Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus has an injection molding station and a blow molding station, with a transfer station positioned therebetween. The injection molding station has an injection molding section which molds preforms and a removal section which removes the preforms from an injection core mold. The blow molding station carries out circulating transfer of carrying members which support the preforms, and in the blow molding section the preforms are blow molded into containers. The transfer station has a receiving mechanism which receives preforms removed from the injection core mold in the injection molding station in the upright state, an inverting receiving mechanism which inverts the preforms and passes them in the inverted state to carrying members, and between the receiving mechanism and the inverting receiving mechanism, a movement mechanism transferring the preforms from the receiving mechanism to the inverting receiving mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an injection moulding machine including an injection moulding tool which includes at least one female die and one male die. A blow moulding tool is arranged in closely spaced relationship with the injection moulding tool. A transfer member is arranged between the injection moulding tool and the blow moulding tool, the transfer member being used for transferring a preform from the injection moulding tool to the blow moulding tool. The movement of the transfer member is synchronized with the opening and closing movements of the injection moulding tool and of the blow moulding tool in such a way that said transfer member moves into the tool area of the open injection moulding tool, removes the respective preform from the male die or from the female die, moves out of the tool area and introduces the preform into the blow moulding tool that is open to an adequate extent.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a stretch blow molding machine includes devices for monitoring the position of a stretch rod with respect to a mold, an air pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure introduced through the stretch rod, and a sensor for monitoring temperature of fluid within a fluid cavity for chilling the mold. The system includes a display for monitoring position data, pressure data, and temperature data generated by the respective sensors.

Abstract: A valve pin (4) for controlling an injection amount of molten resin is inserted into a cavity (13), and then the molten resin is injected by way of a gate (10) along the surface of the valve pin (4) into the cavity (13) to be dropped therein, and tip ends of this dropping molten resin merges at a bottom (13a) of the cavity (13) to form a hollow portion (S) between the valve pin (4) and the dropped molten resin. Then, air is blown into the hollow portion (S) from the tip end of the valve pin (4), inflates the hollow portion (S), brings it into contact with the inner surface of the cavity (13), and cools and solidifies this molten resin, so as to attain a hollow molded product (40).

Abstract: In an injection blow-molding process the preform is purposely formed as a smooth walled tube closed at one end and without any thread or other cap attachment configuration about the mouth of the preform. The preform is moved to the bottle mold which completely forms the cap attachment configuration with the bottle in the blow-molding step. A processing dome is also formed from the preform in the blow-molding step to provide means to transfer the bottle to the trimmer which removes the dome. By using the smooth walled preform (without threads or any other cap fastening features), the bottle mold may utilize only a portion of the vertical height of the preform for the bottle. Bottle molds for a variety of bottle volumes and heights may employ the same preform and preform injection mold. The smooth walled preform also permits bottle molds with a variety of mouth diameters to be employed with the same preform injection mold.

Abstract: A blow molding apparatus which can be simplified in structure, reduced in size and facilitated in maintenance, and which can improve the heat efficiency and equalize the temperature gradations. The blow molding apparatus has a preform supply section, preform heating sections, a blow molding section, a product removing section and a conveying section. The conveying section intermittently conveys preforms while maintaining a fixed spacing between adjacent preforms. The preform heating section is divided into first and second heating portions. The first heating portion has heaters extending along the preforms while the second heating portion includes heaters extending in the direction of preform conveyance and aligned vertically. The first heating portion heats the preforms, and the second heating portion applies a temperature distribution to the preform.

Abstract: A method of controlling a blow molding machine from a completion of production of one product to a start of production of a next product comprises controlling a temperature of a resin within the blow molding machine, controlling an operation of devices from the completion of production of the one product to the start of production of the next product, controlling a sequent transport of some of the devices in predetermined positions, and controlling a change of the resin in accordance with a supply stop thereof and a data on the next product.

Abstract: The multi-chamber containers with a dispenser/doser are blow molded as a single integral item. They then are fitted with dip tubes with the dip tube fitment forming a seal in the transition of the container to the dispenser/doser. The dividing walls in the container are continued up into and through the dispenser/doser. A closure with a rotatable contact surface seals the container. The container preform is made by injection molding using an elongated gate pad in one embodiment in another embodiment an arrangement of recesses on the ends of the core projections with a complementary shaped gate pad. The webs of the container are of a thickness so that they flex upon a compression force being applied to the container walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing a receptacle (23) suitable for being subsequently subjected to severe temperature conditions without deforming significantly, in which an intermediate receptacle (2) is molded by blowing or by stretching-blowing a preform (1) whose body is heated to at least the softening temperature of the thermoplastic material, which intermediate receptacle possesses dimensions greater than those of the final receptacle (23) and from which a blank is produced having a hot-shrunk body of predetermined length greater than that of the body of the final receptacle (23) and from which the body of the final receptacle is molded or blow-molded with the exception of its bottom zone, the length of the receptacle having an unmolded bottom zone being substantially the same as the length of the final receptacle (23), and finally the body and its bottom zone are blow-molded to take up their final shapes and dimensions in order to obtain the final receptacle (23).

Abstract: A compression apparatus which is operated in association with at least two mold parts which can move relative to one another. The compression apparatus is formed of at least one compression units having a working chamber and a working element which can move in it. A gaseous medium can be provided to the working chamber under any initial pressure. During the closing motion of the parts of the mold, the working element is moved in the working chamber, such that the volume in the working chamber is reduced, and in this way, in the course of the closing motion, the gaseous medium is compressed in the working chamber. The compressed gaseous medium can then be sent to a consumer with or without intermediate storage. A compression apparatus of this type is intended for an injection molding machine in which gas pressurization is to take place in a cavity.

Abstract: A parison forming apparatus excellent in working efficiency and a parison forming method are provided. A moving plate which possesses core feed rows composed of multiple core receiving holders for feeding the multiple heat resistant resin cores to the mold device, and parison takeout rows composed of multiple parison receiving holders for taking out and receiving already formed multiple parisons from the mold device, being formed at a distance of a specific pitch interval from the core feed rows, and feeds the heat resistant resin cores from the core feed rows into the mold device which is empty after the parisons are taken out.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus and method wherein while the preforms are amply cooled the injection molding cycle time is shortened and furthermore a small number of blow cavities are used. In an injection molding section, N (N.gtoreq.2) preforms are injection molded in an upright state and then released from the injection cavity mold. While the preforms are cooled by the injection core mold, they are carried to a preform ejecting section. After the preforms cool to a temperature at which they can be ejected, the preforms are ejected from the injection core mold. In a transfer station, an array pitch of the simultaneously molded preforms are changed to a blow molding pitch, and then the preforms are transferred to a blow molding station in an inverted state. In the blow molding station, each preform is carried by a carrier member through a heating section into a blow molding section. In the blow molding section, n bottles are simultaneously blow molded from n preforms.

Abstract: An injection molding machine of the present invention includes a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and a rotatable turret block rotatable on an axis for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves thereof into alignment with the first mold half. Each of the movable mold halves include one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core matable with the first mold half for forming a mold for molding a molded article. The rotatable turret block is further for clamping the movable mold halves and the first mold half together. The machine further includes a mechanism for moving the rotatable turret block relative the first mold half a first injector for injecting melt into the at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding apparatus and method wherein while the preforms are amply cooled the injection molding cycle time is shortened and furthermore a small number of blow cavities are used and the operation rate of these blow cavities is increased. In an injection molding section, N (N.gtoreq.2) preforms are injection molded and then released from the injection cavity mold at a relatively high mold-release temperature. While the preforms are cooled by the injection core mold, they are carried to a preform ejecting section. After the preforms cool to a temperature at which they can be ejected, the preforms are ejected from the injection core mold. In a transfer station, n (1.ltoreq.n<N) of the simultaneously molded N preforms at a time are transferred to a blow molding station in (N/n) transfer operations. In the blow molding station, each preform is carried by a carrier member through a heating section and a standby section into a blow molding section.

Abstract: A method and system for injection molding plastic articles which utilize a spill cavity whose volume varies. In one embodiment, the volume varies during introduction of pressurized gas into a mold cavity flow coupled to the spill cavity. In another embodiment, the volume of the spill cavity varies during a plastic injection which fills the mold cavity. A piston reciprocally mounted within a cylinder defines the variable volume of the spill cavity. In one embodiment, a pneumatic control circuit controls the pressure on a lower surface of the piston to thereby control the position of the piston within the cylinder and therefore the volume of the spill cavity. In another embodiment, an air spring is utilized to control pressure on the piston which counters the pressure of the plastic on the piston. In one embodiment, a stop pin connected to the piston prevents the piston from leaving the cylinder when the mold is opened and solidified plastic in the spill cavity is to be ejected therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent the deformation of a cylindrical mouth portion of a preform when a blow pressure acts thereon in a diameter expanding direction during biaxial orientation blow molding. During biaxial orientation blow molding, sealing of the blow pressure is accomplished by means of a neck ring P1 circumferentially provided on a lower end of the circumferentially provided on a lower end of the circumferential surface of a cylindrical mouth portion P2 of a preform to thereby make the blow pressure act uniformly on the whole area of the cylindrical mouth portion P2, whereby the unreasonable deformation of the cylindrical mouth portion P2 due to the ununiform application of blow pressure thereto can totally be eliminated.

Abstract: Apparatus for injection molding plastic articles includes a first mold base, a plurality of mold cavity units fixed to the first mold base, a second mold base, and a plurality of mold core units fixed to the second mold base in alignment with the mold cavity units fixed to the first mold base, the mold bases being reciprocally movable longitudinally with respect to each other, and a stripper plate, situated between the first and second mold bases and movable with respect to the second mold base, carrying a plurality of pairs of secondary mold elements, the secondary mold elements cooperating with the mold cavity-units and mold core units to define the surface of the plastic articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming plastic hollow articles such as containers which includes a turret that includes an upper head and a lower head, each of which supports circumferentially spaced sets of core rods. The heads are rotated about a vertical axis and also are moved upwardly and downwardly about the vertical axis for positioning the core rods within the cavities of upper injection mold and upper blow mold and a lower set of injection and a lower set of blow molds. Each mold has an upper half and a lower half. The lower half of the upper mold is mounted in fixed position and the upper half of the lower mold is mounted in fixed position. The upper half of the upper mold and the lower half of the lower mold are movable axially vertically toward and away from their respective fixed mold halves to close about parisons on the core rods.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for manufacturing articles, particularly containers and packaging materials, having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form an article which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are molded to fashion a portion of the mixture into a form stable shape for the desired article. Once the article has obtained form stability, the article is removed from the mold and allowed to harden to gain strength. The articles may have properties substantially similar to articles presently made from traditional materials like paper, paperboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. They have especial utility in the mass production of containers, particularly food and beverage containers.

Abstract: A composite molding device is provided at the same site for preforming a closed-end parison or controlling the temperature of the closed-end parison as well as stretch blow molding the preform or temperature-controlled parison to a final product, such as a bottle. The composite molding device applied for stretch blow molding includes a clamping device, a pair of first mold halves, and a pair of second mold halves. The pair of second mold halves are removably placed between the pair of first mold halves in the clamping device so as to use the clamping device as a common clamping device.

Abstract: An integrated plastic injection mold and blow mold machine includes an injection mold assembly having a cooled exterior mold assembly connected to a plastic injector for injecting plastic. A cooled core assembly is positionable within the cooled exterior mold assembly to define a mold cavity for accepting injected plastic from the plastic injector to form a parison. To allow transfer of the parison to a blow mold assembly, the cooled core assembly is movable with respect to the cooled exterior mold assembly. A thread split holds the parison and is used to first form the neck of a parison, and then move the parison from the injection mold assembly to the blow mold assembly. In addition, the parison is formed by use of a removable cooled core that is movable with respect to the thread split.

Abstract: A gas-feeding nozzle is to be used with a mold attached to an injection molding machine and for introducing a pressurized gas into molten resin injected in a cavity of the mold to produce an injection molded article having a hollow structure. A top forward portion of the gas-feeding nozzle is formed of a gas ejection portion having an inner side wall, along a direction of flow of the pressurized gas, having at least one concavo-convex portion.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for producing a synthetic resin molded product including a forming mold with a molding cavity, a gate communicating with the cavity, and an overflow chamber communicating with the cavity through a flow-out passage, a gas blow-in mechanism for blowing gas into molten synthetic resin which has been injected into the cavity through the gate so as to form a void in the molten synthetic resin in the cavity to mold a hollow product and a flow-out passage opening and closing mechanism for closing the flow-out passage until the molten resin fills the molding cavity and opening the flow-out passage when the gas blow-in mechanism is in operation.

Abstract: Thread split inserts used in injection molding bottle preforms of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Each insert has a curved inner surface. A pair of inserts are mounted in the mold facing each other so the inner surfaces combine to form an opening therethrough. The opening provides the portion of the cavity which forms the neck portion of the preform. Each of the thread split inserts has an enclosed conduit through which cooling fluid circulates to improve cooling and reduce molding cycle time. The cooling fluid conduit has three curved portions which extend around the curved inner surface. Two of the curved portions extend in one plane and the other curved portion of the cooling fluid conduit extends in a second parallel plane.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for a preform is disclosed, having an injection molding station (14) and a cooling and ejection station (16). In the injection molding station (14), neck cavity molds (60), injection core molds (50) and an injection cavity mold (42) are clamped and preforms (1) are injection molded. Thereafter, the injection cavity mold (42) is separated at a relatively high temperature. The preforms (1) are transferred to the cooling and ejection station (16) while being cooled by the injection core molds (50) and neck cavity molds (60). While the next preforms (1) are being injection molded in the injection molding station (14), in the cooling and ejection station (16) cooling of the preforms (1) continues. After cooling the preforms (1) to a temperature suitable for release, the injection core molds (50) are separated only through a stroke sufficient to allow a space to open between core pins (52) of the injection core molds 50 and the inner surface of the preforms (1).

Abstract: Method of making multilayer preforms which resist delamination and in a reduced cycle time. A first array of preforms are molded onto a first array of cores in an associated array of mold cavities, the cores and preforms are removed from the mold cavities as soon as possible without significant physical preform deformation, and the preforms are then cooled on the cores while a second array of cores is positioned in the mold cavities. Cooling on the cores prevents delamination of the preform layers and reduces the in-mold cooling time. Providing multiple sets of cores on a rotating turret further reduces the cycle time compared to the prior art use of robotic cooling tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus forms multiple resin layered parisons that are cooled or blown into bottles. The individual resin layers are injection molded in sequence and the formed parisons are transferred to each cooling and molding station by an axially and laterally indexing platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a recyclable container includes a mechanism for holding a reusable shell, fitting a liner preform over the reusable shell, and blow forming the liner preform within the reusable shell to provide a disposable liner for the reusable shell. The disposable liner is removable to permit recycling of the reusable shell. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism is an integrated injection mold and stretch blow mold machine that both creates the liner preform and blow forms the liner into reusable shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming plastic hollow articles such as containers which includes a turret that includes an upper head and a lower head, each of which supports circumferentially spaced sets of core rods. The heads are rotated about a vertical axis and also are moved upwardly and downwardly about the vertical axis for positioning the core rods within the cavities of upper injection mold and upper blow mold and a lower set of injection and a lower set of blow molds. Each mold has an upper half and a lower half. The lower half of the upper mold is mounted in fixed position and the upper half of the lower mold is mounted in fixed position. The upper half of the upper mold and the lower half of the lower mold are movable axially vertically toward and away from their respective fixed mold halves to close about parisons on the core rods.

Abstract: A gas-feeding device as follows:(A) a gas-feeding nozzle and(B) gas-feeding nozzle shifting device for putting a top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle in forward and backward movement in a guide portion which is provided in a mold and communicates with a cavity and an outside of the mold,the gas-feeding device being used for feeding a pressurized gas through the gas-feeding nozzle into a molten resin injected into the cavity of the mold attached to an injection molding machine for producing a molded article having a hollow portion,wherein:a clearance is provided between the top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle and the guide portion, andat least part of the top portion of the gas-feeding nozzle is out of contact with the guide portion when the molten resin is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preform used to mold a container with hanger. This preform has a cylindrical bottomed barrel portion, a flat plate-like hanger having a central opening formed therethrough and a connection formed on the bottom wall of the barrel portion substantially at the center thereof, the connection connecting between the hanger and the bottom of the barrel. When this preform is injection molded, a molten plastic material is charged into the mold cavity through a gate communicating with the end of the hanger. The molten plastic material is divided into two branch streams at the hanger molding cavity region. These two streams are re-combined at the connection. The connection is of substantially circular cross-section and functions as a gate for permitting the molten plastic material to flow into the barrel molding cavity region.

Abstract: A gas assisted injection molding machine includes an injector valve assembly secured to the clamping plate and having an elongate supply duct extending through the core and into the mold cavity. The duct supports a valve member for sliding movement and is itself supported in the core by an ejector sleeve. The ejector sleeve moves with the ejection mechanism to force molded articles off the end of the supply duct.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a can body includes injection molding a preform including forming a bottom wall, a side wall, a curved shoulder and a flange extending outwardly from the shoulder. After molding, the preform is subjected to a stretch blow molding process to form the can body.

Abstract: A parison injection molding apparatus injection molds parisons, transfers them to cooling stations and then ejection stations. While at the injection molding station, cooling stations and during transfer therebetween up to the time they are ejected, the parisons are continuously cooled.

Abstract: A parison injection blow molding apparatus injection molds parisons, transfers them to cooling stations then to orient-stretch blow stations and thereafter ejection stations. While at the injection molding station, cooling stations and during transfer therebetween prior to being placed at the blow stations, the parisons are continuously cooled. The parisons are transferred to each station by an axially and laterally indexing platen.

Abstract: A mold assembly has a mold part with a plurality of elongated cavities therein forming the outer wall of a molded part and wherein a fluid cooled core is inserted within each of the elongated cavities having an outer surface forming the inner wall of the molded part and the fluid cooled core includes an inner surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally directed ribs for reinforcing the fluid cooled core radially inwardly of the elongated cavities and along the length of said fluid cooled core to control core deflection. A fluid inlet pipe is located axially of the inner surface in spaced relationship thereto having one end thereof adapted to be connected to a source of coolant and including a second end thereon in communication with a plurality of circumferentially spaced passages formed between each of the longitudinally directed ribs and wherein each of the passages returns flow to an elongated annular passage between the fluid inlet pipe and the inner surface.

Abstract: A mold section carrier assembly is provided for use in an injection stretch blow molding machine. The assembly permits highly accurate position adjustment of mold sections on the platens of the machine, and includes a back plate on which each mold section is secured, and a pair of side rails secured on opposite sides of the mold section on each back plate. A block is provided for each side rail, and includes a planer engagement surface that is parallel to and bears against an engagement surface of the rail. A force transmitting mechanism moves each block relative to the corresponding side rail in a direction that is angled relative to the engagement surfaces in order to adjust the position of the mold section relative to the platen within a plane transverse to the support surface of the machine.

Abstract: A vent valve for a gas assisted injection molding machine has a valve member to control flow from the mold cavity. A shear co-operates with an anvil in the passageway between the mold and valve member to sever material in the passageway as the molded article is ejected.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding method sequentially circulates a plurality of neck mold moving units for supporting and conveying neck molds adapted to hold the neck portions of hollow containers and preforms used to mold the hollow containers at least through preform injection molding, blow molding and ejecting stations, the preform injection molding step, the blow molding step for blow molding the hollow containers from the preforms having their potential heat provided by the injection molding step and the product ejecting step being repeatedly carried out. The injection molding stations of M in number are provided for blow molding stations of N in number (M>N.gtoreq.1). Preforms are injection molded in each of the injection molding stations at an injection molding start time staggered from those of the other injection molding stations by time equal to N.times.T/M where T is an injection molding cycle time in each of the injection molding stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a viscous fluid and a non-viscous fluid into a mold cavity of a mold body includes a nozzle body having a discharge end a flow passage for the viscous fluid extending to the discharge end. A valve element is mounted for reciprocation in the nozzle body flow passage to control the flow of the viscous fluid through the nozzle body discharge end. The valve element includes a barrel having a first end and a second end and a first bore extending longitudinally in the barrel. A tip is detachably secured to the barrel first end for selectively engaging a portion of the nozzle body discharge end to prevent a flow of the viscous fluid therepast. The tip has a first end, a second end and a second bore extending longitudinally through the tip from the first end to the second end. A pin is located in the second bore. The pin has a first end located adjacent the tip first end, such that the pin and the tip define between them an annular opening at the tip first end.

Abstract: A plastic vessel preform includes a neck portion having an outer layer formed by an insert piece (20) which includes a thread portion (22a) and a support ring (28). The support ring (28) includes a bond reinforcing portion (36) integrally formed therein in a direction perpendicular to the axis or the preform body (34). The bond reinforcing portion (36) strengthens the radial bond in the insert piece (20) so that the mechanical strength at the neck portion (32) of the preform (30) can be greatly increased.

Abstract: An injection stretch blow molding method blow molds a preform into a hollow member while maintaining the preform at a temperature provided by an injection molding step. The method circulatively conveys neck mold support plates each for supporting and conveying a neck mold holding the neck portion of the hollow member or preform through working stations of M in number (M.gtoreq.3) including at least injection molding and blow molding stations. The total number N of neck mold support plates is set to be 2.ltoreq.N<M. The neck mold support plates are conveyed among the working stations other than the injection molding station within an injection molding time T for which an injection molding step is carried out using a neck mold support plate placed in the injection molding station. Before elapse of the injection molding time T, a neck mold support plate, which has ejected the molded hollow member, is caused to wait at a station before the injection molding step.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for driving a movable member of a plastic molding die apparatus is provided which drives and controls a movable shaft for holding a gas injection nozzle by using a plurality of cylinders so that the gas injection nozzle of the die apparatus for use in a gas injection molding method can easily be changed. Resin is supplied from a position through a second die into a cavity formed between a first die and the second die, the drive apparatus disposed adjacent to the first die is used to drive the movable shaft for holding the nozzle of a gas supply means to supply gas into the resin in the cavity so that a hollow product is molded. The nozzle of the gas supply means is disposed at the leading portion of the hollow movable shaft.

Abstract: A two station machine forms a parison from a plastic resin and then stretch blowing into a hollow-molded product. The machine has a preform station for forming a parison and a blow mold station for stretching and inflating the parison into the hollow molded object and then ejecting the hollow-molded product from the machine. The preform station and the blow mold station are disposed at diametrically opposite locations on a circumference of a circle. A transfer portion has a transfer head rotatable about an axis extending through the center of the circle and having a pair of identical transfer stations located at diametrically opposite locations with respect to the axis. An indexer rotates the transfer head between two aligned positions in which one of the transfer stations is in registry with the preform station and the other transfer station is in registry with the blow mold station.

Abstract: A gas injector having a retractable nozzle with linear gas feed passage therethrough for a gas assist plastics injection molding machine. The injector interfaces with the injection molding tool and has a nozzle with a tip that, in a forward position, protrudes through a port therein leading into the tool cavity or a runner system leading into the cavity for gas injection during molding. The nozzle tip is connected by a nozzle body to a base that is operatively mounted in an actuator housing. The base is connected to an in-line gas routing extension of the nozzle that projects through the outer cover of the housing. The extension is coaxial with an internal spring that seats on the base and holds the nozzle tip in a gas injection position resisting the force of plastics injection pressure.

Abstract: Gas transmission plugs are placed in a supporting strip portion in plastics injection mold tooling so that an appropriate gas assist injection location can be readily selected, and mated, with a gas injection nozzle thereby eliminating the requirement for pre-drilling mold tooling with gas injection points and removing the tooling from the press so that a gas injection nozzle can be installed relative to the selected injection location. The plugs can be made from porous metal or ceramic with pores that are so small that plastics cannot enter the plug to cause pore clogging. Also, linear gas transmitting passages can be laser beam drilled through plugs of steel or other material with diameters that are sufficiently minute to prevent entry of plastics melt and resultant clogging.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tube-like preform having a longitudinal wall with a variable cross-section for blow molding of a hollow body from a thermoplastic material, includes a tubular die having a variable exit opening, and a collar die having a recess and movable into engagement with and away from the tubular die, the preform being produced by ejecting of the thermoplastic material from the exit opening of the tubular die into the recess of the collar die while moving tubular die, with controlling a speed of movement of the collar die and a cross-section of the exit opening of the tubular die in such a manner that larger and smaller cross-section of the exit opening correspond to speed rate of the collar die, so that a thickness of the wall of the producible preform changes from peaks to valleys in a wave-like manner to form the variable cross-section of the wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for injection molding a plastic article having a hollow rib portion utilizing a spill cavity. A process includes the steps of sequentially injecting fluent plastic and gas into a mold cavity having a space defining at least one wall portion of the article and a channel defining a rib portion of the article. A quantity of fluent plastic is initially injected to substantially fill the mold cavity. A charge of pressurized gas is then injected into the channel of the mold cavity to displace a portion of the still fluent plastic into the spill cavity which is flow coupled to the channel. Preferably, the thickness of the rib portion in cross section is at least twice as large as the thickness of the wall portion in cross section along the entire length of the rib portion. Also, preferably, the channel is tapered along its length. The rib portion may be either internal or external to the article.

Abstract: A drive module of a machine having a turret adjacent the upper end and a motor adjacent the lower end. The turret is driven by the motor to move between different stations of the machine by the controlled rotation of the turret about an axis of rotation. The motor includes an upwardly directed output shaft which is in generally axial alignment with the axis of rotation of the turret. An outer housing is disposed between the turret and motor, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to an inner housing disposed for rotation within the outer housing. An elongate shaft extends axially through the inner housing and is connected with the turret to transmit movement of the shaft to the turret. A force transmitting member is connected to the inner housing and to the elongate shaft for transmitting rotational movement of the inner housing to the elongate shaft, and for permitting axial movement of the elongate shaft relative to the force transmitting member and the inner housing.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for locally introducing fluid, such as a gas, at a predetermined location into molten resin downstream from a resin injection aperture to form a hollow part. The gas is utilized at the localized area to distribute the molten resin, to eliminated molded in stress and to prevent formation of sink marks in the part during resin solidification. An overflow reservoir outside of the mold cavity is filled with the resin during resin injection and then the gas is introduced into the reservoir through a fluid aperture and into the part. The reservoir creates a cocoon of solidified material to act as a seal to prevent gas leakage. One hollow body formed by the method and system includes a substantially endless hollow body portion with a fluid opening for communicating the interior of the hollow body portion with the locally introduced fluid. The hollow body provides an internal gas manifold and means for greater structural integrity.