Blow molding apparatus

Claim 2

A blow molding apparatus comprising: a. means forming a blow mold with relatively movable mold portions, and having a cavity for forming a blown article; b. a mandrel cooperating with portions of said mold forming means and having a free end positioned in said cavity, the mandrel is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said free end has a vacuum surface area portion adapted for selective engagement with a portion of a parison; and c. a blow needle reciprocably mounted in said mandrel and selectively moveable between a first position for puncturing the parison and a second retracted position, said blow needle is movable independently of said mandrel.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said blow mold forming means includes two mold halves with each having a cavity portion therein; b. means forming an opening extending through a portion of at least one of said mold halves with the opening communicating with said cavity; and c. said mandrel is reciprocably mounted in said opening and is selectively movable therein.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a rib on said free end extending therefrom and surrounding at least a portion of said vacuum surface.

Claim 5

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a support secured to portions of said blow mold forming means; b. a first ram carried by said support and cooperating with said mandrel to effect movement thereof; and c. a second ram carried by said support and cooperating with said blow needle to effect movement thereof.

Claim 6

A blow molding apparatus comprising: a. a blow mold having two mold halves with each having a cavity portion therein; b. a bore extending through a portion of said blow mold and opening into said cavity; c. a mandrel reciprocably received in said bore and movable between an extended position and a retracted portion, said mandrel has a free end which is in said cavity when said mandrel is in its extended position, said free end has a vacuum surface area portion adapted for selective angagement with a portion of a parison, a second bore extends through a portion of said mandrel and opens on said free end; d. a blow needle reciprocably mounted in said second bore and is selectively movable independently of said mandrel between a first position for puncturing the parison and a second retracted position; and e. means cooperating with said mandrel and said blow needle to effect movement thereof.

Claim 7

A blow molding apparatus comprising: a. a blow mold having two mold halves with each having a cavity portion therein; b. a bore extending through a portion of said blow mold and opening into said cavity; c. a mandrel reciprocably received in said bore and movable between an extended position and a retracted portion, said mandrel has a free end which is in said cavity when said mandrel is in its extended position, said free end has a vacuum surface area portion adapted for selective angagement with a portion of a parison, a second bore extends through a portion of said mandrel and opens on said free end; d. a blow needle reciprocably mounted in said second bore and is selectively movable independently of said mandrel between a first position for puncturing the parison and a second retracted position; and e. means cooperating with said mandrel and said blow needle to effect movement thereof.

Claim 8

The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including: a. a rib on said free end extending therefrom, said rib surrounds at least a portion of said vacuum surface and circumscribes said blow needle.