Patent ID: 7514031

Claim:
A method of transferring a molded article from an injection mold into a molded article support structure arranged on a take-off device, the support structure including a suction structure for configuring a suction channel therealong and a suction channel extension having a portion that is selectively extensible relative to a distal end of the support structure for extending the suction channel into a region between the distal end of the support structure and the injection mold for assisting with the transfer of the molded article therebetween, the transfer method including the steps of: positioning the molded article support structure adjacent the molded article in the injection mold; extending the suction channel extension into the region between the distal end of the support structure and the injection mold; providing a suction force along the suction channel to draw the molded article into the support structure; and retracting the suction channel extension when the molded article has been received in the support structure while contemporaneously maintaining the suction force so that the molded article is fully drawn into the support structure.