Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a system for producing hollow elongate workpieces of thermoplastic material, in combination: a vertical injection-molding machine including a lower mold portion provided with at least one cavity, an upper mold portion vertically separable from said lower mold portion and provided with at least one elongate core depending into said cavity in a mold-closed position, and clamp means for relatively reciprocating said mold portions; a horizontally movable carriage at the level of a gap formed between said mold portions in a mold-open position; drive means synchronized with said clamp means for inserting said carriage into said gap in said mold-open position, said carriage being provided with a plenum chamber forming at least one compartment alignable with said core upon insertion into said gap for receiving a workpiece molded in said cavity and adhering to said core; transfer means on said carriage for engaging the adhering workpiece and removing same from said core to the compartment aligned therewith, said compartment communicating by way of said plenum chamber with a source of cooling fluid for solidifying the received workpiece; and unloading means effective in a withdrawn position of said carriage for removal of the solidified workpiece from said carriage to a receiver therefor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a system for producing hollow elongate workpieces of thermoplastic material, in combination: a vertical injection-molding machine including a lower mold portion provided with at least one cavity, an upper mold portion vertically separable from said lower mold portion and provided with at least one elongate core depending into said cavity in a mold-closed position, and clamp means for relatively reciprocating said mold portions; a horizontally movable carriage at the level of a gap formed between said mold portions in a mold-open position; drive means synchronized with said clamp means for inserting said carriage into said gap in said mold-open position, said carriage being provided with a plenum chamber forming at least one compartment alignable with said core upon insertion into said gap for receiving a workpiece molded in said cavity and adhering to said core; transfer means on said carriage for engaging the adhering workpiece and removing same from said core to the compartment aligned therewith, said compartment communicating by way of said plenum chamber with a source of cooling fluid for solidifying the received workpiece; and unloading means effective in a withdrawn position of said carriage for removal of the solidified workpiece from said carriage to a receiver therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a system for producing hollow elongate workpieces of thermoplastic material, in combination: a vertical injection-molding machine including a lower mold portion provided with at least one cavity, an upper mold portion vertically separable from said lower mold portion and provided with at least one elongate core depending into said cavity in a mold-closed position, and clamp means for relatively reciprocating said mold portions; a horizontally movable carriage at the level of a gap formed between said mold portions in a mold-open position; conveyor means alongside said injection-molding machine disposed below the path of said carriage; drive means synchronized with said clamp means for inserting said carriage into said gap in said mold-open position, said carriage being provided with a plenum chamber forming at least one compartment alignable with said core upon insertion into said gap for receiving a workpiece molded in said cavity and adhering to said core; transfer means on said carriage for engaging the adhering workpiece and removing same from said core to the compartment aligned therewith, said compartment communicating by way of said plenum chamber with a source of cooling fluid for solidifying the received workpiece; and unloading means effective in a withdrawn position of said carriage for removal of the solidified workpiece from said carriage to said conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a system for producing hollow elongate workpieces of thermoplastic material, in combination: a vertical injection-molding machine including a lower mold portion provided with at least one cavity, an upper mold portion vertically separable from said lower mold portion and provided with at least one elongate core depending into said cavity in a mold-closed position, and clamp means for relatively reciprocating said mold portions; a horizontally movable carriage at the level of a gap formed between said mold portions in a mold-open position; conveyor means alongside said injection-molding machine disposed below the path of said carriage; drive means synchronized with said clamp means for inserting said carriage into said gap in said mold-open position, said carriage being provided with a plenum chamber forming at least one compartment alignable with said core upon insertion into said gap for receiving a workpiece molded in said cavity and adhering to said core; transfer means on said carriage for engaging the adhering workpiece and removing same from said core to the compartment aligned therewith, said compartment communicating by way of said plenum chamber with a source of cooling fluid for solidifying the received workpiece; and unloading means effective in a withdrawn position of said carriage for removal of the solidified workpiece from said carriage to said conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said workpiece is a parison with a thin-walled neck and a thick-walled body, said carriage being provided with retractable support means underlying said compartment, said transfer means comprising neck-engaging gripper means overlying said compartment, said support means and said gripper means being provided with respective actuating means for closing said gripper means around said neck upon deposition of the parison on said support means and for opening said gripper means and retracting said support means upon lateral withdrawal of said carriage from said gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said plenum chamber forms a plurality of compartments arrayed in two parallel rows for alignment with respective rows of cores on said upper mold portion, said gripper means comprising two sets of upper jaw pairs respectively flanking said rows in an open position, said support means comprising two sets of lower jaw pairs approaching each other along said rows in a working position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination defined in claim 4 wherein said lower jaw pairs have upwardly open recesses forming seats for the supported parisons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination defined in claim 4 or 5 wherein said compartments are formed by perforated vertical cylinders disposed in said plenum chamber, said upper and lower jaw pairs being centered on the axes of said cylinders.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination defined in claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein said actuating means comprise fluidic jacks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination defined in claim 1, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said conveyor means is provided with pocket-forming means for receiving workpieces from said carriage in an upright position.