# US 7,607,909 B2 · Compression moulding apparatus, methods and item > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,909 B2 - Document ID: US7607909B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/576,870 - Filed: 2004-10-22 - Published: 2007-03-29 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-10-23 - Assignees: Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa' Cooperativa - Inventors: Stefano Bergami; Paolo Martelli; Fabrizio Pucci - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607909B2 ## CPC - B29C 43/34: Feeding the material to the mould or the compression means {(B29C43/085 takes precedence)} - B29C 31/048: {the material being severed at the dispensing head exit, e.g. as ring, drop or gob, and transported immediately into the mould, e.g. by gravity} - B29C 43/08: with circular movement {, e.g. mounted on rolls, turntables} - B30B 15/302: {Feeding material in particulate or plastic state to moulding presses} - B29C 31/065: {using volumetric measuring chambers moving between a charging station and a discharge station} - B29C 43/146: {for making multilayered articles} - B29C 2043/3433: {using dispensing heads, e.g. extruders, placed over or apart from the moulds} - B29L 2031/565: {for containers} - Y10T 428/31504: Composite [nonstructural laminate] - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)} - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus comprises a moulding unit having a punch and a mould cavity movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said mould cavity are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said mould cavity interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept not above said cavity along said path. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus, comprising a moulding unit having a punch and a cavity mould movable along a path between an open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said cavity mould are aligned and interact to form an item by pressing said dose, said punch being kept at a height which is not greater than the height of said cavity mould along said path, the apparatus further comprising a supporting arrangement for supporting said dose, said supporting arrangement extending externally of said cavity mould for supporting said dose between said punch and said cavity mould in said open position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said punch is placed under said cavity mould. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said punch and said cavity mould are placed on a common horizontal plane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cavity mould is movable between said closed position and said open position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said punch is movable between said closed position and said open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moulding unit is mounted on a rotating carousel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement is driven by a cam arrangement. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said supporting arrangement is driven by a cam arrangement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cam arrangement is fixed to said punch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cam arrangement is fixed to said cavity mould. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said cam arrangement is fixed to said carousel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises a pair of rods connected to a respective pair of levers hinged at a base body, each lever of said pair of levers being connected to the other lever of said pair of levers by a connection rod. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement can be oscillated by a gear device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises a supporting member which is movable between a dose-receiving configuration in which said supporting member is so arranged as to retain said dose and a dose-delivering configuration in which said supporting member is so arranged as to deliver said dose to said moulding unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises a supporting member which is movable between a dose-receiving configuration in which said supporting member is so arranged as to retain said dose and a dose-delivering configuration in which said supporting member is so arranged as to deliver said dose to said moulding unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said cam arrangement has a first portion for driving said supporting member and a further supporting member in said dose-receiving configuration and a second portion for driving said supporting member and said further supporting member in a dose-pinching configuration in which said dose is pinched between said supporting member and said further supporting member, said second portion being adjacent to said first portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said supporting member can be oscillated parallelly to an axis along which said punch and said cavity mould are movable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said supporting member is made from porous material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said supporting member comprises a tubular supporting member having holes through which a fluid can be injected toward said dose. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said supporting member is made from thermally substantially non-conductive material. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) Apparatus according claim 15, wherein said supporting member is substantially L-shaped. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said supporting member is coated by a substantially non stick material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement is mounted on said punch. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) Apparatus according claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement is mounted on said cavity mould. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting arrangement is actuated along said path independently of said cavity mould and/or said punch. ### Claim 26 (depends on 8) Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said supporting arrangement is mounted on said carousel. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a dose-delivering mouth of an extruder interposed between said punch and said cavity mould in said open position. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein a severing arrangement co-operates with said dose-delivering mouth (so as to sever said dose from said extruder. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said severing arrangement is mounted on said moulding unit. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said severing arrangement is rotatable around a respective axis. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said severing arrangement is driven by an independent motor unit. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) Apparatus according to claim 25, and further comprising a dose-delivering mouth of an extruder interposed between said punch and said cavity mould in said open position. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said severing arrangement is provided with a blade connected to said supporting member. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) Apparatus according claim 28, wherein said severing arrangement is provided with a knife mounted on said punch or on said cavity mould. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in said open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other a plurality of doses of plastics is placed between said punch and said cavity mould, so as to interact when said punch and said cavity mould are brought in said closed position. ### Claim 36 Apparatus, comprising a moulding unit having a punch and a cavity mould movable along an axis between an open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said cavity mould interact to form an item by pressing said dose, a supporting arrangement for supporting said dose between said punch and said cavity mould, said supporting arrangement comprising a supporting member of porous material. ### Claim 37 Apparatus, comprising a moulding unit having a punch and a cavity mould movable along an axis between an open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said cavity mould interact to form an item by pressing said dose, a supporting arrangement for supporting said dose between said punch and said cavity mould, said supporting arrangement comprising a tubular supporting member having holes through which air can be injected toward said dose. ### Claim 38 Apparatus, comprising a moulding unit having a punch and a cavity mould movable between an open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other to receive a dose of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said cavity mould interact to form an item by pressing said dose, a dose-delivering mouth of an extruder being interposed between said punch and said cavity mould in said open position. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein a severing arrangement co-operates with said dose-delivering mouth so as to sever said dose from said extruder. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said severing arrangement is mounted on said moulding unit. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said severing arrangement is rotatable around a respective axis. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said severing arrangement is driven by an independent motor unit. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said severing arrangement is provided with a blade connected to a supporting member of a supporting arrangement for supporting said dose between said punch and said cavity mould. ### Claim 44 (depends on 39) Apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said severing arrangement is provided with a knife mounted on said punch or on said cavity mould. ### Claim 45 Apparatus, comprising a moulding unit having a punch and a cavity mould movable between an open position in which said punch and said cavity mould are distanced apart from each other and receive a plurality of doses of plastics therebetween, and a closed position in which said punch and said cavity mould interact to form an item by pressing said plurality of doses. ### Claim 46 Apparatus, comprising a pair of rods for supporting a dose of plastics between a punch and a cavity mould, said pair of rods being actuatable by a cam arrangement having a first portion for driving said rods in a dose-receiving position in which said dose is received above said rods and a second portion for driving said rods in a dose-pinching position in which said dose is pinched between said rods, said second portion being adjacent to said first portion. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said first portion and said second portion are arranged in sequence along a direction, said punch and/or said cavity mould being movable along said direction to open or close said moulding unit. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said cam arrangement comprises a third portion for driving said pair of rods in a dose-delivering position in which said dose is delivered between said punch and said cavity mould. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) Apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said first portion, said second portion and said third portion are arranged in sequence along said direction. ### Claim 50 (depends on 45) Apparatus according to claim 45, comprising a supporting arrangement for supporting said plurality of doses between said punch and said cavity mould in said open position. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises a pair of rods for supporting said plurality of doses. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) Apparatus according to claim 51, wherein each of said pair of rods is provided with two adjacent curved portions for receiving said plurality of doses therebetween. ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) Apparatus according to claim 51, wherein each of said pair of rods is provided with two supporting plates protruding towards corresponding supporting plates fixed to the other rod. ### Claim 54 (depends on 50) Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises a supporting member made of a porous material or with holes oriented towards said doses to inject a fluid thereagainst. ### Claim 55 (depends on 50) Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said supporting arrangement comprises two pairs of rods which can be opened to release said doses.