Mold holding station for devices for molding polymer material

Abstract

Mold holding station (10) for a device for forming a polymer material by pouring or injecting it into a mold (14) mounted in the mold holding station (10), wherein the mold (14) comprises at least one base (15) and two side rings (16), wherein the mold holding station (10) comprises at least one mold holding block (11) for fixing the two side rings (16) of the mold (14), a drive unit (12) for moving a support plate (17) for the base (15) of the mold (14), and a shoe last holder or cover holder unit (13); wherein the side rings (16) are separated from each other by a central longitudinal plane and are displaceable towards and away from each other, and wherein the drive unit (12) is arranged below the mold holding block (11) and the shoe last holder or cover holder unit (13) is arranged above the mold holding block (11);wherein the mold holding station (10) is characterized in that a collecting element (20) is removably provided in a space which is defined by a lower surface (31) of the mold holding block (11) and by an upper surface (32) of the drive unit (12), wherein the collecting element is separate and independent from the mold holding block (11), and is suitable for collecting the waste and / or a release agent sprayed outside the mold (14) installed in the mold holding station (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mold holding station for devices for molding polymer material, in particular by pouring or injection.

[0002] More precisely, the present invention relates – although not exclusively – to a mold holding station for a static or rotary device for shaping polymer material by pouring or injection to obtain articles such as soles or footwear.

[0003] It is known to use rotary injection molding machines with several stations for the production of single- or multi-component soles in one or more colors. It is also known to use rotary injection molding machines for the production of footwear by directly injecting single- or multi-component soles made of a polymer material onto the upper material.

[0004] These rotary devices generally consist of one or more injection units and a robust base on which a rotary carousel is mounted, suitable for supporting a variety of mold holding stations.

[0005] Each injection unit has an injection / pouring head, which is used to inject or pour the polymer material into the molds set up in the various mold holding stations of the rotary carousel.

[0006] The known mold holding stations usually comprise a mold holding block and a drive unit, which are connected to the base of the rotating carousel by means of a suitable fastening system. The two rings of the mold are attached to the mold holding block, while the drive unit, which is located below the mold holding block, allows movement of the support on which the mold base is mounted.

[0007] Each mold holding station may also include a shoe last holder or cover holder unit, which supports the lasts and / or covers designed to interact with the other components of the mold mounted on the mold holding block during the various process steps of injecting the polymer material into the mold.

[0008] The type of device briefly described above, which is well known to those skilled in the art, is used in particular in the production of articles where at least one component is formed from a compressed or expanded polyurethane.

[0009] It is known that the use of this type of material necessitates the use of release agents to facilitate the removal of the finished product from the mold once the demolding cycle is complete. Indeed, polyurethane is characterized by its strong adhesion to the inner walls of the mold into which it is injected or poured, making it extremely difficult to remove the finished item without the use of release agents.

[0010] Although it is considered indispensable nowadays, the use of release agents does have certain disadvantages.

[0011] As mentioned, these release agents are generally sprayed onto the inner walls of the mold using conventional spraying devices, and it is not uncommon for some of the release agent to be sprayed outside the inner walls of the mold due to errors or inaccuracies.

[0012] The release agent sprayed outside the mold can, for example, settle on the mold holding block or on the drive unit of the mold holding station. From there, the release agent can run or drip down onto other components of the mold holding station until, in some cases, it settles on the floor where the rotary device stands.

[0013] The release agents are usually oily liquids, and it is therefore obvious that it is important to prevent them from settling on the moving parts of the mold holding station as well as on the floor.

[0014] To overcome this disadvantage, it is common practice to spread absorbent cloths / fabrics beneath the machine's forming stations. These cloths prevent the release agents from contaminating the floor. Alternatively, collection containers can be placed beneath the forming stations instead of absorbent cloths.

[0015] However, it is obvious that these solutions are merely stopgap measures, which, although able to prevent contamination of the floor on which the device stands, cannot prevent the release agent sprayed outside the mold from settling on parts and components of the mold holding stations that are difficult to reach.

[0016] These deposits, which accumulate over time, are difficult to remove, and because they are oily, they trap dust and contaminants, which settle on them until they eventually form encrustations. The presence of such deposits makes it difficult to perform maintenance on the equipment parts and components.

[0017] It should also be noted that – as is often the case – small amounts of polymer material escape from the mold during the demolding process of polymer materials such as compressed and expanded polyurethanes and similar materials. In this case, the polyurethane that escapes from the mold can also settle on the floor or enter spaces located between the various components of the device's mold holding stations.

[0018] In both the case of release agents and polyurethanes, it can be difficult to reach processing residues that have accumulated, for example, between the block holding zone and the various mechanical operating parts of the mold holding station, both because the space accessible to the operating personnel for intervention with one hand and a device, if necessary, to manually remove these residues is very small, and also because the mold holding station has a large number of components that are in motion during normal operation.

[0019] Any processing waste that becomes lodged in hard-to-reach parts of the machine's mold holding station can, in some cases, only be removed by disassembling the various components of the mold holding station and / or the rotating carousel. To avoid unwanted downtime, this cleaning procedure is only performed during routine maintenance. However, in exceptional cases, waste may become trapped in moving parts of the mold holding station, disrupting the machine's operation even before routine maintenance is carried out.

[0020] The object of the present invention is therefore to at least partially overcome the aforementioned long-standing disadvantages which affect devices of the known type for shaping polymer material by casting or injection molding, and in particular the mold holding stations of these devices.

[0021] It is particularly an object of the present invention to provide a mold holding station of a device for molding polymer material by pouring or injection, which is suitable for collecting the release agent sprayed outside the surfaces of the mold installed in the mold holding station, the portion of the release agent which naturally runs or drips down from the surface of the mold, and / or any processing waste.

[0022] It is further an object of the invention to provide a mold holding station of a device for demolding polymer material by pouring or injection, which is suitable for collecting in a simple and cost-effective manner the release agent sprayed outside the surfaces of the mold installed in the mold holding station, the portion of the release agent which naturally runs or drips down from the surface of the mold, and / or any processing waste.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a mold holding station for a device for demolding polymer material by pouring or injection, which is suitable for collecting the release agents sprayed outside the surfaces of the mold installed in the mold holding station, the portion of the release agent which naturally runs or drips down from the surface of the mold, and / or any processing waste in such a way that it does not impair the normal operation of the mold holding station.

[0024] The aforementioned tasks are solved by a mold holding station of a device for molding polymer material by pouring or injection according to claim 1.

[0025] The distinctive features and further advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a number of examples of an embodiment, which are provided in a non-limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a mold holding station of a molding device of the known type;

[0027] Fig. 2 schematically shows a partial exploded view of a mold holding station of a molding device according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 2A schematically shows a cross-sectional view in a non-scale representation along a generally transverse plane, a detail of a mold holding station according to the invention and a mold attached therein;

[0029] Fig. 3 in schematic representation a view similar to that of the Fig. 2 shows, however, in a different operating configuration;

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a mold holding station according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 5 a schematic view of the mold holding station according to Fig. 4 shows it, but from a different perspective;

[0032] Fig. 6 a schematic view of the mold holding station according to Fig. 4 shows it, but from a different perspective.

[0033] As already mentioned, the present invention relates to a mold holding station for a device for molding polymer material by pouring or injection.

[0034] In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a mold holding station of a static or rotary molding machine comprising a plurality of mold holding stations.

[0035] An example of such a type of device consists of rotary devices for performing direct injection onto an upper material, of single or multi-component soles, for example, soles with a profile or midsoles formed from polyurethane, or soles with a profile formed from rubber or another thermoplastic material, and a midsole made of polyurethane.

[0036] Another example of a rotary device comprising a variety of mold holding stations consists of rotary devices used for the production of single or multi-component soles.

[0037] In these devices, the mold holding stations can be moved (automatically), or the injection / pouring unit of the device can be moved (manually or automatically).

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a well-known mold holding station. 10an automatic multi-station rotary device for the direct injection of soles onto an upper material.

[0039] The shape holding station 10 can at least one shape retention block 11 , a drive unit 12 and a shoe last holder or cover holder unit 13 include.

[0040] The drive unit 12 is below the mold holding block 11 arranged while the shoe last holder or cover holder unit 13 above the mold holding block 11 is arranged.

[0041] With reference to Fig. 2A can be a form 14 , which in turn form a basis 15 , two side rings 16 and may include a cover, in the mold holding station 10 appropriate.

[0042] The base 15 can be mounted on a support plate 17be attached along a direction perpendicular to the direction of the base's extension 15 with the aid of a drive pin 18 is moved by the drive unit 12 is operated. This direction of movement is in Fig. 2A is indicated by the arrows F.

[0043] The side rings 16 can be in the mold holding block 11 be attached. The side rings 16 are separated from each other by a central longitudinal plane and are moved in a known manner so that they move towards and away from each other with the help of suitable actuators located within the mold holding block. 11 are arranged. The direction of movement of the rings is in Fig. 2A is indicated by the arrows T.

[0044] The covering of the mold 14 can be attached to the shoe last holder or cover holder unit 13 the station 10 be attached.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the lower surface of the strip acts 19 as a covering of the form 14 , whereby the upper material of a shoe is attached to the last in the case of direct injection molding. This upper material is then completed by injecting the sole.

[0046] In a known way, a shoe last holder unit can be attached 13 attached cover with a suitably shaped inner surface as well as a cover of the shape 14 works.

[0047] The shape holding station 10 According to the invention, it is characterized in that a collecting element 20 removable through a lower surface 31 of the mold holding block and an upper surface 32 the drive unit 12 is arranged in a fixed space in a removable manner, with the collecting element 20separate and independent of the mold holding block 11 is and suitable for receiving and collecting processed waste and / or waste outside the form 14 sprayed release agent, what form 14 at the mold holding station 10 appropriate.

[0048] In one embodiment, this collecting element 20 a cleaning box.

[0049] Due to its special position below the mold holding block 11 and the support plate 17 is the collecting element 20 suitable for processing waste and any outside the form 14 sprayed release agent or even from the mold 14 to collect any overflowing release agent before it settles on the floor supporting the device, or before it gets stuck in areas of the mold holding station that are difficult to reach.

[0050] Furthermore, the collecting element 20 , which is between the form holding block 11 and the drive unit 12 is positioned to occupy a space in the mold holding station 10 one which is easily accessible to the operating personnel, and consequently the removal of the collecting element is 20 , if necessary, facilitated and can be achieved by simply removing any protective covers attached to the station 10 These protective covers are normally required by law to protect operating personnel.

[0051] Furthermore, the collecting element 20 independent of the opening and closing movements of the mold 14 with regard to the shape retention block 11 , which in turn is due to its special position, while the collection of any processing waste and / or separating agent is effectively ensured. The collection element 20It does indeed remain stationary during normal operation.

[0052] Furthermore, the removal of the collecting element can 20 without disruptive influence or mutual obstruction with parts of the form 14 or the form-holding block 11 or the support plate 17 to be carried out, which in turn allows for the exchange of the form 14 due to the special handling of the mold holding block 11 is neither hindered nor conditioned.

[0053] The collecting element 20 can be removed with the help of guides 22 to the lower surface 31 of the mold holding block 11 or to the upper surface 32 the drive unit 12 to be attached.

[0054] The accompanying figures schematically show the embodiment in which the collecting element 20 removable from the upper surface 32 the drive unit 12is attached.

[0055] In the case where the collecting element 20 removable from the lower surface of the mold holding block 11 Once attached, the fastening guides are arranged so that they do not impede the opening and closing movements of the mold holding block.

[0056] To facilitate the collection of oily liquids such as release agents, which are conventionally used, a special coating is applied to prevent them from adhering to the surfaces of the collecting element. 20 to prevent this, the latter is advantageously achieved with a covering material. 21 , which is made from a textile material or a non-woven fiber.

[0057] This covering material 21 can be removed from a surface of the collecting element 20 to be attached.

[0058] Did the operating personnel of the device recognize that the covering material 21If the collecting element is no longer able to absorb the liquids with which it comes into contact, having been soaked with waste material as intended, then the collecting element may fail. 20 removed from his seat and the fabric 21 be replaced by a clean fabric.

[0059] As already mentioned, the collecting element can 20 a cleaning box 20 with dimensions similar to those of the lower surface of the mold holding block 11 be when it is in the closed position, i.e., when the rings 16 the form 14 are arranged in contact with each other.

[0060] As shown in the attached figures, the cleaning box 20 be U-shaped. This way the box can 20 within their operating location, they must be arranged in such a way that they can access the drive pin 18 the drive unit 12 at least partially surrounds. As is evident in Fig. 2A can be seen, the cleaning box 20 in greater detail, arranged in such a way that they form the solid base 23 of the drive unit 12 operated drive pin 18 surrounds.

[0061] This embodiment therefore advantageously ensures that there is no adverse impairment during the normal operation of the mold holding station, and that the movements of the drive pin 18 the drive unit 12 not be hindered.

[0062] As clearly in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be seen in section 6, a slanted shelf can be used. 25 in an area of ​​the lower surface 31 of the mold holding block 11 This inclined shelf is intended to be used. 25 is advantageously on the side of the mold holding block 11Placed opposite to the direction towards the operating personnel, if any, i.e., on the side that is most difficult to reach.

[0063] The surface 25 Its function is to collect any processed waste and / or release agent sprayed outside the mold into the collection element. 20 to transport.

[0064] The arrangement of the inclined shelf 25 is such that the dimensions of the collecting element 20 can be reduced.

[0065] As already mentioned, according to an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention, which is not shown in the drawings since it is readily imaginable by a person skilled in the art, access to the space in which the collecting element is located is 20It is designed to be protected by a safety door. This safety door is designed to prevent operating personnel from accidentally coming into contact with the material collected by the collecting element. 20 to come into contact with the occupied area during the operation of the device.

[0066] Based on the description presented above, it is therefore understandable how the arrangement of a collecting element 20 in the space between the lower surface 31 of the mold holding block 11 and the upper surface 32 the drive unit 12 is able to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems in accordance with the state of the art.

[0067] In particular, it is now clear how simple the proposed solution is in order to achieve low costs. The collecting element 20It can indeed be made from a sheet of metal, which is not expensive and requires no special processing steps.

[0068] Likewise, where necessary, the provision of the covering material can be 21 It can be easily achieved and does not entail excessive costs.

[0069] Furthermore, it is now clear that, due to its positioning below the working surface of the device and also due to the arrangement of the inclined collection tray, the collection element described above 20 is able to minimize the amount of processed waste and separating agent that is deposited on the floor on which the device stands, or that is trapped within the mold holding station.

[0070] On the one hand, this helps to avoid having to resort to unscheduled maintenance of the device, as described above, to remove the residues trapped in the moving parts of the mold holding station, while at the same time ensuring a clean working environment.

[0071] Furthermore, the provision of the collection element brings 20 no structural changes to the mold holding station 10 with itself, since it only occupies a space which is in the known form holding stations 10 has not been used before.

[0072] Therefore, the mold holding stations can 10 Existing forming devices are advantageously equipped with a collecting element. 20 as described above. In fact, it is only necessary to install suitable guides on the lower surface. 31 of the mold holding block 1 or on the upper surface 32the drive unit 12 to secure in order to ensure correct positioning of the collecting element 20 to enable.

[0073] Furthermore, the described solution is easy to use. Once the operating personnel have recognized that the collecting element 20 Once filled with waste material, the mold holding block can be removed from its seat, emptied, and then returned to position.

[0074] As mentioned, this is the case where the collecting element 20 The covering material is sufficient to replace the used covering material with a new one.

[0075] The person skilled in the art can make modifications to the embodiments of the mold holding station as described above and / or replace the described parts with equivalent parts without deviating from the protection obtained in the attached claims.

[0076] For example, instead of the collection element / cleaning box, it is possible to provide two half-membranes which are laterally movable with respect to the front of the mold holding station between an extracted position (which can be used, for example, to replace a cloth / fabric for collecting any processing waste and release agent sprayed outside the mold) and a working position located below the mold holding block, with adjacent edges of the two half-membranes being provided with semicircular recesses to accommodate the drive rod 18 to grasp.

[0077] For the purposes of applying the present invention, the combination of the two side rings with the base of the mold is not indispensable, because the essential characterizing feature is that the collecting element 20 is located below the base of the form.

Claims

[1] Mold holding station ( 10 ) for a device for shaping a polymer material by pouring or injecting it into a mold ( 14 ), which is in the mold holding station ( 10 ) is attached, the shape ( 14 ) at least one basis ( 15 ) and two side rings ( 16 ) includes, where the mold holding station ( 10 ) at least one form-holding block ( 11 ) to fix the two side rings ( 16 ) of the form ( 14 ) and a drive unit ( 12 ) to move a support plate ( 17 ) for the base ( 15 ) of the form ( 14 ) includes; wherein the drive unit ( 12 ) below the mold holding block ( 11 ) is arranged; where the mold holding station ( 10 ) is characterized by the fact that a collective element ( 20 ) is provided in a space that is separated by a lower surface ( 31 ) of the mold holding block (11 ) and through an upper surface ( 32 ) the drive unit ( 12 ) is defined, whereby the collecting element is separate and independent of the mold holding block ( 11 ) is, and for collecting the waste and / or one outside the mold holding station ( 10 ) attached shape ( 14 ) is suitable for sprayed release agent. [2] Mold holding station ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the collecting element ( 20 ) with a covering material made from a textile material or non-woven fiber ( 21 ) is coated, with the covering material ( 21 ) removable on an upper surface of the collecting element ( 20 ) is attached. [3] Mold holding station ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the collecting element is a cleaning box ( 20 ) is, where the cleaning box ( 20 ) is U-shaped to at least partially accommodate a drive pin ( 18 ) the drive unit (12 ) to surround, with the drive pin ( 18 ) on the support plate ( 17 ) is attached. [4] Mold holding station ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the collecting element ( 20 ) with the help of guided tours ( 22 ) on the lower surface ( 31 ) of the mold holding block ( 11 ) or on the upper surface ( 32 ) the drive unit ( 12 ) is attached. [5] Mold holding station ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein an inclined tray ( 25 ) for transporting processing waste and / or out-of-mold waste ( 14 ) release agent sprayed into the collecting element ( 20 ) in the area of ​​the lower surface ( 31 ) of the mold holding block ( 11 ) is planned. [6] Mold holding station ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein access to the space in which the collecting element ( 20 ) is provided, covered by a protective door. [7] Rotary device for direct injection of single or multi-component soles onto an upper material, comprising at least one mold holding station ( 10 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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