Apparatuses and methods for obtaining an object such as a seal, and a seal for containers

Abstract

An apparatus for forming an object from plastics material includes a forming arrangement having a recess for forming an edge zone of the object, the recess extending around an internal region of the forming arrangement and a conduit cooperating with a piston device to supply the plastics material to the recess, the conduit leading into the internal region into a position contiguous with the recess.

1 - 142 . (canceled) 
     
     
         143 . Apparatus for forming an object from plastics material, comprising:
 a forming arrangement having a recess for forming an edge zone of said object, said recess extending around an internal region of said forming arrangement; and   a conduit cooperating with a piston device to supply said plastics to said recess, said conduit leading into said internal region into a position contiguous with said recess.   
     
     
         144 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said recess is annular, in order to shape an internally hollow object. 
     
     
         145 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein, in a forming position of said object, said piston device defines in said conduit an internal forming chamber, said internal forming chamber communicating directly with said recess. 
     
     
         146 . Apparatus according to  claim 145 , wherein said internal forming chamber is configured for forming an appendage to said object, said appendage projecting from said edge zone to a space surrounded by said edge zone. 
     
     
         147 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said internal region is bounded by a substantially flat front surface. 
     
     
         148 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said conduit is obtained inside said forming arrangement. 
     
     
         149 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , and further comprising a separating arrangement for separating a dose of plastics material intended for forming said object from an extruding nozzle and for delivering said dose to said conduit, said separating arrangement being is supported by said forming arrangement. 
     
     
         150 . Apparatus according to  claim 149 , wherein said separating arrangement has a separating surface, said separating surface periodically facing an outlet surface of said extruding nozzle to remove said dose therefrom, said separating surface being arranged near an open channel of said separating arrangement, said open channel being arranged for receiving said dose exiting said extruding nozzle, said open channel being contiguous with said conduit. 
     
     
         151 . Apparatus according to  claim 150 , wherein said separating surface is arranged transversely to a direction along which said piston device and said conduit are mutually movable. 
     
     
         152 . Apparatus according to  claim 150 , wherein said separating surface is arranged along a direction in which said piston device and said conduit are mutually movable. 
     
     
         153 . Apparatus according to  claim 149 , wherein said separating arrangement includes a seat intended for temporarily housing an end portion of said extruding nozzle. 
     
     
         154 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said forming arrangement is included in a punch member. 
     
     
         155 . Apparatus according to  claim 154 , wherein said conduit is obtained in said punch member. 
     
     
         156 . Apparatus according to  claim 154 , and further comprising a driving device for moving said piston device with respect to said punch member so as to enable said piston device to enter or exit said conduit. 
     
     
         157 . Apparatus according to  claim 154 , wherein said punch member is movable with respect to said piston device so that said conduit disengages from, or receives internally, said piston device. 
     
     
         158 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said object is a seal, said apparatus further comprising a supporting element for supporting a cap while said forming arrangement forms said seal directly inside said cap. 
     
     
         159 . Apparatus according to  claim 158 , wherein said forming arrangement is included in a punch member, said apparatus further comprising an actuating arrangement for moving said supporting element to and moving said supporting element from said punch member, wherein said punch member is mounted on an elastic device, such that said supporting element moves said punch member with respect to said piston device. 
     
     
         160 . Apparatus according to  claim 158 , and further comprising a supplying device for supplying to said forming arrangement a plurality of caps in order to form inside each cap a corresponding seal. 
     
     
         161 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , and further comprising an abutting surface suitable for contacting said forming arrangement to close said recess while said object is formed in said recess. 
     
     
         162 . Apparatus according to  claim 143 , wherein said forming arrangement is included in a molding unit, said apparatus comprising a plurality of molding units mounted on a carousel.