Side blow molding apparatus and method

Abstract

A side blow molding apparatus of ( 100 ) includes upper guide rails ( 106 ) and lower guide rails ( 108 ). The apparatus ( 100 ) includes a side blow device ( 110 ) having a blow pin assembly ( 112 ) and an inner support assembly ( 114 ). The blow pin assembly ( 112 ) includes a blow pin driver ( 116 ) formed as a cylinder ( 118 ). The blow pin assembly ( 112 ) also includes a blow pin ( 122 ) connected to a shuttle system ( 124 ) which, in turn, is connected to the cylinder ( 118 ). The shuttle system ( 124 ) operates so as to move the blow pin ( 122 ) in a linear manner. The inner support assembly ( 114 ) includes an inner support driver ( 138 ) connected to an extender ( 144 ). The inner support driver ( 138 ) extends and retracts the extender ( 144 ) for raising and lowering the inner support ( 142 ). The blow pin ( 122 ) is positioned on the shuttle system ( 124 ) so that the pin ( 122 ) can be shuttled in and out of a parison during the blow molding process.

1 . A method for forming a plastic article using the principles of blow molding and employing a blow mold and blow pin, said method comprising:
 initiating an operational sequence with said blow mold in an open position and said blow pin in a retracted or home position;   extruding a parison over an inner support;   activating a blow pin driver, and causing a shuttle system of a side blow device to operate so as to extend said blow pin sufficiently so as to pierce a side of said parison;   retracting an inner support extender, thereby lowering an inner support;   closing said blow mold;   initiating and activating a forming and cooling cycle;   retracting said blow pin;   ejecting a resultant plastic article; and   repositioning said extender and said inner support to initial positions.