Device for manufacturing curved-neck container and method for manufacturing curved-neck container

Abstract

The blow molding unit (130) is provided with a neck mold (131), a blow core (132), a rotating mechanism (134), and a blow mold. The neck mold (131) holds a neck portion (21) forming an opening of the preform (20) from the outer periphery. The blow core (132) is configured so as to be able to introduce a blow gas into the preform (20). The turning mechanism (134) grips the bottom of the preform (20) and bends the preform (20) at a predetermined angle in a state where the blow core (132) is inserted into the opening of the preform (20). The blow mold defines a blow cavity so as to include the bent preform (20). The lower end (132a) of the blow core (132) is configured so as to be disposed below the bottom surface (131a) of the neck mold (131) in a state where the blow core (132) is inserted into the preform (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container and a manufacturing method for a bent-neck container. Background Art

[0002] A manufacturing method for a bent-neck container is disclosed in Patent Document 1. A design for improving the appearance of a bent-neck container is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In addition, a manufacturing method of blow molding by inserting a blow molding core into a preform is disclosed in Patent Document 3.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020-017505

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-062110

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-047269 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In the case of manufacturing a bent-neck container in which the inclination of the main body portion with respect to the neck portion is large, a process of bending the main body portion of the preform is required before the introduction of the blow molding gas. In the above method, the bent portion in the main body portion of the preform cannot be adjusted. If the main body portion near the neck portion is bent, sometimes a visually recognizable wrinkle (a laterally long depression) is formed on the outer surface of the main body portion of the bent-neck container near the neck portion, and there is room for improvement.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container and a manufacturing method for a bent-neck container that make the appearance of the bent-neck container better.

[0011] Solutions to the Problems

[0012] A manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container that manufactures the bent-neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein,

[0013] The manufacturing apparatus includes:

[0014] An injection molding unit that injection molds the resin preform;

[0015] A blow molding unit that blow molds the preform to manufacture the bent-neck container;

[0016] A neck mold that holds the neck forming the opening of the preform from the outside; and

[0017] A conveying mechanism that conveys the neck mold from the injection molding section to the blow molding section.

[0018] The blow molding section includes:

[0019] A blow molding core configured to introduce blow molding gas into the preform;

[0020] A rotating mechanism that, in a state where the blow molding core is inserted into the opening of the preform, grasps the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle; and

[0021] A blow molding die that defines a blow molding cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform.

[0022] The blow molding section is configured such that, in a state where the blow molding core is inserted into the preform, the lower end portion of the blow molding core is disposed below the bottom surface of the neck mold.

[0023] A manufacturing apparatus for a bent neck container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a manufacturing apparatus for a bent neck container that manufactures the bent neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein

[0024] The manufacturing apparatus includes:

[0025] An injection molding section that injection molds the resin preform;

[0026] A blow molding section that blow molds the preform to manufacture the bent neck container;

[0027] A neck mold that holds the neck forming the opening of the preform from the outside; and

[0028] A conveying mechanism that conveys the neck mold from the injection molding section to the blow molding section.

[0029] The blow molding section includes:

[0030] A rotating mechanism that grasps the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle; and

[0031] A blow molding die that forms a blow molding cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform.

[0032] The injection molding section includes an injection molding die that defines an injection molding cavity for forming the preform.

[0033] The mold for injection molding is configured such that a thick-walled portion is formed in a part of the main body portion that forms the side surface of the curved-neck container in the preform and that is adjacent to the neck portion that forms the opening of the preform, and this thick-walled portion is thicker than other parts of the main body portion.

[0034] The rotating mechanism is configured to bend the preform toward the side where the thick-walled portion is formed.

[0035] A method for manufacturing a curved-neck container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a curved-neck container, which manufactures the curved-neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein,

[0036] The manufacturing method includes:

[0037] An injection molding step of injection molding the resin preform; and

[0038] A blow molding step of blow molding the preform to manufacture the curved-neck container while holding the neck portion that forms the opening of the preform from the outer periphery by the neck mold.

[0039] The blow molding step includes:

[0040] A blow molding core introduces blow molding gas into the preform;

[0041] A rotating mechanism grips the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle while the blow molding core is inserted into the opening of the preform; and

[0042] A blow molding mold defines a blow molding cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform.

[0043] Through the rotating mechanism, the preform bends starting from the lower end portion of the blow molding core.

[0044] A method for manufacturing a curved-neck container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a curved-neck container, which manufactures the curved-neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein,

[0045] The manufacturing method includes:

[0046] An injection molding step of injection molding the resin preform; and

[0047] A blow molding step of blow molding the preform to manufacture the curved-neck container while holding the neck portion that forms the opening of the preform from the outer periphery by the neck mold.

[0048] The blow molding step includes:

[0049] The rotating mechanism grips the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle; and

[0050] The blow mold defines a blow cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform,

[0051] The injection molding process includes an injection molding die defining an injection cavity for forming the preform,

[0052] The injection molding die forms a thick wall portion in the preform at a portion adjacent to the neck of the opening forming the preform in the main body portion of the side of the bent neck container, and the thick wall portion is thicker than other portions of the main body portion,

[0053] The rotating mechanism bends the preform toward the side where the thick wall portion is formed.

[0054] Advantages of the Invention

[0055] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a bent neck container that make the appearance of the bent neck container better. Description of the Drawings

[0056] Figure 1A is a left side view of a bent neck container manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0057] Figure 1B is a front view of a bent neck container manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment.

[0058] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a bent neck container in the first embodiment.

[0059] Figure 3 An example of a preform manufactured by the injection molding section is shown.

[0060] Figure 4 An example of the blow molding section of the present embodiment is shown.

[0061] Figure 5 An example of the blow molding section of the present embodiment is shown.

[0062] Figure 6 An example of the blow molding section of the present embodiment is shown.

[0063] Figure 7 is from Figure 6 a view from the direction of VII.

[0064] Figure 8 An example of the blow molding section 130A of the comparative example is shown.

[0065] Figure 9 The injection molding section of the second embodiment is illustrated by way of example.

[0066] Figure 10 The blow molding section of the second embodiment is illustrated by way of example. Detailed implementation manners

[0067] Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present disclosure, a manufacturing apparatus 100 and a manufacturing method for a bent-neck container 10 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, the dimensions of the respective components shown in the present drawings are sometimes different from the actual dimensions of the respective components.

[0068] In addition, for convenience of explanation, the "vertical direction", the "front-rear direction", and the "left-right direction" are appropriately mentioned. Here, the "vertical direction" is a direction including the "upward direction" and the "downward direction". The "front-rear direction" is a direction including the "front direction" and the "rear direction". The "left-right direction" is a direction including the "left direction" and the "right direction". In the drawings described later, the reference sign U indicates the upward direction. The reference sign D indicates the downward direction. The reference sign F indicates the front direction. The reference sign B indicates the rear direction. The reference sign L indicates the left direction. The reference sign R indicates the right direction. In addition, the "horizontal plane" indicates a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. The "horizontal section" indicates a section orthogonal to the vertical direction.

[0069] (First embodiment)

[0070] The manufacturing apparatus 100 and the manufacturing method for the bent-neck container 10 of the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1A and Figure 1B The bent-neck container 10 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is illustrated by way of example. It should be noted that Figure 1A is a left side view of the bent-neck container 10. Figure 1B is a front view of the bent-neck container 10. The bent-neck container 10 includes a container mouth portion 11, a container main body portion 12, and a container bottom portion 13. An opening portion 11a is formed in the container mouth portion 11. The container main body portion 12 is connected to the container mouth portion 11 and defines the side wall surface of the bent-neck container 10. The container bottom portion 13 is formed by being connected to the container main body portion 12. The container bottom portion 13 includes an outer edge portion that is grounded with respect to the horizontal plane and an upper bottom portion 13a that is recessed toward the container main body portion 12.

[0071] The axis A of the opening portion 11a provided in the container mouth portion 11 is inclined with respect to the axis B of the container bottom portion 13 that extends in the vertical direction from the center of the container bottom portion 13. It should be noted that the axis A is a line that passes through the center of the opening portion 11a and extends at a right angle to the upper end surface of the opening portion 11a. Let the angle formed by the axis A and the axis B be the inclination angle θ. The range of the inclination angle θ is, for example, 40° ≤ θ ≤ 70°.

[0072] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing a bent-neck container 10. As Figure 2 illustrated by way of example, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an injection molding section 110, a temperature adjustment section 120, a blow molding section 130, a take-out section 140, and a conveying unit (conveying mechanism) 150.

[0073] The injection molding section 110 performs injection molding by an injection molding device to manufacture a resin preform 20. The synthetic resin as the raw material of the preform 20 is a thermoplastic resin, and it is allowed to be appropriately selected according to the use. As an example of the thermoplastic resin, PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), etc. can be cited.

[0074] The temperature adjustment section 120 adjusts the preform 20 manufactured by the injection molding section 110 to a temperature suitable for blow molding.

[0075] The blow molding section 130 performs blow molding on the preform 20 whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment section 120 to manufacture the bent-neck container 10.

[0076] The take-out section 140 takes out the bent-neck container 10 manufactured by the blow molding section 130.

[0077] The injection molding section 110, the temperature adjustment section 120, the blow molding section 130, and the take-out section 140 are provided at positions after rotating a predetermined angle around the conveying unit 150. In the present embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees. The conveying unit 150 has a rotating plate (not shown). A neck mold 131 described later is mounted on the rotating plate. It is configured to convey the preform 20 to each of the injection molding section 110, the temperature adjustment section 120, the blow molding section 130, and the take-out section 140 by rotating the rotating plate while the neck mold 131 holds the preform 20.

[0078] Figure 3 An example of the preform 20 manufactured by the injection molding section 110 is illustrated. The preform 20 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The preform 20 includes a neck portion 21, a body portion 22, and a bottom portion 23. The neck portion 21 forms an opening of the preform 20. The body portion 22 is connected to the neck portion 21. The bottom portion 23 is connected to the body portion 22 and is configured to block one end of the preform 20. The bottom portion 23 includes a protruding portion 24. The protruding portion 24 is configured to be held by a rotation mechanism 134 described later.

[0079] When the preform 20 is blow molded, it becomes the bent-neck container 10. When blow molded, the neck portion 21 becomes the container mouth portion 11. The body portion 22 becomes the container body portion 12. The bottom portion 23 becomes the container bottom portion 13.

[0080] Use Figures 4 to 6 to describe the blow molding section 130 of the present embodiment. Figures 4 to 6 The blow molding section 130 of the present embodiment is exemplified. The blow molding section 130 of the present embodiment is configured to perform stretch blow molding.

[0081] The neck mold 131 is configured to hold the neck 21 of the preform 20 from its outer periphery. The neck mold 31 is circulated and intermittently conveyed between the respective sections including at least the injection molding section 110 and the blow molding section 130 by the conveying unit 150.

[0082] The blow molding section 130 includes a blow core 132. The blow core 132 is configured to be inserted into the opening of the preform 20 and to introduce a blow gas into the interior of the preform 20. The blow gas refers to a pressurized medium such as air. The blow core 132 is configured such that when the blow core 132 is inserted into the opening, the blow core 132 contacts the inner surface of the preform 20 to make the space between the preform 20 and the blow core 132 airtight. The portion of the blow core 132 inserted into the preform 20 has a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0083] The blow molding section 130 includes an extension rod 133. The extension rod 133 is provided inside the blow core 132 and is configured to be displaced in the vertical direction. The extension rod 133 is configured to displace downward by contacting the bottom 23 of the preform 20 to extend the preform 20. Sometimes the extension of the preform 20 based on the extension rod 133 is referred to as longitudinal axis extension (preliminary extension).

[0084] The blow molding section 130 includes a rotation mechanism 134. As Figure 4 exemplified, the rotation mechanism 134 includes a clamping portion 134a configured to clamp the protruding portion 24 which is a part of the bottom 23. As Figure 5 exemplified, the rotation mechanism 134 is configured to bend the preform 20 at a predetermined angle. The rotation mechanism 134 includes a guide portion 134b. The guide portion 134b is formed in an arc shape. The rotation mechanism 134 is configured to rotate the clamping portion 134a along the guide portion 134b.

[0085] As Figure 6As illustrated by way of example, the blow molding section 130 includes a blow mold. The blow mold defines a blow cavity (a molding space for the container) in a manner that includes the preform 20 bent by the rotating mechanism 134. In the present embodiment, the blow mold includes a pair of split molds 135a and a bottom mold section 135b. The bottom mold section 135b is mounted so as to cover the clamping portion 134a. The split mold 135a is closed in a state where the rotating mechanism 134 bends the preform 20 at a prescribed angle, thereby forming the blow cavity. The pair of split molds 135a defines the blow cavity corresponding to the container body portion 12 of the bent neck container 10. The bottom mold section 135b defines the blow cavity corresponding to the container bottom 13 of the bent neck container 10. It should be noted that the rotating mechanism 134 may be provided in the blow mold (more specifically, a pair of blow mold fixing plates to which the pair of split molds 135a are respectively fixed).

[0086] Next, Figures 4 to 6 is used to describe the blow molding process. The blow molding process includes: the neck mold 131 holding the neck 21 of the opening of the preform 20 from the outer periphery; the blow core 132 introducing a blow gas into the preform 20; the rotating mechanism 134 gripping the bottom 23 of the preform 20 and bending the preform 20 at a prescribed angle in a state where the blow core 132 is inserted into the opening of the preform 20; and the blow mold defining the blow cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform 20. The blow molding process of the present embodiment further includes: the extension rod 133 disposed inside the blow core 132 contacting the bottom 23 of the preform 20 to extend the preform 20. It should be noted that the preform in the bent state is referred to as the bent neck preform 20'.

[0087] In the blow molding section 130, the bent neck container 10 is manufactured in a state where the neck mold 131 that conveys the preform 20 is stationary and the blow core 132 is inserted into the opening of the preform 20. When the blow core 132 is inserted into the opening of the preform 20, the lower end portion 132a, which is the tip of the blow core 132, is disposed below the bottom surface 131a of the neck 21 and the neck mold 131. Next, the preform 20 is longitudinally extended by the lowering of the extension rod 133. After the bottom 23 (the protruding portion 24) is engaged with the clamping portion 134a of the bottom mold section 135b, the extension rod 133 is raised and returned to the initial position inside the blow core 132. As Figure 5As illustrated, when the clamping portion 134a rotates along the guiding portion 134b, the preform 20 is bent starting from the lower end portion 132a. The actually bent portion in the bent-neck preform 20' is referred to as the bent portion M. Therefore, the bent portion M is formed in the main body portion 22 that departs downward from the neck portion 21 rather than in the main body portion 22 directly below the neck portion 21. The distance at which the bent portion M departs from the neck portion 21 corresponds to the distance at which the blow molding core 132 protrudes downward more than the lower end of the neck mold 131. It should be noted that "directly below the neck portion 21" refers to the portion that is slightly shifted toward the bottom portion 23 side from the neck portion 21. After the bent-neck preform 20' is formed, a pair of split molds 135a are closed to form a blow molding cavity. Then, blow molding gas is introduced into the bent-neck preform 20' from the blow molding core 132 to perform horizontal axis extension (blow molding) to shape it into the shape of the bent-neck container 10.

[0088] Figure 6 The center axis C passing through the center position of the bottom mold portion 135b is illustrated. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the lower end portion 132a of the blow molding core 132 is disposed below the center axis C.

[0089] Figure 7 is a front view when observing the cross-section S in the direction of VII. The direction of VII is the direction that is on the same line as the center axis C and views the bottom mold portion 135b from the neck mold 131. The cross-section S represents the cross-section of the blow molding cavity that passes through the center O of the lower end portion (opening portion) 132a of the blow molding core 132 and is orthogonal to the center axis C. As Figure 6 illustrated, in this cross-section S, the uppermost point (the longest distance from the center O to the blow molding cavity surface on the valley side (bent side) of the bent-neck preform 20') P1 and the lowermost point (the longest distance from the center O to the blow molding cavity surface on the peak side (opposite side of the bent side) of the bent-neck preform 20') P2 are determined. At this time, the blow molding core 132 is arranged such that the distance D1 from the uppermost point to the center is larger than the distance D2 from the lowermost point to the center. Figure 6 , Figure 7 As illustrated, in this cross-section S, the uppermost point (the longest distance from the center O to the blow molding cavity surface on the valley side (bent side) of the bent-neck preform 20') P1 and the lowermost point (the longest distance from the center O to the blow molding cavity surface on the peak side (opposite side of the bent side) of the bent-neck preform 20') P2 are determined. At this time, the blow molding core 132 is arranged such that the distance D1 from the uppermost point to the center is larger than the distance D2 from the lowermost point to the center.

[0090] (Comparative example)

[0091] Figure 8 The blow molding portion 130A of the comparative example is illustrated. In Figure 8 the illustrated blow molding portion 130A, the lower end portion 132Aa of the blow molding core 132A is disposed at the same height as the bottom surface 131a of the neck mold 131, in the upward direction from the bottom surface 131a, or at the same height as the neck portion 21. In this state, the preform 20 is bent, so the preform 20 is bent starting from the neck mold 131. In other words, the bent portion M is formed in the main body portion directly below the neck portion.

[0092] The neck of the preform 20 has a thinner thickness compared to the main body portion, so it is easily cooled by the injection molding section 110. In addition, during molding, the neck is held by the neck mold 131, so heat is continuously absorbed. Therefore, the temperature of the neck is lower than that of the main body portion, and it will be sufficiently cured, resulting in higher rigidity against bending. On the other hand, the main body portion is adjusted to a high temperature and softened state so that it can be inflated by the blow molding gas. The main body portion directly below the neck mold 131 also has a higher temperature and relatively lower rigidity compared to the neck, and is easily bent. In particular, when the resin material of the preform 20 is polypropylene or polyethylene, the temperature suitable for blow molding is in the temperature range close to the melting point. Therefore, in the bent-neck preform 20' transported to the blow molding section, the temperature difference and rigidity between the neck and the main body portion directly below it are very different. Therefore, in the comparative example, when the clamping portion 134a is rotated, the preform 20 is easily bent at the main body portion directly below the neck mold 131. The blow molding core 132A only has the function of being airtight in a manner that prevents the blow molding gas from passing between the blow molding core 132A and the preform 20 during blow molding.

[0093] Here, on the outer surface of the bent portion M on the valley side of the bent-neck preform 20', sometimes the main body portion bends to generate wrinkles (transversely long and deep concave grooves). When blow molding the bent-neck preform 20' with wrinkles, sometimes a bent-neck container is manufactured with wrinkles or traces of wrinkles (striped grooves) remaining on the outer surface.

[0094] Regarding this point, Patent Document 2 discloses that a narrow portion is provided in the bent portion M on the valley side of the preform 20, so that the wall of the preform 20 is concentrated in the narrow portion to mitigate the influence of wrinkles. However, when blow molding, sometimes the narrow portion itself is reflected in the appearance of the bent-neck container.

[0095] The reason why the wrinkles of the preform 20 in the bent-neck container cause poor appearance is considered as follows. In the blow molding section 130A of the comparative example, as Figure 8 illustrated by way of example, the bent portion M of the bent-neck preform 20' is close to the upper cavity surface E of the mold half 135a, and the blow ratio (elongation ratio) of the bent portion M is low. In other words, even when the bent-neck preform 20' is blow molded, the main body portion near the bent portion M hardly expands and reaches the mold half 135a. Therefore, the wrinkles generated in the bent portion M are cooled (cured) by contact with the mold half 135a in a state where they are not sufficiently extended, and almost the original wrinkles or traces of wrinkles are reflected in the bent-neck container. Therefore, the wrinkles are obvious in the bent-neck container, and the appearance of the bent-neck container deteriorates.

[0096] In contrast, in the present embodiment, by disposing the bent portion M in the preform 20 at a position lower than the neck die 131 or the neck portion 21, the distance D0 from the bent portion M of the bent-neck preform 20' to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold is made long, thereby increasing the blow ratio of the bent portion M. Therefore, the blow core 132, which has conventionally only had the functions of ensuring airtightness of the preform 20 and introducing the blow gas, has acquired the function of defining the starting point for bending the preform 20.

[0097] In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the bent-neck container 10 configured as described above, with the lower end portion 132a of the blow core 132 disposed at a position lower than the bottom surface 131a of the neck die 131, the rotation mechanism 134 performs the operation of bending the preform 20. Therefore, the preform 20 is easily bent starting from the lower end portion 132a of the blow core 132. As a result, a state is ensured in which the distance D0 from the bent portion M to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold 135a is secured, and the blow ratio of the bent portion M can be increased. When the blow gas is introduced in this state, before the bent portion M extends and reaches the split mold 135a, the wrinkles formed in the bent-neck preform 20' are extended (extended by the blow gas), and the influence caused by the formation of wrinkles in the manufactured bent-neck container 10 is less likely to become obvious. Thereby, the appearance of the bent-neck container 10 can be improved well.

[0098] According to the manufacturing method of the bent-neck container 10 described above, the preform 20 is bent starting from the lower end portion 132a of the blow core 132. In other words, the blow core 132 not only has the function of introducing the blow gas into the bent-neck preform 20', but also has the function of defining the bent portion M of the preform 20. A state can be set in which the distance D0 from the bent portion M to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold 135a is ensured when the split mold 135a is closed. Thereby, the appearance of the bent-neck container 10 can be improved well.

[0099] In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the bent-neck container 10 and the manufacturing method of the bent-neck container 10 according to the present embodiment, at least a part of the lower end portion 132a of the blow core 132 is disposed at a position lower than the central axis of the bottom mold portion 135b. Therefore, the distance D0 from the bent portion M of the preform 20 to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold 135a becomes longer.

[0100] In the manufacturing apparatus 100 for the bent-neck container 10 and the manufacturing method of the bent-neck container 10 according to the present embodiment, in the cross-section S of the blow cavity orthogonal to the central axis of the bottom mold portion 135b, the distance D1 from the uppermost point to the center of the lower end portion 132a is larger than the distance D2 from the lowermost point to the center of the lower end portion 132a. Thereby, the blow ratio of the bent portion M is increased.

[0101] In the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the gooseneck container 10 according to the present embodiment, the blow molding section has an extension rod 133, and the manufacturing method includes extending the preform 20 by the extension rod 133. When the preform is extended by the extension rod, the main body portion of the preform is extended, and thus the thickness of the wall of the main body portion of the preform becomes smaller. Therefore, the bending rigidity of the main body portion of the preform is further reduced, and the main body portion of the preform easily bends directly below the neck. Therefore, when performing preliminary extension, the influence of the wrinkles formed in the gooseneck container easily appears. However, according to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the bending of the main body portion 22 of the preform 20 directly below the neck 21.

[0102] (Second Embodiment)

[0103] The manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the gooseneck container according to the second embodiment will be described. It should be noted that, for the components having the same reference numerals as those already described in the description of the embodiment, for the sake of convenience of description, their descriptions are omitted.

[0104] Figure 9 The injection molding section 110 of the second embodiment is illustrated by way of example. It should be noted that Figure 9 F9A in Figure 9 illustrates the outline of the injection molding section 110 by way of example. Figure 9 F9B in Figure 9 magnifies and illustrates a part of the injection molding section 110 by way of example. As

[0105] formed in the preform 1020 of the second embodiment is a thick wall portion 1025. The thick wall portion 1025 is formed to extend downward from the main body portion 1022 directly below the neck 1021 by a predetermined distance. The preform 1020 of the present embodiment is configured such that even if the thick wall portion 1025 is formed, the outer diameter of the main body portion 1022 of the preform 1020 becomes smaller from the neck 1021 toward the bottom 1023. That is, the thick wall portion 1025 is formed in a shape that protrudes more in the outer diameter direction on the bottom 1023 side of the preform 1020 than on the neck 1021 side. The thick wall portion 1025 may be provided over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the preform 1020, or may be provided in an amount corresponding to a predetermined angle in the entire circumference of the preform 1020. The amount of the predetermined angle is, for example, a portion corresponding to an arc with a central angle of 90°. In addition, the thick wall portion 1025 may be provided only in the main body portion 1022 directly below the neck 1021 on the side where the preform 1020 is bent. In addition, preferably, the length of the thick wall portion 1025 is set to be 1 / 2 or less of the length of the main body portion 1022, and preferably set to be 1 / 4 or less of the length of the main body portion 1022.

[0106] The injection molding section 110 includes at least an injection mold (injection cavity mold) and an injection core mold for injection molding. The injection mold and the injection core mold, together with the neck mold 131, define the injection cavity in the injection molding section 110. The injection mold defines an injection cavity corresponding to the outer wall surfaces of the main body portion 1022 and the bottom portion 1023 of the preform 1020. The injection core defines an injection cavity corresponding to the inner surfaces of the neck portion 1021, the main body portion 1022, and the bottom portion 1023 of the preform 1020. The neck mold 131 defines an injection cavity corresponding to the outer wall surface of the neck portion 1021. Molten resin is injected from the injection device 111 into the injection cavity and cooled to form the preform 1020.

[0107] The injection mold is provided with a recess 112a. The recess 112a is provided extending downward from the injection mold that abuts against the neck mold 131 by a specified distance. The recess 112a is configured to define an injection cavity corresponding to the thick wall portion 1025 formed in the preform 1020. The injection mold 112 defines the injection cavity such that the outer diameter of the main body portion 1022 of the preform 1020 decreases from the neck portion 1021 toward the bottom portion 1023. In other words, the injection mold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the horizontal section of the injection cavity defined thereby decreases downward.

[0108] Figure 10 The blow molding section 130B of the second embodiment is exemplified. Similar to the first embodiment, the preform 1020 is bent by the rotation mechanism 134 to become a bent neck preform 1020'. The rotation mechanism 134 is configured to bend the preform 1020 in the direction of the thick wall portion 1025 provided on the preform 1020. However, when the thick wall portion 1025 is provided over the entire circumference of the preform 1020, bending in either direction has the same meaning as bending the preform 1020 in the direction of the thick wall portion 1025.

[0109] In the blow molding section 130B of the second embodiment, the lower end portion 132Ba of the blow core 132B is not disposed below the bottom surface 131a of the neck mold 131. However, similar to the first embodiment, the preform 1020 is bent at the main body portion 1022 that is away from the neck portion 1021 rather than at the main body portion 1022 directly below the neck portion 1021.

[0110] In the present embodiment, a thick-walled portion 1025 is provided in the main body portion 1022 directly below the neck portion 1021 of the bent portion M where the resin wall may accumulate due to bending deformation. The main body portion 1022 provided with the thick-walled portion 1025 has a higher bending rigidity than other parts of the main body portion 1022. Therefore, the most easily bendable part in the preform 1020 becomes the main body portion 1022 directly below or beneath the thick-walled portion 1025. Accordingly, the bent portion M is formed in the main body portion 1022 directly below the thick-walled portion 1025. It should be noted that "directly below the thick-walled portion 1025" refers to a portion slightly shifted toward the bottom portion 1023 side from the thick-walled portion 1025.

[0111] When the split mold 135a is closed with respect to the bent-neck preform 1020' to define the blow molding cavity, the bent portion M is directly below the thick-walled portion 1025, whereby the bent-neck preform 1020' is included in the blow molding cavity in a state where the distance D0 from the bent portion M to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold 135a is ensured.

[0112] According to the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the bent-neck container of the present embodiment, the injection molding die forms the thick-walled portion 1025, and the rotating mechanism 134 bends the preform 1020 toward the side where the thick-walled portion 1025 is formed, so that the distance D0 from the bent portion M to the upper cavity surface E of the split mold 135a can be ensured.

[0113] In addition, in the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of the bent-neck container of the present embodiment, the injection molding die defines the injection molding cavity such that the outer diameter of the main body portion 1022 of the preform 1020 becomes smaller from the neck portion 1021 toward the bottom portion 1023. Therefore, even if the thick-walled portion 1025 is provided, the preform 1020 is formed in a conical shape, so that the preform 1020 is easily demolded from the injection molding die 112. When demolding, the preform 1020 is not likely to rub against the injection molding die 112, so that traces of friction remaining on the outer wall surface of the preform 1020 are suppressed, and thus the appearance of the bent-neck container is better.

[0114] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the technical scope of the present disclosure should not of course be construed in a limiting manner by the description of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is merely an example, and those skilled in the art can understand that various changes in the embodiments can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present disclosure should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0115] For example, in the present embodiment, the shape of the thick-walled portion is triangular when viewed from the side of the preform, but is not limited to the shape of the present disclosure. For example, when viewed from the side of the preform, the thick-walled portion may also have a curved surface.

[0116] In addition, the solutions exemplified in the first embodiment and the solutions exemplified in the second embodiment have been described independently of each other, but it is also possible to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a bent-neck container that employ both of these solutions. That is to say, the manufacturing apparatus may also be configured to blow-mold a preform provided with a thick-walled portion by a blow molding section in which the lower end portion of the blow molding core is disposed below the bottom surface of the neck mold.

[0117] This application appropriately incorporates the content disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-177505) filed on November 4, 2022.

[0118] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0119] 10: Bent-neck container;

[0120] 11: Container mouth part;

[0121] 11a: Opening part;

[0122] 12: Container main body part;

[0123] 13: Container bottom part;

[0124] 13a: Upper bottom part;

[0125] 20, 1020: Preform;

[0126] 20', 1020': Bent-neck preform;

[0127] 21, 1021: Neck part;

[0128] 22, 1022: Main body part;

[0129] 23, 1023: Bottom part;

[0130] 24, 1024: Protruding part;

[0131] 100: Manufacturing apparatus;

[0132] 110: Injection molding section;

[0133] 111: Injection molding apparatus;

[0134] 112: Injection molding die;

[0135] 112a: Recessed part;

[0136] 120: Temperature control section;

[0137] 130, 130A, 130B: Blow molding section;

[0138] 131: Neck mold;

[0139] 131a: bottom surface;

[0140] 132, 132A, 132B: blow molding core;

[0141] 132a, 132Aa, 132Ba: lower end part;

[0142] 133: extension rod;

[0143] 134: rotation mechanism;

[0144] 134a: clamping part;

[0145] 134b: guiding part;

[0146] 135a: split mold;

[0147] 135b: bottom mold part;

[0148] 140: take-out part;

[0149] 150: conveying unit;

[0150] 1025: thick wall part;

[0151] E: upper cavity surface;

[0152] M: bending part.

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container, which manufactures the bent-neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein, the manufacturing apparatus includes: an injection molding section that injection molds the resin preform; a blow molding section that blow molds the preform to manufacture the bent-neck container; a neck mold that holds the neck of the opening of the preform from the outer periphery; and a transfer mechanism that transfers the neck mold from the injection molding section to the blow molding section, the blow molding section includes: a blow molding core configured to introduce blow molding gas into the preform; a rotation mechanism that, in a state where the blow molding core is inserted into the opening of the preform, grips the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle; and a blow molding die that defines a blow molding cavity in a manner including the bent preform, the blow molding section is configured such that, in a state where the blow molding core is inserted into the preform, the lower end portion of the blow molding core is disposed below the bottom surface of the neck mold.

2. The manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container according to claim 1, wherein, the blow molding die includes a bottom die portion that defines the blow molding cavity corresponding to the container bottom of the bent-neck container, the blow molding core is configured such that at least a part of the lower end portion of the blow molding core is disposed below the central axis of the bottom die portion.

3. The manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the blow molding section further has: an extension rod that is disposed inside the blow molding core and is configured to contact the bottom of the preform to extend the preform.

4. A manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container, which manufactures the bent-neck container from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein, the manufacturing apparatus includes: an injection molding section that injection molds the resin preform; a blow molding section that blow molds the preform to manufacture the bent-neck container; a neck mold that holds the neck of the opening of the preform from the outer periphery; and a transfer mechanism that transfers the neck mold from the injection molding section to the blow molding section, the blow molding section includes: a rotation mechanism that grips the bottom of the preform and bends the preform at a specified angle; and a blow molding die that forms a blow molding cavity in a manner including the bent preform, the injection molding section includes an injection molding die that defines an injection molding cavity for forming the preform, the injection molding die is configured such that a thick wall portion is formed in a portion of the main body portion of the preform where the side surface of the bent-neck container is to be formed and that is adjacent to the neck of the opening of the preform, and the thick wall portion is thicker than other portions of the main body portion, the rotation mechanism is configured to bend the preform toward the side where the thick wall portion is formed.

5. The manufacturing apparatus for a bent-neck container according to claim 4, wherein, The mold for injection molding is configured such that the injection mold cavity is defined in such a manner that the outer diameter of the main body portion of the preform provided with the thick wall portion decreases from the neck side toward the bottom side.

6. A method for manufacturing a bent-neck container, the bent-neck container being manufactured from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein, the manufacturing method includes: an injection molding step of injection molding the resin preform; and a blow molding step of blow molding the preform to manufacture the bent-neck container while holding the neck of the opening of the preform from the outer periphery by the neck mold, the blow molding step includes: a blow core introducing blow gas into the preform; a rotating mechanism gripping the bottom of the preform and bending the preform at a predetermined angle while the blow core is inserted into the opening of the preform; and a blow mold defining a blow mold cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform, the preform is bent starting from the lower end portion of the blow core by the rotating mechanism.

7. The method for manufacturing a bent-neck container according to claim 6, wherein, the blow mold includes a bottom mold portion that defines a blow mold cavity corresponding to the container bottom of the bent-neck container, the blow core is inserted into the preform in such a manner that at least a part of the lower end portion of the blow core is disposed below the central axis of the bottom mold portion.

8. The method for manufacturing a bent-neck container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, the blow molding step further includes: an extension rod disposed inside the blow core contacting the bottom of the preform to extend the preform.

9. A method for manufacturing a bent-neck container, the bent-neck container being manufactured from a bottomed cylindrical preform by blow molding, wherein, the manufacturing method includes: an injection molding step of injection molding the resin preform; and a blow molding step of blow molding the preform to manufacture the bent-neck container while holding the neck of the opening of the preform from the outer periphery by the neck mold, the blow molding step includes: a rotating mechanism gripping the bottom of the preform and bending the preform at a predetermined angle; and a blow mold defining a blow mold cavity in a manner that includes the bent preform, the injection molding step includes: an injection molding mold defining an injection mold cavity for forming the preform, the injection molding mold forms a thick wall portion in a portion of the main body portion of the preform where the side surface of the bent-neck container is to be formed and that is adjacent to the neck of the opening of the preform, the thick wall portion being thicker than other portions of the main body portion, the rotating mechanism bends the preform toward the side where the thick wall portion is formed.

10. The method for manufacturing a bent-neck container according to claim 9, wherein, the injection molding mold forms the injection mold cavity in such a manner that the outer diameter of the main body portion of the preform provided with the thick wall portion decreases from the neck side toward the bottom side.

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