KIT AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING A REFURBISHING MACHINE INTO A REFORMING APPARATUS, AND RESULTING APPARATUS

• US 20100252952A1
• Filed: 04/06/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Talon Limited
• Original Assignee: Graham Packaging Company LP (Graeme Richard Hart, MBA)
• Inventors: Pennington, Garrett R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,734,709 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/219
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0811 using induction
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0816 using eddy currents
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/1608 using Peltier-effect
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/002 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/0805 using electromagnetic radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/16 Cooling cooling extruded material B29C48/911; cooling preforms for blow moulding B29C49/6427; cooling blown articles B29C49/66; cooling tyres during post cure inflation B29D30/0643
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4273 Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4283 Deforming the finished article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 57/00 Shaping of tube ends, e.g. flanging, belling or closing; Apparatus therefor , e.g. collapsible mandrels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/0048 Local deformation of formed objects
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7158 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49352 Repairing, converting, servicing or salvaging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49876 by snap fit

Abstract

A kit and method for converting a refurbishing machine into a reforming apparatus. The apparatus reforms a portion of a plastic container using induction heating. The kit includes a reform heating assembly that achieves a temperature of above about 500° F., heats the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and has a power and thermocouple connection to a first controller. The kit also includes a reform cooling assembly that has a forming die which contacts and reforms the container portion, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to a second controller. The method includes the steps of replacing heating assemblies of the refurbishing machine with the reform heating assembly and the reform cooling assembly, respectively, using the existing equipment utilities of the refurbishing machine.

Claims

1. A retrofit kit for converting into a reforming apparatus, for reforming a portion of a plastic container using induction heating, a refurbishing machine having (a) a first turret with a first heating assembly and a first proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller controlling the first heating assembly, and (b) a second turret with a second heating assembly and a second PID controller controlling the second heating assembly, the kit comprising:

a reform heating assembly replacing the first heating assembly of the refurbishing machine, achieving a temperature of above about 500°

F., heating the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and having a power and thermocouple connection to the first PID controller.

2. The retrofit kit of claim 1, further comprising a reform cooling assembly replacing the second heating assembly of the refurbishing machine and having a mounting adapter or post connecting the reform cooling assembly to the refurbishing machine, a forming die adapted to contact and reform the portion of the container, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to the second PID controller.

3. The retrofit kit of claim 2, wherein the reform heating assembly includes:

a mount for engaging the first turret of the refurbishing machine;

a heat element generating heat;

a heat dispersion block having a groove into which are disposed the heat element and the power and thermocouple connection; and

an insulated body to which the heat dispersion block is affixed, the insulated body having a hole adapted to receive a fastener attaching the heat dispersion block to the insulated body and, in turn, to the mount.

4. The retrofit kit of claim 2, wherein the second PID controller maintains the forming die at a predetermined temperature through the thermoelectric cooler.

5. The retrofit kit of claim 4, wherein the forming die is maintained at a temperature below the set point of the plastic used to form the container.

6. The retrofit kit of claim 1, wherein the reform heating assembly includes:

a mount for engaging the first turret of the refurbishing machine;

a heat element generating heat;

a heat dispersion block having a groove into which are disposed the heat element and the power and thermocouple connection; and

an insulated body to which the heat dispersion block is affixed, the insulated body having a body, a top, and a centrally disposed buttress extending from the top and defining a hole adapted to receive a fastener attaching the heat dispersion block to the insulated body and, in turn, to the mount.

7. The retrofit kit of claim 6, wherein the mount has a central passage and a hole adapted to route connections through the mount and to the power and thermocouple connection.

8. The retrofit kit of claim 6, wherein the groove of the heat dispersion block is a helical or spiral groove.

9. The retrofit kit of claim 6 further comprising a cover plate engaging the heat dispersion block to form a single, monolithic unit and sandwich the heat element and the power and thermocouple connection within the groove.

10. The retrofit kit of claim 6, wherein an air gap exists between the top of the insulated body and the heat dispersion block on either side of the buttress.

11. The retrofit kit of claim 6 wherein an air gap exists between the body of the insulated body and the heat dispersion block.

12. The retrofit kit of claim 6, wherein the insulated body has a side hole adapted to route connections through the insulated body and to the power and thermocouple connection.

13. The retrofit kit of claim 6 wherein the insulated body has an information-providing color.

14. An apparatus for reforming a portion of a plastic container using induction heating, the apparatus comprising:

a first controller;

a reform heating assembly achieving a temperature of above about 500°

F., heating the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and having a power and thermocouple connection to the first PID controller;

a second controller; and

a reform cooling assembly having a forming die adapted to contact and reform the portion of the container, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to the second controller.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second controller maintains the forming die at a predetermined temperature below the set point of the plastic used to form the container.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the reform heating assembly includes:

a mount adapted to engage a frame;

a heat element generating heat;

a heat dispersion block having a groove into which are disposed the heat element and the power and thermocouple connection; and

an insulated body to which the heat dispersion block is affixed, the insulated body having a body, a top, and a centrally disposed buttress extending from the top and defining a hole adapted to receive a fastener attaching the heat dispersion block to the insulated body and, in turn, to the mount.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a cover plate engaging the heat dispersion block to form a single, monolithic unit and sandwich the heat element and the power and thermocouple connection within the groove.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein an air gap exists between the top of the insulated body and the heat dispersion block on either side of the buttress and between the body of the insulated body and the heat dispersion block.

19. The retrofit kit of claim 16 wherein the insulated body has an information-providing color.

20. A method of converting into a reforming apparatus, for reforming a portion of a plastic container using induction heating, a refurbishing machine having (a) a first turret with a first heating assembly and a first proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller controlling the first heating assembly, and (b) a second turret with a second heating assembly and a second PID controller controlling the second heating assembly, the method comprising:

(A1) removing the first heating assembly from the first turret;

(A2) installing a reform heating assembly that replaces the first heating assembly of the refurbishing machine, achieves a temperature of above about 500°

F., heats the container via radiant and convection heating without contacting the container, and has a power and thermocouple connection to the first PID controller;

(B1) removing the second heating assembly from the second turret; and

(B2) installing a reform cooling assembly that replaces the second heating assembly of the refurbishing machine and has a mounting adapter or post connecting the reform cooling assembly to the refurbishing machine, a forming die adapted to contact and reform the portion of the container, a support housing a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a heat sink facilitating heat transfer away from the forming die, and a power and thermocouple connection to the second PID controller.