EP0572500A1

EP0572500A1 - Blow moulding method

Info

Publication number: EP0572500A1
Application number: EP92905605A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kenneth Berggren; Lars Ake Nilsson; Hans-Erik STRÖMVALL
Original assignee: POLYINVENT AB
Current assignee: POLYINVENT AB
Priority date: 1991-02-18
Filing date: 1992-02-17
Publication date: 1993-12-08
Also published as: AU1324492A; WO1992014599A1; SE9100490D0; SE469551B; SE9100490L

Abstract

Procédé et moule permettant d'effectuer l'extrusion-soufflage d'éléments creux, tels que des tuyaux, pourvus d'éléments annulaires préfabriqués incorporés, tels que des brides de fermeture (6, 7), de fixation de tuyaux (8) et des tuyaux de renforcement (9), dans lesquels les éléments sont positionnés à l'intérieur d'un passage (3) situé dans le moule (4). Le mélange fondu tubulaire (2) descend de l'extrudeuse (10) et pénètre dans le passage (3) et par conséquent trouve également les éléments annulaires (6, 9) qu'il comporte, puis le mélange fondu est extrudé-soufflé à l'intérieur du passage.Method and mold for carrying out the extrusion-blow molding of hollow elements, such as pipes, provided with incorporated prefabricated annular elements, such as closure flanges (6, 7), pipe fastenings (8) and reinforcement pipes (9), in which the elements are positioned inside a passage (3) located in the mold (4). The tubular molten mixture (2) descends from the extruder (10) and enters the passage (3) and consequently also finds the annular elements (6, 9) that it comprises, then the molten mixture is extruded-blown at inside the passage.

Description

BLOW MOULDING METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject invention concerns a method of manufacturing hollow bodies, such as pipes, according to which melt polymer of tubular shape is fed through a passage inside a mould in which the melt is then blown.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In manufacturing hollow tubular bodies from a polymeric material some type of blow-moulding method is often used. Methods of this type are particularly common when the body to be produced has a complex shape, such as pipes including bends or sections differing as to their cross-sectional configuration. In accordance with conventional blow moulding techniques, molten material is ejected in tubular shape from an extruder positioned above a s^lit mould. When the tubular melt or parison is sufficiently long to reach below the two parts of the split mould, the latter is closed. The mould essentially is in two halves with recesses formed in the confronting mating surfaces. These recesses form the through-channel in the mould in which the melt is blown, i.e. blow- moulded, resulting in the formation of a pipe. When the pipe is curved, the original dependent melt tube must be sufficiently large to cover the entire width of the curved piece with consequential considerable material waste.

Pieces may also be placed in either mould half, allowing them to be joined to the pipe during the blow-moulding. Inset pieces shaped as segments of a circle, may have a maximum angular extension of 180°. To avoid large material waste in the case of curved components, a method known as the Sumitomo method has been developed. US Patent Specification No. 4 645 447 describes this method and the mould used therefor. A tubular melt is lowered into and through a curved passage in a split mould. In order to facilitate this operation, a suction device is connected to the lower part of the mould. When the tubular melt has passed through the entire passage inside the mould, the melt is sealed at the upper and lower parts of the mould. Gas is then supplied to the upper mould part through a feed tube and the melt is blown inside the mould. The extruder may be controlled in various ways. For instance, the thickness of the tubular melt, and thus that of the finished component, may be varied. Furthermore, the melt may consist of several layers, such as a soft inner layer and a rigid outer layer. By temporarily interrupting the extrusion of the outer layer it becomes possible to produce a flexible section of the pipe. The method allows manufacture of complex-configuration components that have no flashes. Owihg to the development within the field of material technology it is now possible to use blow-moulding techniques together with most structural plastics. However, the method is also limited. The blow- moulding process tends to give an uneven thickness distribution, which cause problems in some parts of the pipe. Also, it is difficult or impossible to produce details having a more complex shape, such as coupling flanges. This is true particularly when the requirements on dimensional stability and close tolerences are comparatively high, or high.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the subject invention is to sub- stantially eliminate the problems outlined in the afore¬ going by suggesting a method for the manufacture of polymer articles by blow-moulding, as well as a mould to perform the method, whereby it becomes possible to produce articles including integral pre-formed hollow bodies, such as end flanges, pipe attachments, reinforcement tubes and the like. It becomes possible to give the pre-formed details an optimum design and to make them from an optimum material in view of the intended use. For instance, filled and reinforced plastics material, as also metallic materials, may be used in the coupling flanges, with resulting dimensional stability and adherence to strict tolerances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above purposes are obtained by means of the method, the mould and the product in accordance with the invention exhibiting the characteristics defined in the claims.

In the following description the manufacture of a pipe will be used as an example since this is a simple and common type of component manufactured by blow-moulding. The method in accordance with the invention thus is essentially characterized by the steps of introducing into the blow-moulding passage of the mould, first a number of annular bodies, such as end flanges, pipe attachments, reinforcement tubes, and the like, and thereafter, by means of an extruder positioned substantially above the mould, extruding polymer material in such a manner that a tubular melt is formed and lowering said melt towards the mould and into the passage in the mould, allowing ir to descend further down through the passage and consequently through the annular bodies positioned inside the passage, whereafter, when an annular body is positioned at the end of the passage, lowering the tubular melt at least partially down into the latter, thereafter moving upper mould parts towards one another so as to seall the melt and when also the lower end of the tubular melt has been sealed, inflating the melt with the aid of a fluid which is supplied through a supply pipe so as to ensure that the melt is brought into contact with and adapts itself to the walls of the passage and to the annular bodies positioned inside the passage, whereafter following sufficient cool¬ ing of the pipe thus produced removing the component from the mould followed by removal of flash material, the annular bodies now being integrated parts of the finished pipe. In this manner, the tubular melt thus descends through the annular bodies and in the blowing process the pipe and the annular bodies are interconnected, either by means of a mechanical bond or through fusion of the structural materials. In this manner, the annular bodies are securely attached. Since they encircle the pipe entirely; the latter is exposed only to insignificant stress from an annular body, such as a pipe attachment. The enclosure also means that the risks for leakage at the level of the integrated component becomes minimal. The annular bodies may be inserted into the mould passage in a number of different ways. One possible way is by means of in-situ injection moulding of one or several bodies in the- passage. This may be effected with the^*aid of one or several injection moulding nozzles that are connected at the point where the body is to be possi- tioned,, and of inserted cores sealing radially inwardly and axially. After adequate cooling of the thus injection- moulded component the cores are withdrawn, leaving the annular component in position inside the passage.

The mould may also be formed with recesses through which pre-fabricated annular bodies may be inserted into the passage. The bodies may also be introduced axially into the passage. This may be the natural mode of operation in the case of end flanges but could be used also in connection with for instance certain tubular components that may be pushed into the passage. One example of components of this type is reinforcement tubes. In the case of special pipes of simple configu¬ ration it may be possible to pull the finished pipe out of the mould, in which case the latter need not be of a split-mould type. The introduction methods referred to may in this case be used as they also can in connection with split moulds.

As a rule, a mould of split type is used. The advan- tage of this kind of mould is that the finished components may be removed from the mould after separation of the mould parts. The component may be shaped into near-enough arbitrary configurations having for instance end flanges at both ends. When a split mould is used, some or all annular bodies may be positioned in one of the split mould halves and be immobilised in said mould half by means of various locking methods, allowing the mould to be closed in a convenient manner. Obviously, it is possible to combine all of the various insertion methods, using the method most suitable for each individual component. Some bodies may be positioned in the open mould which is then closed, whereas others may be introduced axially or through recesses and yet others be injection-moulded in situ. An in-situ injection moulding method may also be used for components t-hat do not encircle the periphery of the"^"passage and in that case the mode of operation is the same as for the annular bodies.

Furthermore, the method may be used to create prod¬ ucts of a more complicated structure, involving a large number of pipes, all or some of which are interconnected by means of common annular bodies. One example of a structure of this kind is the suction pipe in motor vehicles. From a common space a number of pipes are to lead to their associated one of the cylinders. The component is produced by using a blow moulding technique, wherein the pre-fabricated common space piece is placed inside the mould which is then closed. The pre-fabricated common space piece is formed with separate holes, one for each pipe. During the blow-moulding process, a tubular melt is first allowed to sink through the first hole and its associated passage, down into the space and the blow- moulding process takes place. The mould is then moved and the procedure is repeated for each and every one of the pipes that are to debouch into the space. Each individual pipe may be formed with end flanges and similar details in accordance with the above description. The mould could also be turned in such a manner that pipes may be connect¬ ed to the common space from other directions. In special cases it may also be advantageous to use an extruder equipped with several extruder dies, thus allowing the component to be manufactured more rapidly. In addition, it may be advantageous to move the extruder or the extruder die instead of the mould.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in closer detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein the same numeral references have been used for identical components in the various drawing figures. The split mould essentially comprises two halves, and equivalent parts of the two mould halves have received the same numeral reference with the addition of the sign ' in the case of one mould half and of the sign " in the case of the other. For instance, the confronting mating surfaces of the mould halves are designated by 5' and 5", respectively. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a split mould and of the extruder positioned above it, annular bodies having been inserted into the appropriate mould half.

Fig. 2 illustrates in a view from above and in cross- section one of the mould halves with the annular bodies placed in position. The cross-section is taken through an air suction channel system.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mould in closed condition, also illustrating a tubular melt on its way down through the mould. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mould, illus¬ trating the instance when the tubular melt has passed the mould passage and when sealing of the melt is effected at the mould top.

Fig. 5 illustrates in a perspective view the manner in which the melt has been blown in such a manner as to adapt itself to and adhere to the mould passage, the view also illustrating the supply pipe used for the blowing process.

Fig. 6a illustrates a pipe which has been manu¬ factured with the aid of a method in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 6b is a detail enlarged view of a section of the upper end of the pipe illustrated in Fig. 6a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In drawing figure 1, references 4' and 4" designate the two halves of a split mould 4. Obviously, the mould may include further parts and normally there are components that close the mould at the top and bottom thereof. The two mould halves have a common mating surface designated by references 5' and 5" in the respective mould half. Recesses 3' and 3" are formed in said mating sur¬ faces, designed so as to cooperate and to form jointly the passage 3 which extends through the closed mould 4. The recesses 3' and 3 need not be shaped as depressions or hollows in the mating surface over their entire length. Locally, one side of the surface may be flat or even protrude from the mating surface, provided the opposite side of the surface is formed with a corresponding depression. The essential feature is that together the recesses delimit the passage through the mould and that the finished pipe is separable, allowing the pipe to be removed from the two mould halves.

A number of annular bodies are placed inside one of the mould halves. An end flange 6, 7 is positioned at either mould half end and a pipe attachment 8 is placed in the middle. An attachment flange, similar to flanges 6 and 7, could also be positioned in the middle. Additionally, a reinforcement tube 9 could be positioned at the upper mould end, for the purpose of strengthening the finished pipe, allowing the latter to withstand the stress from interior excess pressure exerted on parts of the pipe where the latter is flexible. As mentioned previously, the annular bodies may be inserted into the mould passage 3 in a number of different ways and even be injection-moulded in situ. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated, the individual bodies are positioned in one of the mould halves. Usually, all bodies are placed in the same mould half. In order to allow care-free closure of the mould it is important that the bodies are securely mounted inside the passage. The bodies and the confronting mould half may be formed with entering chamfers to reduce the requirement on dimensional exactness in the securement of the bodies, Several of the bodies 6, 7, 8 are placed inside local cavities in the mould half 4'. These cavities are hidden from view by the bodies but are designated by references 18', 19' and 20'. The corresponding cavities in the opposite mould half are designated by respectively 18", lg" and 20". The bodies 6, 7, 8 may be retained in position inside their respective cavity in a number of various ways. Cavity 19' may have such a shape that the body 8 is squeezed in position between axial shoulders inside the mould to be thus secured. A cavity could also contain a resilient clamp which opens when the body is introduced into the cavity and closes about the body so as to retain rhe latter firmly in position. Furthermore, displaceable pins, operable from the exterior, may be provided inside the mould and be introduced into suitable cavities in the body to retain the latter in position. The bodies 6, 7 and 8 could also be introduced into the mould axially, both when the latter is open and when it is closed. For instance, the cavity 18' may be provided with an upright^* pin which cooperates with a flange hole formed in the body 6 to lock the latter firmly in position.

Magnetic bodies may be retained in position by means of magnets arranged inside the mould. Likewise, the bodies may be secured in position through suction, as illustrated in the case of body 9. Fig. 2 illustrates the manner in which suction lines 15, 16, 17 which by means of a suction channel 14 are connected to an external suction means, debouch at the point where the body 9 is mounted inside the mould half 4'. Body 9 thus is retained in position through suction. This part of the reinforcement tube may be difficult to retain in position through other methods. The meshes of the tube may be filled with a suitable plastics material, to be removed later, thus making it possible to obtain suitable suction resistance.

Alternatively, it is possible to close the mould 4 from the beginning and to introduce the body 8 trans¬ versely through a recess, or, possibly, to produce it through injection-moulding in situ. In this case, bodies 6, 7 and 9 may be introduced axially. The reinforcement tube 9 could in this case rest on a shoulder formed inside the passage or else be secured through suction. Pins, inserted through the flange holes of the bodies 6 and 7, may then secure the latter against angular movement. If required, pins could also be used to lock the bodies axially. Magnetic bodies may be immobilized by means of magnets.

Fig. 3 illustrates the appearance of the mould when closed to delimit the passage 3. The passage extends through the annular bodies 6, 9, 8 and 7. The extruder 10 which is positioned essentially above the mould, ejects the polymer melt in a tubular shape melt which descends through the mould. The lower end of the tubular melt 2 is sealed, the sealing operation having been performed before the melt tube 2 reaches the mould. However, the sealing of the tube end may not be effected until the entire melt tube has passed through the entire mould passage and reaches the opposite end. Sealing of the melt tube prior to the latter reaching the mould could in many cases have considerable advantages. For instance, in the sealing process the lower end of the melt tube may be given a configuration designed to further its descent through the passage. For example, it may be given a conical shape allowing it to climb over obstacles inside the annular bodies. It is also possible to cool the end during the sealing operation, preventing it from sticking to the mould. Further, as a result of the sealing it likewise becomes possible to blow up the melt tube slightly to a back-up pressure, thus preventing the tube walls to stick to one another as the tube passes through the passage. A similar effect may also be obtained when the other alternative is used, i.e. when the sealing operation is nor effected until the tubular melt has already passed through the mould. In this case air or some other fluid is blown through the melt tube while the latter descends through the mould passage. In this manner the tube walls may be kept apart while at the same time some cooling of the internal surface layer is obtained.

Fig. 3 illustrates the tubular melt 2 descending through the mould passage 3. The picture is simplified inasmuch as normally, a suction means is required at the lower end, when the passage configuration is as complex as illustrated, i.e. comprising several bends. The suction means thus is connected at the lower part of the mould externally of the flange 7 and it creates a current of air, from the top of the mould, downwards inside the passage along the inner walls thereof. The current of air thus created assists in advancing the tubular melt τrhrough rhe passage.

Fig. 4 depicts a later stage of the process, when the tubular melt 2 has passed through the entire mould passage. Depending on the appearance of the lowermost annular body 7 a number of different situations may be imagined. Assuming a first situation according to which the flange 7 is closed in a downwards direction. In con- sequence of this design the end of the tubular melt will receive support from the component 7 and thus may be blown up, provided, obviously, that the component 7 is securely anchored axially in the mould or is supported from below. Another, and more common situation is one according to which the component 7 is formed with a through-hole through which the melt tube passes so as to leave the mould. In order to make it possible to perform the blow- moulding operation, it is necessary on the one hand that the lower end of the melt tube is sealed and on the other that it has support in the outwards direction. Normally, this is achieved by means of two mould halves which are gathered about the melt tube and its end. This situation is not illustrated in the drawing figure because several alternatives are possible. However, the mould halves correspond to those used at the top of the mould, viz. 12 and 13. Normally, the tubular melt is sealed at this point about a supply pipe 11, see Fig. 5. The supply pipe is used to blow air or an equivalent medium through the hose during the descent, as well as for the blow-moulding operation proper. In situations when it is not necessary to blow air through the melt tube during the descent it may be possible and appropriate to eliminate the supply pipe through the extruder and in this case instead draw this pipe through the mould into the passage and through the melt tube before starting the blow-moulding process proper. Once the tubular melt thus has been sealed at the upper as well as at the lower end of the mould, air or some other fluid, is supplied via the supply pipe 11. When this happens, the tubular melt 2 is inflated, i.e. it is blow-moulded so as to fill out the entire cavity of the passage 3, and thus into contact with the passage walls and with the inner surfaces of the annular bodies. This situation is depicted in Fig. 5, which thus illustrated the pipe in its fully blown condition.

The next step is to open the mould, cf. Fig. 1. This is effected as soon as the polymer material of the pipe is sufficiently cooled to have the required stiffness and strength. Excess material at both ends is then removed. Normally, no flash lines are formed alongside the mould parting line. Fig. 6a shows the finished pipe as seen from the side, half the pipe being shown in an external view and half in cross-section. The drawing figure illustrates various typical methods of mechanical interconnection between the annular bodies 6, 7 and 8 and the polymer material of the pipe. The internal faces of the bodies exhibit varying diameter sizes in order thus to provide a better grip. The greatest importance of mechanical bonds is in the case of metal flanges or similar means. When flanges of a polymer material are used, fusion of materials may take place, for which reason it is often uncalled for to use additional methods of providing mechanical bonds, such as a sinuous inner face. Fig. 6b shows a detail of the reinforcement tube 9 in an enlarged view as well as its bond to the polymer tube. The purpose of the reinforcment tube is to strengthen a weaker portion of the finished pipe to allow it to withstand for instance internal pressures. Often, it is_^ a flexiible portion of the pipe that needs reinforce¬ ment:. Flexible portions of an otherwise rigid pipe may be obtained in several different ways. When the pipe consists of one single polymer material a certain length thereof may be extruded with thinner walls. When pipes of multilayer types are used, comprising for instance a rigid external layer and a soft internal layer, it is possible to produce a certain length of the pipe without the external layer. Likewise, it is possible, in one and the same pipe, to alter the wall material, thus producing a pipe exhibiting for instance alternately rigid and soft sections. Thus, the extruder may be controlled to operate in a variety of different ways and obviosuly combinatons of the ways outlined in the aforegoing are possible. Consequently, a local reinforcement means, such as e.g. the reinforcement tube 9, often is interesting. Fig. 6b illustrates one example according to which a change of material has taken place interiorly of the reinforcement tube, as illustrated by the deviating hatch pattern. Figs. 1 and 2 show the possibility of retaining the reinforcement tube in position in one mould half through suction. It could also be secured in position in the closed mould with the aid of suctional force, pre¬ venting it from being entrained by the tubular melt as the latter descends through the passage.

Obviously, it lies within the scope of the subject invention to manufacture tubular bodies of a large variety of different types. These bodies may have a very compli¬ cated configuration and need by no means be elongated. The embodiment illustrated is but one simple example. By blow- moulding inside several passages of the same mould it is possible to produce a number of complicated and mutually interconnected bodies.

Claims

1. A method of producing hollow bodies, such as pipes (1), according to which a tubular polymer melt (2) is carried through a passage (3) inside a mould (4) and is thereafter blow-moulded inside said passage, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d by the steps of introducing into the blow- moulding passage (3) of the mould, first a number of annular bodies, such as end flanges (6, ), pipe attachments (8), reinforcement tubes (9), and the like, and thereafter, by means of an extruder (10) positioned substantially above the mould (4), extruding polymer material in such a manner that a tubular melt (2) is formed and lowering said melt towards the mould (4) and into the passage (3) in the mould (4), allowing it to descend further down through the passage (3) and con¬ sequently through the annular bodies (6, 8, 9) positioned inside the passage (3), whereafter, when an annular body (7) is positioned at the end of the passage (3), lowering the tubular melt (2) at least partially down into the latter, thereafter moving upper mould parts (12, 13) towards one another so as to seal the melt (2) and when also the lower end of the tubular melt (2) has been sealed, inflating the melt (2) with the aid of a fluid which is supplied through a supply pipe (11) so as to ensure that the melt is brought into contact with and adapts itself to the walls of the passage (3) and to the annular bodies (6-9) positioned inside the passage, whereafter following sufficient cooling of the pipe thus produced, removing the component from the mould followed by removal of flash material, the annular bodies now being integrated parts of the finished pipe.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d by introduction of at least one of the annular bodies (6-9 into the passage (3) with the aid of at least one injection moulding nozzle and inserted cores which are withdrawn following sufficient cooling of the annular body.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d by the provision of a number of recesses inside said mould (4), through which recesses at least one of the annular bodies (6 - 9) are placed in position inside the passage (3), essentially transversely with respect to said passage.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a split mould is used, essentially comprising at least two mould parts (4', 4") and wherein the passage (3) is provided in the mould parts (4', 4") in that at least one of said parts is formed with an open recess (3', 3") in the associated one of the confronting mating surfaces (5¹, 5"), and in that the finished component is separated from the mould by opening the mould and removal of the component.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the end of the tubular melt (2) is sealed before the end is lowered into the passage (3) inside the mould (4). 6. A method as claimed in claims 1 - 4, c h a r - a c"^*t e r i z e d in that the end of the tubular melt (2) is sealed only after it has passed through the entire passage (3)and reached below the mould (4).

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mould (4) is open initially and in that some of the annular bodies (6 - 9) are positioned in the recesses (3', 3"), whereupon the mould is closed.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mould (4) is open initially and in that certain ones of the annular bodies, such as bodies (8), are positioned in the recesses (3', 3"), whereupon the mould is closed and other ones of the annular bodies (6, 7, 9) are introduced axially into the passage (3). 9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the operation of an externally positioned suction means which by means of a number of suction lines (14 - 17) is connected to at least one of the mould parts (4) is started prior to the positioning of the annular bodies (6 - 9), at least one of the annular bodies ( ) thus being secured through suction and retained in position inside the recess (3' ).

10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the supply of a fluid to the tubular melt (2) before the latter is lowered into the passage (3) inside the mould (4), whereby the walls of the tubular or hose-shaped melt (2) are maintained in an inflated condition and do not stick to one another.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by connecting a suction means to the lower opening of the passage (3) in the closed mould ( ), the suction effect of said means generating a current of air driving the tubular or hose- shajed melt (2) through the passage (3).

12. A split mould (4) for the production of hollow bodies (1) through blow-moulding of a tubular polymer melt (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the recesses (3' , 3") formed in said mould parts (4¹, 4") locally are pro¬ vided with fixation means, such as suction lines (15 - 17) which are connected to an external suction means, magnets for securement of magnetic bodies, or mechanical clips or pins, so as to ensure retainment of each annular body inside its associated recess (3' , 3" ), once the bodies have been placed in position therein.

13. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the recesses (3' , 3" ) in said mould halves ( ¹, 4") are formed with shoulders in the axial direction. 14. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the provision in said recesses (3', 3") of local cavities (18¹, 19', 20'; 18", 19", 20") for reception of annular bodies (6 - 9). 15. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one of the local cavities (18', 18", 20', 20") provided at the upper or lower face of the mould is provided with mould parts axially cooperating with mould parts of the annular body as the latter is introduced in the axial direction into the associated local cavity, for instance by means of an arrangement according to which an upright pin in the upper local recess cooperates with a hole formed in the flange of the annular body (6). 16. A hollow body (.1) manufactured through blow- moulding of a tubular polymer melt (2) in a closed split mould (4), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said body is provided with a number of annular bodies (6 - 9) each one of which surrounds the polymer material of the hollow body (1) in such a manner that said annular bodies will forπf an integrated part of the body as a result of a mechanical bond or of fusion of the materials involved.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 6 July 1992 (06.07.92); original claims 2 and 3 amended; remaining claims unchanged (4 pages)]

1. A method of producing hollow bodies, such as pipes (1), according to which a tubular polymer melt (2) is carried through a passage (3) inside a mould (4) and is thereafter blow-moulded inside said passage, c h a r a c¬ t e r i z e d by the steps of introducing into the blow- moulding passage (3) of the mould, first a number of annular bodies, such as end flanges (6, 7), pipe attach¬ ments (8), reinforcement tubes (9), and the like, and thereafter, by means of an extruder (10) positioned substantially above the mould (4), extruding polymer material in such a manner that a tubular melt (2) is formed and lowering said melt towards the mould (4) and into the passage (3) in the mould (4), allowing it to descend further down through the passage (3) and con¬ sequently through the annular bodies (6, 8 , 9) positioned inside the passage (3), whereafter, when an annular body (7) is positioned at the end of the passage (3), lowering the tubular melt (2) at least partially down into the latter, thereafter moving upper mould parts (12, 13) towards one another so as to seal the melt (2) and when also the lower end of the tubular melt (2) has been sealed, inflating the melt (2) with the aid of a fluid which is supplied through a supply pipe (11) so as to ensure that the melt is brought into contact with and adapts itself to the walls of the passage (3) and to the annular bodies (6-9) positioned inside the passage, where- after following sufficient cooling of the pipe thus produced, removing the component from the mould followed by removal of flash material, the annular bodies now being integrated parts of the finished pipe.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d by introduction of at least one of the annular bodies (6-9 into the passage (3) with the aid of at least one injection moulding nozzle and inserted cores, which are withdrawn following sufficient cooling of the annular body.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d by the provision of a number of recesses inside said mould (4), through which recesses at least one of the annular bodies (6 - 9) are placed in position inside the passage (3), essentially transversely with respect to said passage, and preferably when the mould (4) is closed. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a split mould is used, essentially comprising at least two mould parts (4', 4") and wherein the passage (3) is provided in the mould parts (4', 4") in that at least one of said parts is formed with an open recess (3', 3") in the associated one of the confronting mating surfaces (5' , 5" ), and in that the finished component is separated from the mould by opening the mould and removal of the component.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the end of the tubular melt (2) is sealed before the end is lowered into the passage (3) inside the mould (4).

6. A method as claimed in claims 1 - 4, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the end of the tubular melt (2) is sealed only after it has passed through the entire passage (3) and reached below the mould (4).

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the mould (4) is open initially and in that certain ones of the annular bodies, such as bodies (8), are positioned in the recesses (3', 3"), whereupon the mould is closed and other ones of the annular bodies (6, 7, 9) are introduced axially into the passage (3).

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the operation of an externally positioned suction means which by means of a number of suction lines (14 - 17) is connected to at least one of the mould parts (4) is started prior to the positioning of the annular bodies (6 - 9), at least one o the annular bodies (9) thus being secured through suction and retained in position inside the recess (3' ).

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by connecting a suction means to the lower opening of the passage (3) in the closed mould (4), the suction effect of said means generating a current of air driving the tubular or hose- shaped melt (2) through the passage (3).

12. A split mould (4) for the production of hollow bodies (1) through blow-moulding of a tubular polymer melt (2), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the recesses (3' , 3") formed in said mould parts (4', 4") locally are pro¬ vided with fixation means, such as suction lines (15 - 17) which are connected to an external suction means, magnets for securement of magnetic bodies, or mechanical clips or pins, so as to ensure retainment of each annular body inside its associated recess (3' , 3"), once the bodies have been placed in position therein.

13. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the recesses (3' , 3" ) in said mould halves (4', 4") are formed with shoulders in the axial direction.

14. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the provision in said recesses (3', 3") of local cavities (18', 19', 20'; 18", 19", 20") for reception of annular bodies (6 - 9).

15. A split mould (4) as claimed in claim 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one of the local cavities (18', 18", 20', 20") provided at the upper or lower face of the mould is provided with mould parts axially cooperating with mould parts of the annular body as the latter is introduced in the axial direction into the associated local cavity, for instance by means of an arrangement according to which an upright pin in the upper local recess cooperates with a hole formed in the flange of the annular body (6).

16. A hollow body (1) manufactured through blow- moulding of a tubular polymer melt (2) in a closed split mould (4), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said body is provided with a number of annular bodies (6 - 9) each one of which surrounds the polymer material of the hollow body (1) in such a manner that said annular bodies will form an integrated part of the body as a result of a mechanical bond or of fusion of the materials involved.

STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE19

The second claim has now been made more clear through the addition that the inserted cores seal radially inwards as well as axially. This feature appears from the basic document of February 17, 1992, in Swedish, page 3, line 34-37.

The third claim has also been made more clear through the addition that at least one of the annular bodies (6-9) are placed in position..., "and preferably when the mould is closed." This feature appears from the basic document, page 7, lines 33-35.