Patent ID: 7097445

Claim:
An apparatus for blow molding a fuel tank, comprising: a mold defining a mold cavity and having an opening communicating with the mold cavity; a blow pin through which a pressurized gas may flow, the blow pin being movable between an extended position received at least in part in the opening in the mold and communicating with the mold cavity and a retracted position removed from the mold cavity; a blow pin assembly associated with the mold and including the blow pin, a blow pin guide movable relative to the mold between first and second positions and having a passage in which the blow pin is received for reciprocation between its extended and retracted positions, and at least one actuator which moves the blow pin guide; and a pinch plate assembly movable between an open position spaced from the opening of the mold and a closed position adapted to engage fuel tank material in the area of the opening and close the material on itself forming a seam, whereby an opening in a blow molded fuel tank, created by the blow pin during the blow molding process, is closed.