초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for folding a hinged molded part in a molding machine. As a part-removal apparatus, preferably a swing arm mechanism, grips one of the lid portion or the base portion of the molded part and moves the molded part out of the mold, a deflector connected to a portion of the mold

An apparatus and method for folding a hinged molded part in a molding machine. As a part-removal apparatus, preferably a swing arm mechanism, grips one of the lid portion or the base portion of the molded part and moves the molded part out of the mold, a deflector connected to a portion of the mold engages the other portion of the part and initiates folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge. The deflector further folds the part as the mold closes. The portions of the part are pushed together and latched in one embodiment by the swing arm mechanism that grips and moves the molded part against the deflector, and in another embodiment by a closing actuator operated separately from the swing arm mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for folding a hinged molded part formed in a mold, the molded part having a base portion and a lid portion that engages the base portion when the part is folded at a hinge located between the base portion and the lid portion, the apparatus comprising: a par

The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for folding a hinged molded part formed in a mold, the molded part having a base portion and a lid portion that engages the base portion when the part is folded at a hinge located between the base portion and the lid portion, the apparatus comprising: a part-removal apparatus proximate the mold and having a portion that, in use, grips one of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part and moves the molded part out of the mold when the mold is open; and at least one deflector connected to the mold such that, in use, the defector engages the other of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part as the molded part is moved out of the mold to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge in advance of closure of the lid portion to the base portion, the deflector further folding the molded part as the mold closes. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part-removal apparatus is a swing arm mechanism that includes an arm with a gripping device attached to a rotatable shaft located adjacent the mold, the shaft selectively rotatable to pivot the arm between a first position at which the swing arm mechanism is clear of the mold so the mold can open and close without interfering with the swing arm mechanism, and a second position at which the gripping device engages and grips the portion of the molded part. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a closing actuator including a pusher member having a channel which receives the arm of the swing arm mechanism in clearance, the closing actuator selectively moving to engage the pusher member with the portion of the molded part gripped by the part-removal apparatus to push the potions of the part together so that they latch. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the channel has a bottom which, in use, abuts a back wall of the arm when the pusher member has moved sufficiently to latch the lid portion to the base portion of the part. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a closing actuator having a portion that selectively moves to engage the portion of the molded part gripped by the part-removal apparatus to push the base portion and the lid portion together, thereby latching the lid portion and the base portion together. 6. An apparatus for folding a hinged molded part formed in a mold, the molded part having a base portion and a lid portion that engages the base portion when the part is folded at a hinge located between the base portion and the lid portion, the apparatus comprising: a part-removal apparatus proximate the mold and having a portion that, in use, grips one of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part and moves the molded part out of the mold when the mold is open; at least one deflector connected to the mold such that, in use, the defector engages the other of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part as the molded part is moved out of the mold to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge in advance of closure of the lid portion to the base portion, the deflector further folding the molded part as the mold closes; and wherein the part-removal apparatus grips the base potion of the molded part, and the deflector has a first portion that contacts the lid portion first as the part is moved to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge, and a second portion that contacts the lid portion after the first portion does, thereby continuing the folding as the mold closes. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second portion is outboard of the first portion. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first portion is attached to a cavity portion of the mold, and the second portion is attached to a plate supporting the cavity portion of mold. 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the deflector is a single piece with a transition portion connecting the first portion and the second portion and a nose at a juncture between the transition portion and first portion. 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first portion and second portion are substantially parallel and form a slot into which the part is moved. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first portion is outboard of the second portion. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, where in the second portion has a curved end which directs the lid portion along it as the part moves the into the slot to fold the lid portion. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the deflector partially defines a chute into which the part is released. 14. An apparatus for closing a hinged molded part in a molding machine, comprising: a part-removal apparatus, at least one deflector, and a closing actuator all constructed and arranged to operate in conjunction with a mold with moveable portions that form a molded part having a base portion and a lid portion that engages the base portion when the lid portion is folded at a hinge; the part-removal apparatus having a swing arm mechanism that includes an arm with a gripping device attached to a rotatable shaft located adjacent the mold, the shaft, in use, selectively rotatable to pivot the arm between a first position at which the swing arm mechanism is clear of the mold so that the mold can open and close without interfering with the swing arm mechanism, and a second position at which the gripping device engages and grips the base portion of the molded part when the mold is open; the at least one deflector being connected to the mold, the at least one deflector having a first portion that, in use, contacts the lid portion first as the part is moved to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge, and a second portion that, in use, contacts the lid portion after the first portion does, thereby continuing the folding as the mold closes; and the closing actuator including a pusher member having a channel which receives the arm of the swing arm mechanism in clearance, the closing actuator selectively moving to engage the pusher member with the base portion of the part to push the base portion into the lid portion, thereby latching the lid portion and the base portion together.