US3632267A — Apparatus for making hollow articles of thermopla…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 375 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate; said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to said second mounting plate, G. means for rotating said mounting member through said connecting means with respect to said mounting plates, H. means for moving said mounting member with said second mounting plate in unison during an initial displacement of said mounting member away from said first mounting plate, and I. means for stopping said mounting member after said initial displacement while said second mounting plate continues its movement away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 375 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate; said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to said second mounting plate, G. means for rotating said mounting member through said connecting means with respect to said mounting plates, H. means for moving said mounting member with said second mounting plate in unison during an initial displacement of said mounting member away from said first mounting plate, and I. means for stopping said mounting member after said initial displacement while said second mounting plate continues its movement away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

An improvement as defined in claim 1, wherein said means defined in (F) and (I) include a part affixed to said mounting member and slidably held in said second mounting plate, said part having an end adapted to abut against said machine frame to cause said mounting member to stop as said second mounting plate, together with said part, is moved away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 358 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate, said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to said first mounting plate, G. means for rotating said mounting member through said connecting means with respect to said mounting plates, and H. means for moving said mounting member away from said first mounting plate in the direction of said second mounting plate subsequent to an initial movement of the latter directed away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 358 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate, said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to said first mounting plate, G. means for rotating said mounting member through said connecting means with respect to said mounting plates, and H. means for moving said mounting member away from said first mounting plate in the direction of said second mounting plate subsequent to an initial movement of the latter directed away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 90 words

An improvement as defined in claim 3, wherein said means defined in (F) and (H) include a part affixed to said mounting member and slidably held in said first mounting plate, said part having an end adapted to abut against an element forming part of the means defined in (D) and moving in unison with said second mounting plate to cause said mounting member to move with respect to said first mounting plate subsequent to an initial movement of said second mounting plate directed away from said first mounting plate.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 350 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate and formed of two plate parts; a second, complemental half of each injection mold being fixedly secured to one of the plate parts; a second complemental half of each blow mold being fixedly secured to the other of said plate parts; said plate parts movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, said last-named means having two separate power means, one associated with each of said plate parts to effect movement thereof, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, and F. means for rotating and axially displacing said mounting member and securing the latter to one of said mounting plates.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 350 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate and formed of two plate parts; a second, complemental half of each injection mold being fixedly secured to one of the plate parts; a second complemental half of each blow mold being fixedly secured to the other of said plate parts; said plate parts movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, said last-named means having two separate power means, one associated with each of said plate parts to effect movement thereof, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, and F. means for rotating and axially displacing said mounting member and securing the latter to one of said mounting plates.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

An improvement as defined in claim 5, including A. a plurality of spars, one connected to each said power means and a plate part and B. channel means extending longitudinally inside said spars for carrying a fluid therein.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

An improvement as defined in claim 6, including connecting lines leading from said channel means to said molds to change the temperature of the latter by said fluid flowing through said lines from said channel means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 351 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate; said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to one of said mounting plates, and G. a stepdown means operatively connecting said second mounting plate with said mounting member to cause a displacement of said mounting member simultaneously and unidirectionally with the motion of said second mounting plate and with a rate of displacement less than that of the latter.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 351 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a machine frame, B. a first mounting plate affixed to said machine frame and stationary relative thereto; a first half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said first mounting plate, C. a second mounting plate disposed parallel to said first mounting plate; a second, complemental half of each injection mold and of each blow mold being fixedly secured to said second mounting plate; said second mounting plate being movable towards and away from said first mounting plate in opposed directions normal thereto for causing said injection molds and blow molds to assume together a closed position and an open position in an alternating sequence, D. means for movably securing said second mounting plate to said machine frame, E. a mounting member carrying said blow mandrels and disposed between said first and second mounting plates, said mounting member being rotatable about said axis and displaceable therealong with respect to said mounting plates, F. connecting means for attaching said mounting member to one of said mounting plates, and G. a stepdown means operatively connecting said second mounting plate with said mounting member to cause a displacement of said mounting member simultaneously and unidirectionally with the motion of said second mounting plate and with a rate of displacement less than that of the latter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 78 words

An improvement as defined in claim 8, wherein said stepdown means includes A. a first toothed rack associated with said mounting member, B. a second toothed rack associated with said second mounting plate, and C. a pair of pinions of different size meshing with one another, the smaller of said pinions further meshes with the rack associated with said second mounting plate and the larger of said pinions further meshes with the rack associated with said mounting member.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 213 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blow pipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, stripping means associated with said blow mandrels to axially remove an expanded article therefrom upon the withdrawal of the blow mandrel from said blow mold, said stripping means including at least one pair of cooperating stripper bars adjacent said mandrels, said stripper bars are so situated that each blow mandrel passes therebetween during its angular displacement from said blow molds to said injection molds, whereupon said bodies carried by said blow mandrels are pulled therefrom by said stripper bar pair.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 213 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blow pipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, stripping means associated with said blow mandrels to axially remove an expanded article therefrom upon the withdrawal of the blow mandrel from said blow mold, said stripping means including at least one pair of cooperating stripper bars adjacent said mandrels, said stripper bars are so situated that each blow mandrel passes therebetween during its angular displacement from said blow molds to said injection molds, whereupon said bodies carried by said blow mandrels are pulled therefrom by said stripper bar pair.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 89 words

An improvement as defined in claim 10, including means for moving the stripper bars forming one pair toward one another into an operative position and away from one another into an inoperative position; said stripper bars, when in said operative position, pulling said bodies off said mandrels as the latter pass therebetween from said blow molds to said injection molds; said stripper bars, when in said inoperative position, allow to pass with a clearance said parisons carried by said blow mandrels from said injection molds to said blow molds.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 365 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a mounting member for carrying said blow mandrels, B. means for fixedly attaching one end of each blow mandrel to said mounting member, C. a plurality of outwardly open recesses provided in said mounting member, each said recess pneumatically connectable with an axial bore of a blow mandrel, D. a valve means disposed in each blow mandrel to maintain the axial bore thereof in a normally closed position, each valve means including a spring means to maintain each valve means in a normally closed position and a terminus projecting into the associated recess, E. a hollow bushing means supplying a pressure medium to a selected blow mandrel when positioned iN said blow mold for expanding said parison, said hollow bushing means being dimensioned to fit into any selected one of said recesses, F. means for introducing said hollow bushing means into and withdrawing it from, any selected one of said recesses and G. means for opening said valve means to permit introduction of said pressure medium from said bushing means through said axial bore for expanding said parison in said blow mold, said means for opening said valve means including a portion of said hollow bushing means displacing said terminus against the force of said spring means to open the axial bore of the blow mandrel when said hollow bushing means is introduced into one of said recesses of said mounting member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 365 words

In an apparatus for making hollow thermoplastic bodies, said apparatus being of the known type that includes (1) at least one injection mold for making parisons, (2) means for injecting plastic material into said injection mold, (3) at least one blow mold for expanding said parisons, (4) a plurality of blow mandrels each adapted to be alternately positioned in an injection mold to serve as a core about which a parison is formed by injection molding and in a blow mold to serve as a blowpipe to expand the parison, (5) means for angularly displacing said blow mandrels as a unit about an axis from said injection mold to said blow mold and conversely and (6) means admitting pressurized fluid to said blow mandrels when in said blow mold, the improvement comprising, A. a mounting member for carrying said blow mandrels, B. means for fixedly attaching one end of each blow mandrel to said mounting member, C. a plurality of outwardly open recesses provided in said mounting member, each said recess pneumatically connectable with an axial bore of a blow mandrel, D. a valve means disposed in each blow mandrel to maintain the axial bore thereof in a normally closed position, each valve means including a spring means to maintain each valve means in a normally closed position and a terminus projecting into the associated recess, E. a hollow bushing means supplying a pressure medium to a selected blow mandrel when positioned iN said blow mold for expanding said parison, said hollow bushing means being dimensioned to fit into any selected one of said recesses, F. means for introducing said hollow bushing means into and withdrawing it from, any selected one of said recesses and G. means for opening said valve means to permit introduction of said pressure medium from said bushing means through said axial bore for expanding said parison in said blow mold, said means for opening said valve means including a portion of said hollow bushing means displacing said terminus against the force of said spring means to open the axial bore of the blow mandrel when said hollow bushing means is introduced into one of said recesses of said mounting member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 103 words

An improvement as defined in claim 12, wherein each said valve means includes A. a valve rod extending in said axial bore of said blow mandrel and displaceable axially with respect thereto, B. a valve head integral with said valve rod and extending beyond a downstream terminal opening of said blow mandrel, C. a spring urging said valve rod towards said mounting member to pull said valve head into a seated, closed position against said downstream terminal opening and D. an upstream terminal or bulged portion forming integral part of said valve rod and projecting into the recess associated with the blow mandrel.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-01-03	1975-07-05	1976-01-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-01-03	1979-07-05	1980-01-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-01-03	1983-07-05	1984-01-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for making hollow articles of thermoplastics

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