Mold knife preservation system and method

Abstract

A system for preserving a cutting knife can include an actuator for moving a first knife from an engaged to a removed position, at which the first knife does not contact a second knife when a first mold half, to which the actuator is connected, and a second mold half, to which the second knife is connected, move from an open to a closed position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a mold knife preservation system, which can be used in conjunction with a mold system for the formation of objects, and a method. More particularly, the invention relates to using an actuator, a first knife, and a second knife with a first mold half and a second mold half. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0002] A molding apparatus can form a part by introducing a parison of molding material between mold halves, closing the mold, and separating the parison in the mold from the parison material outside of the mold, for example, separating the parison in the mold from another parison in a following mold. The part formed can be, for example, a container. The parison can be separated by, for example, cutting by mold knives. For example, a first knife can be connected to a first mold half, and a second knife can be connected to a second mold half. The knives can be configured, so that when the mold halves close, the knives slid...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mold knife preservation system and method to prevent knives from being prematurely dulled by mold closure without the presence of a parison. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-sharpening arrangement and method in which a knife is continually sharpened in a mold closure and cutting step, rather than being continually worn in a mold closure and cutting step.

Problems solved by technology

Contact of one hard mold knife with another hard mold knife can lead to rapid dulling of the sharp surface or surfaces of a mold knife and / or lead to damage of the mold knife.

When the mold knives become dull or damaged, the cutting of the parison by the mold knives can be such that a less than clean cut results; this can result in uncontrolled drop of the part, which can disrupt the molding cycle, for example, the molding cycle of a molding wheel.

Therefore, when a mold knife becomes dull or damaged, it must be replaced.

The downtime and resultant interruption of production has a high associated economic cost.

Furthermore, the frequent replacement of mold knives increases maintenance costs.

The problem of premature dulling or damage of a knife can be a problem in any machine in which knives cut material and the machine is on occasion run without being fed material.

However, even in such a case, the mold knives do eventually become dull and worn, so that the molding apparatus must be shut down and the mold knives replaced.

Eventual dulling or wear of a knife will occur in any machine in which knives cut material.

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