Patent ID: 7001171
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for continuously forming transverse molded shapes in a tubular polymer melt parison formed by an extrusion die, the apparatus comprising separate circulating paths laterally disposed on opposite sides of the parison as the parison exits from the die, each of the circulating paths including: a. a plurality of separate mold sections for forming the shapes, each of the mold sections having common outside dimensions and an integral pair of open linear bearings providing a common means to locate each mold section in a predetermined position with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the parison; b. a first pair of parallel and spaced-apart supported rails simultaneously engageable with each of the integral pair of open linear bearings of the mold sections, said first pair of supported rails disposed to define an outer path to transport mold sections between downstream and upstream locations of the outer path with respect to the extrusion die; c. a second pair of parallel and spaced-apart supported rails simultaneously engageable with each of the integral pair of open linear bearings of the mold sections, said second pair of supported rails disposed to define an inner path for the mold sections such that the longitudinal axis of each mold section is maintained in a co-linear relationship with the central longitudinal axis of the parison; d. a first lateral transport unit for the mold sections disposed upstream from the first and second pairs of supported rails and selectively transporting the mold sections from the outer path to the inner path; and e. a second lateral transport unit for the mold sections disposed downstream from the first and second pairs of supported rails and selectively transporting the mold sections from the inner path to the outer path.