Abstract: A machine particularly useful for the blow molding of large thermoplastic articles such as cylindrical drums comprises a plurality of stations through which mold cavities are successively advanced. At a first station, containing a cart-mounted blow assembly an article is blow molded to substantially its final form in a cavity with the blow medium being introduced via a blow pin assembly operatively associated with the cavity after the blow assembly has been operatively engaged with the blow pin assembly. After the blowing operation has been completed, the blow assembly is operatively disengaged from the blow pin assembly and the cavity with the blown article is transported in a second station, the blow pin assembly traveling with the cavity. At the second station, an auxiliary blow assembly is operatively engaged with the blow pin assembly to circulate medium through the interior of the article.

Abstract: Apparatus for moulding an article (11) of thermoplastic material from a parison (10) in which certain parts (17,16) of the parison are re-formed while other parts (13,12,20) retain their shape. A difference in pressure is applied to the wall of the parison during the re-forming process. Material in the parison is also moved in the direction of those parts of the parison which are to be re-formed, whereby attenuation of the material may be avoided entirely, if so desired, also in those parts which are to be re-formed. The invention enables the parison for a bottle to be re-formed to an extent which is small by comparison with the thickness of the material, for example the so-called "neck support" ring and the so-called "pilfer proof" ring, starting with a tube of oriented material. In a device for the application of the invention the elements (22,21,25) are in contact with the parts (13,12,20) of the parison.

Abstract: This relates to the supplying of blow molding gas to a blow molding system. Most particularly, this relates to a blow molding gas supply which includes a low pressure supply and a high pressure supply and wherein the high pressure blowing gas of the molding operation is used to replenish the low pressure supply, thereby eliminating the presently required separate outside supply.

Abstract: A technique is described for preparing molecular biaxially oriented hollow articles from thermoplastic materials. The invention involves forming a parison on a cooled core rod by injecting a hot thermoplastic material into a cavity formed by the core rod and a cooled injection mold, cooling the parison with low temperature coolant to a temperature within the orientation range of the thermoplastic material, transferring the parison to a stretch blow molding position and permitting the temperature of the parison to equilibrate itself. The parison is then stretched, oriented to yield the desired biaxially oriented article, cooled and ejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring blanks, plastic parisons or other articles to be molded in a sealed cavity. One embodiment includes mold sections which are closeable along a first axis to form a mold cavity and which are movable along a second axis from a first station where the mold sections may receive a moldable blank to a second station where the blank may be molded under pressure. Optional biasing means may be included to hold the mold sections sufficiently close together to hold the blank in the mold cavity as the mold sections move from the first station to the second station. A clamp, or other pressure applying means, exerts a final closing pressure on the mold sections at the second station for molding the blank under pressure. The clamp is stationary in relation to the first and second stations so that the mold sections can move relative to the clamp along the second axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming blown thermoplastic articles in which an extrusion head extrudes an essentially tubular parison of thermoplastic material. Sections of a preform mold are then closed around the parison, the sections having a preform cavity with a configuration such that one end of the parison is open after closing and the other end is enclosed. A core pin is next inserted into the open end of the parison and is utilized to compression mold the parison to form a preform. Heat is transferred from the parison through the inner and outer walls of the preform between the mold cavity and core pin during the compression molding step in order to thermally condition the preform and bring the temperature within the desired range. The sections of the preform mold are then opened and the preform is enclosed within sections of blow molds within a blow mold cavity. The preform is next expanded to the shape of the blow mold cavity.

Abstract: A single injection blow molding apparatus for making a selected oriented finished product. The apparatus includes the support structure and an injection molding station where a parison is injection molded into a selected configuration. A core rod assembly cooperates in forming the parison which is formed about a first core rod. The parison is conditioned to an orientation temperature. A transfer system is on the support structure for removing the first core rod from the parison and transferring the parison to a blow molding station. The blow molding station is on the support structure and is provided for blow molding the parison while at orientation temperature into the configuration of the finished product. A second core rod assembly with a second core rod cooperates in blowing the parison into the configuration of the finished product.

Abstract: This relates to a blow molding operation wherein centering rods are associated with preforms at least during the initial portion of the blowing cycle wherein the preforms are primarily axially elongated and wherein the freely suspended lower end of each preform must be guided against radial movement. In order to assure that the associated preform centering rods will remain in centering position with respect to the preforms at all times and will not engage the preforms so as axially to stretch the preforms, a control is provided for coordinating the advance of the preform centering rods with the introduction of blowing gas into the preforms, and thus with the axial elongation of the preforms due to internal blowing pressure.

Abstract: A device for improving the control of the shape of a parison of a blow molding machine. The device has an inner nozzle positioned below the lowermost level of the parison and directed upwardly toward the open end of the parison. The device may be adapted to pivot so that a deflector plate is moved below the finished part.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming oriented, blown objects of moldable plastic material requiring transfer of parisons first to tempering molds and then to finishing molds. Disclosure provides a plurality of injection molds for producing a plurality of parisons in spaced relationship to each other and a multiplicity of blow molds in spaced relationship to each other wherein the blow molds have a different center spacing than the injection molds. Disclosure provides means for varying the center spacing of the parisons.

Abstract: A method for applying prefabricated parts for reinforcing, supporting, forming, reshaping or labeling to articles blow molded from a thermoplastic material. A hot parison is blown in a mold into a preform having a shape slightly smaller than the finished article. The preform is then removed from its mold and the prefabricated part is attached to the preform. The preform is then blow molded to impart the finished shape to the article and to embed the prefabricated part into the article.

Abstract: A process for producing molecularly oriented hollow bodies of thermoplastic material presenting an accurately dimensioned orifice collar, by blow molding a preform in a manner to produce the orifice collar in its definitive form and, after thermally conditioning the preform, finally blow molding the desired final hollow body while forming the lower molded part of the neck below the orifice collar. This process permits the production of oriented hollow bodies with which a closure member can form an effective seal, and which can therefore be used for packaging carbonated beverages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming blown thermoplastic articles in which an extrusion head extrudes an essentially tubular parison of thermoplastic material. Sections of a preform mold are then closed around the parison, the sections having a preform cavity with a configuration such that one end of the parison is open after closing and the other end is enclosed. A core pin is next inserted into the open end of the parison and is utilized to compression mold the parison to form a preform. Heat is transferred from the parison through the inner and outer walls of the preform between the mold cavity and core pin during the compression molding step in order to thermally condition the preform and being the temperature within the desired range. The sections of the preform mold are then opened and the preform is enclosed within sections of blow molds within a blow mold cavity. The preform is next expanded to the shape of the blow mold cavity.

Abstract: Molecular biaxially oriented hollow articles are obtained by injection blow molding using a novel apparatus. The technique involves the use of an inline, single stage injection blow molding apparatus wherein injection molding and cooling, and conditioning and stretch blow molding of parisons are all performed simultaneously at a single station at different positions within that station.

Abstract: Process for making transparent hollow bodies of terephthalate of polyethyleneglycol in which a preform is made, the preform is cooled rapidly to a temperature at least equal to the crystallization temperature, and is then rapidly expanded to obtain bi-orientation and solidification prior to substantial crystallization of the material. The preform can also be axially stretched during the operation. The apparatus for preforming the process includes a rotatable turret with mandrels, which operates to slightly expand the material on a mandrel.

Abstract: Production of oriented polyethylene terephthalate containers by injecting a polyethylene terephthalate composition into a first mold chamber defining a parison having an axis substantially defined by a core rod and perimeter defined by the wall of the mold; cooling the exterior wall of the polyethylene terephthalate parison to render the outer wall of the parison dimensionally stable; after the outer wall of the parison is dimensionally stable, transferring the parison, while disposed on the core rod, to a second mold chamber having on an average a tolerance of between 2.5 and 150% between the body of the parison and the wall of the second mold chamber; when the core rod is at no more than 265.degree. F.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of hollow plastic articles wherein a more rapid operating cycle is obtained with less effect upon the temperature of the parison. The apparatus includes a first core, means for providing a parison thereon, a temperature controlled first mold engageable with said first core and parison, means for separating the first core from the first mold and parison contained therein, a second core in spaced relationship to the first core, means for transferring the parison to the second core, a blow mold in spaced relationship to said first mold for fully expanding the parison and means for transferring the second core and parison to the blow mold, wherein the blow mold is stationary and the second core with parison thereon is brought into alignment with the blow mold and is inserted therein.

Abstract: A blow mold for producing bottles or similar hollow containers from parisons of synthetic plastic material comprises two mirror-symmetrically arranged blow mold halves movable toward and away from each other between a closed and an open position. Each of the mold halves includes an outer mold part and an inner mold part guided for independent movement relative to the outer mold part in an endless inner face of the latter, the inner mold part having a concave end face which forms together with an adjacent portion of said inner face of the corresponding outer mold part in the closed position of the mold half of the mold cavity for forming a bottle. Each of the concave end faces of the inner mold part may also be provided with an island-shaped sharp edged projection aligned with and engaging in the closed position of the mold a corresponding projection on the inner mold part of the other mold half for forming a grip opening in the bottle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the preparation of hollow plastic articles wherein an improved injection blow molding process is obtained and improved temperature control of the parison is obtained by the use of a plurality of molds and cores. At least one temperature controlled mold and core is used to adjust the temperature of the parison. The temperature adjusted parison is then stretched and/or blown in at least one second mold by a second core, cooled therein and transferred by at least one third ejector core to additional finishing molds for further cooling or to removal means.

Abstract: Synthetic thermoplastic parisons are extruded at a first station, transferred from the first station to a second station (by moving the extrusion machine, by moving the parison with a gripper or by moving the parison while it is confined in the cavity of a first open-and-shut mold) and converted into hollow blanks or preforms at the second station. The blanks are converted into shaped articles in the cavity of a second open-and-shut mold and the shaped articles are ejected from the second mold at a third station. The second mold can move between the second and third stations, or the blowing mandrel which cooperates with the first mold to convert parisons into blanks moves from the second to the third station to transfer the blanks from the second station into the second mold at the third station. In each instance, the mandrel which cooperates with the first mold to convert parisons into blanks also cooperates with the second mold to convert blanks into shaped articles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for conditioning strain hardenable thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate, so that a highly developed strain crystallized morphology may be established during a blow molding operation. In the method, a thermoplastic parison is heated to a temperature in a range conducive to molecular orientation and then initially stretched at that temperature. Next, the stretched parison is cooled to a temperature slightly below glass transition temperature and stretched further at the reduced temperature. The combined stretching in these two separate phases is chosen to condition the material so that it is either on the verge of being strained hardened or has actually started strain hardening. Thereafter, the parison may be again heated to a temperature conducive to molecular orientation and blown; to a final article, with the resulting expansion of the material during the blowing operation achieving the desired strain crystallized morphology and strain hardening.

Abstract: An improved method of blow molding bottles of thermoplastic material wherein intermittent extrusion apparatus is employed to produce bottles with finished necks free of external blemishes, the method including the steps of intermittently extruding tubular parisons from an annular orifice, enclosing the first tubular parison in a mold that has an interior cavity that defines the bottle and also defines a dome radiating outward from the upper end of the bottle neck, immediately blowing the parison essentially to the shape of the cavity, but as an incident to the blowing of the parison and to the interruption of the extrusion, causing the thermoplastic material to be severed at the extrusion orifice, and immediately shifting the mold enclosed article to a shaping station while the article is still at a temperature sufficient for subsequent shaping operations, and at the shaping station finish blowing the article while trimming and at least partially compression-molding the neck.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of plastic containers. In a first embodiment of the invention a tubular length of thermoplastic material is severed from an extruder and blown into a preform shape in a movable preform mold. After completion of the cycle, the preform mold opens and returns to the extruder for a new section of material. The preform shape remains in the location where it was formed. Return of the preform mold moves the previously completed preform shape into registry with a conditioning mold. At this location, it is grasped by an indexable neck clamp. After completion of the thermal conditioning provided by the conditioning mold, the preform shape is indexed to a final shape mold where it is given its final configuration. The completed container is then indexed to a removal station for ejection from the forming process.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reinforcing bottles with a tubular netting embedded in an exterior surface of the bottle. A tubular netting section is initially compressed in an axial direction to increase its diameter. The compressed netting is positioned over a preformed parison of a thermoplastic material. The compressed netting is then released to re-expand axially and contract diametrically, until the netting contacts the parison. The parison is finally transferred to a blow mold and blown into a finished bottle. During the blowing operation, the netting is embedded into and reinforces the walls of the blown bottle. Depending upon the materials from which the netting and bottle are formed, the netting may also weld to the bottle wall to further increase the strength of the bottle.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for two-stage blow molding especially suitable for large plastic containers, wherein an overhead shuttle mechanism transfers a blown preform from a preform station to a final blowing station and then to a separation station where the completed article is separated from the upper tail by which it was suspended from the shuttle mechanism during each of the transfer steps. The lower tail is separated from the preform prior to removal from the preform blowing station.An alternative form uses a rotary indexing transfer mechanism, wherein the shape of an upper flash or tail-forming clamp half which is carried by the indexing mechanism creates an interlock with the flash permitting the article to be suspended from and transferred by such single clamp half throughout the operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a plastic container by a blow molding operation. In the method, a tubular thermoplastic parison is blown to a preform within a first mold by a blow pipe inserted into one axial open end of the parison. Prior to removing the preform from the first mold, a secondary opening is formed in the wall of the preform, either by a spike-shaped piercing surface over which the parison is expanded or by a vent port through which blow air is exhausted to rupture an opening in the preform wall. The preform is then transferred to a second mold, which pinches shut the initial blowing opening of the preform. A second blow pin is inserted into the secondary opening to supply blow air under pressure to expand the preform to a container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the preparation of hollow plastic articles wherein improved temperature control of the parison is obtained by altering the heat content of a parison by a first, temperature controlled mold and core, transferring the parison to a second, temperature controlled mold, and substantially equalizing the temperature distribution of the parison by heat exchange with the second mold.

Abstract: A method for forming thermoplastic containers utilizing a final blow station remote from a parison formation station. In the method, a finish portion of a plastic container is formed by the injection of molten thermoplastic material into a neckring. The neckring is then moved relative to the thermoplastic material issuing orifice while the flow of material continues. This causes formation of a tubular parison. The parison is then transported, while hanging from the neckring, to a final blow station where a blow mold or final shape mold closes around it. The parison is then blown to the contours of the interior of the blow mold. While this is taking place, a second neckring has been brought into registry with the material orifice and a new parison formed. The second parison is then moved to the final blow station while the finished plastic container is moved to a removal station.

Abstract: Method of forming a container in a collapsed or folded configuration from a thermoplastic material. A preform is made from an extruded tube of thermoplastic material in a preform mold. The preform is then transferred to a deformation mold. The preform has a skin of relatively cool material on its exterior and interior surfaces; however, the interior of the walls between the skins is still in a deformable state. In the deformation mold, the preform is collapsed or folded and held in such condition until the interior material in the walls has become set. This leaves the container so formed with a memory in the folded state. When filled, the container may be elongated beyond the folded state dimensions, but will try to return to that state as the contents are dispensed as a result of the formed-in memory.

Abstract: A tire shaped article is blow molded by extruding a tubular parison between movable mold sections, sealing the open end of the parison, injecting air into the parison, moving a lower mold section and the bottom portion of the parison upwardly and expanding an intermediate portion of the parison radially outwardly into a mold cavity.

Abstract: A multi-stage blow molding method according to which parisons are extruded one after the other at an extruding station and are accepted by a first mold which transfers them from the extruding station to a first blowing station where the parisons are converted into hollow blanks. Such blanks are removed from the first blowing station by two or more additional molds which thereupon convert the blanks into final shaped articles at discrete second blowing stations. The number of blanks which are treated by each additional mold is half or less than half the total number of parisons which are being converted into blanks at the first blowing station. This insures that the time for cooling and hardening of shaped articles at the respective second blowing stations can greatly exceed the time which is allotted for partial hardening of blanks at the first blowing station.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a plastic container by a blow molding operation. In the method, a tubular thermoplastic parison is blown to a preform within a first mold by a blow pipe inserted into one axial open end of the parison. Prior to removing the preform from the first mold, a secondary opening is formed in the wall of the preform, either by a spike-shaped piercing surface over which the parison is expanded or by a vent port through which blow air is exhausted to rupture an opening in the preform wall. The preform is then transferred to a second mold, which pinches shut the initial blowing opening of the preform. A second blow pin is inserted into the secondary opening to supply blow air under pressure to expand the preform to a container.

Abstract: A method utilizing preform and final blow molds for forming molecularly oriented thermoplastic articles. According to the method, an extruded tubular parison is positioned within the pre-form blow mold and blown to a pre-form configuration. The blown pre-form is then conveyed, while suspended from a moveable carrier, through a thermal conditioning chamber and the temperature of the pre-form is adjusted to within the range for molecular orientation. Next, the thermally conditioned pre-form is conveyed by the moveable carrier to a final blowing station where the pre-form is blown to the configuration of the final article. In a first disclosed embodiment, the carrier is a blow pin which is inserted into the tubular parison at the pre-form molding station prior to the first molding operation.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a multilayered, hollow plastic article having side walls which are oriented in the axial, radial and tangential directions. Plastic material is injection molded about a liner covered core to form a multilayered parison which is then transferred on the core to first and second blow molds for blow molding to a hollow article. A parison mold and core are maintained in axial alignment and the liner and blow molds are moved therebetween for engagement with the core.

Abstract: A multi-stage blow molding method for conversion of synthetic thermoplastic parisons into hollow shaped articles includes extruding parisons at a first station, z transferring parisons from the first station to a second station (by moving the extrusion machine, by moving the parison with a gripper or by moving the parison while it is confined in the cavity of a first open-and-shut mold), converting parisons into hollow blanks or preforms at the second station, converting the blanks into shaped articles in the cavity of a second open-and-shut mold, and ejecting shaped articles from the second mold at a third station. The second mold can move between the second and third stations, or the blowing mandrel which cooperates with the first mold to convert parisons into blanks moves from the second to the third station to transfer the blanks from the second station into the second mold at the third station.

Abstract: Machine for injecting and blowing a plastics material into hollow bodies. It comprises a rotary polygonal-sided turret which carries on each side a set of support members for the plastics material which are made to pass step-by-step to an injection station for injection of a blank and a blowing station for blowing the material into a hollow body in passing through intermediate stations including a transfer station. A rotatable oven structure having sockets rotatable step-by-step about an axis of the oven structure is located adjacent the transfer station for transferring the sets from the turret to the oven structure and, after a complete rotation about the oven structure axis, transferring the sets from the oven structure to the turret. Each turret side and each socket of the oven structure receives a respective one of the sets which is fixed to the turret or oven structure in a removable manner to allow the mentioned transfer.

Abstract: Parisons for use in making blow molded highly molecularly oriented plastic bottles are injection molded using a cooled cavity and a relatively hot core pin to prevent the formation of residual internal stress in or near the surface of the parison. The pin is maintained at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the resin to reduce the formation of cracks when the parison is subsequently blow molded in the orientation temperature range.

Abstract: Parisons are injection molded using a cooled cavity and a relatively hot core pin to prevent the formation of residual internal stress in or near the inner surface of the parison. The parison is promptly transferred while still hot from the injection mold to a temperature conditioning station to provide a desired temperature distribution and the temperature conditioned parison is highly molecularly biaxially oriented as it is blow molded.

Abstract: In the manufacture of oriented hollow articles made of thermoplastic material by the steps of extruding a continuous hot tubular parison of thermoplastic material; pre-blowing such parison in a pre-blowing mold to produce preforms having a cylindrical body with a diameter not more than 20% greater than that of the parison; thermally conditioning the resulting preforms at a temperature sufficient to cause orientation of the thermoplastic material when it is being stretched; and effecting a final blow-molding of the thermally conditioned preforms, the mechanical properties of the resulting articles in the vicinity of their base are improved by carrying out the pre-blowing step while holding each parison tightly between two half-molds defining a cavity which has the shape, at the location of the base of the preform, of a quarter sphere of diameter equal to that of the preform, and cutting off the resulting flash by means on an elongated blade having a semicircular cross section and a diameter corresponding to th