Patent ID: 6019929
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method for increasing the throughput of a vertical injection molding machine, the vertical injection molding machine comprising a platform and an injection assembly and a mold, an upper mold half of the mold aligned with the injection assembly for operable mating therewith and the upper mold half adapted for removable, operable mating with an aligned lower mold half of the mold, comprising the steps of:attaching a first lower mold half to a first carrier member that is movably attached to the vertical injection molding machine by a detent of the carrier member mating with a corresponding slot formed in a flat upper surface of the platform, the slot defines a first travel path for the first lower mold half;attaching a second lower mold half to a second carrier member that is movably attached to the vertical injection molding machine by a detent of the carrier member mating with a corresponding slot formed in the flat upper surface of the platform, the slot defines a second travel path for the second lower mold half;moving the first carrier member along the first travel path to an aligned position, wherein the first lower mold half is aligned with the upper mold half for mating therewith;clamping the upper mold half to the first lower mold half, injecting a material into the mold, and separating the mold;moving the first carrier member back along the first travel path from the aligned position to an offset position removed from the aligned position;moving the second carrier member, independent from the first carrier member, along the second travel path to the aligned position, the second travel path different from and not aligned with the first travel path; andclamping the upper mold half to the second lower mold half, injecting a material into the mold, and separating the mold.