Method and apparatus for making a blow molded article with integral insert
AssigneeClack Corporation
InventorRobert A. Clack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mold assembly includes a collapsible mount for releasably holding an insert within a mold cavity of the assembly in order to integrally form the insert with a molded article such as a tank liner. The collapsible mount includes a number of fingers secured to the mount and capable of being inserted through and expanded to engage the insert. The fingers are expanded after insertion through the insert by a core engageable with the fingers in order to securely hold the insert in position on the fingers of the mount and within the mold cavity. After formation of the article around the insert, the core can be disengaged from the fingers, which then move to a collapsed position such that the mount can be quickly withdrawn from within the insert and the mold cavity.
Claims13
A method for forming a plastic article with an integral insert, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a mold assembly including a mold cavity and a radially collapsible mount;
- b) engaging the insert with the collapsible mount by radially expanding the collapsible mount against the insert;
- c) holding the insert and the collapsible mount at least partially within the mold cavity;
- and
- d) while the collapsible mount is radially expanded against the insert, blow molding a plastic article within the mold cavity and around the insert.
A method for forming a plastic tank liner with an integral insert, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a mold assembly including a mold cavity, and a radially collapsible mount that is removably insertable into the mold cavity, the radially collapsible mount including a plurality of fingers flexibly mounted within a hollow interior of the mount;
- b) inserting the fingers into a hollow interior of the insert;
- c) driving the fingers to flex outwardly relative to a radial centerline of the base to engage the insert and hold the insert from moving radially or axially relative to the mount;
- d) placing the insert and the collapsible mount at least partially within the mold cavity;
- e) while the collapsible mount is radially expanded against the insert, forming a tank liner within the mold cavity and around the insert;
- then
- f) flexing the fingers radially inwardly relative to the radial centerline of the mount to collapse the mount;
- and
- g) removing the mount from the insert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.