Apparatus and method for molding a container and including a vibrating knife assembly

In an apparatus for molding a container from an extruded length of parison, said apparatus having an extruder with at least one extruder head from which a length of parison is extruded, a mold assembly for closing around the extruded length of parison to mold the container, the improvement comprising a vibrating knife movably mounted between the extruder head and the mold assembly, and having a blade positioned below the extruder head so as to traverse the path of extruded parison when the knife is moved from one side of the extruder head into contact with the extruded length of parison to sever the extruded length of parison a carriage assembly for said vibrating knife including:

• a support bracket mounted to said apparatus;
• an actuator assembly mounted to said bracket including an actuator and an actuator slide movable longitudinally relative to said actuator;
• a hanger bracket mounted to and extending downwardly from said actuator slide, said vibrating knife being movably mounted to said hanger bracket for reciprocating movement in response to the longitudinal movement of said actuator slide relative to said actuator between a retracted position on one side of the extruder head and an extended position wherein said blade of said vibrating knife traverses the path of extruded parison to sever the extruded length of parison;
• said vibrating knife is an ultrasonic knife and includes a booster and an ultrasonic generator, said carriage assembly further including spaced apart clamps surrounding said booster and said ultrasonic generator respectively and secured to said hanger bracket.