Forming male device

Abstract

A male molding device that forms a sealing material inside a shell to obtain a seal and extends along the longitudinal axis, comprising an inner body having a front wall configured to press a central portion of an end wall of the shell, an outer body surrounding the outside of the inner body and having a front wall configured to press a sealing material attached to at least an outer portion of the end wall to create a seal, and a duct circuit configured to allow a cooling fluid to pass through the inside of the male molding device. The duct circuit includes an outer circuit that is at least partially formed in the outer body. The outer body includes an inner jacket that surrounds the inner body and an outer jacket that surrounds the inner jacket. The outer circuit is at least partially formed between the inner jacket and the outer jacket. A male molding device is proposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a male molding device, and more particularly to a male molding device configured to form a sealing material inside a shell to obtain a seal.

Background Art

[0002] Closure elements comprising a shell having an end wall and side walls extending from the periphery of the end wall, and a seal made inside the shell, particularly disposed on the end wall, are very widespread in the market. Such closure elements are configured to close the supply openings of various types of containers, such as bottles and jars, and the closure elements include, for example, metal crown caps and screw caps.

[0003] To form such a closure element, a unit is formed that includes a support device, a male molding device disposed above the support device, and a moving device configured to move the support device by raising the support device toward the male molding device or to move the male molding device by lowering the male molding device toward the support device. The end wall of the shell having an upwardly directed side wall is placed on the support device, and the male molding device compression-molds the sealing material so that a seal can be formed on the shell itself to produce a closure element, and the end wall has a sealing material previously placed therein.

[0004] To form an annular seal, the sealing material may be attached, for example, in a ring shape to the annular outer portion of the end wall of the shell.

[0005] For this purpose, the male molding device has an inner body having a front wall configured to press each central portion of the end wall of the shell, and an outer body surrounding the outside of the inner body including an annular front face configured to press a ring-shaped sealing material attached to the annular outer portion to form an annular seal.

[0006] In one variant, if the sealing material is also applied to the central portion of the end wall in order to form a seal that also has a thin central portion extending over the entire central portion of the end wall, the front wall may also be configured to press against the central portion and simultaneously form the central portion of the seal. In this case, the seal includes both a thin, circular central portion and an annular, thicker outer portion surrounding the central portion.

[0007] An example of such a molding machine is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,388,058 (Patent Document 1).

[0008] Conventional molding machines require the seal and shell to cool before the molding die can be moved away from the newly manufactured closure element. Indeed, the seal formed by molding is extremely hot and must be cooled to ensure good quality of the seal itself, i.e., to avoid inaccuracies in the seal's shape and dimensions. Inaccuracies can impair the effectiveness of the seal itself when the closure element is positioned to close the container.

[0009] To enable a reduction in cycle time, i.e., the total time elapsed from the start to the end of the seal formation process, and thus an increase in manufacturing efficiency, cooling must be as uniform and rapid as possible. This need for cooling is particularly noticeable when the seal is formed within a metal shell, as the metal shell is preheated when placed on a support device, thus helping to further heat the seal.

[0010] For this purpose, a known technique involves preparing a duct circuit inside the inner body of the molding male apparatus, so that a cooling fluid can flow through it to cool the walls forming the seal.

[0011] However, the presence of a ducting circuit requires the presence of multiple components, and these components are complex, making the molding male device very complex, expensive to manufacture, and difficult to maintain.

[0012] German Utility Model No. 298 00 426 (Patent Document 2) describes a cooling or heating core for tools for injection molding of plastics and glass, deep drawing and extrusion in the plastics industry, and for die casting and casting metals in the metal industry, usable as an outer core. The cooling or heating core has a passage that extends axially to a discharge hole for supplying a cooling or heating medium to the head of the core. The outer surface of the cooling or heating core is provided with continuous grooves and ribs for externally guiding the cooling or heating medium from the head to the bottom of the core.

[0013] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-43009 (Patent Document 3) refers to a molding die for high-precision and high-efficiency molding of plastic products, which includes a temperature-controlled fluid channel. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 4,388,058 [Patent Document 2] German Utility Model No. 298 00 426 Specification [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-43009 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] The objective of the present invention is to make available a molding die device for forming a seal inside a shell, thereby overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to make available a molding male apparatus that enables effective cooling of the seal formed on the shell, ensures high production efficiency for closing elements including the shell and seal, and maintains high quality of the resulting seal.

[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to make available a simple and inexpensive molding male device that has an effective cooling circuit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] Accordingly, the present invention provides a forming male die apparatus that forms a seal inside a shell to obtain a seal and extends along the longitudinal axis, comprising: an inner body having a front wall configured to press the central portion of the end wall of the shell; an outer body having a front wall surrounding the outside of the inner body and configured to press the seal material attached to at least the outer portion of the end wall to create a seal; and a duct circuit configured to allow a cooling fluid inside the forming male die apparatus to pass through, wherein the duct circuit includes an outer circuit that is at least partially made in the outer body, the outer body includes an inner jacket that surrounds the inner body, and the outer jacket that surrounds the inner jacket, and the outer circuit is at least partially made between the inner jacket and the outer jacket.

[0019] Thanks to the duct circuit, it is possible to form a sealing material to obtain a seal and / or effectively cool the surface of the male device that is in contact with the shell.

[0020] Thanks to the fact that the outer circuit is fabricated within the outer body, which has a front surface configured to form a seal at least partially, it is possible to effectively cool the seal itself during the molding step, resulting in a seal of good quality, and enabling a reduction in cycle time, and therefore high production efficiency.

[0021] Thanks to the fact that the outer circuit is partially created between the inner jacket and the outer jacket, both the inner jacket and the outer jacket can be effectively cooled, and thus, all components configured to form a sealing material to obtain a good quality seal can be effectively cooled.

[0022] According to one embodiment, thanks to the presence of the inner jacket and the outer jacket made as separate separable components, the outer body can be easily made.

[0023] This allows for easy disassembly of the outer body when it is necessary to clean residues resulting from the cooling fluid transport from the external circuit.

[0024] Thereby, the disclosed male mold device is particularly easy to manufacture and assemble / disassemble.

[0025] According to different embodiments, thanks to the fact that the outer circuit includes an outer feed extension and an outer discharge extension distributed around the longitudinal axis of the male mold device, and at least one outer connection extension located between the outer feed extension and the outer discharge extension, and the inner jacket and / or the outer jacket each include at least one first hollow part and / or one second hollow part for separating the outer feed extension, the outer discharge extension, or the outer connection extension, the outer circuit can be obtained by simple machining.

[0026] In fact, to define the outer feed extension, the outer discharge extension or the outer connection extension of the outer circuit, complex and precise machining is not required, and it is sufficient to create hollow parts inside the inner jacket and / or the outer jacket. In practice, it is sufficient if only one of the outer jacket or the inner jacket has a hollow part, because the outer feed extension, the outer discharge extension or the outer connection extension can be defined in any case even if the other is not machined internally and is smooth.

[0027] However, for specific cooling purposes, there may be opposing hollow sections in the inner and outer jackets.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the outer body includes an upper part defined by the inner upper part of the inner jacket and the outer upper part of the outer jacket, and a lower part defined by the inner lower part of the inner jacket and the outer lower part of the outer jacket, and the outer circuit includes an upper outer part made at the top and a lower outer part made at the bottom, which are connected to each other and have different shapes.

[0029] Thanks to this other embodiment, the outer circuit can be molded into different shapes at the top and bottom of the outer body, and therefore the flow rate of the cooling fluid can be configured to differ between the top and bottom, thus ensuring flexibility in machining and, at the same time, cooling effectiveness.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the inner body includes a forming element with a front wall and a cup-shaped element, the cup-shaped element enclosing the forming element in a sealed state. The duct circuit includes an inner circuit formed at least partially between the forming element and the cup-shaped element.

[0031] Thanks to the presence of the internal circuitry, it is also possible to effectively cool the central part of the shell, or the central part of the seal formed on the shell.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the cup-shaped element has a lateral outer surface that includes a plurality of ventilation elements dispersed around the longitudinal axis, allowing for ventilation of air trapped inside the male mold device during the molding process.

[0033] Thanks to the ventilation element, air bubbles in the seal caused by trapped air during molding can be avoided, further improving the quality of the formed seal.

[0034] The present invention can be better understood and implemented by referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating some of its embodiments and non-limiting forms. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a molding male die apparatus according to the present invention, configured to form a sealing material inside the shell and perform a seal. The molding male die apparatus includes a non-ducted circuit for passing a cooling fluid inside the mold apparatus itself, and the molding step is performed by the molding apparatus. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the male device. For clarity, some parts are cross-sections and some parts are cut out. It shows the intermediate feed extension and intermediate discharge extension of the outer circuit fabricated on the intermediate body, which are connected to the outer feed extension and outer discharge extension of the outer circuit fabricated on the outer body, respectively, and there is at least one outer connection extension between the outer feed extension and the outer discharge extension. The outer body comprises an inner jacket and an outer jacket. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the male device in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the male device. [Figure 5] This is another cross-sectional perspective view of the male device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is an enlarged section cross-sectional view showing the formed end of the male mold device in Figure 1. For clarity, a portion has been cut out to show the outer body, the inner body located inside the outer body, and the intermediate portion of the intermediate body located between the inner body and the outer body. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the forming end, showing the outer body, the inner body, components for fixing the outer body to the intermediate body, and an extractor configured to extract the closing element at the seal forming end from the molding male device. [Figure 8A] This is a perspective view of the bottom of the outer jacket of the outer body. [Figure 8B] Figure 8A is a top perspective view of the outer jacket. [Figure 9A] This is a perspective view of the bottom of the inner jacket of the outer main body. [Figure 9B]Figure 9A is a top perspective view of the inner jacket. [Figure 10A] This is a bottom perspective view of the component used to secure the outer body to the intermediate body. [Figure 10B] Figure 10A is a top perspective view of the fixing component. [Figure 11A] This is a bottom perspective view of the cup-shaped element of the inner body. [Figure 11B] Figure 11A is a top perspective view of the cup-shaped element. [Figure 12A] This is a perspective view of the bottom of the inner ring. [Figure 12B] Figure 12A is a top perspective view of the ring. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view of the forming elements of the inner body. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of the male mold device positioned above the support device in an inert step preceding the forming step. The male mold device and the support device are in their respective stationary configurations and are spaced apart from each other. The shell is stationary on the support device and has sealing material attached to the outer portion of the end wall. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the male and support devices in the first contact step after the inert step. The support device is in the first position, lifted relative to the inert step, with the front wall of the inner body pressing against the central portion of the end wall of the shell, and the front surface of the outer body separated from the sealing material attached to the outer portion and positioned behind the front wall. [Figure 16] This is a cross-sectional view of the male mold device and support device during the forming step after the initial contact step. The support device is in a second position, further raised from the first position, with the front surface of the outer body pressing and forming the sealing material, and the inner body being behind the contact step, so that its front surface is aligned with the front wall of the inner body. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view of the male mold and support device in the final contact step after the forming step. The support device returns to its first position such that the front wall of the inner body continues to press against the central portion of the end wall, and the front surface of the outer body is just separated from the formed seal and behind the front wall. [Figure 18] This is a cross-sectional view of the male device and support device in another inert step after the final contact step, where the male device and support device are in a resting configuration, separated from each other, and the extractor of the male device is removing the closing element, which comprises the shell and a seal just formed from the male device itself. [Figure 19] Figure 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the shell, where the sealing material is attached to the outer portion of the shell's end wall. [Figure 20] Figure 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the closing element, which includes a shell and a seal formed within the shell. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Referring to the attached drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a male mold device for forming the seal 2, which forms the seal material 2' inside the shell 3 shown in Figures 14 to 20.

[0037] Preferably, the shell 3 and the seal 2 formed therein constitute the closing element shown in Figures 18 and 20, and the closing element is configured to close the supply opening of various types of containers (not shown), such as bottles and jars.

[0038] The shell 3 can be formed from, for example, a metal material.

[0039] The sealing material 2' is, for example, made of a polymer material suitable for compression molding, and ensures a fluid seal when the closing element is applied to each container.

[0040] The shell 3 comprises an end wall 301 and a side wall 302 extending from the periphery of the end wall 301.

[0041] The sealing material 2' is attached to at least the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 to form a seal 2, which may have a continuous or discontinuous annular shape.

[0042] The end wall 301 also includes a central portion 301b enclosed by the outer portion 301a.

[0043] It should be noted that once formed, seal 2 may include an outer portion 2a that is applied to the outer portion 301a, for example, an annular outer portion, and a lateral portion 2b that is applied at least partially to the side wall 302 of the shell 3, and more specifically to a zone of the side wall 302 adjacent to the periphery, in such a case that the sealing material 2' can flow outward within the side wall 302 during compression molding.

[0044] In a modified example not shown, the sealant 2' may be applied not only to the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301 but also to the central portion 301b. In this case, the seal 2 may also include a thin central portion that, once formed, extends over the central portion 301b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3.

[0045] The male device 1 comprises an inner body 4 having a front wall 401 that extends along the longitudinal axis Z and is configured to press against the central portion 301b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3.

[0046] In the embodiments shown in Figures 14 to 17 and Figure 19, since there is no sealing material 2' in the central portion 301b of the shell 3, the front wall 401 of the male device 1 is configured to directly contact and press against the central portion 301b itself.

[0047] However, without limiting the scope of the present invention, if the sealing material 2' is also applied to the central portion 301b of the shell 3 to form the central portion of the seal 2, it is understood that the front wall 401 is suitable for pressing against the central portion 301b of the end wall 301, and at the same time, forms the sealing material 2' applied therein to obtain the central portion.

[0048] The male device 1 further comprises an outer body 5, the outer body 5 encloses the inner body 4 on the outside, and the outer body 5 has a front surface 501 configured to press a sealing material 2' which is configured to form a seal 2 attached to at least the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301.

[0049] The male device 1 also includes an extractor 105 configured to remove the closing element from the male device 1 at the end of seal 2 formation. The extractor 105 is ring-shaped and positioned around the outer body 5.

[0050] However, it should be noted that this is not necessary, as the extractor 105 may not be joined to the male device 1 but may be located in another part of the closure element forming machine.

[0051] The male device 1 further includes a duct circuit configured to allow the passage of a cooling fluid (not shown) within the male device 1 itself.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the duct circuit includes an outer circuit 6 that is at least partially fabricated within the outer body 5.

[0053] It should be noted that the duct circuit allows for effective cooling of the surface of the male mold device 1 that is in contact with the sealing material 2' and / or the shell 3. In fact, the presence of the outer circuit 6, which is at least partially made inside the outer body 5, allows for effective cooling of the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 itself. Thus, the front surface 501 is configured to form the sealing material 2' positioned within the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301, allowing for effective cooling of the seal 2 itself during the compression molding step, shortening the cycle time and resulting in a seal 2 of good quality with high production efficiency.

[0054] The outer body 5 includes an inner jacket 502 and surrounds the inner body 4, and the outer jacket 503 includes an outer jacket 503 and surrounds the inner jacket 502.

[0055] More specifically, the outer jacket 503 surrounds the inner jacket 502 from the outside.

[0056] Advantageously, the outer circuit 6 is fabricated at least partially between the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503.

[0057] This allows both the outer jacket 503 and the inner jacket 502 to be cooled effectively in a simple manner, that is, all components configured to form the sealing material 2' can be effectively cooled in order to obtain a good quality seal 2.

[0058] It should be noted that the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 may be manufactured as separate, separable components, which would allow for easy manufacturing and simple assembly or disassembly of the outer body 5.

[0059] This allows for quick cleaning of the outer circuit 6. In fact, the cooling fluid may require periodic cleaning operations. Since the inner jacket 502 can be separated from the outer jacket 503 and the two different components 502 and 503 can be cleaned separately, the cleaning operation can thus be performed quickly and easily.

[0060] The inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 are fastened to each other in a sealed manner. In fact, a sealing element, namely an annular seal 507, is present, which can be housed, for example, within an annular sheet 507', is made within the inner jacket 502, and is positioned near the front 501.

[0061] The outer circuit 6 comprises an outer feeding extension 602 and an outer feeding extension 601 distributed around the longitudinal axis Z, and at least one outer connecting extension 603 positioned between the outer feeding extension 602 and the outer feeding extension 601, and the inner jacket 502 and / or outer jacket 503 each comprises at least one inner hollow portion 504 and / or one outer hollow portion 505 for defining the outer feeding extension 602, the outer feeding extension 601, or the outer connecting extension 603.

[0062] More specifically, as stated above, the inner jacket 502 and / or the outer jacket 503 each have at least one inner hollow portion 504 and / or one outer hollow portion 505, that is, the inner jacket 502 may have at least one inner hollow portion 504, or the outer jacket 503 may have at least one outer hollow portion 505, or both the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 may each have an inner hollow portion 504 and an outer hollow portion 505 for defining an outer feeding extension portion 602, an outer feeding extension portion 601, or an outer connecting extension portion 603.

[0063] Therefore, at least one of the inner jacket 502 or the outer jacket 503 includes the respective hollow section, the inner hollow section 504 or the outer hollow section 505.

[0064] Therefore, it is sufficient that at least one hollow portion exists within the inner jacket 502 and / or the outer jacket 503 to define the outer feeding extension portion 602, or the outer feeding extension portion 601, or the outer connecting extension portion 603, thereby enabling the outer body 5 to be manufactured without requiring complex and precise machining.

[0065] In fact, in Figures 8A-8B and 9A-9B, the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 each have hollow portions 504 and 505 facing their respective unmachined surfaces, but it should be noted that even in this case, the respective extensions of the outer circuit 6 are defined in all cases.

[0066] However, although not shown in the figures, the inner hollow portion 504 and the outer hollow portion 505 can also be arranged facing each other within the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, respectively, to define, for example, the outer feeding extension portion 602, the outer feeding extension portion 601, or the outer connecting extension portion 603.

[0067] The outer body 5 comprises an upper part defined by the inner upper part 502' of the inner jacket 502 and the outer upper part 503' of the outer jacket 503, and a lower part defined by the inner lower part 502'' of the inner jacket 502 and the outer lower part 503'' of the outer jacket 503.

[0068] The outer circuit 6 comprises an upper outer portion formed at the top and a lower outer portion formed at the bottom, which are connected to each other and have different shapes.

[0069] The outer body 5 can be manufactured in such a way that the upper and lower outer portions have different shapes, ensuring flexibility in machining and simultaneously ensuring effective cooling. In fact, since the lower part of the outer body 5 extends to the front surface 501 that comes into contact with the sealing material 2' during formation, it is possible to have a lower outer portion with a larger flow rate or a more circumferentially distributed flow rate than the upper part of the outer circuit 6. This allows for the most efficient possible cooling of the front surface 501 itself.

[0070] For example, the upper outer portion includes the upper delivery portion of the outer delivery extension 602 and the upper delivery portion of the outer delivery extension 601, each having a single outer upper hollow portion 505' made in the outer upper part 503' of the outer jacket 503.

[0071] In contrast, the lower outer portion may comprise a lower outer discharge portion of the outer feeding extension 602 and a lower outer discharge portion of the outer feeding extension 601, and each of these lower outer portions comprises a pair of lower inner hollow portions 504" made in the inner lower part 502" of the inner jacket 502.

[0072] Note that the outer feeding extension section 602 and the outer feeding extension section 601 are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z. In particular, the upper outer portion and the lower outer portion of the outer feeding extension section 602 and the outer feeding extension section 601 are linear, and the respective outer upper hollow portion 505' and inner lower hollow portion 504'' are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z, and therefore parallel to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0073] More specifically, the outer feed extension 602 and the outer feed extension 601 face each other in the diametrical direction, the outer upper hollow 505' and the paired inner lower hollow 504'' face each other in the diametrical direction, while the outer connecting extension 603 comprises at least one curved portion defined by the respective curved hollow 506 formed within the inner jacket 502 or the outer jacket 503. Figures 9A and 9B show how the curved hollow 506 is formed in the inner jacket 502.

[0074] The curved hollow section 506 is located near the front surface 501, directly above the sheet 507' which is intended to receive the sealing element 507.

[0075] Another curved hollow section 506 is formed between the upper and lower parts of the outer body 5.

[0076] It should be noted that both the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 may be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, specifically SLM (Selective Laser Melting), which involves using a laser source to melt the powder and gradually depositing the metal powder. The metal powder may be, for example, a steel powder metal type. Alternatively, according to a different embodiment, the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 may be manufactured using SLM techniques, but in a single body.

[0077] The male device 1 includes an intermediate body 7 having an annular shoulder portion 701 that abuts against the annular shelf 503b of the outer body 5, the annular shelf 503b being positioned on the opposite side of the front surface 501 in the axial direction. The intermediate body 7 has an intermediate portion 702 that protrudes axially from the annular shoulder portion 701, and the outer body 5 is fixed to the annular shoulder portion 701 in a sealed manner.

[0078] The intermediate portion 702 is interposed between the outer body 5 and the inner body 4. More specifically, the intermediate portion 702 is in contact with both the outer body 5 and the inner body 4.

[0079] The front surface 501 is defined by the front portions of the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, which, together with the front wall 401, cooperate to form the seal 2 during the formation of the seal material 2'.

[0080] On the side opposite to the front surface 501 in the axial direction, the outer jacket 503 has an upper edge portion 503a that protrudes relative to the annular shelf 503b, so that the upper edge portion 503a can abut against the annular shoulder portion 701 above and receive the upper edge portion 502a of the inner jacket 502 below.

[0081] The annular shelf 503b is equipped with two openings 503c through which the cooling fluid passes.

[0082] In practice, the outer circuit 6 includes an intermediate feed extension section 604 and an intermediate discharge extension section 605. The intermediate feed extension section 604 and the intermediate discharge extension section 605 are built inside the intermediate body 7 and connected to the opening 503c, and are therefore connected to the outer feed extension section 602 and the outer discharge extension section 601, respectively.

[0083] The outer body 5 can be fixed to the intermediate body 7 by the fixing component 101 shown in at least Figures 10A and 10B, which is removablely fixed to the intermediate portion 702 of the intermediate body 7 by screw means, allowing the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503 to be locked together, and when the fixing component 101 is assembled together as the outer body 5, it allows them to be fixed to the intermediate portion 702.

[0084] The intermediate body 7 is fixed to the support body 102 of the male device 1.

[0085] The inner body 4 comprises a forming element 402 having a front wall 401. Furthermore, the inner body 4 comprises a cup-shaped element 403 that surrounds the forming element 402 in a sealed state.

[0086] The duct circuit includes an inner circuit 8 formed at least partially between the forming element 402 and the cup-shaped element 403.

[0087] The cup-shaped element 403 surrounds the forming element 402 from the outside.

[0088] The cup-shaped element 403 includes a lateral outer surface 403a with a plurality of ventilation elements 404 distributed around the longitudinal axis Z to allow ventilation of air trapped inside the male device 1 during the formation of the sealing material 2'.

[0089] Thanks to the ventilation element 404, trapped air during formation can be released, preventing the formation of air bubbles within the formed seal 2, and thus promoting the production of a high-quality seal 2.

[0090] It can be seen how the lateral outer surface 403a includes the upper part 403a' and the lower part 403a'', and how the ventilation element 404 includes the upper ventilation groove 404' and the lower ventilation groove 404'' located in the upper part 403a' and the lower part 403a'' of the lateral outer surface 403a, respectively.

[0091] The upper ventilation groove 404' has a different shape and distribution from the lower ventilation groove 404''. In fact, it can be seen that the upper ventilation groove 404' has a larger angular range than the lower ventilation groove 404. Alternatively or additionally, the upper ventilation groove 404' is positioned at an angularly different position from the lower ventilation groove 404'.

[0092] Preferably, the ventilation elements 404, i.e., the upper ventilation groove 404' and the lower ventilation groove 404'', are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and regularly spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0093] The male device 1, in particular the inner body 4, comprises an inner core 405 having a tubular shape to which the forming element 402 is connected, and a ring 406 interposed between the cup-shaped element 403 and the forming element 402, surrounding the forming element 402 and in contact with the front wall 401. The cup-shaped element 403 surrounds the forming element 402 from the outside.

[0094] More specifically, the ring 406 is in contact with the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401.

[0095] As already shown, the inner circuit 8 is formed at least partially between the forming element 402 and the cup-shaped element 403.

[0096] Furthermore, the inner circuit 8 is formed at least partially within the inner core 405 and around the ring 406. In fact, the inner circuit 8 comprises an inner feed extension 801 and an inner feed extension 802 that are located inside the inner core 405 and are connected to the forming element 402.

[0097] Note that the inner discharge extension is formed in the center of the hollow inner core 405, while the inner discharge extension 802 surrounds the inner feed extension 801.

[0098] Furthermore, the inner feeding extension section 801 and the inner feeding extension section 802 are parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis Z.

[0099] The inner circuit 8 also includes an inner connecting extension 805 between the inner feeding extension 801 and the inner feeding extension 802 that extends around the ring 406.

[0100] The inner connecting extension 805 comprises a lower inner portion positioned between the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 and the lower surface of the ring 406, an upper inner portion positioned between the upper surface of the ring 406 and the lower surface of the cup-shaped element 403, and a lateral inner portion positioned between the lateral outer surface of the ring 406 and the lateral inner surface of the cup-shaped element 403.

[0101] The forming element 402 includes a feeding opening 402b located near the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 for connecting the inner feeding extension 801 to the inner connecting extension 805. The forming element 402 also includes a discharge opening 402c located spaced apart from the upper surface 402a of the front wall 401 and at a distance greater than the axial height of the ring 406 for connecting the inner connecting extension 805 to the inner discharging extension 802.

[0102] In detail, the feeding opening 402b connects the inner feeding extension 801 to the lower inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805, while the discharging opening 402c connects the inner discharging extension 802 to the upper inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805.

[0103] The forming element 402 further comprises a tubular portion 402d for connecting to the inner core 405.

[0104] The ring 406 also includes lower and upper connecting openings 406a and 406b arranged circumferentially around the ring 406, which connect the lower inner portion and lateral inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805, and the lateral inner portion and upper inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805, respectively.

[0105] In this way, the cooling fluid of the inner circuit 8 flows from the inner supply extension section 801 through the supply opening 402b to the inner connecting extension section 805, that is, to the lower inner portion of the connecting extension section 805, from the lower inner portion through the lower connecting opening 406a of the ring 406 to the lateral inner portion, from the lateral portion through the upper connecting opening 406b to the upper inner portion, and finally from the upper inner portion through the discharge opening 402c to the inner connecting extension section 805 and then to the inner discharge extension section 802.

[0106] Considering the male mold device 1, it has a forming end defined by the front wall 401 of the forming element 402 and the front surface 501 of the outer body 5, with the front surface 501 surrounding the front wall 401 on the outside. The front surface 501 includes the front portions of the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, respectively.

[0107] During formation, the sealing material 2' contacts both the front portions of the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, and the side zones of the cup-shaped element 403, which are cooled, and the lateral inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805 helps to cool the seal 2.

[0108] The male device 1 also has a connecting end 103 located on the opposite side of the forming end defined by the front wall 401 and the front surface 501.

[0109] The outer circuit 6 is constructed within the support body 102 to which the intermediate body 7 is fixed, and is connected to the outer inlet 607 and outer outlet 606 located within the connection end 103, so that the cooling fluid of the duct circuit enters from the outer inlet 607, passes through the outer circuit 6, and exits from the outer outlet 606.

[0110] The internal circuit 8 is connected to the internal feeding section 803 and the internal discharge section 804 formed inside the internal body 4 at the connecting end 103.

[0111] The outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 can be connected in series, and therefore the outer discharge unit 606 or the inner discharge unit can be connected to the inner inlet unit 803 or the outer inlet unit, respectively, to sequentially flow the cooling fluid from the outer circuit 6 to the inner circuit 8 and from the inner circuit 8 to the outer circuit 6.

[0112] In Figures 14 to 18, the outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 are connected in series, and therefore the outer discharge unit 606 is connected to the inner inlet unit 803.

[0113] Alternatively, according to a modified example not shown, the outer circuit 6 and the inner circuit 8 may be connected in parallel, and thus supplied separately to the inner inlet 803 and the outer inlet 607. This allows for different flow rates for the inner circuit 8 and the outer circuit 6 when the cooling requirements of the inner body 4 and the outer body 5 are different.

[0114] As already shown, the outer body 5, the intermediate body 7, and the support body 102 are integrally fixed to each other and remain stationary.

[0115] In contrast, the inner body 4 is slidable relative to the outer body 5, the intermediate body 7, and the support body 102. In fact, the male device 1 includes an elastic element 104 interposed between the inner body 4 and the support body 102, which is configured to obtain the retraction / advance movement of the inner body 4 relative to the support body 102 and therefore to the outer body 5, as will be described in detail below.

[0116] Figures 14 to 18 show forming units for obtaining the closure element, which includes the shell 3 and seal 2, as shown in Figure 20.

[0117] The forming unit comprises the male mold device 1 described above and a support device 9 on which the shell 3 is placed and which is positioned below the male mold device 1.

[0118] Furthermore, the forming unit includes a moving device (not shown), which is configured to move the support device 9 by lifting it toward the male mold device 1 to form the sealing material 2'.

[0119] The following explains the fact that the support device 9 is lifted by the moving device. However, this configuration is not essential, as the male device 1 may be lowered toward the support device 9 to form the seal 2.

[0120] During use, as shown in Figure 14, the male device 1 is positioned above the support device 9 in an inert step prior to the formation of the sealing material 2'.

[0121] Both the male device 1 and the support device 9 are in a stationary configuration and are positioned apart from each other. Note that the inner body 4 protrudes relative to the outer body 5, and the elastic element 104 is in an extended configuration, so the front wall 401 is closer to the support device 9 in the axial direction than the front surface 501.

[0122] The extractor 105 is also in a stationary configuration, protruding from the front wall 401.

[0123] The shell 3 is placed on the support device 9, and the sealing material 2' is attached to the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301.

[0124] As shown in Figure 15, in the initial contact step, the support device 9 is in a first position, elevated relative to the inert step, and the central portion 301b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 has reached a position where it contacts and applies pressure to the front wall 401. The front wall 401 holds the shell 3 in place on the support device 9.

[0125] The front surface 501 of the outer body 5 is spaced apart from the sealing material 2' attached to the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301, and is still located axially behind the front wall 401. The elastic element 104 is still in an extended configuration.

[0126] The cooling fluid of the inner circuit 8 can already cool the shell 3 by the front wall 401, and the front wall 401 is cooled by the inner connecting extension 805 of the inner circuit 8, in particular by the lower inner portion of the inner connecting extension 805.

[0127] Note that as the support device 9 rises, the edge of the side wall 302 of the shell 3 comes into contact with the extractor 105, which rises along with the side wall 302.

[0128] As shown in Figure 16, in the forming step following the initial contact step, the support device 9 continues to rise and is brought to a second position further elevated from the first position. The gradual movement of the support device 9 is absorbed by the deformable and compressible elastic element 104.

[0129] The inner body 4 is supported by the support device 9 and is also slidable and lifted relative to at least the outer body 5.

[0130] The sealing material 2' present in the outer portion 301a is formed between the front portions of the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, which cooperate with the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 to form the outer portion 2a of the seal 2. When crushed, the sealing material 2' flows outward until it defines the side portion 2b of the seal 2, which is at least partially applied to the side wall 302 of the shell 3.

[0131] Since the inner body 4 is retracted by the thrust of the support device 9 in relation to the initial contact step, the front surface 501 is positioned to be aligned with the front wall 401.

[0132] During the forming step for forming the sealant 2', it should be noted that the elastic element 104 applies a thrusting force to ensure that the contact position between the front wall 401 and the end wall 301 of the shell 3 is precisely maintained.

[0133] The cooling fluid of the outer circuit 6 can already cool the sealing material 2' by the front surface 501, while the shell 3 can continue to be cooled by the front wall 401.

[0134] Air trapped in the male mold device 1 during molding can be released through the ventilation element 404.

[0135] Figure 17 shows the final contact step, in which the support device 9 returns to the first position, but the front wall 401 of the inner body 4 continues to press against the central portion 301b of the end wall 301 of the shell 3 at the contact position, continuing to cool the shell 3.

[0136] However, the front surface 501 of the outer body 5 is again separated from the newly formed seal 2 and is again positioned rearward relative to the front wall 401.

[0137] In fact, the deformation of the elastic element 104 is restored when the support device 9 is lowered and returns to the first position, as the elastic element 104 returns to its extended configuration.

[0138] Figure 18 shows another inert step following the molding step, in which the male mold device 1 and the support device 9 are in a stationary configuration and separated from each other.

[0139] However, it should be noted that the extractor 105 removed the closure element from the male device 1 with the seal 2 just formed inside the shell 3.

[0140] As shown in Figure 20, the outer portion 2a of the seal 2 is attached to the outer portion 301a of the end wall 301 of the shell 3, while the lateral portion 2b of the seal 2 is attached to a part of the side wall 302.

[0141] Therefore, it should be noted that the outer circuit 6 allows for effective cooling of the seal 2, and at the same time, since the outer circuit 6 is defined between the inner jacket 502 and the outer jacket 503, which are fixed to each other in a sealed manner and preferably separable from each other, the outer circuit 6 can be manufactured in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Claims

1. A molding male device (1) extends along the longitudinal axis (Z) and forms a seal (2) by forming a seal material (2') inside the shell (3). An inner body (4) having a front wall (401) configured to press against the central portion (301b) of the end wall (301) of the shell (3), An outer body (5) having a front wall (501) that surrounds the outside of the inner body (4) and is configured to press the sealing material (2') attached to at least the outer portion (301a) of the end wall (301) to create a seal (2), A duct circuit (6, 8) is configured to allow the cooling fluid inside the molding male device (1) to pass through, Equipped with, The duct circuits (6, 8) include an outer circuit (6) which is at least partially made in the outer body (5), The outer body (5) includes the inner jacket (502) and surrounds the inner body (4), and the outer jacket (503) includes the inner jacket (502), The outer circuit (6) is at least partially formed between the inner jacket (502) and the outer jacket (503). The molding male mold apparatus comprises an inner body (4) having a forming element (402) having a front wall (401) and a cup-shaped element (403) that surrounds the forming element (402) in a sealed state.

2. The outer circuit (6) includes an outer inlet extension part (602) and an outer delivery extension part (601), The outer feeding extension section (602) and the outer feeding extension section (601) are distributed along the longitudinal axis (Z), At least one external connecting extension (603) is positioned between the external feeding extension (602) and the external sending extension (601), In order to demarcate the outer feeding extension portion (602), the outer feeding extension portion (601), or the outer connecting extension portion (603), the inner jacket (502) includes at least one inner hollow portion (504), or the outer jacket (503) includes at least one outer hollow portion (505), or the inner jacket (502) includes at least one inner hollow portion (504) and the outer jacket (503) includes at least one outer hollow portion (505), The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The outer body (5) includes an upper part defined by the inner upper part (502') of the inner jacket (502) and the outer upper part (503') of the outer jacket (503), and a lower part defined by the inner lower part (502'') of the inner jacket (502) and the outer lower part (503'') of the outer jacket (503), The outer circuit (6) comprises an upper outer portion made at the top and a lower outer portion made at the bottom, which are connected to each other and have different shapes. The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The outer body (5) includes an upper part defined by the inner upper part (502') of the inner jacket (502) and the outer upper part (503') of the outer jacket (503), and a lower part defined by the inner lower part (502'') of the inner jacket (502) and the outer lower part (503'') of the outer jacket (503), The outer circuit (6) comprises an upper outer portion made at the top and a lower outer portion made at the bottom, which are connected to each other and have different shapes from each other. The upper outer portion includes the upper feeding portion of the outer feeding extension (602) and the upper feeding portion of the outer feeding extension (601), each having a single outer upper hollow portion (505') formed in the outer upper portion (503'), The lower outer portion includes a lower delivery portion of the outer feeding extension portion (602) and a lower feeding portion of the outer feeding extension portion (601), each including a pair of inner hollow portions (504") formed in the inner lower portion (502"), The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The outer feeding extension portion (602) and the outer feeding extension portion (601) are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z), and the upper outer portion and the lower outer portion are linear and parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z), The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the outer inlet extension part (602) and the outer delivery extension part (601) are diametrically opposed; The outer connecting extension (603) includes at least one curved portion defined by the corresponding curved hollow portion (506), The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 2.

7. The intermediate body (7) has an annular shoulder portion (701) that abuts against the upper edge (503a) of the outer body (5), The upper edge (503a) is positioned on the opposite side from the front surface (501) in the axial direction. The intermediate body (7) has an intermediate portion (702) that protrudes axially from the annular shoulder portion (701), and the outer body (5) is fixed to the annular shoulder portion (701) in a sealed manner. The aforementioned intermediate portion (702) is interposed between the outer body (5) and the inner body (4). The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The intermediate body (7) has an annular shoulder portion (701) that abuts against the upper edge (503a) of the outer body (5), The upper edge (503a) is positioned on the opposite side from the front surface (501) in the axial direction. The intermediate body (7) has an intermediate portion (702) that protrudes axially from the annular shoulder portion (701), and the outer body (5) is fixed to the annular shoulder portion (701) in a sealed manner. The aforementioned intermediate portion (702) is interposed between the outer body (5) and the inner body (4), The outer circuit (6) includes an intermediate feed extension section (604) and an intermediate feed extension section (605), The intermediate feeding extension section (604) and the intermediate feeding extension section (605) are made in the intermediate body (7) and are connected to the outer feeding extension section (602) and the outer feeding extension section (601), respectively. The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 2.

9. The molding male apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cup-shaped element (403) includes a lateral outer surface (403a) having a plurality of ventilation elements (404) distributed around the longitudinal axis (Z), thereby enabling ventilation of air trapped in the molding male apparatus (1) during the formation of the sealing material (2').

10. The aforementioned lateral outer surface (403a) includes an upper part (403a') and a lower part (403a), The ventilation element (404) includes an upper ventilation groove (404') and a lower ventilation groove (404'') arranged in the upper part (403a') and the lower part (403a''), respectively. The upper ventilation groove (404') has a different shape and distribution from the lower ventilation groove (404"), the upper ventilation groove (404') has a larger angular range than the lower ventilation groove (404"), and / or the upper ventilation groove (404') is positioned at an angularly different position from the lower ventilation groove (404"). The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The plurality of ventilation elements (404) are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z) and are regularly spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 9.

12. The molding male apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the duct circuit (6, 8) comprises an inner circuit (8) formed at least partially between the forming element (402) and the cup-shaped element (403).

13. The forming elements (402) are connected to an inner core (405) which has a tubular shape, A ring (406) is interposed between the cup-shaped element (403) and the forming element (402), surrounding the forming element (402) and positioned to contact the front wall (401), A molding male device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

14. The duct circuit (6, 8) comprises an inner circuit (8) formed at least partially between the forming element (402) and the cup-shaped element (403), The inner circuit (8) is made at least partially on the inner core (405) and around the ring (406), The inner circuit (8) includes an inner feeding extension (801) and an inner feeding extension (802) located inside the inner core (405) and connected to the forming element (402), and an inner connecting extension (805) for connecting the inner feeding extension (801) and the inner feeding extension (802) which extends around the ring (406) to each other. The molding male mold apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The molding male apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner jacket (502) and the outer jacket (503) are manufactured as separate, separable components and are fixed in a manner that seals them to each other, and the inner jacket (502) and the outer jacket (503) are easily manufactured and allow for easy assembly or disassembly of the outer body (5).

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