Clamping device for molds used in the blow molding of hollow plastic articles

Claim 2

A mold assembly having segmented side mold portions, for example, to be used in blow molding of hollow plastic articles, which comprises side mold portions, each having upper and lower ends, movable away from each other to open said mold, means associated with said side mold portions and operative during the opening thereof for moving said portions first in an axial direction without separating said portions and subsequently in continuation of said movement linearly away from each other such that parting faces of said portions maintain a lateral alignment, said mold assembly including upper and lower members, each respectively cooperative with said upper and lower ends of said mold portions with means therein for receiving and locking the side mold portions in the closed position.

Claim 3

A mold assembly according to claim 1 including mounting plates connected to said side mold portions, wherein said plate or side mold portions are provided with cam followers which in turn are guided by cam tracks.

Claim 4

A mold assembly according to claim 2 including two cam followers for each side mold portion.

Claim 5

A mold assembly according to claim 2 wherein the cam tracks are each provided with parts constructed essentially parallel to the axis of the closed mold and each having a part directed away from said mold in an outward direction.

Claim 6

A mold assembly according to claim 4 wherein each cam track has upper and lower end parts and wherein each end part is essentially parallel to the axis of the closed mold.

Claim 7

A mold assembly according to claim 1 including an upper and lower bar associated with said side mold portions with means therein for receiving and locking said portions in the closed position.

Claim 8

A mold assembly according to claim 6 wherein said receiving and locking means are provided with tapered surfaces matching corresponding tapered surfaces of said portions.

Claim 9

A mold assembly according to claim 7 wherein said taper is 7 degrees or less.

Claim 10

A mold assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mold includes a bottom part and wherein said bottom part is stationary.

Claim 11

A mold assembly according to claim 1 wherein said portions are mold halves.

Claim 12

A mold assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mold has a bottom part and wherein said means associated with said portions are operative to first move the portions away from said bottom part.

Claim 13

A mold assembly according to claim 7 wherein said means for moving is operative to move said portions axially to clear said tapered surfaces.

Claim 14

A mold assembly having a bottom part and segmented mold side halves to be used in blow molding of hollow plastic articles, which comprises side mold halves, each having upper and lower ends, movable away from each other to open said mold, means associated with said side mold halves and operative during the opening thereof for moving said halves first in a direction away from said bottom part without separating said halves and subsequently in continuation of said movement linearly away from each other such that parting faces of said halves maintain a lateral alignment, said mold assembly including upper and lower members, each respectively cooperative with said upper and lower ends of said mold halves with means therein for receiving and locking the side mold halves in the closed position, wherein said receiving and locking means are provided with tapered surfaces matching corresponding tapered surfaces of said halves and wherein said means for moving is operative to move said halves axially to clear said tapered surfaces.

Claim 15

A mold assembly having a bottom part and segmented mold side halves to be used in blow molding of hollow plastic articles, which comprises side mold halves, each having upper and lower ends, movable away from each other to open said mold, means associated with said side mold halves and operative during the opening thereof for moving said halves first in a direction away from said bottom part without separating said halves and subsequently in continuation of said movement linearly away from each other such that parting faces of said halves maintain a lateral alignment, said mold assembly including upper and lower members, each respectively cooperative with said upper and lower ends of said mold halves with means therein for receiving and locking the side mold halves in the closed position, wherein said receiving and locking means are provided with tapered surfaces matching corresponding tapered surfaces of said halves and wherein said means for moving is operative to move said halves axially to clear said tapered surfaces.