Three-Part Blow Mold Linkage for Low-Vibration Base Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing molding devices for thermoplastic containers experience premature wear and vibration due to complex actuation systems that control mold opening and closing, leading to misalignment and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism with a cylindrical cam and mechanical linkage synchronizes the opening and closing of mold halves with the raising and lowering of the mold base, eliminating the need for multiple adjustments, using a freely rotating cylindrical cam and a roller to control the mold movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex actuation systems with multiple cam and roller mechanisms are used to control mold opening and closing, then the mold positioning can be achieved, but vibrations and premature wear of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold positioning precisionVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control of mold opening/closing and mold base raising/lowering into a single integrated actuation system. The mechanical linkage connects the mold halves directly to the mold base, so that one actuation mechanism simultaneously controls both movements, eliminating the need for separate cam and roller mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the complex cam and roller mechanisms from the system. Instead of using multiple separate actuation mechanisms, the invention uses a simplified mechanical linkage that directly connects the mold halves to the mold base, extracting the unnecessary complexity while maintaining the required positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate actuation systems are used to control mold opening/closing and mold base movement, then specific movements can be controlled independently, but the number of moving parts and adjustments increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement control flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of actuation mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate actuation functions into one integrated system. The mechanical linkage connects the mold halves to the mold base, allowing a single actuation mechanism to control both the opening/closing of the mold and the raising/lowering of the mold base simultaneously, reducing the number of moving parts and adjustments needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If cam and roller mechanisms are used for mold actuation, then the mold can be precisely positioned, but vibrations occur during cooperative movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold positioning precisionVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the cam and roller mechanisms that generate vibrations. Instead, it uses a direct mechanical linkage between the mold halves and the mold base that eliminates the cooperative movements between cam and roller, thereby eliminating the source of vibrations while maintaining positioning precision through the linkage geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces wear and vibration, ensuring precise mold control and eliminating the need for precise mold positioning, enhancing the durability of the machine's components.

Implementation Method 1

a cylindrical cam positioned below the bottom of the mold, the cylindrical cam is mounted to rotate freely around a vertical axis, said rotation of the cylindrical cam being obtained by the opening or closing movement of one of the half-molds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

the cylindrical cam cooperates with at least one roller mounted freely on a vertical support to the upper end of which the bottom of the mold is attached

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRoller mechanism: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP4457076B1Device for blow-moulding or stretch-blow-moulding thermoplastic containers
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
  • EP4457076B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4457076B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4457076B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for moulding containers from thermoplastic preforms by blow-molding or stretch-blow-moulding, the device comprising a vertical-axis three-part mould (2), the three parts being two half-moulds (4, 6) for the body of the container and a mould bottom (8) for the bottom of the container. The half-moulds (4, 6) are moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa by means of an actuating system, and the movement of raising and lowering the mould bottom (8) is performed by a mechanical linkage (10) between at least one half-mould (4, 6) and the mould bottom (8) such that the closing and opening of the mould cause the mould bottom (8) to rise or fall respectively.