Gerald R Hobson

US Patent:

6719554, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Jan 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/764716

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA

Assignee:

Progressive Components International Corporation - Wauconda IL

International Classification:

B29C 4950

US Classification:

425289, 425527, 425806

Abstract:

A method of trimming blow-molded products while in the mold including the steps of placing a parison between a mold having two mold halves, moving the two mold halves together to form a cavity and enclose a portion of the parison, pressurizing the inside of the parison to produce a product and trimming a portion of the product while it is in the mold by applying a vacuum to those portions adjacent to a cutter and by then moving the cutter across the cavity and across the portion of the product to be cut. The mold halves are then separated and the product is removed therefrom. The apparatus for achieving this method includes a cutter slidably disposed in a first slot and having a slot plugging member slidably exposed in a second slot wherein the cutter and slot plugging member will prevent plastic from entering the first and second slots when the plastic product is being formed. After the plastic is formed, a vacuum is applied to portions of the product adjacent to the cutter. Then the cutter and slot plugging member can be actuated to cut through the product at the desired location.

US Patent:

7361298, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804315

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA, US

Assignee:

Progressive Components International Corporation - Wauconda IL

International Classification:

B29C 49/08

US Classification:

264536

Abstract:

A method of trimming blow-molded products while in the mold including the steps of placing a parison between a mold having two mold halves, moving the two mold halves together to form a cavity and enclose a portion of the parison, pressurizing the inside of the parison to produce a product and trimming a portion of the product while it is in the mold by applying a vacuum to those portions adjacent to a cutter and by then moving the cutter across the cavity and across the portion of the product to be cut. The mold halves are then separated and the product is removed therefrom. The apparatus for achieving this method includes a cutter slidably disposed in a first slot and having a slot plugging member slidably exposed in a second slot wherein the cutter and slot plugging member will prevent plastic from entering the first and second slots when the plastic product is being formed. After the plastic is formed, a vacuum is applied to portions of the product adjacent to the cutter. Then the cutter and slot plugging member can be actuated to cut through the product at the desired location.

US Patent:

59102837, Jun 8, 1999

Filed:

Jul 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/893591

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA

International Classification:

B29C 4950

US Classification:

264536

Abstract:

A method of trimming blow-molded products while in the mold including the steps of placing a parison between a mold having two mold halves, moving the two mold halves to form a cavity and close a portion of the parison, pressurizing the inside of the parison to produce a product and trimming a portion of the product while it is in the mold by moving a cutter across the cavity and across the portion of the product to be cut. The mold halves are then separated and the product is removed therefrom.

US Patent:

54806070, Jan 2, 1996

Filed:

Mar 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/214827

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA

International Classification:

B29C 3702
B29C 4950

US Classification:

264536

Abstract:

The present invention teaches an improved method and apparatus for molding plastic products which results in the removal of plastic residue such as flash from the products during the molding process itself. The invention teaches the use of flash retainers, situated within the mold, and into which a portion of the plastic flash becomes trapped during the molding process. After the mold is opened, the product is removed, leaving the flash still secured to the mold. The flash is then removed from the mold by the use of ejector rods which are inserted to within the flash retainers, forcing the flash from the retainer and thereby releasing the flash from the mold. In one embodiment, the flash is pinched between two members which are moved simultaneously away from the molded product to tear the flash completely away from the outer periphery of the molded product.

US Patent:

61133663, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Nov 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/197762

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA

International Classification:

F04B 4308

US Classification:

417472

Abstract:

An apparatus for pressurizing a vessel of a type including a one piece blow molded hollow member, a first end and a second end of the member being constructed of a first plastic material, the one end being adapted to be attached to and in fluid communication with a pressure vessel. An intermediate bellows portion of the member is constructed of a plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, that is more flexible and less rigid than the first plastic material, such as polypropylene, whereby the intermediate bellows portions can flex to change in size to vary the volume of fluid therein. A first one-way valve is operatively disposed in the first end of the molded hollow member for permitting flow from the interior of the intermediate bellows portion to the pressure vessel when the intermediate bellows portion is reduced in volume, but not allowing flow from the pressure vessel to the intermediate bellows portion as the intermediate bellows portion of returns to a larger volume. A second one-way valve is operatively disposed in a second end of the molded hollow member for permitting flow of fluid from outside of the hollow member to the interior of the intermediate bellows portion as the intermediate bellows portion moves from a reduced volume to a larger volume and prevents the flow of fluid therethrough as the intermediate bellows portion moves from a larger volume to a reduced volume.

US Patent:

47462833, May 24, 1988

Filed:

Apr 1, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/032547

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Waverly IA

International Classification:

B29C 4904

US Classification:

425528

Abstract:

Plastic blow molding equipment of a type including a die housing with a tubular chamber disposed therein. The die housing includes an inner portion on the inside of the tubular chamber and an outer portion on the outside of the tubular chamber. The tubular chamber has an outlet therein. Head tooling is attached to the die housing and this head tooling has a tubular passageway therethrough of an unequal diameter throughout the length thereof. The tubular passageway in the head tooling is in communication with the outlet in the die housing. An adjusting mechanism is associated with the head tooling for forming a parison outlet of different sizes. The adjusting mechanism includes an inner section inside of the tubular passageway and an outer section on the outside of the tubular passageway. The inner section includes a plurality of inner plates each having a progressively larger outer diameter from one end of the head tooling to the other end thereof, and the outer section includes a plurality of outer plates having an inner surface with a progressively larger diameter from one end of the head tooling to the other end thereof.

US Patent:

56982364, Dec 16, 1997

Filed:

Feb 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/607180

Inventors:

Gerald R. Hobson - Shell Rock IA

International Classification:

B29C 3930

US Classification:

425301

Abstract:

An apparatus for trimming blow-molded products while in the mold including the steps of placing a parson between a mold having two mold halves, moving the two mold halves to form a cavity and close a portion of the parison, pressurizing the inside of the parison to produce a product and trimming a portion of the product while it is in the mold by moving a cutter across the cavity and across the portion of the product to be cut. The mold halves are then separated and the product is removed therefrom.