IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0732449
(2003-12-11)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
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대리인 / 주소 |
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
12 인용 특허 :
21 |
초록
▼
An in-mold system and method for handling molded articles. An in-mold lid handling system provides a slide that is operable to translate laterally across a molding face of an injection mold to perform a first operation on, or to retrieve a plurality of molded articles from, a column of molding cavi
An in-mold system and method for handling molded articles. An in-mold lid handling system provides a slide that is operable to translate laterally across a molding face of an injection mold to perform a first operation on, or to retrieve a plurality of molded articles from, a column of molding cavities and to thereafter retreat to an outboard position for a second operation, or to transfer the molded articles to drop chutes. The driving means for the slide include a first and a second transmission attached to the ends thereof. The transmissions operate on the same basic principle wherein at least one belt contained therein is configured along a path defined by a plurality of guides, the path including a plurality of segments defined between the guides, and the at least one belt being operable along the path between two positions, wherein the slide is attached to various suitably arranged path segments and is thereby driven between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. An in-mold article handling system configured for mounting to a first mold section, the first mold section including at least one plate assembly provided on a first side thereof, the at least one plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein th
What is claimed is: 1. An in-mold article handling system configured for mounting to a first mold section, the first mold section including at least one plate assembly provided on a first side thereof, the at least one plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein that has an opening arranged through a front face thereof, the in-mold article handling system comprising: at least one slide provided by an elongate rail with a plurality of article retention devices configured on a front face thereof, in use, for engaging articles for transport; a first and a second transmission connected at generally opposite ends of the at least one slide, the transmissions cooperating, in use, to translate the at least one slide across a front face of the at least one plate assembly between: an inboard position, that is adjacent said at least one molding cavity portion, to perform a first operation; and an outboard position, that is laterally spaced from the front face of the at least one plate assembly, to perform a second operation; a motive means for driving the first and second transmission; the first and second transmissions each including: a frame plate; at least one flexible linking means contained therein that is configured along a path; a plurality of guides mounted to a top face of the frame plate that defines the path; the path including a plurality of path segments defined between the guides; a driving member that couples the motive means with the at least one flexible linking means for operating same, in use, along the path between a first and a second position; and wherein the at least one slide attaches to the at least one flexible linking means along one of the path segments to be driven therewith and as such, in use, when the at least one flexible linking means is operated along the path between the first and the second position the at least one slide is correspondingly operated between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively. 2. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the path segments of the at least one flexible linking means includes a forward path segment, a rear path segment, a driving path segment, and a return path segment; a first slide of the at least one slide is attached to the forward path segment; a second slide of the at least one slide is attached to the rear path segments; and wherein the flexible linking means path is configured such that the forward and rear path segments are arranged to operate in generally opposite directions. 3. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 2, wherein: the plurality of guides includes a first and a second outer guide that are located at the outermost corners of the frame plate, along a common first longitudinal edge thereof, adjacent the front face of the at least one first plate assembly, in use, being parallel and in close proximity to the front face of the at least one plate assembly; the forward path segment is provided between the first and the second outer guide; and wherein the forward path segment is parallel to the front face of the at least one plate assembly and is closely spaced thereto such that the first slide attached thereto may translate freely across the front face of the at least one plate assembly. 4. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 3, wherein: the plurality of guides also includes a rear guide located in close proximity, and slightly inwardly staggered from the first outer guide; the rear path segment is provided behind the forward path segment, between the second outer guide and the rear guide; and wherein the rear path segment is arranged parallel to the forward path segment and spaced therefrom by a distance equal to the diameter of the second outer guide, the rear path segment being parallel to the front face of the at least one plate assembly and is closely spaced thereto such that the second slide attached thereto may translate freely across the front face of the at least one plate assembly. 5. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 4, wherein: the at least one plate assembly of the first mold section includes a second plate assembly that is provided on a second side of the first mold section, the second plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein that has an opening arranged through a front face thereof; and a further forward and rear path segment is arranged between a first and a second outer guide that are located at the outermost corners of the frame plate, along a common second longitudinal edge thereof, and a rear guide located in close proximity, and slightly inwardly staggered from the first outer guide and being located on a same end of the frame plate as the rear guide of the first plate assembly; wherein the forward and rear path segments are parallel to the front face of the second plate assembly and are closely spaced thereto such that a further first and second slide attached thereto, respectively, may translate freely across the front face of the second plate assembly. 6. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 4 or 5, wherein: the span of the forward and rear path segments, and hence the position of the first outer guide, second outer guide, and the rear guide must be sufficient to allow the first and second slides attached thereto to translate fully between the inboard and outboard positions. 7. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 4 or 5, wherein: the plurality of path segments includes a driving segment that is extends between the rear guides and around the driving member. 8. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the plurality of guides further includes an auxiliary guide located between each of the first outer guide and the driving member. 9. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 7, wherein: the plurality of path segments includes a return segment that is extends between the first outer guides. 10. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the at least one flexible linking means includes a first and a second driven flexible linking means provided along a first longitudinal edge of the frame plate; each of the first and the second driven flexible linking means are longitudinally aligned and extend across substantially one half of the length of the first longitudinal edge of the frame plate; the first and the second driven flexible linking means are interconnected through the use of a reversing gear arrangement; the first and the second driven flexible linking means each include a forward and a rear path segment that are arranged to be parallel and closely spaced to a front face of the at least one plate assembly; wherein a first and a second slide of the at least one slide attaches to the forward path segment of the first and second driven flexible linking means respectively to be driven therewith and as such, in use, when the first driven flexible linking means is operated along the path between the first and the second position, the second driven flexible linking means is operated in the opposite direction, and the first and the second slides are correspondingly operated between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively. 11. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 10, wherein: the first driven flexible linking means extends between an outer guide, located at an outermost corner of the frame plate, and an inner driving guide gear located near the middle of the frame plate, along a common first longitudinal edge thereof, such that the forward and rear path segments are parallel to the front face of the at least one plate assembly. 12. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 11, wherein: the second driven flexible linking means extends between an outer guide, located at an the opposite outermost corner of the frame plate, and an inner driven guide gear located immediately adjacent the inner driving guide gear, along a common first longitudinal edge thereof, such that the forward and rear path segments are parallel to the front face of the at least one plate assembly; wherein the inner driving guide gear is characterized in that it has a lower flexible linking means engaging portion for driving the first driven flexible linking means, a middle gear portion for engaging the adjacent inner driver guide gear, and a upper flexible linking means engaging portion for engagement with a driving flexible linking means, similarly, the inner driven guide gear is characterized in that it has a lower flexible linking means engaging portion for driving the second driven flexible linking means, and an upper gear portion for engaging the complementary gear portion of the adjacent inner driving guide gear, the intermeshed gear portions of the inner driving guide gear and the inner driven guide gear provide the reversing gear. 13. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 12, wherein: the at least one plate assembly of the first mold section includes a second plate assembly that is provided on a second side of the first mold section, the second plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein that has an opening arranged through a front face thereof; and a further first driven flexible linking means extends between an outer guide, located at an outermost corner of the frame plate, and an inner driving guide gear located near the middle of the frame plate, along a common second longitudinal edge thereof, such that the forward and rear path segments are parallel to the front face of the second plate assembly; a second driven flexible linking means extends between an outer guide, located at an the opposite outermost corner of the frame plate, and an inner driven guide gear located immediately adjacent the inner driving guide gear, along a common second longitudinal edge thereof, such that the forward and rear path segments are parallel to the front face of the second plate assembly; wherein the inner driving guide gear is characterized in that it has a lower flexible linking means engaging portion for driving the first driven flexible linking means, a middle gear portion for engaging the adjacent inner driver guide gear, and a upper flexible linking means engaging portion for engagement with a driving flexible linking means, similarly, the inner driven guide gear is characterized in that it has a lower flexible linking means engaging portion for driving the second driven flexible linking means, and an upper gear portion for engaging the complementary gear portion of the adjacent inner driving guide gear, the intermeshed gear portions of the inner driving guide gear and the inner driven guide gear provide the reversing gear. 14. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 12 or 13, wherein: the driving flexible linking means connects the driving member with the upper flexible linking means of the first driven guide gear. 15. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 14, wherein: the path of driving flexible linking means also preferably extends around a pair of auxiliary guides located near the center of the frame plate to ensure adequate circumferential engagement of the flexible linking means with the driving member. 16. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first operation is to retrieve at least one molded article, in use, from one of: i) the at least one molding cavity portion; or ii) from a complementary molding cavity portion disposed in a complementary plate assembly of a second mold section. 17. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 16, further including at least one drop chute and being mounted to the first mold section in a location that coincides with the outboard position of each of the at least one slide, and arranged to be parallel therewith, and wherein the at least one drop chute is configured to receive, in use, the at least one molded article from the at least one slide. 18. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one drop chute is mounted to the first mold section through the use of at least one chute piston assembly that provides, in use, the ability to reciprocate the at least one drop chute between a retracted and a forward position relative to a front face of the at least one plate assembly to assist in clearing the molded articles away from the slide article retention devices. 19. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one drop chute further includes a means for controlling the egress of molded articles therefrom that is located at a lower end thereof. 20. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first mold section includes a hot runner and that the in-mold article handling system is configured for mounting thereon. 21. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first mold section includes a core plate assembly and that the in-mold article handling system is configured for mounting thereon. 22. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, configured for servicing a plurality of plate assemblies. 23. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, configured for servicing a single plate assembly. 24. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, configured for use on a mold hot section of a stack injection mold. 25. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, configured for use on a mold cold section of a stack injection mold. 26. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first operation is placing a label into the molding cavity portion, and the second operation is picking up a label. 27. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first and second slides are attached to the forward and rear path segments with the slides attached behind and in front of the front and rear path segments respectively, such that they are arranged to translate therebetween. 28. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first molded article is a lid. 29. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible linking means is selected from the group consisting of: i) a belt; ii) a chain; iii) a band, and iv) a cable. 30. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible linking means is tensioned by a tensioning block, with at least one of the plurality of guides provided therein, that is adjustably slidably connected to the frame plate. 31. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one slide is clamped to the flexible linking means using a spanners and an associated clamping blocks. 32. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the motive means is a driving shaft that is being driven by a motor. 33. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 32, wherein the driving member is a first and a second driving that are connected near the ends of the driving shaft for driving the first and second transmission respectively. 34. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 32, wherein the first mold section includes a passage therethrough for accommodating the driving shaft. 35. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 3, 11, or 17 wherein the at least one slide is attached to the flexible linking means to allow the at least one slide to follow the flexible linking means around at least a portion of the circumference outer guides, such that the at least one slide travels through a corresponding arc about the center of the outer guides and is thereby positioned in the outboard position, generally parallel to a side of the first mold section. 36. The in-mold article handling system in accordance with claim 35 wherein the drop chutes is located along the corresponding side of the first mold section for receiving the molded article. 37. An injection mold including at least one in-mold article handling system mounted to at least one mold section thereof, the at least one mold section including at least one plate assembly provided on a first side thereof, the at least one plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein that has an opening arranged through a front face thereof, the in-mold article handling system comprising: at least one slide provided by an elongate rail with a plurality of article retention devices configured on a front face thereof, in use, for engaging articles for transport; a first and a second transmission connected at generally opposite ends of the at least one slide, the transmissions cooperating, in use, to translate the at least one slide across a front face of the at least one plate assembly between: an inboard position, that is adjacent said at least one molding cavity portion, to perform a first operation; and an outboard position, that is laterally spaced from the front face of the at least one plate assembly, to perform a second operation; a motive means for driving the first and second transmission; the first and second transmissions each including: a frame plate; at least one flexible linking means contained therein that is configured along a path; a plurality of guides mounted to a top face of the frame plate that defines the path; the path including a plurality of path segments defined between the guides; a driving member that couples the motive means with the at least one flexible linking means for operating same, in use, along the path between a first and a second position; and wherein the at least one slide attaches to the at least one flexible linking means along one of the path segments to be driven therewith and as such, in use, when the at least one flexible linking means is operated along the path between the first and the second position the at least one slide is correspondingly operated between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively. 38. A transmission for use in a in-mold article handling system, that is configured for mounting to a first mold section of a mold, the first mold section including at least one plate assembly provided on a first side thereof, the at least one plate assembly including at least one molding cavity portion disposed therein that has an opening arranged through a front face thereof, the transmission comprising: a frame plate; at least one flexible linking means contained therein that is configured along a path; a plurality of guides mounted to a top face of the frame plate that defines the path; the path including a plurality of path segments defined between the guides; a driving member that couples, in use, to a motive means with the at least one flexible linking means for operating same, in use, along the path between a first and a second position; and wherein the transmission is configured such that, in use, at least one slide attaches to the at least one flexible linking means along one of the path segments to be driven therewith and as such when the at least one flexible linking means is operated along the path between the first and the second position the at least one slide is correspondingly operated between an inboard and an outboard positions respectively.
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