MOLD ASSEMBLY FOR BLOW MOLDING PLASTIC ARTICLES AND METHOD OF USE

摘要

A mold assembly (10) for blow molding plastic articles (4) is provided having an upper mold member (12), a lower mold member (14) and a lower support member (16). The lower mold member (14) is preferably a relatively lightweight plate having a generally centrally located molding cavity (30) matingly matched with an upper molding cavity (20) in the upper mold member (12). The lower mold member (14) is moved horizontally and optionally vertically beneath an extrusion head (H) as a molten parison (P) is extruded. The lower mold member(14) is then transported to, and positioned within, the lower support member (16). The upper mold member (12) is then closed over the lower mold member (14) and lower support (16) to close the mold assembly (10). The molten parison (P) is then expanded in the mold cavity (20,30). After the molding operation, the plastic part (4) may be removed and the lower mold member (14) may be cooled by immersion in a cooling fluid. The apparatus to move the lower mold member (14) during extrusion of the parison (P) and to the molding station may be a robotic arm (R). The lower mold member (14) is relatively lightweight so that it may be efficiently moved by the robot arm (R) while the necessary structural support is provided by the lower support member (16).