Forming male die device

Abstract

Proposed is a forming male mold device for forming a sealing material inside a shell and for obtaining a seal wherein the male mold device extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises:-an inner body having a front wall configured to press a central part of an end wall of the shell; an outer body externally surrounding the inner body, the outer body having a front surface configured to press a sealing material applied at least on an outer part of the end wall and configured to form a seal; and a conduit circuit configured to allow the cooling fluid to be conveyed inside the male mold device. The pipeline loop comprises an outer loop at least partially formed in the outer body; the outer body comprises an inner sleeve surrounding the inner body and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve; an outer circuit is at least partially formed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a moulding male device, in particular to a moulding male device configured to mould a sealing material in a shell and obtain a sealing member. Background Art

[0002] Closure elements are very common on the market, and include a shell having an end wall and a lateral wall extending from a peripheral edge of the end wall, and a seal formed inside the shell and particularly positioned on the end wall. Such closure elements are configured to close supply openings of various types of containers, such as bottles and cans, and include, for example, crown caps and screw caps formed of metal.

[0003] In order to manufacture such a closing element, a forming unit is known comprising a support device, a forming male mold device positioned above the support device, and a moving device configured to move the support device by raising the support device towards the forming male mold device or to move the forming male mold device by lowering the forming male mold device towards the support device. An end wall of a shell with an upwardly directed lateral wall is arranged on the support device and has a sealing material that has been previously applied in the shell, so that the forming male mold device can compression-mold the sealing material, thereby forming a seal in the shell itself and forming the closing element.

[0004] To form the annular seal, the sealing material can be applied, for example, in the form of a ring in an annular outer part of the end wall of the shell.

[0005] For this purpose, the forming male mold device comprises an inner body and an outer body surrounding the inner body on the outside, the inner body having a front wall configured to press a corresponding central part of the end wall of the shell, and the outer body comprising an annular front surface configured to press an annular sealing material applied in the annular outer part to form an annular seal.

[0006] According to a variant, in order to form a seal also having a thin central part extending over the entire central part of the end wall, if the sealing material is also applied in the central part of the end wall, the front wall can also be configured to press the central part and at the same time also form the central part of the seal. In this case, the seal comprises a thinner and circular central part and an annular and thicker outer part surrounding the central part.

[0007] An example of such a forming machine is described in patent US 4,388,058. In the forming machines of the prior art, it is necessary to wait for the seal and the shell to cool before the molding male mold device can be moved away from the closing element that has just been formed. In fact, the seal that has just been formed by molding is very hot and must be cooled to be able to guarantee the good quality of the seal itself, that is, when the closing element is arranged to close the container, there are no inaccuracies in the shape and size of the seal that may impair the effectiveness of the seal itself. The cooling must be as uniform and rapid as possible and allow a reduction in the cycle time, that is, a reduction in the total time passed from the start of the seal forming process to its completion, and therefore allow an increase in production efficiency. If the seal is formed in a metal shell, this cooling is particularly needed because the metal shell is preheated when it is positioned to rest on the support device, so the metal shell itself helps to further heat the seal.

[0008] To this end, it is known to prepare, inside the male forming device, a circuit of ducts formed in the inner body, so that a cooling fluid can flow therein to cool the wall forming the seal.

[0009] However, the presence of a pipe loop requires the presence of several components which are complex and make the forming male device very complex and expensive to manufacture, as well as difficult to maintain.

[0010] Utility model DE 29800426 describes a cooling or heating core for injection molding plastics, glass, deep drawing and extrusion in the plastics industry, and for die casting and casting metal tools in the metal industry (which can be used in an outer core). The cooling or heating core has a channel extending axially to a discharge hole for feeding a cooling or heating medium to the head of the core. The outer surface of the cooling or heating core is provided with continuous grooves and ribs to guide the cooling or heating medium externally from the head of the core to the bottom of the core. Document JPH0243009A relates to a molding die for high-precision and high-efficiency molding of plastic products, which molding die includes a temperature regulating fluid flow path. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a forming male die device for shaping a sealing material inside a shell and thus forming a seal which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a forming male die device which allows effective cooling of the seal formed in the shell, so as to guarantee high production efficiency of the closing element comprising the shell and the seal, also maintaining the high quality of the seal obtained.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a forming male mold device which comprises an effective cooling circuit but which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention provides a molding male mold device for forming a sealing material inside a shell and for obtaining a seal, wherein the male mold device extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises: an inner body having a front wall configured to press a central part of an end wall of the shell; an outer body surrounding the inner body on the outside, the outer body having a front surface configured to press a sealing material applied at least on an external part of the end wall, and configured to form a seal; a pipeline loop configured to allow a cooling fluid to be transported inside the male mold device; characterized in that the pipeline loop comprises an outer loop at least partially formed in the outer body; and wherein the outer body comprises an inner sleeve surrounding the inner body and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve; the outer loop is at least partially formed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.

[0015] Due to the conduit circuit, the sealing-forming material of the male mould means can be effectively cooled to obtain a seal and / or a surface in contact with the shell.

[0016] Due to the fact that the outer circuit is at least partially formed in the outer body (which has a front surface configured to form a seal), the seal itself can be effectively cooled during the molding step, and this allows to obtain a good quality seal, as well as reduced cycle times and therefore high production efficiency.

[0017] Due to the fact that the outer circuit is partially formed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, this allows effective cooling of both the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve and therefore of each portion configured to form the sealing material, so as to obtain a high-quality seal.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the outer body may be easily formed due to the presence of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve formed as distinct and separable parts.

[0019] This allows easy disassembly of the outer body if any residues caused by the delivery of cooling fluid need to be cleaned from the outer circuit.

[0020] This makes the production and assembly / disassembly of the disclosed forming male mold device particularly simple.

[0021] According to different embodiments, since the outer circuit includes an outer feed section and an outer material section distributed around the longitudinal axis of the male mold device, and at least one outer connecting section positioned between the outer feed section and the outer material section, wherein the inner sleeve and / or the outer sleeve respectively include at least one first hollow portion and / or a second hollow portion for defining the outer feed section, the outer material section or the outer connecting section, the outer circuit can be obtained by simple machining.

[0022] In fact, it is sufficient to form a hollow portion in the inner sleeve and / or the outer sleeve to define the outer feed section, the outer feed section or the outer connection section of the outer circuit without complex and precise machining. In fact, it is sufficient for only one of the outer sleeve or the inner sleeve to have a hollow portion, because even if the other sleeve is not machined on the inside and is smooth, it can in any case define the outer feed section, the outer feed section or the outer connection section.

[0023] However, respective hollows in the inner sleeve and in the outer sleeve opposite one another may be present for specific cooling purposes.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the outer body includes an upper part defined by an inner upper part of the inner sleeve and an outer upper part of the outer sleeve; a lower part defined by an inner lower part of the inner sleeve and an outer lower part of the outer sleeve; and wherein the outer circuit includes an upper outer segment formed in the upper part and a lower outer segment formed in the lower part, the upper outer segment and the lower outer segment are connected to each other and have different shapes.

[0025] Thanks to this further embodiment, flexibility in machining and at the same time effectiveness of cooling can be ensured, since the outer circuit is shaped differently in the upper and lower parts of the outer body and the flow rate of the cooling fluid can therefore be configured differently in the upper and lower parts.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the inner body comprises a shaped element and a cup-shaped element, the shaped element being provided with a front wall; wherein the cup-shaped element surrounds the shaped element in a sealed manner. The conduit circuit comprises an inner circuit formed at least partially between the shaped element and the cup-shaped element.

[0027] Due to the presence of the inner circuit, it is also possible to effectively cool the central part of the housing or the central part of the seal formed on the housing.

[0028] According to yet another embodiment, the cup-shaped element has a lateral outer surface comprising a plurality of ventilation elements distributed around the longitudinal axis to allow the escape of any air trapped in the male mould means during the moulding operation.

[0029] Due to the breather element, the quality of the formed seal can be further improved, since the breather element allows avoiding air bubbles in the seal caused by air trapped during moulding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention may be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0031] Figure 1is a perspective view of a forming male mold device according to the present invention, the forming male mold device being configured to form a sealing material inside a shell and to form a seal, the forming male mold device comprising a conduit circuit to allow a cooling fluid to be conveyed inside the male mold device itself, wherein the male mold device is in a forming step;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially cross-sectional perspective view of a male mold device, some parts of which are in cross section and some parts of which are cut away for clarity, showing an intermediate feed section and an intermediate discharge section of an outer circuit formed in an intermediate body, the intermediate feed section and the intermediate discharge section are respectively connected to an outer feed section and an outer discharge section of an outer circuit formed in an outer body, with at least one outer connection section between the outer feed section and the outer discharge section, wherein the outer body comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve;

[0033] Figure 3 It shows that the Figure 1 A cross section of the plane of the longitudinal axis of the male mold device;

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cutaway perspective view of a male mold device;

[0035] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another cutaway perspective view of the male mold device;

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 An enlarged and truncated view of a cross section showing Figure 1 A forming end of a male mold device of , with some portions cut away for clarity, showing an outer body, an inner body positioned inside the outer body, and an intermediate member of an intermediate body positioned between the inner body and the outer body;

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of the forming end of the seal, showing the outer body, the inner body, the means for fixing the outer body to the intermediate body, and an extractor configured to extract the closing element from the forming male mold device at the end of the seal forming;

[0038] Fig. 8A is a bottom-up stereogram of the outer sleeve of the outer body;

[0039] Figure 8B yes Fig. 8A A top perspective view of an outer sleeve;

[0040] Fig.9A is a bottom perspective view of the inner sleeve of the outer body;

[0041] Fig. 9B yes Fig.9A A top perspective view of an inner sleeve;

[0042] Fig. 10A is a bottom perspective view of a component for fixing the outer body to the intermediate body;

[0043] Fig. 10B yes Fig. 10A A top perspective view of a fixing component;

[0044] Fig.11A is a bottom perspective view of the cup-shaped element of the inner body;

[0045] Fig. 11B yes Fig.11A A top perspective view of a cup-shaped element;

[0046] Fig. 12A It is a bottom-up stereogram of the ring of the inner body;

[0047] Fig. 12B yes Fig. 12A A top perspective view of a ring;

[0048] Fig.13 is a perspective view of a shaped element of the inner body;

[0049] Fig.14 is a cross-section of a male mold device arranged above a support device in an inactive step performed before the forming step, wherein the male mold device and the support device are in respective rest configurations and are spaced apart from each other, and wherein the shell element is arranged to rest on the support device and has a sealing material applied in an outer part of the end wall;

[0050] Fig.15 is in the initial contact step after the inactive step Fig.14 a cross section of the male mold means and the support means, wherein the support means is in a first position, raised relative to the inactive step, such that the front wall of the inner body presses against the central part of the end wall of the shell member, and the front surface of the outer body is spaced apart from the sealing material applied in the outer member and is set back relative to the front wall;

[0051] Fig.16 is a cross section of the male mold means and the support means in a forming step after the initial contacting step, wherein the support means is in a second position further elevated relative to the first position so that the front surface of the outer body presses and forms the sealing material, and the inner body is retreated relative to the contacting step so that the front surface is aligned with the front wall of the inner body;

[0052] Fig.17is a cross-section of the male mold means and the support means in a final contact step after the forming step, wherein the support means has returned to the first position so that the front wall of the inner body continues to press against the central part of the end wall and the front surface of the outer body is spaced apart from the seal just formed and is set back relative to the front wall;

[0053] Fig.18 is a section of the male mold means and the supporting means in a further inactive step after the final contacting step, wherein the male mold means and the supporting means are in a rest configuration and are spaced apart from each other and wherein an extractor of the male mold means has removed the closing element comprising the shell and the seal just formed by the male mold means itself;

[0054] Fig.19 yes Fig.14 A perspective cross-sectional view of a shell member, wherein the sealing material is applied to an outer part of the end wall of the shell member;

[0055] Fig. 20 yes Fig.18 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a closing element comprising a shell and a sealing member formed in the shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a forming male mold device for forming a sealing material 2' in a Figures 14 to 20 The shell 3 shown in FIG. 1 is internally shaped and serves to form the seal 2 .

[0057] Preferably, the shell 3 and the seal 2 formed in the shell constitute a closing element, such as Fig.18 and Fig. 20 As shown in , the closing element is configured to close the supply openings of various types of containers (not shown), such as bottles and cans. The shell 3 can be formed of a metal material, for example.

[0058] The sealing material 2' is for example formed of a polymer material suitable for compression moulding and is such as to ensure a fluid tight seal when the closure element is applied to a respective container. The shell 3 comprises an end wall 301 and lateral walls 302 extending from the peripheral edge of the end wall 301 .

[0059] The sealing material 2' is applied at least on the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301 of the shell member 3 to form the sealing member 2, and may have a continuous or discontinuous annular shape.

[0060] The end wall 301 further comprises a central part 301 b surrounded by an outer part 301 a.

[0061] It should be noted that the seal 2, after being formed, may include an outer portion 2a (e.g. annular) applied at the outer part 301a, and also include a lateral portion 2b at least partially applied in the lateral wall 302 of the shell 3, and more specifically, in a case where the sealing material 2' can flow outward in the lateral wall 302 during compression molding, the lateral portion is at least partially applied in the area adjacent to the peripheral edge in the lateral wall 302.

[0062] According to a variant not shown, the sealing material 2' can be applied not only to the outer part 301a of the end wall 301, but also to the central part 301b. In this case, the seal 2 can also include a thinner central portion extending also on the central part 301b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 after it is formed.

[0063] The male mould means 1 extends along a longitudinal axis Z and comprises an inner body 4 having a front wall 401 configured to press against a central part 301 b of an end wall 301 of the shell 3 .

[0064] It should be noted that Figures 14 to 17 as well as Fig.19 In the embodiment shown in , the sealing material 2 ′ is not present in the central part 301 b of the shell 3 , and therefore, the front wall 401 of the male mold device 1 is configured to directly contact and press the central part 301 b itself.

[0065] However, without limiting the scope of the present invention, it should be understood that, in a case where the sealing material 2' is also applied to the central part 301b of the shell 3 to form the central portion of the seal 2, the front wall 401 is suitable for pressing the central part 301b of the end wall 301 while also shaping the sealing material 2' applied to the central part to obtain the said central portion.

[0066] The male mould device 1 further comprises an outer body 5 externally surrounding the inner body 4 , the outer body having a front surface 501 configured to press the sealing material 2 ′ applied at least on the outer part 301 a of the end wall 301 and to form the seal 2 .

[0067] The male mold device 1 also comprises an extractor 105 configured to remove the closing element from the male mold device 1 at the end of forming the seal 2. The extractor 105 is annular and is positioned around the outer body 5.

[0068] However, it should be noted that this is not essential, as the extractor 105 may not be engaged to the male mould arrangement 1 , but rather be located in another part of the closed element forming machine.

[0069] The male mould device 1 further comprises a conduit circuit configured to allow the conveyance of a cooling fluid (not shown) inside the male mould device 1 itself.

[0070] The pipeline circuit includes an outer circuit 6 (such as Figure 2 ).

[0071] It should be noted that the conduit circuit allows effective cooling of the surface of the male mold device 1 in contact with the sealing material 2' and / or in contact with the shell 3. In fact, due to the presence of the outer circuit 6 formed at least partially in the outer body 5, the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 itself can be effectively cooled and, therefore, the front surface of the outer body is configured to shape the sealing material 2' positioned in the outer part 301a of the end wall 301, so that the seal 2 itself can be effectively cooled during the compression molding step and a high-quality seal 2 is obtained with a reduced cycle time and therefore a high production efficiency.

[0072] The outer body 5 includes an inner sleeve 502 surrounding the inner body 4 and an outer sleeve 503 surrounding the inner sleeve 502 .

[0073] In detail, the outer sleeve 503 externally surrounds the inner sleeve 502. Advantageously, the outer circuit 6 is at least partially formed between the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503.

[0074] This allows in a simple manner to effectively cool both the outer sleeve 503 and the inner sleeve 502 , that is to say, to effectively cool each portion configured to shape the sealing material 2 ′, in order to obtain a high-quality seal 2 .

[0075] It should be noted that the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 may be formed as distinct and separable components, such that the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve may be easily formed and allow for simple assembly or disassembly of the outer body 5 .

[0076] Thus, it is possible to quickly clean the outer circuit 6. In fact, the cooling fluid may require periodic cleaning operations, which are quickly and easily performed since the inner sleeve 502 can be separated from the outer sleeve 503 and the two different parts 502, 503 can be cleaned separately.

[0077] The inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 are fixed to each other in a sealed manner. In fact, there is a sealing element, that is to say an annular seal 507 , which can be housed in a seat 507 ′ (for example annular) formed in the inner sleeve 502 and positioned near the front surface 501 .

[0078] The outer circuit 6 includes an outer feed section 602 and an outer feed section 601 distributed around the longitudinal axis Z, and at least one outer connecting section 603 positioned between the outer feed section 602 and the outer feed section 601, wherein the inner sleeve 502 and / or the outer sleeve 503 respectively include at least one inner hollow portion 504 and / or an outer hollow portion 505 for defining the outer feed section 602, the outer feed section 601 or the outer connecting section 603.

[0079] In detail, as described above, that is to say, the inner sleeve 502 and / or the outer sleeve 503 respectively include at least one inner hollow portion 504 and / or an outer hollow portion 505, which means that the inner sleeve 502 may include at least one inner hollow portion 504; or the outer sleeve 503 may include at least one outer hollow portion 505; or both the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 may respectively include an inner hollow portion 504 and an outer hollow portion 505, so as to define an outer feed section 602, or an outer feed section 601, or an outer connecting section 603.

[0080] Therefore, at least one of the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 includes a corresponding hollow portion, ie, the inner hollow portion 504 or the outer hollow portion 505 .

[0081] Therefore, the presence of at least one corresponding hollow portion in the inner sleeve 502 and / or the outer sleeve 503 is sufficient to define the outer feed section 602, or the outer feed section 601, or the outer connecting section 603, and this enables the outer body 5 to be formed without the need for complex and precise machining.

[0082] In fact, it should be noted that FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B as well as FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B In the embodiment, the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 have respective hollows 504, 505 facing respective surfaces which are not machined, but even in this way respective sections of the outer circuit 6 are defined in any case.

[0083] However, although not shown, it is also possible that the inner hollow portion 504 and the outer hollow portion 505 are respectively positioned in the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503, for example opposite to each other, to define the outer feed section 602, or the outer feed section 601, or the outer connecting section 603.

[0084] The outer body 5 includes an upper portion defined by an inner upper portion 502 ′ of the inner sleeve 502 and an outer upper portion 503 ′ of the outer sleeve 503 ; and a lower portion defined by an inner lower portion 502 ″ of the inner sleeve 502 and an outer lower portion 503 ″ of the outer sleeve 503 .

[0085] The outer circuit 6 includes an upper outer section formed in an upper portion and a lower outer section formed in a lower portion, the upper outer section and the lower outer section being connected to each other and having different shapes.

[0086] Since the upper and lower outer sections have different shapes, the outer body 5 can be formed in a way that guarantees flexibility in machining and at the same time effective cooling. In fact, since the lower part of the outer body 5 extends as far as the front surface 501, which is in contact with the sealing material 2' during forming, the flow rate of the lower outer section can be greater or more circumferentially distributed than that of the upper section of the outer circuit 6. This allows the most effective cooling of the front surface 501 itself.

[0087] For example, the upper outer section includes an upper feed section of the outer feed section 602 and an upper discharge section of the outer discharge section 601 , which respectively include a single upper outer hollow portion 505 ′ formed in the outer upper portion 503 ′ of the outer sleeve 503 .

[0088] In contrast, the lower outer section may include a lower outer feed section of the outer feed section 602 and a lower outer feed section of the outer feed section 601 , which respectively include a pair of inner lower hollow portions 504 ″ formed in the inner lower portion 502 ″ of the inner sleeve 502 .

[0089] It should be noted that the outer feed section 602 and the outer feed section 601 are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z. In particular, the upper outer section and the lower outer section of the outer feed section 602 and the outer feed section 601 are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z, because each of the outer upper hollow portion 505 ′ and the inner lower hollow portion 504 ″ are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0090] In detail, the outer feed section 602 and the outer feed section 601 are diametrically opposed, the paired outer upper hollows 505' and the inner lower hollows 504" are diametrically opposed, and the outer connecting section 603 includes at least one curved part defined by a corresponding curved hollow 506 formed in the inner sleeve 502 or the outer sleeve 503. Fig.9A and Fig. 9B In FIG. 5 , it can be seen how a curved hollow portion 506 is formed in the inner sleeve 502 .

[0091] A curved hollow 506 is present near the front face 501 , immediately above a seat 507 ′ intended to receive a sealing element 507 .

[0092] Another curved hollow portion 506 is formed between the upper and lower portions of the outer body 5 .

[0093] It should be noted that both the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 can be manufactured using the SLM (acronym for Selective Laser Melting) technique, which is an additive manufacturing technique, that is, a laser source is used to melt a gradually deposited metal powder. The metal powder can be, for example, a steel powder metal type. Alternatively, according to different embodiments, the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 can be formed using the SLM technique, but in a single body.

[0094] The male mould device 1 comprises an intermediate body 7 having an annular shoulder 701 abutting against an annular shelf 503b of the outer body 5, which is axially located on the opposite side of the front surface 501. The intermediate body 7 has an intermediate part 702 protruding axially from the annular shoulder 701, to which the outer body 5 is fixed in a sealing manner.

[0095] It should be noted that the middle member 702 is interposed between the outer body 5 and the inner body 4. In detail, the middle member 702 is in contact with both the outer body 5 and the inner body 4.

[0096] The front surface 501 is defined by respective front parts of the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 which cooperate with the front wall 401 to form the seal 2 during the forming of the sealing material 2 ′.

[0097] On the axially opposite side of the front surface 501 , the outer sleeve 503 has an upper edge 503 a protruding relative to the annular shelf 503 b so that the annular shelf can abut the annular shoulder 701 upwards and can receive the upper edge 502 a of the inner sleeve 502 downwards.

[0098] The annular shelf 503b includes two openings 503c through which the cooling fluid passes.

[0099] In fact, the outer circuit 6 comprises an intermediate feed section 604 and an intermediate discharge section 605 formed in the intermediate body 7 and connected to the outer feed section 602 and the outer discharge section 601 respectively, as they open to the opening 503c.

[0100] Since at least Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The fixing component 101 shown in the figure can fix the outer body 5 to the intermediate body 7. The fixing component can be removably fixed to the intermediate component 702 of the intermediate body 7 by means of a thread, and allows the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 to be locked to each other, and once the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve have been assembled together as the outer body 5, it allows the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve to be fixed to the intermediate component 702.

[0101] The intermediate body 7 is in turn fixed to the supporting body 102 of the male mould means 1 .

[0102] The inner body 4 comprises a shaped element 402 having a front wall 401. Furthermore, the inner body 4 comprises a cup-shaped element 403 surrounding the shaped element 402 in a sealed manner.

[0103] The conduit circuit comprises an inner circuit 8 formed at least partially between the shaping element 402 and the cup-shaped element 403 .

[0104] The cup-shaped element 403 externally surrounds the forming element 402. The cup-shaped element 403 comprises a lateral outer surface 403a comprising a plurality of ventilation elements 404 distributed around the longitudinal axis Z to allow the escape of any air trapped in the male mould means 1 during the forming of the sealing material 2'.

[0105] Due to the ventilation element 404, air trapped during forming can be allowed to flow out and the formation of air bubbles in the formed seal 2 can be avoided, thus promoting the formation of a high-quality seal 2.

[0106] It can be seen how the lateral outer surface 403a comprises an upper part 403a' and a lower part 403a", and how the ventilation element 404 comprises an upper ventilation groove 404' and a lower ventilation groove 404" respectively positioned in the upper part 403a' and the lower part 403a" of the lateral outer surface 403a.

[0107] The upper vent grooves 404' are shaped and distributed differently than the lower vent grooves 404". In fact, it can be seen how the upper vent grooves 404' have a greater angular range than the lower vent grooves 404". Alternatively or additionally, the upper vent grooves 404' are angularly positioned differently (i.e., positioned at different angular positions) relative to the lower vent grooves 404".

[0108] Preferably, the vent elements 404 (that is, the upper vent grooves 404 ′ and the lower vent grooves 404 ″) are positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and are regularly spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0109] The male mold device 1, in particular the inner body 4, comprises an inner core 405 having a tubular shape to which the forming element 402 is coupled, and a ring 406 interposed between the cup-shaped element 403 and the forming element 402, surrounding the forming element 402 and in contact with the front wall 401. The cup-shaped element 403 surrounds the forming element 402 externally.

[0110] In detail, the ring 406 is in contact with the upper surface 402 a of the front wall 401 .

[0111] As already indicated, the inner circuit 8 is at least partially formed between the shaping element 402 and the cup-shaped element 403 .

[0112] Furthermore, the inner circuit 8 is at least partially formed in the inner core 405 and surrounds the ring 406. In fact, the inner circuit 8 comprises an inner feed section 801 and an inner discharge section 802 inside the inner core 405 and opening into the forming element 402.

[0113] It should be noted that the inner feed segment 801 is centrally formed in the hollow core 405 , and the inner discharge segment 802 surrounds the inner feed segment 801 .

[0114] Furthermore, the inner feed section 801 and the inner discharge section 802 are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0115] The inner loop 8 further includes an inner connecting section 805 between the inner feed section 801 and the inner discharge section 802 and extending around the ring 406 .

[0116] The inner connecting section 805 includes a lower inner section positioned between the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 and the lower surface of the ring 406, an upper inner section positioned between the upper surface of the ring 406 and the lower surface of the cup-shaped element 403, and a lateral inner section positioned between the lateral outer surface of the ring 406 and the lateral inner surface of the cup-shaped element 403.

[0117] The forming element 402 includes a feed opening 402b positioned near the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 for connecting the inner feed section 801 to the inner connecting section 805. The forming element 402 also includes a discharge opening 402c positioned to be spaced apart from the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 and arranged at a distance from the upper surface of the front wall greater than the axial height of the ring 406 for connecting the inner connecting section 805 to the inner discharge section 802. In detail, the feed opening 402b connects the inner feed section 801 to the lower inner section of the inner connecting section 805, while the discharge opening 402c connects the inner discharge section 802 to the upper inner section of the inner connecting section 805.

[0118] The shaping element 402 further comprises a tubular portion 402d for coupling to the inner core 405 .

[0119] The ring 406 further includes lower and upper connecting openings 406a and 406b positioned circumferentially around the ring 406 for connecting the lower and lateral inner segments, and the lateral and upper inner segments of the inner connecting segment 805 to each other, respectively.

[0120] Thus, the cooling fluid of the inner circuit 8 flows from the inner feed section 801 through the feed opening 402b to the inner connecting section 805, that is, flows to the lower inner section of the connecting section 805; flows from the lower inner section to the lateral inner section through the lower connecting opening 406a of the ring 406; flows from the lateral section to the upper inner section through the upper connecting opening 406b; and finally flows from the upper inner section from the inner connecting section 805 to the inner discharge section 802 through the discharge opening 402c.

[0121] If we now consider the male mould device 1, it has a forming end defined by the front wall 401 of the forming element 402 and the front surface 501 of the outer body 5, wherein the front surface 501 externally surrounds the front wall 401. The front surface 501 comprises the respective front parts of the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503.

[0122] During forming, the sealing material 2 ′ contacts the front parts of the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503 and contacts the lateral regions of the cup-shaped element 403 cooled by the lateral inner regions of the inner connecting section 805 to help cool the seal 2 .

[0123] The male mould device 1 also has a connection end 103 which is positioned on the opposite side of the forming end defined by the front wall 401 and the front surface 501 .

[0124] The outer circuit 6 is connected to an outer feed portion 607 and an outer feed portion 606, which are formed in a support body 102, to which an intermediate body 7 is fixed, and which are positioned in a connection end 103, so that the cooling fluid of the pipeline circuit enters from the outer feed portion 607 and leaves from the outer feed portion 606 through the outer circuit 6.

[0125] The inner circuit 8 is connected in the connection end 103 to the inner feed portion 803 and the inner discharge portion 804 formed in the inner body 4. The outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 can be connected in series, and thus the outer feed portion 606 or the inner discharge portion 804 can be connected to the inner feed portion 803 or the outer feed portion 607, respectively, so that the cooling fluid flows sequentially from the outer circuit 6 to the inner circuit 8 / from the inner circuit to the outer circuit.

[0126] exist Figures 14 to 18 , the outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 are connected in series, and thus the outer feed part 606 is connected to the inner feed part 803 .

[0127] Alternatively, according to a variant not shown, the outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 can be connected in parallel and, therefore, the inner feed 803 and the outer feed 607 can be fed separately. This allows the inner circuit 8 and the outer circuit 6 to have different flows in the case of different cooling requirements for the inner body 4 and the outer body 5.

[0128] As already indicated, the outer body 5, the intermediate body 7 and the supporting body 102 are fixed to each other in an integral manner and are stationary.

[0129] In contrast, the inner body 4 is slidable relative to the outer body, the intermediate body and the support body. In fact, the male mold device 1 comprises an elastic element 104 between the inner body 4 and the support body 102, which is configured to obtain a backward / forward movement of the inner body 4 relative to the support body 102 and therefore also relative to the outer body 5, as described in detail below.

[0130] Figures 14 to 18 A method for obtaining a closure element comprising a shell 3 and a seal 2 is shown. Fig. 20 The forming unit is shown in FIG.

[0131] The forming unit comprises a support device 9 and the above-mentioned male mold device 1 , on which the shell 3 rests, the support device being arranged below the male mold device 1 .

[0132] The shaping unit further comprises moving means (not shown) configured to move the supporting means 9 by raising them towards the male mould means 1 in order to shape the sealing material 2 ′.

[0133] The fact that the support device 9 is raised by the moving device is described below. However, this is not essential, since the male mold device 1 can be lowered towards the support device 9 to form the seal 2.

[0134] In use, the male mold means 1 is arranged above the supporting means 9 in an inactive step, which is prior to the shaping of the sealing material 2', such as Fig.14 as shown in .

[0135] Both the male mould means 1 and the support means 9 are in respective rest configurations and are located away from each other. It should be noted that the inner body 4 protrudes relative to the outer body 5 and the front wall 401 is axially closer to the support means 9 than the front surface 501 because the elastic element 104 is in the extended configuration.

[0136] The extractor 105 is also in a rest configuration in which it protrudes relative to the front wall 401 .

[0137] The shell 3 is arranged to rest on the support means 9 and the sealing material 2 ′ is applied in the outer part 301 a of the end wall 301 .

[0138] like Fig.15As shown in FIG. 1 , in the initial contact step, the support device 9 is in a first position raised relative to the inactive step, and the central part 301 b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 has reached a position of contact and pressing with the front wall 401. The front wall 401 holds the shell 3 in place on the support device 9.

[0139] The front surface 501 of the outer body 5 is still spaced apart from the sealing material 2' applied in the outer part 301a of the end wall 301 and is still axially rearward relative to the front wall 401. The elastic element 104 is still in the extended configuration.

[0140] The cooling fluid of the inner circuit 8 can already cool the housing 3 by means of the front wall 401 which is cooled by the inner connecting section 805 of the inner circuit 8 , in particular by the lower inner section of the inner connecting section 805 .

[0141] It should be noted that during the raising of the supporting means 9 , the end edge of the lateral wall 302 of the shell 3 comes into contact with the extractor 105 which also rises following the lateral wall 302 .

[0142] like Fig.16 As shown in , in the forming step after the initial contact step, once the support device 9 continues to rise and enters the second position, i.e., the second position further raised relative to the first position, the gradual movement of the support device 9 is absorbed by the deformed and compressed elastic element 104.

[0143] The inner body 4 follows the supporting means 9 and also rises and slides at least relative to the outer body 5 .

[0144] The sealing material 2' present in the outer part 301a is formed by the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 and, in more detail, between the corresponding front parts of the inner sleeve 502 and the outer sleeve 503, which cooperate to form the outer part 2a of the seal 2. The sealing material 2', which is also squeezed, flows outwards until it defines the lateral part 2b of the seal 2, which is at least partially applied in the lateral wall 302 of the shell 3.

[0145] As the inner body 4 retreats relative to the initial contact step due to the pushing force of the support device 9 , the front surface 501 is brought to a position aligned with the front wall 401 .

[0146] It should be noted that during the shaping step for shaping the sealing material 2 ′, the elastic element 104 exerts a thrust action which ensures that the contact position between the front wall 401 and the end wall 301 of the shell 3 is correctly maintained.

[0147] The cooling fluid of the outer circuit 6 can already cool the sealing material 2 ′ by means of the front surface 501 , while the shell 3 can continue to be cooled by means of the front wall 401 .

[0148] Any air trapped in the male mould arrangement 1 during forming can flow out by means of the ventilation element 404 .

[0149] Fig.17 A final contact step is shown in which the supporting means 9 have returned to the first position, but the front wall 401 of the inner body 4 continues to press the central part 301 b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 in the contact position and continues to cool the shell 3 .

[0150] However, the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 is again spaced apart from the just formed seal 2 and is again set back relative to the front wall 401. In fact, since the elastic element 104 returns to the extended configuration, the deformation of the elastic element 104 is restored from the lowering of the support device 9 and returning to the first position.

[0151] Fig.18 A further inactive step after shaping is shown, in which the male mould means 1 and the supporting means 9 are in a rest configuration and are spaced apart from each other.

[0152] However, it should be noted that the extractor 105 has already removed the closing element with the seal 2 just formed in the shell 3 from the male mold device 1 .

[0153] like Fig. 20 As shown, the outer part 2 a of the seal 2 is applied to the outer part 301 a of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 , while the lateral part 2 b of the seal 2 is applied to a part of the lateral wall 302 .

[0154] It should therefore be noted that, thanks to the outer circuit 6, the seal 2 can be effectively cooled, but at the same time, since the outer circuit 6 is defined between an inner sleeve 502 and an outer sleeve 503, which are fixed to each other in a sealed manner and are preferably separable from each other, the outer circuit 6 can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner.

Claims

1. A forming male mold device (1) for forming a sealing material (2') inside a shell (3) and for obtaining a sealing element (2), wherein: The male mold device (1) extends along a longitudinal axis (Z) and comprises: - an inner body (4), the inner body having a front wall (401), the front wall being configured to press a central part (301b) of an end wall (301) of the shell (3); - an outer body (5) externally surrounding the inner body (4), the outer body having a front surface (501) configured to press the sealing material (2') applied at least on the outer part (301a) of the end wall (301) and configured to form the seal (2); - a conduit circuit (6, 8) configured to allow a cooling fluid to be transported inside the male mold device (1); characterized in that the conduit circuit (6, 8) of the forming male mold device (1) comprises an outer circuit (6) at least partially formed in the outer body (5); and wherein the outer body (5) comprises an inner sleeve (502) surrounding the inner body (4) and an outer sleeve (503) surrounding the inner sleeve (502); the outer circuit (6) is at least partially formed between the inner sleeve (502) and the outer sleeve (503).

2. The male mold device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The outer circuit (6) comprises an outer feed section (602) and an outer material section (601) distributed around the longitudinal axis (Z), and at least one outer connecting section (603) positioned between the outer feed section (602) and the outer material section (601); wherein the inner sleeve (502) comprises at least one inner hollow portion (504); or, the outer sleeve (503) comprises at least one outer hollow portion (505); or, the inner sleeve (502) comprises at least one inner hollow portion (504) and the outer sleeve (503) comprises at least one outer hollow portion (505); so as to define the outer feed section (602), the outer material section (601) or the outer connecting section (603).

3. The male mold device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The outer body (5) includes an upper portion defined by an inner upper portion (502') of the inner sleeve (502) and an outer upper portion (503') of the outer sleeve (503); and a lower portion defined by an inner lower portion (502") of the inner sleeve (502) and an outer lower portion (503") of the outer sleeve (503); and wherein the outer circuit (6) includes an upper outer segment formed in the upper portion and a lower outer segment formed in the lower portion, the upper outer segment and the lower outer segment being connected to each other and having shapes different from each other.

4. The male mold device (1) according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein: The upper outer section includes an upper feed section of the outer feed section (602) and an upper discharge section of the outer discharge section (601), and the upper feed section and the upper discharge section each include a single upper outer hollow portion (505') formed in the outer upper part (503'); and wherein the lower outer section includes a lower feed section of the outer feed section (602) and a lower discharge section of the outer discharge section (601), and the lower feed section and the lower discharge section each include a pair of lower inner hollow portions (504") formed in the lower inner part (502").

5. The male mold device (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The outer feed section (602) and the outer feed section (601) are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z), and wherein, in particular, the upper outer section and the lower outer section are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z).

6. The male mold device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, wherein The outer feed section (602) and the outer feed section (601) are diametrically opposed, and wherein the outer connecting section (603) comprises at least one curved part defined by a corresponding curved hollow portion (506).

7. A male mold device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an intermediate body (7), the intermediate body having an annular shoulder (701), the annular shoulder abutting against an upper edge (503a) of the outer body (5) axially positioned on the opposite side opposite to the front surface (501), and the intermediate body having an intermediate part (702) protruding axially from the annular shoulder (701), the outer body (5) being fixed to the intermediate part in a sealing manner, and the intermediate part (702) being interposed between the outer body (5) and the inner body (4).

8. The male mold device (1) according to claim 7 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein The outer circuit (6) comprises an intermediate feed section (604) and an intermediate discharge section (605), wherein the intermediate feed section and the intermediate discharge section are formed in the intermediate body (7) and are respectively connected to the outer feed section (602) and the outer discharge section (601).

9. The male mold device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The inner body (4) comprises: a forming element (402) having the front wall (401); and a cup-shaped element (403); wherein the cup-shaped element (403) surrounds the forming element (402) in a sealed manner.

10. The male mold device (1) according to claim 9, wherein: The cup-shaped element (403) comprises a lateral outer surface (403a) comprising a plurality of ventilation elements (404) distributed around the longitudinal axis (Z) to allow the escape of any air trapped in the male mould means (1) during the shaping of the sealing material (2').

11. The male mold device (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The lateral outer surface (403a) includes an upper part (403a') and a lower part (403a"), and wherein the ventilation element (404) includes an upper ventilation groove (404') and a lower ventilation groove (404") respectively positioned in the upper part (403a') and the lower part (403a"), and the upper ventilation groove (404') and the lower ventilation groove (404") have different shapes and distributions from the lower ventilation groove (404"), for example, the upper ventilation groove (404") has a larger angular range than the lower ventilation groove (404") and / or the upper ventilation groove and the lower ventilation groove are positioned at different positions in terms of angle.

12. The male mold device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The vent elements (404) are positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z) and are regularly spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

13. The male mold device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: The conduit circuit (6, 8) comprises an inner circuit (8) formed at least partially between the shaped element (402) and the cup-shaped element (403).

14. The male mold device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, comprising an inner core (405) and a ring (406), wherein the inner core has a tubular shape, the forming element (402) is connected to the inner core, and the ring is interposed between the cup-shaped element (403) and the forming element (402), surrounds the forming element (402) and is arranged to contact the front wall (401).

15. The male mold device (1) according to claim 14, wherein: The inner loop (8) is at least partially formed in the inner core (405) and around the ring (406); the inner loop (8) comprises: an inner feed section (801) and an inner discharge section (802), which are located inside the inner core (405) and lead to the forming element (402); and an inner connecting section (805), which is used to connect the inner feed section (801) and the inner discharge section (802) to each other, and the inner connecting section extends around the ring (406).

16. The male mold device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein The inner sleeve (502) and the outer sleeve (503) are formed as distinct and separable parts fixed to each other in a sealing manner, so that the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve can be easily formed and allow simple assembly or disassembly of the outer body (5).

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