Modified injection takeout tube

Abstract

A cooling device and method useful for reducing the total injection molding cycle time of an injection molded tube, and more particularly to applying cooling to areas of a preform that are not in direct contact with the water cooled inside surface of a take out tube.

1 .- 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A method for cooling a preform comprising: 
 providing a preform and a cooling apparatus, said preform located within a cavity of said cooling apparatus;    introducing a cooled fluid into a take out tube of said cooling apparatus allowing heat transfer between an inner surface of said take out tube and a portion of said preform that makes intimate contact with said inner surface;    introducing a gas into a cooling sleeve of said cooling apparatus allowing heat transfer between said cooled fluid and said gas;    blowing said gas out of at least one hole in said cooling sleeve onto said preform.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12;  wherein the step of providing comprises applying a vacuum in the cooling apparatus  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a preform comprises the use of a core to introduce the preform into the cooling apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a preform comprises inserting a manufactured preform in the injection mold.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a preform comprises injection molding said preform within said cooling apparatus.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a preform comprises inserting a manufactured preform into said cooling apparatus.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 ,.wherein said preform is a reverse taper style preform.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the fluid comprises water.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the gas comprises air.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the gas comprises a super cooled gas.