Apparatus and method for compression molding a concave object

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0008] The blade is mounted on a rotary conveyor so as to be movable between two operational configurations: a first upward configuration for picking up a unit quantity and a second downward configuration for releasing a unit quantity.

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

[0010] It is important to note that the unit volume at the discharge port of the extruder is a semi-solid state obtained by heating the polymer material upstream of the extrusion nozzle.

[0011] Therefore, thanks to the semi-solid structure (molten material), a unit amount remains attached to the flat surface of the blade and remains engaged with the blade between each transport step.

[0012] Furthermore, the suction effect from the holes makes it easier to hold the inserted material on the flat surface of the blade.

[0013] After the unit portion is picked up, the blade is lowered to a second open position. In this position, the surface is oriented such that the planar extension aligns with the forward direction of the circular path and faces the male member. Furthermore, in this state, the unit portion faces downward.

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

[0015] Once the unit volume is released into the molding station, the blade is moved along a circular path. The blade is then returned to the first acquisition state described above to acquire a new unit volume.

[0016] However, the aforementioned prior art devices have several drawbacks, mainly related to the plasticity of a unit quantity.

[0017] It should be noted that, due to thermal inertia, the unit quantity retains heat after being obtained, becoming a semi-solid state suitable for molding.

[0018] In this state, the chemical properties of the polymer material dictate a stable bond with a flat surface, making relative delamination for release into the mold difficult.

[0019] In other words, the polymer material exiting the extruder is quite hot and tends to adhere to the blade surface, which is detrimental to the subsequent release phase. In fact, in this case, simply moving the blade and interrupting the suction action is insufficient to drop the optimal and precise unit amount onto the male mold member of the molding means.

[0020] In addition to the above, it should be noted that the upstream blade of the extruder is still hot because it contains a newly extruded unit volume, making it more likely to bond to a flat surface of a new unit volume.

[0021] This situation is determined by the heat exchange effect due to conduction between the unit volume and the blades. Once the unit volume is released, the blades that have absorbed heat from the unit volume are immediately returned to the extruder, thus preventing them from returning to ambient temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0022] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 075020A1 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

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

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

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

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

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

[0028] According to the present invention, there is a device comprising a dispensing device for dispensing a unit quantity of a polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding, a mold for manufacturing a concave object by receiving the unit quantity, a plurality of conveying units for each of the unit quantities, each configured to acquire each of the unit quantities from the dispensing device and release them to the mold, and a rotary conveyor for supporting the plurality of conveying units so as to supply each of the plurality of conveying units along a closed path passing between the dispensing device and the mold in a forward direction. Each of the plurality of conveying units has a wall having a surface that intersects the forward direction and contacts the unit quantity, so as to bend and acquire the unit quantity from the dispensing device, and the wall is turned over so that the contact surface faces the mold, and is rotatably placed on the rotary conveyor between a state of releasing the unit quantity in the mold by gravity and a state of engaging with the unit quantity. The device includes cooling means for each of the conveying units for cooling the conveying units at least in the region of the closed path.

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

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

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

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

[0033] To the advantage of this, the cooling means additionally or alternatively includes a duct for the passage of a cooling fluid formed inside the engaging wall to cool the wall along a circumferential path in each of the acquired and / or released states.

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

[0035] To the advantage of this, the member is always cooled in order to control the temperature of the wall even when it engages with the molten unit amount.

[0036] Alternatively, the supply channel may have at least one arc-shaped portion corresponding to each corresponding angular portion of the closed path, and the supply channel may allow cooling air to pass to the inlet only when the member is in the angular portion of the closed path.

[0037] In this way, one or more regions of the closed path that controls the temperature of the acquisition unit can be selected to reset the optimal temperature of the wall that moves the unit amount.

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

[0039] The cooling step is advantageously actuated by directing at least one airflow toward each wall of the conveying section, which is configured to engage with the unit quantity.

[0040] In addition, or alternatively, the step of cooling the transport section is performed by distributing a cooling fluid into the interior of each wall of the transport section, which is configured to engage with the unit volume.

[0041] The cooling step can be operated from outside the rotary conveyor by directing the airflow toward and / or within the wall of the acquisition section, thereby guiding the cooling fluid into a channel created within the wall.

[0042] In the latter case, the cooling effect may be constant along the entire path of the transport unit along the closed path, or only in one or more parts of the path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

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

[0044] [Figure 1] This is a top-down perspective view of a device for compression molding concave objects. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus from below. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing the detailed structure of the device. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view in which some parts are transparent to better illustrate the internal structure. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing another structural detail of the device, with some parts made transparent to better illustrate the detailed internal structure. [Figure 7a] Figure 6 shows a detailed side view and a cross-sectional view. [Figure 7b] Figure 7a shows a side view and a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line AA. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Figure 1 shows apparatus 1 for manufacturing molded articles made of polymer material by compression molding. The objects that can be manufactured with this apparatus 1 include, for example, coffee capsules, and concave objects such as bottles, glasses, and bowls, particularly containers. Alternatively, apparatus 1 can also be used to manufacture parisons designed to form containers by blow molding.

[0046] Apparatus 1 comprises a dispensing device 2 for dispensing at least one polymer material. In the illustrated example, dispensing device 2 comprises an extruder 3 for dispensing a continuous extruded structure having multiple layers of polymer material or different polymer materials.

[0047] The extruder 3 may be equipped with an extruder head 4, from which a unit amount "D" of polymer material is extruded in a form suitable for compression molding. In particular, the unit amount "D" is in a molten state, or at least partially molten, and therefore semi-solid. Thus, the unit amount "D" from the extruder head 4, schematically shown in Figure 4, has a predetermined temperature designed to maintain the polymer in a viscous state suitable for the subsequent compression molding process.

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

[0049] The unit quantity "D" is supplied from the device 2 to the mold 5 by a series of conveying units 7 that are aligned and mounted along the outer circumference of a support rotary conveyor 8 that is rotatable around its respective axis of rotation "X". The rotary conveyor 8 transports each conveying unit 7 in the forward direction "A" along a closed path "C" - preferably a circular path - that passes between the dispensing device 2 and the mold 5.

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

[0051] More specifically, as each conveying unit 7 moves forward along path "C", it bends the unit quantity "D" coming out of head 4 and moves it forward towards mold 5 (Figure 3). Once the unit quantity is released onto punch 6, conveying unit 7 moves along path "C" again to dispensing device 2, where it bends a new unit quantity "D".

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

[0053] The wall 9 is preferably flat and may have a series of suction holes 10 that are advantageous for retaining a unit quantity "D" (as shown in Figure 6). In this case, the holes 10 are in fluid communication with a suction source configured to draw in air, thereby precisely defining negative pressure in the wall 9 to favor the retention of the unit quantity "D". The holes 10 may also be provided for blowing air to facilitate the step of extracting and cutting the unit quantity "D" from the wall 9.

[0054] In this case, upon reaching the mold 5, the hole allows for an outward injection of air, which pushes the unit quantity "D" to peel away from the wall 9 in order to position it on the punch 9.

[0055] Furthermore, each conveying unit 7 is rotatably mounted on a rotary conveyor 8, with a combination of an acquisition state (clearly shown in Figure 3) in which the wall 9 has a contact surface 9a with the unit quantity "D" oriented laterally with respect to the forward direction "A", and a release state (clearly shown in Figure 2) in which the wall 9 releases the inverted unit quantity "D" with its contact surface 9a facing the mold 5. Advantageously, in the acquisition state, the wall 9 blocks the unit quantity "D" and removes it from the dispensing device 2, while in the release position, the wall 9 drops the unit quantity "D" into the mold 5.

[0056] In other words, in order to position the wall 9 opposite the unit quantity "D" and to lower the wall 9 in the mold 5 opposite the punch 6, the member 7 is rotated by a suitable 90° using a moving system, such as a cam system attached to a rotary conveyor.

[0057] It should be noted that, in the acquired state where the wall 9 has a planar extension and faces a unit quantity "D", the upper cut edge of the wall 9 separates the unit quantity "D" from the rest of the extruded material.

[0058] It should also be noted that the wall 9 is positioned in the acquisition state only when it is near the dispensing device 2, and immediately lowers when it is near the mold 5. For this reason, in most of the path "C" in which each member 7 moves, the wall 9 is positioned in the open state with its flat surface 9a facing downwards. In this regard, it should be noted that all of the walls 9 in the release state are positioned on the same plane as each other and facing downwards.

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

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

[0061] As shown in detail in Figures 1 and 2, the airflow is directed towards the walls 9 of each member 7 in their respective release states. In effect, in this case, the walls 9 in the release state have a planar extension facing the blower unit 12 so that they are struck by the airflow. Advantageously, the airflow cools the walls 9 upstream of the dispensing device 2, i.e., before each wall 9 acquires a unit volume "D".

[0062] Advantageously, referring particularly to Figures 2, 4, and 5, the blowing unit 12 comprises a box-shaped condenser 13 having an arc-shaped geometric shape parallel to at least one portion "T1" of the closed path "C" interposed between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 in the forward direction "A" of the conveying unit 7.

[0063] The manifold 13 has an upper surface 13a facing the conveying section 7 which slides on the extension section T1 described above, and has at least one nozzle 14 for discharging a cooling airflow.

[0064] Preferably, multiple nozzles 14 are provided spaced apart from each other and aligned along the aforementioned arc-shaped portion "T1" in order to dispense the respective airflows toward the walls 9 of each member 7 in a homogeneous manner along a portion "T1" of a closed path "C" interposed in the forward direction "A" between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2.

[0065] It should be noted that in the aforementioned section "T1", the walls 9 of member 7 are facing their respective demolding states (Figure 2). In effect, in this situation, the walls 9 of member 7 advancing in extension "T1" have coplanar extensions and face the upper surface 13a of manifold 13 so as to be struck by the flow of cooling air.

[0066] The airflow is cooled by a water heat exchanger 16, which is only schematically illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, in order to supply pressurized and cooled air at a predetermined temperature into the manifold.

[0067] For this purpose, the manifold 13 is advantageously provided with an internal cooling air passage duct 15 for fluid communication between the heat exchanger 16 and the nozzle 14.

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

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

[0070] The passage duct 17 supplies fluid to cool the interior of the wall 9 while the fluid is supplied along the circumferential path "C" in each acquired and / or released state.

[0071] In particular, as is clearly shown in Figures 6, 7a, and 7b, the passage duct 17 includes an inlet 17a configured to supply cooling fluid from a supply source 18 toward the inside of the wall 9, an outlet 17b for the fluid heated inside the wall 9, configured so that the high-temperature fluid flows toward the outside of the wall 9, and a plurality of heat exchange sections 17c extending between the inlet 17a and the outlet 17b. In this way, the fluid in the exchange sections 17c absorbs the heat transferred by the wall 9, thereby lowering the temperature of the wall 9.

[0072] As a result, the cold fluid in the inlet 17a is heated in the heat exchange section 17c and then discharged from the outlet 17b through the wall 9.

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

[0074] In other words, the heat exchange section 17c is housed in a region 19 of the wall in which a unit quantity "D" is engaged by the wall 9. The region 19 is advantageously provided with the aforementioned suction holes and / or blow holes 10. From the cross-sectional views of Figures 7a and 7b, it should be noted that the region 19 is determined by a cavity 20 in the wall 9 that defines a reduced cross-section in which the thickness of the wall 9 is much smaller to facilitate heat exchange with the cooling fluid.

[0075] As a result, when a unit quantity "D" is acquired and held, the heat transferred from the unit quantity "D" to the wall 9 is absorbed by the fluid in the heat exchange duct 17c, and consequently, the temperature of the wall 9 being cooled is controlled.

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

[0077] The supply source 18, schematically shown in Figures 2 and 3, preferably includes a water heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the inlet 17a and outlet 17b to cool the fluid (high temperature) coming from the outlet 17b and supply the cooled fluid to the inlet 17a.

[0078] For this purpose, the supply source 18 is fluidly connected to the inlet 17a by a series of channels 21 for supplying cold fluid, which are constructed on the rotary conveyor 8 and are shown only schematically (Figure 1).

[0079] In this way, each flow path 21 extends radially from the center of the rotary conveyor connected to the supply source toward each member 7, allowing the cold fluid to pass through to each inlet 17a created in each wall 9 while the transport unit 7 travels along the fully enclosed path "C".

[0080] Advantageously, wall 9 is constantly thermally regulated and kept stably at an optimal temperature, dissipating the heat generated by the unit quantity "D".

[0081] In a further embodiment of Figure 1, there is also at least one curved cavity 22 corresponding to each angled portion "T2" of the closed path "C". The arc-shaped cavity 22 is created in a fixed area of ​​the rotary conveyor 8 so as to always be in fluid communication with the source 8 and can be selectively connected to the channel 21 only when each member 7 passes through the angled portion "T2" as described above.

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

[0083] In this way, internal cooling of the wall 9 occurs only when member 7 passes through the angled portion T2, and therefore only in a portion of the closed path "C".

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

[0085] Therefore, the position and size of each curved cavity 22 determine the position and duration of the cooling action of the wall 9. Figure 1 shows, as an example, a single cavity 22 that allows the passage of cooling fluid between the apparatus 2 and the mold 5 (angled section "T2"). However, it should be noted that the cavity 22 can have any position or length depending on the specific cooling action of the wall 9.

[0086] According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the cooling means 11 can consist of a system for distributing suction and airflow of a unit amount "D". In this case, the suction / airflow passing through the holes 10 is also used for thermal adjustment and to provide a cooling effect on the wall 9 in the portion between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 for the unit amount "D".

[0087] The present invention also relates to a method for compression molding an object made of polymer material. - The dispensing device 2 continuously dispenses unit amounts "D" of polymer material in a shape suitable for compression molding, - A step in which a unit quantity "D" is obtained from the discharge device 2 using each conveying unit 7 attached to the rotary conveyor 8, - The step of sending member 7 from the dispensing device 2 to the mold 5 along the forward direction A and the closed path "C", - The process includes the step of releasing a unit amount within the mold 5 to create a concave object. - The step of advancing member 7 also includes a step of cooling each transport unit 7 in at least the regions T1 and T2 of the closed path "C".

[0088] In particular, the step of cooling the conveying section 7 is performed by blowing at least one airflow toward the wall 9 of each member 7, which is configured to engage and hold a unit quantity "D".

[0089] The airflow blowing stage is operated by blowing multiple jets of pressurized air, which are arranged to align along the arc-shaped portion "T1" of the path "C" interposed between the mold 5 and the dispensing device 2 in the forward direction "A" of the conveying unit 7.

[0090] The airflow is dispensed toward the walls 9 of the conveying section 7, with the conveying section 7 directed toward each release state of the unit quantity "D". Advantageously, in the release state, the walls 9 are inverted so that their planar extensions are parallel to the forward direction "A" along the path "C". Furthermore, in the release state, the walls 9 are coplanar with each other so as to face the airflow impacting the surface of each wall 9.

[0091] It should be noted that, advantageously, the cooling action takes place upstream of the dispensing device 2, and therefore before the stage of acquiring the unit quantity "D". In this way, each wall 9 is thermally adjusted (cooled) to acquire and hold the unit quantity "D" in an optimal state from a thermal standpoint, and as a result, the unit quantity "D" is also cooled.

[0092] In addition to, or instead of, the step of cooling the transport section 7 is performed by distributing a cooling fluid inside the walls 9 of each component 7.

[0093] In this case, the cooling heat flow is distributed to the inside of wall 9, rather than hitting wall 9 from the outside as described above.

[0094] Preferably, the step of distributing a cooling fluid into the interior of the wall 9 is performed by supplying the fluid through a plurality of heat exchange sections 7c created inside the wall 9, so that the fluid absorbs the heat transferred from the dose D through the wall 9 and thus lowers the temperature of the wall 9.

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

[0096] Alternatively, according to a further embodiment, the step of distributing a cooling fluid within the wall 9 is performed in at least one angular sector "T2" of the closed path "C" while each member 7 is passing through. In this way, the wall 9 is cooled for a period of time that may coincide with or precede the step of acquiring and depositing a unit amount "D".

[0097] Therefore, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and brings about significant advantages.

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

[0099] In this way, the temperature of the cooled wall 9 also lowers the temperature of the unit quantity "D", maintaining it in a semi-solid state suitable for compression molding under all circumstances, while preventing it from adhering to the wall 9.

[0100] Therefore, the cooling action of wall 9, which also determines the cooling of the unit quantity "D", allows the unit quantity "D" to be easily detached simply by moving wall 9 and interrupting the suction as needed. Thus, the unit quantity "D" can be precisely placed on punch 6 in an optimal manner.

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

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

Claims

1. A dispensing device that dispenses unit amounts of polymer material in a form suitable for compression molding, A mold for manufacturing a concave object by receiving the aforementioned unit quantity, A plurality of transport units for each of the unit quantities, each configured to acquire the respective unit quantity from the dispensing device and release it into the mold, A device comprising a rotary conveyor that supports the plurality of transport units and supplies each of the plurality of transport units in the forward direction along a closed path passing between the dispensing device and the mold, so as to transport the aforementioned unit amount to the mold, Each of the plurality of conveying sections is provided with a wall, and the wall has a contact surface that intersects the forward direction and contacts the unit quantity, so that it engages with the unit quantity rotatably placed on the rotary conveyor between an acquisition state in which the unit quantity is bent and acquired from the dispensing device, and a release state in which the unit quantity is released from the mold by gravity when the wall is inverted so that the contact surface faces the mold. Furthermore, each of the conveying units is provided with a cooling means for cooling the conveying unit at least within the region of the closed path. The cooling means is characterized by cooling the wall during a period that coincides with the acquisition state and the release state, and / or during a period prior to the acquisition state. Device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises at least one blowing unit that blows a cooling airflow and directs the cooling airflow toward the wall in each open state, the wall being cooled by the blowing unit upstream of the dispensing device in the open state and having a flat extension facing the blowing unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blowing unit has a manifold having an arc-shaped extension parallel to at least a portion of the closed path interposed between the mold and the dispensing device in the forward direction of the conveying unit, and the manifold has at least one nozzle for discharging the cooling airflow toward the wall.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the manifold has a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from each other and releasing an airflow along at least a portion of the closed path interposed between the mold and the dispensing device, and the wall is in the open state.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cooling means comprises a water heat exchanger for cooling the air upstream of the manifold, and the manifold has an internal duct for the passage of the cooling airflow that fluidly connects the water heat exchanger and the nozzle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cooling means has a plurality of holes for suction and / or airflow of a unit amount formed in the contact surface, and the holes allow air to enter, thereby enabling the wall to be cooled during suction and / or airflow of a unit amount.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cooling means has a duct for passing a cooling fluid formed inside the wall to cool the wall along a circumferential path in each of the acquired and / or released states.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the through duct comprises an inlet for supplying the cooling fluid from a supply source that supplies the cooling fluid into the interior of the wall, an outlet for the cooling fluid which is heated inside the wall so that the cooling fluid flows out toward the outside of the wall, and a plurality of heat exchange sections extending between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the cooling fluid in the plurality of heat exchange sections reduces the temperature of the wall by absorbing heat transferred from the unit amount.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of heat exchange units are parallel to each other and extend within the region of the wall in which the unit amount is in contact.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the supply source comprises a water heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet in order to cool the cooling fluid from the outlet and to supply the cooled fluid to the inlet.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the supply source is in fluid communication with the inlet via a channel that supplies the cooling fluid formed in the rotary conveyor, and the channel allows cooled air to flow to the inlet through the fully closed path of the conveying section.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the supply source is in fluid communication with the inlet via a channel formed in the rotary conveyor for supplying a cooling fluid, the channel having at least one curved cavity corresponding to an angular portion of the closed path, and the channel allowing the cooled fluid to pass toward the inlet only when the transport section is located in the angular portion of the closed path.

13. A step of continuously dispensing unit amounts of polymer material from a dispensing device in a form suitable for compression molding, The steps include: acquiring the unit quantity from the dispensing device by a conveying unit corresponding to each of the unit quantities placed on a rotary conveyor; The steps include supplying the conveying unit in the forward direction along a closed path from the dispensing device to the mold, The process includes a step of creating a concave object by releasing the unit amount into the mold, The method also includes a step of cooling each of the conveying units during the step of supplying the conveying units within the region of the closed path, A method characterized in that the cooling step is performed during a period that coincides with the acquisition step and the release step, and / or during a period prior to the acquisition step.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the cooling step is actuated by sending at least one airflow toward each wall of the conveying section configured to engage with the unit quantity.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of supplying the airflow is performed by dispensing a plurality of pressurized jets, positioned to be aligned along the arc-shaped portion of the closed path interposed between the mold and the dispensing device, in the forward direction of the conveying unit.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the airflow is supplied toward the wall of the transport section which is in a state in which the unit amount is released, and the wall is inverted such that the planar expansion section is parallel to the forward direction.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the step of cooling the conveying section is performed by distributing a cooling fluid into the interior of each wall of the conveying section configured to engage with the unit volume.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is performed by supplying the cooling fluid through a plurality of heat exchange sections formed inside the wall, thereby allowing the cooling fluid to absorb heat transferred from the unit amount and reduce the temperature of the wall.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is performed while each of the transport units is present throughout the entire path of the closed path.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of distributing the cooling fluid within the wall is performed while each of the transport units passes through at least one angular portion of the closed path.

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