Inventors:
Jerome A. Strzyzynski - Franklin Park IL
Charles Richard Hallengren - Deerfield IL
Assignee:
Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B29D 2303
Abstract:
A molding machine into which nested stacks of preforms or parisons at ambient temperatures are loaded, which denests and applies the preforms individually onto complementary shaped mandrels in the machine. The preforms are made of a thermoplastic material, such as polystyrene, and the mandrels of the molding machine are internally heated to heat each parison as the machine is intermittently rotated. The mandrels are circumferentially mounted about a carriage in the machine and the carriage rotates about a horizontal axis. When viewing the machine at the side at which the carriage rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the preforms are individually applied to the mandrels at the three o'clock position by a loading mechanism. From the three o'clock position around and to the six o'clock position each preform is being heated on its mandrel. At the six o'clock position a split mold closes about the preform and air under pressure is directed through the mandrel to cause the heated preform to expand to the mold configuration and be cooled upon engagement with the mold walls.