Press tool and mandrel combination for forming containers - with thermoplastic tops, involving simple, robust components which can work in gangs

摘要

Flexible tubes involving a combination of a tubular body and a moulded top with an integral threaded neck are made by supporting the sleeve at a low level on cylindrical mandrel taller than the sleeve while a preform of thermoplastic material is heat softened while supported on the top of the mandrel. The sleeve is then raised until standing sufficiently proud of the shoulders of the mandrel to be turned in by a press tool which is simultaneously reshaping the soft preform into a top and neck for the container. The tubular body is sufficiently remote from the top of the mandrel to not require shielding while the thermoplastic preform on top of the mandrel is heated. The equipment is very simple and robust. Several mandrels can be serviced by multiple cam-lift mechanisms and press tools working in unison.