초록 ▼

Improved blow-molding prototype molding system, method and apparatus wherein a plastic container is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce a geometric computer software model of a hollow plastic container of desired contour. This model is then used to generate a geometr

Improved blow-molding prototype molding system, method and apparatus wherein a plastic container is first designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce a geometric computer software model of a hollow plastic container of desired contour. This model is then used to generate a geometric computer software model of a corresponding mold cavity. This data file in turn provides the control signal for a cutting tool of a CNC three axis mold machining tool operating on a starting blank for each mold half of metal material having predetermined and constant length, width and thickness outside dimensions. A mold cavity is thereby automatically machined in a front face of this blank that constitutes one of the two major and parallel face planes of the mold half block. The other half of the mold cavity is similarly formed in the front face of a second mold half block that cooperates with the first mold block to form the two mold halves of a complete blow mold. The back faces of each of the mold halves as well as the top, bottom and two opposite sides remain as initially provided in the starting blank. Standardized major mold nest fixture components cooperate in assembly to support, locate, orient and cool the associated prototype mold halves. The structure of each mold half is thus reduced to its simplest form.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [3.] A prototype mold apparatus for blow-molding hollow plastic containers, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of mold portions that together have an inner surface complementary to the desired container contour such that said mold portions can be operably juxtaposed as two mold halve

[ We claim:] [3.] A prototype mold apparatus for blow-molding hollow plastic containers, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of mold portions that together have an inner surface complementary to the desired container contour such that said mold portions can be operably juxtaposed as two mold halves each having a front face that cooperates with the front face of the other mold half to form a mold cavity, and a back face and exterior contour of predetermined constant geometry,an assembly of mold nest support components forming a support pocket contoured complemental to that of said predetermined constant geometry,each said mold half being assembled into the pocket of the associated one of said assembly of mold nest support components, and wherein said mold cavity in each mold half is generated using computer-aided design to produce a geometric computer model of a container of desired contour,said computer container model is then used to design and produce a software program for controlling a CNC machine to generate a mold cavity for producing the container of desired contour, and then employing the software control program in a CNC machine and thereby machining a plurality of mold portions, wherein said mold portions are made of heat conductive composition, wherein each said assembly includes a channel for cooling fluid in the pocket of each said assembly of mold nest components for heat dissipating contact with the back face of the associated mold half, wherein said nest support components include a cooling fluid manifold plate, wherein said cooling fluid channel is formed in said manifold plate component of each nest component assembly, the associated mold half being secured in flat face mutual heat-transfer abutment with said manifold plate component, and wherein said nest support components include a pair of standoff blocks, the opposite vertical sides of each mold half being reinforced by said pair of standoff blocks being mounted to said manifold plate component, one against each such half mold side, to thereby embrace the half mold laterally while also defining the opposite side walls of the associated pocket.