Apparatus and method for removing a molded article from a mold, and a molded article
OwnerWilliam Millerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Injection molding method, apparatus, and molded product, whereby a lifting structure and/or step is provided with a lifting portion which is configured to contact substantially one half of an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction. Since the molded plastic article is lifted by its end, the article does not have to be solidified at its interior, thus allowing earlier removal of the article from the mold, reducing cycle time. Preferably, the neck ring engages only an outer circumferential portion of the molded plastic article during a majority of a mold opening stroke. Also preferably, a core-facing surface of the lifting structure forms a vent gap with the core, when in a mold-closed position.
Claims19
Apparatus for ejecting a molded plastic article from a molding structure, comprising:
- a neck ring lifting structure having:
- a first portion configured to contact a side portion of a molded plastic article;
- and
- a second portion configured to contact an end of the molded plastic article along a line substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction, said second portion being configured so as to not contact an inner circumferential portion of the end of the molded plastic article, said second portion being configured to provide a vent between said second portion and the molding structure, when in a mold-closed position.
An injection molding machine, comprising:
- a mold cavity configured to receive a molten material and form it into a molded article;
- a mold core configured to engage the molded article;
- and
- neck ring ejecting structure configured to eject the molded article from said mold core by applying a compressive force to an end of the molded article, said neck ring structure being configured to (i) grip a lid engagement mechanism in a neck area of the molded article, and (ii) contact substantially one half of an outer circumferential portion of a sealing portion of the molded article throughout a majority of an opening stroke, said neck ring ejecting structure having (i) a lifting surface disposed substantially perpendicular to a lifting direction, and (ii) a core-facing surface disposed substantially parallel to the lifting direction, said core-facing surface providing a vent gap between said core-facing surface and said core.
A method for ejecting a molded plastic preform from a molding structure with a neck ring structure, comprising the steps of:
- engaging a threaded portion on a circular neck portion of the molded plastic preform with the neck ring structure;
- contacting substantially fifty percent of an end portion of a circular neck portion of the molded plastic preform with a neck ring lifting surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the ejecting direction;
- providing a vent air gap between a mold core and a core-facing surface of the neck ring structure in a mold-closed position;
- and
- applying a compressive force to the end portion of the neck portion of the molded plastic preform throughout a majority of an opening stroke to eject the molded plastic preform from the molding structure.
A molded plastic preform, comprising:
- a tubular body having a closed end, an open end, and a longitudinal axis;
- a threaded neck portion adjacent said open end;
- a sealing surface disposed at said open end and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said sealing surface having a dominant sealing surface and a subordinate sealing surface which are offset from each other in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the dominant sealing surface having a protrusion extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis through the open end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.