U.S. patent application number 10/913736 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for enclosed area on a blow molded article.
Invention is credited to Skov, Erik L..
Application Number | 20050006822 10/913736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25241563 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050006822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Skov, Erik L. |
January 13, 2005 |
Enclosed area on a blow molded article
Abstract
A blow molded article is disclosed. The blow molded article
includes a body defining a cavity, and a wall integrally-formed
with the body and defining at least in part, an enclosure. A method
of making a blow molded article is also disclosed. The method
comprises supplying a preform to a mold having a first cavity and a
second cavity, the first cavity having a pin, closing the mold,
supplying a fluid to the closed mold, expanding a first portion and
a second portion of the preform around the pin, and contacting the
first portion and the second portion to provide the enclosure.
Inventors: |
Skov, Erik L.; (Akron,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
25241563 |
Appl. No.: |
10/913736 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10913736 |
Aug 6, 2004 |
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09824503 |
Apr 2, 2001 |
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6808674 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
264/500 ;
280/47.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 49/4802 20130101;
B65F 1/02 20130101; B29C 49/04 20130101; B29L 2031/7282 20130101;
B29C 2049/546 20130101; B29C 49/62 20130101; B29L 2031/7126
20130101; B29C 49/20 20130101; B29K 2055/02 20130101; B29K 2023/12
20130101; B29L 2031/7154 20130101; B29K 2023/06 20130101; B65F
1/1473 20130101; B29C 49/4817 20130101; B29C 49/54 20130101; B29L
2031/712 20130101; B29C 49/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
264/500 ;
280/047.26 |
International
Class: |
B29D 024/00 |
Claims
1-36. (Canceled)
37. A container formed by a blow molding process, the container
comprising: a body defining a cavity having a first axis; a wall
defining an enclosure integrally formed with the body and having a
second axis which is non-parallel to the first axis; an axle
disposed in the enclosure during the blow molding process; and a
pair of wheels coupled to the axle.
38. The container of claim 37 wherein the wall includes a first
portion and a second portion joined to the first portion to provide
the enclosure.
39. The container of claim 38 wherein the enclosure includes ends
open to an exterior surface of the body.
40. The container of claim wherein the enclosure is a bore.
41. The container of claim 37 wherein the second axis is
substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an enclosed area on a blow
molded article and method of making the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is generally known to provide a molded article that has a
pair of cavities, with one cavity that is not parallel to the other
cavity (e.g., configured to receive and secure a member or another
part). Such non-parallel cavities are typically apertures cut into
a container, a separate piece (e.g., a bracket), or a "C"-shaped
recess that is intended to provide a snap-fit structure. An example
of such known molded articles is a blow molded container or refuse
container having Wheels mounted to an axle inserted in the
non-parallel cavity. Another such molded article may be a blow
molded storage enclosure, such as a shed, bin, etc. that typically
include a hinge mounted (e.g., fastened, inserted into a dovetail
groove, etc.) to a non-parallel cavity on the storage enclosure
and/or a lid or cover.
[0003] However, blow molded articles having cavities that are
non-parallel to the main cavity may present disadvantages, such as
failure to perform their intended purpose (e.g., an axle or other
member is not securely held in a cavity as desired), additional
parts are required, restrictive tolerances or undue precision is
required for assembly and installation of supplemental parts, cost
and time burden in assembly, overall configurations that tend to
show visual defects or imperfections, the costs of skilled labor,
inspection and occasional repair or quality control during and
after assembly or installation, etc.
[0004] To provide an inexpensive, reliable and widely adaptable
technique of providing an enclosed area that is not parallel to a
main cavity in a blow molded article to avoid the above-referenced
and other problems would represent a significant advance in the
art. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a blow molded
article having an integrally molded wall that provides a cavity or
enclosed area. It would also be advantageous to provide a blow
molded article that is constructed of fewer components and/or
fabricated from fewer parts (e.g., integrally molded or machined).
It would further be advantageous to provide a refuse container
having an integrally molded bore configured to receive and support
an axle. It would be desirable to provide for an enclosed area on a
blow molded article and a method of making the same having one or
more of these or other advantageous features.
SUMMARY
[0005] How these and other advantages and features of the present
invention are accomplished, individually, collectively or in
various subcombinations, is described in the following detailed
description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, taken
in conjunction with the drawings. Generally, however, they may be
accomplished in a method of making a blow molded article comprising
supplying a preform to a mold having a first cavity and a second
cavity, the first cavity having a pin, closing the mold, supplying
a fluid to the closed mold, expanding a first portion and a second
portion of the preform around the pin, and contacting the first
portion and the second portion to provide an enclosure.
[0006] These and other features of the present invention may also
be accomplished in a method of making a blow molded article. The
method comprises supplying a preform to a mold having a first mold
cavity and a second mold cavity, the first cavity having a pin,
closing the mold and sealing the preform, supplying a fluid to the
preform, expanding the preform so that a first portion and a second
portion of the preform expand around the pin, contacting and
joining the first portion and the second portion to provide an
enclosure, and removing the pin from the enclosure.
[0007] These and other features of the present invention may
further be accomplished in a blow molded article. The blow molded
article includes a body defining a cavity, and a wall
integrally-formed with the body and providing an enclosure.
[0008] These and other features of the present invention may
further be accomplished in a refuse container formed by blow
molding. The refuse container comprises a body defining a cavity
having a first axis, a wall defining an enclosure integrally formed
with the body and having a second axis which is non-parallel to the
first axis, an axle disposed in the enclosed area, and a pair of
wheels coupled to the axle.
[0009] The present invention further relates to various features
and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed
embodiments. Other ways in which the objects of the present
invention are accomplished will be described in the following
specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art
after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed
to fall within the scope of the present invention if they fall
within the scope of the claims which follow.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refuse container according
to a preferred embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded-perspective view of the
bottom portion of the refuse container of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a section view of an enclosed area of the refuse
container taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic section view of a blow molding
apparatus in an open condition and a partly extruded preform
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic section view of the blow molding
apparatus of FIG. 4 in a closed condition.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic section view of the mold
as the preform expands and stretches around a core pin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EXEMPLARY
EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Before proceeding to the detailed description of the
preferred and exemplary embodiment, several comments can be made
about the general applicability and the scope thereof.
[0017] First, construction and operation of the molding apparatus
described in this specification may be used with a wide variety of
blow molded articles (e.g., containers, panels, sub-parts, storage
enclosures, tanks (e.g., septic tank), etc.) in addition to the
refuse container specifically illustrated. The enclosure or
enclosed area may have any of a variety of applications for other
articles that employ a recess, notch, hole, aperture, bore, or the
like feature (or otherwise provides for engagement of an item to
the blow molded article (e.g., hinge, accessories, and the like).
It is also important to note that the term "container," "cavity,"
and "enclosed area" are intended to be broad terms and not terms of
limitation.
[0018] Second, the particular materials used to construct the
illustrated embodiments are also illustrative. For example, as will
be appreciated by those familiar with the art, the refuse container
components can be made from any of a variety of plastic resins,
such as polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene ("ABS"), any of a variety of homopolymer plastics,
copolymer plastics, plastics with special additives, filled
plastics, etc., and a variety of other materials known to those
familiar with the art.
[0019] Further, the preferred and exemplary embodiments are
illustrated with the enclosure being generally perpendicular to the
main cavity of the container, and located on the bottom portion
near the edge of the container. Alternative embodiments may be
constructed with any of a variety of enclosed area orientations
according to the desired configuration of the molded article, core
pin performance, enclosed area purpose, or manufacturing
considerations. Also, the enclosed area shown in the illustrated
embodiments is generally circular in plan view, but may be
elliptical, square, rectangular, multi-sided, or any other
shape.
[0020] Proceeding now to descriptions of the preferred and
exemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a blow molded article (shown as
a refuse container 10) according to a preferred embodiment.
Container 10 includes a main body 12 defining a cavity 14 and a
secondary cavity (shown as an enclosure or enclosed area 16). Body
12 of container 10 includes an open top 18 defined by a rim 20, and
a closed bottom 22 defined by a bottom wall 24. Container 10
further includes wheels 26 mounted to an axle 28 and a lid 30
pivotably coupled to body 12 by a hinge 32. According to an
exemplary embodiment, barrels of hinge 32 maybe integrally formed
as described herein to provide another enclosed area configured to
receive a hinge pin.
[0021] Enclosed area 16 may have any of a variety shapes,
configurations, and orientations, and includes at least one end
which is open to an exterior surface 34 of the blow molded article.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, enclosed area 16 is a bore 36 that is
open at both ends to an exterior surface 38 of body 12 of container
10. Bore 36 has an axis 39 is configured to receive and secure axle
28. Bore 36 is approximately perpendicular to an axis 40 of cavity
14. According to alternative embodiments, enclosed area 16 may have
any of a variety of orientations relative to the blow molded
article (e.g., parallel and non-parallel to the main cavity).
Additionally, the enclosed area may be to be open to the exterior
surface of the molded article at one or more places.
[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, body 12 and bore 36
are formed by a blow molding operation. Referring to FIG. 4, the
illustrated apparatus 42 includes a blow molding mold 44 having a
pair of mold cavities 46, 48 and a core pin 50. Mold cavities 46,
48 are configured to provide shape and texture to the blow molded
article. Mold cavities 46, 48 are moved between an open position
(shown in FIG. 4) and a closed position (shown in FIG. 5).
[0023] Core pin 50 is configured to provide a desired shape and
size of the enclosed area 16. According to a preferred embodiment,
core pin 50 is slightly larger (e.g., oversized) than the desired
dimensions of the finished enclosed area 16 to compensate for
shrinkage upon cooling.
[0024] Core pin 50 may have any of a variety of shapes,
configurations, sizes, and the like. The position of core pin 50
within mold cavities 46, 48 depends on such the shape, size, and
configuration of the core pin 50. The distance between core pin 50
and the outer surface of mold cavity 46 and/or 48 is believed to be
a function of one or more factors, such as the size and position of
the core pin, temperature, pressure, parison material, and the
like. According to an exemplary embodiment, the core pin is
centered (along one or more axes) in the mold. According to a
preferred embodiment, core pin 50 is spaced between about {fraction
(1/16)} inch and about 1 inch from mold cavity 46 and/or 48 for
typical configurations of core pins that may be used. The
cross-sectional area and/or dimensions may be any of a variety of
amounts, depending on one or more factors such as the material,
size of the blow molded article, distance from wall of mold cavity,
and the like. According to an exemplary embodiment, the core pin
may be up to about 8 inches in diameter (e.g., for some tanks, or
the like). According to another exemplary embodiment, the core pin
may be between {fraction (1/16)} inch and about 1 inch. According
to a particularly preferred embodiment, core pin 50 for forming
bore 36 in refuse container shown in FIG. 1 is spaced about 1/8"
from the edge of the mold cavity for a {fraction (5/16)}" axle.
According to alternative embodiments, the core pin may be spaced
any distance from mold cavity which does not cause failure of the
inflation (e.g., tearing or rupturing of the parison).
[0025] During the molding operation, a preform 52 (or "parison") is
supplied to mold 44 in the open position. Preform 52 includes a
wall 54 and may be provided in any of a variety of configurations
(e.g., planar, hollow, tubular shaped, etc.) depending on the
desired blow molded article). For molding of container 10, preform
52 is provided by an extrusion machine 56. When preform 52 has
reached a required length and/or position, mold 44 is closed,
excess material is removed or detached (e.g., "squeezed" off by
edges 58, 60 of mold cavities 46, 48) and preform 52 is "sealed" so
that the preform is closed by the formation of a weld or seam. A
fluid is supplied (i.e., injected or blown) into the preform 52,
expanding preform 52 within the mold 44 and against mold cavities
46, 48. As preform 52 expands against mold cavities 46, 48, preform
52 adopts the configuration defined by the mold cavities 46, 48.
The fluid may be any of a variety of known fluids, such as air,
carbon dioxide, liquids, gases, etc. that may be stored under
pressure and injected into preform 52.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, as preform 52 expands, it
contacts surface 62 of mold cavities 46, 48. As preform 52 expands
and contacts core pin 50, preform 52 stretches to conform to the
shape of core pin 50 (e.g., a cylindrical member). Preform 52
continues to stretch until two portions 64, 66 of preform 52
contact and join to form a weld 68 as preform 52 solidifies upon
cooling.
[0027] During the molding process, air is evacuated as preform 52
is "inflated." Preferably, air is evacuated through vents 70
disposed about mold 44. According to an exemplary embodiment, core
pin 50 includes one or more vents 72 configured to evacuate air
from around core pin 52 which may become trapped as portions 64, 66
of preform 52 joins to form weld 68.
[0028] After preform has been satisfactorily expanded, core pin 50
is removed from the enclosed area 16 of blow molded article.
According to a preferred embodiment, core pin 50 is retracted by an
actuation device 74 (e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, cam-actuated,
mechanical, electro mechanical, etc.) mounted to mold cavity 46, 48
prior to mold cavities 46, 48 being opened and the blow molded
article removed. Actuation cylinder 74 is configured to move core
pin 50 between and extended position and a retracted position.
[0029] According to an alternative embodiment, core pin 50 may be
manually removed from the blow molded article (e.g., before or
after the mold cavities 46, 48 have been opened). In yet another
embodiment, core pin 50 may be left in enclosed area 16 of blow
molded article and used in the finished product (e.g., as axle 28
of refuse container 10). Another "core pin" is then positioned in
the mold cavities in preparation of the next molding cycle.
[0030] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the encapsulated axle and method of
making the same as shown in the preferred and other exemplary
embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments
of the present inventions have been described in detail in this
disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure
will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions
of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
subject matter recited in the claims. For example, the container
may be any of a variety of blow molded articles. Also, the enclosed
area may have any of a variety of shapes, sizes, orientations, and
configurations. Further, the preform may be provided in any of a
variety of conventional formats (hollow, tubular, sheet, etc.) such
that forming of the enclosed area may similarly be accomplished.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the present invention as defined in the
appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method
steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative
embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is
intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the
recited function and not only structural equivalents but also
equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes
and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and
arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments
without departing from the spirit of the present inventions as
expressed in the appended claims.
* * * * *