Method and Apparatus for Blow Molding Aseptic Containers
AssigneeMilacron LLC
InventorA. Maddox
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for blow molding and sealing an aseptic container. A pair of mold halves, including inner surfaces that when closed define a mold cavity, clamp about an extruded parison. The parison is inflated by high pressure blow air into conformity with the shape of the mold cavity. An evacuation device applies a force to an exterior portion of the blow molded container causing the portion to deform or flex inwardly, thereby reducing the internal volume and evacuating air from the blow molded container. A sealing tool thereafter causes the blow molded container to be sealed while the container is in the reduced volume condition. Upon removal from the mold assembly and cooling, the container returns to the desired shape.
Claims24
An apparatus for blow molding sealed aseptic containers, said apparatus comprising:
- a pair of mating mold halves including inner surfaces that when closed define a mold cavity;
- a first source of pressurized air connected to provide blow air to an interior of an extruded parison located within the cavity, whereby the parison is inflated by the blow air to form a blow molded container conforming to the shape of the cavity;
- an evacuation device configured to apply pressure to the exterior of the blow molded container to deform the blow molded container into a reduced internal volume condition;
- and
- a sealing tool being movable between a first position and a second position, the sealing tool being moveable into the second position while the blow molded container is in the reduced internal volume condition thereby sealing the blow molded container.
A method of blow molding a sealed aseptic container comprising the steps of:
- introducing a molten parison between a pair of open mold halves having cavity surfaces cooperating to define the shape of a container;
- closing the mold halves to capture the parison in a mold cavity formed thereby;
- supplying pressurized sterile blow air into the interior of the captured parison to expand the walls of the captured parison against the inner surfaces of the mold cavity thereby forming a blow molded container of a first volume in the shape of the mold cavity;
- reducing the pressure within the blow molded container;
- applying a force to the exterior of the blow molded container to deform the blow molded container into a reduced internal volume condition;
- and
- sealing the blow molded container while the blow molded container is in the reduced internal volume condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.