Method and apparatus for cooling during in-mold handle attachment

Abstract

Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . An improved blow-molding apparatus of the type including a stretch rod and blow-molding cavity, the improvement comprising: 
 the stretch rod having at least one port for directing a cooling medium against a portion of a blow-molded container formed about a handle in the blow-molding cavity.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , including a partial exhaust for promoting flow of the cooling medium at the container portion.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , including: 
 at least one high-pressure source for supplying an expansion medium during blow-molding and for supplying the cooling medium; and    an exhaust promoting a flow of the cooling medium in the blow-molding cavity.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , including at least one low-pressure source for supplying a low-pressure expansion medium during a preliminary expansion step.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the exhaust includes a slow exhaust for promoting flow of the cooling medium and a rapid exhaust for exhausting the blow-molding expansion medium.  
   
   
       13 . A stretch rod for use in a blow-molding cavity, the stretch rod including at least one port located at at least one select location for directing a cooling medium against a portion of a blow-molded container formed about a handle in the blow-molding cavity.  
   
   
       14 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A stretch rod for a blow mold apparatus, the stretch rod including at least one port located for directing a cooling medium against a portion of a blow-molded container formed about a handle in the blow mold.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further including a source for supplying the cooling medium to the stretch rod.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further including a high pressure source for supplying an expansion medium to the stretch rod.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , further including an exhaust for promoting flow of the cooling medium to the blow mold.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the exhaust includes a slow exhaust for promoting flow of the cooling medium and a rapid exhaust for exhausting an expansion medium.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , comprising: 
 at least one high-pressure source for supplying an expansion medium to the blow mold and for supplying the cooling medium; and    an exhaust promoting the flow of the cooling medium in the blow mold.    
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , including at least one low-pressure source for supplying a low-pressure expansion medium during a preliminary expansion of the container.