Cap manufacture methods and apparatus
A method for manufacturing a cap comprises molding the cap in a cavity of a mold, the cavity formed by a plurality of members. The cap is released from the mold, including: a stage wherein there is a relative axial shift of a first member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inner diameter surface of an upper sidewall and dosing tube relative to a second member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an underside of an upper web.
1. An apparatus for molding a cap, the cap having a cup portion having a sidewall and a base, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of elements positionable to define a mold cavity including a first member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inner diameter surface of the sidewall and axially shiftable relative to a second member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inside surface of the base,
wherein:
the second member has a poppet form with a head and a stem, the head at least partially recessed in a compartment in the first member in a first condition and extendable proud of a rim of the first member in a second condition;
the first member has an air passageway with an outlet to said compartment;
a stripper unit having a portion forming a lower rim of an outer sidewall portion of the cavity;
a second air passageway in the stripper unit;
the first member has an upper rim portion positioned to mold a periphery of the inside surface of the base; and
the first member comprises an inner member and an outer member cooperating to form a water jacket of spiral form.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the plurality of elements include a thread core mounted for rotation relative to the first member.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the first member air passageway has a second outlet along said rim.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the cap cup portion sidewall comprises an upper sidewall and a dosing tube;
the cap has flange protruding radially from a junction of the upper sidewall and the dosing tube;
the cap has a threaded outer sidewall depending from the flange; and
the plurality of elements include a thread core mounted for rotation relative to the first member and positioned to mold the thread of the outer sidewall.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:
the first member has an upper rim portion positioned to mold a periphery of the inside surface of the base.
6. An apparatus for molding a cap, the cap having a cup portion having a sidewall and a base, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of elements positionable to define a mold cavity including a first member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inner diameter surface of the sidewall and axially shiftable relative to a second member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inside surface of the base,
wherein:
the second member has a poppet form with a head and a stem, the head at least partially recessed in a compartment in the first member in a first condition and extendable proud of a rim of the first member in a second condition;
the first member has an air passageway with an outlet to said compartment; and
the first member air passageway has a second outlet along said rim.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:
the cap cup portion sidewall comprises an upper sidewall and a dosing tube;
the cap has flange protruding radially from a junction of the upper sidewall and the dosing tube;
the cap has a threaded outer sidewall depending from the flange; and
the plurality of elements include a thread core mounted for rotation relative to the first member and positioned to mold the thread of the outer sidewall.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:
the first member comprises an inner member and an outer member cooperating to form a water jacket of spiral form.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:
the plurality of elements include a stripper unit having a portion forming a lower rim of an outer sidewall portion of the cavity.
10. An apparatus for molding a cap, the cap having a cup portion having a sidewall and a base, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of elements positionable to define a mold cavity including a first member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inner diameter surface of the sidewall and axially shiftable relative to a second member forming a portion of the mold cavity along an inside surface of the base,
the cap cup portion sidewall comprises an upper sidewall and a dosing tube;
the cap has flange protruding radially from a junction of the upper sidewall and the dosing tube;
the cap has a threaded outer sidewall depending from the flange; and
the plurality of elements include a thread core mounted for rotation relative to the first member and positioned to mold the thread of the outer sidewall,
wherein:
the first member has an upper rim portion positioned to mold a periphery of the inside surface of the base;
the first member comprises an inner member and an outer member cooperating to form a water jacket of spiral form;
the first member has an air passageway with an outlet to said compartment; and
the first member air passageway has a second outlet along said rim.