초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatm

Apparatus and method for making a molded plastic article having a stretched and crystallized neck finish. In one embodiment, a series of platforms are carried by a conveying apparatus for transporting a series of molded plastic articles along a predetermined path of travel through one or more treatment stations. At a finish widening station, the molded article, having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion, and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, is positioned to enable insertion of a mandrel into an open top aperture of the finish portion to widen the finish. The mandrel may include a lower heated tapered portion for expanding the finish, and an upper cooled body portion on which the expanded finish may be cooled. The article may then be sent to a finish crystallizing station having a heating device that heats the widened finish portion for a time and temperature selected to crystallize at least a portion of the widened finish. A sizing mechanism positionable in the widened finish supports the finish during crystallization.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Method for treating a series of molded plastic articles through one or more treatment stations having an operational mechanism for treating the article, each article having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion and a relatively narrow and thick-walle

The invention claimed is: 1. Method for treating a series of molded plastic articles through one or more treatment stations having an operational mechanism for treating the article, each article having a relatively wide and thin-walled blow-molded body portion and a relatively narrow and thick-walled unexpanded neck finish portion, the method comprising:providing a series of platforms that are transported by a conveying apparatus through the one or more treatment stations;providing each platform with a mating mechanism having a recess that adjustably receives and engages a sidewall portion of the body portion of one article;depositing one article on each platform and within the recess of the mating mechanism in an orientation wherein the recess engages the article sidewall portion and a top surface of the platform engages a bottom surface of the article and aligns the finish portion in a position that enables operational engagement with the operational mechanism of the one or more treatment stations;conveying the articles on the platforms through the one or more treatment stations; andtreating the articles with the operational mechanism as the articles are conveyed through the one or more treatment stations.