Post-mold processing of preforms
AssigneeF&S Tool, Inc.
InventorRobert D. Sicilia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods are generally directed to cooling preforms in a receptacle having a controllable shape. As compared to cooling preforms in a receptacle having a fixed shape, the devices, systems, and method of the present disclosure may facilitate faster and more reliable post-processing of preforms. As an example, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may reduce the likelihood of transfer issues associated with moving a preform into the cavity while also facilitating faster cooling of the preform disposed in the receptacle.
Claims20
A cooling device for post-mold processing a preform, the cooling device comprising:
- a base defining a chamber;
- a receptacle disposed in the chamber, the receptacle including a first end section, a second end section, and a flexible section therebetween, the first end section defining a first opening, and the flexible section defining at least one portion of a cavity;
- and
- an actuator actuatable to change radial force on the flexible section of the receptacle and, in response to the change in radial force on the flexible section of the receptacle, the flexible section of the receptacle is elastically deformable between an expanded state out of contact with the preform and a compressed state into contact with the preform relative to a longitudinal axis transverse to the radial force and defined by the at least one portion of the cavity.
A cooling device for post-mold processing a preform, the cooling device comprising:
- a base defining a chamber;
- a receptacle disposed in the chamber, the receptacle including a first end section, a second end section, and a flexible section therebetween, the first end section defining a first opening, and the flexible section defining at least one portion of a cavity;
- and
- an actuator actuatable to change radial force on the flexible section of the receptacle and, in response to the change in radial force on the flexible section of the receptacle, the flexible section of the receptacle is elastically deformable between an expanded state and a compressed state relative to a longitudinal axis transverse to the radial force and defined by the at least one portion of the cavity,
- wherein the flexible section has a thickness of less than 25.4 microns.
A method of post-mold processing, the method comprising:
- inserting a body portion of a preform into a cavity defined by a receptacle disposed in a chamber defined by a base;
- compressing a flexible section of the receptacle into a compressed state in contact with the body portion of the preform in the cavity;
- cooling the body portion of the preform in contact with the flexible section of the receptacle in the compressed state;
- with the body portion of the preform cooled, expanding the flexible section of the receptacle to an expanded state away from contact with the body portion of the preform to define a clearance therebetween;
- and
- with the clearance defined between the flexible section of the receptacle and the body portion of the preform, removing the body portion of the preform from the cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.