Abstract:
An apparatus and method for folding at least one hinged molded part each having a base portion and a projecting member. This includes at least one part removal mechanism that is located within the at least one mold station, wherein the at least one part removal mechanism each further includes a pivotally attached arm and the at least one part removal mechanism grips both the base portion and the projecting member of the at least one hinged molded part and removes the at least one hinged molded part from a mold half in the at least one mold station and then the pivotally attached arm folds the projecting member towards the base portion of the at least one hinged molded part. The pivotally attached arm can grip and remove the at least one folded part away from the at least one part removal mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    There is a need to perform various operations on the molded articles while these molded articles are still located (or at least partially located) in their respective mold cavities or cores. When the molded part has a base portion and a projecting member, it can be desirable to fold the projecting member against the base portion for further processing. The reasons for folding a projecting member against a base portion immediately can include protecting the integrity of the base portion and projecting member so that the projecting member is not detached or damaged. Other reasons can include maintaining sterility of the base portion and projecting member, or folding the projecting member while it is warm so it will be unstressed in a closed position. This is in addition to the significant advantage of eliminating the need for a separate processing step at later point in time with additional cost and expense. 
         [0002]    There are a number of types of devices utilized in the past to remove molded articles from an injection molding machine. For example, although suction cups have been used in the past, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,387, the main drawback with this disclosed technology is that the entire molded part needed to be removed. If there was a lid, this lid had to be closed in a separate manufacturing step with additional cost and expense. U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,840 discloses the use of vacuum to sequentially remove molded articles from an injection molding machine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,603 is an example of utilizing a suction cup to grasp and rotate a molded plastic article in a ninety degree arc by a cam-operated linkage assembly. 
         [0003]    There are a number of references that close a projecting member, e.g., lid, against a base portion for a molded part. This includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,352 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,630, which both disclose a device for the in-mold closing of a lid of a cap. The device includes a finger mounted inboard of the mold which slides between the mold sections in an open position, and in the process, engages a portion of the article or the lid, rotates the portion or lid about the hinge, and then a slide moves on top of the lid to snap it shut. This requires two separate mechanical devices to close the lid. Such a dual mechanism is relatively complex and expensive and can add to the cycle time since this dual mechanism must move in, close the lid and move out of the way before the part is ejected and another molding cycle performed. 
         [0004]    Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,149 discloses a part removal apparatus that has a portion that, in use, grips one of the base portion of the molded part and moves the part out of the mold when the mold is open. There is a need for a separate deflector mechanism that engages the base portion of the molded part as the molded part is moved to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at a hinge. Also, commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0271765 filed May 19, 2005, discloses a side shuttle apparatus whereby closing a cap of a molded container can be carried out by moving the side shuttle across the face of the mold followed by the parts being removed with a suction cup from the injection molding system. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, robots are used to capture molded parts and move them out of the molding area where they are closed by a separate apparatus. There is minimal impact on improving cycle time with significant additional complexity and expense. 
         [0006]    The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    In an aspect of this invention, an apparatus for folding at least one hinged molded part each having a base portion and a projecting member is disclosed. This includes at least one mold station, wherein each mold station includes at least two movable plates supporting cooperating mold halves, the mold halves being able to move between an open and a closed position, wherein the closed position being operable to mold an article, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the at least two movable plates to move the at least two movable plates between an open position and a closed position, and at least one part removal mechanism that is located within the at least one mold station, wherein the at least one part removal mechanism each further includes a pivotally attached arm, and the at least one part removal mechanism grips both the base portion and the projecting member of the at least one hinged molded part and removes the at least one hinged molded part from a mold half of the cooperating mold halves, and then the pivotally attached arm folds the projecting member towards the base portion of the at least one hinged molded part. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for folding at least one hinged molded part each having a base portion and a projecting member is disclosed. This includes at least one part removal mechanism that is located within the at least one mold station, wherein the at least one part removal mechanism each further includes a pivotally attached arm, and the at least one part removal mechanism grips both the base portion and the projecting member of the at least one hinged molded part and removes the at least one hinged molded part from a mold half in the at least one mold station, and then the pivotally attached arm folds the projecting member towards the base portion of the at least one hinged molded part. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for folding at least one hinged molded part each having a base portion and a projecting member is disclosed. This method includes utilizing at least one part removal mechanism, each having a pivotally attached arm, for gripping both the base portion and the projecting member of the at least one hinged molded part, removing the at least one hinged molded part from a mold half in at least one mold station, and folding the projecting member towards the base portion of the at least one hinged molded part with the pivotally attached arm. 
         [0010]    These are merely some of the innumerable aspects of the present invention and should not be deemed an all-inclusive listing of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention. These and other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following disclosure and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is top view of a hinged, molded part having a base portion with a projecting member shown in two locations illustrated as a nonlimiting example of a combination lid and utensil, e.g., spoon; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is side view of a hinged, molded part, shown in  FIG. 1 , having a base portion with a projecting member shown in three locations illustrated as a nonlimiting example as a combination lid and utensil, e.g., spoon; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front, perspective top view of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear, perspective top view of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an isolated view of the motorized mechanism and a plurality of part removal mechanisms of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an isolated, front, perspective top view of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention with a chute for part removal; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention with a chute for part removal; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention operated by cam drive; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a second alternative embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention mounted on a support member for utilization with a robotic application; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front, perspective top view of the second alternative embodiment of an apparatus for folding and removing a hinged, molded part, in accordance with the present invention for utilization with a robotic application. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    This invention is directed to an injection molding apparatus that is capable of folding a hinged, molded part having a base portion with a projecting member. Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a hinged, molded part having a base portion with a projecting member includes a combination lid and utensil, e.g., spoon, which is generally indicated by numeral  10 . There is a base portion  12 , e.g., lid, which is attached to a projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil. Illustrative, but nonlimiting examples of utensils include a spoon (as shown), a knife (not shown) or a fork (not shown).  FIG. 1  shows the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, both extending away from the base portion  12 , e.g., lid, and also optionally tucked or latched against a rim  16  of the base portion  12 , e.g., lid. The projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, includes a hinge  18  that preferably, but not necessarily, includes a first pivot  20  located distal proximate to the rim  16  and a second pivot  22  that is positioned closer to a functional component, e.g., bowl  24 . In addition,  FIG. 2  shows the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, projected upward at a ninety degree angle in relationship to the base portion  12 , e.g., lid. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , an injection molding system for folding and removing a hinged molded part is generally indicated by numeral  100 . A first outer support plate  102  is mounted adjacent to a first inner support plate  104 . The first inner support plate  104  supports a first mold core plate  108  and a second inner support plate  106  supports a second mold core plate  110 . There are a plurality of first mold cores  120  mounted on the first mold core plate  108  and a plurality of second mold cores  118  mounted on a second mold core plate  110 . A representative core component for the base portion  12  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  122  for either the plurality of first mold cores  120  or the plurality of second mold cores  118  and a representative core component for the projecting member  14  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  124  for either the plurality of first mold cores  120  or the plurality of second mold cores  118 . A ram-type drive (not shown) can be utilized with the injection molding system  100 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a ram-type drive is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0271765, filed May 19, 2005. The injection molding system may include a column  134 . 
         [0025]    The plurality of first mold cores  120  and the plurality of second mold cores  118  are preferably formed in a one or two dimensional array. There is a first side support member  103  and a second side support member  116  attached to the first outer support plate  102 . 
         [0026]    There is a second outer support plate  146  that supports a first mold cavity plate  142  and a third outer support plate  148  that supports a second mold cavity plate  140 . There are a plurality of first mold cavities  138  mounted on the first mold cavity plate  142  and a plurality of second mold cavities  136  mounted on a second mold cavity plate  140 . The actual mold cavities forming the plurality of first mold cavities  138  and the plurality of second mold cavities  136  are best illustrated by numerals  354  and  386  in  FIG. 11  and are preferably formed in a one or two dimensional array. A representative indentation for the base portion  12  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  387  for either the plurality of first mold cavities  354  or the plurality of second mold cavities  386  and a representative indentation for the projecting member  14  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  389  for either the either the plurality of first mold cavities  138  or the plurality of second mold cavities  136 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-8 , the second outer support plate  146  is slidably supported and moved in a reciprocal motion. Depending upon the particular injection molding system configuration, the first inner support plate  104  and the second inner support plate  106  may be stationary or it may be movable. 
         [0028]    There is preferably a plurality of first part removal mechanisms that are generally indicated by numeral  130 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a part removal mechanism is a swing arm. Each swing arm is preferably connected to a first motorized mechanism that is generally indicated by numeral  114 . A wide variety of motorized mechanisms will suffice with the preferred illustrative embodiment being a servo motor. The first motorized mechanism  114  is connected to a first shaft  128  that provides pivoting for the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  and is supported by a first hinge frame  150 . The plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  is aligned directly over the plurality of second mold cores  118  and include a first plurality of gripping mechanisms  133 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, for grabbing and removing the hinged, molded parts  10  from the plurality of second mold cores  118 , which are specifically shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-8 , when the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  are positioned over the hinged, molded part, the first plurality of gripping mechanism  133 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, can attach to the hinged, molded part  10 . The first motorized mechanism  114  can then rotate moving the hinged, molded parts  10  away from the plurality of second mold cores  118 . This angle of rotation can vary, and it is optimally around ninety degrees away from the surface of the plurality of second mold cores  118 . Optimally, the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  start to swing inward toward hinged, molded parts  10  prior to ejection by the plurality of first stripper plates  126 . Preferably, but not necessarily, each of the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  includes a plate with at least one opening. 
         [0030]    Also, there is preferably a first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  connected to the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130 . The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  can each include a solid member with a single hinge or preferably a first portion attached via a hinge to a first part removal mechanism  130  and a second portion attached via a hinge to the same first part removal mechanism  130 . Mounted to the first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  is a second plurality of gripping mechanisms  131 , e.g., suction cups optimally with applied vacuum, for removing the hinged, molded part  10  from the first part removal mechanism  130  and by rotating the moving pivotally attached arms  132 . The angle of rotation can be from about ninety degrees to about one hundred and eighty degrees with the optimal value being one hundred and eighty degrees. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , there is a second shaft  129  for rotating the first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  in relationship to the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130 . The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  is operatively rotated via a plurality of crank members  159  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The second shaft  129  includes a first plurality of pulleys  163  attached thereto and the first plurality of crank members  159  are attached to a second plurality of pulleys  161 . There is preferably, but not necessarily a first plurality of belts  162  each connected between the first plurality of pulleys  161  and the second plurality of pulleys  163 . There is preferably, but not necessarily, a displacement mechanism, e.g., cylinder,  154  for rotating the second shaft  129  through a rotatable offset connector  201 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a cylinder includes an air cylinder with a predetermined stroke, e.g., thirty-five millimeters. Each of the first plurality of pulleys  163  is preferably greater in diameter than each of the second plurality of pulleys  161  and optimally there is a two-to-one ratio. The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  rotates the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, towards the base portion  12 , e.g., lid, and preferably tucks or latches the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, against the rim  16  of the base portion  12 , e.g., lid. 
         [0032]    In a corresponding manner, there is preferably a plurality of second part removal mechanisms that are generally indicated by numeral  166  as shown in  FIG. 6 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a part removal mechanism is a swing arm. The swing arm is preferably connected to a second motorized mechanism that is generally indicated by numeral  112 . A wide variety of motorized mechanisms will suffice with the preferred illustrative embodiment being a servo motor. The second motorized mechanism  112  is connected to a third shaft  169  that provides pivoting for the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166  and is supported by a second hinge frame  160 . The plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166  are aligned directly over the plurality of first mold cores  120  and include a second plurality of gripping mechanisms  173 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, for grabbing and removing the hinged, molded parts  10  from the plurality of first mold cores  120 . 
         [0033]    When the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166  are positioned over a hinged, molded part  10 , the second plurality of gripping mechanism  173 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, can attach to the hinged, molded part  10 . The second motorized mechanism  112  can then rotate by moving the hinged, molded parts  10  away from the plurality of first mold cores  120 . This angle of rotation can vary, and it is optimally around ninety degrees away from the surface of the plurality of first mold cores  120 . Optimally, the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166  start to swing inward toward hinged, molded parts  10  prior to ejection by the plurality of second stripper plates  127 . Preferably, but not necessarily, each of the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  166  includes a plate with at least one opening. 
         [0034]    The plurality of first stripper plates  126  and second stripper plates  127  are actuated by an internal actuation mechanism located within the injection molding system  100 . This stripper actuation mechanism is best illustrated by a internal actuation plate  365  that is moved by a plurality of rods  363 , e.g., three rods, in  FIG. 11  and actuated by a clamp (not shown) associated with the molding injection molding system  100 . 
         [0035]    Also, there is preferably a second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  connected to the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166 . The second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  can each include a solid member with a single hinge or preferably a first portion attached via a hinge to a second part removal mechanism  166  and a second portion attached via a hinge to the same second part removal mechanism  166 . Mounted to the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  is a second plurality of gripping mechanisms  174 , e.g., suction cups optimally with applied vacuum, for removing the hinged, molded part  10  from the second part removal mechanism  166  and by rotating the moving the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The angle of rotation can be from about ninety degrees to about one hundred and eighty degrees with the optimal value being one hundred and eighty degrees. 
         [0036]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , there is a fourth shaft  178  for rotating the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  of the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166 . The second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  is operatively rotated via a second plurality of crank members  175  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The fourth shaft  178  includes a third plurality of pulleys  192  attached thereto and the second plurality of crank members  175  are attached to a fourth plurality of pulleys  190 . There is preferably, but not necessarily a second plurality of belts  195  each connected between the third plurality of pulleys  192  and the fourth plurality of pulleys  190 . There is preferably, but not necessarily, a second displacement mechanism, e.g., cylinder,  197  for rotating the fourth shaft  178  through a rotatable offset connector  199 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a cylinder includes an air cylinder with a predetermined stroke, e.g., thirty-five millimeters. Each of the third plurality of pulleys  192  is preferably greater in diameter than each of the fourth plurality of pulleys  190  and optimally there is a two-to-one ratio. The second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  rotates the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, towards the base portion  12 , e.g., lid, and preferably tucks or latches the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, against the rim  16  of the base portion  12 , e.g., lid. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the hinged, molded part  10  is then dropped down a side mounted chute  250 . Although this is a feature found on both sides of the injection molding system  100 , there is shown in  FIG. 8 , a projecting ledge  207  that strips the hinged, molded part  10  off the second plurality of gripping mechanisms  131 , e.g., suction cups, optimally with applied vacuum, for further processing. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a first alternative embodiment includes a system having cam driven swing chutes that is generally indicated by numeral  200 . A drawback to this system is that very tall cam spacers are required to clear platens. There are four tiebars  202 ,  220 ,  222  and  224 , respectively. There is a column  230  that applies pressure to an arm  212  having a plurality of pivots. The same injection molding machine for folding and removing a hinged molded part  100  previously described above in  FIGS. 1-8  is located within this structure providing a mold station. An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a cam-operated injection molding machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,603, assigned to Husky Injection Molding Systems, which issued on Dec. 11, 1990. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a second alternative embodiment is shown with a support member  312  and an attachment member  310  for utilization with a robotic application. There is preferably a first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  connected to a plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130 . There is preferably also a second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  attached to a plurality of second part removal mechanism  166 . The plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  include a first plurality of gripping mechanisms  133 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, for grabbing and removing the hinged, molded parts  10 . The plurality of second part removal mechanisms  172  include a second plurality of gripping mechanisms  173 , e.g., suction cups that optimally, but not necessarily, utilize applied vacuum, for grabbing and removing the hinged, molded parts  10 . The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  can each include a solid member with a single hinge or preferably a first portion attached via a hinge to a first part removal mechanism  130 . There is preferably also a second portion attached via a hinge to the same first part removal mechanism  130  as well as the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172 , which can each include a solid member with a single hinge or preferably a first portion attached via a hinge to a second part removal mechanism  166  and a second portion attached via a hinge to the same first part removal mechanism  166 . Mounted to the first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  includes a second plurality of gripping mechanisms  131 , e.g., suction cups optimally with applied vacuum, and mounted to the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  includes a fourth plurality of gripping mechanisms  174 , e.g., suction cups optimally with applied vacuum, which are both for removing the hinged, molded part  10  from the first part removal mechanism  130  and the second part removal mechanism  166 , respectively, by rotating and moving the first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  and the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172 , respectively. The angle of rotation can be from about ninety degrees to about one hundred and eighty degrees with the optimal value being one hundred and eighty degrees. 
         [0040]    There is a first shaft  228  for rotating the first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  of the plurality of first part removal mechanisms  130  and a second shaft  229  for rotating the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  of the plurality of second part removal mechanisms  166 . The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  is operatively rotated via a first plurality of crank members  159  and a second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  is operatively rotated via a second plurality of crank members  175 . The first shaft  228  includes a first plurality of pulleys  163  attached thereto and the first plurality of crank members  159  are attached to a second plurality of pulleys  161 . The second shaft  229  includes a third plurality of pulleys  192  attached thereto and the second plurality of crank members  175  are attached to a fourth plurality of pulleys  190 . 
         [0041]    There is preferably, but not necessarily a first plurality of belts  162  each connected between the first plurality of pulleys  163  and the second plurality of pulleys  161 . There is preferably, but not necessarily a second plurality of belts  195  each connected between the third plurality of pulleys  192  and the fourth plurality of pulleys  190 . 
         [0042]    There is preferably, but not necessarily, a displacement mechanism, e.g., cylinder,  154  for rotating the first shaft  228  through a rotatable offset connector  201 . There is preferably, but not necessarily, a second displacement mechanism, e.g., cylinder,  197  for rotating the second shaft  229  through a rotatable offset connector  199 . An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a cylinder includes an air cylinder with a predetermined stroke, e.g., thirty-five millimeters. Each of the first plurality of pulleys  163  is preferably greater in diameter than each of the second plurality of pulleys  161  and optimally there is a two-to-one ratio, and each of the third plurality of pulleys  192  is preferably greater in diameter than each of the fourth plurality of pulleys  190  and optimally there is a two-to-one ratio. 
         [0043]    The first plurality of pivotally attached arms  132  and the second plurality of pivotally attached arms  172  rotates the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, towards the base portion  12 , e.g., lid, and preferably tucks or latches the projecting member  14 , e.g., utensil, against the rim  16  of the base portion  12 , e.g., lid. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the robotic application can lower the attachment member  310  into an injection molding system, which is generally indicated by numeral  300 . The operation of the injection molding system  300  operates the same as injection molding system  100 , shown in  FIGS. 1-8  with regard to molding and stripping away of molded parts. A first outer support plate  350  is mounted adjacent to a first inner support plate  370 . The first inner support plate  370  supports a first plurality of mold core plates  351  and a second plurality of mold core plates  367 . There is a plurality of first mold cores (not shown) and a plurality of second mold cores (not shown) mounted on the first mold core plate  351  and on the second mold core plate  367 . One illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of a mechanism to close the injection molding system  300  includes ram-type drive. There is a plurality of first mold cores and the plurality of second mold cores are preferably formed in a one or two dimensional array. There may, but not necessarily, be a plurality of at least four tie bars,  360 ,  362 ,  358 ,  359 , and a center column  353 . 
         [0045]    A second outer support plate  380  is mounted adjacent to a second inner support plate  382 . The second inner support plate  382  supports a first plurality of mold cavities  354  and a second plurality of mold cavities  386 . A representative indentation for the base portion  12  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  387  for either the plurality of first mold cavity cavities  354  or the plurality of second mold cavity cavities  386 , and a representative indentation for the projecting member  14  of the hinged molded part  10  is indicated by numeral  389  for either the either the plurality of first mold cavities  354  or the plurality of second mold cavities  386 . 
         [0046]    The second inner support plate  382  is slidably supported and moved in a reciprocal motion. Depending upon the particular injection molding machine configuration, the first inner support plate  370  may be stationary or it may be movable. A drawback to this second alternative embodiment is the requirement that the attachment member  310  must be completely removed from the injection molding system  300 . There can be top entry as well as side entry with a split sprue bar or relocating components to clear a sprue bar. A robotic application consumes additional time with additional costs and expenditures that are required with a robotic application. An illustrative, but nonlimiting, example of an injection molding system utilizing robotics is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,244, assigned to Husky Injection Molding Systems, which issued on Oct. 24, 2006. 
         [0047]    Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “have,” “having,” “includes” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required.” Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.