Molding apparatus

Molding apparatus for blow-molding an article curved in three dimensions, comprising

• a base,
• two mold parts mounted on the base to be slidable in generally horizontal directions towards and away from each other between an open position in which they are separated and a closed position in which they are in contact with each other and together define a mold cavity in three dimensions to match the shape of the article,
• the mold cavity having upper and lower ends at least the upper of which is open,
• actuator means operative to move the mold parts into the closed position,
• cover means positioned above the two mold parts and defining therewith an enclosure in communication with the mold cavity through the upper end thereof,
• an extrusion head mounted above the upper end of the mold cavity and extending at least partially into the enclosure defined by the cover means for extruding a parison of synthetic resin material into the mold cavity through the upper end and towards the lower end,
• first air flow means for passing a first flow of air into the enclosure defined by the cover means from outside thereof, said first flow passing through the cavity from the upper end to the lower end and between the outside of the parison and the mold cavity to facilitate the movement of the parison into the mold cavity,
• second air flow means for passing a second flow of air into the interior of the parison to minimise distortion of the parison during said movement of the parison,
• blow-molding means operative to blow-mold the parison in the mold cavity after stopping of the first and second flows of air whereby to produce the said article,
• closure means operative independently of movement of the mold parts to maintain the open end of the mold cavity closed during operation of the blow-molding means, and
• actuator means for moving the mold parts into the open position to enable removal of the molded article.