US 11,040,475 B2 · Vertically added processing for blow molding machine

Abstract

A vertical additive processing system for use with a blow molding machine having a flow head from which a plastic parison is delivered to a mold and producing an article. The system has a servo-controlled accumulation technology (SCAT) unit including (a) an accumulator collecting plastic material when retracted and delivering plastic material when extended, and (b) an actuator directing the accumulator to retract and extend. The system further has a tooling unit including a bushing body adapted to engage the flow head, a distribution ring, a bushing cap, a central aperture defining a main parison flow path, and a distribution channel delivering additional plastic material received from the accumulator to the main parison flow path. The system still further has a material duct connecting the two units through which plastic material delivered by the SCAT unit is transported to and received by the tooling unit.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A blow molding machine for producing an article from a plastic parison, the machine comprising:

a first flow path connected to a first material source to deliver a first flow of material to a mold;
a second flow path connected to a second material source to deliver a second flow of material to the mold;
a tooling unit positioned between the second flow path and the mold, the tooling unit having a distribution ring with at least one channel configured to allow the second flow of material to enter the mold, an aperture with a circumference configured to allow the first flow of material to enter the mold, a top plane with an exit in the top plane defined by the circumference of the aperture, and a height between the top plane and the at least one channel in the range of about 4-60 mm, wherein the height increases the velocity and pressure differentials at the exit which in turn increase the thickness of the parison at the location of the increased pressure and velocity;
and
a means for selectively controlling the flow of the second flow of material to the mold.

2 more elements

A blow molding machine for producing an article from a plastic parison, the machine comprising:

a first flow path connected to a first material source to deliver a first flow of material to a mold;
a second flow path connected to a second material source to deliver a second flow of material to the mold;
a tooling unit positioned between the second flow path and the mold, the tooling unit defining an aperture with a circumference configured to allow the first flow of material to enter the mold and having a distribution ring with at least one channel configured to allow the second flow of material to enter the mold, a top plane with an exit in the top plane defined by the circumference of the aperture, a height between the top plane and the at least one channel in the range of about 4-60 mm, wherein the height increases the velocity and pressure differentials at the exit which in turn increase the thickness of the parison at the location of the increased pressure and velocity, a bushing body adapted to engage a flow head, and a bushing cap with the distribution ring mounted between the bushing body and the bushing cap;
a means for selectively controlling the flow of the second flow of material to the mold, the means including a servo-controlled accumulation technology (or SCAT) unit;
and
a control system directing the means for selectively controlling the flow of the second flow of material to the mold.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vertically added processing for blow molding machine

Life of this patent

Vertically added processing for blow molding machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20