GB2288142A - Method and apparatus for blow moulding cases - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for blow moulding cases Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2288142A
GB2288142A GB9416674A GB9416674A GB2288142A GB 2288142 A GB2288142 A GB 2288142A GB 9416674 A GB9416674 A GB 9416674A GB 9416674 A GB9416674 A GB 9416674A GB 2288142 A GB2288142 A GB 2288142A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cover
base
mould
expansion piece
hinge portions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9416674A
Other versions
GB9416674D0 (en
GB2288142B (en
Inventor
Nicholas Flood
Patrick Beirne
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Menza Ltd
Original Assignee
Menza Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Menza Ltd filed Critical Menza Ltd
Publication of GB9416674D0 publication Critical patent/GB9416674D0/en
Publication of GB2288142A publication Critical patent/GB2288142A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2288142B publication Critical patent/GB2288142B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
    • B29C49/4278—Cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/0031—Making articles having hollow walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2022/00—Hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/22—Hinges, pivots
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/7418—Suitcases

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The base 11 and cover 12 of a case 10 are formed simultaneously in a single mould including a first mould half 20 having a cover-forming recess 21 (Fig. 4, not shown) and a base-forming recess 22 (Fig. 4, not shown) with an intermediate portion 30 therebetween and, after separation of the base 11 and cover 12 from the mould their hinge portions are joined and a hinge pin inserted therebetween. An insert 35 may be provided at the intermediate portion 30 to form, on moulding, an expansion piece 37 having four areas of reduced cross section which form hinge portions so that it acts somewhat in the manner of a bellows allowing both compression and expansion at the joint between the base 11 and cover 12 to facilitate removal of the base 11 and cover 12 from the mould in one piece. <IMAGE>

Description

"A Method and Apparatus for Blow Moulding Cases" The invention relates to a method and apparatus for blow moulding and in particular to a method and apparatus for forming a case of the type comprising a base and a cover, each having hinge portions which are joined by a hinge pin.
In conventional blow moulding of cases of this type the base and cover of the case are formed separately and subsequently joined by drilling holes between the hinge portions of the base and cover and inserting a hinge pin.
The moulding cycle time for forming such cases and the production time generally in view of the considerable number of steps involved is relatively high. Consequently such cases are relatively costly to produce.
This invention is directed towards providing an improved method and apparatus by forming a case of this type in a cost efficient manner.
According to one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming a case of the type comprising a base and a cover each having hinge portions which are joined by a hinge pin, the method comprising the steps of : blow moulding the base and cover of the case in a single mould; removing the base and cover from the mould; joining the hinge portions of the base and cover; and inserting a hinge pin means between the hinge portions.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, during moulding, a temporary expansion piece is formed between the base and cover and the method includes the step of removing the base and cover from the mould by compressing and/or expanding the expansion piece to release the base and cover, and on removal from the mould, removing the expansion piece.
In one embodiment of the invention the expansion piece is integrally moulded with the base and cover.
Preferably the expansion piece includes integral hinge portions about which the base and cover are moved for expanding and/or compressing the expansion piece on removal from the mould.
In a preferred arrangement there are four spaced-apart hinge portions, a first hinge portion attached to the base, a second hinge portion attached to the cover and spaced-apart third and forth hinge portions intermediate the first and second hinge portions about which the base and cover are moved.
In another aspect the invention provides an apparatus for blow moulding a case of the type comprising a base and a cover, each having hinge portions which are joined by a hinge pin, the apparatus comprising a single mould having a first mould half and a second mould half, the first mould half having a cover-forming recess and a baseforming recess and the second mould half having a mating male cover forming part and a base-forming part, an insert being provided between the first and second mould halves to form an expansion piece for removal of the base and cover from the mould.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the insert includes areas of reduced cross section for forming hinge portions in the expansion piece.
Preferably the insert has two spaced-apart areas of reduced cross section to define intermediate hinge portions in the expansion piece.
The invention further provides a case whenever formed by the method or using the apparatus of the invention.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying 'drawings, in which : Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are cross sectional views showing various steps in the method of moulding of the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of a moulding apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an insert forming part of the moulding apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a case formed using the method and apparatus of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a method and apparatus for forming a case indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in Fig. 6 and comprising a base 11 and a cover 12 having respective hinge portions 13,14 which interengage as illustrated and are joined by hinge pins 15.
The base 11 and cover 12 of the case are formed in a single mould comprising a first mould half 20 having a cover-forming recess 21 and a base-forming recess 22 with an intermediate portion 30 therebetween. The mould apparatus includes a second mould half which is not illustrated but which comprises in a conventional manner a mating male cover-forming part and a male base-forming part. An insert 35 is provided at the intermediate portion 30 of the first mould part 20 to form, on moulding, an expansion piece 37.
The expansion piece 37 has four areas 38,39,40,41 of reduced cross section which form hinge portions about which the base 11 and cover parts 12 of the case are hinged for removal of the base and cover from the mould part 20 after moulding. The expansion piece 37 operates somewhat in the manner of a bellows allowing both compression and expansion of the joints between the moulded base 11 and cover parts 12 to facilitate removal of the base 11 and cover 12 from the mould in one piece.
After removal from the mould the expansion piece 37 is cut away and the hinge portions 13, 14 of the base and cover are joined as already described.
The blow moulding method and apparatus of the invention have very considerable advantages. The production time for forming a blow moulded case is substantially reduced because by using the method and apparatus of the invention the base and cover of a case are formed in a single mould.
The base and cover parts are readily removed from the mould and because a single mould is involved, the base and cover which are joined together are from the same mould and not from separate moulds formed at separate times and subsequently joined together.
Many variations on the specific embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent and accordingly the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (12)

1. A method for forming a case of the type comprising
a base and a cover each having hinge portions which are joined by a hinge pin, the method comprising the steps of : blow moulding the base and cover of the case in a single mould; removing the base and cover from the mould; joining the hinge portions of the base and cover; and inserting a hinge pin means between the hinge portions.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein, during moulding, a temporary expansion piece is formed between the base and cover and the method includes the step of removing the base and cover from the mould by compressing and/or expanding the expansion piece to release the base and cover, and on removal from the mould, removing the expansion piece.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the expansion piece is integrally moulded with the base and cover.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 and 3 wherein the expansion piece includes integral hinge portions about which the base and cover are moved for expanding and/or compressing the expansion piece on removal from the mould.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein there are four spaced-apart hinge portions, a first hinge portion attached to the base, a second hinge portion attached to the cover, and spaced-apart third and forth hinge portions intermediate the first and second portions about which the base and cover are moved.
6. A method as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the expansion piece is removed by cutting away from the adjacent cover and base.
7. A method for forming a case substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A moulding apparatus for blow moulding a case of the type comprising a base and a cover, each having hinge portions which are joined by a hinge pin, the apparatus comprising a single mould having a first mould half and a second mould half, the first mould half having a cover-forming recess and a base-forming recess and the second mould half having a mating male cover-forming part and a base-forming part, an insert being provided between the first and second mould halves, to form an expansion piece for removal of the base and cover from the mould.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the insert includes areas of reduced cross section for forming hinge portions in the expansion piece.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the insert has two spaced-apart areas of reduced cross section to define intermediate hinge portions in the expansion piece.
11. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A cover whenever formed by a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 or using an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11.
GB9416674A 1994-04-06 1994-08-17 A method and apparatus for blow moulding cases Expired - Fee Related GB2288142B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE940295 1994-04-06

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9416674D0 GB9416674D0 (en) 1994-10-12
GB2288142A true GB2288142A (en) 1995-10-11
GB2288142B GB2288142B (en) 1997-08-06

Family

ID=11040360

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9416674A Expired - Fee Related GB2288142B (en) 1994-04-06 1994-08-17 A method and apparatus for blow moulding cases

Country Status (2)

Country Link
BE (1) BE1006778A6 (en)
GB (1) GB2288142B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5787266A (en) * 1996-02-20 1998-07-28 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Apparatus and method for accessing special registers without serialization
GB2409366A (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-06-22 Nokia Corp sealed casing for a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2072089A (en) * 1980-03-26 1981-09-30 Grace W R & Co Single-walled blow-moulded hinged container
US4615464A (en) * 1983-12-21 1986-10-07 Custom-Pak, Incorporated Molded container case with hinge and method for making same
US4773147A (en) * 1987-08-18 1988-09-27 The Plastic Forming Company, Inc. Method of manufacture of blow molded cases having a compartment and a compartment door

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2072089A (en) * 1980-03-26 1981-09-30 Grace W R & Co Single-walled blow-moulded hinged container
US4615464A (en) * 1983-12-21 1986-10-07 Custom-Pak, Incorporated Molded container case with hinge and method for making same
US4773147A (en) * 1987-08-18 1988-09-27 The Plastic Forming Company, Inc. Method of manufacture of blow molded cases having a compartment and a compartment door

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5787266A (en) * 1996-02-20 1998-07-28 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Apparatus and method for accessing special registers without serialization
GB2409366A (en) * 2003-12-16 2005-06-22 Nokia Corp sealed casing for a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone
US7636589B2 (en) 2003-12-16 2009-12-22 Nokia Corporation Casing for an electronic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9416674D0 (en) 1994-10-12
GB2288142B (en) 1997-08-06
BE1006778A6 (en) 1994-12-06

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20100817