JP7355537B2 - Molding equipment for blow molding synthetic resin bottles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention blow molds a synthetic resin bottle that has a body, a mouth located above the body, a neck interposed between the body and the mouth, and a bottom located below the body. This invention relates to a molding device for.

BACKGROUND ART Synthetic resin bottles molded from suitable synthetic resins such as polyethylene terephthalate are widely used as beverage bottles. As is well known to those skilled in the art, such a synthetic resin bottle consists of a preform (a front end) comprising a bottomed cylindrical blow molded part that is blow molded together with a mouth part and a neck part to form a body part and a bottom part. A molded body) is formed by injection molding or compression molding, and then the blow molded part of the preform is blow molded to mold the body and bottom parts. As disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a molding device for blow molding a blow molded part of a preform includes two body mold members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction, and in a closed state, the body mold member The neck mold member includes a body mold that defines the outer shape of the body and a bottom mold that defines the outer shape of the bottom, as well as two neck mold members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction, and that match the outer shape of the neck in the closed state. It is equipped with a neck mold that defines the space. The neck mold member is closed to fix the neck of the preform, and the body mold member is closed to define a blow molding space by the body mold and the bottom mold to blow mold the blow molded portion of the preform.

The molding apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 below further includes two body mold support members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction, and each of the body mold members has a body mold support member. It is detachably attached to each member.

JP2014-208434A

In the conventional molding apparatus as described above, when changing the shape of the body of the bottle to be blow-molded, there is no need to change the neck mold and the bottom mold, and the mold can be detachably attached to the body mold support member. To deal with this problem, remove the installed body mold member and removably attach a separate body mold member corresponding to the changed shape of the body part to the body mold support member. Can be done. However, if it is necessary to blow mold a bottle using preforms with different neck shapes, this cannot be adequately addressed. To explain this point in more detail, especially when forming a synthetic resin bottle with excellent heat resistance, it is necessary to heat the preform molding part of the preform, but the neck part of the preform is heated at this part. Appropriate cooling is important from the perspective of preventing deformation. However, in conventional molding equipment, the main part of the relatively expensive cooling means for proper cooling of the neck of the preform is disposed in the neck mold member, and therefore it is difficult to replace the neck mold member. The costs involved would be quite high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and its main technical problem is to reduce the necessary cost even when it is necessary to blow mold a bottle using preforms with different neck shapes. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved molding device that can sufficiently suppress and cope with this problem.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have provided at least two neck mold support members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction in relation to the neck mold; It has been discovered that the above main technical problem can be achieved by detachably attaching each of the neck mold members to each of the neck mold supporting members.

That is, according to the present invention, as a molding apparatus that achieves the above-mentioned main technical problem,
For blow molding a synthetic resin bottle having a body, a mouth located above the body, a neck interposed between the body and the mouth, and a bottom located below the body. A molding device,
a body mold that includes at least two body mold members that are laterally movable to open and close, and defines the outer shape of the body in a closed state;
a bottom mold that defines the outer shape of the bottom;
a neck mold that includes at least two neck mold members that are laterally movable to open and close, and that defines a space that conforms to the outer shape of the neck in a closed state;
The molding equipment is equipped with
At least two neck mold support members are provided that are laterally movable to open and close, each of the neck mold members being removably attached to each of the neck mold support members,
Each of the neck mold support members is provided with a cooling means, but the neck mold is not provided with a cooling means,
A molding apparatus is provided.

Preferably, the cooling means includes a cooling liquid channel formed in the neck mold support member. Preferably, a heat insulating means is provided between the neck mold member and the body mold member, and the heat insulating means is provided between the neck mold member and the body mold member. Conveniently, it includes a space formed in a. Preferably, the body mold member is not provided with temperature regulating means. At least two body mold support members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction are provided, each of the body mold support members being removably attached to each of the body mold support members. is convenient. Preferably, a heat insulating means is disposed between the neck mold support member and the trunk mold support member, and the heat insulation means is arranged between the lower surface of the neck mold support member and the body mold support member, which are in contact with each other. The heat insulating means includes a space defined by a recess formed in at least one of the upper surface of the body mold support member, or the heat insulation means is interposed between the neck mold support member and the body mold support member. It is desirable to include a thermally insulating member. Advantageously, the body mold support member is provided with temperature regulating means. Advantageously, a bottom mold support is provided, the bottom mold being mounted on the bottom mold support, and temperature regulating means being arranged on the bottom mold support. Preferably, each of the neck mold members, each of the neck mold support members, each of the trunk mold members, and each of the trunk mold support members are each laterally opposed to each other. each of the neck mold members, each of the neck mold support members, each of the trunk mold members, and each of the trunk mold support members are all movable in a direction away from each other. be.

In the molding apparatus configured according to the present invention, when it becomes necessary to mold a bottle using preforms with different neck shapes, the neck mold member attached to the neck mold support member By separating the neck mold member from the neck mold member and attaching the neck mold member to the neck mold supporting member in correspondence with preforms having different neck shapes, the necessary costs can be sufficiently suppressed and appropriately dealt with. To cool the neck, at least the main part of the cooling means is provided in the neck mold support member rather than in the neck mold, and an appropriate heat insulating means is also provided between the neck mold and the body mold. can be carried out as required.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a typical example of a bottle molded by the molding apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a molding apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention in a closed state; FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a BB sectional view of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a body mold member of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a body mold support member of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the neck mold member of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as a single unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the neck mold support member of the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the portion indicated by C in FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the molding apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in an open state.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the molding apparatus constructed according to the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a bottle molded by the molding apparatus of the present invention. The bottle, generally designated by the reference numeral 102, is formed by blow molding a preform made of a suitable synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, and includes a body 104, a mouth 106 located above the body 104, and a body 104. and a neck portion 108 interposed between the body portion 104 and the mouth portion 106, and a bottom portion 110 located below the body portion 104. The main portion of the body portion 104 has a cylindrical shape, but the upper end portion is shaped like a truncated cone. The mouth portion 106 has a cylindrical shape, and a male thread 112 is formed on its outer peripheral surface. The longitudinal section of the bottom portion 110 has a shape that bulges upward, and the lower surface 114 of the bottom portion 110 also bulges upward.

2 to 4 show a preferred embodiment of the molding device of the present invention, and the molding device, designated as a whole by reference numeral 2, includes a body mold 4 that defines the outer shape of the body 104 of the bottle 102 in the closed state; It includes a bottom mold 6 that defines the outer shape of the bottom 110 of the bottle 102, and a neck mold 8 that defines a space that matches the outer shape of the neck 108 of the bottle 102 in the closed state.

Referring to FIG. 3, the body mold 4 includes two body mold members 10 that are laterally opposed to each other. Referring to FIG. 5 as well as FIG. 3, the body mold member 10 is long in the vertical direction, and its cross section has an arcuate shape extending over an angular range of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. A body molding inner surface 18 having a required shape for molding the body 104 of the bottle 102 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the body mold member 10 . A substantially horizontal shoulder surface 20 is formed at the upper end of the body mold member 10, and the body mold member 10 has a cylindrical shape that is located below the shoulder surface 20 and extends substantially vertically in the vertical direction. portion 22 and a truncated conical portion 24 located above the shoulder surface 20. An engagement groove 26 is formed at the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22 and extends substantially horizontally in the circumferential direction. The cross section of the engagement groove 26 is rectangular. Note that the body mold 4 is not provided with any temperature adjustment means.

Referring to FIG. 3, the molding device 2 includes two body mold support members 28 to which the two body mold members 10 are respectively attached. Each of the two body mold support members 28 also laterally faces each other. Referring to FIG. 6 together with FIG. 3, the body mold support member 28 is long in the vertical direction, and has an arcuate cross section extending over an angular range of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. The curvature of the circumferential surface corresponds to the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the body mold member 10 (see also FIG. 4). At the upper end of the inner circumferential surface of the body mold support member 28, an engagement protrusion 30 that protrudes radially inward extends substantially horizontally in the circumferential direction. The cross section of the engaging protrusion 30 is rectangular, and this corresponds to the cross section of the engaging groove 26 formed in the body mold member 10. In the body mold support member 28, four through holes 38 having a circular cross section and extending substantially perpendicularly in the vertical direction and penetrating in the vertical direction are formed at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. A temperature regulating means 40 is arranged in each through hole 38 (see FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature regulating means 40 is an electric heater. If desired, the temperature regulating means 40 may be adapted to circulate temperature controlled liquid. For clear understanding, the temperature control means 40 is shaded in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, although detailed drawings are omitted, the bottom mold 6 has a generally truncated conical shape projecting upward, and has a bottom molding upper surface 46 having a shape corresponding to the lower surface 114 of the bottle 102. It is equipped with

The molding device 2 includes a bottom mold support member 48 to which the bottom mold 6 is mounted. The bottom mold support member 48 has a vertically elongated columnar shape, and the bottom mold 6 is fixed on the upper surface of the bottom mold support member 48 by appropriate fixing means. The bottom mold support member 48 is provided with temperature control means. The temperature control means includes a liquid flow path 50 provided inside the bottom mold support member 48 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck mold 8 includes two neck mold members 52 that are laterally opposed to each other. The neck mold member 52 is preferably formed from a material with good thermal conductivity. Referring to FIG. 7 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck mold member 52 has an arcuate shape extending over an angular range of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. A neck support inner surface 54 having a required shape to match the outer diameter of the neck 108 of the bottle 102 is provided at the upper radially central portion of the neck mold member 52 . A semicircular space 56 is provided on the lower surface of the neck mold member 52. At the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the neck mold member 52, a locking protrusion 58 that protrudes radially outward extends in the circumferential direction.

The molding apparatus of the present invention includes at least two neck mold support members 62, and each of the neck mold members 52 is removably attached to each of the neck mold support members 62. This is very important. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, two neck mold support members 62 are provided laterally facing each other. Referring to FIG. 8 together with FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck mold support member 62 has an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction over an angular range of 180 degrees, and the curvature of the inner circumferential surface is equal to the neck mold support member 62. This corresponds to the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the mold member 52 (see FIG. 2). A locking groove 64 that extends substantially horizontally in the circumferential direction is formed on the radially inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the neck mold support member 62 . The locking groove 64 corresponds to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the neck mold member 52. A space 66 is provided in the center of the lower surface of the neck mold support member 62 . The space portion 66 consists of a semicircular portion 66a located below and a truncated conical portion 66b located above this portion. Three arc-shaped recesses 68 are formed on the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the neck mold support member 62. As understood by referring to the (a) plan view of FIG. 8, the neck mold support member 62 is provided with cooling means including a coolant flow path 70. An inlet 72 and an outlet 74 are provided adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the neck mold support member 62 (see the rear view of FIG. 8(d)), and the coolant flow path 70 is connected to the inlet 72. From there, it advances toward the diametrically opposite side close to the locking groove 64 , then reverses, and advances toward one side in the diametrical direction away from the locking groove 64 to reach the outlet 74 .

Assembly of the above-mentioned components will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The body mold support member 28 and the body mold member 10 are aligned by the engagement protrusion 30 of the body mold support member 28 fitting into the engagement groove 26 of the body mold 4, It is detachably attached by a fixing means (not shown). When the trunk mold member 10 is attached to the trunk mold support member 28 , the inner peripheral surface of the trunk mold support member 28 comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the trunk mold member 10 . On the other hand, the neck mold support member 62 and the neck mold member 52 are aligned by engagement between the locking groove 64 of the neck mold support member 62 and the locking protrusion 58 of the neck mold member 52, as shown in the figure. It is removably attached by means of fixing means. When the neck mold member 52 is attached to the neck mold support member 62 , the outer peripheral surface of the neck mold member 52 comes into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the neck mold support member 62 . The neck mold 8 and the neck mold support member 62 are placed on the upper surfaces of the trunk mold member 10 and the trunk mold support member 28, and the neck mold support member 28 and the neck mold support member 62 are fastened by a fastening means (not shown) such as a bolt. In this way, the body molding inner surfaces 18 of each of the two body mold members 10 face each other, the neck support inner surfaces 54 of each of the two neck mold members 52 face each other, and the bottom mold 6 is mutually opposed. It is arranged between two body mold members 10 facing each other.

The description will be further continued with reference to FIG. When the components are assembled as described above, a space 76 is formed between the neck mold member 52 and the body mold member 10. In other words, the neck mold member 52 and the body mold member 10 are separated from each other (there is also a slight gap between the upper end surface of the truncated conical part 24 of the body mold member 10 and the lower surface of the neck mold member 52). ), the space 76 constitutes a heat insulating means between the neck mold member 52 and the body mold member 10 . The space 76 also extends between the body mold member 10 and the neck mold support member 62. Therefore, the body mold member 10 and the neck mold support member 62 are separated from each other, and the space 76 also constitutes a heat insulating means between the body mold member 10 and the neck mold support member 62. In the illustrated embodiment, a recess 68 is further formed in the lower surface of the neck mold support member 62 (more specifically, the outer peripheral edge thereof) and the upper surface of the body mold support member 28, which contact each other. Therefore, a space indicated by the number 78 is also formed between the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold support member 28. This space 78 constitutes a heat insulating means between the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold support member 28.

The components assembled as described above include the trunk mold member 10, the trunk mold support member 28, the neck mold member 52, and the neck mold support member 62, as shown in FIGS. It can be opened and closed laterally between a closed state shown in FIG. 4 and an open state shown in FIG. 10 by a driving means (not shown). That is, the trunk mold member 10, the trunk mold support member 28, the neck mold member 52, and the neck mold support member 62 are all capable of opening and closing in the lateral direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the body mold members 10, each of the body mold support members 28, each of the neck mold members 52, and each of the neck mold support members 62 are all spaced apart from each other. direction, but may also pivot in mutually opposite directions about a common pivot axis, if desired.

Returning to FIG. 3 and continuing the explanation, a coolant flow path 70 provided in the neck mold support member 62 is connected to a circulating coolant supply device 80 via an inlet 72 and an outlet 74, and a coolant flow path 70 is connected to a circulating coolant supply device 80 through an inlet 72 and an outlet 74. Channel 70 is supplied with cooling fluid. As a result, the neck mold member 52 is cooled by the coolant flow path 70 via the neck mold support member 62. On the other hand, a liquid flow path 50 disposed in the bottom mold support member 48 is connected to a circulating temperature adjustment liquid supply device 82, and a temperature-controlled liquid is supplied to the liquid flow path 50. Thereby, the temperature of the bottom mold 6 is controlled by the liquid flow path 50 via the bottom mold supporting member 48 . Further, a temperature adjusting means 40 (an electric heater in the illustrated embodiment) disposed in the through hole 38 of the body mold support member 28 is connected to a power source 84 to adjust the temperature. Thereby, the temperature of the body mold member 10 is adjusted by the temperature adjustment means 40 via the body mold support member 28. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a heat insulating means (space 76) between the neck mold member 52 and the body mold member 10, and between the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold support member 28. Due to the presence of the heat insulating means (space 78) between the temperature control means 40 disposed in the body mold support member 28 (and the liquid flow disposed in the bottom mold support member Transfer of heat from the passage 50) to the neck mold support member 62 is sufficiently suppressed, and the neck mold support member 62 is prevented from being heated by the temperature adjustment means 40 (and the liquid flow passage 50).

Next, a process of molding a heat-resistant bottle using the molding apparatus of the illustrated embodiment will be described.
First, a body mold member 10 having a body molding inner surface suitable for the outer shape of the bottle to be molded is prepared, and the body mold member 10 is mounted on the body mold support member 28. Similarly, a neck mold member 52 having a neck support inner surface suitable for the shape of the neck of the bottle to be molded is prepared, and the neck mold member 52 is attached to the neck mold support member 62. Then, the molding device 2 is constructed by combining each component as described above. Next, the molding device 2 is opened to set the heated preform in the blow molding section, and then closed to fix the neck of the preform. Thereafter, the blow molded portion of the preform is blow molded in the blow molding space defined by the body mold 4 and the bottom mold 6 (that is, the space defined by the body molding inner surface 18 and the bottom molding upper surface 46). Then, the bottle 102 is molded. At this time, the molded part of the preform (that is, the outer surface of the body 104 and the lower surface 114 of the bottom 110 of the molded bottle 102) is heated because the body molded inner surface 18 and the bottom molded upper surface 46 are heated. be done. This results in the formation of a bottle with excellent heat resistance. On the other hand, the neck of the preform is cooled because the neck support inner surface 54 is cooled. This prevents the neck 108 of the molded bottle and its surroundings from being deformed. As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat insulating means (space 76) exists between the neck mold member 52 and the body mold member 10, and the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold member Due to the presence of the heat insulating means (space 78) also between the support member 28, the transfer of heat from the temperature adjustment means 40 (and liquid flow path 50) to the neck mold support member 62 is sufficiently suppressed. , the neck mold support member 62 is prevented from being heated by the temperature adjustment means 40 (and the liquid flow path 50). The bottle 102 molded in this manner is taken out from the molding device 2 by changing the molding device 2 from the closed state to the open state.

In the molding apparatus configured according to the present invention, when it becomes necessary to mold a bottle using preforms with different neck shapes, the neck mold attached to the neck mold support member 62 is used. By removing the member 52 and attaching neck mold members to the neck mold supporting member 62 in correspondence with preforms with different neck shapes, the necessary costs can be sufficiently suppressed and appropriate measures can be taken. . To cool the neck, at least the main part of the cooling means is disposed not in the neck mold 8 but in the neck mold supporting member 62, and also by providing appropriate heat insulation means ( This can be accomplished as required by arranging the space 76).

As above, the molding apparatus of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, but the molding apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Examples can be considered. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the insulation between the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold support member 28 is provided by a recess 68 formed in the lower surface of the neck mold support member 62 that abuts each other. Although the space 78 is defined by the defined space 78, instead of this, an appropriate heat insulating member may be interposed between the neck mold support member 62 and the body mold support member 28. Further, although the recess 68 is provided on the lower surface of the neck mold support member 62, it may be provided on the upper surface of the trunk mold support member 28 instead of or together with this. Additionally, although in the illustrated embodiment both the bottle and molding device had circular cross-sections, they could be angular if desired.

2: Molding device 4: Body mold 6: Bottom mold 8: Neck mold 10: Body mold member 28: Trunk mold support member 48: Bottom mold support member 52: Neck mold member 62: Neck mold support member 76: Heat insulation means (space)
78: Heat insulation means (space)

Claims (12)

For blow molding a synthetic resin bottle having a body, a mouth located above the body, a neck interposed between the body and the mouth, and a bottom located below the body. A molding device,
a body mold that includes at least two body mold members that are laterally movable to open and close, and defines the outer shape of the body in a closed state;
a bottom mold that defines the outer shape of the bottom;
a neck mold that includes at least two neck mold members that are laterally movable to open and close, and that defines a space that conforms to the outer shape of the neck in a closed state;
The molding equipment is equipped with
At least two neck mold support members are provided that are laterally movable to open and close, each of the neck mold members being removably attached to each of the neck mold support members,
Each of the neck mold support members is provided with a cooling means, but the neck mold is not provided with a cooling means,
A molding device characterized by: 2. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said cooling means includes a cooling fluid passage formed in said neck mold support member. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the body mold member is not provided with temperature control means. 4. The molding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a heat insulating means is provided between the neck mold member and the body mold member. 5. The molding apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the insulation means includes a space formed between the neck mold member and the body mold member. At least two body mold support members that can be opened and closed in the lateral direction are provided, each of the body mold support members being removably attached to each of the body mold support members, respectively. A molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . 7. The molding apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a heat insulating means is provided between the neck mold support member and the body mold support member. The molding apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the heat insulating means includes a space defined by a recess formed in at least one of the lower surface of the neck mold support member and the upper surface of the body mold support member that are in contact with each other. . 8. The molding apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the heat insulating means includes a heat insulating member interposed between the neck mold support member and the body mold support member. The molding apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9 , wherein the body mold support member is provided with temperature control means. Claims 1 to 10 , further comprising a bottom mold support member, the bottom mold being mounted on the bottom mold support member, and a temperature control means disposed on the bottom mold support member. The molding device according to any one of the above. Each of the neck mold members, each of the neck mold support members, each of the body mold members, and each of the body mold support members are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction, Each of the neck mold members, each of the neck mold support members, each of the body mold members, and each of the body mold support members are all movable in directions separating from each other; A molding device according to any one of claims 6 to 10 .