US 6,649,120 B1 · Blow molding apparatus and method

Abstract

A blow molding apparatus (10) including four molds (21, 22, 23, 24) that move into a common parison receiving position (26) from directions different from the directions that the molds move out of the parison receiving position (26). When in the parison receiving position (26), each mold receives, encloses and severs a length of parison then shapes the parison during blow molding. Two molds (21, 22) alternately move in respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) from the parison receiving position (26) to respective first and second outer positions (38, 39), to a common article take-out position (45) and then back to the parison receiving position (26) from a third radial direction (96). The third radial direction is angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions. Two additional blow molds (23, 24) alternately move from the parison receiving position (26) in the respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) to the respective outer positions (38, 39), to a common article take-out position (46) and then back to the parison receiving position (26) from a fourth radial direction (98). The fourth radial direction is angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions and is generally opposite the third radial direction (96).

Claims18

Dependent claims

A blow molding apparatus (10) for blow molding hollow articles, the apparatus (10) comprising:

a parison extruder (12) configured to extrude a tubular parison along an extrusion axis (16);
first and second blow molds (21, 22) supported for movement into a parison receiving position (26) aligned with the extrusion axis (16) and for movement out of the parison receiving position (26) in respective first and second radial directions (36, 40), each blow mold being configured to receive a length of parison extending from the parison extruder (12) when in the parison receiving position (26), to enclose and sever the length of parison, to contain and shape the parison during blow molding and to release the blown article in an article take-out position (45, 46);
a drive (60) configured to alternately move the first and second blow molds (21, 22) into the parison receiving position (26), from the parison receiving position (26) in the respective first and second radial directions (36, 40) and back to the parison receiving position (26);
at least one of the first and second blow molds (21, 22) being supported for movement into the parison receiving position (26) from a third radial direction (96) angularly spaced between the first and second radial directions (36, 40).

1 more element

A method for blow molding hollow articles, the method including the steps of:

providing a blow molding apparatus (10) including a parison extruder (12) and first and second blow molds (21, 22), each blow mold being configured to contain and shape lengths of parison during blow molding and to release resulting blown articles in an article take-out position (45), and a drive (60) configured to alternately move the first and second blow molds (21, 22) between the parison receiving position (26) and the article take-out position (45);
causing the first blow mold (21) to receive a first length of parison from the extruder (12) while the first blow mold (21) is in the parison receiving position (26);
actuating the drive (60) to move the first blow mold (21) out of the parison receiving position (26) in a first radial direction (36);
actuating the drive (60) to move the first blow mold (21) to the article take-out position (45, 46);
causing the first blow mold (21) to release a blown article formed from the first length of parison;
actuating the drive (60) to move the second blow mold (22) to the parison receiving position (26) in a third radial direction (96) angularly spaced from the first radial direction (36) after the first blow mold (21) has moved out of the parison receiving position (26);
causing the second blow mold (22) to receive a second length of parison from the extruder (12);
actuating the drive (60) to move the second blow mold (22) out of the parison receiving position (26) in a second radial direction (40) angularly spaced from the first and third radial directions (36, 96);
actuating the drive (60) to move the second blow mold (22) to the article take-out position (45);
causing the second blow mold (22) to release a blown article formed from the second length of parison;
actuating the drive (60) to move the first blow mold (21) back into the parison receiving position (26) after the second blow mold (22) has moved out of the parison receiving position (26).

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Blow molding apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Blow molding apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18