Title of Invention	MACHINE FOR FORMING CAPS BY COMPRESSION MOLDING
Abstract	Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel (1) rotating about a central axis (2) and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units (3) mounted equidistant fom each other and from the axis of rotation; a second carousel (4) rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the crousel and provided peripherally with means (42) for feeding the change of material to be molded to die cavities (330) of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned from punches of the first carousel; a possible and carousel (5) provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel: at least one further second carousel (4) associated both with respective means for feeding the material to be molded and with a possible further third carousel (5). such as to from a system having at least two carousels (4) distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel (1), So that each mould implements at least two forming cycles for each revolution of the carousel, the two cycles being affected along travel arcs the first carousel which are at least partly superposed.

Title of Invention

MACHINE FOR FORMING CAPS BY COMPRESSION MOLDING

Abstract

Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel (1) rotating about a central axis (2) and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units (3) mounted equidistant fom each other and from the axis of rotation; a second carousel (4) rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the crousel and provided peripherally with means (42) for feeding the change of material to be molded to die cavities (330) of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned from punches of the first carousel; a possible and carousel (5) provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel: at least one further second carousel (4) associated both with respective means for feeding the material to be molded and with a possible further third carousel (5). such as to from a system having at least two carousels (4) distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel (1), So that each mould implements at least two forming cycles for each revolution of the carousel, the two cycles being affected along travel arcs the first carousel which are at least partly superposed.

Full Text	WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 DESCRIPTION MACHINE FOR FORMING CAPS BY COMPRESSION MOLDING 5 TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to machines for forming articles, in particular closure caps, by compression molding. The ensuing description specifically relates to caps, but can equally relate to articles other than caps. 10 BACKGROUND ART Such machines are known for example from US 5,807,592 in the name of the same applicant. Said machines comprise a rotating carousel for compression molding comprising a support element rotating about a central vertical axis. 15 A plurality of compression molding units are mounted on the support etement equidistant from each other and from the axis of said carousel. Each of said units comprises a fixed upper punch and a lower mould provided with a cavity and movable vertically to engage and disengage the fixed upper punch. 20 Machines are also known in which both the lower mould and the upper punch or just the upper punch alone are movable, but this does not modify that stated hereinafter. Means are provided to rotate said support element such that each molding unit undergoes a path of travel comprising a loading station for the 25 material to be molded, a molding zone, a cooling zone and a zone for discharging the molded cap. 1 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 The loading zone for the material to be molded and the cap discharge zone can be perfectly superposed, so that the two operations can be substantially simultaneous. Means are provided for causing said upper punches and said lower 5 moulds to approach and withdraw from each other during rotation of the support element. The loading and discharge operations take place with the aid of at least one second carousel, known as the loading and discharge carousel, the active means of which follow a trajectory tangential to the trajectory of the 10 mould on the support element, said operations being effected at the actual point of tangency. Of the said operations, the more delicate is the loading of the material charge to be molded, which must take place within a certain limited time if control of the characteristics of the material loaded into the mould cavity is 15 to be maintained. The time which passes between loading one charge into the mould and loading the next charge into the same mould defines the duration of one cap forming cycle, which is dictated by plant requirements. The duration also comprises a time, ten own as the stoppage time, during so which the mould, once the cap has been formed, hag to remain inactive for safety reasons in order to enable the carousel to halt should difficulties arise. Tire stoppage time corresponds to an arc of rotation of the carousel known as the stoppage arc, which is generally defined by the number of inactive 25 moulds. 2 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 The stoppage arc, which depends on inertial problems, is proportional to the square of the rotational speed of the carousel. There is therefore a compromise situation between the number of moulds on which the carousel diameter depends, and the carouse speed, which 5 as stated influences the stoppage arc, this compromise enabling the characteristics of the carousel to be optimized on the basis of the desired production rate. The time required by the charge loading operation evidently limits the rotational speed of the carousel, this drawback being at least partly 10 obviated by the said US 5,807,592 in the name of the same applicant, in which the loading and discharge carousel not only rotates about its axis but can also be shifted slightly to enable the loading means to remain over the mould cavity for a time exceeding the normal overlying time at the point of tangency. 15 The invention of said US 5,807,592 presents not only a productivity limit depending on the rotational speed of the carousel carrying the moulds, but also a considerable mechanical complication due to the need to shift the axis off the loading and discharge carousel at each operation. Any increase in the carausel speed beyond title defined optimum speed is 20 in effect prevented by the increase in the stoppage arc, which as seen is proportional to the square of the speed. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to increase the production rate while at the same time also increasing the time available for loading the material 25 change to be molded, for a carousel having the aforedefined optimum characteristics. 3 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 I This object is attained by a machine having the characteristics defined in the claims. The simultaneity of the loading and discharge operations introduced by US 5,307,592, which has enabled the production rate to be increased, is 5 associated according to the invention with different modalities for feeding the charge. The machine of the invention presents a carousel having a diameter and a rotational speed such that during one complete revolution of the carousel at least two molding cycles are achieved for each mould, said cycles being 10 also able to be partly concurrent. This solution offers advantages which are already apparent even if only two cycles are to be achieved for each revolution of the carousel. Taking as reference a carousel of the aforedefined optimum characteristics effecting one cycle for each revolution, if two cycles are to 15 be effected for each revolution the rotational speed has to be halved 1o respect the cycle duration. However by halving the speed each of the two cycles will have a stoppage arc available which is four times that required for safety reasons. If the stoppage arc is defined by the number of moulds which have to 20 remain inactive, and said number is equal to x for a certain rotational speed, then for a rotational speed which is halved said number becomes equal to 2ax. This not only enables a greater time to be available for loading the mould. but also enables the machine productivity to be further increased by 25 simply resetting the stoppage arc to the value necessary to maintain safety. 4 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 If then the two cycles for forming a cap in the same mould are partly superposed, namely during the loading of the change and during discharge of the cap, the aforesaid synergic effect is further increased. According to this preferential embodiment, each of the devices provided 5 along the carousel circumference loads the charge of the next cycle and discharges the cap of the previous cycle. In conformity with the invention each cap is completely formed, starting with the loading of the charge and finishing with the discharge of the cap, within a path of travel exceeding that fraction of a revolution of the 10 carousel undergone by each individual loading and discharge means associated with the carousel. This enables a carousel rotational speed, and hence a productivity, to be chosen between the speed undergone by the carousel if associated with a single device and the sub-multiple of said speed equal to the number of 15 loading and discharge devices associated with the carousel. it has been found that, with reference to the maximum allowable speed of a carousel provided with a single loading and discharge device, a speed reduced by one third is advantageous for the same carousel provided with two loading and discharge devices. 20 This enables the production to be increased by forty percent, while having a time period available for loading the charge which is increased by thirty percent. The merits and the constructional and operational characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description with 25 reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example. 5 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a forming machine according to the invention. 5 Figure 2 shows the section 11-11 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged portion of Figure 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The figures show a first carousel 1 which rotates about a vertical axis 2 10 and carries, aligned and equidistant along a circumference, a certain number of molding stations 3 each of which comprises an upper punch 31 and a lower die 32 arranged to define, in its simplest version, a forming cavity 320. External to the carousel 1 there are positioned, in diametrically opposite 15 positions, two second carousels 4 for loading the charge and discharging the cap. In series with each of the second carousels 4 for loading the charge and simultaneously discharging the cap, there is positioned a third carousel 5 provided with a star member 51, for removing the caps withdrawn by the 20 second carousel. The means for synchronously rotating the carousel 1, the carousel 4 and the carousel 5 are not described as they are well known to the expert and are sufficiently illustrated in the aforesaid US 5,807,592 in the name of the same applicant. 25 With each of the carousels 4 there are associated means for feeding charges of synthetic material to be molded, said means consisting, in the 6 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 illustrated example, of an extruder 410 provided with a charge emission nozzle 420 shown in Figure 2. With particular reference to Figure 2, this shows a portion 6 of the machine bed on which the carousel 1 rotates. 5 The portion 6 houses a motorized shaft 7 carrying the third carousel 5 at its top, and a pulley 8 keyed onto an intermediate zone. With the shaft 7 there is associated a rotatable bush 9 carrying a laterally projecting shelf 10. The shelf 10 is maintained in the desired position by a cylinder-piston unit of which only the piston rod 11 is visible. 10 By way of a bush 12 and bearings 13, the shelf 10 supports a rotatable shaft 14, to the top of which the second carousel 4 is fixed. The lower end of the shaft 14 carries a pulley 15 which is rotatably connected to the pulley 8 of the shaft 7 by way of a toothed belt 16, the intermediate pulley 17 and the toothed belt 18. 15 The carousel 4 comprises a base plate 41 keyed onto the shaft 14 and provided with charge withdrawal cups 42 positioned equidistant along a circumference and each connected to pneumatic means. Said means comprise a circular channel 43 provided within the shelf 10 and connected by vertical conduits to an annular distributor 44 on which 20 there sealedly slide the ends of conduits 45 connected to the perforated base of the cups 42. Above the plate 41 there is a plate 47 above which a star member 47 is positioned. It should be noted that the circumference along which the cups 42 are 25 aligned is tangential to the circumference along which the punches 31 and the relative lower dies 32 are aligned. 7 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 At a point external to the carousel 4 there is a nozzle 411 fed by the extruder 410, and by which the material charges to be molded are emitted. Said nozzle 411 is visible in Figure 2, and is aligned vertically with the circumference along which the cups 42 are aligned, it being external to the 5 shelf 10. The machine operates in the following manner. For simplicity, it will be described with reference only to one forming cycle between two loading and discharge stations, relative to one half a revolution of the carousel 1. 10 The extruder 410 feeds the carousel 4 with a series of material charges which leave one by one from the nozzle 411 and are collected by the cups 42 as these pass above the nozzle; the charges remain in the cups by spontaneous adhesion. The carousel 4 rotates in phase and in synchronism with the rotation of the 13 carousel 1, so that the cups 42 become successively aligned with the cavities 320 of the dies 32. The cavities 320 are empty, as the cap which has just been molded lies mounted on the punch 31 which is now spaced from the respective cavity 320. 20 The charge is made to fall into the respective cavity by pneumatic means which are well known and are therefore not described in detail. Simultaneously with the loading of the charge, suitable pneumatic means, not shown, present in the punch 31 cause the cap just formed to fall onto the plate 46, between the points of the star member 47. 25 During the rotation of the carousel 4, the caps maintained equidistant by the star member 47 are led to the star member 51 of the carousel 5 which 8 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 rotates synchronously and in phase with the star member 47, The star member 51 carries the caps to a fixed discharge chute 48 (Figure 1) located adjacent and coplanar to the plate 45. Having loaded the charge, the forming cycle commences witti the raising 5 of the mould cavity 320 until it receives the punch 31, with the simultaneous formation of the cap by compressing the charge, followed by a stage in which the mould is cooled and opened. The open mould with the cap mounted on the punch reaches that carousel 4 diametrically opposite to that in which the charge was loaded, and the 10 cycle is repeated. It is apparent from the aforegoing that for each complete revolution of the carousel two caps are molded, each along a path bounded by one of the described loading and discharge stations, said two cycles being partially simultaneous with the loading of the charge and the discharge of the cap. 15 The third carousel could also be omitted, and the caps abandoned by the second carousel be removed in another manner. 9 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 CLAIMS 1. A machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel rotating about a central axis and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units mounted equidistant from 5 each other and from the axis of rotation, said units comprising an upper punch and a tower die provided with a cavity, said punch and die being mutually movable along a common vertical axis in response to suitable operating means; - a second carousel rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the 10 first carousel and provided peripherally with means for feeding the charge of material to be molded to the die cavities of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned by the punches of the first carousel; - means for feeding charges of material to be molded to said second 15 carousel; said first and second carousel having their respective means positioned on circumferences which are mutually tangential at one point; - characterized by comprising at least one further second carousel associated both with respective means for feeding the material to be 20 molded, such as to form a system having at least two second carousels distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel, so that each mould implements at least two forming cycles for each revolution of the carousel. 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising at 25 least one third carousel provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel. 10 WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the forming cycles are effected along travel arcs of the first carousel which are at least partly superposed. 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second 5 carousel is connected to motion transmission means which cause it to rotate in phase and in synchronism with the first carousel 5. A machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the second and the third carousel are connected together by motion transmission means which cause them to rotate in synchronism with each other and 10 with the first carousel. 6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second carousel comprises two superposed coaxially rotating plates for respectively feeding the charge to the cavity of the first carousel and simultaneously collecting the cap from the first carousel. 15 7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said third carousel comprises a star-shaped plate for the spaced-apart withdrawal of the caps from the second carousel. 8. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the charge withdrawal means consist of downwardly open cups associated with 20 pneumatic means for retaining and expelling the charge. 11 Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel (1) rotating about a central axis (2) and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units (3) mounted equidistant fom each other and from the axis of rotation; a second carousel (4) rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the crousel and provided peripherally with means (42) for feeding the change of material to be molded to die cavities (330) of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded caps abandoned from punches of the first carousel; a possible and carousel (5) provided peripherally with means for guiding and conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel: at least one further second carousel (4) associated both with respective means for feeding the material to be molded and with a possible further third carousel (5). such as to from a system having at least two carousels (4) distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel (1), So that each mould implements at least two forming cycles for each revolution of the carousel, the two cycles being affected along travel arcs the first carousel which are at least partly superposed.

Full Text

WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
DESCRIPTION
MACHINE FOR FORMING CAPS BY COMPRESSION MOLDING
5 TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to machines for forming articles, in particular
closure caps, by compression molding.
The ensuing description specifically relates to caps, but can equally relate
to articles other than caps.
10 BACKGROUND ART
Such machines are known for example from US 5,807,592 in the name of
the same applicant.
Said machines comprise a rotating carousel for compression molding
comprising a support element rotating about a central vertical axis.
15 A plurality of compression molding units are mounted on the support
etement equidistant from each other and from the axis of said carousel.
Each of said units comprises a fixed upper punch and a lower mould
provided with a cavity and movable vertically to engage and disengage the
fixed upper punch.
20 Machines are also known in which both the lower mould and the upper
punch or just the upper punch alone are movable, but this does not modify
that stated hereinafter.
Means are provided to rotate said support element such that each molding
unit undergoes a path of travel comprising a loading station for the
25 material to be molded, a molding zone, a cooling zone and a zone for
discharging the molded cap.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
The loading zone for the material to be molded and the cap discharge
zone can be perfectly superposed, so that the two operations can be
substantially simultaneous.
Means are provided for causing said upper punches and said lower
5 moulds to approach and withdraw from each other during rotation of the
support element.
The loading and discharge operations take place with the aid of at least
one second carousel, known as the loading and discharge carousel, the
active means of which follow a trajectory tangential to the trajectory of the
10 mould on the support element, said operations being effected at the actual
point of tangency.
Of the said operations, the more delicate is the loading of the material
charge to be molded, which must take place within a certain limited time if
control of the characteristics of the material loaded into the mould cavity is
15 to be maintained.
The time which passes between loading one charge into the mould and
loading the next charge into the same mould defines the duration of one
cap forming cycle, which is dictated by plant requirements.
The duration also comprises a time, ten own as the stoppage time, during
so which the mould, once the cap has been formed, hag to remain inactive for
safety reasons in order to enable the carousel to halt should difficulties
arise.
Tire stoppage time corresponds to an arc of rotation of the carousel known
as the stoppage arc, which is generally defined by the number of inactive
25 moulds.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
The stoppage arc, which depends on inertial problems, is proportional to
the square of the rotational speed of the carousel.
There is therefore a compromise situation between the number of moulds
on which the carousel diameter depends, and the carouse speed, which
5 as stated influences the stoppage arc, this compromise enabling the
characteristics of the carousel to be optimized on the basis of the desired
production rate.
The time required by the charge loading operation evidently limits the
rotational speed of the carousel, this drawback being at least partly
10 obviated by the said US 5,807,592 in the name of the same applicant, in
which the loading and discharge carousel not only rotates about its axis
but can also be shifted slightly to enable the loading means to remain over
the mould cavity for a time exceeding the normal overlying time at the
point of tangency.
15 The invention of said US 5,807,592 presents not only a productivity limit
depending on the rotational speed of the carousel carrying the moulds, but
also a considerable mechanical complication due to the need to shift the
axis off the loading and discharge carousel at each operation.
Any increase in the carausel speed beyond title defined optimum speed is
20 in effect prevented by the increase in the stoppage arc, which as seen is
proportional to the square of the speed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to increase the production rate while
at the same time also increasing the time available for loading the material
25 change to be molded, for a carousel having the aforedefined optimum
characteristics.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
I
This object is attained by a machine having the characteristics defined in
the claims.
The simultaneity of the loading and discharge operations introduced by US
5,307,592, which has enabled the production rate to be increased, is
5 associated according to the invention with different modalities for feeding
the charge.
The machine of the invention presents a carousel having a diameter and a
rotational speed such that during one complete revolution of the carousel
at least two molding cycles are achieved for each mould, said cycles being
10 also able to be partly concurrent.
This solution offers advantages which are already apparent even if only
two cycles are to be achieved for each revolution of the carousel.
Taking as reference a carousel of the aforedefined optimum
characteristics effecting one cycle for each revolution, if two cycles are to
15 be effected for each revolution the rotational speed has to be halved 1o
respect the cycle duration.
However by halving the speed each of the two cycles will have a stoppage
arc available which is four times that required for safety reasons.
If the stoppage arc is defined by the number of moulds which have to
20 remain inactive, and said number is equal to x for a certain rotational
speed, then for a rotational speed which is halved said number becomes
equal to 2ax.
This not only enables a greater time to be available for loading the mould.
but also enables the machine productivity to be further increased by
25 simply resetting the stoppage arc to the value necessary to maintain
safety.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
If then the two cycles for forming a cap in the same mould are partly
superposed, namely during the loading of the change and during discharge
of the cap, the aforesaid synergic effect is further increased.
According to this preferential embodiment, each of the devices provided
5 along the carousel circumference loads the charge of the next cycle and
discharges the cap of the previous cycle.
In conformity with the invention each cap is completely formed, starting
with the loading of the charge and finishing with the discharge of the cap,
within a path of travel exceeding that fraction of a revolution of the
10 carousel undergone by each individual loading and discharge means
associated with the carousel.
This enables a carousel rotational speed, and hence a productivity, to be
chosen between the speed undergone by the carousel if associated with a
single device and the sub-multiple of said speed equal to the number of
15 loading and discharge devices associated with the carousel.
it has been found that, with reference to the maximum allowable speed of
a carousel provided with a single loading and discharge device, a speed
reduced by one third is advantageous for the same carousel provided with
two loading and discharge devices.
20 This enables the production to be increased by forty percent, while having
a time period available for loading the charge which is increased by thirty
percent.
The merits and the constructional and operational characteristics of the
invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description with
25 reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred
embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a forming machine according to the
invention.
5 Figure 2 shows the section 11-11 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged portion of Figure 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The figures show a first carousel 1 which rotates about a vertical axis 2
10 and carries, aligned and equidistant along a circumference, a certain
number of molding stations 3 each of which comprises an upper punch 31
and a lower die 32 arranged to define, in its simplest version, a forming
cavity 320.
External to the carousel 1 there are positioned, in diametrically opposite
15 positions, two second carousels 4 for loading the charge and discharging
the cap.
In series with each of the second carousels 4 for loading the charge and
simultaneously discharging the cap, there is positioned a third carousel 5
provided with a star member 51, for removing the caps withdrawn by the
20 second carousel.
The means for synchronously rotating the carousel 1, the carousel 4 and
the carousel 5 are not described as they are well known to the expert and
are sufficiently illustrated in the aforesaid US 5,807,592 in the name of the
same applicant.
25 With each of the carousels 4 there are associated means for feeding
charges of synthetic material to be molded, said means consisting, in the
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
illustrated example, of an extruder 410 provided with a charge emission
nozzle 420 shown in Figure 2.
With particular reference to Figure 2, this shows a portion 6 of the machine
bed on which the carousel 1 rotates.
5 The portion 6 houses a motorized shaft 7 carrying the third carousel 5 at
its top, and a pulley 8 keyed onto an intermediate zone.
With the shaft 7 there is associated a rotatable bush 9 carrying a laterally
projecting shelf 10. The shelf 10 is maintained in the desired position by a
cylinder-piston unit of which only the piston rod 11 is visible.
10 By way of a bush 12 and bearings 13, the shelf 10 supports a rotatable
shaft 14, to the top of which the second carousel 4 is fixed.
The lower end of the shaft 14 carries a pulley 15 which is rotatably
connected to the pulley 8 of the shaft 7 by way of a toothed belt 16, the
intermediate pulley 17 and the toothed belt 18.
15 The carousel 4 comprises a base plate 41 keyed onto the shaft 14 and
provided with charge withdrawal cups 42 positioned equidistant along a
circumference and each connected to pneumatic means.
Said means comprise a circular channel 43 provided within the shelf 10
and connected by vertical conduits to an annular distributor 44 on which
20 there sealedly slide the ends of conduits 45 connected to the perforated
base of the cups 42.
Above the plate 41 there is a plate 47 above which a star member 47 is
positioned.
It should be noted that the circumference along which the cups 42 are
25 aligned is tangential to the circumference along which the punches 31 and
the relative lower dies 32 are aligned.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
At a point external to the carousel 4 there is a nozzle 411 fed by the
extruder 410, and by which the material charges to be molded are emitted.
Said nozzle 411 is visible in Figure 2, and is aligned vertically with the
circumference along which the cups 42 are aligned, it being external to the
5 shelf 10.
The machine operates in the following manner.
For simplicity, it will be described with reference only to one forming cycle
between two loading and discharge stations, relative to one half a
revolution of the carousel 1.
10 The extruder 410 feeds the carousel 4 with a series of material charges
which leave one by one from the nozzle 411 and are collected by the cups
42 as these pass above the nozzle; the charges remain in the cups by
spontaneous adhesion.
The carousel 4 rotates in phase and in synchronism with the rotation of the
13 carousel 1, so that the cups 42 become successively aligned with the
cavities 320 of the dies 32.
The cavities 320 are empty, as the cap which has just been molded lies
mounted on the punch 31 which is now spaced from the respective cavity
320.
20 The charge is made to fall into the respective cavity by pneumatic means
which are well known and are therefore not described in detail.
Simultaneously with the loading of the charge, suitable pneumatic means,
not shown, present in the punch 31 cause the cap just formed to fall onto
the plate 46, between the points of the star member 47.
25 During the rotation of the carousel 4, the caps maintained equidistant by
the star member 47 are led to the star member 51 of the carousel 5 which
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
rotates synchronously and in phase with the star member 47, The star
member 51 carries the caps to a fixed discharge chute 48 (Figure 1)
located adjacent and coplanar to the plate 45.
Having loaded the charge, the forming cycle commences witti the raising
5 of the mould cavity 320 until it receives the punch 31, with the
simultaneous formation of the cap by compressing the charge, followed by
a stage in which the mould is cooled and opened.
The open mould with the cap mounted on the punch reaches that carousel
4 diametrically opposite to that in which the charge was loaded, and the
10 cycle is repeated.
It is apparent from the aforegoing that for each complete revolution of the
carousel two caps are molded, each along a path bounded by one of the
described loading and discharge stations, said two cycles being partially
simultaneous with the loading of the charge and the discharge of the cap.
15 The third carousel could also be omitted, and the caps abandoned by the
second carousel be removed in another manner.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
CLAIMS
1. A machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising:
a first carousel rotating about a central axis and provided peripherally
with a plurality of compression molding units mounted equidistant from
5 each other and from the axis of rotation, said units comprising an upper
punch and a tower die provided with a cavity, said punch and die being
mutually movable along a common vertical axis in response to suitable
operating means;
- a second carousel rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the
10 first carousel and provided peripherally with means for feeding the charge
of material to be molded to the die cavities of the first carousel, and means
for collecting the molded caps abandoned by the punches of the first
carousel;
- means for feeding charges of material to be molded to said second
15 carousel;
said first and second carousel having their respective means positioned on
circumferences which are mutually tangential at one point;
- characterized by comprising at least one further second carousel
associated both with respective means for feeding the material to be
20 molded, such as to form a system having at least two second carousels
distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel, so that each
mould implements at least two forming cycles for each revolution of the
carousel.
2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising at
25 least one third carousel provided peripherally with means for guiding and
conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel.
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WO 2004/062874 PCT/EP2003/044870
3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the forming
cycles are effected along travel arcs of the first carousel which are at least
partly superposed.
4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second
5 carousel is connected to motion transmission means which cause it to
rotate in phase and in synchronism with the first carousel
5. A machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the second
and the third carousel are connected together by motion transmission
means which cause them to rotate in synchronism with each other and
10 with the first carousel.
6. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second
carousel comprises two superposed coaxially rotating plates for
respectively feeding the charge to the cavity of the first carousel and
simultaneously collecting the cap from the first carousel.
15 7. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said third
carousel comprises a star-shaped plate for the spaced-apart withdrawal of
the caps from the second carousel.
8. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the charge
withdrawal means consist of downwardly open cups associated with
20 pneumatic means for retaining and expelling the charge.
11

Machine for forming caps by compression molding comprising: a first carousel (1) rotating about a central axis (2)
and provided peripherally with a plurality of compression molding units (3) mounted equidistant fom each other and from the axis of
rotation; a second carousel (4) rotating about a central axis parallel to that of the crousel and provided peripherally with means
(42) for feeding the change of material to be molded to die cavities (330) of the first carousel, and means for collecting the molded
caps abandoned from punches of the first carousel; a possible and carousel (5) provided peripherally with means for guiding and
conveying the caps abandoned by the second carousel: at least one further second carousel (4) associated both with respective means
for feeding the material to be molded and with a possible further third carousel (5). such as to from a system having at least two
carousels (4) distributed angularly equidistant external to the first carousel (1), So that each mould implements at least two forming
cycles for each revolution of the carousel, the two cycles being affected along travel arcs the first carousel which are at least partly
superposed.

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Patent Number

207215

Indian Patent Application Number

01064/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

22/2007

Publication Date

01-Jun-2007

Grant Date

31-May-2007

Date of Filing

03-Jun-2005

Name of Patentee

SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA

Applicant Address

17/A, VIA SELICE PROVINCIALE,I-40026 IMOLA,ITALY.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	PARRINELLO FIORENZO	122/A, VIA ZANARDI,I-40059 MEDICINA,ITALT.

PCT International Classification Number

B29C43/08

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2003/014870

PCT International Filing date

2003-12-23

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	RE2003A000001	2003-01-13	Italy