AU2008201562B2 - Mould Insert - Google Patents

Abstract

P :OPER\TNB\SPECl\0510593 MOULD INSERT doc-7/04/2(8 A mould member I for blow moulding plastic containers, comprising an outer shell 2 supporting a sidewall mould insert 2, and a base mould insert 5 having the required shape 5 features 7 of the body and base of the container to be moulded, the base mould insert being mounted on a base member by cooperating locking means 9, 10 engageable by a tool 17 for quick release by manipulations of the tool.

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Visy R & D Pty Ltd Actual Inventor: Roger William CLARK Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson, Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Invention Title: "Mould Insert" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Q \OPER\TNB\2008\April\30510593 7 April doc - 7/4/08 H:\tId\ntenvovcn\NRPorbI\DCC\TLD\6745435_ Ldocx- 16/0912014 -1 MOULD INSERT Field of the Invention 5 This invention relates to mould inserts for use in the blow moulding of plastic bottles. Background of the Invention To avoid the cost of replacing complete moulding shell halves, the use of removable 10 inserts defining the required body shape and base shape have been successful for some time. One such arrangement is illustrated in US 6113377, Clark. The base insert is held in place by means of bolts. When an insert change is required for a different body or base shape or size, the base insert must be released and replaced by 15 unscrewing and replacing the bolts. This is a time-consuming operation given that multiple moulds may need to be changed. It is an object to provide a base insert holding means which is adapted for rapid release and replacement. 20 Summary of the Invention The invention therefore provides a mould member for blow moulding plastic containers, comprising an outer shell supporting a sidewall mould insert, and a base mould insert 25 having the required shape features of the body and base of the container to be moulded, the base mould insert being mounted on a base member by cooperating locking means engageable by a tool for quick release by manipulation of the tool. wherein the locking rings are normally locked together by a locking device engaging both rings until said one locking ring is released by a release means on the tool, 30 and wherein the locking means comprises a spring loaded pin engaging apertures in said locking rings.

DocunionI3-16/09/2014 -2 The cooperating locking means may comprise cooperating locking rings, one of which is enagageable by said tool for quick release by manual rotation of the tool. The cooperating locking rings may comprise a fixed locking ring and a retainer ring 5 engageable with means carried by the locking ring. The retainer ring may be held in place by bolts engaging slots in the retainer ring having cammed locking faces to ensure secure locking of the retainer ring. 10 The tool may be provided with a release pin which releases the spring loaded pin from engagement with said one locking ring when the tool is properly engaged with said one locking ring. The spring loaded pin may carry an indicator pin which provides a visual indication of the 15 locked state of the locking pin. Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non 20 limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a blow mould half shell insert and a base insert assembly; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the half shell insert of Figure 1 in position in a half mould 25 body; Figure 4 is a top view of a base insert holding means; Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view showing the removal tool in place; Figure 7 is a sectional elevation along the line 7-7 in Figure 6; and 30 Figure 8 is an isometric view of the removal tool of Figure 5. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Documenl3-16/09/2014 -3 Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the half mould insert assembly 1 comprises an upper shell insert 2 having the required shape features of the body of the bottle, and a lower shell insert 3 defining the shape of the heel of the base of the bottle, secured to the upper insert 2 by means of screws 4. The mould assembly is completed by a base insert 5 5 received within the lower shell insert 3 and closed by a base plug 6, and having the base mould features 7 at its upper end. The base insert 5 is secured to a base stem fitting 8 by means of an annular locking ring 9 and an associated retainer ring 10 held together by bolts 11 engaging cammed slots 12 in 10 the retainer ring 10 and engaging holding lugs 13 at the lower end of the insert 5. The locking ring 9 has spaced pin holes 14 adapted to receive pins 15 and 16 on a removal tool 17. Pin 16 is longer than pin 15 to depress a spring loaded locking pin 18 from engagement with the retainer ring 10, which normally prevents rotation of the ring during operation of the mould. An indicator pin 19 secured to the locking pin 18 provides a visual indication 15 that the ring 10 is locked ready for operation of the mould. It will be appreciated that the base insert is able to be released for replacement by simple rotation of the tool 17 thereby allowing for rapid changeover of mould inserts. Since the mechanisms for retaining the upper and lower shell inserts in place and the means for 20 supplying fluids to the mould in the usual manner are known and are not directly relevant to the invention, they will not be further described. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", 25 will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or 30 admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (8)

1. A mould member for blow moulding plastic containers comprising an outer shell supporting a sidewall mould insert, and a base mould insert having the required shape 5 features of the body and base of the container to be moulded, the base mould insert being mounted on a base member by cooperating locking means engageable by a tool for quick release by manipulation of the tool, wherein the locking rings are normally locked together by a locking device engaging both rings until said one locking ring is released by a release means on the tool, 10 and wherein the locking means comprises a spring loaded pin engaging apertures in said locking rings.

2. The mould member of claim 1, wherein the cooperating locking means comprises 15 cooperating locking rings, one of which is enagageable by said tool for quick release by manual rotation of the tool.

3. The mould member of claim 2, wherein the cooperating locking rings comprise a fixed locking ring and a retainer ring engageable with means carried by the locking ring. 20

4. The mould member of claim 3, wherein the means carried by the locking rings comprises bolts engaging slots in the retainer ring having cammed locking faces to ensure secure locking of the retainer ring. 25

5. The mould member of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tool is provided with a release pin which releases the spring loaded pin from engagement with said one locking ring when the tool is properly engaged with said one locking ring.

6. The mould member of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spring loaded pin 30 includes an indicator pin which provides a visual indication of the locked state of the locking pin. Documcn3-16/09/2014 -5

7. The mould member of any preceding claim, wherein the cooperating locking means are substantially as described with reference to Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. 5

8. A mould member substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.