Apparatus and method for injection-molding products

Abstract

An apparatus for injection-molding products, comprising an injection mold divisible into at least two parts such that consequently at least one mold cavity is cleared, wherein on at least one part of the injection mold guiding means are provided for a transfer device for providing an insert in the mold cavity and/or for taking a product from the mold cavity.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A method for injection-molding products with an injection mold, wherein an injection mold is opened and a transfer device is moved between the mold parts, guided by at least one of the mold parts or guiding means provided thereon, with which transfer device at least one operation is carried out in at least one part of at least one mold cavity, whereupon the transfer device is moved away from between the mold parts, guided by at least one mold part of guiding means connected thereto, whereupon the injection mold is closed and a product is injection-molded in the or each mold cavity, whereupon the injection mold is opened and the transfer device is moved back between the mold parts.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein, with the transfer device, a label is placed in a first part of at least one mold cavity and a ready product is taken from an oppositely located, second part of the respective mold cavity.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein, with the aid of the transfer device, an insert is placed in at least a first part of at least one mold cavity, in particular said label.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein at least two transfer devices are moved between the mold parts, in particular from two oppositely located sides of the injection mold, wherein with each of the transfer devises in at least one part of at least one mold cavity operations are carried out.  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for injection-molding products comprising; 
 an injection mold divisible into at least two parts, such that, as a result, at least one mold cavity provided in said injection mold is cleared;    a guiding rail provided on at least one part of the injection mold;    a transfer device movably supported in or on said guiding rail for placing an insert into a mold cavity and/or taking a product from a mold cavity; and    a motor connected to said transfer device for driving said transfer device along said guiding rail into and out of said injection mold.    
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein guiding rails are provided on opposite sides of the at least one mold cavity.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the injection mold comprises a joining face in which parts of the mold cavities terminate, wherein said guiding rail extends beyond the contour of said joining face, such that the transfer device can be moved at least largely beyond said contour before the injection mold is closed.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the transfer device comprises sleeve bearings or roller bearings with which it is borne by said guiding rail.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said guide rail is provided at least partly in or on a joining face of the injection mold.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the transfer device is provided on at least one side with first engaging means for engaging a film-shaped label and placing this in a mold cavity.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the transfer device is provided on at least one side with second engaging means for engaging a product in a mold cavity.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the first and/or second engaging means are vacuum means.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the guiding rail is provided on a part of the injection mold which, during use, is substantially stationary.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the guiding rail is provided at least partly on at least one side of at least one part of the injection mold.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the guiding rail is substantially provided on the side of the injection mold connected to a supply duct of the injection molding apparatus.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein guiding rails are provided on at least two sides of frame parts in which the injection mold is fixed.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the injection mold comprises a middle part and two closing parts arranged on either side thereof, while on both sides of the middle part at least one mold cavity is provided, wherein guiding rails are provided on both sides of the middle part.  
   
   
       34 . An apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the transfer device has a slightly U-shaped cross section defining a middle part and two legs, the legs of which bear counter means for the guiding rail.  
   
   
       35 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said injection mold comprises a fixed part having a joining face and a movable part having a joining face, said joining faces of said fixed part and said movable part meeting upon closure of said injection mold, and wherein said guiding rail comprises a rail member extending outward from said joining face of said fixed part, and wherein said joining face of said moving part includes a recess formed therein for receiving said rail member upon closure of said mold.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said injection mold comprises a fixed part having a joining face and a movable part having a joining face, said joining faces of said fixed part and said movable part meeting upon closure of said injection mold, and wherein said guiding rail comprises a groove formed in said joining face of said fixed part, and wherein said transfer device includes a foot slidably received in said groove.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said transfer device comprises a base, a first transfer part supported on said base and a first piston/cylinder assembly acting between said base and said first transfer part for moving said first transfer part toward or away from said base to respectively remove an item from or place an item into said mold cavity.  
   
   
       38 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 37 , wherein said transfer device further comprises a second transfer part supported on said base opposite said first transfer part and a second piston/cylinder assembly acting between said base and said second transfer part for moving said second transfer part toward or away from said first transfer part to respectively remove an item from or place an item into said mold.