Male element of the mold

Abstract

The male element (100) of the mold (10) for compression molding a parison comprises a die (110) and a duct system (117) disposed within the die (110) to allow a cooling fluid to flow within the male element (100), the die (110) comprising a body (112) and a liner (116) attached around the body (112), the liner (116 having an outer surface that cooperates with the female element (200) of the mold (10) to define a forming cavity (20) and an inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the body (112), the duct system (117) being formed between the body (112) and the liner (116).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a male element of a mold, a mold, a forming and blow molding machine and a method for compression and blow molding a parison. [Background technology]

[0002] In the prior art, machines are known that are configured to form a parison by molding and to blow the parison to obtain a container. More specifically, from patent documents WO2008 / 110887A2 and WO2007107822A2 in the name of the applicant, machines are known that are configured to form a parison by compression molding and to blow mold it. The machine comprises a number of moulds, each mould comprising a male element and a female element that are configured to form a parison by compression molding. After moulding, the female element is detached from the male element and the parison remains hanging on the male element. The parison is then stretched with a stretch rod that is extractable from the female element and is then blown into a blow moulding cavity to obtain a container.

[0003] Patent document US10781010B2 also discloses a machine configured to form a parison by compression molding and then blow molding it.Patent document US8790112B2 discloses a machine configured to form a parison by injection molding and then blow molding it.

[0004] Prior art forming and blow molding machines require waiting for the parison to cool before proceeding to blow molding. First, the parison immediately after forming by molding is very hot and must be cooled before blow molding. The cooling must be as uniform as possible to ensure that the container is of high quality and must be fast to reduce cycle times. This need for cooling is especially felt when forming is done by compression.

[0005] Other documents showing male elements of a mould are JP2011230293A1 and EP3666493A1. JP2011230293A1 describes a circuit for cooling the male elements of a mould, the circuit only intended to cool the neck of the preform, and not the entire preform. Instead, the document EP3666493A1 relates to injection moulding. Summary of the Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a male element of a mold, a mold, a forming and blow molding machine, and a method for compression molding and blow molding of a parison to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] This object is fully achieved by the male element, the mould, the machine and the method of the present disclosure as characterised in the appended claims.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to male elements of a mold.

[0009] The mold is configured to form a parison. Preferably, the mold is configured to compression mold the parison from a charge of pre-prepared thermoplastic material, although the present disclosure is also applicable to injection molding or injection compression molding male elements.

[0010] The male element is associable with a female element of a mold to define a forming cavity in which the parison is formed. For example, the male element may define an upper mold half and the female element may define a lower mold half (or the male element may define the lower mold half and the female element may define the upper mold half), and the male and female elements are movable toward and away from each other between an open position in which they receive a charge of thermoplastic material and a closed position in which they define a forming cavity for shaping the charge of material to form the parison. Preferably, the charge is received by the lower mold half. For example, the charge may be extruded onto the lower mold half by a charge extruder.

[0011] The male element includes a die that extends along a longitudinal axis.

[0012] The male element (or, more precisely, the die) comprises a duct system arranged inside the die to allow a cooling fluid to flow inside the male element. The cooling fluid may be, for example, water.

[0013] The die comprises a body and a liner attached around the body. The body has an outer surface facing the liner. The liner has an outer surface that cooperates with a female element of the mold to define a forming cavity and an inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the body. A duct system is preferably formed between the body and the liner.

[0014] In one example, the duct system is defined by (or includes one or more ducts so defined by) portions of the body and liner that contact each other. In one example, either (or both) of the inner surface of the liner and the outer surface of the body are grooved to form the duct system (i.e., to form one or more ducts of the duct system).

[0015] The body extends longitudinally to a body tip that is operatively oriented toward the female element of the mold. The body has a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the second portion being proximal to the body tip (the first portion being distal from the body tip). An outer surface of the body that contacts a corresponding inner surface of the liner is provided on both the first and second portions of the body.

[0016] The duct system comprises one or more channels (or ducts) that interrupt the interface between the inner surface of the liner and the outer surface of the body, which interface is preferably also provided in the second portion of the body.

[0017] The duct system is configured to create or provide fluid circulation within one or more ducts (ie, within channels) such that a flow of cooling liquid follows a predetermined flow path through the ducts.

[0018] Preferably, the outer surface of the body is grooved to form a surface with a plurality of indentations that act with corresponding portions of the inner surface of the liner to define a duct system. The outer surface of the body also has a non-indented contact or support zone that contacts the liner. The structure defined by the liner and the grooved body attached and supported about the body allows the liner to be made relatively thin, and therefore has low thermal resistance and thereby good cooling efficiency.

[0019] Preferably, the duct system comprises a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves may be connected to each other in series or in parallel, or may be connected partially in series and partially in parallel. It is noted that the outer surface of the body preferably includes a plurality of support zones in contact with the inner surface of the liner. The plurality of support zones alternate with the plurality of grooves. In other words, each groove is disposed between a first and a second support zone of the plurality of support zones.

[0020] Preferably, the entire outer surface of the body that does not form part of the recessed surface is in contact with the liner, and thus the entire outer surface that does not define the recess defines a support zone between the liner and the body.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the duct system defines at least one helix wound about the longitudinal axis.

[0022] In one embodiment, the duct system comprises a delivery duct for circulating cooling fluid towards one end of the die and a return duct for circulating cooling fluid back from that end of the die, hi another embodiment, the duct system comprises one of the delivery duct and the return duct, and the other of the delivery duct and the return duct is formed inside the body of the die.

[0023] Preferably, at least one of the delivery duct and the return duct defines a plurality of passages about the longitudinal axis. For example, at least one of the delivery duct and the return duct may have the shape of a coil, such that each curved surface defines a passage.

[0024] Preferably, at least one of the delivery duct and the return duct has a helical or spiral shape wound around the longitudinal axis. Each turn of the helix thus defines a passage. More specifically, the delivery duct has a first helical shape wound around the longitudinal axis and the return duct has a second helical shape wound around the longitudinal axis. Preferably, at least one turn of the first helix is ​​disposed along the longitudinal axis between a first turn and a second turn of the second helix. Similarly, at least one turn of the second helix is ​​disposed along the longitudinal axis between a first turn and a second turn of the first helix.

[0025] The duct system may also comprise or define a plurality of delivery ducts and / or a plurality of return ducts. For example, there may be one delivery duct formed in the longitudinal cavity of the body of the die and extending along the longitudinal axis, and one or more return ducts may be defined in the duct system between the liner and the body of the die. More specifically, the one or more return ducts may be defined by a helical groove or by a plurality of grooves extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and connected in parallel to each other.

[0026] Preferably, the male element comprises an outlet manifold connected to the outlet duct and a return manifold connected to the return duct. The outlet and return manifolds extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the male element comprises a single outlet manifold and a single return manifold. Preferably, the outlet and return manifolds are arranged inside the body, i.e., they are defined by channels in the body. Thus, in one embodiment, there is a first zone of the male element distal to the end of the die, in which the cooling fluid flows inside the body, through the outlet and return manifolds parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second zone of the male element proximal to the end of the die, in which the cooling fluid flows according to multiple paths (i.e., turns or turns) in the ducts between the liner and the body.

[0027] In one embodiment, the male element comprises a support structure (or top) and the die is retractable, i.e. movable, relative to the support structure and can therefore move between a retracted position, in which it contributes together with the support structure to define the forming cavity, and an extended position configured to stretch the parison. In the retracted position, the die is close to the support structure, and in the extended position, it is away from the support structure. More specifically, the die is connected to the end of a rod (itself forming part of the male element) that is slidably inserted into the support structure. Thus, in this embodiment, it is the die itself that moves to stretch the parison after forming it. In another embodiment, the die has a longitudinal cavity in its interior, which extends along the longitudinal axis and has at one end a socket in communication with the longitudinal cavity. The male element also comprises a stretch rod that is slidably inserted into the longitudinal cavity, the stretch rod including an end portion at one end. The stretch rods are movable relative to the die between a retracted position, in which the end portions are received within the sockets and contribute to defining the forming cavity with the die, and an extracted position, in which the end portions are withdrawn from the sockets to stretch the parison. Thus, in this embodiment, the die remains stationary (relative to the top or support structure) after forming the parison, and the stretch rods are withdrawn from the die to stretch the parison.

[0028] The present disclosure also provides a mold. The mold is configured for forming and blow molding a parison. Preferably, the mold is configured for compression molding the parison from a charge of thermoplastic material. However, the mold may also be configured for injection molding or injection compression molding the parison.

[0029] The mold comprises a male element according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The mold comprises a female element associable with the male element to define a forming cavity for forming a parison. The mold also comprises a blow molding cavity associable with the male element in place of the female element to define a blow molding cavity for forming a container from the parison.

[0030] The mold has a forming configuration (i.e., is operable in a forming configuration) in which the male element is associated with the female element. In the forming configuration, the blow molding cavity is spaced apart from the male element. In embodiments in which there is a forming rod that is movable relative to the die, the stretch rod is in a retracted position in the forming configuration. In embodiments in which the die is movable relative to the top of the male element, the die is adjacent to the top in the forming configuration.

[0031] The mold has a stretch and blow molding configuration (i.e., is operable in the stretch and blow molding configuration) in which a male element is associated with the blow molding cavity. In the stretch and blow molding configuration, the female element is spaced apart from the male element. In embodiments in which there is a forming rod that is movable relative to the die, the stretch rod is in an extended position in the stretch and blow molding configuration. In embodiments in which the die is movable relative to the top of the male element, the die is withdrawn or spaced apart from the top in the stretch and blow molding configuration.

[0032] The mould also has a charge receiving arrangement where the female element is spaced from the male element to receive the charge. Preferably, the mould receives the charge from a charge insertion device which inserts the mould into the cavity of the female element. Preferably, the charge insertion device expels the charge into the cavity of the female element.

[0033] Preferably, the male element die is located at the same vertical height in the forming configuration as in the stretch and blow molding configuration, while the stretch rods move downwards after being pulled out for stretching, so that the parison does not perform a downward movement after forming and before being stretched (indeed, the parison remains attached to the die).

[0034] The present disclosure also provides a forming and blow molding machine comprising a plurality of molds according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The machine preferably comprises a rotating carousel having a plurality of molds arranged on a circular periphery of the rotating carousel, preferably equally spaced apart.

[0035] The present disclosure also provides a method for forming and blow molding a parison. Preferably, the parison is formed by compression molding. The method thus preferably includes the steps of receiving a charge of pre-prepared thermoplastic material in a mold and forming the parison from the charge. In other embodiments, the parison may be formed by injection molding or injection compression molding.

[0036] The parison is formed in a forming cavity defined by male and female elements of the mold. The male element comprises a die extending along a longitudinal axis and a duct system disposed within the die to allow a cooling fluid to flow within the male element. The die comprises a body and a liner attached about the body. The liner has an outer surface that acts with the female element of the mold to define the forming cavity and an inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the body. The duct system is formed between the body and the liner. In other words, the duct system is defined by the outer surface of the body and the inner surface of the liner. The method includes the step of cooling the die by passing a cooling fluid through the duct system.

[0037] In one embodiment, the cooling fluid flows in the delivery duct towards one end of the die and in the return duct back from that end of the die. Preferably, at least one of the delivery duct and the return duct defines a plurality of passages about the longitudinal axis. More specifically, the delivery duct has a first helical shape wound about the longitudinal axis and / or the return duct has a second helical shape wound about the longitudinal axis. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] These and other characteristics will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a mold according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in a forming configuration. [Figure 1B] 1B shows the male element of the mold of FIG. 1A with the stretch rod in the withdrawn position. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1B shows the body of the male element of the mold of FIG. 1A. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates a further embodiment of a mold according to the present disclosure in a forming configuration. [Figure 3B] 3B shows the male element of the mold of FIG. 3A with the die in the extracted position. [Figure 4A] 3B shows the body of the male element of the mold of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4B] 4B shows a longitudinal cross section of the body of FIG. 4A. [Figure 5A] 3B shows a further embodiment of the body of the male element of the mold of FIG. 3A. [Figure 5B] 5B shows a longitudinal cross section of the body of FIG. 5A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 10 designates a mold.

[0040] The mold 10 comprises a male element 100 and a female element 200 which are movable between an open configuration in which they are separated to receive a charge and a closed configuration in which they are brought closer together to define a forming cavity 20 for forming a parison from the charge.

[0041] The mold 10 also includes a blow molding cavity (not shown) that is associable with the male element 100 in place of the female element 200 to form a container from the parison.

[0042] The male element 100 comprises a die 110. The die 110 extends along a longitudinal axis to an end 110A. The die 110 protrudes from the remainder of the male element 100 along the longitudinal axis A. The die 110 thus forms a protruding portion of the male element 100, configured to be inserted into the female element 200. The die 110 comprises a body 112. The die 110 also comprises a cooling circuit 114 configured to channel a cooling fluid into the die 110. The die 110 comprises a liner 116 mounted around the body 112. A duct system 117, which forms part of the cooling circuit 114, is formed between the liner 116 and the body 112. More specifically, the body 112 is curved inwardly to have one or more recessed surfaces that define the duct system 117 together with a corresponding portion of the liner 116. The body 112 also has a groove-free zone that defines a support surface 112A on which the liner 116 is supported. In other words, the liner 116 contacts the body 112 at the support surface 112A.

[0043] The cooling circuit 114 comprises delivery ducts 117A, 119 for guiding the fluid close to the end 110A of the die 110 and a return duct 117B for guiding the fluid returning from the end 110A of the die 110. Preferably, at least one of the delivery ducts 117A, 119 and the return duct 117B has a helical shape wound around the longitudinal axis A.

[0044] In one embodiment, the delivery duct 117A has a first helical shape wound around the longitudinal axis A, and the return duct 117B has a second helical shape wound around the longitudinal axis A. The first and second helices are wound around each other. Thus, at least one turn of the first helical is arranged between two successive turns of the second helical, and at least one turn of the second helical is arranged between two successive turns of the first helical. The helical delivery duct 117A and the return duct 117B are arranged in a zone of the die 110 whose cross section converges towards the end 110A. In one embodiment, the cooling circuit 114 also comprises a delivery manifold 117A' connected to the delivery duct 117A for consolidating the flow of cooling fluid, and a return manifold 117B' connected to the return duct 117B for extracting the cooling fluid therefrom. The delivery manifold 117A' and the return manifold 117B' extend parallel to the longitudinal axis A'. Thus, the cooling fluid flows down the delivery manifold 117A', along the delivery ducts 117A to near the end 110A of the die 110, and then along the return ducts 117B and up the return manifold 117B'.

[0045] Thus, in this embodiment, the duct system 117 between the body 112 and the liner 116 defines a delivery duct 117A and a return duct 117B for the cooling fluid. Preferably, a support surface 112A is defined between each turn of the delivery duct 117A and an adjacent turn of the return duct 117B.

[0046] In one embodiment, a central delivery duct 119 is formed in a cavity within the die extending along the longitudinal axis A, and a return duct 117B is defined by a duct system 117 between the body 112 and the liner 116. Thus, in this embodiment, the cooling fluid flows through the central delivery duct 119, down the interior of the body 112, and back through the return duct 117B between the body 112 and the liner 116.

[0047] In one embodiment, the return duct 117B formed between the body 112 and the liner 116 may be spiral or helical in shape. The duct system 117 thus defines a number of turns about the longitudinal axis A. In this case, the duct system 117 thus includes a number of passages connected in series with one another. A non-recessed support surface 112A where the body 112 contacts the liner 116 is defined between each turn and the next.

[0048] In one embodiment, the return duct 117B formed between the body 112 and the liner 116 may be defined by a number of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis A. The grooves are connected to one another in parallel. Thus, in this case, the duct system 117 includes a number of passages connected to one another in parallel.

[0049] Other variations in the shape of the delivery and return ducts that are not shown are also possible. In an exemplary embodiment, both the delivery and return ducts may include a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis and connected in parallel to each other. In another exemplary embodiment, the delivery duct is defined by a helical duct system between the body and the liner, while the return duct is formed in a cavity in the body of the die. In another exemplary embodiment, one of the delivery and return ducts is formed in an internal cavity in the body of the die, and the other of the delivery and return ducts is defined by a turn formed between the body and the liner. The turn may be composed of a plurality of grooves extending along the longitudinal axis and connected in series to each other.

[0050] In one embodiment, the die 110 has a socket 111 or recess at its longitudinal end 110A. In this embodiment, the die 110 has a longitudinal cavity 113 therein, extending along a longitudinal axis A. The longitudinal cavity 113 is formed in the body 112 of the die 110. The longitudinal cavity 113 is in communication with, i.e., open to, the socket 111. In this embodiment, the male element 100 also comprises a stretch rod 120 slidably inserted into the longitudinal cavity 113. The stretch rod 120 has an elongated body extending along the longitudinal axis A and a terminal portion 121 connected to one end of the elongated body. The terminal portion 121 is wider than the elongated body. Preferably, the longitudinal cross section of the terminal portion 121 becomes progressively wider as it moves away from the elongated body. The stretch rod 120 is movable between a stored configuration in which the elongated body is inserted into the longitudinal cavity 113 and the end portion 121 is inserted into the socket 111, and an extended position in which the elongated body is partially withdrawn from the longitudinal cavity 113 and the end portion 121 is withdrawn from the socket 111. Note that the end portion 121 is larger in cross section than the longitudinal cavity 113 and therefore cannot enter the longitudinal cavity 113. Preferably, the end portion 121 is flared. This embodiment is shown by way of example in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0051] In this embodiment, the die 110 acts together with the female element 200 and the end portion 121 of the stretch rod to form the bottom and sidewalls of the parison, while the support structure 150 acts together with the female element 200 to form the neck of the parison.

[0052] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the stretch rod 120 is spaced apart from the wall of the body 112 that defines the longitudinal cavity 113. There is therefore a gap 115 between the stretch rod and the wall of the body 112 that defines the longitudinal cavity 113. The gap 115 has a tubular shape around the stretch rod 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the gap 115 is wider in a zone far from the end 110A of the die 110 and narrower in a zone closer to the end 110A of the die 110. The gap 115 is configured to direct the air flow used to blow the parison. In practice, once the parison is formed, it is blown to form a container. The gap 115 extends along the longitudinal axis A to the socket 111 and has an outlet 115A where the blowing air is released. When the stretch rod 120 is in the retracted position, the end portion 121 blocks the outlet 115A. When the stretch rod 120 is in the extended position, the outlet 115 A is open, allowing the blow molding air to flow from the gap 115 .

[0053] In this embodiment, preferably, both the delivery duct 117A and the return duct 117B of the cooling circuit 114 are defined by a duct system 117 between the body 112 and the liner 116. In practice, it is not easy to form ducts in the body 112 of the die 110, since the body 112 of the die 110 includes a cavity 113 for the stretch rod 120.

[0054] In one embodiment, the die 110 is movable relative to the support structure (or top) 150 of the male element 100. In this embodiment, the support structure 150 has a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis A. The male element 100 also comprises a rod 151 slidably inserted into the longitudinal cavity of the support structure 150. The rod 151 has one end fixed to the die 110. Thus, the die 110 is movable relative to the support structure 150 between a retracted position in which the die 110 contacts the support structure 150 to form the parison, and an extended position in which the die 110 is away from the support structure 150 to stretch the parison. In this embodiment, the forming cavity 20 is defined by the female element 200, the die 110 and the support structure 150. More specifically, in this embodiment, the die 110 acts in conjunction with the female element 200 to form the bottom and sidewalls of the parison, while the support structure 150 acts in conjunction with the female element 200 to form the neck of the parison.

[0055] This embodiment may include blowing air ducts, not shown, inside the body 112 of the die 110 and the rods 151. Alternatively, the blowing air may be directed through the gap between the rods 151 and the support structure 150.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cooling circuit 114 preferably includes a central delivery duct 119 inside the die 110 and a return duct 117B between the body 112 and the liner 116. Alternatively, the delivery duct may be defined between the body and the liner and the return duct may be inside the die. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0057] [Patent Document 1] WO2008 / 110887A2 [Patent Document 2] WO2007107822A2 [Patent Document 3] US10781010B2 [Patent Document 4] US8790112B2

Patent document 5

Patent document 6

Claims

1. A male element (100) of a mold (10) for compression molding a parison from a charge of a previously prepared thermoplastic material, comprising: The male element (100) is associable with a female element (200) of said mold (10) to define a forming cavity (20) for forming said parison; A die (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (A); a duct system (117) disposed within said die (110) to allow a cooling fluid to flow within said male element (100); The die (110) comprises: a body (112) having an outer surface; a liner (116) mounted about said body (112), said liner (116) having an outer surface which cooperates with said female element (200) of said mold (10) to define said forming cavity (20) and an inner surface which contacts said outer surface of said body (112); The duct system (117) is formed between the body (112) and the liner (116), a male element (100).

2. 2. The male element (100) of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the body (112) is grooved to form a recessed surface that acts with a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the liner (116) to define the duct system (117).

3. The male element (100) of claim 2, wherein said duct system (117) comprises a plurality of grooves.

4. 4. The male element (100) of claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the body (112) includes a plurality of support zones (112A) where the outer surface of the body (112) contacts the inner surface of the liner (116), and the plurality of support zones (112A) alternate with the plurality of grooves.

5. 5. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the entire portion of the outer surface of the body (112) outer to the recess surface is in contact with the liner (116).

6. 6. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said duct system (117) defines a spiral wound around said longitudinal axis (A).

7. 7. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the duct system (117) comprises an outlet duct (117A) for circulating the cooling fluid towards one end (110A) of the die (110) and a return duct (117B) for circulating the cooling fluid returning from the end (110A) of the die (110), at least one of the outlet duct (117A) and the return duct (117B) defining a plurality of passages around the longitudinal axis (A).

8. 8. The male element (100) according to claim 7, wherein the delivery duct (117A) is shaped as a first spiral wound around the longitudinal axis (A) and the return duct (117B) is shaped as a second spiral wound around the longitudinal axis (A), at least one turn of the first spiral being disposed along the longitudinal axis (A) between a first turn and a second turn of the second spiral.

9. a delivery duct (119) formed in the body (112) of the die (110) for circulating the cooling fluid towards one end (110A) of the die (110); 7. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the duct system (117) formed between the body (112) and the liner (116) defines a return duct (117B) for circulating the cooling fluid returning from the end (110A) of the die (116).

10. 10. A male element (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising an outlet manifold (117A') connected to the outlet ducts (117A, 119) and a return manifold (117B') connected to the return duct (117B), the outlet manifold (117A') and the return manifold (117B') extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (A).

11. a support structure (150); 11. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the die (110) is retractable relative to the support structure (150) so that the die (110) is movable between a stored position in which the die (110) contributes, together with the support structure (150), to defining the forming cavity (20), and an extended position in which the die (110) is configured to stretch the parison.

12. The die (110) has a longitudinal cavity (113) therein extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and a socket (111) at one end thereof in communication with the longitudinal cavity (113); The male element (100) also comprises a stretch rod (120) slidably inserted into the longitudinal cavity (113), the stretch rod (120) including an end portion (121) at one end thereof; 11. The male element (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the stretch rod (120) is movable relative to the die (110) between a retracted position in which the end portion (121) is received in the socket (111) and contributes to defining the forming cavity (20) together with the die (110), and an extraction position in which the end portion (121) is withdrawn from the socket (111) to stretch the parison.

13. 13. The male element (100) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the duct system (117) comprises a duct defined by a portion of the outer surface of the body (112) and a portion of the inner surface of the liner (116).

14. A mold (10) for compression molding a parison from a charge of thermoplastic material, comprising: A male element (100) according to claim 12 or claim 13 when dependent on claim 12, a female element (200) associable with said male element (100) to define said forming cavity (20) for forming said parison from said charge; a blow moulding cavity associable with said male element (100) in place of said female element (200) to define a blow moulding cavity for forming a container from said parison; The mold (10) has a forming configuration in which the male element (100) is associated with the female element (200) and the stretch rod (120) is in the stored position to form the parison in the forming cavity (20), and a stretch and blow molding configuration in which the male element (100) is associated with the blow molding cavity and the stretch rod (120) is in the extended position.

15. 1. A forming and blow molding machine, comprising: A rotating carousel, 15. A forming and blow molding machine comprising: a plurality of dies according to claim 14, the dies being equally angularly spaced about a circular periphery of the rotating carousel.

16. 1. A method for compression molding a parison, comprising: Receiving a charge of pre-prepared thermoplastic material in a mould (10); forming the parison from the charge in a forming cavity defined by a male element (100) and a female element (200) of the mold (10), the male element (100) comprising a die (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and a duct system (117) disposed within the die (110) and allowing a cooling fluid to flow within the male element (100); The die (110) comprises: a body (112) having an outer surface; a liner (116) mounted about said body (112), said liner (116) having an outer surface which cooperates with said female element (200) of said mold (10) to define said forming cavity (20) and an inner surface which contacts said outer surface of said body (112); The duct system (117) is formed between the body (112) and the liner (116); The method includes cooling the die (110) by passing a cooling fluid through the duct system (117).

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cooling fluid flows in an outlet duct (117A) towards one end (110A) of the die (110) and in a return duct (117B) returning from the longitudinal end (110A) of the die (110), and at least one of the outlet duct (117A) and the return duct (117B) defining a plurality of passages around the longitudinal axis (A).

18. A male element (100) of a mold (10) for compression molding a parison from a charge of pre-prepared thermoplastic material, comprising: The male element (100) is associable with a female element (200) of said mold (10) to define a forming cavity (20) for forming said parison; A die (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (A); a duct system (117) disposed within said die (110) to allow a cooling fluid to flow within said male element (100); The die (110) comprises: a body (112) having an outer surface; a liner (116) mounted about said body (112), said liner (116) having an outer surface which cooperates with said female element (200) of said mold (10) to define said forming cavity (20) and an inner surface which contacts said outer surface of said body (112); The duct system (117) is formed between the body (112) and the liner (116); the duct system (117) comprises an outlet duct (117A) for circulating the cooling fluid towards one end (110A) of the die (110) and a return duct (117B) for circulating the cooling fluid back from the end (110A) of the die (110), at least one of the outlet duct (117A) and the return duct (117B) defining a plurality of passages around the longitudinal axis (A); A male element (100), wherein the delivery duct (117A) is shaped as a first spiral wound around the longitudinal axis (A) and the return duct (117B) is shaped as a second spiral wound around the longitudinal axis (A), at least one turn of the first spiral being disposed along the longitudinal axis (A) between a first turn and a second turn of the second spiral.

19. A male element (100) of a mold (10) for compression molding a parison from a charge of pre-prepared thermoplastic material, comprising: The male element (100) is associable with a female element (200) of said mold (10) to define a forming cavity (20) for forming said parison; A die (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (A); a duct system (117) disposed within said die (110) to allow a cooling fluid to flow within said male element (100); The die (110) comprises: a body (112) having an outer surface; a liner (116) mounted about said body (112), said liner (116) having an outer surface which cooperates with said female element (200) of said mold (10) to define said forming cavity (20) and an inner surface which contacts said outer surface of said body (112); The duct system (117) is formed between the body (112) and the liner (116); The die (110) has a longitudinal cavity (113) therein extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and a socket (111) at one end thereof in communication with the longitudinal cavity (113); The male element (100) also comprises a stretch rod (120) slidably inserted into the longitudinal cavity (113), the stretch rod (120) including an end portion (121) at one end thereof; The stretch rod (120) is movable relative to the die (110) between a retracted position in which the end portion (121) is received in the socket (111) and contributes to defining the forming cavity (20) together with the die (110), and an extraction position in which the end portion (121) is withdrawn from the socket (111) to stretch the parison.

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