Mold and method for manufacturing a lid of a container

Abstract

A mold (1) for manufacturing a cap (2), comprising: a lower half mold (11) comprising a body (111) and a plunger (112) movable relative to the body (111) between a retracted position and an advanced position; an upper half mould (12) wherein the lower half mould (11) and the upper half mould (12) are reciprocally movable along the longitudinal axis (A1) between an open position and a closed position of the mould (1), which delimit a moulding space in said closed position; a drawer (13) movable along a radial direction (B) with respect to the longitudinal axis (A1) between a retracted position away from the molding space and a closed position close to the molding space, and comprising a head surface (13A) which, in the closed position of the drawer (13), contributes to delimiting the molding space; a movement system configured to move the drawer (13) from the retracted position to the closed position in the radial direction (B) in response to the upper half mold (12) and the lower half mold (11) moving closer to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold for manufacturing a container cover. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a container cover.

[0002] In particular, the technical field relates to a mould for manufacturing a cap for a container by compressing a dose of material in a moulding space. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, a cap comprising a body and a tamper-evident ring is known in the art, wherein the body is connected to the tamper-evident ring by a connecting tear strip; more specifically, when the user twists the cap for the first time, the body is separated from the tamper-evident ring and the tamper-evident ring remains attached to the neck of the container.

[0004] In other types of caps, the permanently attached area of ​​the tear strip does not tear and keeps the cap body attached to the tamper-evident ring, thereby preventing the cap body from being lost and messing up the environment. These caps are called "tethered" caps.

[0005] In traditional lids and tethered lids, the connecting tear strip may include a hole (or window) and / or a recess (or membrane), that is, a narrow thickness portion of the lid. Both the hole and the recess may be formed in a mold, for example, using a removable drawer. Examples of these molds are described in patent document 102019000022992 under the name of the applicant, in which a dose is squeezed through a barrel while a drawer forms a hole in the side wall of the lid. However, the document does not describe in detail how to achieve the movement of the drawer.

[0006] Another example is described in patent document 102021000006557 in the name of the applicant, in which the profile of the drawer interacts with the profile of the upper or lower mold half, so that when the mold halves move closer to compress the dose, the drawer moves laterally closer to the side wall of the cover. However, this solution is not flexible (the same mold cannot be used to make the through hole and the reduced thickness area). In addition, the two profiles tend to rub against each other and therefore cannot be closed properly. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mold and a method for manufacturing a lid of a container to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a mould and a method for producing lids for containers, wherein the movement between the parts of the mould is performed in a mechanically stable manner.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mold capable of manufacturing a cover including a through hole or a narrow membrane using the same mold.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a mould that allows the cap to be extracted without damaging it when moulding is complete.

[0011] This object is fully achieved by the mold and the method for manufacturing a lid for a container disclosed herein as characterized in the appended claims.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a cover for a container. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a plastic cover for a container, such as a bottle for water or other beverages, an oil container, or a container for non-food liquids (such as liquid soap or detergent). However, the present disclosure may also be applicable to covers made of different materials, such as metal, for example.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a mold for manufacturing a lid of a container by compressing a dose of material in a molding space; however, the present disclosure can also be applied to molding a dose of material in a molding space by injection or by injection and compression.

[0014] In one example, the cover includes a sidewall (or skirt) extending about the primary axis between a first end and a second end and a transverse wall oriented transverse to the primary axis and connected to the sidewall at the second end of the sidewall.

[0015] More specifically, the mold includes a lower mold half (i.e., a concave mold) and an upper mold half (i.e., a convex mold). The lower mold half and the upper mold half can be reciprocated along the longitudinal axis between an open position (i.e., a spaced-apart position, used to define the open position of the mold) and a closed position (i.e., a close position, used to define the closed position of the mold) of the mold. Preferably, in the closed position of the mold, the upper mold half and the lower mold half define a molding space.

[0016] Preferably, the lower mold (or upper mold) includes a body. The lower mold may include a plunger (also referred to as a "syringe" or "barrel"). The body and the plunger are reciprocatingly movable. More specifically, the plunger can move between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the body, in which the plunger acts with the body to form a recess configured to receive a dose, and in which the plunger at least partially occupies the recess. Preferably, the recess leads to the molding space. In one example, the plunger can be configured to move relative to the body, or more preferably, the body can be configured to move relative to the plunger so that the plunger moves between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the body, in which the plunger acts with the body to form a recess, and in which the plunger at least partially occupies the recess. The mold includes a drawer. The drawer can move between a retracted position away from the molding space and a closed position close to the molding space. The drawer can be moved along a moving direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction or coinciding with the longitudinal direction, or more preferably along a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis (i.e., a direction incident on or transverse to the longitudinal axis). In other words, the drawer can be moved toward the longitudinal axis.

[0017] In one example, the drawer includes a head surface, preferably when the drawer is in a closed position, the head surface helps to define the molding space. The head surface can be configured to define a recess or a narrow thickness area or membrane of the cover (or more precisely, the side wall or transverse wall of the cover) on the outside. The head surface can be configured to be surrounded by plastic to produce a through hole formed in the side wall or transverse wall of the cover. In this case, when the drawer (or the head surface) is in a closed position close to the molding space, the drawer (or the head surface) defines a break zone, that is, a zone of the molding space where the flow of plastic is interrupted.

[0018] The mold comprises a movement system configured to move the drawer preferably in a radial direction. The movement system is configured to move the drawer from the retracted position to the closed position, preferably in response to the upper mold half and the lower mold half moving closer to each other. In other words, the closing movement of the drawer towards the molding space is synchronized with the movement of the upper mold half and the lower mold half towards each other. For example, the closing movement of the drawer can be synchronized with the movement of the upper mold half and the lower mold half towards each other by mechanical or electrical means. Preferably, the drawer reaches the closed position before the mold reaches the closed position.

[0019] It should be noted that the invention can be implemented even without a plunger. The advantage of a plunger is that it can determine the moment at which the compression of the cover in the moulding space must stop.

[0020] In one embodiment, the movement system includes a cam and a wheel, the wheel being configured to interact with the cam, preferably to move the drawer. The movement system may include a drive structure. The drive structure and the drawer may reciprocate along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the drive structure is longitudinally movable. Alternatively, the drive structure is longitudinally fixed.

[0021] In one example, the cam is attached to the drawer and the wheel is connected to the drive structure. In another example, the wheel is connected to the drawer and the cam is attached to the drive structure.

[0022] In one embodiment, the moving system includes a first contour surface and a second complementary contour surface matching the first contour surface, the first contour surface and the second complementary contour surface being configured to interact with each other to move the drawer. In this case, the first contour surface can be attached to the drawer and the second complementary contour surface can be attached to the drive structure, or vice versa.

[0023] The drawer may be located in the lower mold half or the upper mold half (associated with the lower mold half or the upper mold half). The drive structure may be located in the lower mold half or the upper mold half. When the drive structure is located in the lower mold half, the drive structure may be fixed (directly or indirectly) to the plunger so that the body is configured to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the drive structure and the plunger.

[0024] In one example, the lower mold half includes a base. Preferably, the base is fixed along the longitudinal axis. In particular, the plunger can be fixed to the base so that the plunger is fixed along the longitudinal axis together with the base, while the body can move along the longitudinal direction. The lower mold half may include a first locking key to lock the angular position of the plunger around the longitudinal axis relative to the base. The lower mold half may include a second locking key to lock the angular position of the body around the longitudinal axis relative to the plunger. The second locking key is configured to angularly lock the body to the plunger while allowing the body to move along the longitudinal axis.

[0025] In one example, the lower mold half includes a hollow cylinder. When the drive structure is in the lower mold half (associated with the lower mold half), the hollow cylinder can define the drive structure. The hollow cylinder is formed cylindrically around the longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder can be placed outside the plunger and the body (around the plunger and the body). In one example, the lower mold half includes a base. The base can be fixed along the longitudinal axis. The plunger can be fixed to the base. Preferably, the hollow cylinder is fixed to the plunger so that the hollow cylinder reciprocates along the longitudinal axis with the plunger (and the base) and the body. In particular, the hollow cylinder is connected to the plunger and the body moves along the longitudinal axis, while the hollow cylinder is fixed along the longitudinal axis with the plunger (and the base).

[0026] For example, the lower mold half may include a ring. The ring is formed annularly around the longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder may be formed longitudinally from the lower end to the upper end. Preferably, the ring is fixed to the upper end of the hollow cylinder, for example by one or more locking screws. In particular, the ring may include one or more eyelets, which are configured to be coupled to one or more corresponding holes provided in the upper end of the hollow cylinder by one or more corresponding locking screws. Preferably, the one or more eyelets of the ring extend angularly around the longitudinal axis so that the ring and the hollow cylinder can be fixed together in a predetermined angular position.

[0027] In one example, the lower mold half includes a wheel holder. The wheel can be configured to travel (or roll) on a cam so as to preferably move the drawer in a radial direction in response to relative movement between the upper and lower mold halves.

[0028] In particular, the wheel holder is connected to the ring. The ring comprises a wheel holder seat, which is configured to accommodate the wheel holder. In particular, the wheel holder has one or more eyelets, which are configured to engage with one or more holes of the ring by one or more corresponding fixing screws so as to fix the wheel holder to the ring (more specifically, to the seat of the ring). Preferably, the one or more eyelets of the wheel holder are formed in one or more corresponding radial directions. Therefore, the wheel holder can be fixed at a predetermined distance along the radial direction so as to change the distance of the wheel relative to the drawer.

[0029] In one example, the ring and the hollow cylinder constitute separate parts, in another example, the ring is integrated in the hollow cylinder. Thus, in the case where the ring is integrated into the hollow cylinder, the wheel holder can be fixed to the hollow cylinder, or in the case where the ring and the hollow cylinder constitute separate parts, the wheel holder can be fixed to the ring.

[0030] The wheel holder is fixed to the ring (or hollow cylinder) at an angle so that the wheel is aligned with the cam so that the wheel travels or rolls on the cam to move the drawer in a radial direction. Therefore, a seat for the wheel holder can be provided in the hollow cylinder.

[0031] In one example, the drawer is associated with the body of the lower half mold, and the cam is provided on the rear surface of the drawer (in other words, the drawer includes a rear surface of the cam defining the moving system). Preferably, in the relative movement of the body and the plunger in the longitudinal direction, the wheel rolls on the rear surface of the drawer so that the wheel and the drawer reciprocate in the radial direction (particularly, the drawer moves in the radial direction). Particularly, the body moves in the longitudinal direction relative to the plunger, and the wheel (connected to a wheel holder, which is directly or indirectly connected to the hollow cylinder) pushes the drawer to the closed position.

[0032] In one example, the drawer includes a head surface. The head surface is opposite to the rear surface. Preferably, the head surface is formed symmetrically relative to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The head surface can be formed in a symmetrical shape, particularly in a semicircular shape around the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the width presented by the drawer (i.e., the head surface) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is less than the diameter of the cover. In the movement between the retracted position and the closed position, the drawer is configured to move in a radial direction so that each point of the head surface moves in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis (i.e., each point of the head surface moves in a radial direction). In particular, in the movement between the retracted position and the closed position, the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the drawer is configured to move along an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis (i.e., a radial direction); in other words, the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the drawer is configured to move in a radial direction.

[0033] The lower mold half defines a side portion of the molding space. The side portion is configured to form the side wall of the cover (the outer surface of the side wall of the cover). The drawer can be used together with the lower mold half to define the molding space (particularly, define the side portion of the molding space configured to form the side wall of the cover). The lower mold half can be configured to define the outer surface of the side wall of the cover, and the drawer is configured to determine the recess or narrow thickness area on the side wall of the cover.

[0034] Preferably, the portion of the lower half-mould configured to form the outer surface of the side wall of the cover is fixed in a radial direction (relative to the drawer moving in the radial direction).

[0035] In one example, the body of the lower mold includes a longitudinal surface. The longitudinal surface helps to define the molding space. In particular, the longitudinal surface helps to define the side surface or side space (or longitudinal surface or longitudinal space) of the molding space. In particular, the longitudinal surface helps to form the side wall of the cover (the outer surface of the side wall of the cover). The drawer (in particular, the head surface of the drawer) can be used together with the longitudinal surface of the body to define the molding space (in particular, the side surface that defines the side space of the molding space configured to form the side wall of the cover). The longitudinal surface of the body can be configured to define the outer surface of the side wall of the cover, and the drawer is configured to determine the recess or narrow thickness area on the side wall of the cover.

[0036] Preferably, the longitudinal surface of the body is fixed in a radial direction (relative to the drawer moving in the radial direction).

[0037] In one example, the body of the lower half mold includes a drawer seat configured to accommodate a drawer. In particular, the drawer seat is arranged on the longitudinal surface of the body. The drawer is configured to move inside the drawer seat on the longitudinal surface of the body in the movement between the retracted position and the closed position.

[0038] Preferably, the drawer and the drive structure are associated with the same one of the lower and upper mould halves, more preferably they are associated with the lower mould half.

[0039] In one embodiment, the drawer, cam and wheel are associated with the same half of the lower mold and the upper mold.

[0040] Preferably, when the drawer, cam and wheel are associated with the lower mold half (or upper mold half), the drawer is configured to move in a radial direction only when the upper mold half (or lower mold half) has completed its movement in a longitudinal direction toward the closed configuration of the mold. For example, the drawer is configured to move in a radial direction when the extractor and the core have completed their reciprocating movement toward the closed configuration of the mold; this prevents the drawer and the upper mold half from scratching each other, in particular, prevents the drawer and the core of the upper mold half from scratching each other.

[0041] In one example, the drawer is associated with the body of the lower mold half. The drive structure can be fixed to the plunger (that is, the drive structure can move with the plunger). In one example, the upper mold half includes a core and an extractor. Preferably, the extractor can move between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the core. The drawer can be associated with the extractor of the upper mold half. The drive structure can be associated with the core of the upper mold half (that is, it can move with the core of the upper mold half).

[0042] Preferably, when the drawer is in the closed position, the plunger is in a position between the retracted position and the advanced position. Thus, compression of the dose is not completed until after the drawer reaches the closed position. In another example, when the drawer is in the closed position, the extractor is in a position between the advanced position and the retracted position.

[0043] In one embodiment, the mold includes a plurality of spacers. Each spacer may be connected to the plunger and may be replaced with other spacers when the mold is in an open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure and the plunger. In another example, each spacer may be connected to the plunger and may be replaced with other spacers when the mold is in an open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure (preferably associated with the core of the upper mold half) and the core.

[0044] In one example, the plunger includes a lateral surface that communicates with the recess. When the plunger is in the advanced position, the lateral surface helps to define the molding space. In this case, each spacer can be replaced with other spacers when the mold is in the open position (or the plunger is in the advanced position) to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure and the lateral surface of the plunger, or to change the height of the lateral surface of the plunger along the longitudinal axis. Therefore, the movement of the plunger between the retracted position and the advanced position is kinematically linked to the movement of the drawer in the radial direction. The spacer can be used to determine the moment when the drawer reaches the closed position relative to the moment when the plunger reaches the advanced position, so that the dose is compressed in the molding space.

[0045] In one embodiment, the wheel is associated with the drive structure and the drawer includes a rear surface that defines a cam of the movement system. In another example, the drive structure defines a cam of the movement system and the wheel is associated with the drawer.

[0046] In an example embodiment, the movement system is configured to keep the wheel engaged on the cam the entire time the mold is moving between the open position and the closed position. In this case, the wheel and cam are preferably associated with the same half mold in the upper mold half and the lower mold half. In this way, the wheel travels smoothly on the cam during movement from the open position to the closed position.

[0047] In one example, the upper mold half includes a core and an extractor. The core and the extractor can reciprocate along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the extractor can move between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the core. The upper mold half may include an upper elastic component. The upper elastic component may be configured to connect the extractor to the core. Preferably, the elastic component is configured to be compressed when the extractor is in the retracted position.

[0048] In one embodiment, the lower mold half includes a lower elastic component configured to connect the body to the plunger. Preferably, the lower elastic component is configured to be compressed when the plunger is in the advanced position.

[0049] The upper elastic component and / or the lower elastic component may comprise a plurality of elastic components. Preferably, the lower elastic component is more rigid than the upper elastic component. In this case, during movement of the mould from the open position to the closed position, compression of the upper elastic component occurs first, followed by compression of the lower elastic component, so that movement of the plunger to the advanced position is the last movement.

[0050] In one embodiment, the mold includes a plurality of drawers, each of which can be replaced with other drawers to change the head surface.

[0051] In one example, the mold includes a guide configured to guide the drawer as the drawer travels in a radial direction and a resilient element configured to hold the drawer in a retracted position when no other force is applied to the drawer.

[0052] In an example embodiment, the retracted position and the closed position of the drawer define a stroke start position and a stroke end position respectively along the radial direction. The stroke start position and / or the stroke end position can be changed along the radial direction to change the distance between the head surface of the drawer at the closed position and the molding space.

[0053] In one embodiment, the mold comprises a piping system configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, for example in (inside) the upper mold half and / or in (inside) the lower mold half. The piping system comprises one or more pipes configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow. In particular, the piping system is configured to provide a fluid circulation, whereby a cooling liquid flow flows through a plurality of pipes according to a predetermined flow path.

[0054] In one example, the piping system is disposed in the lower mold half. In particular, the piping system can extend inside the body of the lower mold half, such as through the body pipe (or the first pipe). Additionally or alternatively, the piping system can extend inside the plunger of the lower mold half, such as through the plunger pipe (or the second pipe). The piping system can be configured to fluidically connect the pipe disposed in the body (i.e., the body pipe or the first pipe) to the pipe disposed in the plunger (i.e., the plunger pipe or the second pipe). In another example, the pipe disposed in the plunger and the pipe disposed in the body are independent of each other.

[0055] The conduit system can extend to the outside of the upper mold half, for example, through an external conduit or through multiple (external) conduits. The external conduit or multiple conduits can be configured to connect the conduit disposed in the plunger to the conduit fluid disposed in the body.

[0056] For example, the piping system may include a first pipe arranged in the body of the lower half mold so as to allow the cooling fluid to flow inside the body. The body may include a longitudinal portion defining a longitudinal surface for forming the (outer surface of) the side wall of the cover. The first pipe may extend inside the body corresponding to the longitudinal portion to allow the refrigeration liquid to circulate around the molding space. In particular, the first pipe surrounds (the longitudinal extension of) the molding space. Therefore, the refrigeration liquid circulates around (the longitudinal extension of) the molding space in the first pipe.

[0057] For example, the duct system may include a second duct disposed in the plunger of the lower mold half to allow the cooling fluid to flow inside the plunger. The plunger may include a longitudinal extension defining a transverse surface that helps define the molding space (helping to form the transverse wall of the cover). The second duct may extend inside the plunger corresponding to the longitudinal extension to allow the cooling liquid to circulate inside the longitudinal extension of the body.

[0058] A second conduit may extend inside the base of the lower mold half to allow a cooling fluid to flow inside the base of the lower mold half.

[0059] A plurality of (external) conduits may be configured to connect a first conduit with a second conduit (or vice versa).

[0060] In particular, the first conduit may have a delivery conduit and a return conduit. The fluid may circulate in the delivery conduit of the first conduit towards the molding space. The fluid may circulate in the return conduit of the first conduit away from the molding space. In particular, the fluid may circulate in the delivery direction inside the delivery conduit and in the return direction opposite to the delivery direction inside the return conduit. In other words, the first conduit may have a delivery conduit for circulating the fluid towards the molding space and may have a return conduit for circulating the fluid back from the molding space.

[0061] The second conduit may have a delivery conduit and a return conduit. The fluid may circulate in the delivery conduit toward the molding space. The fluid may circulate in the return conduit away from the molding space.

[0062] In one embodiment, the plunger includes an inner portion (or rod). Preferably, the inner portion extends longitudinally. The plunger may include an outer portion that is configured to partially surround the inner portion. The outer portion of the plunger may extend cylindrically around the longitudinal axis (i.e., around the inner portion of the plunger), for example in the longitudinal extension portion. The outer portion of the plunger may extend transversely to the longitudinal axis, for example in the transverse extension portion. In one example, the transverse extension portion at least partially defines the transverse surface of the plunger. The outer portion of the plunger partially surrounds the inner portion of the plunger so as to form a narrow groove between the outer portion and the inner portion.

[0063] For example, the second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may be (partially) located inside the inner part of the plunger. In other words, the second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may extend at least partially inside the inner part of the plunger. The second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may be (partially) located in the slot between the outer part and the inner part of the plunger, for example corresponding to the transverse extension of the outer part. The second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may be (partially) located in the slot between the outer part and the inner part of the plunger, for example corresponding to the longitudinal extension of the outer part. In other words, the second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may extend at least partially inside the slot between the outer part and the inner part of the plunger, for example corresponding to the transverse extension and the longitudinal extension of the outer part. The second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) may be (partially) located in the base. Preferably, the second conduit (particularly, the delivery conduit of the second conduit) extends inside the inner part of the plunger, passing through the slot and the base between the inner part and the outer part corresponding to the transverse extension and the longitudinal extension.

[0064] In one embodiment, the second conduit (in particular the return conduit of the second conduit) may be (partially) located inside the base.

[0065] In one example, the plurality of (external) pipes include a delivery pipe configured to connect the delivery pipe of the first pipe with the delivery pipe of the second pipe. In one example, the plurality of (external) pipes include a return pipe configured to connect the return pipe of the first pipe with the return pipe of the second pipe. Thus, the refrigeration fluid is configured to pass through the delivery pipe of the second pipe, the delivery pipe of the external pipe, and the delivery pipe of the first pipe; the refrigeration fluid is configured to pass through the return pipe of the first pipe, the return pipe of the external pipe, and the return pipe of the second pipe.

[0066] The piping system may have an input end configured to supply a refrigeration fluid (i.e., a fluid to be circulated in the lower mold half) to the piping system. The piping system may have an output end configured to allow a refrigeration liquid (i.e., a fluid that has been circulated in the lower mold half) to leave. In one example, the input end and / or the output end are arranged in the lower mold half, in particular in the base of the lower mold half. The input end of the piping system may be connected to a delivery pipe of the second pipe. In other words, the second pipe (in particular, the delivery pipe of the second pipe) may be configured to receive the refrigeration fluid from the input end. The output end of the piping system may be connected to a return pipe of the second pipe. In other words, the output end may be configured to receive the refrigeration fluid from the second pipe (in particular, from the return pipe of the second pipe).

[0067] The plurality of external conduits (ie, the delivery conduit and the return conduit in the plurality of external conduits) are configured to allow reciprocating movement between the plunger and the body along the longitudinal axis. For example, the external conduits may include a deformable material.

[0068] The present specification also provides a mold for making a cap, wherein the mold may include a piping system. The mold includes a lower mold. The lower mold may include a body and a plunger. The plunger can move between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the body (or vice versa), in which the plunger acts with the body to form a recess for receiving a dose, and in which the plunger at least partially occupies the recess. In one example, the body and the plunger are fixed relative to each other. The mold includes an upper mold, wherein the lower mold and the upper mold can reciprocate along a longitudinal axis between an open position of the mold and a closed position of the mold, in which the lower mold and the upper mold define a molding space, and the recess leads to the molding space. The mold includes a piping system. The piping system can be made according to one or more features of the present specification. The piping system can be configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow, preferably in the lower mold. In particular, the piping system is arranged in the lower mold. In one example, the conduit system extends inside the body of the lower mold half and inside the plunger, preferably via conduits that fluidly connect conduits disposed inside the plunger with conduits disposed inside the body.

[0069] The present invention also provides a compression molding machine for manufacturing a cap, wherein the machine comprises a plurality of molds according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In one example, the molding machine is a rotary machine, that is, a machine comprising a turntable configured to rotate an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis. The turntable may comprise a plurality of molds according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Preferably, the molds in the plurality of molds are mounted on the turntable, angularly spaced apart around the axis of rotation.

[0070] The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing a cover for a container by compressing a dose of material in a molding space.

[0071] The method includes the step of providing a lower mold. The lower mold can be made according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Preferably, the lower mold includes a body and a plunger, wherein the plunger can move relative to the body between a retracted position and an advanced position, in which the plunger acts with the body to form a recess configured to receive a dose, and in the advanced position, the plunger at least partially occupies the recess. The method includes the step of providing an upper mold. The upper mold can be made according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Preferably, the lower mold and the upper mold can reciprocate along the longitudinal axis between an open position of the mold and a closed position of the mold, in which the lower mold and the upper mold define a molding space, and the recess leads to the molding space.

[0072] In one example, the plunger moves relative to the body, or more preferably, the body moves relative to the plunger, such that the plunger moves relative to the body between a retracted position and an advanced position.

[0073] The method may include the step of providing a base in the lower mold half, the base preferably being fixed along the longitudinal axis, wherein the plunger can be fixed to the base and the body can be moved along the longitudinal direction. The method includes the step of providing a drawer manufactured according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Preferably, the drawer can be moved between a retracted position away from the molding space and a closed position close to the molding space in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and the drawer includes a head surface that helps to define the molding space in the closed position of the drawer.

[0074] The method comprises the step of closing the mould by moving the upper and lower mould halves towards each other along a longitudinal axis. The method comprises the step of moving the drawer from a retracted position to a closed position by a movement system, preferably driven by the movement of the upper and lower mould halves towards each other. The method may comprise the step of synchronising the movement of the drawer between the retracted position and the closed position with the movement of the upper and lower mould halves towards each other.

[0075] In one embodiment, the movement system comprises a longitudinally movable drive structure. Alternatively, the drive structure is longitudinally fixed. In one example, the movement system comprises a cam and a wheel, that is, the method comprises the steps of providing a longitudinally movable drive structure and preferably providing a cam and a wheel. Alternatively, the method may include the steps of providing a contoured surface and a complementary contoured surface configured to interact with each other.

[0076] In one example, the method includes the step of moving the drive structure along the longitudinal axis. In one example, the method includes the step of the wheel and the cam interacting to produce movement of the drawer, preferably in response to the longitudinal movement of the drive structure. The cam can be attached to the drawer and the wheel is connected to the drive structure, or vice versa. In the case of a profile surface and a complementary profile surface, the profile surface can be attached to the drawer and the complementary profile surface can be attached to the drive structure, or vice versa.

[0077] In one example, the drawer, cam and wheel are associated with the same half mold in the lower mold half and the upper mold half. When the drive structure is disposed in the lower mold half, the drive structure can be fixed (directly or indirectly) to the plunger so that the body moves in a longitudinal direction relative to the drive structure and the plunger.

[0078] In one example, the method includes the step of providing a plunger fixed to the base by a first locking key so as to lock the angular position of the plunger about the longitudinal axis relative to the base. The method may include the step of providing a body fixed to the plunger by a second locking key so as to lock the angular position of the body relative to the plunger. The second locking key angularly locks the body to the plunger while allowing the body to move along the longitudinal axis.

[0079] In one example, the method includes the step of providing a hollow cylinder in the lower mold. When the drive structure is in the lower mold (associated with the lower mold), the hollow cylinder can define the drive structure. The hollow cylinder is formed cylindrically around the longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder can be placed outside the plunger and the body (around the plunger and the body). In one example, the lower mold includes a base. The base can be fixed along the longitudinal axis. The plunger can be fixed to the base. Preferably, the hollow cylinder is fixed to the plunger so that the hollow cylinder reciprocates along the longitudinal axis with the plunger (and the base) and the body. In particular, the hollow cylinder is fixed to the plunger and the body moves along the longitudinal axis, while the hollow cylinder is fixed along the longitudinal axis with the plunger (and the base).

[0080] In one example, the method comprises the step of providing a ring in the lower half of the mould. The ring is formed annularly around the longitudinal axis. The hollow cylinder can be formed longitudinally from the lower end to the upper end. Preferably, the ring is fixed to the upper end of the hollow cylinder, for example by one or more locking screws. The step of providing the ring comprises coupling one or more eyelets provided in the ring to one or more corresponding holes provided in the upper end of the hollow cylinder by one or more corresponding locking screws. Preferably, the one or more eyelets of the ring extend angularly around the longitudinal axis so that the ring and the hollow cylinder can be fixed together in a predetermined angular position.

[0081] In one example, the method includes the step of providing a wheel holder in the lower mold half. The wheel can travel (or roll) on the cam so that the drawer moves in a radial direction as a result of relative movement between the upper mold half and the lower mold half. The wheel holder supports the wheel. The wheel is (commonly) connected to the wheel holder.

[0082] In particular, the wheel holder is connected to the ring. The ring comprises a wheel holder seat to accommodate the wheel holder. In particular, the wheel holder has one or more eyelets to engage with one or more holes of the ring by one or more corresponding fixing screws so as to fix the wheel holder to the ring (more particularly, to the seat of the ring). Preferably, the one or more eyelets of the wheel holder are formed in one or more corresponding radial directions. Thus, the wheel holder can be fixed at a predetermined distance along the radial direction so as to change the distance of the wheel from the drawer.

[0083] In one example, the ring and the hollow cylinder constitute separate parts, in another example, the ring is integrated in the hollow cylinder. Thus, the wheel holder can be fixed to the hollow cylinder (in the case where the ring is integrated in the hollow cylinder) or to the ring (in the case where the ring and the hollow cylinder constitute separate parts). Thus, a seat for the wheel holder can be provided in the hollow cylinder.

[0084] The wheel holder is fixed to the ring (or hollow cylinder) at an angle to align the wheel with the cam so that the wheel rides or rolls on the cam to move the drawer in a radial direction.

[0085] In one example, the drawer is associated with the body of the lower half mold, and the cam is arranged on the rear surface of the drawer (in other words, the drawer includes a rear surface of the cam defining the moving system). Preferably, during the relative movement of the body and the plunger in the longitudinal direction, the wheel rolls on the rear surface of the drawer so that the wheel and the drawer are relatively moved in the radial direction (particularly, the drawer is moved in the radial direction). Particularly, the body moves in the longitudinal direction relative to the plunger, and the wheel (connected to a wheel holder, which is directly or indirectly connected to the hollow cylinder) pushes the drawer to the closed position.

[0086] In one example, the drawer includes a head surface opposite to the rear surface. Preferably, the head surface is formed symmetrically with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The head surface can be formed in a symmetrical shape, particularly in a semicircular shape around the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the width presented by the drawer (i.e., the head surface) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is less than the diameter of the cover. In the movement between the retracted position and the closed position, the drawer moves in a radial direction so that each point of the head surface moves in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis (i.e., each point of the head surface moves in a radial direction). In particular, during the movement between the retracted position and the closed position, the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the drawer moves along an axis intersecting the longitudinal axis (i.e., a radial direction); in other words, the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the drawer moves in a radial direction.

[0087] The lower mold half defines a side portion of a molding space that forms (the outer surface of) the side wall of the cover. The drawer can be used together with the lower mold half to define a molding space (particularly, to define a side portion of a molding space that forms the side wall of the cover). The lower mold half defines the outer surface of the side wall of the cover, and the drawer forms a recess or a narrow thickness area on the side wall of the cover.

[0088] Preferably, the portion of the lower mould half forming the outer surface of the side wall of the cover is stationary in the radial direction (relative to the drawer moving in the radial direction).

[0089] In one example, the body of the lower mold half includes a longitudinal surface. The longitudinal surface helps to define the molding space. In particular, the longitudinal surface helps to define the side surface or side space (or longitudinal surface or longitudinal space) of the molding space. In particular, the longitudinal surface helps to form the side wall of the cover (the outer surface of the side wall of the cover).

[0090] The drawer (particularly, the head surface of the drawer) can be used together with the longitudinal surface of the body to define a molding space (particularly, a side surface defining a side space of the molding space forming the side wall of the cover). The longitudinal surface of the body can define the outer surface of the side wall of the cover, and the drawer forms a recess or a narrow thickness area on the side wall of the cover.

[0091] Preferably, the longitudinal surface of the body is stationary in a radial direction (relative to the drawer moving in the radial direction).

[0092] In one example, the method includes the step of providing a drawer seat for the body of the lower half mold; in particular, the drawer seat is arranged on the longitudinal surface of the body. During the movement between the retracted position and the closed position, the drawer moves inside the drawer seat on the longitudinal surface of the body.

[0093] Preferably, the wheel engages the cam the entire time the mould is moving between the open position and the closed position.

[0094] Preferably, the upper mold half comprises a core and an extractor, the extractor being connected to the core by an upper elastic component and being movable relative to the core between an advanced position and a retracted position. The method comprises the step of moving the core and the extractor relative to each other. The method may comprise, for example, the step of compressing the upper elastic component after the relative movement between the core and the extractor.

[0095] In one example, in the lower mold half, the body is connected to the plunger via a lower elastic component.

[0096] In one embodiment, movement of the upper and lower mold halves toward each other causes the core and the extractor of the upper mold halves to move relative to each other. In one embodiment, movement between the upper and lower mold halves causes the body and the plunger of the lower mold halves to move relative to each other.

[0097] In one example, the drawer is slidably coupled to the extractor, and the drive structure is connected to the core. In this case, for example, movement of the upper and lower mold halves toward each other causes the core and the extractor to move relative to each other to cause relative movement between the drive structure and the drawer, thereby causing the drawer to move in a radial direction to a closed position.

[0098] In one example, the drawer is slidably coupled to the body and the drive structure is connected to the plunger. In this case, for example, movement of the upper and lower mold halves toward each other causes the body and the plunger to move relative to each other to cause relative movement between the drive structure and the drawer, thereby causing the drawer to move in a radial direction to a closed position.

[0099] In one embodiment, the relative movement between the puller and the core of the upper mold half is completed before the relative movement between the plunger and the body of the lower mold half is completed. Preferably, the relative movement between the puller and the core of the upper mold half is completed before the relative movement between the body and the plunger of the lower mold half begins.

[0100] In one embodiment, the forward movement of the drawer to the closed position is completed before the relative movement between the body of the lower mold half and the plunger is completed.

[0101] Therefore, first, after the relative movement between the extractor and the core, the upper elastic component is compressed, and then after the relative movement between the body and the plunger, the lower elastic component is compressed. In one example, the lower elastic element is more rigid than the upper elastic element, so the relative movement between the core and the extractor occurs before the relative movement between the body and the plunger is completed (or started).

[0102] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of replacing a spacer of a plurality of spacers, wherein each spacer is connectable to the plunger and replaceable with another spacer when the mold is in the open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure and the plunger. The method may include the step of connecting the spacer to the plunger so that the forward movement of the drawer associated with the body to the closed position is completed before the movement of the plunger associated with the drive structure to the advanced position is completed.

[0103] Alternatively, the method includes the step of replacing a spacer of a plurality of spacers, wherein each spacer is connectable to the core and replaceable with another spacer when the mold is in the open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure and the core. The method may include the step of connecting the spacer to the core so that the forward movement of the drawer associated with the extractor to the closed position is completed before the movement of the core (relative to the extractor) associated with the drive structure to the advanced position is completed.

[0104] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of providing a conduit system. The conduit system can be made according to one or more features of this specification. Preferably, the conduit system is arranged in (inside) the lower half mold. In particular, the conduit system extends inside the body and inside the plunger via a conduit, which connects the conduit arranged inside the plunger to the conduit fluid arranged inside the body.

[0105] The method may include the step of providing a piping system having a first pipe in the body and / or a second pipe in the plunger. The method may include the step of fluidly connecting the pipe disposed in the body (i.e., the first pipe) to the pipe disposed in the plunger (i.e., the second pipe). In another example, the pipe disposed in the plunger and the pipe disposed in the body are independent of each other. The method may include the step of providing an external pipe or multiple (external) pipes for the piping system. The method may include the step of fluidly connecting the pipe disposed in the plunger to the pipe disposed in the body through the external pipe or multiple pipes.

[0106] The body may include a longitudinal portion defining a longitudinal surface. The longitudinal surface is used to form a side wall of the cover (the outer surface of the side wall of the cover). The first conduit may extend inside the body corresponding to the longitudinal portion to allow the refrigeration liquid to circulate around the molding space. In particular, the first conduit surrounds the molding space (the longitudinal extension of the molding space). Therefore, the refrigeration liquid circulates around the molding space (the longitudinal extension of the molding space) in the first conduit. The method may include a step of refrigerating the body, in particular the longitudinal portion of the body, for example by a liquid flow in the first conduit surrounding the molding space corresponding to the longitudinal portion of the body.

[0107] In one example, the plunger includes a longitudinal extension and a transverse extension defining a transverse surface. The transverse surface helps define a molding space (for forming a transverse wall of the cover). The second conduit can extend inside the plunger corresponding to the longitudinal extension and the transverse extension to allow the refrigerant liquid to circulate inside the longitudinal extension and the transverse extension of the plunger.

[0108] A second conduit may extend inside the base of the lower mold half to allow a cooling fluid to flow inside the base of the lower mold half.

[0109] The method may include the step of providing a first conduit having a delivery conduit and a return conduit. The method may include the step of causing the fluid to flow through the delivery conduit of the first conduit (e.g., in a delivery direction) toward the molding space. The method may include the step of causing the liquid to flow in the return conduit of the first conduit (e.g., in a return direction opposite to the delivery direction) away from the molding space.

[0110] The method may include the step of providing a second conduit having a delivery conduit and a return conduit. The fluid may circulate in the delivery conduit of the second conduit toward the molding space. The fluid may circulate in the return conduit of the second conduit away from the molding space.

[0111] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of providing a plunger having an inner portion extending longitudinally and an outer portion partially surrounding the inner portion. The outer portion of the plunger can extend cylindrically around the longitudinal axis (i.e., around the inner portion of the plunger), for example in the longitudinal extension portion. The outer portion of the plunger can extend transversely to the longitudinal axis, for example in a transverse extension portion, which at least partially defines a transverse surface of the plunger. The outer portion of the plunger partially surrounds the inner portion of the plunger so as to form a slot between the outer portion and the inner portion.

[0112] The delivery conduit of the second conduit may extend at least partially inside the inner part of the plunger. The delivery conduit of the second conduit may extend at least partially inside the slot between the outer part and the inner part of the plunger, for example corresponding to the lateral extension of the outer part and / or the longitudinal extension of the outer part. The delivery conduit of the second conduit may extend inside the base.

[0113] In one example, the method comprises the step of providing a plurality of (external) pipes with a delivery pipe connecting the delivery pipe of the first pipe with the delivery pipe of the second pipe. In one example, the method comprises the step of providing a plurality of (external) pipes with a return pipe connecting the return pipe of the first pipe with the return pipe of the second pipe. Thus, the method may comprise the step of causing the refrigerant fluid to flow through the delivery pipe of the second pipe, the delivery pipe of the external pipe and the delivery pipe of the first pipe; causing the refrigerant fluid to flow through the return pipe of the first pipe, the return pipe of the external pipe and the return pipe of the second pipe.

[0114] The method may include the steps of providing an input end for the piping system and supplying a refrigeration fluid to the piping system through the input end. The method may include the steps of providing an output end for the piping system and the steps of allowing the refrigeration fluid to exit from the piping system through the output end. In one example, the input end and / or the output end are disposed in the lower mold half. The input end of the piping system may be connected to a delivery conduit of a second conduit so as to receive the refrigeration fluid from the input end. The output end of the piping system may be connected to a return conduit of the second conduit so as to receive the refrigeration fluid from the return conduit of the second conduit.

[0115] The plurality of external conduits (ie, the delivery conduit and the return conduit in the plurality of external conduits) allow reciprocating movement between the plunger and the body along the longitudinal axis. For example, the external conduits may include a deformable material.

[0116] The present specification also provides a method for manufacturing a lid of a container by compressing a dose in a molding space, wherein the method may include a step of providing a duct system. The method includes the step of providing a lower mold according to one or more features of the present specification. Preferably, the lower half may include a body and a plunger. The plunger may move between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the body (or vice versa), in which the plunger acts with the body to form a recess for receiving a dose, and in which the plunger at least partially occupies the recess. In one example, the body and the plunger are fixed relative to each other. The method may include the step of providing an upper mold according to one or more features of the present specification. The lower mold and the upper mold may reciprocate along the longitudinal axis between the open position of the mold and the closed position of the mold, and in the closed position of the mold, the lower mold and the upper mold define a molding space, and the recess leads to the molding space.

[0117] The duct system can be made according to one or more features of the present specification. The duct system allows the cooling fluid to flow, preferably in the lower mold half. In particular, the duct system is arranged in the lower mold half. In one example, the duct system extends inside the body of the lower mold half and inside the plunger, preferably through a duct that connects the duct arranged inside the plunger with the duct arranged inside the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] These and other characteristics will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0119] - Figure 1 A mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0120] - Figure 1A shows a cross section of a cover 2 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0121] - Figures 2 to 8 The operating sequence of the mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown in cross section;

[0122] - Figures 9 to 15 The operating sequence of the mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown in cross section;

[0123] - Figures 16 to 23 The operating sequence of the mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown in cross section;

[0124] - Fig.24A and Fig. 24B A mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown in cross section;

[0125] - Fig.25 A schematic diagram showing in cross section the flow path of a refrigeration liquid in a mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0126] - Fig.26A and Fig. 27 A mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0127] - Fig.26B Shows Fig.26A A cross section of the mold 1;

[0128] - FIG. 28A to FIG. 28C shows a wheel holder of a mold 1 in different positions according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure;

[0129] - Fig.29 An exploded view of a mold 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0130] With reference to the attached drawings, numeral 1 denotes a mould for manufacturing a cap 2 of a container by compressing a dose 20 in a moulding space. More specifically, the cap 2 comprises a side wall 21 extending between a first end 21A and a second end 21B around a main axis P. The cap 2 comprises a transverse wall 22 oriented transversely to the main axis P and connected to the side wall 21 at its second end 21B.

[0131] The mold 1 comprises a lower mold half 11. The lower mold half 11 defines a molding cavity. The mold comprises an upper mold half 12. The lower mold half 11 and the upper mold half 12 can reciprocate along the longitudinal axis A1 between an open position of the mold 1 and a closed position of the mold 1. In the open position of the mold 1, the lower mold half 11 and the upper mold half 12 are spaced apart. In the closed position of the mold 1, the lower mold half 11 and the upper mold half 12 are close together and define a molding space. In the closed position of the mold 1, the upper mold half 12 is at least partially accommodated in the cavity of the lower mold half 11.

[0132] The lower mold half 11 includes a body 111 and a plunger 112. The plunger 112 is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position relative to the body 111. More specifically, the plunger 112 is movable along a thrust axis A2. The thrust axis A2 is preferably parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis A1.

[0133] In the retracted position, the plunger 112 acts with the body 111 to form a recess R. The recess R is configured to receive the dose 20. In the advanced position, the plunger 112 at least partially occupies the recess R; more specifically, the plunger 112 fills the recess R in the advanced position.

[0134] In one embodiment, the lower mold half 11 includes a base 116 fixed along the longitudinal axis A1. The plunger 112 is fixed to the base 116 so that the plunger 112 is fixed along the longitudinal axis A1 together with the base 116, and the body 111 is movable along the longitudinal direction; therefore, the body 111 moves relative to the plunger 112 so that the plunger 112 moves between the retracted position and the advanced position.

[0135] The lower mold half 11 includes a first locking key 119A to lock the angular position of the plunger 112 about the longitudinal axis A1 relative to the base 116. The first locking key 119A is located between the base 116 and the plunger 112. The lower mold half 11 includes a second locking key 119B to lock the angular position of the body 111 about the longitudinal axis A1 relative to the plunger 112. The second locking key 119B is located between the plunger 112 and the body 111.

[0136] Preferably, the plunger 112 comprises a lateral surface 112A which contributes to delimiting the molding space, in particular when the plunger is in the advanced position, and which is configured to at least partially form a lateral wall 22 of the cap 2 .

[0137] Preferably, the body 111 comprises a longitudinal surface 111A which contributes to delimiting the molding space and is configured to at least partially form the side wall 21 of the cover 2 .

[0138] The mold includes a drawer 13. The drawer 13 can move between a retracted position and a closed position along a radial direction B relative to the longitudinal axis A1. In the retracted position, it is away from the molding space; in the closed position, it is close to the molding space. More specifically, the drawer 13 includes a head surface 13A that helps to define the molding space. When the drawer 13 is in a closed position close to the molding space, the head surface 13A can be configured to be surrounded by plastic so as to form a through hole in the side wall 21 of the cover 2, or to form a narrow thickness area in the side wall 21 of the cover 2. Therefore, when the drawer 13 is in a closed position close to the molding space, it can define a rupture zone in which there is an interruption in the flow of plastic.

[0139] The body 111 includes a drawer seat disposed on the longitudinal surface 111A and configured to accommodate the drawer 13. The drawer 13 moves inside the drawer seat of the longitudinal surface 111A of the body 111 during movement of the drawer 13 between the retracted position and the closed position.

[0140] The drawer 13 may be removed and replaced with another drawer 13 having another head surface 13A different from that of the previous drawer in order to change the shape of the hole or narrow thickness area to be formed in the side wall 21 of the cover 2 .

[0141] The retracted position and the closed position of the drawer 13 define a stroke start position and a stroke end position, respectively, along the radial direction B. More specifically, the stroke start position can be varied along the radial direction B to change the distance between the head surface 13A of the drawer 13 at the closed position and the molding space. More specifically, reducing the distance between the head surface 13A and the molding space forms a hole in the cover 2, while increasing the distance between the head surface 13A and the molding space forms a reduced thickness area or forms a conventional side wall 21 of the cover 2, that is, a wall 21 without a hole or a reduced thickness area.

[0142] The mold 1 comprises a movement system configured to move the drawer 13 from the retracted position to the closed position along the radial direction B. The movement system comprises a longitudinally movable drive structure 141 , a cam 142 and a wheel 143 .

[0143] The mold 1 includes a guide 144 and an elastic element 145, wherein the guide 144 is configured to guide the drawer 13 when the drawer 13 travels in a radial direction, and the elastic element 145 is configured to maintain the drawer 13 in a retracted position when no other force is applied to the drawer 13, preferably by moving the drawer 13 along the radial direction B from a closed position to a retracted position.

[0144] Preferably, the cam 142 is attached to the drawer 13, and the wheel 143 is connected to the drive structure 141. The cam 142 and the wheel 143 are configured to interact with each other; more specifically, after the longitudinal movement of the drive structure 141, the wheel 143 travels (or rolls) on the cam 142, thereby moving the drawer in the radial direction B.

[0145] The upper mold half 12 includes a core 121 and an extractor 122. The core 121 and the extractor 122 can reciprocate along the longitudinal axis A1. More specifically, the extractor 122 can move between a retracted position and an advanced position, in which the extractor 122 and the lower mold half 11 are spaced apart (and the mold 1 is in a partially open position), and in which the extractor 112 and the lower mold half 11 are close together (and the mold 1 is in a partially closed position).

[0146] In one embodiment, the drawer 13 is associated with the lower mold half 11, and the drive structure 141 is associated with the lower mold half 11. More specifically, the drawer 13 is associated with the body 111 of the lower mold half 11, and the drive structure 141 is fixed to the plunger 112 (that is, it is attached to the plunger 112), so that the movement of the plunger 112 in the longitudinal direction causes the drive structure 141 to move in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the plunger 112 moves between the retracted position and the advanced position of the plunger 112, the drive structure 141 moves with the plunger 112.

[0147] In one embodiment, the drawer 13 is associated with the lower mold half 11, and the drive structure 141 is associated with the lower mold half 11; the drawer 13 is associated (connected) with the body 111, and the drive structure 141 is fixed to the plunger 112. The body 111 moves in the longitudinal direction relative to the drive structure 141 and the plunger 112. The lower mold half 11 includes a hollow cylinder defining the drive structure 141. The hollow cylinder is cylindrically formed around the longitudinal axis A1 and surrounds the plunger 112 and the body 111. The hollow cylinder is fixed to the plunger 112 so that the hollow cylinder is fixed along the longitudinal axis A1, and the body 111 moves along the longitudinal axis A1. The lower mold half 11 may include a ring 114 formed annularly around the longitudinal axis A1 and fixed to the upper end of the hollow cylinder. The ring 114 includes one or more eyelets 114A, which are coupled to one or more corresponding holes provided in the upper end of the hollow cylinder by one or more corresponding locking screws 114B. Each of the one or more eyelets 114B of the ring 114 extends angularly around the longitudinal axis A1 so that the hollow cylinder and the ring 114 can be fixed to each other at a predetermined angular position. The lower half mold 11 includes a wheel holder 115 configured to support the wheel 143. The wheel 143 is connected to the wheel holder 115 in common. The ring 114 includes a wheel holder seat 114C to accommodate the wheel holder 115. The wheel holder 115 has one or more eyelets 115C, which are configured to engage with one or more holes of the ring 114 through one or more corresponding fixing screws 115D so as to fix the wheel holder 115 to the seat 114C of the ring 114. The one or more eyelets 115C of the wheel holder 115 are formed in one or more corresponding radial directions, so that the radial distance of the wheel holder 115 can be changed.

[0148] The ring 114 and the hollow cylinder can constitute separate components, or the ring 114 can be integrated in the hollow cylinder so that the wheel holder 115 is directly connected to the hollow cylinder. In particular, the wheel holder 115 is fixed to the ring 114 (or the hollow cylinder) at an angle to align the wheel 143 with the cam 142 set in the rear surface of the drawer 13. In one example (i.e., when the ring 114 is integrated in the hollow cylinder), the hollow cylinder includes a wheel holder seat 114C to accommodate the wheel holder 115; the wheel holder 115 can have one or more holes 115C to engage with one or more corresponding holes of the hollow cylinder through one or more corresponding fixing screws 115C. The one or more holes 115C of the wheel holder 115 are formed in one or more corresponding radial directions, so that the radial distance of the wheel holder 115 can be changed.

[0149] In another embodiment, the drawer 13 is associated with the lower mold half 11, and the drive structure 141 is associated with the upper mold half. More specifically, the drawer 13 is associated with the body 111 of the lower mold half 11, and the drive structure 141 is fixed (i.e., attached) to the core 121 of the upper mold half 12, so that the movement of the core 121 and the extractor 122 relative to each other in the longitudinal direction causes the drive structure 141 to move in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the core 121 is fixed, and the extractor 122 moves between a retracted position and an advanced position.

[0150] In the example where the drawer 13 and drive structure 141 (and therefore wheel 143) are associated with the same mold half (preferably, lower mold half 11), the wheel 143 remains engaged on the cam 142 of the drawer 13 throughout the time the mold moves between the open position and the closed position.

[0151] In another example, the drawer 13 is associated with the upper mold half 12, and the drive structure 141 is associated with the upper mold half 12. More specifically, the drawer 13 can be associated with the extractor 122, and the drive structure 141 can be associated with the core 121 of the upper mold half 12, so that the relative movement between the extractor 122 and the core 121 causes the movement of the drive structure 141, thereby causing the drawer to move in the radial direction B.

[0152] In yet another example, the drawer 13 is associated with the upper mold half 12 , and the drive structure 141 is associated with the lower mold half. More specifically, the drawer 13 can be associated with the extractor 122 , and the drive structure can be associated with the plunger 112 .

[0153] The mold 1 includes a spacer 15 connected to the plunger. More specifically, the mold 1 can include a plurality of spacers 15, each of which is removably connected to the plunger 112 and can be replaced with other spacers 15 when the mold is in the open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure 141 and the plunger 112.

[0154] In one embodiment, the core 121 includes an inner core 121A, a central core 121B and an outer core 121C. The outer core 121C surrounds the central core 121B, which in turn surrounds the inner core 121A. Preferably, the central core 121B and the outer core 121C are attached to each other and can move relative to the inner core 121A along the longitudinal axis A1. The outer core 121B includes a plurality of recesses configured to form an internal thread on the side wall 21 of the cover 2.

[0155] When the mold 1 is in the open position, i.e. when the lower mold half 11 and the upper mold half 12 are spaced apart and the plunger 112 is in the retracted position, the dose 20 is added to the mold 1. Thereafter, there is a step of (partially) closing the mold 1, wherein the lower mold half 11 and the upper mold half 12 are moved closer together and define a molding space. The recess R opens into the molding space. Closing the mold 1 allows the dose 20 to be partially compressed.

[0156] Preferably, during the movement toward the closed position of the mold 1, the lower mold half 11 moves closer to the upper mold half 12 until a portion of the body 111 of the lower mold half 11 abuts against a corresponding portion of the extractor 122. Next, as the closing movement of the mold 1 continues, due to the thrust of the body 111 of the lower mold half 11, the extractor 122 moves from the advanced position to the retracted position relative to the core 121, and the core 121 remains fixed relative to the extractor 122. More specifically, the upper mold half 12 includes an upper elastic component 123 configured to connect the extractor 122 to the core 121, and the upper elastic component 123 is compressed when the extractor 122 moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

[0157] When the elastic component 123 is (partially or completely) compressed, the plunger 112 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position. This movement reduces the molding space because the recess R is occupied by the plunger. In addition, the movement of the plunger 112 toward the advanced position causes the dose 20 to be transferred from the recess R to the molding space until the dose 20 fills the molding space.

[0158] More specifically, the lower mold half 11 includes a lower elastic member 113 configured to connect the body 111 to the plunger 112. As the plunger 112 moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, the lower elastic member 113 is compressed.

[0159] During the movement of the plunger 112, the drive structure 141 moves simultaneously with the plunger 112, and the wheel 143 travels along the cam 142 of the drawer 13, thereby moving the drawer 13 toward forward closure.

[0160] Preferably, the lower elastic component 113 is more rigid than the upper elastic component 123; thus, during the closing movement of the mold, the upper elastic component 123 is compressed before the lower elastic component 113, i.e., the plunger 112 does not reach the advanced position until the relative movement between the puller 112 and the core 121 has been completed.

[0161] In addition, the movement of the drawer 13 toward the closed position and the movement of the plunger 112 toward the advanced position are performed sequentially so that the drawer 13 reaches the closed position before the plunger 112 reaches the advanced position. In this way, only after the drawer 13 has reached the closed position, the plunger 112 completely compresses the dose 20 in the molding space.

[0162] When the drive structure 141 is associated with the core 121, the drive structure 141 moves simultaneously with the core 121 and the extractor 122 moving relative to each other, so that when the wheel 143 rolls along the molded surface of the drawer 13, the relative movement between the core 121 and the extractor 122 causes the drawer 13 to move to the closed position; in this case, the drawer 13 also reaches the closed position before the plunger 112 reaches the advanced position.

[0163] In one example, during movement of the plunger 112 , the drive structure 141 moves simultaneously with the plunger 112 , and the wheel 143 travels along the cam 142 of the drawer 13 , thereby moving the drawer 13 toward the closed position.

[0164] When the compression of the dose 20 in the molding space has been completed, the upper and lower mold halves 12, 11 move away from each other to the open position of the mold 1. During the opening movement of the mold 1, the extractor 122 may move to an advanced position relative to the core 121. More specifically, the extractor 122 may include a retaining portion configured to engage a corresponding portion of the side wall 21 of the cover 2 (i.e., the extractor 122 locks the cover 2 by a portion of the side wall 21 of the cover 2) to disengage it from the core 121.

[0165] In one embodiment, the mold 1 comprises a duct system 16 disposed in the lower mold half 11 and configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow in (inside) the lower mold half 11. The duct system 16 comprises one or more ducts configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow.

[0166] The piping system 16 includes a first pipe 161 disposed in the body 111. The body 111 includes a longitudinal portion defining a longitudinal surface 111A, which is used to (at least partially) form the outer surface of the side wall 21 of the cover 2. The first pipe 161 surrounds the molding space corresponding to the longitudinal portion of the body 111, so that the refrigeration liquid circulates around the molding space. The first pipe 161 has a delivery pipe 161A and a return pipe 161B, so that the fluid circulates in the delivery pipe 161A of the first pipe 161 toward the molding space in a delivery direction, and circulates away from the molding space in the return pipe 161B of the first pipe 161 in a return direction opposite to the delivery direction. The piping system 16 includes a second pipe 162 disposed in the plunger 112. The second pipe 162 has a delivery pipe 162A and a return pipe 162B.

[0167] In one example, the plunger 112 includes a longitudinally extending inner portion 112B (or rod) and an outer portion 112C extending cylindrically about the longitudinal axis A1 to partially surround the inner portion 112B. The outer portion 112C includes a longitudinally extending portion and a transversely extending portion that at least partially defines a transverse surface 112A of the plunger 112. The outer portion 112C partially surrounds the inner portion 112B so as to form a slot between the outer portion 112C and the inner portion 112B.

[0168] The delivery conduit 162A of the second conduit 162 extends at least partially inside the inner portion 112B, inside the slot between the outer portion 112C and the inner portion 112B corresponding to the transversely extending portion and the longitudinally extending portion. The delivery conduit 162A of the second conduit 162 extends at least partially inside the base 116 of the lower half mold 11.

[0169] The piping system 16 extends to the outside of the upper mold half 11 through a plurality of external pipes 163, and the plurality of external pipes 163 are configured to fluidically connect pipes provided in the plunger 112 and the base 116 with pipes (i.e., the first pipe 161 and the second pipe 161) provided in the body 111. The external pipes 163 include a delivery pipe 163A connected to the delivery pipes 161A, 162A of the first pipe 161 and the second pipe 162. The external pipe 163 includes a return pipe 163B connected to the return pipes 161B, 162B of the first pipe 161 and the second pipe 162.

[0170] The piping system 16 has an input end 164 disposed in the inner portion 112B of the plunger 112 and configured to supply a refrigeration fluid to the piping system 16. The piping system 16 has an output end 165 disposed in the base 116 of the lower mold half 11 and configured to allow the refrigeration liquid to exit. The input end 164 of the piping system 16 is connected to the delivery pipe 162A of the second pipe 162, and the output end 165 is connected to the return pipe 162B of the second pipe 162.

[0171] Therefore, the delivery pipe 162A of the second pipe 162 receives the refrigeration fluid from the input end 164; the fluid passes through the delivery pipe 162A of the second pipe 162, the delivery pipe 163A of the external pipe 163 and the delivery pipe 161A of the first pipe 161; then the fluid passes through the return pipe 161B of the first pipe 161, the return pipe 163B of the external pipe 163 and the return pipe 162B of the second pipe 162; finally, the fluid leaves the lower half mold 11 through the output end 165.

Claims

1. A mould (1) for manufacturing a lid (2) of a container by compressing a dose (20) in a moulding space, the mould (1) comprising: - a lower mould half (11) comprising a body (111) and a plunger (112) movable relative to the body (111) between a retracted position in which the plunger (112) acts together with the body (111) to form a recess (R) for receiving the dose (20) and an advanced position in which the plunger (112) at least partially occupies the recess (R); - an upper mold half (12), wherein the lower mold half (11) and the upper mold half (12) are reciprocatingly movable along the longitudinal axis (A1) between an open position of the mold (1) and a closed position of the mold (1), in which the lower mold half (11) and the upper mold half (12) define a molding space, and the recess (R) opens into the molding space; - a drawer (13) movable along a radial direction (B) relative to the longitudinal axis (A1) between a retracted position remote from the moulding space and a closed position close to the moulding space, the drawer (13) comprising a head surface (13A) which, in the closed position of the drawer (13), contributes to delimiting the moulding space; - a movement system configured to move the drawer (13) along the radial direction (B), Characterized in that the movement system is configured to move the drawer (13) from the retracted position to the closed position in response to the upper half mold (12) and the lower half mold (11) moving closer to each other.

2. The mold (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movement system comprises: - a driving structure (141) capable of longitudinal movement; - a cam (142) and a wheel (143) configured to interact with the cam (142) to move the drawer (13), Wherein the cam (142) is attached to the drawer (13) and the wheel (143) is connected to the drive structure (141), or vice versa.

3. The mold (1) according to claim 2, wherein the drawer (13), the cam (142) and the wheel (143) are associated with the same half mold of the lower half mold (11) and the upper half mold (12).

4. The mold (1) according to claim 3, wherein the drawer (13) is associated with the main body (111) of the lower half mold (11), the drive structure (141) is fixed to the plunger (112), and when the drawer (13) is in the closed position, the plunger (112) is in a position between the retracted position and the advanced position.

5. The mold (1) according to claim 4 comprises a plurality of spacers (15), each of which is removably connected to the plunger (112) and can be replaced with other spacers (15) when the mold is in the open position to change the longitudinal distance between the drive structure (141) and the plunger (112).

6. The mould (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the wheel (143) is associated with the drive structure (141) and the drawer (13) comprises a rear surface of the cam (142) defining the movement system.

7. The mold (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the movement system is configured to keep the wheel (143) engaged on the cam (142) throughout the time that the mold (1) moves between the open position and the closed position.

8. The mold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the upper half mold (12) comprises a core (121) and an extractor (122) and an upper elastic component (123), the extractor (122) being movable between an advanced position and a retracted position relative to the core (121), the upper elastic component (123) being configured to connect the extractor (122) to the core (121) and being compressed when the extractor (122) is in the retracted position; - the lower mold half (11) comprises a lower elastic component (113) configured to connect the body (111) to the plunger (112) and to be compressed when the plunger (112) is in the advanced position, The lower elastic component (113) is more rigid than the upper elastic component (123).

9. Mould (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of drawers (13), each drawer being replaceable with other drawers (13) in order to modify the head surface (13A).

10. A mold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a guide member (144) and an elastic element (145), wherein the guide member (144) is configured to guide the drawer (13) when the drawer (13) moves in the radial direction, and the elastic element (145) is configured to keep the drawer (13) in a retracted position when no other force is applied to the drawer (13).

11. A mold (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retracted position and the closed position of the drawer (13) respectively define a stroke start position and a stroke end position along the radial direction, and wherein the stroke start position can be changed along the radial direction to change the distance between the head surface (13A) of the drawer (13) at the closed position and the molding space.

12. A mould according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a piping system (16) configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow inside the lower mould half (11), and the piping system (16) extends through pipes inside the body (111) and inside the plunger (112), the pipes being configured to connect the pipes arranged inside the plunger (112) and the pipes arranged inside the body (111) to the fluid.

13. A compression moulding machine for manufacturing caps (2), comprising a plurality of moulds (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

14. A method for manufacturing a cover (2) for a container by compressing a dose (20) in a moulding space, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a lower mould half (11) comprising a body (111) and a plunger (112), said plunger (112) being movable relative to said body (111) between a retracted position, in which said plunger (112) acts together with said body (111) to form a recess (R) for receiving said dose (20), and an advanced position, in which said plunger (112) at least partially occupies said recess (R); - providing an upper mold half (12), wherein the lower mold half (11) and the upper mold half (12) are reciprocally movable along the longitudinal axis (A1) between an open position of the mold (1) and a closed position of the mold (1), in which the lower mold half (11) and the upper mold half (12) define the molding space, and the recess (R) opens into the molding space; - providing a drawer (13) movable along a radial direction (B) relative to the longitudinal axis (A1) between a retracted position away from the molding space and a closed position close to the molding space, the drawer (13) comprising a head surface (13A) which, in the closed position of the drawer (13), contributes to delimiting the molding space; - closing the mould (1) by moving the upper mould half (12) and the lower mould half (11) towards each other along the longitudinal axis (A1); - moving the drawer (13) from the retracted position to the closed position, It is characterized in that the movement of the drawer (13) is achieved by a movement system, which is driven by the movement of the upper half mold (12) and the lower half mold (11) towards each other.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the moving system comprises a longitudinally movable drive structure (141), a cam (142) and a wheel (143), wherein the cam (142) is attached to the drawer (13) and the wheel (143) is connected to the drive structure (141), or vice versa, and wherein the step of moving the drawer (13) comprises: - moving the drive structure (141) along the longitudinal axis (A1); - In response to the longitudinal movement of the drive structure (141), the wheel (143) interacts with the cam (142) to produce the movement of the drawer (13).

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the drawer (13), the cam (142) and the wheel (143) are associated with the same half mold in the lower mold (11) and the upper mold (12), and the wheel (143) engages the cam (142) throughout the time when the mold (1) moves between the open position and the closed position.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein - the upper half mold (12) comprises a core (121) and an extractor (122), the extractor (122) being connected to the core (121) via an upper elastic component (123) and being movable relative to the core (121) between an advanced position and a retracted position; - in the lower half of the mould (11), the body (111) is connected to the plunger (112) via a lower elastic component (113); - the movement of the upper mold half (12) and the lower mold half (11) towards each other causes a relative movement between the core (121) and the extractor (122) of the upper mold half (12) and between the body (111) and the plunger (112) of the lower mold half (11); - One of the following is true: i) the drawer (13) is slidably coupled to the extractor (122), and the drive structure (141) is connected to the core (121); ii) The drawer (13) is slidably coupled to the body (111), and the drive structure (141) is connected to the plunger (112).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: - before the relative movement between the body (111) and the plunger (112) of the lower half mold (11) is completed, the relative movement between the extractor (122) and the core (121) of the upper half mold (12) is completed; - The forward movement of the drawer (13) to the closed position is completed before the relative movement between the body (111) of the lower half-mould (11) and the plunger (112) is completed.

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