Abstract:
Apparatus for compression molding plastic articles includes a plurality of molds mounted for travel around a first axis. Each mold includes an upper mold section and a lower mold section, with at least one of the upper and lower mold sections being moveable in a non-circular first endless path, and being moveable with respect to the other mold section to form a mold cavity. A mold charge delivery system delivers individual mold charges to the mold cavities and includes at least one delivery mechanism that travels in a second endless path around a second axis spaced from the first axis, wherein the second endless path overlies a portion of the first endless path.
Abstract:
A polymeric preform (10) that can be blow molded into a plastic article includes an open neck portion, a body portion (12) with a sidewall (14), and a closed end (16) opposite the neck portion with a thickness of not more than 70 percent of the thickness of the sidewall. The thickness of the closed end is preferably in the range of 30 percent to 70 percent of the thickness of the sidewall, and more preferably between 30 percent to 50 percent of the sidewall thickness. This reduces the volume or amount of material needed to form the preform without adversely impacting the structural integrity or physical properties of a container formed from the preform. According to one presently preferred aspect of the invention, the preform is compression molded. A method of making this preform and a method of making a stretch blow molded plastic container (11) are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Apparatus for compression molding plastic articles includes a plurality of molds mounted for travel around a first axis. Each mold includes an upper mold section and a lower mold section, with at least one of the upper and lower mold sections being moveable in a non-circular first endless path, and being moveable with respect to the other mold section to form a mold cavity. A mold charge delivery system delivers individual mold charges to the mold cavities and includes at least one delivery mechanism that travels in a second endless path around a second axis spaced from the first axis, wherein the second endless path overlies a portion of the first endless path.