Liquid blow molding apparatus

Abstract

A liquid blow molding apparatus for liquid blow molding a resin preform into a container having a prescribed shape. The apparatus includes a blow molding mold in which the preform is disposed; a blow nozzle that engages in an opening of the preform; a pressurized liquid supply that supplies a pressurized liquid to a supply path that is connected to the blow nozzle; and a seal member that is provided inside the supply path and opens and closes the supply path with respect to the blow nozzle. The pressurized liquid supply is configured to start the supplying the pressurized liquid to the supply path after the seal member has begun to open.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A liquid blow molding apparatus for liquid-blow-molding a resin preform into a container having a prescribed shape, the liquid blow molding apparatus comprising:
 a blow molding mold in which a preform is disposed, the preform having a tubular body extending between an open end and a closed end,   a blow nozzle fitted into the opening of the preform,   a pressurized liquid supply coupled to the blow nozzle to supply a pressurized liquid through a supply channel connected to the blow nozzle, and   a seal member positioned in the supply channel and being moveable between open and closed positions respectfully defining open and closed conditions of the supply channel with respect to the blow nozzle; and,   the pressurized liquid supply being configured to start supplying the pressurized liquid to the supply channel by, at a first point in time during the blow molding cycle, moving the seal member to the open position establishing an open condition of the supply channel with respect to the blow nozzle, and at a second point in time during the blow molding cycle, the second point in time being after the first point in time, and after initiating the moving of the seal member to the open position has started, starting injection of the pressurized liquid with the pressurized liquid at a first pressure and increasing the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel from the first pressure to a forming pressure for forming the preform into the container.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to start to supply pressurized liquid to the supply channel in the range of 0.01 to 0.05 seconds after the moving of the seal member to the open condition has started. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to start to supply pressurized liquid to the supply channel in the range of 0.01 to 0.03 seconds after the moving of the seal member to the open condition has started. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an extension rod located within the blow nozzle and being moveable in a longitudinal direction into the preform to extend the preform in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to increase of the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel in greater than or equal to 0.01 seconds from the start of the moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to increase of the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel in less than or equal to 0.05 seconds from the start of the moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to increase of the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel in less than or equal to 0.03 seconds from the start of the moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to open the seal member by an amount that is less than 10% open at a time 0.01 seconds after initiating moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to open the seal member by an amount that is greater than 50% open at a time 0.02 seconds after initiating moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to open the seal member 100% at a time 0.05 seconds after initiating moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to open the seal member 100% at a time 0.03 seconds after initiating moving of the seal member. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to begin increasing the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel after the seal member is greater than or equal to 9% open. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to begin increasing the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel begins after the seal member is greater than or equal to 50% open. 
     
     
         17 . The liquid blow molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized liquid supply is configured to begin increasing the pressure of the pressurized liquid supplied to the supply channel begins after the seal member is 100% open.