US3767342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molding apparatus with article transfer and ejecting means
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-21
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract Article transfer apparatus for cyclically transferring articles from an article forming machine, such as a plastic injection molding machine, to an adjacent article receiving chute or conveyor system. The transfer apparatus is mechanically linked to and driven by relative movement of platens on the forming machine to positively interlock the forming and transfer mechanisms against interference with each other. A control system operated by mechanical elements of the transfer system is employed to control the application of pressure or vacuum to article handling elements of the system at appropriate points in the cycle to enable the elements to grip, release or convey the article being handled.
Inventors
- 👤 T Potter
- 👤 R Rhoads
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:00
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/40; B29C45/42; B29C45/4208; B29C2045/4241; B29C31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
In an article forming machine having a frame, a pair of article forming platens mounted on said frame for movement relative to each other between a closed article forming position and an open article release position, means for moving said platens between said positions, and article receiving means located adjacent said machine; article transfer apparatus for transferring articles from said platens to said receiving means comprising a carriage coupled to one of said platens, chute means on said carriage having an article receiving opening through which an article may be inserted into said chute and an article discharge opening from which an article may be ejected from said chute, first article transfer means mounted on said carriage for movement relative to said one of said platens, drive means coupled between said first transfer means and the other of said platens for moving said first transfer means upon relative movement of said platens to locate said first transfer means in an article receiving position adjacent said one of said platens when said platens are open and in an article discharge position adjacent said receiving opening when said platens are closed, pressure-vacuum means on said first transfer means selectively operable to grip or eject an article, second transfer means on said chute means operable to transfer an article from said first transfer means into said chute means through said receiving opening when said platens are closed, and pneumatic means operable to blow an article through said chute means and said discharge opening into said receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
In an article forming machine having a frame, a pair of article forming platens mounted on said frame for movement relative to each other between a closed article forming position and an open article release position, means for moving said platens between said positions, and article receiving means located adjacent said machine; article transfer apparatus for transferring articles from said platens to said receiving means comprising a carriage coupled to one of said platens, chute means on said carriage having an article receiving opening through which an article may be inserted into said chute and an article discharge opening from which an article may be ejected from said chute, first article transfer means mounted on said carriage for movement relative to said one of said platens, drive means coupled between said first transfer means and the other of said platens for moving said first transfer means upon relative movement of said platens to locate said first transfer means in an article receiving position adjacent said one of said platens when said platens are open and in an article discharge position adjacent said receiving opening when said platens are closed, pressure-vacuum means on said first transfer means selectively operable to grip or eject an article, second transfer means on said chute means operable to transfer an article from said first transfer means into said chute means through said receiving opening when said platens are closed, and pneumatic means operable to blow an article through said chute means and said discharge opening into said receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said second transfer means comprises rod means mounted for reciprocation through said chute means and said receiving opening between a retracted position at the side of said chute means remote from said receiving openiNg and an extended position wherein said rod means projects through said chute means and said receiving opening to a location adjacent the discharge position of said first transfer means, first control means responsive to the closing of said platens for driving said rod means from said retracted position to said extended position and then back to said retracted position, and vacuum means on said rod means operable to grip an article on said first transfer means while said platens are closed to carry the article from said first transfer means into said chute means and to release the article in said chute means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said vacuum means comprises means defining a passage in said rod means opening toward the extended position of said rod means, a vacuum source, and first valve means connecting said passage to said vacuum source when said rod means is between said remote side of said chute means and its extended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention defined in claim 2 further comprising second control means operable by said first control means for operating said pressure-vacuum means to eject an article from said first transfer means in response to the arrival of said rod means at its extended position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure-vacuum means comprises a cup adapted to sealingly engage a surface of an article, a pressure source, a vacuum source, a switching valve having a first inlet connected to said pressure source, or second inlet connected to said vacuum source and an outlet, switching valve control means operable in an actuated condition to connect said first inlet to said outlet and operable in a normally maintained unactuated condition to connect said second inlet to said outlet, shut-off valve means operable when open to connect said outlet to said cup and operable when closed to block communication between said outlet and said cup, first means responsive to the approach of said platens to their open position for opening said shut off valve means, second means operable subsequent to the arrival of said platens at their closed position for actuating said switch valve control means, and time delay means for closing said shut off valve means after said platens have been closed for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure-vacuum means comprises a cup adapted to sealingly engage a surface of an article, a pressure source, a vacuum source, a switching valve having a first inlet connected to said pressure source, or second inlet connected to said vacuum source and an outlet, switching valve control means operable in an actuated condition to connect said first inlet to said outlet and operable in a normally maintained unactuated condition to connect said second inlet to said outlet, shut-off valve means operable when open to connect said outlet to said cup and operable when closed to block communication between said outlet and said cup, first means responsive to the approach of said platens to their open position for opening said shut off valve means, second means operable in response to the arrival of said rod means at said extended position for actuating said switch valve control means, and time delay means for closing said shut off valve means after said platens have been closed for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
For use in combination with an article forming machine cyclically operable to form articles; article transfer means comprising a transfer chute having an article receiving opening in one side thereof and a second opening through its opposite side aligned with said receiving opening, a rod member mounted for reciprocatory movement through both of said openings between a retracted position withdrawn clear of said chute adjacent said opposite side and an extended position wherein said rod member projects through both of said openings to a first location spaced outwardly from said one side of said chute, cyclically operable transfer means synchroniZed with the operation of said forming machine for extracting formed articles from said machine and carrying the articles to said first location, drive means operable upon the arrival of an article at said first location for driving said rod member from said retracted position to said extended position and returning said rod means to said retracted position, and vacuum operated means on said rod member for gripping and supporting an article upon said rod means to transfer the article into said chute through said receiving opening during retracting movement of said rod member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
193 words
For use in combination with an article forming machine cyclically operable to form articles; article transfer means comprising a transfer chute having an article receiving opening in one side thereof and a second opening through its opposite side aligned with said receiving opening, a rod member mounted for reciprocatory movement through both of said openings between a retracted position withdrawn clear of said chute adjacent said opposite side and an extended position wherein said rod member projects through both of said openings to a first location spaced outwardly from said one side of said chute, cyclically operable transfer means synchroniZed with the operation of said forming machine for extracting formed articles from said machine and carrying the articles to said first location, drive means operable upon the arrival of an article at said first location for driving said rod member from said retracted position to said extended position and returning said rod means to said retracted position, and vacuum operated means on said rod member for gripping and supporting an article upon said rod means to transfer the article into said chute through said receiving opening during retracting movement of said rod member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said vacuum means comprises means defining a closed chamber projecting outwardly from said opposite side of said chute in surrounding coaxial relationship with said rod member, sealing means at the opposite ends of said chamber slidably sealing said rod for reciprocating movement through said chamber, vacuum supply means connected to said chamber, means defining a central passage through said rod member, and means defining a port in said rod member at a location disposed at the exterior of said chamber when said rod member is in said retracted position and located within said chamber when said rod member is between said opposite side of said chute and said extended position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 8 further comprising pressure means operable in response to the arrival of said rod member in said extended position for blowing said article from said first transfer means toward said receiving opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |