US 6,471,907 B1 · Shuttle-type blow molding method and apparatus

Abstract

Shuttle blow molding apparatus having an extruder or a blow head for substantially continuously emitting a thermoplastic material in tubular or parison form at a moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis. A finite length of the thermoplastic material is grasped by a first mold set, which then moves downwardly with respect to the extruder or blow head to provide clearance for a second mold set to move to a position to grasp a second finite length of the emitted thermoplastic. The first mold set is then moved horizontally away to permit the emitted thermoplastic length therein to be blown into a hollow article, and thereafter removed from the first mold set that is permitted to return and engage an other finite length of the thermoplastic material. The second mold set follows the first mold set in a path of travel traced by the first mold set. A single in-mold labelling device can be provided to sequentially apply labels to the interior of the mold sets, while the mold sets are open, for application to the articles being blown in the mold sets.

Claims9

Dependent claims

Apparatus for blow molding containers having a hollow shape from a thermoplastic material, said apparatus comprising:

means for substantially continuously producing the hollow shape of the thermoplastic at an elevated, moldable temperature downwardly along a vertical axis;
a first mold set, said first mold set having first and second mold halves that open and close relative to each other to define, when closed, at least one first mold cavity;
a second mold set, said second mold set having a second set of mold halves that open and close relative to each other to define, when closed, at least one second mold cavity;
and
means for moving said first mold set and said second mold set, in sequence, in a vertical plane along a quadrilateral path to present each of said first mold set and said second mold set at a first position to engage, when open, a finite length of the thermoplastic material in each of said first mold set and said second mold set as said first mold set and said second mold set are moved along the quadrilateral path.

2 more elements

The method of blow molding containers from a thermoplastic material comprising:

substantially continuously extruding a thermoplastic material downwardly along a vertical axis;
engaging a first finite length of the thermoplastic material in a first mold set at a first elevation of the first mold set;
moving the first mold set downwardly;
engaging a second finite length of the extruded thermoplastic material in a second mold set at an elevation above the elevation of the first mold set;
moving the first mold set horizontally away from a position in alignment with the vertical axis;
moving the second mold set downwardly;
moving the first mold set upwardly and discharging blown articles from the first mold set;
moving the second mold set out of alignment with the extruded thermoplastic preform;
and
moving the first mold set back to engage a third finite length of the thermoplastic material at an elevation above the elevation of the second mold set;
wherein the second finite length of extruded thermoplastic material is engaged by the second mold set while the first finite length of extruded thermoplastic material is still engaged by the first mold set, and wherein the first finite length of extruded thermoplastic material is severed from the second finite length of extruded thermoplastic material by the moving of the first mold set horizontally away from the position in alignment with the vertical axis.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shuttle-type blow molding method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Shuttle-type blow molding method and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9