Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming...

Details Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming... Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming...

2006-02-21

2006-02-21

Utech, Benjamin L. (Department: 1722)

Plastic article or earthenware shaping or treating: apparatus

Diverse distinct type shaping means

Shaping orifice and either a downstream preform reshaping...

C425S336000, C425S369000, C425S396000, C425S451000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07001171

ABSTRACT:
A corrugator and mold management apparatus and methods for continuously forming transverse corrugations and other shapes in a tubular polymer melt parison formed by an extrusion die employs a plurality of molds that interlock when mated. Each mold has common outside dimensions and a pair of open linear bearings that provide the mold axis and maintain alignment of the molds parallel to and in the same horizontal plane as the axis of the extrusion die. The molds are moved axially along supported rails by bi-directional linear actuating modules and between the pairs of supported rails by lateral transport units. Inner supported rails define the mold tunnel and outer supported rails provide an outer path to move molds upstream back toward the extrusion die. The lateral transport units include extensible rails that facilitate the transfer of molds to and from the mold tunnel and the outer return paths. Delivery units remove from and introduce molds from a plurality of parking stations. The apparatus also has the capability of identifying, locating and tracking molds by continually scanning molds as they are transported or on demand. Automated “on the fly” mold changes automatically introduce molds to and remove molds from the corrugator from and to parking stations simultaneously without interrupting the normal operation of the apparatus and the molds may be rapidly purged and loaded.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4365948 (1982-12-01), Chaplain
patent: 4787598 (1988-11-01), Rahn et al.
patent: 5372774 (1994-12-01), Lupke
patent: 5510071 (1996-04-01), Van Wonderen et al.
patent: 5522718 (1996-06-01), Dietrich
patent: 5560941 (1996-10-01), Hegler et al.
patent: 5693347 (1997-12-01), Hegler
patent: 5773044 (1998-06-01), Dietrich et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and methods for managing molds and forming... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3650678