Mould assembly for determinant bottle-making machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a mould assembly (1) for a determinant bottle-making machine, comprising: a first row of mould halves (2) and a second row of mould halves (3) wherein the two rows of mould halves (2, 3) face each other and the first row of mould halves (2) and the second row of mould halves (3) cooperate with each other such that they can together form a closed mould; the first row of half-molds (2) and the second row of half-molds (3) can be reversibly brought together from a position in which the mating half-molds (2, 3) are at a distance from one another to a position in which the mating half-molds (2, 3) form a closed mold, and wherein the mold closing mechanism (4) has a first transmission device (5) which transmits the first transmission device (5) to the first row of half-molds (2) and the second row of half-molds (3), and wherein the second row of half-molds (2) and the second row of half-molds (3) can be reversibly brought together. A force can be exerted on the first row of mold halves (2) by means of a first transmission device in order to bring the two rows of mold halves (2, 3) together, characterized in that a main compensation element (6) is arranged between the first transmission device (5) and the first row of mold halves (2), which main compensation element is elastically deformable when the two rows of mold halves (2, 3) are brought together. In this manner, a mold assembly (1) for a determinant bottle-making machine is provided, which exhibits improved closing characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is based on a mold assembly for an IS machine, which has: a first row of multiple mold halves arranged adjacent to each other and a second row of multiple mold halves arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the mold halves of the two rows face each other and one mold half of the first row and one mold half of the second row match each other so that they can together form a closed mold; and a mold closing mechanism, by means of which the mold halves of the first row and the mold halves of the second row can be reversibly brought together from a position in which the mutually assigned mold halves are a certain distance away from each other to a position in which the mutually assigned mold halves form a closed mold, wherein the mold closing mechanism has a first transmission device, by means of which a force can be applied to the mold halves of the first row in order to bring the mold halves of the two rows together. Background Art

[0002] Column-type bottle making machines for producing glass containers have been known from the prior art for decades. A column-type bottle making machine generally functions as follows:

[0003] The glass is melted in a tank and fed through a channel (feeder channel). At the end of the feeder channel is the glass outlet (nozzle), where the glass is homogenized with the help of a stirrer or rotating tube. The tube also meters the outflow of glass. A plunger forces the glass out of the nozzle, and when the plunger is withdrawn, the resulting pieces of glass (droplets) are cut off by scissors.

[0004] The cut chunks (droplets) are fed to a chunk distributor in a free-fall manner. The chunk distributor has the task of transferring the chunks to the corresponding processing station (sub-segment, IS). A chunk deflector is positioned above the chunk distributor and prevents the chunks from being fed to that segment if the chunk distributor is not operating or if the chunks are not loaded for other reasons. Channels lead from the chunk distributor to each segment, which guide the chunks to the segment's preform. In this segment, containers are formed from the chunks in a two-step process. In the first step, a pre-mold is formed from the chunk on the preform side. This molding step can be performed by pressing or blow molding. A conveyor mechanism is used to pivot the pre-mold to the finished mold side. In the second step, the pre-mold is blown into its final shape on the finished mold side, thereby forming the container. In both steps of the process, the glass is continuously cooled so that it can be removed from the final mold in a dimensionally stable state. As the cooled surface of the glass container is reheated from the inside, the container needs to continue cooling. This is done on a deposition plate, onto which the containers are deposited after being removed from the finished mold.

[0005] When the containers are transported, the glass containers produced in the section of the linear bottle machine are transported from the deposition plate to the furnace. They are pushed from the section's deposition plate onto the machine belt and, usually at a deflection corner, onto the transverse conveyor. They are finally transported from the transverse conveyor to the annealing furnace via a pusher.

[0006] For both pre-molds and finished molds, several mold halves are typically arranged in a row. A closed mold is formed by bringing together two mold halves that mate with each other and are typically mirror-symmetrical. During the glass container manufacturing process, the mold halves periodically move toward and away from each other. As the mold halves move toward each other, they create several circumferentially closed cavities within which the glass forming process can take place. It is desirable for the mold halves to fit together as tightly as possible, forming a positive fit. The fact that multiple molds are formed simultaneously by bringing together mold halves introduces a certain degree of inaccuracy. Therefore, bringing these mold halves together so that each individual closed mold formed in this manner is tight and positively fitted is a challenge. Due to manufacturing tolerances in the mold halves and the mechanical action of the closing mechanism on the mold halves, some molds in the mold may already be closed while others still have gaps between them. Consequently, a closed mold can prevent the others from fully closing. Consequently, a certain number of molds may remain closed with gaps, which can negatively impact the production process.

[0007] US 7024887 B2 describes a method and machine for producing insulating glass products. This document describes a mold holding mechanism having two pivotable mold holding arms that can be moved toward each other in a pincer-like manner. Each of the two arms is provided with a single pre-mold holder and a double pre-mold holder. The pre-mold holder carries a single pre-mold half. The double pre-mold holder, in turn, carries two pre-mold halves. The pre-mold holder and the double pre-mold holder are attached to a single mold holding arm on a compensating support, by means of which the pre-mold halves can be closed evenly and with similar closing force. The pre-molds are pivotally mounted on the mold holding arm by means of pins on the compensating support. Thus, a compensating support is provided, which allows the pre-molds to be brought together evenly. The purpose of these compensating supports is to accommodate the different distances between the pre-mold halves resulting from the pincer-like position of the mold holding arms.

[0008] DE 21 18 132 B shows a drive for elements of a glass processing machine, such as stamping punches and molding tongs, having a cam track that can be moved relative to the corresponding element and a drive roller that runs along the cam track and is connected to the element, wherein a servo motor is connected between the drive roller and the element.

[0009] DE 26 09 651 C2 discloses a molding tool for a machine for processing molten glass, comprising at least one separate mold center piece, which is suspended with a gap on a correspondingly separate actuator. The actuator is movable transversely to its longitudinal axis and is guided in the transverse direction by guide elements in two guide planes arranged at an axial distance from one another. In this case, the entire force for retaining the associated mold center piece parts is applied by the actuator in only one plane, and the line of action of the resulting retaining force on each mold center piece part lies in the application plane. Furthermore, the line of action of the resulting thrust component of the corresponding mold center piece part at least approximately coincides with the line of action of the resulting closing force component.

[0010] CN 2 13 012 546U describes a mold device comprising a base, an assembly groove, a demolding structure, a cylinder, and a left mold body. The assembly groove is formed on one side of the upper end portion of the base. The demolding structure is arranged on two side portions inside the assembly groove. A first support frame is attached to one side portion of the upper end portion of the base, and a second support frame is attached to the other side portion of the upper end portion of the base. The support shaft is mounted on one side portion of the interior of the first support frame in a sliding manner. The left mold body is attached to the end portion of the support shaft extending away from the outer wall of the first support frame. A limiting spring is wound on one side portion of the surface of the support shaft. A connecting plate is attached to the position of the limiting spring on one side portion of the surface of the support shaft, and the cylinder is mounted on the outer wall of one side portion of the connecting plate. The second support frame is attached to one side portion of the upper end portion of the base.

[0011] In conjunction with a split mold comprising first and second mating mold halves supported by a common pivot or hinge arrangement so as to enable the mold halves to move between an open position and a closed position of the mold, a device known from US Pat. No. 3,499,747 A comprises: similar first and second connecting struts, the first ends of which are attached to the peripheral portions of the respective first and second mold halves at corresponding positions via similar first pivot means; identical first and second spring assemblies, each comprising at least one elongated, elastic, and resilient spring module, wherein the first ends of these modules are connected to the second ends of the respective first and second connecting struts via similar second pivot means; and a device capable of reciprocating relative to the center of the common pivot arrangement and securely connected to the second ends of the spring modules for transmitting the corresponding reciprocating motion and moving the mold halves between the open and closed positions of the mold. During the mold closing process, the spring modules provide a force via the connecting struts that are substantially directly aligned with each other to maintain the mold in its closed position. Summary of the Invention

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a mold assembly for an in-line bottle making machine which exhibits improved closing characteristics.

[0013] This object is achieved by a mold assembly as described below.

[0014] According to the present invention, a mold assembly for a row-type bottle making machine is provided, which has: a first row of multiple half molds arranged adjacent to each other and a second row of multiple half molds arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the two rows of half molds face each other, and one half mold of the first row and one half mold of the second row are matched with each other in a way that they can form a closed mold; and a mold closing mechanism, the half molds of the first row and the half molds of the second row can be reversibly brought together from a position where the half molds assigned to each other are a certain distance away from each other to a position where the half molds assigned to each other form a closed mold with the help of the mold closing mechanism, the mold closing mechanism has a first transfer device, which can be used to apply force to the half molds of the first row to bring the two rows of half molds together, and is characterized in that a main compensation member is arranged between the first transfer device and the half molds of the first row, and the main compensation member can be elastically deformed when the two rows of half molds are brought together.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, each mold half of the first row is attached to a mold holder by interposing a secondary compensating element, wherein the mold holder is in turn coupled to the primary compensating element for force transmission, and the secondary compensating elements are also elastically deformable when the mold halves of the two rows are brought together. Preferably, each secondary compensating element comprises a plurality of individual compensating elements, so that the force transmitted to the respective mold half can be adjusted by the number of individual compensating elements. The individual compensating elements are preferably formed from metal omega-type springs.

[0016] The mold halves that fit together preferably form a pre-mold or a finished mold together. For reliable operation of such a pre-mold or finished mold, it is advantageous if all of the mold halves close uniformly and with a defined minimum force. However, due to manufacturing tolerances and different thermal expansions, it may happen that not all mold halves touch simultaneously when closing. If the entire system were rigid, i.e. if no master compensator were used, only the mold half that came into contact first would close correctly. The other mold halves would then probably no longer be in contact with one another. This is avoided by using a master compensator, since the master compensator of the mold half that came into contact first deforms slightly more than the master compensators of the mold halves that came into contact later. Preferably, the master compensator is in the form of a metallic, milled and hardened component, so that the master compensator is made of a flexible material with very good recovery behavior and a defined spring constant.

[0017] Similar to the tolerance compensation described above, the compensator compensates for wear on the mold halves as they close. If the mold halves wear at different rates or to different degrees at their parting lines, the mold halves will close at different times when they come together. As mentioned above, a rigid system cannot guarantee proper closing of each mold. This is avoided by the flexibility of the main compensator.

[0018] In principle, the first transmission device can be constructed in different ways. According to a preferred development of the invention, the first transmission device has a crankshaft, and the main compensator is constructed so that the crankshaft together with the main compensator serves as a toggle lever, by means of which the first transmission device can apply the corresponding force to the half-molds of the first row. Preferably, the crankshaft can be driven by a connecting rod, wherein the connecting rod is preferably connected to a servo motor via a worm gear. Even if a single crankshaft is sufficient in principle, according to a preferred further development of the invention, the first transmission device has two crankshafts, by means of which the first transmission device can apply the corresponding force to the corresponding half-molds of the first row via the corresponding main compensator in two spaced-apart areas according to the principle of a toggle lever, so that a uniform force can be applied to the half-molds without generating tilting moments.

[0019] The toggle lever consists of at least two lever elements connected by a joint. It operates according to the lever principle, which makes it possible to convert long movement paths with low tensile or compressive forces into short paths with high forces, and vice versa, a principle known as force amplification. A characteristic feature of the toggle lever is that the ratio of the force applied to the force obtained varies continuously during the movement. At the same time, the ratio of the main stroke to the secondary stroke also varies, albeit in transverse proportion to the force: in the bent state, the toggle lever provides a high stroke ratio at a low force ratio. When the toggle lever is extended, the speed of the stroke decreases at a constant actuation speed, while the force increases significantly. Therefore, in the fully extended state, the force transmitted by the toggle lever can be very high.

[0020] According to a preferred improvement of the invention, the mold holder also has a retaining insert for retaining the mold halves and a retaining device, with which the retaining insert can be fastened at different points on the mold holder. Since the point of force application in the mold varies depending on the mold height, conventional closing mechanisms have mold holders of different heights, which transfer the force to the mold halves accordingly. In this case, corresponding mold holders must be available in stock for all mold heights used, which leads to high material and storage costs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention described here, a retaining insert is provided for the mold halves, which can be variably adjusted in height. This makes it possible to ensure that molds of different sizes utilize only one mold carrier, thereby significantly reducing the various components. Depending on the mold height, for example, only one retaining insert or two retaining inserts are used.

[0021] Preferably, at least a portion of the retaining insert is provided with a cooling air duct, through which cooling air can be supplied to the respective mold half. The cooling air passes from the cooling air duct in the mold retaining element to the corresponding cooling air duct in the retaining insert, from which the cooling air enters the cooling air duct extending into the outer wall of the mold half.

[0022] Previously, the mold closing mechanism was described as having a first transmission device. However, the mold closing mechanism preferably also has a second transmission device, which can be used to apply force to the mold halves in the second row to bring them together. The elastic main compensating element is thus also positioned between the second transmission device and the mold halves in the second row. When opening and closing the mold, preferably, not only the mold halves in the first row move. Instead, the mold halves in the second row also move toward or away from the mold halves in order to open and close. The preferred embodiments described above for the mold halves in the first row also apply to the second row. Furthermore, a common servo motor and a common worm gear unit are preferably used for both rows of mold halves.

[0023] The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned mold assembly, wherein the transition from a position in which the mating mold halves are spaced apart from one another to a position in which the mating mold halves form a closed mold occurs in less than 250 ms, preferably less than 210 ms. The present invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned mold assembly, wherein a force of at least 14 kN, preferably at least 20 kN, is transmitted by the transmission device. Due to the rapid closing of the mold halves and the high forces, stress peaks occur during such use when the mold halves are brought together under high forces, which leads to increased wear on the entire kinematic structure. Due to the flexibility of the compensating element, these stress peaks are damped and wear is minimized.

[0024] By using the primary compensator as a flexible element in the drive train, its elasticity allows it to move beyond top dead center when closing the mold. Like the piston in an internal combustion engine, the direction of the mold's movement reverses after passing top dead center, and the mold opens again. This aligns the direction of rotation of the worm gear and worm shaft, aligning these components so that they are only loaded on one side. This reduces wear and prevents backlash. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention is explained in more detail by means of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the attached figure:

[0027] Figure 1 A mold assembly for a line-type bottle making machine according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in a perspective view.

[0028] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 Detailed view of

[0029] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 1 Another detailed view of

[0030] Figure 4a The exploded view schematically shows Figure 1 mold holder, and

[0031] Figure 4b Schematic diagram of the assembled state Figure 4a mold holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 A mold assembly 1 for a linear bottle making machine according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in a perspective view. In this case, the mold of the mold assembly 1 is a finished product mold for the linear bottle making machine. The mold assembly comprises a first row of mold halves 2 and a second row of mold halves 3, wherein the mold halves 2, 3 of the two rows face each other, and one mold half 2 of the first row and one mold half 3 of the second row interfit with each other so that they can together form a closed mold. Furthermore, a mold closing mechanism 4 is provided, by which the mold halves 2, 3 of the first row and the mold halves of the second row can be reversibly moved. In particular, the mold halves 2, 3 can be brought together from a position in which the mold formed by the two interfitting mold halves 2, 3 is open at a distance from each other to a position in which the interfitting mold halves 2, 3 form a closed mold, thereby enabling the glass forming process.

[0033] The mold closing mechanism 4 is now constructed so that it has a first transfer device 5 and a second transfer device 17. The first transfer device 5 can be used to apply force to the first row of half molds 2 to bring the two rows of half molds 2 and 3 together, and the second transfer device 17 can be used to apply force to the second row of half molds 3 to bring the two rows of half molds 2 and 3 together, wherein the main compensation part 6 is arranged between the first transfer device 5 and the first row of half molds 2 and also between the second transfer device 5 and the second row of half molds 3, and the main compensation part 6 will elastically deform when the two rows of half molds 2 and 3 are brought together.

[0034] The first transmission device 5 has two crankshafts 7 and 11, which can be used to apply corresponding forces to the mold halves 2 of the first row in two spaced-apart regions, namely, in the upper region on the one hand and in the lower region on the other hand, according to the principle of a toggle lever. This prevents any tilting effects from occurring when applying forces to the mold halves 2. The same applies to the second transmission device 17 acting on the mold halves 3 of the second row. The crankshafts 7 and 11 can be driven via a connecting rod 8, which is coupled to a servo motor 10 via a worm gear 9.

[0035] To ensure reliable operation when using this finished mold, it is important that all mold halves 2, 3 close uniformly and with a defined minimum force. However, due to manufacturing tolerances and differential thermal expansion, it may happen that not all pairs of mold halves 2, 3 close simultaneously. If the primary compensator 6 were inflexible, i.e., in an inflexible system, only the first mold halves 2, 3 to come into contact would close correctly, while the other mold halves might no longer be in contact with each other. The introduction of the primary compensator 6 prevents this problem by allowing the primary compensator 6 of the first mold halves 2, 3 to come into contact to deform more than the primary compensators 6 of the mold halves 2, 3 that come into contact subsequently.

[0036] Furthermore, the primary compensator 6 compensates for wear on the mold halves 2, 3 during closing, similar to tolerance compensation. Different wear levels at the parting line between the mold halves 2, 3 result in different closing times. As already explained, proper closing of all mold halves 2, 3 cannot be guaranteed in an inflexible system. Using the primary compensator 6 avoids this problem due to its elasticity.

[0037] In particular, from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, each of the half molds 2 of the first row is attached to a mold holder 13 by inserting another compensating member, namely a secondary compensating member 12, wherein the mold holder 13 is connected to the main compensating member 6 for transmitting force, and the secondary compensating member 12 can also be elastically deformed when the two rows of half molds 2 and 3 are brought together. Figure 3The secondary compensating elements 12 are shown to each have a plurality of individual compensating elements 14, so that the force transmitted to the respective mold half 2, 3 can be adjusted via the number of individual compensating elements 14. In the present case, the individual compensating elements 14 are formed by metallic omega springs.

[0038] In particular, from Figure 4a and Figure 4b As can be seen, the mold holder 13 includes a retaining device and a retaining insert 15 for retaining the mold halves 2 and 3. The retaining insert 15 can be attached to the mold holder 13 at different points via the retaining device. In conventional closing mechanisms, due to the varying mold heights and corresponding force application points, mold holders of different sizes must be used to adequately transmit force to the mold halves. This requires maintaining a stock of multiple mold holders for all possible mold heights, which in turn incurs considerable material and storage costs. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, the mold halves 2 and 3 are provided with retaining inserts 15 that are adjustable in their mounting position. Thus, molds of different sizes can be used with a single mold holder 13, significantly reducing the need for a large selection of parts. Depending on the height of either mold half 2 or 3, a single retaining insert 15 or multiple retaining inserts 15 are used. Cooling air is supplied to the respective mold halves 2 and 3 via cooling air ducts 18 in the mold holder 13 through the retaining inserts 15. Thus, cooling air is passed from the cooling air ducts 18 in the mould holder 13 to the cooling air ducts 19 extending in the outer walls of the mould halves 2 , 3 , in order thereby to cool the mould halves 2 , 3 .

[0039] During operation of the mold assembly 1 described herein, the transition from a position where the mating mold halves 2, 3 are spaced apart from each other to a position where the mating mold halves 2, 3 form a closed mold requires approximately 200 milliseconds. Furthermore, the first and second transfer devices 5, 17 each transmit a force of 21 kN. The rapid and high-intensity pressing of the mold halves 2, 3 together results in maximum stresses, which can lead to increased wear throughout the entire kinematic mechanism. The elasticity of the compensating elements 6, 12 helps to mitigate these maximum stresses and, thereby, reduce wear.

[0040] Due to its flexibility, using the main compensator 6 as an adaptive component in the drive system allows the mold to be moved beyond its highest point. Similar to the pistons of an internal combustion engine, once this point is passed, the direction of movement of the mold halves 2 and 3 is reversed and the mold halves open again. This allows for constant rotational movement of the worm shaft and worm wheel of worm gear 9, with these components only experiencing forces on one side. Consequently, wear is reduced and backlash is eliminated.

[0041] Reference numerals

[0042] 1 mold assembly

[0043] 2 First row of half molds

[0044] 3 Second row of half molds

[0045] 4. Mold closing mechanism

[0046] 5. First transfer device

[0047] 6 Main compensation parts

[0048] 7 Crankshaft

[0049] 8 Connecting rod

[0050] 9 Worm gear

[0051] 10 Servo motors

[0052] 11 Second crankshaft

[0053] 12 compensation parts

[0054] 13 mold holder

[0055] 14 Separate compensation parts

[0056] 15 Retaining insert

[0057] 17 Second transmission device

[0058] 18 Cooling air ducts in the mold holder

[0059] 19 Cooling air ducts in the mold half.

Claims

1. A mold assembly (1) for a linear bottle making machine, the mold assembly (1) comprising: The first row of half molds (2) and the second row of half molds (3), wherein the two rows of half-moulds (2, 3) face each other, and wherein the mould halves (2) of the first row and the mould halves (3) of the second row cooperate with each other so that they can together form a closed mould, and A mold closing mechanism (4) is provided, wherein the first row of mold halves (2) and the second row of mold halves (3) can be reversibly brought together from a position where the mating mold halves (2, 3) are spaced apart from each other to a position where the mating mold halves (2, 3) form a closed mold, The mold closing mechanism (4) comprises a first transfer device (5), which can be used to apply force to the first row of half molds (2) to close the two rows of half molds (2, 3), and a main compensating member (6), said main compensating member (6) being arranged between said first transfer device (5) and said first row of half-moulds (2), said main compensating member (6) being elastically deformable when said two rows of half-moulds (2, 3) are brought together, The first row of half molds (2) are fixed to a mold holder (13) by inserting a secondary compensating member (12), wherein the mold holder (13) is in turn connected to the main compensating member (6) for transmitting force, and the secondary compensating member (12) can also be elastically deformed when the two rows of half molds (2, 3) are brought together.

2. The mold assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein The first transmission device (5) has a crankshaft (7), and the main compensating element (6) is designed so that the crankshaft (7) together with the main compensating element (6) acts as a toggle lever, by means of which a force can be exerted by the first transmission device (5) on the half-molds (2) of the first row.

3. The mold assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The crankshaft (7) can be driven via a connecting rod (8).

4. The mold assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein The connecting rod (8) is coupled to a servo motor (10) via a worm gear (9).

5. The mold assembly (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The first transmission device (5) has two crankshafts (7, 11) and can apply corresponding forces to the half-molds (2) of the first row in two spaced-apart areas by means of the two crankshafts (7, 11) via corresponding main compensating parts (6) according to the principle of the toggle lever.

6. The mold assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The secondary compensators (12) each have a plurality of individual compensators (14), and the force transmitted to the respective mold half (2, 3) can be adjusted by the number of individual compensators (14).

7. The mold assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The mold holder (13) has a holding device and a holding insert (15) for holding the mold halves (2, 3), the holding insert (15) being able to be fixed at different points on the mold holder (13) by means of the holding device.

8. The mold assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein At least a portion of the retaining insert (15) is provided with cooling air ducts, through which cooling air can be supplied to the respective mould halves (2, 3).

9. The mold assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The mold closing mechanism (4) has a second transfer device (17) that can use the second transfer device (17) to apply force to the second row of half molds (3) so that the two rows of half molds (2, 3) are brought together, wherein the elastic main compensation member (6) is arranged between the second transfer device (17) and the second row of half molds (3).

10. The mold assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The mold halves (2, 3) that fit together form a pre-mold or a finished mold.

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