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US 7,578,959 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for creating a blow molded case
AssigneeCustom-Pak, Inc.
InventorsClay Bahnsen, Michael L. Grinnall, Daniel E. Koranda, James W. Wiese
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for blow molding a case for housing an object, such as a tool, is disclosed generally comprising first and second mold portions located adjacent each other to create separate cavities for forming base and lid portions of a case and a punch for each portion corresponding to the outline of an object. In certain embodiments, the punch protrudes into the cavity during blow molding to create a sidewall to facilitate a press fit. In some embodiments, additional punches and/or recesses are provided to produce additional apertures or flanges in the walls of the tool case.
Claims46
An apparatus for creating a blow-molded case for housing an object, comprising:
- a mold comprising first and second mold portions that, when located adjacent each other, have first and second mold surfaces at least partially defining first and second cavities, the cavities having first and second cavity surfaces, respectively, against which first and second walls of the blow-molded case are blown, respectively, during blow molding;
- a first punch having a punching surface at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, wherein, when said first punch is in an unactivated position, the first cavity surface includes the first mold surface and at least part of said first punch and, when said first punch is in an activated position, at least part of said first punch is extended past the first wall of the blow-molded case and inside the first cavity such that a first hole, at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, is created in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- and
- a second punch, wherein, when said second punch is in an unactivated position, the second cavity surface includes the second mold surface and at least part of said second punch and, when said second punch is in an activated position, at least part of said second punch is extended past the second wall of the blow-molded case and inside the second cavity such that a second hole is created in the second wall of the blow-molded case.
1 more element
An apparatus for creating a blow-molded case for housing an object, comprising;
- a mold comprising first and second mold portions that, when located adjacent each other, have first and second mold surfaces at least partially defining first and second cavities, the cavities having first and second cavity surfaces, respectively, against which first and second walls of the blow-molded case are blown, respectively, during blow molding;
- a first punch having a punching surface at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, wherein, when said first punch is in an unactivated position, the first cavity surface includes the first mold surface and at least part of said first punch and, when said first punch is in an activated position, at least part of said first punch is extended past the first wall of the blow-molded case and inside the first cavity such that a first hole, at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, is created in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- and
- an additional punch, wherein, when said additional punch is in an unactivated position, the first cavity surface includes at least part of said additional punch and, when said additional punch is in an activated position, said additional punch extends out beyond the first mold surface to a greater extent than when in the unactivated position such that an aperture is created in the first wall.
1 more element
A method for creating a blow-molded object case for housing an object, the method comprising:
- providing a mold having first and second mold portions;
- providing a first punch, wherein said first punch has a punching surface at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object;
- moving the first mold portion adjacent to the second mold portion, thereby at least partially enclosing first and second cavities having first and second cavity surfaces, respectively;
- blowing a first wall of the blow-molded case against the first cavity surface and a second wall of the blow-molded case against the second cavity surface;
- extending at least part of the first punch through the first wall of the blow-molded case and into the first cavity, thereby creating a first hole in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- providing a second punch;
- and
- extending at least part of the second punch through the second wall of the blow-molded case and into the second cavity, thereby creating a second hole in the second wall of the blow-molded case.
5 more elements
A method for creating a blow-molded object case for housing an object, the method comprising:
- providing a mold having first and second mold portions;
- providing a first punch, wherein said first punch has a punching surface at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object;
- moving the first mold portion adjacent to the second mold portion, thereby at least partially enclosing first and second cavities having first and second cavity surfaces, respectively, wherein the first mold portion has a first mold surface at least partially defining the first cavity;
- blowing a first wall of the blow-molded case against the first cavity surface and a second wall of the blow-molded case against the second cavity surface;
- extending at least part of the first punch through the first wall of the blow-molded case and into the first cavity, thereby creating a first hole in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- providing an additional punch in an unactivated position;
- and
- extending the additional punch out beyond the first mold surface to a greater extent than when in the unactivated position, thereby creating an aperture in the first wall.
5 more elements
A method for creating a blow-molded case for housing an object, the method comprising:
- moving a first mold portion adjacent to a second mold portion, thereby creating first and second cavities;
- blowing first and second walls of the blow-molded case against the first and second cavities, respectively;
- punching a hole, at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- and
- punching a hole in the second wall of the blow-molded case.
2 more elements
A method for
- creating a blow-molded case for housing an object, the method comprising:
- moving a first mold portion adjacent to a second mold portion, thereby creating first and second cavities;
- blowing first and second walls of the blow-molded case against the first and second cavities, respectively;
- punching a hole, at least part of which corresponds to at least part of the outline of the object, in the first wall of the blow-molded case;
- and
- punching an aperture in the first wall adapted to receive an accessory of the object.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.