outer wall portions. The mold half carriers have a carrier inner wall that overlays in contacting and thermal conducting relation the outer wall surface portions of a corresponding one of the mold half shells and overlays the spaced apart slotted grooves to create thermal buffering open air pockets between the mold half shells and the mold half carriers so as to reduce the thermal conduction away from the mold face and improve hot fill container formation.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method for the post mold cooling of injection molded articles where an exterior portion of the article is exposed to a cooling atmosphere separately from any other cooling of the article. More particularly, the external surface of a neck finish portion of a preform is cooled by way of a cooling fluid stream which is specifically directed at the external surface.

Abstract: A device for treating preforms to obtain containers made of plastics, for example bottles for food applications, comprising an ejector adapted to pick up and release one or more preforms, arranged so that their neck is directed upwardly, a heating conveyor, and a unit for transferring the preforms unloaded from the heating conveyor, which is adapted to modify their spacing and speed, adapting them to the spacing and speed of an adjacent and axially offset blow-molding conveyor to which the one or more preforms are transferred.

Abstract: A device for heating parisons made of a thermoplastic material and having a supporting ring for blow molding hollow bodies, having a conveyor means, a plurality of holding means which are arranged on the conveyor means and grip the head area of the parisons between the supporting ring and the mouth and radiant heaters arranged on the path of movement of the parisons carried by the holding means, a shield supported by the conveying means being assigned to each holding mandrel in the form of a cover plate which is located at the height of the supporting ring and has a borehole to receive the supporting ring. Furthermore, there is also a cooling device, which acts directly on the exposed head area. This permits optimum protection of the head area of the parisons, which is not to be shaped or deformed, to prevent unacceptable heating.

Abstract: A solid outwardly projecting flange is formed on the side wall of a blow-molded article by providing a blow mold having a circumferential groove that is filled by flowable thermoplastic during a blow cycle. The mold includes a heating system locally disposed adjacent the groove for heating the walls of the groove so as to heat the thermoplastic in this region, thereby reducing the viscosity of the thermoplastic so that it more-readily flows into and completely fills the groove. The mold can also include a cooling system disposed locally adjacent the groove for cooling the flange of the blow-molded article prior to ejection of the article from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an arrangement for the production of blow-molded hollow bodies from plastic with a blow molding machine, wherein a cooling medium can be blown via a conduit into a blow mold respectively into the hollow body for blowing up and cooling of the blow-molded hollow body. For improvement of cooling the interior of the hollow body within the blow mold, a closed conduit system is provided, in which the cooling medium circulates and is kept at an elevated pressure level and is cooled by means of a heat exchanger. Thereby, a higher yield of piece per time is realized at lower production cost. The closed cooling medium circulation system can be essentially retrofitted to all blow molding machine in order to raise efficiency.

Abstract: The method and the device are used for blow forming containers of a thermoplastic material. The preforms that are used are first temperature treated and then shaped into containers in the area of at least one blow station. Moulds to define the container shape are held by mould supports. At least two preforms are simultaneously shaped into containers within each blow station. Positioning of the preforms is done such that the preforms assume a positioning relative to one another when entering the blow station that differs from the positioning during the blow forming process. Spacing of the preforms relative to one another is changed during transport between entry into the blow station and blow positioning. In addition to this first change in spacing, a second change in spacing between adjacent preforms is performed relative to one another.

Abstract: Fluid flow grooves (11) with a flat cross section being formed between the back surface of a metal mold (2) for blow molding and a back-up member (4) which adheres tightly to this back surface. A plurality of these fluid flow grooves (11) are provided, and these fluid flow grooves are disposed densely in parallel with partition walls (21) interposed between the grooves. Fluid inlets (12) and outlets (13) are formed in the respective fluid flow grooves (11). A heating fluid or cooling fluid enters the respective fluid flow grooves (11) via the inlets (12) from a fluid supply manifold (14). The fluid flows out of the outlets (13), enters a fluid discharge manifold (15), and is discharged to the outside. Rapid heating and rapid cooling of the metal mold (2) are performed, no irregularity occurs in temperature, and the cycle time can be shortened, so that a metal mold device for blow molding in which the energy consumption is small can be obtained.

Abstract: A multi-function take-out plate for use in an injection molding system. The take-out plate comprises a plurality of holders and a plurality of selectively engagable adhesion points coupled to the take-out plate. Each of the holders is arranged to receive a molded article formed in and extracted from a respective cavity of a mold. The adhesion points are configured to pick up and temporarily hold linear arrays of molded articles for subsequent delivery and deposition. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of holders have a pitch separation corresponding to the pitch separation of the mold from which the molded articles are extracted. The adhesion points are arranged in an array such that the pitch separation of adjacent molded articles held by the adhesion points is less than the pitch separation in the mold.

Abstract: The method and the device serve the tempering preforms of a thermoplastic material. The preforms are modeled subsequent to tempering into a container inside a blow-molding mold by the action of a medium under pressure. During tempering, the preforms are heated by being acted upon by a heat radiation as well as cooled by being blown upon with cooling air, at least in the surface region. For compensation of a change in the surface temperature of the preforms due to operating ambient parameters, a change in the intensity in the subjecting of the preforms to cooling air is conducted. This takes place such that with simultaneous heating and cooling a basically constant surface temperature of the preform is attained. In addition, the intensity of heat radiation can be regulated for adaptation to at least one operating parameter.

Abstract: An injection-molding machine cooling tube, which cools molded plastic parts, includes a porous cooling tube having an outer surface and an inner surface. Preferably, the porous cooling tube has a porosity in the range of 3-20 microns. A cooling fluid passageway is preferably disposed adjacent the porous cooling tube outer surface and is configured to carry a cooling fluid to extract heat from the porous cooling tube. Fluid flow structure, preferably a vacuum, is configured to cause a molded plastic part inside the porous cooling tube to expand into contact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the porous cooling tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for transferring parisons from an injection-molding machine to a blow-mold machine on an indexed table. The injection-molding machine creates multiple groups of parisons during an injection cycle. The groups from each cycle are transferred to the table and the blow-mold machine at the end of one interval and the beginning of a next interval so that the groups from a single injection-cycle are treated in a substantially like manner. The intervals may be of equal or unequal duration and total the length of an injection cycle.

Abstract: A mould tool comprises a primary cavity part (201), a core part (202), a secondary cavity assembly (203) and an actuation ring (204). The primary cavity part (201) is attached to the fixed platen of a moulding machine in use and incorporates an injection gate (211). The core part (202) is attached to the moving platen and has a fixed portion (2021) having outside its preform shaping surfaces (20211) four pivot points (224)—of which two are shown—for the secondary cavity petals (2030), of which there are four. Also the core part incorporates a movable portion (2022), comprised of a preform shaping end plate (20221), a carrier (20222) for the end plate, a pair of movement rods (20223) to which the carrier is attached and which are housed in bores (20224) in the core (202) via linear bearings (20225).

Abstract: Method for manufacturing plastic bottles, including the step in which respective preforms are removed from the respective moulds, and the step in which said preforms are transferred into temperature conditioning stations for a predetermined period of time, during which said preforms are caused to undergo an asymmetrical heat treatment that is effective in heating in a different manner a preform sector having an angular spread of a definite value that is anyway not less than 180°. The method includes the step in which said surface sector of the preform is heated up with the help of heating means that are partially arranged in a crown-like manner around the respective preform.

Abstract: In a single-row and expandable into a multi-row stretch blow molding method and apparatus, at least one row of tray plates in a tray unit is used to collect molded preforms ejected from the opening clamp of a preform-molding unit, transfer the preforms with or without transfer beads out of the molding area and align them with the center row distances of the downstream processing units. At least one robot having a universal gripper assembly is used to pick up either all or consecutively fractions of the preforms align them to the center distances of the blow mold cavities to place them at variable time intervals into a conditioning, stretch blow molding and oriented discharge unit, releases finished hollow articles and returns to a waiting position at the preform-molding and tray unit again at the preform mold's center distance independent of the preform-molding cycle. Simultaneously, component transfer devices may pick up external components, i.e.

Abstract: The temperature of cooling air to a manifold for distribution to molds of a glass manufacturing machine is controlled by passing untreated air through an indirect heat exchanger in indirect heat exchange relationship with water flowing through a coil in the indirect heat exchanger before treated air from the indirect heat exchanger is passed through a blower for distribution to the manifold. Water for treating the air flowing through the indirect heat exchanger is pumped through the coil from a water cooling tower that is used in a glass manufacturing plant, either at a first temperature from a first outlet of the water cooling tower or at a second temperature from a second outlet of a water cooling tower, or a mixture of water from the first outlet and the second outlet. In a first embodiment, water from the first outlet and water from the second outlet pass through a temperature controlled three-way mixing valve before delivery to a pump for delivery to the indirect heat exchanger.

Abstract: A two-step blow molding machine (10) having flexible cavitation which includes a plurality of stations, a preform loading station (12), a thermal conditioning station (14) where preforms are heated and thermally conditioned prior to blow molding, a blow molding station (16) having a plurality of molds, the number of which defines the cavitation of the blow molding station, and an article unloader station (18). The machine includes a plurality of carriers (22) adapted to receive the preforms thereon at said preform loading station. The carriers are transported about the machine in an unrestrained manner where spacing of the carriers does not correspond with cavitation of the machine. First and second conveyors and associated drives convey the carriers at different rates. The first and second conveyors and their associated drivers are independently controllable from one another such that the first and second rates are independently variable which allows changeable cavitation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a blow molded plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, including heating the neck of the container and bending the heated neck of the container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a sterile packaging container from a thermoplastic blank or preform which, during stepwise displacement between different processing stations (A-H), is subjected to a first heating to a temperature suitable for a subsequent sterilization with the aid of a chemical sterilization agent in gas form. A subsequent, additional heating stage imparts to the blank the desired moulding temperature, whereafter the blank, after displacement to a blow moulding station, is blow moulded to the desired configuration with the aid of mould halves (9) surrounding the blank. Hereafter, the blank is displaced to a filling station (E) in which it is filled with the desired contents in order thereafter finally to be sealed with the aid of a wafer (17) and discharged out of the apparatus according to the present invention.

Abstract: A core rod positioning device and method for controlling the distribution of material in products formed by injection blow molding machines is provided. The core rod positioning device has a sleeve having an outer surface defining an interior surface of an article molded using the core rod assembly. The sleeve also has an interior surface and a mandrel is located within the sleeve. Portions of the mandrel define a first passageway therethrough and which terminates at a port located in the exterior surface of the mandrel. The exterior surface of the mandrel cooperates with the interior surface of the sleeve thereby defining a second passageway between the sleeve and the mandrel. An adjustment mechanism is operably coupled to the mandrel allowing the mandrel to be adjusted laterally relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling molded plastic pieces preferably includes a take out structure/step configured to hold the plurality of plastic parts oriented such that closed ends thereof are disposed toward an inside of the take out structure and open ends thereof are disposed toward an outside of the take out structure. A movement structure/step is configured to cause relative movement between the take out structure and at least one of a first cooling station and a second cooling station. The first cooling station includes a first cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof. The second cooling station includes a second cooling structure/step configured to provide a cooling fluid to an inside of the plurality of plastic parts through the open ends thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. More particularly, the present invention teaches a high speed robot that transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones. Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.

Abstract: In a method for the internal cooling of a rotating object (4), liquid gas from at least one inlet channel (61) in a fixed object (5) is pressed into a ring-shaped groove (62) located between the fixed object (5) and the rotating object (4). From the ring-shaped groove (62) the liquid gas is pressed into at least one channel (63, 64.1, 64.2) in the rotating object (4) and brought to a part to be cooled (15). The liquid gas, upon contact with the part, evaporates and expands while absorbing heat, thereby cooling the part. The area surrounding the part to be cooled (15) may be designed as an expansion chamber (65). The method can be used to cool molded parts in injection molding machines with rotating molds (1), thereby achieving shorter cycle times.

Abstract: Infrared oven for heating a plurality of preforms and comprising: a conduit through which said preforms move, a flow of outside air that flows through said conduit from an intake mouth to an exhaust mouth under the action of a blower, a plurality of infrared lamps irradiating the preforms in said conduit, in which a reflective surface is arranged downstream of said lamps and is provided with apertures through which the flow of outside air passes prevailingly. The axis of the preforms is oriented in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of said outside air. The infrared lamps are arranged substantially downstream of the preforms, and are separated from each other by appropriate intervals through which said flow of outside air passes, in which said flow of outside air first passes through said intervals separating said preforms and then through said intervals provided between said infrared lamps.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the material distribution of a sequence of stretch blow molded containers or other articles in a continuous production process, by providing injection molded parisons, each parison having at least one indicator, typically two or more indicators, for detecting material distribution at a predetermined position along the axial extent of the parison. Each of the parisons is subjected to a heating stage in the continuous production process, generally by exposure to infrared heating. Each heated parison is then subjected to a blow molding process, which can be a stretch blow molding process, so that each material distribution indicator is transformed to a corresponding position along the axial extent of the blow molded article. A detector is positioned to detect the location of each indicator on each blow molded article from a given mold in the production process.

Abstract: In a biaxial stretch blow molding apparatus (10) for wide-mouthed containers, preforms (6) that are in an inverted state are conveyed on a single plane by preform carriers (40) that go around a carrier circuit (30) in the form of a loop, are heated via a heating station (60), and are then transferred via a transfer station (80) to stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) that go around a circular looped path (71). The molded wide-mouthed containers (1) are taken out of the stretch blow molding mold assemblies (72) along a conveying path on a same plane and collected by a collection station (90). Wide-mouthed containers can be formed continuously and at high speed, which is less wasteful and more economical than the case where wide-mouthed containers that are formed from films.

Abstract: An injection blow molding system includes an injection molding station (22), a first delivery section (24), a cooling station (26), a heating station (30), a second delivery section (32) and a plurality of blow molding stations (34). The station (22) simultaneously injection molds M rows of N preforms (36) arranged in a second direction (B) perpendicular to a first direction (A) in which the preforms (36) are carried. The first delivery section (24) removes the M rows of preforms (36) using a removing mechanism (102) in their upright state while decreasing the pitch in the rows. The preforms 36 are inverted with the column pitch changed by an inverting mechanism (104) before delivery to the cooling station in their inverted state. The cooling and heating stations (26), (30) cool and heat one row of N preforms (36) while parallel carrying them along a first carrying chain (200). The second delivery section (32) delivers the preforms (36) to two blow molding stations while in their inverted state.

Abstract: The mask of a laryngeal mask assembly has a mount and an integral cuff at the patient end of a tube. The mount is of a thermoplastic material and the cuff is made by blow moulding from the material of the mount. A separate retaining plate seals an edge of the cuff with the mount and traps an inflation tube extending from the cuff to the inflation line of the tube.

Abstract: A process and a device for the manufacture of hollow plastic bodies, particularly of plastic bottles, in which plastic molding blanks are guided, by means of a shuttle system with at least one guide rail, through a tempering station, and are brought to a temperature which is suitable for extension blowing, whereby the plastic molding blanks are turned in their spatial orientation, by means of the shuttle system, through the twisting or curving of the at least one guide rail along the transport path.

Abstract: A rotary insert for a mold used in a molding die.

Abstract: An oven for continuous curing of a succession of pre-formed elastomer articles, in particular tubes, which comprises a curing chamber at atmospheric pressure, communicating with the exterior by means of an intake aperture and an output aperture, a chain, which can advance the pre-formed articles along a closed path, extending through the curing chamber, and a unit for admission of water vapor into the curing chamber in order to keep it saturated with steam.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for quenching thin walled metal hollow casings (6) manufactured by blow moulding. The apparatus comprises a moulding tool (1) defining a slot or aperture (21) and a delivery system for applying a coolant to the slot or aperture (21) of the moulding tool (1). The invention also discloses a method of applying a coolant to the external surface of a blow moulded casing (6) by applying the coolant onto an external surface of the casing (6) after the casing (6) has been formed against a tool (1) which includes at least one slot or aperture (21).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling preforms from an injection molding machine whereby an array of molded articles received from the mold is reconfigured into a single row to assist in downstream auxiliary processing.

Abstract: In a system for manufacturing containers by blow-molding or drawing/blow molding of previously heated preforms, sterile containers (110) are obtained by wetting (45) the preforms (3) using an appropriated heat-activated sterilizing product by activating the product by heating means (100) which also provide a suitable heating profile to the preforms to prepare them for blowing.

Abstract: A blow molding machine capable of relatively high production rates at relatively low cost is provided. The blow molding machine comprises a base, a reciprocating shuttle mechanism supported by the base, a single blow molding station supported by the base, and adapted to receive a parison for forming the hollow article at the blow molding station, a pair of cooling stations supported by the base on flanking sides of the blow molding station, a pair of blow pin carriages spaced from one another, each of which is connected to the shuttle mechanism and is indexable to the blow molding station and to one of the cooling stations. Each blow pin carriage can comprise one or more blow pin assemblies that are movable independent of the shuttle mechanism between a rest position and a blow position.

Abstract: A machine and method for blow molding a polyester bottle for carbonated beverages with an internal web structure positioned between two hand-grip depressions. The machine and method uses an injection-molded preform having a web feature and maintains the web of the preform in a precise position during heat-treatment and eventual blow molding into the bottle. Heat-treatment involves an oven capable of heating and cooling selected regions of the preform by using a combination of shields, heat energy reflective surfaces, and cooling airflows. Bottle blow molding involves precise placement of the preform relative to hand-grip surfaces in a blow mold cavity and cooling airflow of the internal web structure before bottle removal.

Abstract: An air cooled or heated blow mold is shown having a mold cavity shell and a mold holder. The mold cavity shell is made by a process of nickel vapour deposition and so requires no hand finishing or polishing. The mold cavity shell has a cavity portion with a front face defining a cavity in the shape of a portion of a product to be molded. The mold holder is located rearwardly of the mold cavity shell and defines an inner wall spaced from the mold cavity shell cavity portion to define a heat transfer passage between the inner wall and the cavity portion. In use, air is passed through the heat transfer passage to transfer heat to or from the mold cavity shell.

Abstract: Machine for blow-moulding containers (1a) from cold parisons (1), comprising at least one loading station (100), at least one heating station (200), at least one station (400) for blowing the parisons (1) and at least one station (500) for unloading the moulded containers (1a), wherein at least one station (300) for conditioning the parisons (1), arranged upstream of the blowing station (400), is provided.

Abstract: In a conventional needle blow nozzle and blow molding apparatus, because a needle portion is formed to have a linear tip, resistance against insertion of the nozzle into a parison is large and only a small-diameter needle blow nozzle can be inserted into the parison. For this reason, it has been difficult to increase an amount of air supplied to the interior of the parison and to shorten the molding cycle. With a needle blow nozzle, an air cooling method and apparatus, a blow molding method and apparatus, and a blow molded product according to the present invention, since a needle portion of the needle blow nozzle is formed into an umbrella-like shape, the tip of the needle portion provides a pointed needle center so that resistance against insertion of the nozzle into a parison is reduced and a large-diameter needle blow nozzle can be employed.

Abstract: Disclosed are plastic preforms and bottles, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), in which the materials in the neck, neck finish and/or neck cylinder is at least partially in the crystalline state and the body is primarily in the amorphous or semi-crystalline state. This structure in a preform enables the preform to be easily blow molded by virtue of the amorphous material in the body, while being able to have dimensional stability in hot-fill applications. In addition, the amorphous inner surface of the neck finish stabilizes the post mold dimensions allowing closer molding tolerances than other crystallizing processes. On the other side, the crystallized outer surface supports the amorphous structure during high temperature filling of the container. Physical properties are also enhanced as a result of this unique crystalline/amorphous structure.

Abstract: The process is used for tempering preforms made of a thermoplastic material; the preforms are to be blow molded. The preforms are provided with a temperature profile along a circumference. The temperature profile is generated by differentially heating strip-shaped regions, which extend in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the preform. A step-by-step tempering for the purpose of temporally sequential thermal conditioning of different regions of the preform is carried out with movement phases and rest phases. A carrier device is rotated by the interactions of a gear and a matching gear for initiating rotational movements. The preform is moved, motionless with regard to the rotational direction, through the tempering zone at least along a portion of the transport path before the start of the engagement of the gear with the matching gear.

Abstract: Plant for cooling preforms, comprising a collection and translation element provided with a plurality of receptacles adapted to accommodate respective preforms that are usually knocked out of an injection mould, a revolving-turret element with two opposite surfaces provided with a plurality of cups adapted to accommodate a respective preform; said turret revolves in a controlled manner about a horizontal axis so as to successively orientate the two surfaces upwards and downwards, and the collection and translation element can be displaced with a translational motion from a preform loading position selectively to a plurality of distinct positions, which lie above the surfaces of the turret when rotated upwards, and can engage and release the preforms from the respective receptacles. The distribution pattern of the receptacles is similar to the distribution pattern of the cups so as to enable the preforms to fall exactly into respective cups.

Abstract: A blow molding machine capable of relatively high production rates at relatively low cost is provided. The blow molding machine comprises a base, a reciprocating shuttle mechanism supported by the base, a single blow molding station supported by the base, and adapted to receive a parison for forming the hollow article at the blow molding station, a pair of cooling stations supported by the base on flanking sides of the blow molding station, a pair of blow pin carriages spaced from one another, each of which is connected to the shuttle mechanism and is indexable to the blow molding station and to one of the cooling stations. Each blow pin carriage can comprise one or more blow pin assemblies that are movable independent of the shuttle mechanism between a rest position and a blow position.

Abstract: A blow pin assembly is provided for inflating a parison and forming the neck portion of a plastic container in a blow molding apparatus. The blow pin assembly is mountable to a blow rod. It includes a blow pin body including an exterior surface having a tapered portion and a cutting edge beneath the tapered portion. The tapered portion cooperates with the master seal of the mold to automatically center the assembly before the cutting edge engages the shear steels to sever the blow molded article from the mold. The cutting edge adjoins a rim extending substantially perpendicularly from the blow pin body, and can be resharpened one or more times.

Abstract: A method of making pairs of thread splits inserts used to injection mold bottle preforms. Machining a hollow outer part of the pair of thread split inserts with an opening therethrough and outer portions of two cooling conduits extending from the opening therethrough to respective inlets and outlets. Making an inner part of the pair of thread split inserts by injection molding a ceramic core with the required shape and investment casting the inner part around the ceramic core. The outer surface of the inner part having grooves to partially form inner portions of the two cooling fluid conduits. Then machining the cast inner part to fit in the opening through the outer part. Mounting the outer part around the inner part with the inner and outer portions of the two cooling fluid conduits aligned. Applying brazing material between the inner and outer parts and heating them in a vacuum furnace to integrally braze them together.