US3829272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotational molding machine
Assignee: McNeil Corp
•
Filing: 1973-05-21
•
Granted: 1974-08-13
•
Expires: 1993-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for rotationally molding or casting an article at a plurality of work stations where operations such as loading, heating and cooling take place. A vertically extending support member carries a plurality of mold carrying arms which through independent drive mechanisms travel from station to station during the molding process. The molds can be rotated on at least one axis at any or all of the stations to uniformly distribute material therein.
Inventors
- 👤 F Carillon
- 👤 W Meyer
- 👤 D Ramazzotti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:58
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/34; B29C33/36; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/04; B29C41/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for rotationally casting an article in a mold at a plurality of operating stations comprising, a support member; a plurality of arm assemblies extending from said support member, said arm assemblies totalling in number up to one less than the number of operating stations; each said arm assembly including means to carry at least one mold near the outer end thereof, means to rotate said mold on at least one axis, and drive means; said arm assemblies travelling around said support member independently from station to station upon the selective actuation of said drive means of each said arm assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for rotationally casting an article in a mold at a plurality of operating stations comprising, a support member; a plurality of arm assemblies extending from said support member, said arm assemblies totalling in number up to one less than the number of operating stations; each said arm assembly including means to carry at least one mold near the outer end thereof, means to rotate said mold on at least one axis, and drive means; said arm assemblies travelling around said support member independently from station to station upon the selective actuation of said drive means of each said arm assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a track member, each said arm assembly having wheels thereon powered by said drive means and riding on said track member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means to lock said arm assembly at a predetermined location along said track member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, said arm assemblies including means to hold the mold at each end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said means to hold the mold includes bearing means to permit rotation of the mold on one axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means to cool said bearing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means to hold the mold includes a drive head assembly for rotating the mold on one end of the mold and an idler head assembly on the other end of the mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means in said idler head assembly to account for thermal expansion of the mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each said arm assembly includes a shaft, means to rotate said shaft, a cross arm beam carried by and rotated with said shaft, and mold carrying arms carried by and rotated with said cross arm beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, each said arm assembly further comprising means on said mold carrying arms to permit rotation of said mold on an axis generally 90* of the rotation of said shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said shaft is hollow and communicates with a source of air to cool said means to permit rotation of said mold.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said cross arm beam and said mold carrying arms are hollow and carry air from said shaft to said means to permit rotation of said mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherEin each said arm assembly includes a second shaft in said shaft, and means to rotate said second shaft to rotate said mold on said axis generally 90* of the rotation of said shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, including means in said cross arm beam to transfer the rotation of said second shaft to a third shaft in one of said mold carrying arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, including a drive head on the end of one of said mold carrying arms, said drive head carrying said means to permit rotation of said mold, said third shaft communicating with said drive head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, including an idler head on the end of one of said mold carrying arms, said idler head including means to permit thermal expansion of said mold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said second shaft is hollow and carries inert gas to said mold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second shaft receives said inert gas from said support member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the stations is an oven station wherein the mold is heated, said oven station being totally enclosed but having a slot therein for the passage of said arm assembly therethrough, and an air curtain covering said slot to maintain the heat within the oven.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein another of said stations is a second oven station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein one of said stations is a cooling station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein another of said stations is a second cooling station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for rotationally casting an article in a mold at a plurality of operating stations comprising a track member; a plurality of arm assemblies supported by and riding on said track member, each said arm assembly including means to carry at least one mold near the outer end thereof, means to rotate said mold on at least one axis, and drive means; said arm assemblies traveling around said track member independently from station to station upon the selective actuation of said drive means of each said arm assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for rotationally casting an article in a mold at a plurality of operating stations comprising a track member; a plurality of arm assemblies supported by and riding on said track member, each said arm assembly including means to carry at least one mold near the outer end thereof, means to rotate said mold on at least one axis, and drive means; said arm assemblies traveling around said track member independently from station to station upon the selective actuation of said drive means of each said arm assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |