Blow molding apparatus

Abstract

A rotary molding machine having a movable member mounted for rotation on a base about a rotational axis. The movable member has a first component and a second component which is parallel to the first component. The first and second components extend transversely to the rotational axis. A plurality of mold clamp assemblies are positioned on the movable member, with each mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position. Each mold clamp assembly has mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations of the first and second components. An array of mounting openings are provided in the mounting locations of the first and second components of the movable members. The mounting openings are configured to accommodate multiple mold clamp assembly configurations.

1 . A rotary molding machine comprising:
 a base;   a movable member mounted for rotation on the base about a rotational axis, the movable member having a first component and a second component, the first and second components extend essentially transversely to the rotational axis;   a plurality of mold clamp assemblies positioned on the movable member, each mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position, each mold clamp assembly having mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations of the first and second components;   an array of mounting openings is provided in the mounting locations of the first and second components of the movable members, the mounting openings are configured to accommodate multiple mold clamp assembly configurations.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a pair of shafts is positioned along the rotational axis of the movable member, a first shaft cooperates with the first component and a second shaft cooperates with the second component. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 2 , wherein mounting hardware prevents the first and second components from inward axial movement and disengagement from respective shafts. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a drive gear is removably mounted to the movable member, the drive gear cooperating with a drive mechanism to rotate the movable member about the rotational axis. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a pair of shafts are positioned along the rotational axis of the movable member, the pair of shafts are tubular, outer ends of the pair of shafts being attached to rotary joints through which air and fluid respectively pass. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each mold clamp assembly has a frame having a base member, a first end member and an oppositely-facing second end member, the oppositely-facing first and second end members having the mounting areas provided thereon, first and second platens being movably mounted on the base member, the platens being movable between open and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a respective component has a manifold for gaseous fluid removably attached thereto, the manifold transmits the gaseous fluid from a respective shaft to the mold clamp assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a respective component has a manifold for liquid removably attached thereto, the manifold transmits the liquid from a respective shaft to the mold clamp assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mold clamp assemblies have cam followers which cooperate with a cam member provided in the base, the cam followers are movable between different openings of the mold clamp assembly to allow the cam followers to be positioned at the same diameter, whether the mold clamp assemblies are used with first and second components having a large diameter or a small diameter. 
     
     
         10 . A rotary molding machine comprising:
 a base;   a wheel mounted for rotation on the base about a rotational axis, the wheel having a first turntable and a second turntable, the first and second turntables extend essentially transversely to the rotational axis;   a pair of shafts positioned along the rotational axis of the wheel, a first shaft cooperates with the first turntable and a second shaft cooperates with the second turntable;   a plurality of mold clamp assemblies positioned on the wheel, each mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position, each mold clamp assembly extending between the first and second turntables;   the mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the turntables to help maintain the turntables in position relative to each other.   
     
     
         11 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 11 , wherein mounting hardware prevents the turntables from inward axial movement and disengagement from respective shafts. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a drive gear is removably mounted to the wheel, the drive gear cooperating with a drive mechanism to rotate the wheel about the rotational axis. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first and second shafts are tubular and outer ends of the first and second shafts being attached to rotary joints through which air and fluid respectively pass. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each mold clamp assembly has a frame having a base member, a first end member and an oppositely-facing second end member, the oppositely-facing first and second end members having the mounting areas provided thereon, first and second platens being movably mounted on the base member, the platens being movable between open and a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 11 , wherein an array of mounting openings are provided in the mounting locations of the first and second turntables of the wheels, the mounting openings are configured to accommodate multiple mold clamp assembly configurations. 
     
     
         16 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the mold clamp assemblies have cam followers which cooperate with a cam member provided in the base, the cam followers are movable between different openings of the mold clamp assembly to allow the cam followers to be positioned at the same diameter, whether the mold clamp assemblies are used with turntables having a large diameter or a small diameter. 
     
     
         17 . A rotary molding machine comprising:
 a base;   a movable member mounted for rotation on the base about a rotational axis, the movable member having a first component and a second component;   a drive gear removably mounted to the movable member, the drive gear cooperating with a drive mechanism to rotate the movable member about the rotational axis;   a plurality of mold clamp assemblies positioned on the movable member, each mold clamp assembly being moveable between an open and a closed position, each mold clamp assembly extending between the first and second components;   the mold clamp assemblies provide the structure and rigidity between the first and second components to help maintain the first and second components in position relative to each other.   
     
     
         18 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a pair of shafts are positioned along the rotational axis of the movable member, a first shaft cooperates with the first component and a second shaft cooperates with the second component. 
     
     
         19 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pair of shafts have outer ends which are attached to rotary joints through which air and fluid pass. 
     
     
         20 . The rotary molding machine as recited in  claim 17 , wherein each mold clamp assembly having mounting areas which are mounted with respective mounting locations of the first and second components, the mounting locations of the first and second components of the movable members having an array of mounting openings, the mounting openings configured to accommodate multiple mold clamp assembly configurations.