Apparatus and Method for Compression Molding of Concave Objects

Abstract

A device is described which comprises a dispensing device (2) for dispensing a unit quantity (D) of a polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding, a mold (5) for receiving the unit quantity and manufacturing a concave object, a plurality of conveying parts (7) for each of the unit quantities (D), each configured to take out each of the unit quantities (D) from the dispensing device (7) and release them to the mold, and a rotary conveyor (8) for supporting the plurality of conveying parts (7) so as to supply each of the plurality of conveying parts (7) along a closed path passing between the dispensing device (2) and the mold (5) in a forward direction (A) so as to carry the unit quantity (D) to the mold (5). Each of the plurality of conveying parts (7) is rotatably mounted on the rotary conveyor (8) between an acquisition state in which the wall (9) has a surface (9a) in contact with the unit quantity (D) and intersecting the forward direction (A) to bend and acquire the unit quantity (D) from the dispensing device (2), and a release state in which the wall (9) is turned over so that the contact surface (9a) faces the mold (5) to release the unit quantity (D) of the unit quantity (D) in the mold (5) by gravity, and is provided with a wall (9) engaging with the unit quantity (D). The device comprises cooling means (11) for each of the conveying parts (7) for cooling the conveying parts (7) at least within regions (T1, T2) of the closed path (C).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for compression molding concave objects such as all kinds of containers, for example, bottles, glasses, jars, bowls, etc.

[0002] In particular, the apparatus is used for the production of concave objects made of single-layer or multi-layer materials starting from any polymer material capable of compression molding.

[0003] As is known, an apparatus for producing a molded body by compression molding a plurality of unit components of a polymer material includes an extrusion device for dispensing the polymer material, and a plurality of molds, each mold including a male mold member having a punch and a female mold member having a cavity. The prior art apparatus also includes a plurality of transport units attached to a suitable rotary conveyor and configured to transport a unit component of the polymer material from the extrusion device to the mold.

[0004] After being cut from the extrusion device, the unit component of the polymer material is taken out and typically supplied to the mold above the male mold member. Thereafter, the male mold member and the female mold member are moved relative to each other to deform the unit component into the desired shape.

[0005] This type of apparatus is attached along a circular path defined by a rotary conveyor, for example, like the one described in Patent Document 1 by the same applicant as the present invention, and has a series of conveying units configured to cut a unit component from the extrusion device, hold it along the circular path, and release it above the male mold member.

[0006] These members are configured in the form of a blade that defines a flat surface for holding the unit component and an upper cutting edge configured to remove the unit component from the extrusion device.

[0007] For this purpose, the blade can also be provided with a series of suction holes for stably holding the unit component while moving along the circular path.

[0008] The blade is movably mounted on a rotary conveyor between two operating configurations: a first raising configuration for picking up a unit component and a second lowering configuration for releasing the unit component.

[0009] In the first acquisition configuration, the blade is oriented such that the surface faces the unit component at the outlet from the extruder and the planar extension is perpendicular to the forward direction along a circular path. Usually, the extruder feeds the unit component downward so that the advancing blade can block the unit component with its respective flat surface. In this case, the cutting edge faces the extruder to remove the unit component from the outlet nozzle of the extruder.

[0010] It should be noted that the unit component at the outlet from the extruder is in a semi-solid state obtained by heating the polymer material upstream of the extrusion nozzle.

[0011] Therefore, due to the semi-solid structure (molten material), the unit component remains attached to the flat surface of the blade and remains engaged with the blade during each conveying step.

[0012] Furthermore, the suction action from the holes facilitates the retention of the filling on the flat surface of the blade.

[0013] After picking up the unit component, the blade is lowered to the second release configuration. In this position, the surface is oriented such that the planar extension coincides with the forward direction of the circular path and faces the male member. Furthermore, in this state, the unit component faces downward.

[0014] As a result, the unit component falls and is positioned on the male member. The release of the unit component is also facilitated by interrupting the suction from the holes, and as a result, the unit component detaches from its respective surface due to gravity.

[0015] Once the unit component is released within the forming station, the blade is sent along a circular path. The blade is returned to the above-mentioned first acquisition state to acquire a new unit component.

[0016] However, the above-described prior art devices have several drawbacks mainly related to the plasticity of the unit component.

[0017] Due to thermal inertia, it should be noted that the unit component retains heat to reach a semi-solid state suitable for shaping after being obtained.

[0018] In this state, the chemical properties of the polymer material are such that they define a stable bond with the flat surface, resulting in difficulty in relative detachment for release from the mold.

[0019] In other words, the polymer material exiting the extrusion device is quite hot and tends to adhere to the surface of the blade, resulting in disadvantages in the subsequent release stage. In fact, in this case, simply interrupting the movement and suction action of the blade is insufficient to optimally and accurately drop the unit component onto the male member of the shaping means.

[0020] In addition to the above, it should also be noted that the blade on the upstream side of the extrusion device is still hot because there is a newly released unit component, and thus it is likely to bond to the flat surface of the new unit component.

[0021] This situation is determined by the heat exchange effect due to conduction between the unit component and the blade. Once the unit component is released, the blade that has absorbed heat from the unit component is immediately returned to the extrusion device, thus preventing it from returning to the ambient temperature.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0022]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0023] In such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0024] In such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0025] More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of correctly arranging each unit component within a molding apparatus.

[0026] Another object is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of correctly moving the unit component both during the relative steps for obtaining from the extrusion device and during the relative steps for transferring and releasing the unit component.

[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to adjust the temperature of the means for holding the unit component during at least the step of picking up the unit component.

[0028] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a dispensing device that dispenses a unit quantity of a polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding; a mold that receives the unit quantity and manufactures a concave object; a plurality of conveying units for each of the unit quantities, each configured to acquire each of the unit quantities from the dispensing device and release it to the mold; and a rotary conveyor that supports the plurality of conveying units so as to supply each of the plurality of conveying units along a closed path passing between the dispensing device and the mold in a forward direction so as to carry the unit quantity to the mold. Each of the plurality of conveying units is rotatably mounted on the rotary conveyor between an acquisition state in which the wall has a surface that intersects the forward direction and contacts the unit quantity to bend and acquire the unit quantity from the dispensing device, and a release state in which the wall is turned over so that the contact surface faces the mold and the unit quantity in the mold is released by gravity. The apparatus includes cooling means for each of the conveying units that cools the conveying units at least within the region of the closed path.

[0029] In this way, the acquisition unit dissipates the heat carried by the unit quantity made of the molten material, thereby preventing the joining of the unit quantities on the acquisition unit.

[0030] Preferably, the cooling means includes at least one unit that blows a cooling air flow and directs the cooling air flow toward the wall of the acquisition unit in each of the release states. The wall has a flat expansion portion that is cooled by means upstream of the dispensing device and faces the blowing means in the release state.

[0031] In this situation, the blowing means advantageously has a manifold having an arcuate expansion portion parallel to at least a part of the closed path intervening between the mold and the dispensing device in the forward direction of the conveying unit. The manifold has at least one nozzle that discharges the cooling air flow toward the wall.

[0032] In this way, each of the conveying units is cooled upstream of the dispensing device in order to acquire the unit quantity under optimum temperature conditions.

[0033] Advantageously, the cooling means additionally or alternatively has a duct for the passage of a cooling fluid formed inside the engaging wall in order to cool the wall along a circumferential path in each of the acquisition state and / or the release state.

[0034] In this way, the source for supplying the cooling fluid is in fluid communication with the inlet portion of the wall via a channel for supplying cooling air formed within the rotary conveyor, and the channel enables the cooling air to flow to the inlet portion during the fully closed path of the conveying unit.

[0035] Advantageously, the member is always cooled in order to control the temperature of the wall even when engaging with the unit quantity in a molten state.

[0036] Alternatively, the supply channel may have at least one arcuate portion corresponding to each corresponding angular portion of the closed path, and the supply channel enables the passage of cooling air to the inlet portion only when the member is in the angular portion of the closed path.

[0037] In this way, one or more regions of the closed path for adjusting the temperature of the acquisition unit can be selected to reset the optimum temperature of the wall for moving the unit quantity.

[0038] The present invention also includes a step of continuously dispensing a unit quantity of a polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding from a dispensing device, a step of acquiring the unit quantity from the dispensing device by a conveying unit corresponding to each of the unit quantities placed on a rotary conveyor, a step of supplying the conveying unit in a forward direction along a closed path from the dispensing device to a mold, and a step of creating a concave object by releasing the unit quantity into the mold, and further includes a step of cooling each of the conveying units during the step of supplying the conveying unit at least within the region of the closed path.

[0039] The cooling step is advantageously operated by sending at least one air flow towards each wall of the conveying part configured to engage with the unit component.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the step of cooling the conveying part is operated by distributing a cooling fluid inside each wall of the conveying part configured to engage with the unit component.

[0041] The cooling step is operable from outside the rotary conveyor by directing the air flow towards and / or flowing the air flow inside the wall of the acquisition part, and by guiding a cooling fluid into a channel formed in the wall.

[0042] In the latter case, the cooling action may be constant along the entire path of the conveying part along the closed path or only at one or more portions of the path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0043] The present invention can be better understood and implemented by referring to the accompanying drawings showing its non-limiting exemplary embodiments.

[0044]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0045] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for manufacturing a molded article made of a polymer material by compression molding. Objects that can be manufactured by this apparatus 1 are, for example, capsules for coffee, and concave objects such as bottles, glasses, bottles, bowls, etc., especially containers. Alternatively, the apparatus 1 can also be used to manufacture a parison designed to form a container by blow molding.

[0046] The apparatus 1 includes a dispensing device 2 for dispensing at least one polymer material. In the illustrated example, the dispensing device 2 includes an extrusion device 3 for dispensing a polymer material or a continuous extruded structure having a plurality of layers of different polymer materials.

[0047] The extrusion device 3 can include an extrusion head 4, from which a unit component “D” of the polymer material comes out in a form suitable for compression molding. In particular, the unit component “D” is in a molten state or at least partially molten state, and thus is semi-solid. Therefore, the unit component “D” from the extrusion head 4 schematically shown in FIG. 4 has a predetermined temperature designed to maintain the polymer in a viscous state suitable for the subsequent compression molding process.

[0048] Downstream of the dispensing device 2, a mold 5 for receiving the unit component “D” and manufacturing the above-mentioned object extends. The mold 5 is schematically illustrated in the form of a male punch 6 that defines a surface for supporting the unit component “D”. The male punch 6 is configured to be coupled to a female mold member (not shown in the drawing) of an appropriate shape in order to compress the unit component “D” to obtain the object to be manufactured. For this purpose, the unit component “D” must be positioned on the punch 6 in an accurate manner and always at a predetermined temperature that guarantees a semi-solid structure suitable for compression molding.

[0049] The unit component "D" is supplied from the device 2 to the mold 5 by a series of conveying parts 7 attached in an aligned state along the outer periphery of a support rotary conveyor 8 that can rotate about each rotation axis "X". The rotary conveyor 8 conveys each conveying part 7 in the forward direction "A" along a closed path "C" - preferably a circular path - passing between the dispensing device 2 and the mold 5.

[0050] Advantageously, each conveying part 7 is configured to acquire each unit component "D" from the dispensing device 2 and release it onto the punch 6 of the mold 5.

[0051] More specifically, each conveying part 7 bends the unit component "D" coming out of the head 4 and advances it towards the mold 5 while advancing along the path "C" (Figure 3). When the unit component is released onto the punch 6, the conveying part 7 is conveyed along the path "C" and moves back to the dispensing device 2, where it bends a new unit component "D".

[0052] Preferably, each conveying part 7 is provided with a wall 9 for engaging with the unit component "D", which is designed to contact the unit component "D" and hold the unit component "D" while moving along the path "C".

[0053] The wall 9 is preferably flat and can be provided with a series of suction holes 10 (as shown in Figure 6) that are advantageous for holding the unit component "D". In this case, the holes 10 are in fluid communication with a suction source configured to suck air and precisely define a negative pressure on the wall 9 to advantageously hold the unit component "D". The holes 10 can also be provided for blowing air in order to facilitate the step of removing and cutting the unit component "D" from the wall 9.

[0054] In this case, when reaching the mold 5, the holes allow air to be ejected outwards, whereby the unit component "D" is pushed to peel off from the wall 9 in order to be positioned on the punch 9.

[0055] Further, each conveying unit 7 is rotatably mounted on a rotary conveyor 8 between an acquisition state (well shown in FIG. 3) in which the wall 9 has a contact surface 9a with a unit component “D” whose wall 9 is oriented in the lateral direction with respect to the forward direction “A”, and a state (well shown in FIG. 2) in which the wall 9 releases the unit component “D” with the contact surface 9a turned towards the mold 5. Advantageously, in the acquisition state, the wall 9 blocks the unit component “D” and removes it from the dispensing device 2, while in the release position, the wall 9 drops the unit component “D” into the mold 5.

[0056] In other words, in order to oppose the wall 9 to the unit component “D” and lower the wall 9 with the mold 5 facing the punch 6, the member 7 is preferably rotated by 90° by a movement system such as a cam system attached to the rotary conveyor.

[0057] It should be noted that the wall 9 has a planar extension, and in the acquisition state where it faces the unit component “D”, the upper cutting edge of the wall 9 separates the unit component “D” from the remaining part of the extruded material.

[0058] It should also be noted that the wall 9 is arranged in the acquisition state only when it is near the dispensing device 2 and immediately descends when it is near the mold 5. For this reason, in most of the path “C” along which each member 7 moves, the wall 9 is arranged in a release state where the flat surface 9a faces downward. In this regard, it should be noted that all the walls 9 in the release state are arranged on the same plane and face downward.

[0059] The device 1 also includes means 11 for cooling each conveying unit 7 in order to cool the conveying unit 7 at least in the region of the closed path “C”.

[0060] More specifically, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the cooling means 11 includes at least one blower unit 12 arranged in front of the rotary conveyor to generate a flow of cooling air.

[0061] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air flow is directed towards the wall 9 of each member 7 in each release state. In fact, in this case, the wall 9 of the discharge condition has a planar extension facing the blower unit 12 so as to be struck by the air flow. Advantageously, the air flow cools the wall 9 upstream of the dispensing device 2, that is, before each wall 9 acquires the unit component "D".

[0062] Advantageously, particularly with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the blower unit 12 comprises a box-shaped converging body 13 having an arcuate geometry parallel to at least one part "T1" of a closed path "C" intervening between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 in the forward direction "A" of the conveying part 7.

[0063] The manifold 13 has an upper surface 13a facing the conveying part 7 sliding on the above-mentioned extension part T1 and has at least one nozzle 14 for discharging the cooling air flow.

[0064] Preferably, a plurality of nozzles 14 spaced apart from each other and aligned along the above-mentioned arcuate part "T1" are provided to dispense each air flow in a homogeneous manner towards the wall 9 of each member 7 along the part "T1" of the closed path "C" intervening in the forward direction "A" between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2.

[0065] It should be noted that in the above-mentioned part "T1", the wall 9 of the member 7 faces its respective release state (FIG. 2). In fact, in this situation, the walls 9 of the member 7 advancing in the extension "T1" have extensions coplanar with each other and face the upper surface 13a of the manifold 13 so as to be struck by the flow of cooling air.

[0066] The air flow is cooled by a water heat exchanger 16 schematically shown only in FIGS. 4 and 5 in order to supply air pressurized and cooled at a predetermined temperature into the manifold.

[0067] For this purpose, the manifold 13 preferably includes, inside thereof, a duct 15 for a cooling air passage for fluidly connecting the heat exchanger 16 to the nozzle 14.

[0068] The passage duct 15 includes a main branch 15a extending longitudinally along the manifold 13 and a series of auxiliary branches 15b branching from the main branch 15a towards the respective nozzles 14. The main branch 15a is also connected to the heat exchanger 16 by a suitable air passage schematically shown in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, it should be noted that the pneumatic passages shown in the accompanying drawings are shown only by way of non-limiting examples. Accordingly, the pneumatic passages may be connected to any part of the passage duct 15.

[0069] In addition to or instead of the above, the cooling means 11 also includes a duct 17 for a cooling fluid passage formed inside the wall 9 of each transport part 7.

[0070] The passage duct 17 supplies fluid so as to cool the inside of the wall 9 while the fluid is supplied along the circumferential path "C" in each acquisition state and / or release state.

[0071] In particular, as better shown by FIGS. 6, 7a, and 7b, the passage duct 17 includes an inflow part 17a configured to supply cooling fluid from a supply source 18 towards the inside of the wall 9, an outflow part 17b of the fluid heated inside the wall 9 configured such that the hot fluid flows towards the outside of the wall 9, and a plurality of heat exchange parts 17c extending between the inflow part 17a and the outflow part 17b. In this way, the fluid in the exchange part 17c absorbs the heat transmitted by the wall 9 to lower the temperature of the wall 9.

[0072] As a result, the cold fluid in the inflow part 17a is heated in the heat exchange part 17c and flows out of the wall 9 from the outflow part 17b.

[0073] Advantageously, the heat exchange parts 17c are parallel to each other and extend into the region of the wall 19 corresponding to the region for coupling with the unit component "D".

[0074] In other words, the heat exchange part 17c is accommodated in the wall region 19 where the unit component "D" is engaged by the wall 9. Advantageously, the above-described suction holes and / or blowout holes 10 are provided in the region 19. It should be noted from the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 7a and 7b that the region 19 is determined by the cavity 20 of the wall 9 that defines a reduced cross-section where the thickness of the wall 9 is much smaller to promote heat exchange with the cooling fluid.

[0075] As a result, in the state of acquiring and holding the unit component "D", the heat transferred from the unit component "D" to the wall 9 is absorbed by the fluid in the heat exchange duct 17c, and as a result, the temperature of the wall 9 to be cooled is controlled.

[0076] Advantageously, the cooling fluid may be a cooling liquid.

[0077] The supply source 18 schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 preferably comprises a water heat exchanger in fluid communication with the inlet portion 17a and the outlet portion 17b so as to cool the fluid (high temperature) coming from the outlet portion 17b and supply the cooled fluid to the inlet portion 17a.

[0078] For this purpose, the supply source 18 is made in the rotary conveyor 8 and is in fluid communication with the inlet portion 17a by a series of flow paths 21 for supplying cold fluid, which are only schematically shown (FIG. 1).

[0079] In this way, each flow path 21 extends radially from the center of the rotary conveyor connected to the supply source toward each member 7, and enables the passage of cold fluid to each inlet portion 17a formed in each wall 9 during the entire closed path "C" along which the conveying portion 7 moves.

[0080] Advantageously, the wall 9 is always thermally adjusted, stably maintained at an optimal temperature, and dissipates the heat generated by the unit component "D".

[0081] According to a further embodiment of FIG. 1, there is also at least one curved cavity 22 corresponding to each angular portion “T2” of the closed path “C”. The arcuate cavities 22 are always made in the fixed region of the rotary conveyor 8 so as to be in fluid communication with the source 8 and can be selectively connected to the channel 21 only when each member 7 passes through in the above-described angular portion “T2”.

[0082] In other words, the inlet flow path 21 allows the passage of cold fluid from the supply source 18 to the inlet portion 17a only when each flow path 21 is arranged to communicate with the cavity 22.

[0083] In this way, the internal cooling of the wall 9 occurs only when the member 7 passes through the angular portion T2, and thus only in a part of the closed path “C”.

[0084] Preferably, two or more cavities 22 can be provided to cool each wall 9 two or more times while each member 7 is being supplied along the path “C”.

[0085] Therefore, the position and size of each curved cavity 22 determine the position and time of the cooling action of the wall 9. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a single cavity 22 that allows the passage of the cooling fluid for the device 2 and the mold 5 (angular portion “T2”). However, it should be noted that the cavity 22 can have any position or length depending on the specific cooling action of the wall 9.

[0086] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the cooling means 11 can be constituted by a system that distributes the suction and blowing of the unit component “D”. In this case, the suction / blowing air passing through the hole 10 is also used for thermal adjustment and is also used to provide the action of cooling the wall 9 in the portion between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 of the unit component “D”.

[0087] The present invention also relates to a method for compression molding an object made of a polymer material. This method - Continuously dispensing a unit amount "D" of a polymer material having a shape suitable for compression molding from the dispensing device 2; - Using each conveying unit 7 attached to the rotary conveyor 8 to obtain the unit amount "D" from the discharging device 2; - Sending the member 7 from the dispensing device 2 to the mold 5 along the forward direction A and the closed path "C"; - Releasing the unit amount within the mold 5 to form a concave-shaped object; - During the step of advancing the member 7, the step of cooling each conveying unit 7 is also included at least in the regions T1 and T2 of the closed path "C".

[0088] In particular, the step of cooling the conveying unit 7 is actuated by blowing at least one air flow towards the wall 9 of each member 7 configured to engage and hold the unit amount "D".

[0089] The step of blowing the air flow is actuated by blowing a plurality of pressurized air jets arranged to be aligned along the arc-shaped portion "T1" of the path "C" intervening between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 in the forward direction "A" of the conveying unit 7.

[0090] The air flow is dispensed towards the wall 9 of the conveying unit 7, and at this time, the conveying unit 7 is directed towards each discharge state of the unit amount "D". Advantageously, in the discharge state, the wall 9 is turned over so that the planar extension is parallel to the forward direction "A" along the path "C". Further, in the release state, the walls 9 are in the same plane as each other so as to oppose the air flow colliding with the surface of each wall 9.

[0091] It should be noted that advantageously, the cooling action is performed upstream of the dispensing device 2, and thus before the step of obtaining the unit amount "D". In this way, each wall 9 is thermally adjusted (cooled) to obtain and hold the unit amount "D" in an optimal state from a thermal perspective, and as a result, the unit amount "D" is also cooled.

[0092] In addition to or instead of what has been described above, the step of cooling the conveying unit 7 operates by distributing a cooling fluid inside the wall 9 of each member 7.

[0093] In this case, the cooling heat flux is not incident on the wall 9 from the outside as described above, but is distributed inside the wall 9.

[0094] Preferably, the step of distributing the cooling fluid inside the wall 9 is operated by supplying the fluid through a plurality of heat exchange portions 7c formed inside the wall 9, and the fluid absorbs the heat transmitted from the dose D through the wall 9, thus reducing the temperature of the wall 9.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of cooling the inside of the wall 9 is always operated while the member 7 advances along the entire circumferential path "C" and in each state for acquiring and discharging the unit component "D".

[0096] Alternatively, according to a further embodiment, the step of distributing the cooling fluid into the wall 9 is operated during the passage of each member 7 in at least one angular sector "T2" of the closed path "C". In this way, the wall 9 may be cooled for a length of time that is simultaneous with or even before the step of acquiring and depositing the unit component "D".

[0097] Therefore, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and brings important advantages.

[0098] First, it should be noted that the wall 9 of the conveying unit 7 is thermally adjusted to absorb part of the heat of the unit component "D" extruded in a semi-solid state.

[0099] In this way, the temperature of the cooled wall 9 can also lower the temperature of the unit component "D", and in any case, it is maintained in a semi-solid state suitable for compression molding, while adhesion to the wall 9 is avoided.

[0100] Therefore, by the cooling action of the wall 9 that also determines the cooling of the unit component "D", the wall 9 can be moved and the suction can be interrupted as necessary, so that the unit component "D" can be easily peeled off. Accordingly, the unit component "D" can be accurately placed on the punch 6 in an optimal manner.

[0101] Furthermore, since the device can cool the wall 9 from the outside by the air flowing out of the manifold 13 and / or by the internal cooling of the wall 9, it is very versatile.

[0102] Also, it is possible to determine the cooling area between the paths "C" according to specific requirements, the properties of the polymer, and the tendency of the molten material to adhere to the wall 9.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for dispensing a unit quantity of a polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding, a mold for manufacturing a concave object by receiving the unit quantity, a plurality of transport units for each of the unit quantities, each configured to acquire each of the unit quantities from the dispensing device and release them to the mold, a rotary conveyor that supports the plurality of transport units so as to carry the unit quantity to the mold and supplies each of the plurality of transport units in a forward direction along a closed path passing between the dispensing device and the mold, the device comprising: each of the plurality of transport units includes a wall, the wall having a surface that intersects the forward direction and contacts the unit quantity, thereby bending the unit quantity from the dispensing device to acquire it in an acquisition state, and the wall being turned over so that the contact surface faces the mold, and engaging with the unit quantity rotatably placed on the rotary conveyor between the acquisition state of releasing the unit quantity in the mold by gravity and the state of releasing the unit quantity, further comprising cooling means for each of the transport units for cooling the transport unit at least within the region of the closed path, device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means includes at least one unit that blows a cooling air flow and directs the cooling air flow toward the wall in each release state, and the wall has a flat expansion portion facing the blowing unit that is cooled by the unit upstream of the dispensing device in the release state.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blowing unit has a manifold having an arcuate expansion portion parallel to at least a part of the closed path intervening between the mold and the dispensing device in the forward direction of the transport unit, and the manifold has at least one nozzle that discharges the cooling air flow toward the wall.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the manifold has a plurality of nozzles that discharge an air flow along at least a part of the closed path intervening between the mold and the dispensing device while being spaced apart from each other, and the wall is in the release state.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling means includes a water heat exchanger that cools the air upstream of the manifold, and the manifold has therein a duct for passage of the cooling air that fluidly connects the water heat exchanger and the nozzle.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooling means has a plurality of holes for suction and / or blowing of the unit component formed in the contact surface, and the holes enable cooling of the wall during suction and / or blowing of the unit component by allowing air to act thereon.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cooling means has a duct for passage of a cooling fluid formed inside the wall to cool the wall along a circumferential path in each of the acquisition state and / or the release state.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the duct for passage includes an inflow portion that supplies the cooling fluid from a source that supplies the fluid inside the wall, an outflow portion for the fluid that is heated inside the wall so that the fluid flows out toward the outside of the wall, and a plurality of heat exchange portions extending between the inflow portion and the outflow portion, and the fluid in the plurality of heat exchange portions absorbs the heat transmitted from the unit component to reduce the temperature of the wall.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of heat exchange portions are parallel to each other and extend within a region of the wall where the unit component contacts internally.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the source includes a water heat exchanger that fluidly communicates with the inflow portion and the outflow portion to cool the fluid from the outflow portion and supply the cooled fluid to the inflow portion.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the source fluidly communicates with the inflow portion through a channel that supplies the cooling fluid formed in the rotary conveyor, and the channel enables cooled air to flow to the inflow portion in a fully closed path of the conveying portion.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the supply source is in fluid communication with the inlet through a channel for supplying a cooling fluid created within the rotary conveyor, the supply channel having at least one curved cavity corresponding to an angular portion of the path, and the supply channel enabling cooled fluid to pass towards the inlet only when the member is located at the angular portion of the closed path.

13. continuously dispensing a unit component of a polymeric material in a form suitable for compression molding from a dispensing device; acquiring the unit component from the dispensing device by a conveying part corresponding to each of the unit components placed on a rotary conveyor; feeding the conveying part in a forward direction along a closed path from the dispensing device to a mold; forming a concave object by releasing the unit component into the mold; The method further includes a step of cooling each of the conveying parts during the step of feeding the conveying parts at least within the region of the closed path.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the cooling step is actuated by sending at least one air flow towards each wall of the conveying part configured to engage with the unit component.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the step of sending the air flow is actuated by dispensing a plurality of pressurized jets positioned to be aligned along an arcuate portion of the path intervening between the mold and the dispensing device in the forward direction of the conveying part.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the air flow is supplied towards the wall of the conveying part that takes the state of releasing the unit component, and the wall is turned so that the planar expansion part is parallel to the forward direction.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the step of cooling the conveying part is actuated by distributing a cooling fluid inside each wall of the conveying part configured to engage with the unit component.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the cooling step is actuated while the conveying part advances along a circumferential path in each of the acquisition state and / or the release state.

19. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is actuated by supplying the fluid through a plurality of heat exchange portions formed inside the wall, so that the fluid absorbs the heat transferred from the unit component and reduces the temperature of the wall.

20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is actuated while each of the conveying portions is present in the entire path of the closed path.

21. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is actuated while each of the conveying portions passes through at least one angular portion of the path.

Images