Apparatus for molding a plastic closure with air-assisted ejection

US6887066B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David Cerny · Crawfordsville, US
• Ramesh Kamath · Crawfordsville, US
• Mark Powell · Crawfordsville, US
• Greg Mishler · Crawfordsville, US
• Sohail Sadiq · Crawfordsville, US
• David Oles · San Marcos, US
• Lindsey Abney · Crawfordsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2003
• Grant date: May 3, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 5, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/565
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for molding a plastic closure includes a male mold assembly including a forming pin and an outer pin sleeve which cooperate with a female mold for defining a mold cavity. To facilitate mechanical stripping of a molded closure from the forming pin, pressurized air is introduced into the molded closure through at least one air passageway which extends axially between the forming pin and pin sleeve. By outwardly expanding and forming the plastic closure during ejection from the forming pin, forces to which the closure is subjected during ejection are significantly reduced, thereby desirably reducing the amount of cooling of the closure that is required during the molding cycle prior to ejection. Significantly increased operating speeds for the compression molding apparatus can thus be achieved.