Patent ID: 6360414
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B26D,B26F,B29C,B29L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for trimming flash from blow molded plastic articles, said apparatus comprising:a first rotatable member mounted for rotation about a first axis; a second rotatable member mounted for rotation about a second axis, said second axis being parallel to said first axis; drive means for causing synchronized rotation of said first and second rotatable members in opposing directions; a plurality of first tools mounted to said first rotatable member for rotation therewith, said first tools being equidistantly spaced around said first rotatable member, said first tools having surfaces to receive the article to be trimmed therein; a plurality of second tools mounted to said second member for rotation therewith, said second tools being equidistantly spaced around said second rotatable member, said second tools having edges corresponding to the article's shape where trimming of flash is to occur; said first and second rotatable members positioned in relation to one another and synchronized in rotation such that said first and second tools intermesh with said edges trimming flash from the article received in said first tool, rotation of said first and second tools respectively defining effective diameters having a common, generally tangential axis defined therebetween where said first and second tools intermesh; and an infeed station providing the articles having flash to said first and second tools, said infeed station including at least one rotating screw member, said screw member having a thread defined therein to receive and maintain the articles in a predetermined orientation, rotation of said screw advancing the articles along said screw and providing the article to said first and second tools, said thread having a pitch varying along at least a portion of the length of the screw whereby spacing between adjacent articles is increased before the articles are provided to said first and second tools.