Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6113834?dq=5958006
Timestamp: 2016-02-11 02:54:00
Document Index: 214424869

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'arts 58']

Patent US6113834 - Cooling device attached to index machine - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsThe present invention relates to a device for cooling molded parts and for transporting the molded parts from a receiving position to a holding/ejecting position. The device of the present invention has particular utility with an index molding machine having a rotary turret block with at least two movable...http://www.google.com/patents/US6113834?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6113834 - Cooling device attached to index machineAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6113834 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/263,393Publication dateSep 5, 2000Filing dateMar 5, 1999Priority dateDec 21, 1998Fee statusLapsedAlso published asCA2286926A1, CA2286926C, EP1013398A1Publication number09263393, 263393, US 6113834 A, US 6113834A, US-A-6113834, US6113834 A, US6113834AInventorsMichael T Kozai, Ronald Ing, William J Jacovich, Robert Domodossola, Steve SaggeseOriginal AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (3), Referenced by (36), Classifications (18), Legal Events (8) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCooling device attached to index machine
US 6113834 AAbstract
The present invention relates to a device for cooling molded parts and for transporting the molded parts from a receiving position to a holding/ejecting position. The device of the present invention has particular utility with an index molding machine having a rotary turret block with at least two movable mold halves thereon. The cooling device includes a cooling station assembly having a plurality of blowing tubes for applying a cooling fluid to external surfaces of molded parts, a take-off plate having a plurality of holders for receiving cooled molded parts and a connecting plate connecting the take-off plate and the cooling station assembly. The connecting plate is connected to the take-off plate by a pivotable connection and is connected to the cooling station assembly by a rigid connection. The connecting plate is movable along an axis substantially parallel to one of the faces upon which the molded parts to be cooled and removed are positioned. The device further includes a linkage assembly for causing the take-off plate to move between a receiving position and a holding/ejecting position and vice versa. Movement of the take-off plate causes the connecting means to move along the first axis which in turn causes the cooling station assembly to move from a non-cooling position to a cooling position and vice versa. A process for using the device of the present invention as part of a process for molding parts is also described.
1. A device for use with a machine having a rotary turret block mounted within support means, said rotary turret block having at least two faces each of said faces having means for holding at least one molded part, said device comprising:means for cooling said at least one molded part on a respective one of said faces when said respective one of said faces is in a cooling position; means for receiving said at least one molded part from said respective one of said faces after said at least one molded part has been cooled by said cooling means; said receiving means being movable to a first position wherein said at least one molded part is received by said receiving means and to a second position with respect to said first position; means for connecting said receiving means and said cooling means; said connecting means being movable along a first axis substantially parallel to said respective one of said faces when said respective one of said faces is in said cooling position; and said connecting means causing said cooling means to move from a non-cooling position to a molded part cooling position as said receiving means moves from said first position to said second position. 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising said connecting means causing said cooling means to move from said cooling position to said non-cooling position when said receiving means moves from said second position to said first position.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one molded part received by said receiving means is in a substantially vertical orientation when said receiving means is in said second position.
4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for causing said receiving means to move from said first position to said second position.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said means for causing said receiving means to move comprises a pivot arm, a linkage arm connecting said pivot arm to said receiving means, and an actuator means for causing said pivot arm to rotate about a second axis, which second axis is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means comprises a take-off plate having a plurality of holders for receiving molded parts.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one holder is aligned with said at least one molded part on a first face during a first part of a molding cycle and wherein at least one other holder is aligned with said at least one molded part on a second face during a second part of a molding cycle.
8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said cooling means comprises a cooling assembly having a plurality of means mounted to a surface of said assembly for applying a cooling fluid to a surface of said molded parts and said connecting means comprises a connecting plate connected to said take-off plate and said cooling assembly.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said connecting plate is attached to a rear surface of said take-off plate by two link members pivotally connected together and to a rear surface of said cooling assembly by a rigid connection.
10. The device according to claim 8, further comprising: a support for said device; linear guide means attached to a surface of said support; and said connecting plate being movable along said linear guide means.
11. The device according to claim 8, wherein said blowing means comprises means for blowing cooling air onto each said molded part on a respective one of a first face and a second face.
12. The device according to claim 6, wherein said take-off plate includes means for cooling each said molded part resident in said holders.
13. An injection molding machine comprising:a first platen carrying a first mold half having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core; a second platen in association with said first platen, said second platen comprising turret means rotatable on a central axis of rotation for rotating at least two movable mold halves into alignment with said first mold half; each of said movable mold halves having one of at least one mold cavity and at least one mold core and being movable between a first molding position where it is aligned with said first mold half to form at least one molded part and a second cooling position where it is not aligned with said first mold half; a device for cooling each said molded part and for receiving cooled parts from said movable mold halves, said device comprising;means for cooling said at least one molded part on a respective one of said movable mold halves when said respective one of said movable mold halves is in said cooling position; means for receiving said at least one molded part from said respective one of said movable mold halves after said at least one molded part has been cooled by said cooling means; said receiving means being movable to a first receiving position wherein said at least one molded part is received by said receiving means and to a second holding/ejecting position with respect to said first position; means for connecting said receiving means and said cooling means; said connecting means being movable along a first axis substantially parallel to said respective one of said movable mold halves when said respective one of said movable mold halves is in said cooling position; and said connecting means causing said cooling means to move from a non-cooling position to a molded part cooling position as said receiving means moves from said first receiving position to said second holding/ejecting position. 14. The injection molding machine according to claim 13, further comprising:means for moving said rotatable turret block means to bring a first one of said movable mold halves into a mold closed position; means for injecting plastic material into a mold formed by said first mold half and said first one of said movable mold halves and thereby forming at least one molded part; said moving means further comprising means for moving said rotatable block means and said first one of said movable mold halves to a mold open position where said at least one molded part is resident on said first one of said movable mold halves; and means for rotating said turret block means to cause said first one of said movable mold halves to rotate from said mold open position to said second cooling position and to cause a second one of said movable mold halves to move to said first molding position. 15. The injection molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said rotating means causes said rotary turret block means to rotate 180 degrees to move said first one of said movable mold halves from said first molding position to said second cooling position and said second one of said movable mold halves from said second cooling position to said first molding position.
16. The injection molding machine according to claim 13, further comprising said connecting means causing said cooling means to move from said cooling position to said non-cooling position when said receiving means moves from said second holding/ejecting position to said first receiving position.
17. The injection molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said at least one molded part within said receiving means is in a substantially vertical orientation when said receiving means is in said second holding/ejecting position.
18. The injection molding machine according to claim 13, wherein said cooling device further comprising means for causing said receiving means to rotate from said first receiving position to said second holding/ejecting position and said means for causing said receiving means to rotate comprising a pivot arm, a linkage arm connecting said pivot arm to said receiving means, and an actuator means for causing said pivot arm to rotate about a second axis, which second axis is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
19. The injection molding machine according to claim 13, wherein said receiving means comprises a take-off plate having a plurality of holders for receiving molded parts and means for cooling said molded parts within said plurality of holders.
20. The injection molding machine according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said holders is aligned with at least one molded part on said first movable mold half during a first part of a molding cycle and wherein at least one other of said holders is aligned with at least one molded part on said second movable mold half during a second part of a molding cycle.
21. The injection molding machine according to claim 19, wherein said cooling means comprises a cooling assembly having a plurality of means for blowing air mounted to a surface of said assembly and said connecting means comprises a connecting plate connected to said take-off plate and said cooling assembly.
22. The injection molding machine according to claim 21, wherein said connecting plate is attached to a rear surface of said take-off plate by two link members pivotally connected together and to a rear surface of said cooling assembly by a rigid connection.
23. The injection molding machine according to claim 22, further comprising a support for said device and linear guide means attached to a surface of said support and said connecting plate being movable along said linear guide means.
24. A process for forming cooled molded parts comprising the steps of:providing an index molding machine having a first platen carrying a first mold half having at least one of a mold core and a mold cavity and a second platen comprising rotatable turret block means rotatable on a central axis of rotation for rotating at least two movable mold halves into alignment with said first mold half, each of said movable mold halves having at least one of a mold core and a mold cavity; moving said rotatable turret block means to bring a first one of said movable mold halves into alignment with said first mold half and then into a mold closed position with said first mold half; clamping said first mold half and said first one of said movable mold halves; injecting molten material into a mold formed by said clamped first mold half and said first one of said movable mold halves to form a first molded part set comprising at least one molded part; holding said first one of said movable mold halves in said mold closed and clamped position while cooling said first molded part set; moving said rotatable turret block means to a mold open position where said first molded part set is positioned on said first one of said movable mold halves; rotating said turret block to bring said first molded part set to a cooling position; providing a device adjacent said cooling position, said device including a cooling assembly having means for applying a cooling fluid to each molded part in said first molded part set, means for receiving each molded part in said first molded part set, and means connecting said cooling assembly and said receiving means; moving said cooling assembly into a cooling position aligned with said first molded part set and applying a cooling fluid to said first molded part set; translating said cooling assembly along a translation axis substantially perpendicular to said central axis of rotation and thereby moving said receiving means into a first position aligned with said first molded part set; transferring each said molded part forming said first set from said first one of said movable mold halves to said receiving means; moving said receiving means so as to move said receiving means from said first receiving position to a second holding/ejecting position; and said receiving means moving step causing said connecting means to translate along said translation axis and thereby causing said cooling assembly to move to said cooling position. 25. The process according to claim 24, wherein said receiving means moving step comprises rotating said receiving means until said first set of molded parts is in a substantially vertical orientation.
26. The process according to claim 24, further comprising moving said receiving means from said second holding/ejecting position to said first receiving position so that said receiving means is positioned to receive a second set of molded parts from said second one of said movable mold halves and thereby causing said connecting means and said cooling assembly to move along said translation axis.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/217,141, filed Dec. 21, 1998, now abandoned, entitled COOLING DEVICE ATTACHED TO INDEX MACHINE, By Michael T. Kozai.
The present invention relates to an improved device for cooling molded parts having utility in a wide variety of systems and, in particular with a two faced index molding machine.
Co-pending, allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/847,895 to Arnott et al., entitled Injection Molding Machine Having a High Speed Turret, filed Apr. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,301 also assigned to the assignee of the instant application, shows an index molding machine with a two faced turret block. This application however does not discuss the problems of part cooling and controlled part removal.
Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/070,598, to Galt et al., filed Apr. 30, 1998, entitled Tiebar Structure for Injection Molding Machine, also assigned to the assignee of the instant application, shows a two tiebar index molding machine. Here again, there is no discussion of part cooling or part removal.
One such device for accommodating part ejection/removal at a station opposite to the molding station to permit two faced turret operation is illustrated in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/167,699 to Ing et al., filed Oct. 7, 1998, entitled COOLING DEVICE ATTACHED TO INDEX MACHINE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,557 and assigned to the Assignee of the instant patent application. The instant application shows another device which is capable of accommodating part ejection/removal at a station opposite to the molding station and has particular utility with index injection molding machines.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device having improved molded part cooling and improved molded part removal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device as above which may be used with a two faced turret molding machine.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a device as above which allows cooling of the molded part(s) in a vertical orientation.
The foregoing objects are achieved by the molding machine, the device, and the process of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device for use with a machine having a rotary turret block mounted within support means and having a first face and a second face. Each of the face has means for holding at least one molded part. The device broadly comprises means for cooling at least one molded part on a respective one of the first and second faces when the respective one of the first and second faces is in a cooling position and means for receiving the at least one molded part from the respective one of the first and second faces after the at least one molded part has been cooled by the cooling means. The receiving means is movable to a first position wherein the at least one molded part is received thereby and to a second position at an angle with respect to the first position. The device further includes a means for connecting the receiving means and the cooling means, which connecting means is movable along a first axis substantially parallel to the respective one of the first and second faces when the respective one of the first and second faces is in the cooling position. The connecting means causes the cooling means to move from a non-cooling position to a molded part cooling position as the receiving means moves from its first position to its second position. The connecting means also causes the cooling means to move from the cooling position to the non-cooling position when the receiving means moves from the second position to the first position.
A process for forming cooled molded parts in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of providing an index molding machine having a first platen carrying a first mold half having one of at least one mold core and at least one mold cavity and a second platen comprising rotatable turret block means rotatable on a central axis of rotation for bringing at least two movable mold halves into alignment with the first mold half, each of the movable mold halves having one of at least one mold core and at least one mold cavity; moving the rotatable turret block means to bring a first one of the movable mold halves into alignment with the first mold half and then into a mold closed position with the first mold half; clamping the first mold half and the first one of the movable mold halves; injecting molten material into a mold formed by the clamped first mold half and the first one of the movable mold halves to form a first molded part set comprising at least one molded part; holding the first one of the movable mold halves in the mold closed and clamped position while cooling the first molded part set; moving the rotatable turret block means to a mold open position where the first molded part set is positioned on a first one of the movable mold halves; rotating the turret block to bring the first molded part set to a cooling position; positioning a device adjacent the cooling position, which device includes a cooling assembly having means for applying a cooling fluid to each molded part in the first molded set, means for receiving each molded part in the first molded part set, and means connecting the cooling assembly and the receiving means; moving the cooling assembly into a cooling position aligned with the first molded part set and applying a cooling fluid to the first molded part set; translating the cooling assembly along a translation axis substantially perpendicular to the central axis of rotation and thereby moving the receiving means into a first position aligned with the first molded part set; transferring each molded part forming the first set from the first one of the movable mold halves to the receiving means; rotating the receiving means so as to move the receiving means from the first receiving position to a second holding/ejecting position; and the receiving means rotating step causing the connecting means to translate along the translation axis and thereby cause the cooling assembly to move to the cooling position.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cooling device in accordance with the present invention having a take-off plate in a position adjacent a first face of a rotary turret block and a cooling station assembly in a non-cooling position;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the cooling device of FIG. 11 with the cooling station assembly in a cooling position and the take-off plate assembly in a holding/ejecting position;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the cooling device of FIG. 11 showing the take-off plate in a position adjacent a face of a second movable mold half and the cooling station assembly in a non-cooling position; and
FIG. 14 illustrates the cooling device of FIG. 11 with the take-off plate in its second holding/ejecting position and the cooling station assembly being positioned in a cooling position adjacent a face of a first one of the movable mold halves.
Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate a two tiebar index molding machine 10 of the type shown in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/070,598, to Galt et al., entitled Tiebar Structure for Injection Molding Machine, filed Apr. 30, 1998, which is incorporated by reference herein. The index molding machine 10 includes a base 12, a fixed platen 14, and a movable platen 16 which is movable with respect to the fixed platen 14. The movable platen 16 is a two-faced rotary turret block, which is positioned within the movable platen, with pinions in bearings mounted in carriers 18 that slide on the base 12. The turret block 16 is rotated or indexed on a central axis 20 so that the faces thereof represent two positions in an injection molding cycle. Thus, the rotatable turret block 16 is rotatable on a central axis of rotation 20 for rotating a plurality of movable mold halves 36 attached thereto into alignment with a first mold half 32 carried by the fixed platen 14. Each movable mold half 36 includes at least one mold core/cavity. In a preferred embodiment, each movable mold half includes at least one mold core 38 and is matable with the first mold half 32 for forming a mold for forming at least one molded article, with the mold halves being clamped together as will be described hereinafter.
The first mold half 32 may be joined to the fixed platen 14 in any suitable manner known in the art and may contain one or more mold cores or cavities. In a preferred embodiment, the first mold half 32 contains one or more mold cavities 34 which together with the mold core(s) 38 form one or more mold cavity spaces 40. Parts 50, such as preforms, are molded by injecting plastic material through the mold half 32 from an injection unit (not shown) into the cavity space(s) 40 formed by the closed mold.
A set of blowing tubes 70 is mounted to a first surface of a head or carrier plate 72 attached to the cross beam 66. The blowing tubes 70 are used to direct a cooling fluid, typically air, toward an end of the molded parts 50, while the parts 50 are on the core pins 38. This blowing position is shown in FIG. 2b. Cooling fluid may be supplied to the blowing tubes 70 in any suitable manner known in the art.
A set of cooling tubes 74 is mounted to a second surface of the head 72. As can be seen from FIG. 2a, the cooling tubes 74 are offset 90 degrees from the blowing tubes 70. The set of cooling tubes 74 are used to facilitate removal of the molded parts 50 from the core pins 38. The cooling tubes 74 assist the removal of the molded parts 50 through the application of a vacuum inside the tubes 74 in a known fashion. For example, a port (not shown) in the bottom of each tube 74 may be connected to a vacuum source (not shown). The tubes 74 may be cooled by a fluid, such as chilled water, and remove heat from the parts 50 positioned therein either by convection or conduction. For example, cooling may be achieved by intimate contact between exterior surface of the part and the inside surface of the tube as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,732, which is incorporated by reference herein.
An actuator 92 is mounted to the side frame 84 and has a journaled connection 94 with the carrier plate 90 such that when the actuators rod 96 is extended the carrier plate 90, following the cam track profile 86, is first translated to move the carrier plate 90 in a vertical direction and then moved from the vertical plane orientation shown in FIG. 8a to the horizontal plane orientation shown in FIG. 8b. During translation, a first set of cooling tubes 74 holding molded parts is moved out of alignment with the core pins 38 and a fresh set of cooling tubes 74 is presented to receive the next set of molded parts. When the carrier plate 90 is in the position shown in FIG. 8b, the parts 50 can be cooled in a vertical orientation and ejected when ready onto the conveyor 98 below. The actuator 92 may comprise any suitable actuator known in the art such as piston-cylinder unit.
FIGS. 10a and 10 b illustrate yet another embodiment of an actuation system for the cooling device 62'. In this arrangement, two cylinders 104 and 106 are used to translate and rotate the carrier plate. As shown in the figure, the carrier plate 72 containing the cooling tubes 74 is pivotally connected at pivot 108 to the frame 64 which is connected to a support structure on the machine 10. The actuator or cylinder 104 may be attached to carrier plate 72 in any suitable manner known in the art and is used to translate the carrier plate 72 with tubes 74 in a vertical direction. This translation may be carried out in any suitable manner known in the art. The actuator or cylinder 106 is connected to the carrier plate 72 and is used to rotate the carrier plate 72 about pivot point 108 so that tubes 74 assume a vertical orientation.
Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, there is shown another embodiment of a device for cooling molded parts on a rotary turret block face and for receiving the molded parts from said face and transferring them to a position where certain ones of the molded parts in the receiving means are being cooled and others of the molded parts in the receiving means are being ejected. The cooling device 162 includes a take-off plate 200 having a plurality of holders 202 on one of its faces for receiving molded parts 50 from the mold core pins 38 of one of the movable mold halves 36. And a cooling station assembly 204 having a plurality of blowing tubes 70 secured to one of its faces. As shown in FIG. 11, the take-off plate 200 and the cooling station assembly 204 are connected to each other via a connecting plate 206. The connecting plate 206 is connected to a rear surface 208 of the cooling station assembly 204 by a rigid connection 210. The rigid connection 210 may comprise any suitable connection known in the art. The connecting plate 206 is connected to a rear surface 212 of the take-off plate 200 via a hinged connection formed by pivotally connected link member 214 and 216.
The device further includes a support 218. The support may be connected to the injection molding machine in any suitable manner known in the art. Alternatively, the support 218 may be connected to a support structure (not shown) which is independent of an injection molding machine. As shown in the Figures, the support 218 has a linear guide 220 along one surface thereof. Preferably, the linear guide is in the form of a track which extends along an axis C which is substantially perpendicular to the central rotation axis 20 of the turret block 16. The connecting plate 206 slides or moves along the linear guide 220. The connecting plate may be provided with any suitable means known in the art such a shoes 222 for permitting movement along the linear guide 220.
As shown in FIG. 11, the take-off plate 200 is in a position adjacent the face of one of the movable mold halves. Selected ones of the holders 202 are aligned with molded parts 50 on the movable mold half 36. This position of the take-off plate is known as the receiving position. At the same time, the cooling station 204 is positioned in a non-cooling position. The molded parts 50 may be transferred to the holders 202 via any suitable means known in the art. For example, the movable mold half 36 may be provided with an injection system for transferring the molded parts 50 to the holders 202. Further, the holders 202 may have a vacuum system (not shown) for assisting in the transfer of the molded parts 50. The vacuum system may comprise any suitable vacuum system known in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the take-off plate 200 has been moved to a second position wherein selected ones of the molded parts are held for additional cooling in a substantially vertical orientation and others of the molded parts are ejected from selected ones of the holders 202 after a desired cooling cycle has been completed. Further, the cooling station assembly 204 has been moved into a position adjacent a new set of molded articles 50 on the face of a second movable mold half 36. In the position, the cooling tubes 70 are utilized to cause a flow of cooling fluid, typically air, against external surfaces of the molded parts 50. To move the take-off plate 200 from the first receiving position to the second holding/ejecting position, an actuation system 230 is provided. The actuation system 230 includes an actuator 236 connected to a pivot arm 234 via a piston arm 240 and a linkage arm 232 connected to a rear surface 212 of the take-off plate and to the pivot arm 234. The actuator unit 236 may comprise any suitable actuator means known in the art. For example, it may comprise a piston cylinder type unit. As shown in FIG. 11, when the piston arm 240 has been extended, the take-off plate 200 is in the first receiving position and when the piston arm 240 is retracted, as in FIG. 12, the take-off plate 200 is in its second holding/ejecting position.
As previously noted, the take-off plate 200 is connected to the connecting plate 206 which is in turn connected to the cooling station assembly 204. As the take-off plate 200 moves from the first receiving position to the second holding/ejecting position, the connecting plate 206 moves along the linear guide 220 along the axis C. This in turn causes translational movement of the cooling station assembly in a direction parallel to the axis C from the non-cooling position shown in FIG. 11 to the cooling position shown in FIG. 12.
Again referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that certain ones of the molded parts 50 are being ejection when the take-off plate is in this position. the molded parts 50 may be ejected using any suitable means known in the art. For example, a vacuum system used to hold the molded parts 50 in selected ones of the holders 202 may be shut off, thereby causing gravity to drop the molded parts 50 out of the holders 202. Alternatively, the holders 202 may have some form of fluid assist system for ejecting the molded parts 50. After the molded parts 50 have been ejected, selected ones of the holders 202 are vacant.
Referring now to FIG. 13, the actuation system 230 is actuated after ejection of the molded parts 50 shown in FIG. 12 to return the take-off plate 200 to the first receiving position. The receiving position differs from the receiving position shown in FIG. 11 in that a different set of holders 202 is aligned with the molded parts 50 on the mold core pins 38 on the movable mold half 36. As can be seen from FIG. 13, movement of the take-off plate 200 from the second holding/ejecting position to the receiving position causes the cooling station assembly 204 to move from the cooling position to the non-cooling position. This movement is effectuated because the rotation of the take-off plate from the second holding/ejection position to the receiving position causes the connecting plate 206 to move along the linear guide 220 as a result of the linkage connections between the take-off plate 200 and the connecting plate 206.
Referring now to FIG. 14, after a second set of molded parts has been transferred from a second movable mold half to the second set of holders 202, the take-off plate 200 is returned to the second holding/ejecting position. Again rotation of the take-off plate 200 from the receiving position to the holding/ejecting position causes the cooling station assembly 204 to move from the non-cooling position to the cooling position so that it is ready to cool the molded parts on the next mold half to be moved into the cooling position. Further, the molded parts 58 which were received by the take-off plate 200 in the previous portion of the molding cycle are now ejected from selected ones of the holders 202.
While the actuation unit 236 has been described as being a piston-cylinder unit, it should also be recognized that an electroservo drive system could be used to cause the rotation of the take-off plate 200 between the receiving position and the holding/ejecting position.
Further, while the cooling devices of the present invention have been described in the context of removing parts from an injection molding machine having a rotary turret block, it should be apparent that the cooling devices could be used with systems other than index molding machine. For example, the cooling devices could be used in a system which has a rotary turret block for receiving molded parts to be cooled from a take-off plate which cooperates with a different form of injection molding machine.
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B.Continuous production of molded plastic containersUS20050133970 *Feb 14, 2005Jun 23, 2005Unterlander Richard M.Post mold cooling apparatus and method having transverse movementUS20050142244 *Feb 14, 2005Jun 30, 2005Unterlander Richard M.Post mold cooling apparatus and method having transverse movementUS20050248054 *May 7, 2004Nov 10, 2005Bates Peter ATake out and cooling system and methodUS20060204605 *Mar 10, 2005Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Porous member for a post-molding molded article conditioning apparatus with an integrally formed cooling structureUS20060204607 *Mar 10, 2005Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Multi-layer porous member for a post-molding molded article conditioning apparatusUS20060204608 *Mar 10, 2005Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Post-molding molded article conditioning apparatus with a selectively controlled transfer flow structure and a related methodUS20060222729 *May 8, 2006Oct 5, 2006Graham Packaging Pet Technologies Inc.Continuous production of molded plastic containersUS20070176331 *Apr 10, 2007Aug 2, 2007Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Post-Molding Molded Article Conditioning Apparatus with a Selectively Controlled Transfer Flow Structure and a Related MethodUS20070228620 *May 21, 2007Oct 4, 2007Graham Packaging Pet Technologies Inc.Continuous Production of Molded Plastic ContainersUS20080286396 *May 16, 2007Nov 20, 2008Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.Adjustment Device for Adjusting a Pitch Between a Take-Off Plate and a Treatment Device of a Molding System and a Method for Use ThereofUS20100187720 *Dec 14, 2009Jul 29, 2010Graham Packaging Pet Technologies, Inc.Take out and cooling system and methodEP2520407A2Mar 24, 2003Nov 7, 2012Husky Injection Molding Systems S.A.Method and apparatus for post mold cooling of plastic piecesWO2006094377A1 *Feb 13, 2006Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection MoldingPost-molding conditioning apparatus with selectively controlled transfer flow structure and methodWO2006094378A1 *Feb 14, 2006Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection MoldingPorous member for post-molding conditioning apparatus with integrally formed cooling structureWO2006094379A1 *Feb 14, 2006Sep 14, 2006Husky Injection MoldingA multi-layer porous member for a post-molding molded article conditioning apparatusWO2008138104A1 *Apr 24, 2008Nov 20, 2008Husky Injection MoldingAn adjustment device for adjusting a pitch between a take-off plate and a treatment device of a molding system and a method for use thereof* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification264/335, 425/556, 264/336, 425/552, 425/547International ClassificationB29C45/56, B29C45/40, B29C49/64, B29C45/36, B29C45/73, B29B13/04, B29C45/06, B29B11/06, B29C45/68, B29C45/72Cooperative ClassificationB29C45/7207, B29K2105/253European ClassificationB29C45/72BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 5, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD., CANADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KOZAI, MICHAEL T.;ING, RONALD;JACOVICH, WILLIAM J.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:009826/0131Effective date: 19990225Jan 28, 2004FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 27, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Jan 30, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,CANADAFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.;REEL/FRAME:020431/0495Effective date: 20071213Jul 19, 2011ASAssignmentOwner name: HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD., CANADAFree format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:ROYAL BANK OF CANADA;REEL/FRAME:026647/0595Effective date: 20110630Apr 16, 2012REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedSep 5, 2012LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesOct 23, 2012FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20120905RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services