Method for localized preform cooling outside the mold
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorsFaisal Oueslati, Tiemo Brand, Witold Neter
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing targeted cooling to a pre-molded article, such as a preform. A cooling pin is inserted into the preform such that it makes contact with targeted area, such as the mold gate area. This permits conductive cooling of the targeted area. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to post-mold cooling in conjunction with a robotic take-out plate.
Claims11
A method for providing localized cooling to a partially cooled molded article, comprising the steps of:
- (i) removing a partially cooled article from a mold;
- (ii) placing said partially cooled article in a cooling holder;
- (iii) outside the mold, placing a conductive cooling device disposed apart from said mold on a targeted area on an interior surface of the article, the targeted area comprising less than the entire interior surface of the article;
- and
- (iv) conductively cooling the targeted area.
A method for cooling an injection-molded plastic preform after it is removed from a mold, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cooling pin disposed apart from said mold, said cooling pin having an enlarged head for cooling a head portion of said plastic preform;
- removing said plastic preform from said mold;
- placing said plastic preform in a cooling receptacle;
- placing said cooling pin inside said plastic preform;
- circulating a cooling medium through at least one interior passage inside said cooling pin;
- and
- cooling said plastic preform head portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.