Blow molding process and apparatus
AssigneeTi Automotive Technology Center GmbH
InventorsAlbert J. Boecker, Andreas W. Dobmaier, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In at least some implementations, a blow molding process provides that portions of the parison are engaged by one or more clamping devices disposed on or adjacent to the blow mold parts, and that the blow mold is opened whereby the parison is torn apart between the clamping devices, into two or more pieces of the parison. In other implementations, the clamping devices may be moved relative to the blow mold to tear the parison, or the parison may be torn by a combined movement of the blow mold parts and clamping devices.
Claims19
A blow molding process for making a hollow body, in particular a fuel tank, comprising the following steps:
- placing a parison between parts of a blow mold;
- at least partially closing the blow mold whereby the end regions of the parison are closed in a gas tight manner;
- subjecting the interior space of the parison with a pressure medium whereby the parison is at least partially pressed against the blow mold parts and the hollow body is preformed;
- engaging portions of the parison with clamping devices, the clamping devices being associated with the blow mold parts;
- moving one or both of the blow mold parts relative to each other or moving at least one clamping device relative to the blow mold parts whereby the parison is torn between the clamping devices;
- and
- placing at least one object between the torn apart pieces of the parison.
A blow molding process for making a fuel tank, comprising the following steps:
- placing a parison between parts of a blow mold;
- at least partially closing the blow mold whereby the end regions of the parison are closed in a gas tight manner;
- subjecting the interior space of the parison with a pressure medium whereby the parison is at least partially pressed against the blow mold parts and the hollow body is preformed;
- engaging portions of the parison with clamping devices, the clamping devices being associated with the blow mold parts;
- moving one or both of the blow mold parts relative to each other or moving at least one clamping device relative to the blow mold parts whereby the parison is torn between the clamping devices;
- placing at least one fuel system component or a carrier for at least one fuel system component between the torn apart pieces of the parison;
- placing the torn apart pieces of the parison against the parts of the blow mold and evacuating the space between the half-pieces and the parts of the blow mold or subjecting an interior space of the parison to a pressure medium while the blow mold is closed, in order to perform a forming of the pieces of the parison which corresponds to the final shape of the hollow body;
- and
- fusing opposing edge regions of the formed pieces of the parison to each other, which regions are still molten-hot or which have been reheated, by moving the blow mold parts against each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.