Blow Mold Assembly Manual Neck Insert Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blow molding mold assemblies require significant time to replace neck insert mold components due to the need for tool-assisted removal and installation of fasteners, leading to interruptions in container production when switching between different closure types.
Innovation Solution
A blow mold assembly with manually operable retention devices, such as a toggle mechanism with a clamp arm and lever arm, allows for the easy installation and removal of neck insert mold components without tools, using alignment pins to secure the shear member and neck finish member in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fasteners are used to retain neck insert mold components, then the neck insert mold components are securely retained in the mold assembly, but the time required to replace neck insert mold components increases due to tool-assisted removal and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from traditional screw fasteners and integrates it into the retention device itself. The retention device includes a body with a retention cavity and a retention member that can be manually moved between engaged and disengaged positions, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention device is designed to be manually operable without tools. The retention member can be directly manipulated by hand to move between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing operators to perform maintenance tasks themselves without requiring specialized tools or assistance.
2Reliability
If traditional fasteners are used for neck insert mold components, then secure retention is achieved, but production interruptions increase when switching between different closure types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the time-consuming fastener removal and installation steps by extracting the fastening function and integrating it into a manually operable retention device. This allows for rapid replacement of neck insert mold components during production changeovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention device features a dynamic retention member that can be quickly moved between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic design allows for rapid adjustment and replacement of neck insert mold components without requiring time-consuming fastener operations.
3Productivity
If manually operable retention devices are used, then replacement time is reduced and production efficiency improves, but the complexity of the retention mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device is segmented into distinct functional components: a body with retention cavity, a retention member with engagement feature, and alignment pins. This segmentation allows for simple individual parts that combine to provide the full retention function without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention device provides localized retention at specific points where needed. The retention member engages with the neck insert mold component at specific engagement features, and alignment pins provide localized alignment, rather than requiring a complex overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
A blow mold assembly comprises removable neck insert mold components for forming features of a container for engaging a removable container closure and manually operable retention devices for releasably retaining the neck insert mold components with mating mold components of the mold assembly. Advantageously, each manually operable retention device comprises a clamp mechanism comprising a lever arm and clamp arm arranged so that the clamp arm is rotated between a release position and a clamp position by manual operation of the lever arm and the clamp mechanism is effective to resist forces acting on the clamp arm to rotate the clamp arm to the release position when the clamp arm is in the clamp position. Each manually operable retention device is retained with an associated mating mold component when a neck insert mold component is removed from or installed to the mold assembly.