With Rotary Support For Molds Patents (Class 425/540)
  • Patent number: 10919207
    Abstract: A continuous non-symmetric preform feed stretch-blow-moulding machine dedicated to the stretch-blow-moulding of containers from non-symmetric injection moulded preforms; the non-symmetrical preforms including an integral handle extending from a first junction point to a second junction point on a body of the preform; the body of the preform and the integral handle constituted from the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTEGRATED PLASTICS PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Nick Mellen, Ho-Seon Kim
  • Patent number: 9149969
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, with at least one blowing station arranged on a moving carrier, wherein the blowing station has a blow mould carrier for holding a blow mould and the blow mould carrier has a first blow mould carrier part and a second blow mould carrier part, wherein the second blow mould carrier part can be moved away from the first blow mould carrier part in order to open the blow mould for removal of a plastic container and/or for insertion of a preform, and wherein the second blow mould carrier part can be moved towards the first blow mould carrier part in order to transfer the blow mould into a closed state for forming the preform, wherein that the second blow mould carrier part has a lower density and/or strength than the first blow mould carrier part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Eduard Handschuh, Florian Geltinger, Michael Neubauer, Thomas Philipp, Klaus Voth
  • Patent number: 9061459
    Abstract: Apparatus for transforming plastic preforms into containers includes a blow molding station arranged on a movable carrier. The station includes a carrier for holding a blow mold, and the carrier includes a first part and a second part, pivotable with respect to the first part relative to a predefined first pivot axis. The station includes a lock mechanism for locking the first part with respect to the second part. Lock mechanism includes a first element arranged on the first part and a second element arranged on the second part. At least the first element is movable with respect to the carrier relative to a second predefined axis. Pivoting movement of the first part and movement of the first element are coupled to one another by a coupling device such that the second axis moves with respect to the carrier in a direction perpendicular to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Michael Neubauer, Florian Geltinger
  • Patent number: 8998602
    Abstract: A blow mold unit includes a first and a second blow cavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds. The blow mold unit also includes a first and a second securing plates on which the first and the second blow cavity split mold are secured, a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates respectively secured on the first and the second securing plates, a third securing plate disposed between the first and the second securing plates, the plurality of raised-bottom molds secured on the third securing plate, a plurality of shafts suspended from the third securing plate, and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates secured on the first and the second securing plates at a position below the third securing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburou Takehana
  • Patent number: 8985990
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers may include a conveying device on which a plurality of blowing stations are arranged. Each of the blowing stations encompasses a blow mold, within which a plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container. The apparatus further includes a clean chamber, within which the plastic preforms can be conveyed. The zone of the conveying device in which the blowing stations are arranged is located in the clean chamber, and at least one additional zone of the conveying device is located outside the clean chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Oliver Martini, Michael Dahmen, Patrick Engelhard
  • Patent number: 8974211
    Abstract: A system for aiding in the replacement of a mold in a molding unit of a machine for manufacturing containers, includes at least one transport device (16) for transporting a joined mold (18) forming a transportable unit subassembly, the transport device (16) including at least one robotic arm (96) for positioning, in space along a trihedron (X, Y, Z) and with respect to the molding unit (12), elements (76) for handling at least one joined mold (18) so as to carry out a replacement of the at least one mold (18) of the molding unit (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Damien Cirette, Arnaud Prieur
  • Patent number: 8956149
    Abstract: A system for handling objects in rotary machines, and, more particularly, a system for handling preforms in blowing machines. The system picks up a pre-heated preform from a transferring star of the preform and takes it to a mold of a stretch-blowing machine by using movements entailing reduced acceleration values, in particular of the tangential acceleration component, so as to prevent uncontrolled oscillatory movements of the softened preform. In the blowing machine, the preform is blown to obtain a bottle, and the bottle thus obtained is picked up from the stretch-blow molding position and transferred to an unloading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SMI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vanni Zacche
  • Patent number: 8944806
    Abstract: A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daizaburo Takehana
  • Patent number: 8944794
    Abstract: A device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a mobile carrier on which is arranged a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow mold carrier parts to hold blow mold parts, wherein at least one of these blow mold carrier parts is mobile in relation to the other blow mold carrier part, and wherein the blowing stations each comprise a carrier element to carry at least one blow mold carrier part. The device includes a clean room within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers. The blow mold carrier parts together with the carrier element form a unit which can be demounted as a whole from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Florian Geltinger, Eduard Handschuh, Josef Hausladen, Thomas Hoellriegl, Ulrich Lappe, Michael Neubauer, Thomas Philipp, Juergen Soellner, Klaus Voth
  • Patent number: 8939749
    Abstract: What is described is a blow-molding machine for plastic containers, comprising a plurality of platens for supporting blow mold halves, wherein at least two of the platens are in the form of movable multi-carriers for simultaneously supporting at least two blow mold halves which are assigned to different blow-molding cavities. Since the multi-carriers are driven in such a manner that at least one of the blow-molding cavities can be opened and at the same time at least one other of the blow-molding cavities can be closed by means of a continuous movement of the multi-carriers, acceleration and deceleration ramps can be reduced upon opening and closing and it is possible to gain process time for the blow molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Frank Winzinger
  • Patent number: 8936458
    Abstract: A device for forming plastics material preforms into plastics material containers includes a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow moulds, inside which preforms can be formed into containers. The device includes an admission arrangement to expose the preforms, for the forming thereof, to a free-flowing medium, and stretching rods to extend the preforms in the longitudinal direction thereof. The device includes a transport arrangement which transports the blowing stations with the preforms along a first predefined transport path, and a control arrangement which controls movement of the stretching rods and exposure of the preforms to the freeflowing medium so that predefined sub-steps of the forming process are carried out during transport of the preforms along the first path. Sub-steps of the forming process can be carried out irrespective of geometric position of the preforms along the first path, and an output rate of the device can thus be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Rainer Englbrecht, Heinz Humele
  • Patent number: 8926314
    Abstract: A transport device and a transport method for a container treatment plant as well as a blow molding machine is provided. The transport device comprises at least one transport star for transporting receptacles to or away from a treatment station of the container treatment plant, wherein the at least one transport star is arranged obliquely to the treatment station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Jochen Forsthoevel, Franz Gmeiner
  • Patent number: 8889057
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms to form plastics material containers may include at least one blowing station, a compressed air supply, and a compressor device. The blowing station forms a hollow space in the interior of which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being shaped to form plastics material containers. The compressed air supply supplies the compressed air to at least one element of the blowing station, and the compressor device produces the compressed air. The compressor device is arranged in the vicinity of the apparatus in such a way that a flow connection between the compressor device and the blowing station is shorter than 15 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Stefan Rossmann, Klaus Voth, Peter Christiansen
  • Patent number: 8871134
    Abstract: A labeler for labeling plastic containers in the blow mold in a rotary blow molder, with a blow wheel having arranged thereon a plurality of blow molds with a lowerable blow mold bottom, and at least one label dispenser used for providing tubular labels. The blow mold bottom is implemented such that a label can be introduced via the blow mold bottom into the blow mold before the blowing process takes place, which facilitates a spatial separation of the label supply from the feeder star wheel of the blow wheel and allows a substantially simultaneous insertion of the label and of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Christian Popp, Werner Britten, Wolfgang Hausladen
  • Patent number: 8858216
    Abstract: Plastic container manufacturing plant comprising devices for injection-compression of plastic in molds and effected by means of at least one rotary carousel actuated by electro-pneumatic actuators, of the single-stage type integrating at least one first rotary carousel (2) for molding of the preforms and a second rotary carousel (7) for stretch blow molding of the preforms. Moreover, the plant comprises a transport system (5) between said first (2) and second rotary carousel (7) comprising further handling wheels, of which at least one (8) comprises means for thermal conditioning of the preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa' Industrializzazione Progettazione e Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Zoppas, Alberto Armellin, Sandro Serra
  • Patent number: 8828290
    Abstract: A method of treating devices of a plant for producing plastics material containers may include the steps of selection of at least one treatment device, acting upon the treatment device with a sterilization temperature in order to sterilize the treatment device, supplying at least one plastics material pre-form to the treatment device, shaping the plastics material pre-form to form a plastics material container, and removal of the at least one plastics material container from the treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Voth, Oliver Martini, Ulrich Lappe, Juergen Soellner, Frank Winzinger, Josef Hausladen
  • Patent number: 8814553
    Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Mathy, Jr., Paul M. Oles, David N. Fiorani
  • Patent number: 8807980
    Abstract: A magazine apparatus including a plurality of receiving elements that are constructed and arranged to separately receive individual blow molds each having a plurality of parts and each configured to shape plastic-material preforms into plastic-material containers. The magazine apparatus being constructed and arranged to store a plurality of blow molds outside the working operational area of a blow molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Thomas Hoellriegl, Klaus Voth, Thomas Albrecht, Erik Blochmann
  • Patent number: 8807977
    Abstract: A cam follower slide component used in an apparatus for extrusion blow molding polyethylene teraphthalate is disclosed. The cam follower slide component is designed to include disc springs positioned about a spindle that is in turn located along the slide direction of the cam follower. With the inclusion of disc springs, the cam follower slide is capable of absorbing certain excessive forces within the blow mold clamping linkage system that may develop during irregular blow mold process conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower slide component includes the ability to adjust the spring force of the disc springs to allow for a variation in allowable excess system linkage forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ammon Heininger, Larry M. Taylor, Marshall M. Miller
  • Patent number: 8777604
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing plastic containers with a heating device (2) for heating plastic preforms (10) and a shaping device (4) for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, which shaping device is located downstream of the heating device (2) in a transportation direction of the plastic preforms, and with a transportation device (6), which transports the plastic preforms separately through the heating device (2) by means of a multiplicity of transport elements (14). Herein, the apparatus (1) is equipped with a stopper device (8) for temporary interruption of the flow of plastic preforms (10) to the heating device (2), wherein this stopper device (8) enables an interruption of the flow for individual plastic preforms (10). According to the invention, the heating device (2) is equipped with a multiplicity of heating elements (18) to heat individual plastic preforms (10) or groups of plastic preforms (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Konrad Senn
  • Patent number: 8770957
    Abstract: A blow molding machine for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers, has a plurality of blow molding stations with blow mold carriers for holding blow molds, including a clean room for arranging or conveying the blow molding stations under aseptic conditions and having an installation access to the clean room for installing the blow mold carriers with blow molding station components. The installation access includes at least one sterile room which is positioned in front of the clean room with the plurality of blow molding stations on the environment side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Roland Laumer
  • Patent number: 8758001
    Abstract: Disclosed is a molding device for a machine for producing containers consisting of a thermoplastic material by forming a pre-heated preform using at least one pressurized fluid. The device includes: two mold carriers mounted in such a way that they can move in relation to each other about a rotational axis, between an open position and a closed position; two mold halves that each have a half-impression, are carried by a mold carrier, and are respectively mounted in the associated mold carrier; and fixing element that can dismountably fix each mold half, in its mounted position, to the mold carrier. The element for fixing each mold half to the mold carrier, which are mounted in such a way that they can move at least between a fixing position and a release position, can be controlled as they move between the positions when the mold carriers are in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Herve Pasquier, Damien Cirette, Nicolas Chomel, Yves-Alban Duclos
  • Patent number: 8708681
    Abstract: An apparatus for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers, includes a plurality of molding stations which are arranged on a movable carrier. The molding stations each include blow molds, within which plastic preforms can be molded into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium, as well as blow mold carriers for holding the blow molds, a clean room which at least partially surrounds the individual molding stations, so that the molding stations can be moved within the clean room, and a locking mechanism at least partially located within the clean room, to lock the two blow mold carrier parts together in a closed condition. The locking mechanism includes a first locking element that cooperates with a second locking element, the first locking element being arranged to be movable by a movement device that is supported by at least one bearing that is at least partially provided outside of the clean room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Voth, Florian Geltinger, Michael Neubauer
  • Patent number: 8709312
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, including a plurality of blow molding stations which each have a cavity in which the plastic preforms can be shaped into plastic containers. The blow molding stations are arranged on a movable carrier and each have a stretching rod which stretches the plastic containers in their longitudinal direction by a movement in a stretching direction. A fluid-actuated drive device is provided for driving the stretching rod in the stretching direction. The apparatus includes a guide cam which is arranged in a stationary manner and by means of which the stretching rod can be moved counter to the stretching direction as a function of a movement of the blow molding station. At least one portion of the guide cam is adjustable and, for example, by virtue of this adjustment a dependency of the movement of the stretching rod on the movement of the blow molding station can be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hoellriegl, Andreas Brunner
  • Patent number: 8696339
    Abstract: An apparatus for shaping plastics material preforms into plastics material containers, having a multiplicity of shaping stations arranged on a movable carrier. The shaping stations each comprise blow moulds, inside which the plastics material preforms can be shaped into plastics material containers by application of a free-flowing medium, as well as blow mould carriers for holding these blow moulds. The blow mould carriers comprise at least two blow moulding carrier parts movable in relation to one another to open and close the blow moulds, and having at least one fastening element, via which at least one element of the shaping stations is arranged on the carrier. A clean chamber surrounds the individual shaping stations, at least in part, so that the shaping stations are movable inside this clean chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Florian Geltinger, Michael Neubauer
  • Patent number: 8651853
    Abstract: An equipment (10) for producing vessels (12), includes at least one variable pitch wheel (38) arranged between a blower (14) having a first pitch (P1) and a filler (16) having a second pitch (P2), and that includes transfer elements (40) controlled by control elements adapted for selectively varying the pitch between two successive transfer elements (40) between an initial pitch (P) and a final pitch (P?), the initial pitch (P) being for example equal to once or twice the first pitch (P1) and the final pitch (P?) being equal to the second pitch (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Pascal Dupuis, Daniel Nguyen Van
  • Patent number: 8647103
    Abstract: A method and modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member. The base member has end members provided thereon. Radial adjustment mechanisms are mounted on the end members, with the radial adjustment members configured to cooperate with turntables of the molding machine. At least one support bracket extends from the frame. The support bracket is configured to cooperate with at least one support fixture of the molding machine. The radial adjustment mechanisms and the at least one support bracket allow the modular mold clamp assembly to be moved toward and away from the center of a wheel of the molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Mathy, Jr., David N. Fiorani
  • Publication number: 20140030373
    Abstract: A device for blow-molding containers including a structure and a platform mounted to rotate on the structure about an axis of rotation. The platform is provided with blower members and with molds that are mounted under the blower members, each of which includes a stationary mold portion and a movable mold portion that is movable in pivoting by a control device between an open position and a closed position for the mold. The device includes blocking members for blocking the molds in the closed state, each blocking member including a strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: SERAC GROUP
    Inventor: Andre GRAFFIN
  • Patent number: 8632333
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for handling a container product, in particular a container or a preform for producing a container, where the product is provided with an orientation mark and adapted to be rotated to a predetermined rotary angle position relative to a holder by an orienting means. To do so in a structurally simple and reliable manner, the orienting means are arranged at a transfer site between a holder of a first conveying unit and a holder of a second conveying unit, at which the holders move relative to one another in an accompanying movement, and the rotary movement of the product to the predetermined rotary angle position is derived from the relative movement of the holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Christian Holzer, Konrad Senn
  • Patent number: 8628319
    Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum thermoforming and printing plastic articles from a continuous web of plastic material in which a rotatable vacuum thermoforming drum has a plurality of vacuum thermoforming dies mounted on circumferentially surfaces. The drum further comprises a gear path and a cam path, each with a plurality of substantially flat and curved sections. A print structure in a frame includes a device for imparting ink to the articles after they are formed, and a linear bearing adapted to allow the printing cylinder to move in a constrained motion substantially normal to the central axis. The printing cylinder comprises a shaft with a pinion gear to engage the gear path and a cam roller to engage the cam path. As the drum rotates, the articles are formed, printed and separated in substantially a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: IVMA Holdings Company
    Inventor: Ivonis Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 8622728
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for forming containers and a method for damped closing of a mold carrier unit and a base mold carrier of a blow mold for forming containers. The device includes at least one mold carrier unit for holding blow mold parts and a base mold carrier for holding a base mold and a base mold carrier lift device for moving the base mold carrier in conjunction with the movement of the mold carrier unit. The mold carrier unit includes at least two mold carriers which surround the container to be processed at least during a molding process. The base mold carrier covers a base area of the container to be treated. The base mold carrier lift device includes at least one first damping element for damping and limiting the vertical movement of the base mold carrier in relation to the mold carrier unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Thomas Spitzer
  • Patent number: 8613614
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a neck mold assembly includes N rows of holding plates, each of the N rows of holding plates holding a plurality of neck molds. The neck mold assembly also includes a supporting-mechanism that supports the N rows of holding plates. The supporting mechanism includes at least one reinforcement shaft that is provided along a row direction of the N rows of holding plates, and two first securing sections that are secured at either end of the at least one reinforcement shaft. Each of the N rows of holding plates has at least one first through-hole that receives the at least one reinforcement shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horigome, Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburo Takehana
  • Patent number: 8608466
    Abstract: A blow mold unit includes a first and a second blow cavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds. The blow mold unit also includes a first and a second securing plates on which the first and the second blow cavity split mold are secured, a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates respectively secured on the first and the second securing plates, a third securing plate disposed between the first and the second securing plates, the plurality of raised-bottom molds secured on the third securing plate, a plurality of shafts suspended from the third securing plate, and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates secured on the first and the second securing plates at a position below the third securing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburou Takehana
  • Patent number: 8580166
    Abstract: An apparatus for transforming plastic preforms into containers, includes at least one blow mould which forms a cavity, inside which the plastic preforms can be transformed into containers. The apparatus includes an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the blow mould, and a cleaning device for cleaning regions of the blow mould. The cleaning device includes at least a first cleaning element for cleaning an inner wall of the blow mould, which cleaning element is arranged at least at times outside the blow mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Jochen Hirdina
  • Patent number: 8579622
    Abstract: A blowing machine used to produce containers of correctly temperatured preforms in blowing stations including correctly temperatured blow molds, having functional get-up components such as at least electric servomotors assigned to at least the blowing stations to control and/or monitor secondary functions of functional get-up components during production. In order to bring at least some of said functional get-up components for secondary functions to the correct temperature, an electrically operated, controllable liquid temperature control system is supplied by at least one temperature control device and is integrated into the blowing machine and guided through the functional get-up components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hoellriegl, Andreas Brunner, Dieter Finger, Hans-jurgen Fleischmann, Helmut Sehneider, Florian Geltinger
  • Patent number: 8550805
    Abstract: A process and a device for the manufacture of a hollow body, particularly of a heat-resistant hollow body, which is molded out of a heated preform of thermoplastic plastic in a contoured blow mold through the introduction of a first medium into the preform, which medium is stored in a first medium storage unit and is under a pressure (p1) (preblowing phase), and the more or less simultaneous stretching of the hollow body through a stretching rod and the introduction of a second medium in the hollow body, which medium is stored in a second medium storage unit and the pressure of which (p2) is higher than the pressure of the first medium (p1) (final blowing phase), and which is cooled by a third medium, which is medium stored in a third medium storage unit (rinsing phase), whereby the preblowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 2-20 bar, the final blowing medium is under a pressure of approximately 15-45 bar, and the cooling medium is under a pressure of approximately 30-45 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Jochen Hirdina
  • Patent number: 8550803
    Abstract: A method for operating a transforming device for transforming plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow mould carrier and a multi-part blow mould arranged on the blow mould carrier. A holding connection may be provided between the blow mould and the blow mould carrier. The holding connection between the blow mould carrier and the blow mould may be detached or established in an at least partially automated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Konrad Senn
  • Patent number: 8545750
    Abstract: A continuous blow molding machine includes a mechanism for shifting molds upstream after closing to reduce between-mold flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Paul M. Oles
  • Publication number: 20130243898
    Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GRAHAM ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. MATHY, JR., Paul M. OLES, David N. FIORANI
  • Patent number: 8512623
    Abstract: A labeler for labeling plastic containers in the blow mold as well as to a labeling method for use of the labeler, where due to the fact that the rotating insertion device of the labeler comprises articulated arms having each rotatably supported thereon a gripper, it is possible to remove labels from stationary magazines at a comparatively low relative speed. The articulated arms are able to follow the path of the blow molds during insertion of the labels with high speed. The grippers are rotatably supported which allows an exact radial orientation of the gripper with respect to the axis of rotation of the blow wheel that continues to rotate during insertion of the labels, to thus allow a particularly accurate and reliable labeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hausladen, Christian Popp, Johannes Weiss
  • Patent number: 8506285
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 10?) and a machine (100) for reforming a portion of a plastic package (50) using induction heating. The apparatus and machine comprise a frame (20) engaging the plastic package and a workpiece support (40) having an electrically conducting workpiece (44, 48, 102). An induction workhead (62) provides an alternating current power supply to an induction element (60, 104). The induction element is positioned proximate the workpiece of the workpiece support and heats the workpiece via induction. A mechanism (22) positions the plastic package proximate the heated workpiece so that the workpiece transfers heat to the portion of the plastic package thereby softening the portion. A forming die (30) supported on the frame engages the portion to reform the portion. Also provided is a process of using the apparatus and machine to reform a portion of a plastic package using induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Garrett R. Pennington, Thomas Scott Smeltzer, Patrick Matthew Oconnell, David Wayne Cargile, Gregory Duane Taylor
  • Patent number: 8491293
    Abstract: A magazine apparatus including a plurality of receiving elements that are constructed and arranged to separately receive individual blow molds each having a plurality of parts and each configured to shape plastic-material pre-forms into plastic-material containers. The magazine apparatus being constructed and arranged to store a plurality of blow molds outside the working operational area of a blow molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Rupert Meinzinger, Thomas Hoellriegl, Klaus Voth, Thomas Albrecht, Erik Blochmann
  • Patent number: 8485810
    Abstract: The invention is directed a rotary molding machine having a wheel mounted for rotation on a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel. A first shaft cooperates with a first turntable of the wheel and a second shaft cooperates with a second turntable. The first and second turntables extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of modular mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the wheel, with each modular mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each modular mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations each turntable. The modular mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Mathy, Jr., David N. Fiorani
  • Patent number: 8465274
    Abstract: A plant for blow-moulding plastic containers (2), particularly bottles, from respective parisons (3) comprises at least one moulding unit (15) composed of two half-moulds (17a, 17b), each mobile relative to the other half-mould (17a, 17b) between a position of opening and a position of closing at least two cavities (19) for blow-moulding containers (2); the two half-moulds (17a, 17b) being oriented in such a way that they close in a closing plane (20) that is substantially tangent to the feed path (P) of the moulding unit (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa
    Inventors: Maurizio Borgatti, Massimo Morovingi, Fiorenzo Parrinello, Emilio Re, Gabriele Stocchi
  • Patent number: 8454342
    Abstract: A modular mold clamp assembly for use in a molding machine. The assembly has a frame with a base member and oppositely-facing end members, with the oppositely-facing end members having mounting areas provided thereon. First and second platens are movably mounted on the base member between an open and a closed position. The platens are mounted on the frame and are movable relative to the frame without transmitting forces to the frame. The frame, containing the platens, can be mounted or unmounted to the molding machine by the use of mounting hardware cooperating with the mounting area of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Mathy, Jr., Paul M. Oles, David N. Fiorani
  • Patent number: 8388333
    Abstract: A system for purging molten thermoplastic material from a molding apparatus. The purge system includes a blow mold apparatus, a purge diverter valve operably connected to the blow mold apparatus and including a channel, a closing member, a spacer having a conduit in communication with the channel, and a melt pipe. The system can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials out from an upward extruding blow mold apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Himes, Larry M. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130037996
    Abstract: Described are a device and a method for blow moulding containers, whereby the device contains a plurality of blow-moulding stations, each provided with at least one blow mould, whereby these blow-moulding stations are arranged on a carrier, such as a blowing wheel. The blow-moulding stations are supplied with an operating medium by means of a tempering device. To simplify the design and optimize the control, it is proposed to arrange the tempering device on the carrier such that the tempering device runs along with the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Kaj Fuhrer
  • Patent number: 8371840
    Abstract: A blow molding apparatus includes an injection molding station (12) that injection-molds preforms (1A) held by N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) rows of holding plates (30), a temperature control station (14) that performs a temperature control operation on the preforms (1A), a blow molding station (16) that blow-molds the preforms into containers, and a row pitch change section (130) that changes the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates so that P1<P3<P2 is satisfied, P1 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the performs, P2 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the containers, and P3 being the row pitch of the N rows of holding plates when they hold the preforms that are transferred to N rows of blow molds that are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Horigome, Kazuyuki Yokobayashi, Daisaburo Takehana
  • Patent number: 8371841
    Abstract: A device for molding plastic preforms into plastic containers may include at least one blow station having a first mold part and a second mold part. The first mold part and the second mold part surround a cavity within which the plastic preforms may be expanded into plastic containers. The first mold part may be movable relative to the second mold part. The device includes a first cantilever which is disposed on the first mold part, a second cantilever which is disposed on the second mold part, a first hinge lever which is hingedly connected to the first cantilever, and a second hinge lever which is hingedly connected to the second cantilever. The first cantilever and the second cantilever may be arranged to be pivotable with regard to at least one geometrical pivot axis and may be coupled to an actuating device which causes a movement of the first cantilever and of the second cantilever for moving the mold parts. The blow station may be mounted on a transport via a carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Josef Penninger, Christian Stoiber, Erik Blochmann, Thomas Philipp
  • Patent number: 8366437
    Abstract: A bracket for linking guide rods to a wheel of a vertical blow molding machine and a system for blow molding containers and a mechanism for opening and closing a pair of mold halves linked to the wheel of the vertical blow molding machine using the bracket, comprising a first portion and a second portion made of iron, a plurality of pivot apertures, and a plurality of guide rod apertures for receiving the guide rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ammon Heininger, Marshall M. Miller, Larry M. Taylor