Patent ID: 7104779

Claim:
A take-off device for receiving a plurality of molded articles, said device comprising: a plate having a first surface; a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the first surface of said plate, each hollow tube having a base portion and a central portion for receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of molded articles; a suction port connected to the base portion of each hollow tube; ejecting structure configured to eject each molded article from the corresponding hollow tube, said ejecting structure comprising an ejector rail mounted to said plate and movable along an axis substantially perpendicular to said first surface, said ejector rail being selectively positionable to a retracted position and to an extended position, said ejector rail having a plurality of apertures, each aperture corresponding to one of said plurality of hollow tubes; and at least one sleeve associated with each of said plurality of hollow tubes, each said sleeve being attached to said ejector rail, each said sleeve extending out from said one of said plurality of hollow tubes with a portion of each said sleeve still remaining around the corresponding hollow tube when said rail is at said extended position, each said sleeve, when at said extended position, being sufficiently close to the corresponding hollow tube to maintain suction from said suction port for assisting transfer of a molded article from a mold and into said at least one hollow tube.