Adjustable core pin for vial molding

Abstract

An adjustable core pin for molding vials for use in levels and those vials molded using the adjustable core pin are disclose. The core pin includes an elongate rod with a crest at its cross section with the greatest diameter and a rod retainer with a cavity which receives the rod such that the distal end of the rod projects from a rod retainer distal opening, the rod being adjustable in relation to the rod retainer so that the crest can be adjustably placed at a preferred position in a molding cavity for vial molding.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . An optimized vial for use in levels, the optimized vial formed by: 
 providing a mold assembly including a molding cavity;    providing an adjustable core pin including an elongate rod having a barrel-shaped distal portion having a crest and a rod retainer, the rod and rod retainer being movable relative to each other and fastenable to each other such that the crest can be established at a preferred position;    inserting the rod into the molding cavity to define a molding space as the volume between the rod and the cavity;    filling the molding space with moldable material to mold a test vial;    withdrawing the rod from the molding cavity;    removing the test vial from the rod;    optically measuring the location of a maximum diameter of the test vial; and    in response to the optical measurement, adjusting the rod and rod retainer to establish the crest at the preferred position;    whereby the subsequent forming of the optimized vial results in more accurate positioning of a maximum diameter of the optimized vial.    
   
   
       16 . The optimized vial of  claim 15  wherein the location of the maximum diameter is optically measured by filling the test vial with liquid and sealing the test vial with a cap so that a bubble of gas remains inside the test vial.  
   
   
       17 . The optimized vial of  claim 15  wherein a number of the test vials are formed and optically measured before the rod and rod retainer are adjusted to establish the maximum diameter at the preferred position.  
   
   
       18 . The optimized vial of  claim 15  wherein the mold assembly includes a molding base which the core pin is secured to before insertion into the molding cavity.  
   
   
       19 . The optimized vial of  claim 15  wherein each vial is ejected from the rod after vial molding by a stripper bushing in which the rod retainer is positioned.  
   
   
       20 . The optimized vial of  claim 15  wherein the moldable material is transparent plastic.  
   
   
       21 . A method for optimizing a vial to be used in levels, the vial having two ends, a center between the ends and a barrel-shaped cavity with a maximum inner diameter positioned near the center, the method comprising: 
 providing a mold assembly including a molding cavity;    providing an adjustable core pin including an elongate rod having a barrel-shaped distal portion having a crest and a rod retainer, the rod and rod retainer being movable relative to each other and fastenable to each other such that the crest can be established at a preferred position;    inserting the rod into the molding cavity to define a molding space as the volume between the rod and the cavity;    filling the molding space with moldable material to mold a test vial;    withdrawing the rod from the molding cavity;    removing the test vial from the rod;    optically measuring the location of a maximum diameter of the test vial; and    in response to the optical measurement, adjusting the rod and rod retainer to establish the crest at the preferred position;    based on the adjusting of the rod and rod retainer, subsequently forming the optimized vial with a more accurate positioning of a maximum diameter of the optimized vial.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the optical measuring the location of a maximum diameter of the test vial is performed by filling the test vial with liquid and sealing the test vial with a cap so that a bubble of gas remains inside the test vial.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising forming and optically measuring a number of the test vials before the rod and rod retainer are adjusted to establish the respective maximum diameter at the preferred position.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising securing the core pin to a molding base before insertion into the molding cavity.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising ejecting each vial from the rod after vial molding by a stripper bushing in which the rod retainer is positioned.