APPARATUS FOR MOLDING AND LABELLING A BLOWN HOLLOW CONTAINER

Abstract: Moulding machine consists of an injection moulding unit for moulding a preform; a rotary moulding machine to receive the preform directly or after its temp. has been regulated, and which has a draw-blow moulding unit provided with a blow mould for moulding the preform into a hollow container, such as a bottle, and a moulded prod. recovering unit; and a label insert unit provided in the vicinity of the draw-blow moulding unit. This unit is composed of a label supply means positioned on one side of the blow mould, a driving means for moving the label supply means toward and away from the blow mould, and a label magazine disposed at the front side of the label supply means.

Description: This invention relates to a molding machine for continuously carrying out operations including molding of an oriented and blown hollow container, pasting of a label to a container body, and further removing a molded product. A molding machine has been well known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-22,096 Specification in which an intermittently rotating transfer plate is provided above a machine frame, and various operating portions including a preform molding portion, a temperature control portion, an orientation blow molding portion and a molded product removing portion are set at every stop position of a retaining mold provided on the underside of the transfer plate for continuously carrying out operations from injection molding of a preform to orientation blow molding of a hollow molded product. In a molding machine as described, in the case where a label is pasted to a body portion of a molded product, it is preferred that a label dispenser is disposed in the orientation blow molding portion, and such pasting is effected simultaneously with the orientation blow molding of a hollow molded product. However, a label insertion device so far developed has been designed for use with a normal blow molding machine, and therefore it has been difficult to use the aforesaid label insertion device for the above-described rotary type orientation blow molding machine. For example, a label dispenser within a mold which is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-237620 Publication comprises a base, at least one label magazine mounted to the base adjacent to the mold, a label feed mechanism including a sub-base movably mounted on the base, a first actuator for moving the sub-base between a registration position with respect to an open mold position and a feed position, a shuttle which is moved together with the sub-base by the force of the first actuator and mounted movably with respect to the sub-base so as to move toward and away from the mold, at least one label carrier mounted on the shuttle in the state wherein the carrier is fixed to the shuttle to carry a mold label from the label magazine, and a second carrier which is mounted movably on the sub-base and connected to the shuttle so as to move the shuttle within the subtraction position and insertion position with respect to the mold. In a dispenser as described above, it is necessary to extend a part of the base to the underside of a blow mold and to reciprocate a label carrier together with the shuttle while being guided by a support provided on the base. Therefore, this dispenser cannot be used for an orientation blow molding machine which cannot form a space under the blow mold without modification. In addition, the first actuator for moving the sub-base between the registration position with respect to a cavity portion of the blow mold and the feed position, and the second actuator which is mounted movably on the sub-base and connected to the shuttle to move the shuttle between the subtraction position with respect to the mold and the insertion position are required whereby these two actuators cooperate to feed a label to the required mold surface of the cavity. Therefore, a further problem involves in that the apparatus and the step of supply become complicated, and the aforesaid dispenser cannot be used for the rotary type orientation blow molding machine unless these problems are settled. Furthermore, the document WO-A-8 501 861 describes an in-mold label transfer apparatus which transfers labels from a label magazine into a mold cavity prior to formation of a container. An embodiment describes a label supply device in which an extending means moves a label transfer head sideways into the space between the mold halves when the mold halves are opened. A pair of label applicators is extended into the mold cavities and disposes a label in each cavity. The label applicators are retracted into their previous position and the applicator head is horizontally withdrawn from the space between the mold halves. The label applicators are thereby positioned adjacent their respective label magazines and a label is drawn from each magazine. One particular disadvantage of an apparatus for molding and labelling a hollow container according to the above prior art is seen in that the apparatus is bulky and has a complicated structure. This invention has been achieved in order to solve the above-described problems. It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for molding and labelling a blown hollow container, which has an improved functionality and is compact. The object is achieved with an apparatus having the technical features as claimed in claim 1. According to the invention, an apparatus for molding and labelling a hollow container in an orientation blow molding portion from a preform molded in a preform molding portion - directly or after the preform was subjected to a temperature control - comprises a label insertion device for transferring the label into a cavity of a blow mold by horizontally moving a label supply device sideways in the vicinity of the blow mold prior to transferring the preform into the blow mold, and a product removing device for removing the blow molded and labelled product sideways from a product removing portion. The product removing device is disposed adjacent the label supply device and the label supply device is vertically movable so as to pick up a new label from a label magazine which is disposed in front and above of the label supply device. The label magazine which carries the labels to be supplied to the blow mold by the label supply device does not obstruct the product removing path, therefore, the blow molding portion and the product removing portion can be disposed very close to each other, thereby making the molding device very compact. Furthermore, the label supply device and the product removing device are arranged adjacent to each other within a single device, which is located at one side of the molding device. The movement of the label supply device is divided into a vertical and a horizontal movement thereof which simplifies the coordination with the movements of the product removing device. Consequently, the apparatus according to the invention has a high functionality and does not require complicated adjustment actions. In the molding machine having the above-described construction, a preform is injection molded in the preform molding portion, and the preform is transported to the orientation blow molding portion after having been controlled in the temperature control portion. A label is inserted into the cavity surface of the mold before the preform is set to the blow mold, and the label is affixed to the body portion of the molded hollow product simultaneously with the orientation blow molding of the preform inserted into the blow mold. During the molding, the label supply device of the label insertion device is moved backward by the drive device and stands by sideway of the mold. When the orientation blow molding and labelling are completed and the mold is opened and the molded product is transported from the blow mold to the removal operating portion, the label supply device is moved forward by the drive device to attract labels one by one away from the label magazine, and further moved forward until the label reaches a predetermined position and stops. After stoppage, the label is brought into contact with the cavity surface of the blow mold interiorly provided with an attraction means and attracted thereby, after which the label supply device is moved backward and stands by sideway of the mold. During the standby, the molded product removed outside the machine by the removal operating portion is moved under the label supply device by a conveyor and is delivered. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings are schematic illustrations of an apparatus for molding and labelling a blown hollow container. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lower portion. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an orientation blow molding portion and a label insertion device. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a label supply device body. FIGS. 4, I, II and III, are respectively explanatory views of a label supply device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an elevating device in another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side view of a molded product with a label. THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates an injection orientation blow molding apparatus. All around of a machine frame 2 are constituted various operating portions including a preform molding portion 3, a temperature control portion 4, an orientation blow molding portion 5 and a molded product removing portion 6. An upper base plate 8 having a transfer plate 7 provided underside thereof is located above the operating portions, and neck molds and concurrently retaining molds in the same number as that of the operating portions are mounted on the under surface of the transfer plate. The transfer plate 7 intermittently rotates while repeating stops every 90 degrees by means of a hydraulically or electrically-operated driving device 9 installed in the central portion of the upper base plate 8, and when the transfer plate 7 stops, work is carried out in each operating portion. In the preform molding portion 3, an injection mold 10 closed with the retaining mold and an injection device 11 and a vertical clamping device (not shown) are provided, and a temperature control mold 12 is disposed in the temperature control portion 4. In the orientation blow molding portion 5, a blow mold 13 slidably moved on a lower base plate 14 in a radial direction to be opened and closed and an orientation blowing device 15 installed on the upper base plate 8 are provided. In the molded product removing portion 6, a retaining-mold opening device (not shown) is provided. Reference numeral 20 designates a label insertion device which is disposed on the side of the orientation blow molding portion. This label insertion device 20 is horizontally mounted on a guide member and concurrently receiving beam 23 above a gate-type frame 22 stood upright on a bed 21, and a transporting threaded shaft 25 rotated by means of a servo-motor 24 is rotatably longitudinally mounted on the underside of the receiving beam 23. The threaded shaft 25 and servo-motor 24 function as a drive device for moving a label supply device, described later, forward and backward with respect to the blow mold 13. A support 27 of the label supply device 26 is vertically suspended from the receiving beam 23. This support 27 is composed of a base portion 29 at the upper end with a nut member secured therein, a guide frame 30 vertically provided internally of the base portion and a side plate 31. The support 27 is suspended movably in a horizontal direction with the nut member 28 engaged with the threaded shaft 25 and with the base portion 29 fitted into a guide groove on the side of the receiving beam 23. The label supply device 26 is mounted movably up and down on the guide frame 30 of the support 27 and is connected to a piston rod 33 of an elevating air cylinder 32 provided at the lower portion of the support 27. The downward movement of the label supply device 26 caused by the air cylinder 32 is restricted by a stopper member 34 of a threaded shaft provided at the lower part of the guide frame 30, and said restricted position can be taken as a label inserted position with respect to the blow mold 13. A supply of a label to the cavity of the blow mold 13 is attained by a label holder 35 comprising a pair of arms provided on the label supply device 26. This label holder 35 is movably provided on both sides of the body with a rear end thereof threadedly engaged with threaded shafts 37 and 38 which are different in thread lead to left and right provided interiorly of the body 36, and label attraction members 39, 39 are provided at required intervals on the outer surface thereof. A motor 41 for rotating the threaded shafts 37 and 38 through a belt 40 is installed above the body 36. Reference numeral 42 designates a label magazine disposed above the extreme end of the arm 35, and a label 42a is always pressed by means of an air cylinder 43. Reference numeral 44 designates a molded product removing device provided on the bed 21 adjacent to the label insertion device 20 and comprises a horizontal air cylinder 46 provided movably up and down on the support 45 and a chuck 48 mounted to the extreme end of a piston rod 47. Reference numeral 49 designates a conveyor for a molded product 60 (see FIG. 6), which is provided from the front of the molded product removing device 44 to the bed on the side of the label supply device. The operation of the label insertion device 20 will be described hereinafter. In the backward position shown in FIG. 2, when the air cylinder 32 is actuated to extend the piston rod 33, the label supply device 26 moves up to the position of the label magazine 42 along the guide frame 30 and the label attraction material 39 at the extreme end of the label holder faces to the label 42a, as shown in FIG. 4 (I). Subsequently, when the motor 41 on the body 36 is actuated to rotate the threaded shafts 37 and 38, the pair of label holders 35 are moved outwardly and the label attraction member 39 at the extreme end thereof comes into pressure contact with the label 42a. After the pressure contact, the motor 41 is changed in the rotational direction to reverse the threaded shafts 37 and 38 and inwardly move back the label holder 35. Thereby, the label 42a is attracted by the label attraction member 39 and pulled out of the label magazine 42. Thereafter, when the servo-motor 24 is actuated to normally rotate the threaded shaft 25, the support 27 moves forward so that the next label attraction member 39 reaches the position of the label magazine 42 as shown in FIG. 4(II). At this time, the operation of the servo-motor 24 is stopped, and the attraction and removal of the label 42a are again carried out under the operation similar to that as described above. After the attraction of the label 42a has been completed in a manner as described above, the air cylinder 32 is actuated to contract the piston rod 33, and the label supply device 26 is moved down to the position at which the former comes into contact with the stopper member 34, as shown in FIG. 4 (III), and stands by till the blow mold 13 opens. The operations of the label insertion device 20 and molded product removing device 44 provided adjacent thereto are carried out corresponding to the operations of various operating portions of the orientation blow molding apparatus 1. In the various operating portions, the injection molding of a preform, the temperature control, the orientation blow molding of a molded product, the removal thereof and so forth are simultaneously carried out every stop of the transfer plate 7, during which period, in the orientation blow molding portion 5, the above-described operations in the label insertion device 20 are carried out for preparation of the succeeding steps. When the blow mold 13 is completely opened, the servo-motor 24 is again actuated so that the label supply device 26 moves forward and the label holder 35 is inserted into the cavity from the side of the mold. The label holder 35 after being inserted stops at a predetermined cavity position by the stoppage of the servomotor 24, and the label 42a faces to the label attraction position of the cavity. Similarly to the case of the label attraction, the motor 41 is actuated to rotate the threaded shafts 37 and 38, and the label holder 35 is moved outward to bring the label 42a in pressure contact with the cavity surface, whereby the label is attracted to the cavity surface by the attraction means provided on the side of the blow mold. After the label 42a has been inserted in the procedure as described above, the motor 41 is reversed to return the label holder 35 to its original state, and the servomotor 24 is reversed to move backward the label supply device 26 together with the support 27 onto the bed 21 for preparation of the succeeding step. On the other hand, on the blow mold side, the preform is fed into the central portion of the cavity by the rotation of the transfer plate 7, and the mold is closed after the transfer plate 7 is stopped. The affixing of the label 42a is carried out simultaneously with the orientation blow molding of a hollow container. After the mold has been opened, a hollow container 60 with the label 42a affixed to the body thereof is transported to the molded product removing portion 6, and the container is then transferred onto the conveyor 49 from the retaining mold by the molded product removing device 44 and conveyed to the end of the conveyor passing under the label supply device 26 positioned upwardly, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the elevating device, which comprises an air cylinder 50 having a short stroke, and a pair of belts 53 and 54 wound around coaxial pulleys 51 and 52 whose ratio is 1 : 2, wherein a piston rod 55 of the air cylinder 50 is connected through a member to the belt 53 on the side of the small-diameter pulley, and the label supply device 26 is connected to the other belt 54. In this elevating device, the stroke of the piston rod 55 is transmitted as twice of stroke to the label supply device 26 in terms of the pulley ratio. In this invention, as mentioned above, a label is inserted from the side of a blow mold, and therefore, this can be applied to molding by an orientation blow molding apparatus in which an extra space is not available in upper and lower portions of the blow mold, to mold a hollow container with a label. In addition, the construction of the apparatus is simple and locating can be also easily accomplished. Labels can be always supplied positively. The apparatus of this invention is extremely effective in industry and can be extensively utilized.

Claims: An apparatus for molding and labelling a blown hollow container (60), comprising a molding device having a preform injection molding portion (3) for molding a preform, an orientation blow molding portion (5) provided with a blow mold (13) for receiving said preform directly or after being subjected to temperature control, and for molding the preform into a hollow container (60) by means of an orientation blow device (15), a molded product removing portion (6), and a labelling and product removing device having means (44) for removing said molded product sideways from said product removing portion (6), and a label insertion device (20) being disposed adjacent to said product removing means (44), said label insertion device (20) comprising a label supply device (26) positioned sideways of said blow mold (13), a first drive device (24, 25) for moving said label supply device (26) horizontally, a second drive device (32, 33) for moving said label supply device (26) vertically, and a label magazine (42) disposed in front of and above said label supply device (26), wherein said label supply device (26) supplies a label sideways to a cavity of said blow mold (13) prior to the arrival of said preform in said blow molding portion (5) by moving said label supply device (26) by said first drive device (24, 25) horizontally to and from said blow mold (13), and wherein said label supply device (26) is vertically movable by the second drive means (32, 33) so as to be positioned in the vicinity of said label magazine (42), such that a new label can be picked up therefrom by said label supply device (26). A molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said label supply device (26) is connected to a piston rod (33) of an elevating air cylinder (32) provided within a lower portion of a support (27) for vertically moving said label supply device (26). A molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said elevating air cylinder (32) is connected to a belt (53) wound around a small diameter pulley (51) of coaxial pulleys (51, 52) which are different in ratio. A molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said product removing means (44) comprises a horizontal air cylinder (46) having a chuck (48) mounted to the extreme end of a piston rod (47), said air cylinder (46) being vertically movably supported on a support (45). A molding apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a conveyor belt (49) for conveying hollow containers removed by said product removing means (44) to the front side of the apparatus, wherein said containers pass said label supply device (26) in a retracted position. A molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said label supply device (26) is vertically suspended from a horizontal beam (23) fixed to a gate-type frame (22) of said label insertion device (20). A molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said label supply device (26) has label holders (35) movably provided on both sides of a body (36), a rear end of said label holders (35) being threadedly engaged with a threaded shaft (37, 38) provided inside said body (36), said shaft having a left-handed (37) and a right-handed (38) thread. A molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein label attraction members (39) are provided at said label holders (35).

Inventors: FURUSE TATSUO TOPPAN PRINTING, KAZATO KEIJI TOPPAN PRINTING C, KIMURA KATSUHIKO TOPPAN PRINTI, NAKAMURA YOSHINORI NISSEI ASB, NODA KATSUMI YUSHIN PRECISION, OONO KATSUYUKI TOPPAN PRINTING, FURUSE, TATSUO TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD., KAZATO, KEIJI TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD., KIMURA, KATSUHIKO TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD., NAKAMURA, YOSHINORI NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO., LTD., NODA, KATSUMI YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., OONO, KATSUYUKI TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
Applicants: NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO LTD, TOPPAN PRINTING CO LTD, YUSHIN SEIKI KK, NISSEI ASB MACHINE CO., LTD., TOPPAN PRINTING CO. LTD., YUSHIN PRECISION EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B29C49
IPC codes: B29C49, B29L22