Blow molding device and blow molding method

Abstract

A blow molding device and method capable of forming a blow molded article having a built-in part with a good yield rate. The blow molding device has a die core, a blow mold, a parison holding unit and a built-in part holding unit. The parison holding unit has parison expanders and a parison outer holding plate. The built-in part holding unit has an airtight guide tube and a holding rod. After a lower end of a parison is expanded with a plurality of parison expanders, and an upper end of the airtight guide tube is inserted in the lower end of the parison, the lower end of the parison is held between the upper end of the airtight guide tube and the parison outer holding plate, and the pre-blowing is carried out. After the built-in part is positioned in an interior space of the parison, and the parison and built-in part are held between the slide cores, the blow mold is closed and blowing is carried out.

Claims

1. A blow molding method for forming a blow molded article having a built-in part in an interior space thereof, wherein said blow molding method uses a die core adapted to extrude a parison, a blow mold adapted to form an outer wall of the blow molded article, a parison holding unit adapted to hold a lower end of the parison, and a built-in part holding unit adapted to hold the built-in part prior to blow molding, wherein said blow mold includes two mold members split along a parting line thereof, said two mold members define a cavity adapted to form the blow molded article in split faces thereof, slide cores are provided in an inner surface of said blow mold so as to be slid inwardly and outwardly of said cavity, said parison holding unit includes a plurality of parison expanders adapted to be inserted in an interior space of the lower end of the parison, and a parison outer holding plate adapted to hold an outer surface of the lower end of the parison, each of said parison expanders is attached so as to slide outwardly from a center of the parison, said built-in part holding unit includes an airtight guide tube adapted to hold the built-in part therein, a holding rod adapted to hold the built-in part in said airtight guide tube so as to slide the built-in part upwardly and downwardly, and a lower guide plate having a hole through which said holding rod is slidable, and adapted to close said airtight guide tube, and the blow molding method includes opening said blow mold along said parting line, dropping the parison from said die core in said cavity that is opened, expanding the lower end of the parison with said plurality of parison expanders, inserting an upper end of said airtight guide tube into the lower end of the parison, holding the lower end of the parison with said upper end of said airtight guide tube and said parison outer holding plate, holding the parison in an airtight condition with said die core and said parison outer holding plate, inserting gas into the parison to inflate the same to carry out pre-blowing, holding the built-in part with said holding rod from said airtight guide tube, positioning the built-in part in a position facing said cavity, closing said blow mold to hold the parison and the built-in part with said slide cores, removing said holding rod from said blow mold, closing said blow mold completely, holding an upper part and a lower part of the parison with an upper end and a lower end of said blow mold, and blowing gas into the parison, thereby forming said blow molded article at a time after the pre-blowing, wherein said airtight guide tube includes a parison holding section of which an upper part is adapted to contact the lower end of the parison for holding the lower end of the parison with the parison holding unit, and a bellows part is provided in said airtight guide tube between said parison holding section and said lower guide plate so as to be extendable and contractable upwardly and downwardly, and wherein the blow molding method includes opening said blow mold is along the parting line, dropping the parison from said die core in an open part of said cavity, and inserting said parison holding section of said airtight guide tube into the lower end of the parison, holding the lower end of the parison with said parison holding section of said airtight guide tube and said parison holding unit, inserting gas into the parison to inflate the parison, thereby carrying out pre-blowing, compressing said bellows part of said airtight guide tube, sliding said built-in part holding rod to position the built-in part in the interior space of the parison from said airtight guide tube, and holding the built-in part in the position facing said cavity, the method further comprising feeding air within said airtight guide tube into the parison when said bellows part of said airtight guide tube is compressed to position the built-in part in the position facing said cavity, thereby further inflating the parison.

2. The blow molding method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising splitting said outer holding plate into two split plates so as to be moved by a cylinder toward an end face of said airtight guide tube to contact the same.

3. A blow molding method for forming a blow molded article having a built-in part in an interior space thereof, wherein said blow molding method uses a die core adapted to extrude a parison, a blow mold adapted to form an outer wall of the blow molded article, a parison holding unit adapted to hold a lower end of the parison, and a built-in part holding unit adapted to hold the built-in part prior to blow molding, wherein said blow mold includes two mold members split along a parting line thereof, said two mold members define a cavity adapted to form the blow molded article in split faces thereof, slide cores are provided in an inner surface of said blow mold so as to be slid inwardly and outwardly of said cavity, said parison holding unit includes a plurality of parison expanders adapted to be inserted in an interior space of the lower end of the parison, and a parison outer holding plate adapted to hold an outer surface of the lower end of the parison, each of said parison expanders is attached so as to slide outwardly from a center of the parison, said built-in part holding unit includes an airtight guide tube adapted to hold the built-in part therein, a holding rod adapted to hold the built-in part in said airtight guide tube so as to slide the built-in part upwardly and downwardly, and a lower guide plate having a hole through which said holding rod is slidable, and adapted to close said airtight guide tube, and the blow molding method includes opening said blow mold along said parting line, dropping the parison from said die core in said cavity that is opened, expanding the lower end of the parison with said plurality of parison expanders, inserting an upper end of said airtight guide tube into the lower end of the parison, holding the lower end of the parison with said upper end of said airtight guide tube and said parison outer holding plate, holding the parison in an airtight condition with said die core and said parison outer holding plate, inserting gas into the parison to inflate the same to carry out pre-blowing, holding the built-in part with said holding rod from said airtight guide tube, positioning the built-in part in a position facing said cavity, closing said blow mold to hold the parison and the built-in part with said slide cores, removing said holding rod from said blow mold, closing said blow mold completely, holding an upper part and a lower part of the parison with an upper end and a lower end of said blow mold, and blowing gas into the parison, thereby forming said blow molded article at a time after the pre-blowing, the method further comprising injecting gas from pre-blow injection ports provided at upper ends of said parison expanders after the lower end of the parison is held between said upper end of said airtight guide tube and said parison outer holding plate, thereby carrying out pre-blowing.

4. A blow molding method for forming a blow molded article having a built-in part in an interior space thereof, wherein said blow molding method uses a die core adapted to extrude a parison, a blow mold adapted to form an outer wall of the blow molded article, a parison holding unit adapted to hold a lower end of the parison, and a built-in part holding unit adapted to hold the built-in part prior to blow molding, wherein said blow mold includes two mold members split along a parting line thereof, said two mold members define a cavity adapted to form the blow molded article in split faces thereof, slide cores are provided in an inner surface of said blow mold so as to be slid inwardly and outwardly of said cavity, said parison holding unit includes a plurality of parison expanders adapted to be inserted in an interior space of the lower end of the parison, and a parison outer holding plate adapted to hold an outer surface of the lower end of the parison, each of said parison expanders is attached so as to slide outwardly from a center of the parison, said built-in part holding unit includes an airtight guide tube adapted to hold the built-in part therein, a holding rod adapted to hold the built-in part in said airtight guide tube so as to slide the built-in part upwardly and downwardly, and a lower guide plate having a hole through which said holding rod is slidable, and adapted to close said airtight guide tube, and the blow molding method includes opening said blow mold along said parting line, dropping the parison from said die core in said cavity that is opened, expanding the lower end of the parison with said plurality of parison expanders, inserting an upper end of said airtight guide tube into the lower end of the parison, holding the lower end of the parison with said upper end of said airtight guide tube and said parison outer holding plate, holding the parison in an airtight condition with said die core and said parison outer holding plate, inserting gas into the parison to inflate the same to carry out pre-blowing, holding the built-in part with said holding rod from said airtight guide tube, positioning the built-in part in a position facing said cavity, closing said blow mold to hold the parison and the built-in part with said slide cores, removing said holding rod from said blow mold, closing said blow mold completely, holding an upper part and a lower part of the parison with an upper end and a lower end of said blow mold, and blowing gas into the parison, thereby forming said blow molded article at a time after the pre-blowing, the method further comprising forming recesses adapted to accommodate said parison expanders at said upper end of said airtight guide tube such that after said parison expanders are accommodated in said recesses of said airtight guide tube with a slide mechanism, said upper end of said airtight guide tube and said parison expanders contact an inner surface of the parison, whereas said outer holding plate contacts an outer surface of the parison, thereby holding an outer surface of the lower end of the parison.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a conventional blow molding device adapted to form a blow molded article;

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a conventional method of forming a blow molded article with another example of a conventional blow molding device, which shows a state wherein a parison enters an interior space of a blow mold;

(3) FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a conventional method of forming a blow molded article with another example of a conventional blow molding device, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is held between a parison outer holding plate and an upper end of a built-in part airtight guide tube, and pre-blowing is carried out;

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a conventional method of forming a blow molded article with another example of a conventional blow molding device, which shows a state wherein a built-in part is inserted into the parison with slide cores;

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fuel tank in one embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a top view of a parison holding unit and a built-in part holding unit in one embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with one embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a parison enters an interior space of a blow mold;

(8) FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with a first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is opened with parison expanders;

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is held between a parison outer holding plate and an upper end of the built-in part airtight guide tube;

(10) FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is held between a parison outer holding plate and an upper end of the built-in part airtight guide tube, and pre-blowing is carried out;

(11) FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state wherein the parison holding unit and the built-in part holding unit of the first embodiment of the present invention hold the parison in their upper parts;

(12) FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing upper ends of parison expanders in a state wherein the parison holding unit and the built-in part holding unit of the first embodiment of the present invention hold the parison in their upper parts;

(13) FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a built-in part is inserted into the parison from the lower end of the parison;

(14) FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between slide cores;

(15) FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between the slide cores and a built-in part holding rod is removed from the blow mold;

(16) FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the first embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between the slide cores, the blow mold is closed, and blow molding is carried out;

(17) FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with a second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of a parison is opened with parison expanders;

(18) FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is held between a parison outer holding plate and a parison holding section of a built-in part airtight guide tube;

(19) FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a lower end of the parison is held between the parison outer holding plate and an upper end of the built-in part airtight guide tube, and pre-blowing is carried out;

(20) FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein a built-in part is inserted into the parison from the lower end of the parison;

(21) FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between slide cores;

(22) FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between the slide cores and a built-in part holding rod is removed from the blow mold; and

(23) FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing a method of forming a blow molded article with the second embodiment of a blow molding device in accordance with the present invention, which shows a state wherein the built-in part within the parison is held between the slide cores, the blow mold is closed, and blow molding is carried out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(24) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a blow molding device of the present invention will be explained based on a blow molding device adapted to form an automobile fuel tank as a blow molded article with reference to FIG. 5 through FIG. 16. The present invention will be explained with reference to a blow molding device for forming a fuel tank 56 having a built-in part 58, but can be applied to another blow molded article having another built-in part. A second embodiment of a blow molding device of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 17 through FIG. 23.

(25) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fuel tank 56 that is formed using a blow molding device of the present embodiment.

(26) As shown, the fuel tank 56 formed with the blow molding device of the present embodiment has a pump unit mounting hole 60 for inserting a fuel pump (not shown), etc. into the fuel tank 56 in an upper surface thereof. And, a fuel inlet hole 61 is provided in a side surface or the upper surface of the fuel tank 56 for injecting fuel from an inlet pipe (not shown).

(27) And, an outer circumferential rib 62 is provided around the fuel tank 56 over an entire length thereof, and a plurality of tank mounting holes 64 are formed in the outer circumferential rib 62 in predetermined positions such as corners, etc. thereof. By bolting the tank mounting holes 64 and a vehicle body together, the fuel tank 56 is mounted on the vehicle body.

(28) In addition, mounting holes 66 are provided in the upper surface of the fuel tank 56 for connecting hoses, etc. adapted to collect evaporated fuel from an interior space of the tank, etc. thereto.

(29) The fuel tank 56 is formed using a blow molding device of the present embodiment. An outer wall of the fuel tank 56 is formed by blow molding into a single layer or multiple layers. In the case of the multiple layers, the outer wall includes a skin layer, an exterior main layer, an exterior adhesive layer, a barrier layer, an interior adhesive layer and an interior main layer.

(30) Pillar members adapted to reinforce the fuel tank 56, baffle plates adapted to prevent occurrences of waving of fuel, a fuel pump, box-shaped members adapted to mount canister, etc. are attached inside the fuel tank 56 as built-in parts 58. The built-in part 58 can be composed of a thermoplastic synthetic resin exhibiting a fuel oil resistance, such as polyacetal, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), etc. With this arrangement, the strength of the fuel tank 56 can be improved, and the rigidity of the fuel tank 56 is not reduced due to swelling by fuel oil, etc. if the built-in part 58 is attached in the interior space of the fuel tank 56.

(31) The blow molding device of the first embodiment and the method for forming the blow molded fuel tank 56 using the blow molding device will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 through 16. The blow molding device has a die core 68 adapted to extrude a parison 70, a blow mold 72 adapted to mold a blow molded article, a parison holding unit 74 adapted to hold a lower end of the parison 70 and a built-in part holding unit 75 adapted to hold the built-in part 58 in an interior space of an airtight guide tube 76, and insert the same in an interior space of the parison 70 within the blow mold 72.

(32) The die core 68 extrudes the parison 70, and when the blow mold 72 is opened, the die core 68 positions the parison 70 within the blow mold 72, and holds the upper end of the parison 70 to prevent flowing of air out of the parison 70 upon pre-blowing, as described later.

(33) First, the parison holding unit 74 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10.

(34) The parison holding unit 74 adapted to hold the lower end of the parison 70 is provided below the blow mold 72, and the parison holding unit 74 has a parison expander 78 adapted to be inserted in an interior space of the lower end of the parison 70, which projects from a lower end of the blow mold 72, and a parison outer holding plate 80 adapted to hold an outer surface of the lower end of the parison 70.

(35) A plurality of parison expanders 78 are provided so as to expand the lower end of the parison 70. In the present embodiment, four parison expanders 78 are provided so as to face four corners of a later-described airtight guide tube 76. When the parison expanders 78 contact the airtight guide tube 76, they are accommodated in recesses 82 provided in the airtight guide tube 76 to become integral therewith, and consequently, define outer surfaces flush with the outer surface of the airtight guide tube 76, thereby holding an inner surface of the parison 70 in an airtight condition.

(36) The parison expanders 78 are attached so as to be movable outwardly from a center, namely in directions perpendicular to the parison 70, with parison cylinders 86. And the parison expanders 78 contact an inner surface of the lower end of the parison 70. By moving the parison cylinders 86 backwardly, the inside diameter of the parison 70 can be enlarged.

(37) The parison expanders 78 can continuously expand the lower end of the parison 70 so as not to be crushed. When an upper end of the airtight guide tube 76 is inserted in the interior space of the parison 70, the inner surface of the parison 70 is enlarged so as to contact the outer surface of the upper end of the airtight guide tube 76.

(38) As shown in FIG. 12, pre-blow outlet ports 90 are provided at ends of the parison expanders 78 for injecting gas such as air in the interior space of the parison 70.

(39) The parison outer holding plate 80 has a recess 84 conforming to the configuration of an outer periphery of the airtight guide tube 76 and an outer periphery of the parison expander 78. With this arrangement, the lower end of the parison 70 can be held between the parison expander 78, the airtight guide tube 76 and the parison outer holding plate 80. The parison outer holding plate 80 is formed so as to be split into a plurality of plates, each being formed so as to slide for holding the lower end of the parison 70, respectively. In the present embodiment, the parison outer holding plate 80 is formed so as to be split into two plates. Alternatively, it may be formed so as to be split into three or more plates.

(40) When the parison outer holding plate 80 is slid towards the airtight guide tube 76 (towards a center of the parison 70), the outer periphery of the lower end of the parison 16 is pressed to securely hold the parison 70 with the upper end of the airtight guide tube 76, the parison expander 78 and the parison outer holding plate 80. As a result, gas can be prevented from leaking therebetween so that the lower end of the parison 70 can be prevented from being crushed. In addition, the volume of the interior space of the parison 70 can be maintained large so that a sufficient amount of gas can be airtightly enclosed therein. Therefore, the pre-blowing process of slightly inflating the parison 70 can be carried out prior to the blowing process of bringing the parison 70 into close contact with the blow mold.

(41) Next, the built-in part holding unit 75 will be explained with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 10. The built-in part holding unit 75 has the airtight guide tube 76, a built-in part holding rod 88 adapted to hold the built-in part 58 in an interior space of the airtight guide tube 76 and move upwardly and downwardly so as to insert the built-in part 58 in the parison 70, and a lower guide plate 92 adapted to close a lower end of the airtight guide tube 76.

(42) The airtight guide tube 76 has a tubular configuration, and accommodates and holds the built-in part 58 in an interior space thereof so as to move the same upwardly and downwardly. The airtight guide tube 76 may have a circular, elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape so as to accommodate the built-in part 58.

(43) With this arrangement, the built-in part holding rod 88 can hold the built-in part 58 in the interior space of the airtight guide tube 76 so as to move the same upwardly and downwardly. When the lower end of the parison 70 is held with the upper end of the airtight guide tube 76, it can be made airtight.

(44) The built-in part 58 may be held in the interior space of the airtight guide tube 76 so that built-in parts having various dimensions can be used. By determining the waiting position of the built-in part 58 prior to inserting process in the airtight guide tube 76, the specification of the built-in part 58 can be readily varied.

(45) The lower guide plate 92 has a guide hole 93 so as to slide the built-in part holding rod 88 therethrough. The lower guide plate 92 slides within the airtight guide tube 76 in accordance with the sliding of the built-in part holding rod 88 while sealing the interior of the airtight guide tube 76. A plurality of built-in part holding rods 88 can be provided in accordance with the dimensions of the built-in part 58. The lower guide plate 92 may be attached to the built-in part holding rod 88 so as to be raised and lowered within the airtight guide tube 76 in accordance with the sliding of the built-in part holding rod 88.

(46) As described above, the airtight guide tube 76 has recesses 82 for accommodating the parison expanders 78.

(47) Next, the blow mold 72 will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

(48) The blow mold 72 is split along a parting line to provide two mold members, and the two mold members are slid leftward and rightward with a blow mold moving unit (not shown), thereby opening the blow mold 72. The blow mold 72 defines a cavity 94 adapted to mold the fuel tank 56 in an interior thereof. In addition, slide cores 96 are slidably provided in the two mold members of the blow mold 72 so as to face the cavity 94.

(49) When the blow mold 72 is closed and the slide cores 96 are retreated, they partly define an inner surface defining the cavity 94, and when the blow mold 72 is opened and the slide cores 96 advance into the cavity 94, they hold the built-in part 58 and the parison 70. The parison 70 is extruded downwardly from the die core 68 provided on the upper side of the blow mold 72.

(50) When the blow mold 72 is closed, the two mold members of the blow mold 72 that is split along the parting line, contact each other around the cavity 94. In FIG. 16, they contact each other in upper mating faces 98a of the blow mold 72 and lower mating faces 100a thereof.

(51) Next, the method for forming a fuel tank 56 for an automobile, as a blow molded article, using the first embodiment of the blow molding device in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 through 16.

(52) The die core 68 is provided on the upper part of the blow mold 72. And, as shown in FIGS. 8 through 16, the parison holding unit 74 is attached on the lower side of the blow mold 72.

(53) In the blow molding process, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the blow mold 72 is opened to open a space defining the cavity 94 thereof, and the parison 70 is extruded from the die core 68 therein. And the lower end of the parison 70 reaches downwardly of a lower end 100 of the blow mold 72.

(54) Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the parison expanders 78 enter and contact the inner surface of the lower end of the parison 70. Then, as shown by arrows therein, the parison expanders 78 are moved in directions away from the center of the parison 70 to enlarge the lower end of the parison 70.

(55) At this time, the built-in part holding unit 75 holding the built-in part 76 therewithin is located below the lower end of the parison 70.

(56) Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the parison 70 is held with the die core 68 to close an upper end of the parison 70 airtightly.

(57) Then, an upper end of the airtight guide tube 76 is inserted in the interior space of the lower end of the parison 70. And, the parison expanders 78 contact the upper end of the airtight guide tube 76, and are accommodated in the recesses 82 of the airtight guide tube 76. The outer surface of the lower end of the parison 70 is pushed by the parison outer holding plate 80 to move towards the airtight guide tube 76. As a result, the lower end of the parison 70 is held between the parison outer holding plate 80 and the airtight guide tube 76. The parison expanders 78 become integral with the airtight guide tube 76 to hold the inner surface of the lower end of the parison 70. And the lower end of the airtight guide tube 76 is closed with the lower guide plate 92 to make the lower end of the parison 16 airtight.

(58) Next, as shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, the pre-blowing process is carried out. The pre-blowing process can be performed by blowing gas into the parison 70 from ends of the parison expanders 78 to inflate the parison 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the pre-blowing outlet ports 90 are provided at ends of the parison expanders 78. Gas can be blown into the parison 70 from the pre-blowing outlet ports 90. In the present embodiment, the gas adapted to be blown into the parison 70 is composed of air.

(59) At this time, as described above, the upper end of the parison 70 is closed with the die core 68, whereas the lower end of the parison 70 is closed with the airtight guide tube 76 and the parison expanders 78 to prevent leakage of air. And the lower end of the airtight guide tube 76 is closed with the lower guide plate 92 to prevent leakage of air.

(60) As shown in FIG. 11, the parison expanders 78 are slid with parison cylinders 86.

(61) Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the built-in part holding rod 88 holding the build-in part 58 is slid upwardly from the airtight guide tube 76 into the parison 16 inflated by pre-blowing, and as a result, the built-in part 58 is positioned in the cavity 94 of the blow mold 72. At this time, the parison 70 is inflated by pre-blowing so that the built-in part 58 does not contact the inner wall of the parison 70.

(62) And, as shown in FIG. 14, the blow mold 72 is slightly closed, and a plurality of slide cores 96 provided in the blow mold 72 are slid. Since the slide cores 96 are provided in the positions facing the built-in part 58, the parison 70 can be pushed with the built-in part 58 and the slide cores 96 while being sandwiched therebetween.

(63) At this time, the lower guide plate 92 is located at the upper end of the airtight guide tube 76 to prevent leakage of air from the interior space of the parison 70.

(64) Since the inner surface of the parison 70 is still in a molten state, the parison 70 can be fused to ends of the built-in part 58. At this time, the built-in part 58 is held with the built-in part holding rod 88 and the slide cores 96 so that the built-in part 58 can be securely attached in a prescribed position of the inner surface of the outer wall of the fuel tank 56.

(65) Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the built-in part holding rod 88 is lowered with the built-in part 58 held with the slide cores 96, and is removed from the blow mold 72. Since the built-in part 58 is held with the slide cores 96, the built-in part 58 can be located in a prescribed position. At this time, the lower end of the parison 70 is held and sealed with the parison outer holding plate 80 of the parison holding unit 74, and the lower guide plate 92 is located at the lower end of the airtight guide tube 76 to seal the same so that air is prevented from leaking from the interior space of the parison 70.

(66) Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the blow mold 72 is further closed to completely close the blow mold 72. As a result, an upper part and a lower part of the parison 70 can be closed completely with the blow mold 72.

(67) The upper part and the lower part of the parison 70 can be closed by bringing the upper mating faces 98a and the lower mating faces 100a of the blow mold 72 into close contact with each other. Alternatively, by providing such pinching plates as referred in the prior art between the blow mold 72 and the parison holding unit 74, the upper part or the lower part of the parison 70 may be closed.

(68) Then, the upper and lower ends of the parison 70 are cut with slide cutters (not shown) provided on the upper and lower sides of the blow mold 72. And air is blown from air nozzles 102 into the interior space of the parison 70 to press the outer surface of the parison 70 against the inner surface defining the cavity 94, and consequently, the fuel tank 56 is configured.

(69) At this time, a tip face of each of the slide cores 96 can become flush with the inner surface defining the cavity 94 of the blow mold 72. Next, air is further blown from the air nozzles 102 into the interior space of the parison 70 to press the outer surface of the parison 70 against the blow mold 72 completely. As a result, the fuel tank 56 can be configured completely. And air is circulated in the interior space of the parison 70 to complete the blow molding process. Thereafter, the blow mold 72 is opened, and the fuel tank 56 is removed therefrom.

(70) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 17 through FIG. 23. The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the built-in part holding unit is formed into a bellows shape so that different points will be explained, but the explanations of similar points will be omitted.

(71) A built-in part holding unit 104 has a cylindrical airtight guide tube 106, a built-in part holding rod 108 adapted to hold the built-in part 58 in an interior space of the airtight guide tube 106 and move upwardly and downwardly so as to insert the built-in part 58 in the parison 70, and a lower guide plate 110 adapted to close a lower end of the airtight guide tube 106.

(72) The airtight guide tube 106 has a tubular configuration, and accommodates and holds the built-in part 58 in an interior space thereof so as to move the built-in part 58 upwardly and downwardly. The airtight guide tube 106 may have a circular, elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shape so as to accommodate the built-in part 58.

(73) The airtight guide tube 106 has a parison holding section 112 of which an upper part is adapted to contact the lower end of the parison 70 for holding the lower end of the parison 70 with the parison outer holding plate 80 of the parison holding unit 74, and a bellows part 114 is provided in the airtight guide tube 106 between the parison holding section 112 and the lower guide plate 110 so as to extend and contract upwardly and downwardly.

(74) With this arrangement, when the built-in part 58 is attached to the built-in part holding rod 108, and is inserted into the parison 70 by sliding the built-in part holding rod 108, the bellows part 114 of the airtight guide tube 106 can be contracted so that the sliding distance of the built-in part holding rod 108 can be made short. Therefore, a space required for sliding the built-in part holding rod 108 can be made small so that a special pit adapted to accommodate the built-in part holding rod 108 is not required below the built-in part holding unit 104.

(75) The built-in part holding rod 108 holds the built-in part 58 in the interior space of the airtight guide tube 106 so as to move the built-in part 58 upwardly and downwardly. When the lower end of the parison 70 is held with the parison holding section 112 of the airtight guide tube 106, it can be made airtight.

(76) In addition, the built-in part 58 may be held in the interior space of the airtight guide tube 106 so that built-in parts having various dimensions can be used. By determining the waiting position of the built-in part 58 prior to the inserting process in the airtight guide tube 106, the specification of the built-in part 58 can be readily varied.

(77) As described above, the airtight guide tube 106 has recesses 82 for accommodating the parison expanders 78 in the upper end thereof.

(78) Next, the method for forming a fuel tank 56 for an automobile, as a blow molded article, using the second embodiment of the blow molding device in accordance with the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 17 through 23.

(79) The die core 68 is provided on the upper part of the blow mold 72. And, as shown in FIGS. 17 through 23, the parison holding unit 74 is attached on the lower side of the blow mold 72.

(80) As shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of parison expanders 78 enter and contact the inner surface of the lower end of the parison 70. Then, as shown by arrows therein, the parison expanders 78 are moved in directions away from the center of the parison 70 to enlarge the lower end of the parison 70.

(81) At this time, the built-in part holding unit 104 holding the built-in part 58 therewithin is located below the lower end of the parison 70.

(82) Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the upper end of the parison 70 is held with the die core 68 to close an upper part of the parison 70 airtightly.

(83) Then, an upper end of the airtight guide tube 106 is inserted in the interior space of the lower end of the parison 70. And, the parison expanders 78 contact the parison holding section 112 of the airtight guide tube 106, and are accommodated in the recesses 82 of the airtight guide tube 106. The outer surface of the lower end of the parison 70 is pushed by the parison outer holding plate 80 to move towards the airtight guide tube 76. As a result, the lower end of the parison 70 is held between the parison outer holding plate 80 and the airtight guide tube 106. The parison expanders 78 become integral with the airtight guide tube 106 to hold the inner surface of the lower end of the parison 70. And the lower end of the airtight guide tube 106 is closed with the lower guide plate 110 to make the lower end of the parison 70 airtight.

(84) Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the pre-blowing process is carried out. The pre-blowing process can be performed by blowing gas into the parison 70 from ends of the parison expanders 78 to inflate the parison 70. As shown in FIG. 12, the pre-blowing outlet ports 90 are provided at ends of the parison expanders 78. Gas can be blown into the parison 70 from the pre-blowing outlet ports 90. In the present embodiment, the gas adapted to be blown into the parison 70 is composed of air.

(85) At this time, as described above, the upper part of the parison 70 is closed with the die core 68, whereas the lower part of the parison 70 is closed with the airtight guide tube 106 and the parison expanders 78 to prevent leakage of air. And the lower part of the airtight guide tube 106 is closed with the lower guide plate 110 to prevent leakage of air.

(86) Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the built-in part holding rod 108 holding the build-in part 58 is slid upwardly from the airtight guide tube 106 into the parison 70 inflated by the pre-blowing process, and as a result, the built-in part 58 is positioned in the position of the cavity 94 of the blow mold 72. At this time, the parison 70 is inflated by the pre-blowing process so that the built-in part 58 does not contact the inner wall of the parison 70.

(87) When the built-in part holding rod 108 is slid to hold the build-in part 58 in the position facing the cavity 94 of the blow mold 72, the bellows part 114 of the airtight guide tube 106 is compressed to feed air within the airtight guide tube 106 into the parison 70, and a second pre-blowing process can be performed. As a result, the parison 70 can be further inflated. By expanding the parison with two-stage pre-blowing process, the built-in part 58 can be inserted into the parison 70 more securely without contacting the parison 70.

(88) And, as shown in FIG. 21, the blow mold 72 is slightly closed, and a plurality of slide cores 96 provided in the blow mold 72 are slid. Since the slide cores 96 are provided in the positions facing the built-in part 58, the parison 70 can be pushed with the built-in part 58 and the slide cores 96 while being sandwiched therebetween.

(89) At this time, the lower guide plate 110 is located at the lower end of the airtight guide tube 106 to prevent leakage of air from the interior space of the parison 70.

(90) Since the inner surface of the parison 70 is still in a molten state, the parison 70 can be fused to ends of the built-in part 58. At this time, the built-in part 58 is held with the built-in part holding rod 108 and the slide cores 96 so that the built-in part 58 can be securely attached to a prescribed position of the inner surface of the outer wall of the fuel tank 56.

(91) Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the built-in part holding rod 108 is lowered with the built-in part 58 held with the slide cores 96, and is removed from the blow mold 72. Since the built-in part 58 is held with the slide cores 96, the built-in part 58 can be located in a prescribed position. At this time, the lower end of the parison 70 is held and sealed with the parison outer holding plate 110 of the parison holding unit 74, and the lower guide plate 110 is located at the lower end of the airtight guide tube 106 to seal the same so that air is prevented from leaking from the interior space of the parison 70.

(92) Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the blow mold 72 is further closed to close the blow mold 72 completely. As a result, an upper end and a lower end of the parison 70 can be closed completely with the blow mold 72.

(93) The upper end and the lower end of the parison 70 can be closed by bringing the upper mating faces 98a and the lower mating faces 100a of the blow mold 72 into close contact with each other. Alternatively, by providing such pinching plates as referred in the prior art between the blow mold 72 and the parison holding unit 74, the upper part or the lower part of the parison 70 may be closed.

(94) Then, the upper and lower ends of the parison 70 are cut with slide cutters (not shown) provided on the upper and lower sides of the blow mold 72. And air is blown from air nozzles 102 into the interior space of the parison 70 to press the outer surface of the parison 70 against the inner surface defining the cavity 94, and consequently, the fuel tank 56 is configured.

(95) At this time, a tip face of each of the slide cores 96 can become flush with the inner surface defining the cavity 94 of the blow mold 72. Next, air is further blown from the air nozzles 102 into the interior space of the parison 70 to press the outer surface of the parison 70 against the blow mold 72 completely. As a result, the fuel tank 56 can be configured completely. And air is circulated in the interior space of the parison 70 to complete the blow molding process. Thereafter, the blow mold 72 is opened to remove the fuel tank 56 therefrom.

(96) While the invention has been described in connection with what are considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.