Takeout apparatus for shuttle-type blow molding machine
Takeout apparatus for shuttle-type blow molding machine
A take-out system for a shuttle-type blow molding machine having two moulding assemblies has a single gripper head for taking out moulded articles from both moulding assemblies. The gripper head is carried by a vertical gripper arm which can be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion drive with respect to a carriage that moves in line with the two moulding assemblies.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This blow moulding machine relates generally to the art of moulding plastic articles and is concerned more particularly with an apparatus for handling the plastic articles after moulding. An apparatus of this type is referred to in the art as a “take-out” system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is concerned in particular with a take-out system for shuttle-type plastic injection moulding machine. In a shuttle-type blow moulding machine, at least one tubular parison is continuously extruded between two blow moulding assemblies, each of which includes a pair of separable mould parts. The assemblies alternately “shuttle” back and forth between respective moulding positions and a position in which the mould parts close around and severe a portion of the parison from the upstream portion of the parison that is being continuously extruded. The moulding assembly then returns to its moulding position and air is applied to expand the severed portion of the parison into the mould. The mould then opens.
Prior art take-out systems for shuttle-type blow moulding machines typically have two separate gripper heads, each positioned below one of the blow moulding assemblies. The individual gripper heads move up and down in synchronism with the release of moulded articles from the moulding assemblies. In an upper position, each head grips the moulded article or articles released from the particular moulding assembly and then moves down to a release position. Typically, a common conveyor mechanism is provided at the release position for receiving and transporting laterally the articles taken out by the two gripper heads. Since the moulding assemblies operate alternately and the gripper heads accordingly must move up and down alternately, the conveyor mechanism must “wait” until the plastic articles from both gripper heads have been delivered, before the batch of articles can be discharged. In an alternative version of the blow molding machine, separate take-off conveyors can be provided for each gripper head, but the conveyors then discharge in opposite directions and the two groups of articles must be brought together downstream, for subsequent handling.
A take-out system for a shuttle-type blow molding machine having two moulding assemblies has a single gripper head for taking out moulded articles from both moulding assemblies. The gripper head is carried by a vertical gripper arm which can be raised and lowered by a rack and pinion drive with respect to a carriage that moves in line with the two moulding assemblies.
FIELD OF INVENTION
This blow moulding machine relates generally to the art of moulding plastic articles and is concerned more particularly with an apparatus for handling the plastic articles after moulding. An apparatus of this type is referred to in the art as a “take-out” system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is concerned in particular with a take-out system for shuttle-type plastic injection moulding machine. In a shuttle-type blow moulding machine, at least one tubular parison is continuously extruded between two blow moulding assemblies, each of which includes a pair of separable mould parts. The assemblies alternately “shuttle” back and forth between respective moulding positions and a position in which the mould parts close around and severe a portion of the parison from the upstream portion of the parison that is being continuously extruded. The moulding assembly then returns to its moulding position and air is applied to expand the severed portion of the parison into the mould. The mould then opens.
Prior art take-out systems for shuttle-type blow moulding machines typically have two separate gripper heads, each positioned below one of the blow moulding assemblies. The individual gripper heads move up and down in synchronism with the release of moulded articles from the moulding assemblies. In an upper position, each head grips the moulded article or articles released from the particular moulding assembly and then moves down to a release position. Typically, a common conveyor mechanism is provided at the release position for receiving and transporting laterally the articles taken out by the two gripper heads. Since the moulding assemblies operate alternately and the gripper heads accordingly must move up and down alternately, the conveyor mechanism must “wait” until the plastic articles from both gripper heads have been delivered, before the batch of articles can be discharged. In an alternative version of the blow molding machine, separate take-off conveyors can be provided for each gripper head, but the conveyors then discharge in opposite directions and the two groups of articles must be brought together downstream, for subsequent handling.