Patent ID: 8075834
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A machine for blow molding containers from a tubular parison formed of plastic resin supplied by an extruder, the machine comprising: a horizontally oriented turntable rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation; a plurality of inclined ramps mounted on the turntable, the ramps facing radially outwardly from the turntable; a plurality of carriages, one carriage mounted on each of the ramps and movable along the ramp between a first position and a second position above the first position; a first actuator mounted on the turntable and comprising a first piston engaged with one of the carriages for moving the carriage along the ramp; a second actuator comprising a second piston pivotably attached to a pivoting arm that is pivotably attached to a fixed arm mounted on the turntable, such that motion of the pivoting arm moves the second piston and actuates the second actuator; a cam track positioned adjacent to the turntable; a cam follower projecting from the pivoting arm for engaging the cam track as the turntable rotates such that upon said engaging, the pivoting arm moves inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the turntable and thereby moves the second piston inwardly; the first and second actuators being connected in a closed loop such that movement of the second piston inwardly forces the first piston to move outwardly, thereby actuating the first actuator and moving the carriage up the ramp; a plurality of molds, one mold being mounted on each of the carriages, the molds including mold portions which are movable between an open configuration to receive the parison and a closed configuration to mold the parison; a flow head receiving the resin and forming the tubular parison, the flow head being fixedly positioned at a first station of the machine above the turntable; and the turntable being rotatable to position each of the molds beneath the flow head in turn, each of the molds being movable on the carriages upwardly along the ramps toward the flow head to receive the parison.