Retention mechanism for a split mold carrier and cam for actuating the

Abstract

Blow molding apparatus wherein halves of a split mold are carried by mold carriers. The mold carriers normally include one fixed mold carrier and one movable mold carrier which is positioned by way of a cam follower and associated cams. When the mold closes, the mold carriers come into closed relation with respect to one another. The mold carriers are provided with locking flanges which are engaged by C-shaped retaining members so as to prevent the material separation of the mold carriers. Then a pressure pack within the mold carriers is expanded so as to clamp the mold halves together. A simplified linkage is provided for, in conjunction with a cam follower and cams, to move the retaining members between retaining positions and release positions. The cams are mounted for adjustment normal to the direction of movement of the mold carriers and may be adjusted in that normal position to compensate for adjusted positions of the mold carriers in accordance with different size molds. Further, each cam includes a floating cam element which is spring loaded to an operative position, but is movable by a cam follower of a mold carrier in the event of improper alignment of parts so as to prevent damage to parts and linkage. The cam element is held in an operative position by a compressible spring and when the cam element moves beyond a certain restricted limit, it will actuate a switch so as to stop the operation of the blow molding apparatus.