Simplified In-Mold Article Handling System And A Method For Handling Molded Articles

Abstract

An in-mold system and method for handling molded articles. An in-mold lid handling system provides a slide that is operable to translate laterally across a molding face of an injection mold to perform a first operation on, or to retrieve a plurality of molded articles from, a column of molding cavities and to thereafter retreat to an outboard position for a second operation, or to transfer the molded articles to drop chutes. The driving means for the slide include a first and a second transmission attached to the ends thereof. The transmissions operate on the same basic principle wherein at least one belt contained therein is configured along a path defined by a plurality of guides, the path including a plurality of segments defined between the guides, and the at least one belt being operable along the path between two positions, wherein the slide is attached to various suitably arranged path segments and is thereby driven between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively.

1 ) A method for handling molded articles from a mold using in-mold article handling system, the in-mold article handling system configured to translate at least one slide, with at least one article retention device thereon, across at least one molding face of the mold, the in-mold article handling device further including at least one drop chute. the method including the steps of: 
 i) laterally positioning of the at least one slide across the molding face into an inboard position such that the at least one article retention device is positioned for retrieving an article in front of an exposed front face of the plurality of molded articles held on the core molding inserts;    ii) ejecting the plurality of molded articles from the core molding inserts onto the corresponding plurality of suction cups;    iii) positioning of the drop chutes into a retracted position for receiving the molded articles being held on the slide suction cups;    iv) laterally positioning of the slides into an outboard position wherein the molded articles held thereon are positioned within a drop chute;    v) advancing the drop chutes into a forward position as the molded articles are being released from their suction cups, and thereafter the molded articles travel down within the channel of the drop chute, under the influence of gravity, for subsequent ejection into the auxiliary processes.