Abstract: The present invention provides a device for exercising a live hinge formed integrally between a vessel portion and a lid of an article during injection molding. In an embodiment, the device includes a core block for forming the vessel portion and a movable side core for forming the lid. The side core has a molding position for forming the article, and an ejection position for ejecting the article from the core block. The device also includes an exercising member that is movable with the side core. The exercising member closes the lid and exercises the hinge during travel from the molding position to the ejection position.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of a mold-spraying apparatus for use with a molding apparatus. The mold-spraying apparatus has: (i) a spray nozzle, (ii) a rotatable shaft being supportive of the spray nozzle, and (ii) a camming surface. The method includes: (a) engaging the rotatable shaft with the camming surface, and (b) moving the camming surface so that the rotatable shaft may rotate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of a mold-spraying apparatus for use with a molding apparatus. The mold-spraying apparatus has: (i) a spray nozzle, (ii) a rotatable shaft being supportive of the spray nozzle, and (ii) a camming surface. The method includes: (a) engaging the rotatable shaft with the camming surface, and (b) moving the camming surface so that the rotatable shaft may rotate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus configured to move an article relative to a first mold half and a second mold half of a molding machine. The article moving apparatus includes an arm configured to grasp and release the article, and also include an arm reciprocating structure configured to reciprocate the arm between an in-mold position and an out-mold position relative to the first mold half and the second mold half, and to be selectively retractable away from an abutment relationship relative to any one of the first mold half and the second mold half.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a mold-spraying apparatus of a molding system and/or (ii) a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, and/or (iii) a method of a mold spraying apparatus of a molding system, and/or (vi) a method of a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, amongst other things.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a mold-spraying apparatus of a molding system and/or (ii) a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, and/or (iii) a method of a mold spraying apparatus of a molding system, and/or (vi) a method of a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, amongst other things.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a mold-spraying apparatus of a molding system and/or (ii) a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, and/or (iii) a method of a mold spraying apparatus of a molding system, and/or (vi) a method of a molding system having a mold-spraying apparatus, amongst other things.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate has a portion always disposed inboard of a perimeter of a first mold half of the molding machine. Drive structure is preferably configured to drive the shuttle plate only in one plane across a molding face of the first mold half. A plurality of gripping structures are coupled to the shuttle plate and are respectively configured to remove a corresponding plurality of molded articles from a corresponding plurality of mold cavities (or cores). The drive structure is also configured to drive the shuttle plate to cause the plurality of gripping structures to be moved in a direction which is diagonal with respect to an array direction of the plurality of mold cavities (or cores).

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system. The system includes a molding machine configured to cooperate with a mold to mold a first part and a second part. The molding machine is also includes an assembly mechanism configured to interlock the first part with the second part. Other aspects contemplate combinations and permutations of the aspect described above.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an article moving apparatus configured to move an article relative to a first mold half and a second mold half of a molding machine. The article moving apparatus includes an arm configured to grasp and release the article, and also include an arm reciprocating structure configured to reciprocate the arm between an in-mold position and an out-mold position relative to the first mold half and the second mold half, and to be selectively retractable away from an abutment relationship relative to any one of the first mold half and the second mold half.

Abstract: Servo side shuttle apparatus and method for a molding machine includes structure and/or steps whereby a shuttle plate is disposed adjacent at least one of a first mold half and a second mold half of the molding machine. A guidance assembly is coupled to the mold half and guides the shuttle plate linearly across a molding face of the mold half. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the shuttle plate in a linear direction. An operation structure is coupled to the shuttle plate and is configured to perform an operation on a molded article disposed either in the mold cavity or on the mold core. The operation may include removing the molded article from a mold core, applying a label to a mold cavity, and/or closing the lid of a molded article while it is resident on the mold core.

Abstract: 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 away from the mold, a deflector connected to a portion of the mold engages the other portion of the part and initially folds the part 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for exercising a live hinge formed integrally between a vessel portion and a lid of an article during injection molding. In an embodiment, the device includes a core block for forming the vessel portion and a movable side core for forming the lid. The side core has a molding position for forming the article, and an ejection position for ejecting the article from the core block. The device also includes an exercising member that is movable with the side core. The exercising member closes the lid and exercises the hinge during travel from the molding position to the ejection position.