Highly accurate position adjustment mechanism for the mold sections of an injection stretch blow molding machine

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to the field of injection stretch blow molding machines and, more particularly, to a mechanism for accurately adjusting the position of the blow mold sections on such a machine.

#2. Discussion of the Prior Art

#The preferred embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a sectional view, taken along a vertical plane, of a stretch blow molding machine, illustrating a mold section carrier assembly constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the machine, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

#The blow station of an injection stretch blow molding machine is illustrated in FIG. 2, and broadly includes a frame 10 supported on a base 12. A rotation plate assembly 14 is supported for movement relative to the frame for carrying one or more preforms 16 to the blow station, and to remove molded products such as bottles therefrom.

#The machine also includes a pair of platens 18 supported above the base for reciprocating horizontal movement between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, and an open position in which the platens are moved apart from one another. Preferably, a fluid actuated cylinder assembly is provided for each platen for carrying out this platen movement. Further, the base defines an upper support surface which guides the platens during movement toward and away from one another.

#A mold section 20 is supported on each platen by a carrier assembly 22, and these sections are brought together in the closed position of the platens to define a cavity surrounding the preform. An adjustment means 24 is provided for each carrier assembly for adjusting the position of each mold section relative to the corresponding platen within a plane transverse to the support surface.