Injection perform transfer improvement
AssigneeGraham Packaging Company, L.P.
InventorRobert Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A take-off tube assembly for transferring a preform and methods of use are discussed. The assembly has walls defining a receptacle, and the receptacle has an open end with a cross sectional area. A preform guide is located along the walls of the receptacle, the preform guide having an open end with a cross sectional area smaller than the cross sectional area of the receptacle. A vacuum inlet is also be present, allowing connection of the assembly to a vacuum so that a vacuum draw can facilitate transfer of the preform to the take-off tube.
Claims25
A take-off tube assembly comprising:
- a. walls defining a receptacle, said receptacle having an open end with a cross-sectional area;
- b. a preform guide located along the walls of the receptacle, said preform guide having an opening defining a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area defined by the open end of the receptacle;
- and
- c. a vacuum inlet.
A method for transferring a preform to a take-off tube assembly comprising:
- a. providing a take-off tube assembly having:
- i. a receptacle;
- ii. a preform guide at an open end of said receptacle, thereby reducing the distance between the open end of the receptacle and the preform;
- and
- b. applying a vacuum to said take off tube assembly, said vacuum facilitating transfer of the preform to the receptacle.
An apparatus for manufacturing plastic containers comprising:
- a. a take-off tube assembly comprising:
- i. walls defining a receptacle,
- ii. the receptacle having an open end defining a cross-sectional area;
- iii. a preform guide located along the walls of the receptacle, said preform guide defining a smaller cross-sectional area within the cross-sectional area defined by the open end of the receptacle;
- thus reducing the effective area of the open end,
- iv. a vacuum inlet;
- and
- b. a preform.
A method for transferring a preform to a take-off tube assembly comprising:
- a. providing a preform;
- b. providing a take-off tube assembly having:
- i. walls defining a receptacle;
- ii. a preform guide at an open end of said receptacle, thereby reducing the distance between the open end of the receptacle and the preform;
- and
- c. applying a vacuum to said take-off tube assembly for transferring the preform to the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.