Plastic article or earthenware shaping or treating: apparatus – Control means responsive to or actuated by means sensing or... – Feed control of material en route to shaping area
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-07-24
Davis, Robert (Department: 1722)
Plastic article or earthenware shaping or treating: apparatus
Control means responsive to or actuated by means sensing or...
Feed control of material en route to shaping area
C029S407090, C198S481100, C198S571000, C198S576000, C264S538000, C425S534000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264457
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to systems and processes that are used to manufacture hollow containers such as plastic beverage bottles from preforms. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for transferring preforms within such a system to an oven or other system component.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Conventional systems for blowmolding preforms in a facility for manufacturing, for example, PET bottles generally include at least one preform heat treating station in which the preforms are heated to a temperature at which they can be reshaped, a station or subsystem for transferring the preforms to the heat treatment station, and a blowmolding station for molding the preforms into the shape of a mold that corresponds to the outer shape of the container that is to be produced.
Typically, the station or subsystem for transferring the preforms to the heat treatment station includes an oven starwheel that is designed to grip the individual preforms in pockets that are disposed about its periphery and transport the preforms in a circular path that corresponds to the circumference of the star wheel. Such conventional systems may also include a preform feed wheel that is positioned to pick the preforms out of a linear array and feed the preforms into the star wheel. The feed wheel and starwheel in such systems are synchronized for common movement by means of a chain or belt linkage, or by continuously engaged gearing. While such systems are generally effective, they tend to be expensive because of the cost of providing and maintaining the mechanical connection between the star wheel and the feed wheel, and also tend to be susceptible to jamming, particularly at the input end of the feed wheel, where the feed wheel is designed to receive the individual preforms from the linear array while continuously rotating.
It may be concluded, then, that there is a need for an improved system and process for transferring preforms to a heat treatment station in a blowmolding manufacturing facility that is less expensive to deploy and maintain than conventional systems, and that is also less susceptible to mechanical malfunction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved system and process for transferring preforms to a heat treatment station in a blowmolding manufacturing facility that is less expensive to deploy and maintain than conventional systems, and that is less susceptible to mechanical malfunction.
In order to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, a system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility includes, according to a first aspect of the invention, a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member; first sensor for sensing a transport speed of an oven starwheel in a blowmolding manufacturing facility; and a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism, the controller means being provided input from the first sensing means, whereby the controller means may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of retrofitting an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility with an automated feed system includes steps of installing a first sensor for sensing a transport speed of an oven starwheel in a blowmolding manufacturing facility; installing a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member; installing a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism, the controller being connected so as to be able to receive input from the first sensor; and testing the system.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
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Ohmes Joseph G.
Strand Edward J.
Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
Davis Robert
Knoble & Yoshida LLC
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