Patent ID: 6312519
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B29D,B29L,B65G,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing data-storage optical discs during an optical disc processing cycle, comprising:a feeding unit to individually bring the optical discs being processed to a loading location;a plurality of work stations with each adapted to perform a predetermined operating step included in the optical disc processing cycle, said work stations being provided in an apparatus framework;an outlet station to receive finished optical discs;a transferring device to individually transfer the optical discs being processed from the loading location to the outlet station through the work stations, wherein said transferring device comprises:a support arm movable between forward strokes and return strokes thereof,drive means acting on the support arm for reciprocatingly moving said arm along its longitudinal extension axis between a first limit position to a second limit position,pick-up means operatively carried by the support arm for selectively picking up and releasing at least one optical disc being processed, said pick-up means being arranged to operate on a forward line and a return line respectively, which are defined parallel to each other and on opposite sides relative to the longitudinal extension axis of said support arm, said pick-up means having at least one forward line pick-up member being capable of transferring at least one optical disc along the forward line during the forward strokes of said support arm from the first to the second limit positions, and at least one return line pick-up member being capable of transferring at least one optical disc along the return line during the return strokes of the support arm from the second to the first limit positions wherein said at least one forward line pick-up member and said at least one return line pick-up member operate individually and independently of each other.