Abstract:
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a cavity insert for a molding system, the cavity insert having a deformable portion. More specifically, A cavity insert (106) is provided, the cavity insert (106) is for a molding stack (102) for use in an injection mold, the cavity insert (106). The cavity insert (106) comprises a body (122) configured to be received, in use, within a cavity plate (104) of the injection mold; the body (122) defining: a cavity molding surface (124) along an inner portion thereof; a circumferentially deformable portion (123); and an actuator interface (134) configured to cooperate, in use, with a complementary actuating interface (136) that is defined on a compression member (138) to generate a compressive force that selectively elastically deforms the circumferentially deformable portion (123).
Abstract:
Disclosed are a mold stack of a molding machine. A cavity insert is provided. The cavity insert comprises a body having: an internal surface defining, in use, at least a body portion of a molding cavity; an external surface defining, in use, at least a first portion of a cooling channel configured, in use, to direct a flow of coolant; and a mounting flange configured to support, in use, the body relative to a front face of a cavity plate, the mounting flange including a member configured to define, in use, a second portion of the cooling channel.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is, amongst other things, a mold stack that includes a core insert, a core ring, and a split insert that are configured to cooperate, in use, to define a molding cavity. The core insert defines a ring seat on a medial portion thereof upon which the core ring may be seated, in use, in cooperation with a mounting interface thereon. The split insert defines a pocket that extends coaxially through a second projecting portion thereof within which to receive a projecting portion of the core ring. The core ring and the split insert being further configured to define a core ring-to-split insert parting line that is within the pocket of the split insert. The core ring further defines a first split insert seat for receiving the second projecting portion of the split insert.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are, amongst other things, a molding apparatus with which to mold, in use, a preform of a type for blow molding into a container. The molding apparatus includes a lock ring (104, 204) for use in a first stack portion (108) of a mold stack (120). The lock ring (104, 204) includes a tubular body (150, 250) that is configured to define, amongst other things, a support interface (194) in cooperation, in use, with a split insert (6, 106) of the first stack portion through which a compressive load is transferrable during molding of the preform, wherein the support interface (194) includes a support shelf (154) that is defined, at least in part, on a first major promontory (152, 252) of the tubular body (150, 250).
Abstract:
According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a stripper assembly and a mold stack incorporating same. More specifically, there is provided the stripper assembly (212) for use in a mold stack (202) for forming a preform (210) suitable for blow-molding into a final-shaped container. The stripper assembly (212) comprises a stripper plate (214) connectable, in use, to a stripper plate actuator; neck rings (220) configured to cooperate to define a portion a neck region (226) of the preform (210); a stripper ring (230) configured to define at least a portion of a top sealing surface of the neck region (226) of the preform (210); the stripper plate (214) being configured to actuate the neck rings (220) and the stripper ring (230), in unison, along substantially the whole length of a complete ejection path, which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mold stack (202); and wherein the neck rings (220) are configured for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mold stack, over at a portion of the complete ejection path, whereby at a completion of the complete ejection path, the stripper ring (230) and the neck rings (220) render the preform (210) removable from the mold stack (202).
Abstract:
Disclosed, amongst other things, is: (i) a valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620) for controlling air flow in an air pressure channel (354, 454) of a molded article holder (50, 150, 250, 350, 450); (ii) a molded article holder (350, 450) co-operable with the valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620); and (iii) a post-mold holding device (315, 415) including the molded article holder (350, 450) and valve (220, 320, 420, 520, 620).
Abstract:
Disclosed are a molded article picker for a post-mold device and a related method for the use of the molded article picker for handling a molded article. The molded article picker includes a floating element being configured to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position and biased in the extended position. Furthermore, the molded article picker comprises a pressure structure extending through the floating element. The floating element is cooperable with the molded article to define a substantially enclosed volume including the pressure structure. The pressure structure is configured such that by evacuating the substantially enclosed volume the molded article is sealed to the floating element and the floating element is drawn into the retracted position, thereby transferring the molded article to the molded article picker.
Abstract:
There is provided a molding stack assembly (202) for producing a molded article (214), the molded article (214) including a neck finish (218) which includes a support ledge (222), the molded article (214) suitable for subsequent blow-molding into a final shaped container. The molding stack assembly (202) comprises a core insert (204), a lock ring (206), a split mold insert (208), a cavity flange (209) and a cavity insert (210) for jointly defining, in use, a molding cavity (212) for forming the molded article (214), the split mold insert (208) and the cavity flange (209) defining a split line (226) therebetween, the split line (226) being defined substantially along a portion of the support ledge (222); a biasing member (230) disposed, in use, between the cavity flange (209) and the cavity insert (210), the biasing member (230) being configured to: (a) under applied clamp force, to allow the cavity flange (209) to abut the cavity insert (210); and (b) during initial stages of the mold operation to bias the cavity flange (209) away from the cavity insert (210).