Preform transfer mechanism
AssigneeB & G Machinery Company
InventorKevin J. Swiderski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preform transfer mechanism for transferring preforms from an oven to a mold station includes a support frame, a slide block mounted on the support frame and an elongated transfer bar fixed to the slide block. At least two sets of jaw assemblies are positioned on the transfer bar. A jaw actuating rod engages the jaw assemblies to open and close them. An overtravel plunger carried by the rod permits independent closing of each jaw assembly to accommodate different diameter preforms. A set of preform locators or baskets are mounted on the support frame for receipt of heated preforms from the oven.
Claims20
A preform transfer mechanism for receiving preforms, transferring the preforms to a blow mold station and for removing the formed product from the mold station, said mechanism comprising:
- a support frame including a guide rod;
- a slide block slidably mounted on said guide rod of said support frame;
- an elongated transfer bar fixed to said slide block for reciprocating movement therewith;
- a plurality of jaw assemblies on said elongated transfer bar for gripping the preforms;
- jaw actuating means connected to said jaw assemblies for opening and closing said jaw assemblies;
- preform receiving means on said support frame for receiving preforms from an oven or the like and holding the preforms in a fixed position relative to said slide block until such are engaged by said jaw assemblies;
- and
- drive means operatively connected to said transfer bar for reciprocating said slide block and said bar on said support frame, said preform receiving means comprising:
- an elongated support bar fixedly mounted on said support frame in spaced, parallel relationship to said guide rod;
- a plurality of basket sets on said support bar, each basket set including a pair of curved, partially cylindrical basket halves and arm means for pivotally supporting said halves to said support bar;
- and
- basket actuating means operatively connected to said arm means for moving said basket halves from an open position to a closed position at which the basket halves encircle and support a preform.
A preform gripping assembly for engaging and supporting a generally cylindrical preform, said assembly comprising:
- a jaw support;
- a pair of jaws pivoted to said support for closing and opening movement towards and away from each other;
- an actuating rod engaging one of said jaws;
- actuating means connected to said rod for reciprocating said rod to move said one of said jaws towards and away from the other of said jaws, said one of said jaws including a roller secured thereto;
- and
- preform size compensating means carried by said rod and engaging said one of said jaws for permitting said jaw to close properly around different size preforms, said size compensating means and said actuating rod defining a slot for receiving said roller and wherein said size compensating means comprises:
- a housing carried by said actuating rod;
- a plunger slidably received in and extending from said housing;
- and
- resilient means within said housing and engaging said plunger, said plunger engaging said roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.