CA2654106C - Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material - Google Patents
Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2654106C CA2654106C CA2654106A CA2654106A CA2654106C CA 2654106 C CA2654106 C CA 2654106C CA 2654106 A CA2654106 A CA 2654106A CA 2654106 A CA2654106 A CA 2654106A CA 2654106 C CA2654106 C CA 2654106C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shell portions
- built
- fitment components
- preforms
- fitment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000013067 intermediate product Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003019 stabilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000010101 extrusion blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920000219 Ethylene vinyl alcohol Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000071 blow moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- UFRKOOWSQGXVKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;ethenol Chemical compound C=C.OC=C UFRKOOWSQGXVKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004715 ethylene vinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/20—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
- B29C51/12—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C51/00—Shaping by thermoforming, i.e. shaping sheets or sheet like preforms after heating, e.g. shaping sheets in matched moulds or by deep-drawing; Apparatus therefor
- B29C51/26—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C51/266—Auxiliary operations after the thermoforming operation
- B29C51/267—Two sheets being thermoformed in separate mould parts and joined together while still in the mould
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C69/00—Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K15/03177—Fuel tanks made of non-metallic material, e.g. plastics, or of a combination of non-metallic and metallic material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/20—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
- B29C2049/2008—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements inside the article
- B29C2049/2013—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements inside the article for connecting opposite walls, e.g. baffles in a fuel tank
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/20—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
- B29C2049/2073—Means for feeding the inserts into the mould, preform or parison, e.g. grippers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
- B29C49/04—Extrusion blow-moulding
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
- B29C49/06905—Using combined techniques for making the preform
- B29C49/0691—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
- B29C49/06905—Using combined techniques for making the preform
- B29C49/0691—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
- B29C49/06914—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets using parallel sheets as a preform
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/022—Particular heating or welding methods not otherwise provided for
- B29C65/028—Particular heating or welding methods not otherwise provided for making use of inherent heat, i.e. the heat for the joining comes from the moulding process of one of the parts to be joined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
- B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/61—Joining from or joining on the inside
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
- B29C66/63—Internally supporting the article during joining
- B29C66/636—Internally supporting the article during joining using a support which remains in the joined object
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
- B29L2031/7172—Fuel tanks, jerry cans
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K2015/03032—Manufacturing of fuel tanks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K15/00—Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks
- B60K15/03—Fuel tanks
- B60K2015/03328—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling
- B60K2015/03453—Arrangements or special measures related to fuel tanks or fuel handling for fixing or mounting parts of the fuel tank together
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material, in particular a process for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material. In the process according to the invention preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material are shaped in a multi--part tool forming a mould cavity by expansion of the preforms and causing them to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity. The process firstly includes the production of two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions. Then respective built-in fitment components are secured to the respective insides of the shell portions, which face towards each other in the installation position, wherein at least some built-in fitment components of mutually complementary shell portions are respectively of mutually complementary configuration, in the sense that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit. The shell portions are assembled in such a way that the mutually complementary built-in fitment components engage into each other and/or come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
Description
Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material The invention concerns a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material.
The invention concerns in particular a process for the extrusion blow moulding of thermoplastic material to form integral hollow bodies, in particular fuel tanks of plastic material for motor vehicles.
It is basically known for extrusion blow moulding of hollow bodies to be effected by means of extrudates in web or band form. They can be obtained for example by the extrusion of a tubular preform which was cut up or divided into bands or webs. The extrusion of extrudates in web and band form without implementing the roundabout route of using the tubular form is also known. The preforms are either removed at the extruder by means of a manipulator and fed to the tool or they are extruded directly between the opened portions of a tool.
In the production of fuel tanks or other relatively large containers which are provided with built-in fitment components and attachments, the procedure involved is normally such that a tubular preform is extruded in a hanging condition, in the form of a multi-layer extrudate, either continuously or discontinuously, wherein after being expelled to the predetermined length the extrudate is shaped directly within a tool formed from two blow moulding mould halves. Expansion of the preform is effected by the preform being subjected to the action of gas pressure within the closed blow moulding mould.
If built-in fitment components such as for example surge components, fuel pumps, senders, roll pots and the like are to be fitted in the fuel tank, either they can be fitted by the plastic material being blow moulded therearound in production of the hollow body or they can be subsequently fitted into the finished container through assembly openings on the container. The latter procedure is less desirable for various reasons.
More specifically, for emission reasons, openings and cut-out orifices in the container wall should be as far as possible avoided or kept as small as possible. In addition the manual assembly expenditure on a fuel tank produced in that way is comparatively high.
The operation of introducing such built-in fitment components is found to be particularly difficult when the fuel tank is comparatively rugged and irregular, that is to say it is of a complex spatial configuration.
Therefore, as an alternative to integral containers which are produced by extrusion blow moulding, the possibility is known for producing such containers, for example fuel tanks, from two injection-moulded or deep-drawn half-shell portions. That procedure affords the advantage that built-in fitment components can be fitted into the opened half-shell portions. The two half-shell portions are then welded together to produce the closed container. In that case the operation of assembling built-in fitment components can be very substantially automated. A problem with fuel tanks which are produced in that way is the weld seams at the connecting locations of the half-shell portions. They represent potential leakage locations on the container for gaseous hydrocarbons and require additional devices for making the welded connections.
In principle there would also be the possibility of placing built-in fitment components in the interior of a container when producing containers by extrusion blow moulding of two or more preforms in web or band form, by means of suitable manipulators. It will be noted however that this is relatively complicated and expensive if the situation involves introducing into the container fitment components which extend over the overall cross-section of the container or which indeed are intended to join the mutually oppositely disposed inside walls of the container together. In that respect the procedure that presents itself for that purpose is to assemble the containers from half-shell portions which are prefabricated, for example injection-moulded or deep-drawn.
An object of some embodiments of the invention is therefore that of providing a novel process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow moulding of preforms in web or band form, in which built-in fitment components can be placed in the container, at a particularly low level of assembly complication and expenditure. In particular the invention '29513-26 seeks to provide that the process minimises manual and machine finishing working on a container provided with built-in fitment components.
An aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material, in particular by a process for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material, in which preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material are shaped in a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity by expansion of the preforms and causing them to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity, wherein the process -firstly includes the production of two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions, at least one respective built-in fitment component is secured to the respective insides of the shell portions, which face towards each other in the installation position, wherein at least some built-in fitment components of mutually complementary shell portions are respectively of mutually complementary configuration, in the sense that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit, and in addition the shell portions are assembled in such a way that the mutually complementary built-in fitment components engage into each other and/or come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
Another aspect of the invention can be summarised to the effect that, in the extrusion blow moulding of hollow bodies from bands or webs of a thermoplastic extrudate, during the operation of shaping out the hollow body or during the step of moulding the extrudates in web form, built-in fitment components are fitted into the shell portions respectively forming intermediate products, wherein the fitment components are so positioned and are of such a nature that, when the shell portions are brought together, the fitment components engage into each other and are brought into operative connecting relationship with each other in such a way. that a spatially complex arrangement of almost any configuration of fitment components over the entire cross-section of the finished container is possible.
= 29513-26 3a Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material, comprising the steps of: providing one or more preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material; providing a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity having an internal contour; shaping said one or more preforms in said multi-part tool by expansion of said one or more preforms thereby causing said preforms to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity to form two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions which face towards each other in the tool; providing built-in fitment components capable of being secured to respective insides of the shell portions, wherein at least some of said built-in fitment components are respectively of mutually complementary configuration; securing at least one of said built-in fitment components to each of the respective insides of the shell portions; assembling the shell portions such that said mutually complementary built-in fitment components at least one of engage into each other and come into operative connecting relationship with each other, such that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit.
The invention concerns in particular a process for the extrusion blow moulding of thermoplastic material to form integral hollow bodies, in particular fuel tanks of plastic material for motor vehicles.
It is basically known for extrusion blow moulding of hollow bodies to be effected by means of extrudates in web or band form. They can be obtained for example by the extrusion of a tubular preform which was cut up or divided into bands or webs. The extrusion of extrudates in web and band form without implementing the roundabout route of using the tubular form is also known. The preforms are either removed at the extruder by means of a manipulator and fed to the tool or they are extruded directly between the opened portions of a tool.
In the production of fuel tanks or other relatively large containers which are provided with built-in fitment components and attachments, the procedure involved is normally such that a tubular preform is extruded in a hanging condition, in the form of a multi-layer extrudate, either continuously or discontinuously, wherein after being expelled to the predetermined length the extrudate is shaped directly within a tool formed from two blow moulding mould halves. Expansion of the preform is effected by the preform being subjected to the action of gas pressure within the closed blow moulding mould.
If built-in fitment components such as for example surge components, fuel pumps, senders, roll pots and the like are to be fitted in the fuel tank, either they can be fitted by the plastic material being blow moulded therearound in production of the hollow body or they can be subsequently fitted into the finished container through assembly openings on the container. The latter procedure is less desirable for various reasons.
More specifically, for emission reasons, openings and cut-out orifices in the container wall should be as far as possible avoided or kept as small as possible. In addition the manual assembly expenditure on a fuel tank produced in that way is comparatively high.
The operation of introducing such built-in fitment components is found to be particularly difficult when the fuel tank is comparatively rugged and irregular, that is to say it is of a complex spatial configuration.
Therefore, as an alternative to integral containers which are produced by extrusion blow moulding, the possibility is known for producing such containers, for example fuel tanks, from two injection-moulded or deep-drawn half-shell portions. That procedure affords the advantage that built-in fitment components can be fitted into the opened half-shell portions. The two half-shell portions are then welded together to produce the closed container. In that case the operation of assembling built-in fitment components can be very substantially automated. A problem with fuel tanks which are produced in that way is the weld seams at the connecting locations of the half-shell portions. They represent potential leakage locations on the container for gaseous hydrocarbons and require additional devices for making the welded connections.
In principle there would also be the possibility of placing built-in fitment components in the interior of a container when producing containers by extrusion blow moulding of two or more preforms in web or band form, by means of suitable manipulators. It will be noted however that this is relatively complicated and expensive if the situation involves introducing into the container fitment components which extend over the overall cross-section of the container or which indeed are intended to join the mutually oppositely disposed inside walls of the container together. In that respect the procedure that presents itself for that purpose is to assemble the containers from half-shell portions which are prefabricated, for example injection-moulded or deep-drawn.
An object of some embodiments of the invention is therefore that of providing a novel process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material by extrusion blow moulding of preforms in web or band form, in which built-in fitment components can be placed in the container, at a particularly low level of assembly complication and expenditure. In particular the invention '29513-26 seeks to provide that the process minimises manual and machine finishing working on a container provided with built-in fitment components.
An aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material, in particular by a process for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material, in which preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material are shaped in a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity by expansion of the preforms and causing them to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity, wherein the process -firstly includes the production of two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions, at least one respective built-in fitment component is secured to the respective insides of the shell portions, which face towards each other in the installation position, wherein at least some built-in fitment components of mutually complementary shell portions are respectively of mutually complementary configuration, in the sense that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit, and in addition the shell portions are assembled in such a way that the mutually complementary built-in fitment components engage into each other and/or come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
Another aspect of the invention can be summarised to the effect that, in the extrusion blow moulding of hollow bodies from bands or webs of a thermoplastic extrudate, during the operation of shaping out the hollow body or during the step of moulding the extrudates in web form, built-in fitment components are fitted into the shell portions respectively forming intermediate products, wherein the fitment components are so positioned and are of such a nature that, when the shell portions are brought together, the fitment components engage into each other and are brought into operative connecting relationship with each other in such a way. that a spatially complex arrangement of almost any configuration of fitment components over the entire cross-section of the finished container is possible.
= 29513-26 3a Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material, comprising the steps of: providing one or more preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material; providing a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity having an internal contour; shaping said one or more preforms in said multi-part tool by expansion of said one or more preforms thereby causing said preforms to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity to form two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions which face towards each other in the tool; providing built-in fitment components capable of being secured to respective insides of the shell portions, wherein at least some of said built-in fitment components are respectively of mutually complementary configuration; securing at least one of said built-in fitment components to each of the respective insides of the shell portions; assembling the shell portions such that said mutually complementary built-in fitment components at least one of engage into each other and come into operative connecting relationship with each other, such that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit.
It is particularly desirable if the steps of producing and joining the shell portions are effected in the first heat, that is to say without further heating of the preforms.
In that way it is possible for example for bracing strut structures, surge fitments or lines to be fitted into the container in a particularly simple manner, wherein the latter can extend over the entire cross-section of the container. Bracing strut structures serve for example to counteract deformation of the container because of an increased pressure or a reduced pressure.
The container walls can also be joined together by way of bracing strut structures, without the need for that purpose to produce wall-to-wall welds by means of corresponding slider members in the tool.
The container can be equipped in that way exclusively by means of additional built-in fitment components in the container. The design configuration of the tools can turn out to be correspondingly simpler, for example it is possible in that way to avoid the need for slider members.
Preferably the preforms are shaped in a multi-part mould tool which includes at least two outer moulds and at least one central mould which perform an opening and closing movement relative to each other, wherein the outer moulds respectively form the sub-cavities which predetermine the contours of the shell portions and the central mould is provided with at least one component holder, in relation to which the fitment components are placed or fixed at the insides of the shell portions, after the operation of shaping the shell portions.
In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the central mould is removed after placement of the built-in fitment components between the outer moulds and then the outer moulds are closed against each other in such a way that the shell portions and at least some of the fitment components arranged therein come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
By way of example bracing strut elements for stabilising the hollow body can be used as the mutually complementary built-in fitment components, the bracing strut elements latching together when the half-shell portions are joined together.
Alternatively holding elements can be used as mutually complementary built-in fitment components, which holding elements 5 respectively receive couplings of electric lines and fluid lines, wherein the arrangements respectively including a holding element and a line portion with coupling are placed on the inside of the shell portions in such a way that the couplings engage into each other when the shell portions are joined together.
It is also possible to use surge fitment components, preferably in the form of surge walls or surge wall arrangements which engage into each other as mutually complementary built-in fitment components.
The invention is described hereinafter by means of two embodiments by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figures 1 to 12 show diagrammatic views of the individual steps in the production process, Figures 13 and 14 show diagrammatic views of mutually complementary holding elements with couplings accommodated thereby out of engagement and in operative connected relationship with each other, and Figures 15 and 16 show a tie anchor comprising two mutually complementary elements which are brought into engagement with each other when the mould is closed when the shell portions are brought together.
Figures 1 to 12 diagrammatically show the tool identified by reference 1 in cross-section during various phases in the process according to the invention. The tool identified by reference 1 in the Figures is of a three-part nature and comprises two outer moulds 2a, 2b and a central mould 3. The outer moulds 2a, 2b are displaceable away from and towards each other in the sense of an opening and closing movement. The central mould 3 is displaceable with respect to the outer moulds 2a, 2b transversely with respect to the opening and closing movement of the outer moulds 2a, 2b. The moulds are each fixed in per se known manner to respective known mould mounting plates which are not shown here for the sake of simplicity. The mould mounting plates are slidable or displaceable in a closing frame structure which is also not shown. An extrusion device for producing preforms 8 in web or band form is also illustrated only by way of indication, for reasons of simplification. By way of example, referring to Figure 1, two suitable extrusion heads with wide-slot nozzles can be arranged above the tool 1 outside the plane of the drawing, on the side which is towards the person viewing the drawing. It is equally possible for a preform in tube form to be divided up into two webs by suitable tools during or immediately after extrusion and for those webs to be fed to the tool 1 by means of a manipulator.
Arranged within the central mould 3 is a carrier 4 which, in the illustrated embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, carries only two displaceable component holders 5a, 5b which are displaceable with respect to the carrier 4 by way of pneumatic cylinders 6. The use of hydraulic cylinders is alternatively possible.
In the view shown in Figure 1 the central mould 3 is in the outwardly displaced position, it can be displaced transversely with respect to the opening and closing movement of the outer moulds 2a, 2b, the opening and closing movement being indicated by arrows. In that position the component holder 5a, 5b is fitted with built-in fitment components 7 (see Figure 2). In a further step in the process the central mould 3 is moved between the outer moulds 2a, 2b. Two preforms 8 in web form are then respectively introduced between the central mould 3 and the outer moulds 2a, 2b which are in an open position relative to each other. As already mentioned in the opening part of this specification, that can be effected by extrusion from wide-slot nozzles arranged above the tool 1, that is to say above the plane of the drawing in the Figures. As an alternative thereto it is possible for the extruder or extruders to be arranged spatially remote from the tool 1 and for the extrudates or preforms 8 to be transported between the opened portions of the tool 1 by means of a suitable gripper.
For the production of a fuel tank it is provided for example that the preforms 8 each comprise a six-layer co-extrudate with barrier layers for hydrocarbons. A suitable barrier material is for example EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer).
As soon as the preforms are arranged at the desired length between the outer moulds 2a, 2b and the central mould 3 respectively the outer moulds 2a, 2b are closed with respect to the central mould 3. The preforms 8 are then expanded by means of the action of gas under pressure in the mould cavity (see Figure 6) so that they are each caused to bear against the sub-cavities 9a, 9b of the tools 2a, 2b.
As can be seen in particular from Figure 7 the carrier 4 is of a two-part configuration, wherein the two parts of the carrier 4 are moved away from each other in a next step in the process, more specifically in the direction of the outer moulds 2a, 2b respectively. The fitment components 7 which are arranged on the component holders 5a, 5b are finally pressed against the inside wall of the shell portions 10a, 10b which are now produced, by actuation of the pneumatic cylinders 6. There are various possible ways of connecting the fitment components 7 to the inside wall, which is still plastic, of the shell portions 10a, 10b. A force-locking connection and/or a connection involving intimate joining of the materials involved can be envisaged here. A connection by intimate joining of the materials involved is achieved for example by welding the fitment components 7 to the inside wall or also by glueing. As the process according to the invention involves operating in a warmth or in a heat, that is to say the preforms do not experience any further increase in temperature after extrusion until the hollow body is finished, welding is the operation that presents itself.
As can be seen in particular from Figure 7 the parts of the carrier 4 and the component holders 5a, 5b are positioned in the last phase of fixing the fitment components 7 to the inside wall of the shell portions 10a, 2b, in such a way that the component holders 5a, 5b with the fitment components 7 secured thereto project out of the respective separation plane 11 between the outer moulds 2a, 2b and the central mould 3. In the described embodiment that separation plane 11 is actually illustrated as a plane, but in principle the man skilled in the art also interprets the term 'separation plane' as being a separating surface extending in a spatially complex configuration between the portions of the tool.
After the parts of the carrier 4 and the component holders 5a, 5b have been moved back into the starting position (Figure 8) the outer moulds 2a, 2b are opened (Figure 9) and the central mould 3 is removed or displaced between the outer moulds 2a, 2b so that the outer moulds 2a, 2b can unimpededly perform a closing movement towards each other, as is shown in Figure 11. When the outer moulds 2a, 2b are closed together on the one hand the shell portions 10a, 2b are assembled to form the finished article 12, while on the other hand the fitment components 7 respectively arranged in the shell portions 10a, 2b are brought into operative connecting relationship with each other. That can be effected in various ways, as will be described hereinafter.
Finally Figure 12 shows removal of the finished article 12 from the tool 1.
A possible configuration of the built-in fitment components 7 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. Mutually complementary built-in fitment components 7 illustrated there are in the form of holding elements 13a, 13b which are each placed on the inside wall of the respective shell portions 10a, 10b in accordance with the above-described procedure, wherein the holding element 13a receives the coupling 14a and the holding element 13b receives the plug 14b of a line connection. Both the coupling 14a and also the plug 14b are arranged on the holding elements 13a, 13b in such a way that the coupling 14a and the plug 14b are brought into engagement with each other when the outer moulds 2a, 2b are brought together (Figures 10 and 11). It will be apparent to the man skilled in the art that for that purpose it is necessary for the holding elements 13a, 13b or the fitment components 7 to be placed in the shell portions 10a, 10b in such a way that it is possible to produce an operatively connected relationship therebetween when the outer moulds 2a, 2b are moved together. The parts which are to be connected together must also have suitable tolerances, as will be clear for example by reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 15 and 16.
In that way it is possible for example for bracing strut structures, surge fitments or lines to be fitted into the container in a particularly simple manner, wherein the latter can extend over the entire cross-section of the container. Bracing strut structures serve for example to counteract deformation of the container because of an increased pressure or a reduced pressure.
The container walls can also be joined together by way of bracing strut structures, without the need for that purpose to produce wall-to-wall welds by means of corresponding slider members in the tool.
The container can be equipped in that way exclusively by means of additional built-in fitment components in the container. The design configuration of the tools can turn out to be correspondingly simpler, for example it is possible in that way to avoid the need for slider members.
Preferably the preforms are shaped in a multi-part mould tool which includes at least two outer moulds and at least one central mould which perform an opening and closing movement relative to each other, wherein the outer moulds respectively form the sub-cavities which predetermine the contours of the shell portions and the central mould is provided with at least one component holder, in relation to which the fitment components are placed or fixed at the insides of the shell portions, after the operation of shaping the shell portions.
In an embodiment of the invention it is provided that the central mould is removed after placement of the built-in fitment components between the outer moulds and then the outer moulds are closed against each other in such a way that the shell portions and at least some of the fitment components arranged therein come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
By way of example bracing strut elements for stabilising the hollow body can be used as the mutually complementary built-in fitment components, the bracing strut elements latching together when the half-shell portions are joined together.
Alternatively holding elements can be used as mutually complementary built-in fitment components, which holding elements 5 respectively receive couplings of electric lines and fluid lines, wherein the arrangements respectively including a holding element and a line portion with coupling are placed on the inside of the shell portions in such a way that the couplings engage into each other when the shell portions are joined together.
It is also possible to use surge fitment components, preferably in the form of surge walls or surge wall arrangements which engage into each other as mutually complementary built-in fitment components.
The invention is described hereinafter by means of two embodiments by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figures 1 to 12 show diagrammatic views of the individual steps in the production process, Figures 13 and 14 show diagrammatic views of mutually complementary holding elements with couplings accommodated thereby out of engagement and in operative connected relationship with each other, and Figures 15 and 16 show a tie anchor comprising two mutually complementary elements which are brought into engagement with each other when the mould is closed when the shell portions are brought together.
Figures 1 to 12 diagrammatically show the tool identified by reference 1 in cross-section during various phases in the process according to the invention. The tool identified by reference 1 in the Figures is of a three-part nature and comprises two outer moulds 2a, 2b and a central mould 3. The outer moulds 2a, 2b are displaceable away from and towards each other in the sense of an opening and closing movement. The central mould 3 is displaceable with respect to the outer moulds 2a, 2b transversely with respect to the opening and closing movement of the outer moulds 2a, 2b. The moulds are each fixed in per se known manner to respective known mould mounting plates which are not shown here for the sake of simplicity. The mould mounting plates are slidable or displaceable in a closing frame structure which is also not shown. An extrusion device for producing preforms 8 in web or band form is also illustrated only by way of indication, for reasons of simplification. By way of example, referring to Figure 1, two suitable extrusion heads with wide-slot nozzles can be arranged above the tool 1 outside the plane of the drawing, on the side which is towards the person viewing the drawing. It is equally possible for a preform in tube form to be divided up into two webs by suitable tools during or immediately after extrusion and for those webs to be fed to the tool 1 by means of a manipulator.
Arranged within the central mould 3 is a carrier 4 which, in the illustrated embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, carries only two displaceable component holders 5a, 5b which are displaceable with respect to the carrier 4 by way of pneumatic cylinders 6. The use of hydraulic cylinders is alternatively possible.
In the view shown in Figure 1 the central mould 3 is in the outwardly displaced position, it can be displaced transversely with respect to the opening and closing movement of the outer moulds 2a, 2b, the opening and closing movement being indicated by arrows. In that position the component holder 5a, 5b is fitted with built-in fitment components 7 (see Figure 2). In a further step in the process the central mould 3 is moved between the outer moulds 2a, 2b. Two preforms 8 in web form are then respectively introduced between the central mould 3 and the outer moulds 2a, 2b which are in an open position relative to each other. As already mentioned in the opening part of this specification, that can be effected by extrusion from wide-slot nozzles arranged above the tool 1, that is to say above the plane of the drawing in the Figures. As an alternative thereto it is possible for the extruder or extruders to be arranged spatially remote from the tool 1 and for the extrudates or preforms 8 to be transported between the opened portions of the tool 1 by means of a suitable gripper.
For the production of a fuel tank it is provided for example that the preforms 8 each comprise a six-layer co-extrudate with barrier layers for hydrocarbons. A suitable barrier material is for example EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer).
As soon as the preforms are arranged at the desired length between the outer moulds 2a, 2b and the central mould 3 respectively the outer moulds 2a, 2b are closed with respect to the central mould 3. The preforms 8 are then expanded by means of the action of gas under pressure in the mould cavity (see Figure 6) so that they are each caused to bear against the sub-cavities 9a, 9b of the tools 2a, 2b.
As can be seen in particular from Figure 7 the carrier 4 is of a two-part configuration, wherein the two parts of the carrier 4 are moved away from each other in a next step in the process, more specifically in the direction of the outer moulds 2a, 2b respectively. The fitment components 7 which are arranged on the component holders 5a, 5b are finally pressed against the inside wall of the shell portions 10a, 10b which are now produced, by actuation of the pneumatic cylinders 6. There are various possible ways of connecting the fitment components 7 to the inside wall, which is still plastic, of the shell portions 10a, 10b. A force-locking connection and/or a connection involving intimate joining of the materials involved can be envisaged here. A connection by intimate joining of the materials involved is achieved for example by welding the fitment components 7 to the inside wall or also by glueing. As the process according to the invention involves operating in a warmth or in a heat, that is to say the preforms do not experience any further increase in temperature after extrusion until the hollow body is finished, welding is the operation that presents itself.
As can be seen in particular from Figure 7 the parts of the carrier 4 and the component holders 5a, 5b are positioned in the last phase of fixing the fitment components 7 to the inside wall of the shell portions 10a, 2b, in such a way that the component holders 5a, 5b with the fitment components 7 secured thereto project out of the respective separation plane 11 between the outer moulds 2a, 2b and the central mould 3. In the described embodiment that separation plane 11 is actually illustrated as a plane, but in principle the man skilled in the art also interprets the term 'separation plane' as being a separating surface extending in a spatially complex configuration between the portions of the tool.
After the parts of the carrier 4 and the component holders 5a, 5b have been moved back into the starting position (Figure 8) the outer moulds 2a, 2b are opened (Figure 9) and the central mould 3 is removed or displaced between the outer moulds 2a, 2b so that the outer moulds 2a, 2b can unimpededly perform a closing movement towards each other, as is shown in Figure 11. When the outer moulds 2a, 2b are closed together on the one hand the shell portions 10a, 2b are assembled to form the finished article 12, while on the other hand the fitment components 7 respectively arranged in the shell portions 10a, 2b are brought into operative connecting relationship with each other. That can be effected in various ways, as will be described hereinafter.
Finally Figure 12 shows removal of the finished article 12 from the tool 1.
A possible configuration of the built-in fitment components 7 is shown in Figures 13 and 14. Mutually complementary built-in fitment components 7 illustrated there are in the form of holding elements 13a, 13b which are each placed on the inside wall of the respective shell portions 10a, 10b in accordance with the above-described procedure, wherein the holding element 13a receives the coupling 14a and the holding element 13b receives the plug 14b of a line connection. Both the coupling 14a and also the plug 14b are arranged on the holding elements 13a, 13b in such a way that the coupling 14a and the plug 14b are brought into engagement with each other when the outer moulds 2a, 2b are brought together (Figures 10 and 11). It will be apparent to the man skilled in the art that for that purpose it is necessary for the holding elements 13a, 13b or the fitment components 7 to be placed in the shell portions 10a, 10b in such a way that it is possible to produce an operatively connected relationship therebetween when the outer moulds 2a, 2b are moved together. The parts which are to be connected together must also have suitable tolerances, as will be clear for example by reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 15 and 16.
The built-in fitment components 7 shown in Figure 15 represent a tie anchor comprising a latching projection 15a and a sleeve-shaped latching receiving means 15b. The latching projection 15a is provided with latching protrusions 16a whereas the latching receiving means 15b has corresponding latching openings 16b. In production of the hollow body the two parts of the tie anchor are positioned or placed relative to each other on the inside wall of the respective shell portions 10, 2b in such a way that they are arranged in exactly opposite relationship. When the outer moulds 2a, 2b are closed against each other, the latching projection 15a engages into the oppositely disposed latching receiving means 15b and the latching protrusions 16a are locked in the latching openings 16b of a corresponding configuration. In that way the shell portions 10a, 2b which represent the mutually oppositely disposed walls of the finished container are non-releasably braced together.
Reference numerals 1 tool 2a, 2b outer moulds 3 central mould 4 carrier 5a, 5b component holder 6 pneumatic cylinder 7 built-in fitment components 8 preforms 9a, 9b sub-cavities 10a, 10b shell portions 11 separation plane 12 article 13a, 13b holding elements 14a coupling 14b plug 15a latching projection 15b latching receiving means 16a latching protrusions 16b latching openings
Reference numerals 1 tool 2a, 2b outer moulds 3 central mould 4 carrier 5a, 5b component holder 6 pneumatic cylinder 7 built-in fitment components 8 preforms 9a, 9b sub-cavities 10a, 10b shell portions 11 separation plane 12 article 13a, 13b holding elements 14a coupling 14b plug 15a latching projection 15b latching receiving means 16a latching protrusions 16b latching openings
Claims (8)
1. A process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material for the production of fuel tanks of plastic material, comprising the steps of:
providing one or more preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material;
providing a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity having an internal contour;
shaping said one or more preforms in said multi-part tool by expansion of said one or more preforms thereby causing said preforms to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity to form two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions which face towards each other in the tool;
providing built-in fitment components capable of being secured to respective insides of the shell portions, wherein at least some of said built-in fitment components are respectively of mutually complementary configuration;
securing at least one of said built-in fitment components to each of the respective insides of the shell portions;
assembling the shell portions such that said mutually complementary built-in fitment components at least one of engage into each other and come into operative connecting relationship with each other, such that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit.
providing one or more preforms in web or band form of plasticised plastic material;
providing a multi-part tool forming a mould cavity having an internal contour;
shaping said one or more preforms in said multi-part tool by expansion of said one or more preforms thereby causing said preforms to bear against the internal contour of the mould cavity to form two mutually complementary intermediate products in the form of shell portions which face towards each other in the tool;
providing built-in fitment components capable of being secured to respective insides of the shell portions, wherein at least some of said built-in fitment components are respectively of mutually complementary configuration;
securing at least one of said built-in fitment components to each of the respective insides of the shell portions;
assembling the shell portions such that said mutually complementary built-in fitment components at least one of engage into each other and come into operative connecting relationship with each other, such that they can be joined to provide an assembled component or to provide a functional unit.
2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the steps of providing and shaping the preforms and assembling the shell portions are effected in a first heat, without further heating of the preforms.
3. The process according to any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the preforms are shaped in a multi-part mould tool which includes at least two outer moulds and at least one central mould which perform an opening and closing movement relative to each other, wherein the outer moulds respectively form sub-cavities which predetermine the contours of the shell portions and the central mould is provided with at least one component holder, by way of which some of the fitment components are placed at the insides of the shell portions, after the operation of shaping the shell portions.
4. The process according to claim 3 wherein the central mould is removed after placement of some of the built-in fitment components between the outer moulds and then the outer moulds are closed against each other in such a way that the shell portions, and at least some of the fitment components arranged therein come into operative connecting relationship with each other.
5. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein bracing strut elements for stabilising the hollow bodies are used as the mutually complementary built-in fitment components, the bracing strut elements latching together when the shell portions are joined together.
6. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein holding elements are used as the mutually complementary built-in fitment components, which holding elements respectively receive couplings of electric lines or fluid lines, wherein the fitment components respectively including a holding element and a line portion with coupling are placed on the inside of the shell portions in such a way that the couplings engage into each other when the shell portions are joined together.
7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein surge fitment components are used as the mutually complementary built-in fitment components.
8. The process according to claim 7 wherein the surge fitment components are in the form of surge walls or surge wall arrangements which engage into each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102006031902A DE102006031902B4 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2006-07-07 | Process for the production of hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material |
DE102006031902.8 | 2006-07-07 | ||
PCT/EP2007/005152 WO2008003387A1 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-06-12 | Mould for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic plastic with inserts on their inner faces |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2654106A1 CA2654106A1 (en) | 2008-01-10 |
CA2654106C true CA2654106C (en) | 2011-04-05 |
Family
ID=38537670
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA2654106A Active CA2654106C (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2007-06-12 | Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2038103B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4948600B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101073424B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101489759B (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0713920B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2654106C (en) |
DE (1) | DE102006031902B4 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009000167A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008003387A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9358740B2 (en) | 2011-03-11 | 2016-06-07 | Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd. | Production apparatus for producing hollow molded product |
Families Citing this family (42)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008009829A1 (en) | 2008-02-18 | 2009-08-27 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Fuel tank for motor vehicles, of thermoplastic |
DE102008027824A1 (en) | 2008-06-11 | 2009-12-17 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Process for the production of hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material and device for the production of hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material |
US8496867B2 (en) * | 2008-06-23 | 2013-07-30 | Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme) | Process for manufacturing a fuel tank |
DE102008030318A1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2009-12-31 | Ti Automotive Technology Center Gmbh | Process for producing a plastic container |
EP2141000B1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2014-02-26 | TI Automotive Technology Center GmbH | Method of manufacturing an article and apparatus therefore |
DE102009023173B4 (en) * | 2009-05-29 | 2017-02-09 | Alois Linbrunner | Process for producing a hollow plastic molding with at least one insert |
DE102009036911B4 (en) * | 2009-08-11 | 2016-03-03 | Magna Steyr Fuel Systems Gmbh | Fuel tank for motor vehicles with tie rods |
CN101633240B (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-07-20 | 亚普汽车部件有限公司 | Forming method of blow molding hollow box body capable of internally provided with assembly and preformed molding plate device |
US8721956B2 (en) | 2010-03-03 | 2014-05-13 | Ti Automotive Technology Center Gmbh | Method of forming a fluid receptacle |
FR2961738B1 (en) * | 2010-06-23 | 2014-02-28 | Inergy Automotive Systems Res | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A FUEL TANK WITH A BAFFLE |
DE102010025006A1 (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2011-12-29 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material and apparatus for carrying out the process |
DE102010025937A1 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2012-01-05 | Kautex Maschinenbau Gmbh | Process for producing a plastic article and blow molding tool for carrying out the process |
DE102010026716B4 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2013-01-24 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Blow mold and process for producing extrusion blow molded plastic articles |
DE102010032279B4 (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2012-09-06 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Method of riveting an accessory |
EP2990356B1 (en) | 2010-12-03 | 2019-08-28 | Salflex Polymers Ltd. | Deployable fuel tank baffle and fuel tank system |
JP5167332B2 (en) | 2010-12-17 | 2013-03-21 | 八千代工業株式会社 | Method for joining internal parts in hollow container |
JP2012187754A (en) | 2011-03-09 | 2012-10-04 | Yachiyo Industry Co Ltd | Structure and method for clamping built-in component in hollow container |
DE102011015049B4 (en) | 2011-03-24 | 2015-09-10 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Fuel tank made of thermoplastic material for a motor vehicle and method for producing a fuel tank |
WO2012139962A1 (en) | 2011-04-12 | 2012-10-18 | Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) | Fuel tank with improved mechanical resistance |
EP2511068A1 (en) | 2011-04-12 | 2012-10-17 | Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) | Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank |
DE102011113845A1 (en) * | 2011-09-21 | 2013-03-21 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Operating fluid container for a motor vehicle |
JP5705077B2 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2015-04-22 | 株式会社Fts | Blow molding apparatus and blow molding method |
DE102011117999B4 (en) * | 2011-11-09 | 2013-06-13 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Container for a motor vehicle, in particular fuel or auxiliary fluid container for a motor vehicle and method for producing such a container |
CN102363359B (en) * | 2011-11-14 | 2013-08-14 | 亚普汽车部件股份有限公司 | Blow molding device and blow molding method for plastic fuel tank |
US9124010B2 (en) | 2011-11-30 | 2015-09-01 | Ppc Broadband, Inc. | Coaxial cable connector for securing cable by axial compression |
CN102632602A (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2012-08-15 | 张家港华丰机械有限公司 | Plate type blow molding machine and blow molding method thereof |
DE102012008394A1 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2013-10-31 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Extruded blow molded thermoplastic fuel tank and method of making the same |
DE102012012529B4 (en) | 2012-06-26 | 2014-01-09 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Process for the production of hollow bodies made of thermoplastic material using an at least three-part blow molding tool and apparatus for carrying out the method |
WO2014023053A1 (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2014-02-13 | 亚普汽车部件股份有限公司 | Method for forming hollow box body provided with built-in component |
DE102012020949B4 (en) * | 2012-10-25 | 2015-07-02 | Kautex Textron Gmbh & Co. Kg | Process for producing a container made of thermoplastic material |
DE102013203085A1 (en) | 2013-02-25 | 2014-08-28 | Ti Automotive Technology Center Gmbh | blow molding |
CN103286939B (en) * | 2013-05-06 | 2014-07-23 | 亚普汽车部件股份有限公司 | Two-sheet blow molding hollow casing moulding method with auxiliary male mould |
EP2845761A1 (en) * | 2013-09-06 | 2015-03-11 | Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) | Tank with internal connecting member and method for assembling such a tank |
EP2857245A1 (en) * | 2013-10-03 | 2015-04-08 | Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Société Anonyme) | Tank with internal connecting member and method for assembling such a tank |
JP2015101000A (en) * | 2013-11-25 | 2015-06-04 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Production apparatus of resin sheet, production method of resin sheet, and manufacturing method of fuel tank |
JP5740027B2 (en) * | 2014-04-01 | 2015-06-24 | 八千代工業株式会社 | Hollow molding product manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method |
JP2016132168A (en) * | 2015-01-20 | 2016-07-25 | 株式会社Fts | Method for molding built-in component of blow molded article |
JP6611561B2 (en) * | 2015-10-23 | 2019-11-27 | 株式会社Fts | Blow molding method |
EP3771585A1 (en) * | 2019-07-31 | 2021-02-03 | Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research | Height adjustable reinforcement element for a vehicle thermoplastic fuel tank |
US11794571B1 (en) | 2019-12-13 | 2023-10-24 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Blow molded fuel tank with separate internal brackets |
KR102292071B1 (en) * | 2020-06-19 | 2021-08-20 | 한국생산기술연구원 | Method for manufacturing products of uniform thickness by stretch blow molding, and apparatus therefor |
CN113386323A (en) * | 2021-06-11 | 2021-09-14 | 河北世昌汽车部件有限公司 | Blow molding process for oil tank |
Family Cites Families (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS6220922A (en) * | 1985-07-19 | 1987-01-29 | Ogura Clutch Co Ltd | Negative operating type solenoid brake |
GB2236288A (en) † | 1989-09-13 | 1991-04-03 | Ford Motor Co | A plastics fuel tank, e.g. for a vehicle |
JPH06141521A (en) † | 1992-10-22 | 1994-05-20 | Toshiba Corp | Stator placing apparatus and varnish impregnation method for rotating electric motor using the same |
DE4315838B4 (en) * | 1993-05-12 | 2004-08-19 | Ibs Brocke Gmbh & Co. Kg | Process for the production of filters, for example for automatic transmissions |
DE19627742C2 (en) * | 1996-07-10 | 2000-08-03 | Mannesmann Vdo Ag | Fuel tank and process for its manufacture |
DE19855387C2 (en) * | 1998-12-01 | 2001-07-26 | Mannesmann Vdo Ag | Fuel tank and method for assembling lines in a fuel tank |
BE1013191A3 (en) † | 1999-12-22 | 2001-10-02 | Solvay | Method for producing hollow plastic material. |
DE10010900A1 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-09-13 | Ludwig Kreth | Extrusion-pressing of high-impact, fuel tank blow-moldings, employs controlled blowing nozzle, core and separation strategy, followed by flange welding of shells formed |
DE10042121A1 (en) * | 2000-08-28 | 2002-03-14 | Basell Polyolefine Gmbh | Process for the production of hollow plastic bodies |
US6978802B2 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2005-12-27 | Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. | Fuel tank and manufacturing method thereof |
DE10205524A1 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2003-08-21 | Sig Kautex Gmbh & Co Kg | Process for the production of shell-shaped molded parts or hollow bodies made of thermoplastic |
JP2003251684A (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-09 | Kyoraku Co Ltd | Method for blow molding resin hollow molded product |
DE10231866A1 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2004-01-22 | Basell Polyolefine Gmbh | Hollow plastic article production process e.g. for plastic fuel tank, involves molding planar surface portions separated by intermediate frame in two mold halves, to provide half shells |
US7789987B2 (en) † | 2004-06-03 | 2010-09-07 | Mitsui Chemicals, Inc | Method of manufacturing resin hollow body using a blow molding die assembly |
JP4431086B2 (en) * | 2004-06-03 | 2010-03-10 | 株式会社プライムポリマー | Blow molding mold apparatus, resin hollow body manufacturing method using the blow molding mold apparatus, and resin hollow molded body manufactured by the manufacturing method |
FR2875430B1 (en) † | 2004-09-23 | 2006-12-08 | Inergy Automotive Systems Res | METHOD FOR FASTENING A PITCH ON THE WALL OF A FUEL TANK |
FR2879122B1 (en) † | 2004-12-15 | 2008-10-03 | Inergy Automotive Systems Res | PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A PLASTIC FUEL TANK HAVING IMPROVED FLOWING RESISTANCE |
-
2006
- 2006-07-07 DE DE102006031902A patent/DE102006031902B4/en active Active
-
2007
- 2007-06-12 KR KR1020097000302A patent/KR101073424B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2007-06-12 EP EP07725965.3A patent/EP2038103B2/en active Active
- 2007-06-12 BR BRPI0713920A patent/BRPI0713920B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2007-06-12 MX MX2009000167A patent/MX2009000167A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2007-06-12 CA CA2654106A patent/CA2654106C/en active Active
- 2007-06-12 JP JP2009518731A patent/JP4948600B2/en active Active
- 2007-06-12 CN CN2007800256340A patent/CN101489759B/en active Active
- 2007-06-12 WO PCT/EP2007/005152 patent/WO2008003387A1/en active Application Filing
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9358740B2 (en) | 2011-03-11 | 2016-06-07 | Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd. | Production apparatus for producing hollow molded product |
US9463602B2 (en) | 2011-03-11 | 2016-10-11 | Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd. | Production method for hollow molded product |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20090023675A (en) | 2009-03-05 |
EP2038103A1 (en) | 2009-03-25 |
JP2009542480A (en) | 2009-12-03 |
EP2038103B2 (en) | 2018-12-26 |
CA2654106A1 (en) | 2008-01-10 |
MX2009000167A (en) | 2009-01-26 |
JP4948600B2 (en) | 2012-06-06 |
WO2008003387A1 (en) | 2008-01-10 |
KR101073424B1 (en) | 2011-10-17 |
DE102006031902B4 (en) | 2008-12-11 |
CN101489759A (en) | 2009-07-22 |
CN101489759B (en) | 2012-03-21 |
BRPI0713920B1 (en) | 2018-11-27 |
EP2038103B1 (en) | 2015-02-25 |
DE102006031902A1 (en) | 2008-01-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2654106C (en) | Process for the production of hollow bodies of thermoplastic material | |
US7922949B2 (en) | Procedure for producing hollow bodies of thermoplastic material | |
KR101539137B1 (en) | Blow molding tool and method for producing extrusion blow-molded plastic articles | |
US8287799B2 (en) | Process for the production of a fuel tank and a fuel tank | |
JP4431086B2 (en) | Blow molding mold apparatus, resin hollow body manufacturing method using the blow molding mold apparatus, and resin hollow molded body manufactured by the manufacturing method | |
JP5461480B2 (en) | Method for producing a hollow body from a thermoplastic material and apparatus for carrying out the method | |
EP2688762B1 (en) | Fuel tank of thermoplastic polymer for a motor vehicle and method for the production of a fuel tank | |
US20060151505A1 (en) | Fuel tank for motor vehicle and method for producing the same | |
WO2005118255A1 (en) | Die assembly for blow molding, process for producing hollow molded item of resin with use of the die assembly, and hollow molded item of resin produced by the process | |
CN102497971B (en) | For the manufacture of the method for the article be made up of thermoplastic | |
KR20140049073A (en) | Operating fluid tank for a motor vehicle | |
CN102056726B (en) | Manufacture the method for hollow body by thermoplastic and manufactured the equipment of hollow body by thermoplastic | |
CN103328184A (en) | Method for producing a plastics article and blow mould for carrying out the method | |
CN105579271B (en) | The manufacturing method of automotive fuel case | |
US10005221B2 (en) | Method for producing a container from thermoplastic material | |
CN104812549B (en) | The method that ducted body is manufactured by thermoplastic | |
EP2084074A1 (en) | Line arrangement in a plastic container | |
CN107645982B (en) | Method and device for producing large-volume containers with flanges by plastic blow molding | |
US10293561B2 (en) | Method for producing a container from thermoplastic material and plastic container produced according to said method | |
KR20160140438A (en) | Method for manufacturing a hollow body, in particular a fuel tank |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request |