MOULD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A method of forming a mould assembly (10) is provided. The method includes providing a mould body (12) defining a mould insert receiving zone (14). The method includes providing a mould insert (16), defining opposed sides (18, 20). One side (18) defines a mould cavity surface (21), against which an article is to be moulded, and the opposed side (20) defines a mould body seating arrangement (22) for seating the mould insert (16) in the mould insert receiving zone (14). The method further includes positioning the mould insert 16 in the mould insert receiving zone (14) of the mould body (12).

Claims

1. A method of forming a mould assembly, the method including: providing a mould body defining a mould insert receiving zone; providing a mould insert defining opposed sides, one side of which defines a mould cavity surface against which an article is to be moulded, the opposed side of which defines a mould body seating arrangement for seating the mould insert in the mould insert receiving zone; and positioning the mould insert in the mould insert receiving zone of the mould body.

2-27. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a schematic three dimensional view of a mould body part in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a schematic three dimensional view of a mould insert part for use with the mould body part as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings;

[0047] FIG. 3 shows schematic plan view of a mould body part and a mould insert part, in accordance with a similar embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 3A shows a schematic sectional exploded side view along arrows I in FIG. 3 of the drawings;

[0049] FIG. 3B shows schematic end view along arrows II in FIG. 3 of the drawings;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a mould body part and a mould insert part, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

[0051] FIG. 4A shows a schematic sectional exploded side view along arrows III in FIG. 4 of the drawings;

[0052] FIG. 4B shows a schematic end view along arrows IV in FIG. 4 of the drawings;

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of a mould body part and a mould insert part, in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 5A shows a schematic sectional exploded side view along arrows V in FIG. 5 of the drawings; and

[0055] FIG. 5B shows a schematic end view along arrows VI in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 3A and 3B of the drawings, part of a mould assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. It will be appreciated that the mould assembly includes two of the mould assembly parts 10 positioned together to define an internal moulding cavity.

[0057] In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the mould assembly is arranged for moulding glass bottles. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the moulding of glass bottles only, but extends to moulding other glass articles and moulding articles in general.

[0058] The part of the mould assembly 10 includes a mould body part 12. The mould body part 12 defines a mould insert receiving zone 14. In addition, the part of the mould assembly 10 includes a mould insert 16. The mould insert 16 defines opposed sides 18, 20. One side 18 defines a mould cavity surface 21 against which an article is to be moulded. The opposed side 20 defines a mould body seating arrangement 22 for seating the mould insert 16 in the mould insert receiving zone 14 so as to be positioned in the mould insert receiving zone 14 of the mould body 12.

[0059] The mould body can be in the form of a plurality of mould body parts. In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the mould body is made up of two similar mould body halves, only one of which is shown in each of the drawings. It will be appreciated that the mould body can be made up of more than two body parts, for example. The mould body parts are arranged to be located together to define the mould body.

[0060] The mould insert can be defined by a plurality of mould insert parts. The plurality of mould insert parts are then arranged to be positioned together to define the mould cavity when positioned in the mould body parts and the mould body parts are located together. Although, in the drawings, the mould insert is made up of two similar mould insert halves, only one of which is shown in each of the drawings, it will be appreciated that the mould insert can be made up of more than two mould insert parts, for example.

[0061] At least one of the mould body and the mould insert is arranged to define cooling passages. The cooling passages are positioned generally equidistantly from the mould cavity surface. It has been found that by providing cooling passages to extend generally equidistantly from the mould cavity surface, a more uniform cooling is provided during moulding of an article.

[0062] In FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the mould body part 12 and the mould insert 16 together define cooling passages 24. The mould cavity surface 21 is irregularly shaped, for example, where a bottle is to be moulded from glass. As can best be seen with reference to FIG. 3A of the drawings, the cooling passages 24 extend generally equidistantly from the mould cavity surface 21, as indicated by arrow A.

[0063] The mould body part 12 and the mould insert part 16 are arranged to define the cooling passages 24 at an interface 26 between the mould insert part 16 and the mould body part 12. Accordingly, each cooling passage 24 is defined partially by the mould body part 12 and partially by the mould insert part 16.

[0064] The mould body part 12 defines a mould insert receiving surface 28 between which the mould insert receiving zone 14 is defined. In use, the mould insert part 16 is positioned in the mould insert receiving zone 14 against the mould body insert receiving surface 28.

[0065] The mould insert part 16 defines spaced apart rib formations 30 defining extreme end portions 30.1. The extreme end portions 30.1 are arranged to seat against the mould body insert receiving surface 28 in the mould body insert receiving zone 14 so as to define the cooling passages 24 between the mould body insert receiving surface 28 and the spaced apart rib formations 30. The extreme end portions 30.1 of the rib formations 30 define the mould body seating arrangement 22.

[0066] The extreme end portions 30.1 of the spaced apart rib formations 30 extend regularly along the mould body insert 16. The spaced apart rib formations 30 are positioned longitudinally to abut against the mould body insert receiving surface 28.

[0067] The mould body insert part 16 defines opposed flange formations 31 and the mould body part 12 defines opposed flange seat formations 32. The opposed flange formations 31 are seated in the opposed flange seat formations 32 to locate the mould body insert part 16 on the mould body part 12.

[0068] The mould body insert part 16 defines securing means, generally indicated by reference numeral 34, for securing the opposed flange formations 30 in the opposed flange seat formations 32. The securing means 34 can define apertures 36 and the mould body part 12 can define internally screw-threaded holes. The opposed flange formations 30 can then be secured in the opposed flange seat formations 32 by screw-threaded fasteners extending through the apertures 36 into screw-threaded engagement with the internally screw-threaded holes in the mould body part 12.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, part of a mould assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 110. The part of the mould assembly 110 is similar to the part of the mould assembly 10, save that the mould body insert receiving surface 128 extends irregularly along the mould body part 112.

[0070] Accordingly, the extreme end portions 130.1 of the spaced apart rib formations 130 extend irregularly along the mould body insert part 116 so as longitudinally to abut against the mould body insert receiving surface 128.

[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B of the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate similar parts, or features, unless otherwise stated, part of a mould assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 210. The mould body part 212 defines the spaced apart rib formations 230 defining extreme end portions 230.1. The extreme end portions 230.1 are arranged to seat against the mould body insert part 216 in the mould insert receiving zone 214, so as to define the cooling passages 224 between the mould body insert part 216 and the spaced apart rib formations 230.

[0072] The extreme end portions 230.1 of the spaced apart rib formations 230 extend irregularly along the mould body part 212. The mould body insert part 216 defines an irregularly extending outer surface 216.1. The mould insert part 216 is, in use, positioned in the mould insert receiving zone 214 longitudinally to abut against the irregularly extending extreme end portions 230.1 of the spaced apart rib formations 230.

[0073] By providing a mould cavity insert, or mould body insert part, as described above, the mould cavity insert can simply be replaced upon becoming worn, or no longer usable. In this way, replacing an entire mould body would not be required. In addition, by providing cooling passages which extend generally equidistantly from an irregular mould cavity surface, a more uniform cooling is provided to an article when moulded. The mould cavity insert can include materials such as, beryllium, nickel, boron and/or manganese, for example.