Take-out assembly for blow molding machine

Claim 1

A take-out assembly for removing workpieces from a blow molder of a type having a plurality of multipiece mold assemblies affixed to a molder turntable which is rotatable about a horizontal axis, said blow molder opening said mold assemblies to expose finished workpieces as said mold assembly moves through a workpiece discharge station, said take-out assembly comprising; a pick-up support frame, at least one guide rod affixed to said support frame, a pick-up head slideable on said guide rod, means for positioning said pick-up head along said guide rod, whereby said pick-up head may be moved from a first position adjacent said workpiece discharge station to a second vertically upward position displaced from said discharge station, a pick-up turntable carried by said pick-up head for rotation about a horizontal axis, means for rotating said pick-up turntable in a coordinated manner with respect to said blow molder turntable, a plurality of pick-up units affixed to and rotating with said pick-up turntable, said pick-up units having first and second interfitting shafts with a pick-up head coupled to one end of said first and second shafts and threaded means connecting said shafts together whereby a total length of said first and second shafts is adjustable, a cam plate adjacent said pick-up turntable and mounted such that said pick-up turntable rotates relative to said cam plate, cam followers coupled to said pick-up unit first shafts and to said camplate such that said pick-up units are extended to engage said workpieces as said pick-up units move past said workpiece discharge station and wherein adjustment of said threaded means enables the extension of each of said pick-up units to be independently adjustable to properly position each of said pick-up units to engage said workpieces, a source of vacuum, a plurality of vacuum hoses communicating with said pick-up heads, and a rotary timing valve having a first non-rotatable portion and a second portion carried by and rotatable with said pick-up turntable, said second portion communicating with each of said vacuum hoses and to said source of vacuum for providing a vacuum signal to said pick-up units as said pick-up units move past said workpiece discharge station to thereby adhere to said workpieces.