Compression moulding apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus comprises: forming means movable along a first path for compression moulding doses of plastics; a plurality of transfer means for transferring said doses to said forming means; a plurality of arm means, each arm means being associated with a corresponding transfer means for moving said transfer means along a second path having a portion substantially coinciding with a further portion of said first path.

1 - 263 . (canceled) 
     
     
         264 . Apparatus comprising:
 a substantially tubular transfer element for transferring a dosed quantity of flowable melted material extruded by an extruding device from a removal position to a delivery position;   a forming device for receiving said dosed quantity in said delivery position and compression moulding said dosed quantity to obtain therefrom an article having a shape;   said transfer element comprising a shaping arrangement for shaping said dosed quantity so as to obtain from said dosed quantity a precursor of said shape, wherein said transfer element has a first opening to receive said dosed quantity in said removal position and a second opening opposite said first opening to release said dosed quantity in said delivery position.   
     
     
         265 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said shaping arrangement is such as to give said precursor a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         266 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said shaping arrangement is such as to give said precursor a transverse dimension that is less than a minimum transverse dimension of a cavity of said forming device, said cavity being intended to receive said precursor. 
     
     
         267 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said forming device is mounted on a continuously rotatable carousel. 
     
     
         268 . Apparatus according to  claim 266 , wherein said forming device comprises a die device and a punch device interacting together to form a preform of containers from said dosed quantity. 
     
     
         269 . Apparatus according to  claim 268 , wherein said cavity is obtained in said die device. 
     
     
         270 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said transfer element is bounded by a side wall extending along a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         271 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , wherein said side wall has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         272 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , wherein said side wall is substantially continuous around said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         273 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , wherein said side wall has an open concave cross-section. 
     
     
         274 . Apparatus according to  claim 273 , wherein said open concave cross-section is U-shaped. 
     
     
         275 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , and further comprising a first closing device for selectively closing said first opening. 
     
     
         276 . Apparatus according to  claim 275 , wherein said first closing device is movable on a plane transversely to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         277 . Apparatus according to  claim 275 , and further comprising a second closing device for selectively closing said second opening. 
     
     
         278 . Apparatus according to  claim 277 , wherein said second closing device comprises a shutter element that is movable on a further plane transversely to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         279 . Apparatus according to  claim 278 , wherein said second closing device comprises a further shutter element, said shutter element and said further shutter element being movable on said further plane with a scissors-like movement. 
     
     
         280 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said second opening is operationally positioned below said first opening. 
     
     
         281 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , wherein a pneumatic support device is associated with said second opening, said pneumatic support device being operable to supply a pressurised gas so as to keep said dosed quantity inside said transfer element. 
     
     
         282 . Apparatus according to  claim 281 , wherein said pneumatic support device comprises a plurality of openings communicating with a conduit arranged along an edge of said side wall, said conduit being connected to a source of said pressurised gas. 
     
     
         283 . Apparatus according to  claim 270 , wherein said shaping arrangement comprises forming surfaces for shaping said precursor. 
     
     
         284 . Apparatus according to  claim 283 , wherein said forming surfaces comprises internal surfaces of said side wall. 
     
     
         285 . Apparatus according to  claim 283 , wherein said shaping arrangement comprises a pneumatic forming device. 
     
     
         286 . Apparatus according to  claim 285 , wherein said pneumatic forming device is associated with said side wall. 
     
     
         287 . Apparatus according to  claim 285 , wherein said pneumatic forming device is positioned in such a way as to act on a portion of said dosed quantity distinct from a further portion of said dosed quantity on which said forming surfaces act. 
     
     
         288 . Apparatus according to  claim 285 , wherein said side wall has an U-shaped cross-section and said pneumatic forming device is associated with end regions of said. U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         289 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , and further comprising an ejecting arrangement for ejecting said dosed quantity from said transfer element in said delivery position. 
     
     
         290 . Apparatus according to  claim 289 , wherein said ejecting arrangement comprises a supply device for supplying a pressurised fluid towards said dosed quantity, so as to eject said dosed quantity from said transfer element. 
     
     
         291 . Apparatus according to  claim 290 , and further comprising a first closing device for selectively closing said first opening, said supply device being provided on said first closing device. 
     
     
         292 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said forming device is arranged below said transfer element in said delivery position. 
     
     
         293 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said transfer element is provided with anti-adhesion arrangement for preventing said dosed quantity from adhering significantly to said transfer element. 
     
     
         294 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said transfer element is movable along a path having a portion substantially coinciding with a further portion of a further path along which said forming device is movable. 
     
     
         295 . Apparatus according to  claim 264 , wherein said transfer element is mounted on an arm arrangement, said arm arrangement being rotatable by a rotatable support.