# US 11,298,859 B2 · In-mold assembly system for an injection molding machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,859 B2 - Document ID: US11298859B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/373,017 - Filed: 2019-04-02 - Published: 2019-07-25 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2013-04-25 - Assignees: Niigon Machines Ltd. - Applicants: Niigon Machines Ltd. - Inventors: Robert D. Schad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298859B2 ## CPC - B29C 45/006: {Joining parts moulded in separate cavities} - B29C 45/12: using two or more fixed moulds, e.g. in tandem {(B29C45/076 takes precedence)} - B29C 45/1761: {Means for guiding movable mould supports or injection units on the machine base or frame; Machine bases or frames (B29C45/1747 takes precedence)} - B29C 45/1769: {Handling of moulded articles or runners, e.g. sorting, stacking, grinding of runners} - B29C 45/4005: {Ejector constructions; Ejector operating mechanisms (B29C45/44 takes precedence)} - B29C 45/4225: {Take-off members or carriers for the moulded articles, e.g. grippers} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract A method for injection molding comprises forming a set of first articles in a mold of an injection molding machine and forming a set of second articles in the mold of the injection molding machine. The method includes transferring the set of first articles from the mold to a first set of first receivers of a tooling plate, and then moving the first set of first receivers to align with the set of second articles. Thereafter the set of second articles is transferred from the mold toward the first set of first receivers and into assembled condition with the set of first articles held in the first set of first receivers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for injection molding comprising: a) forming a set of first articles in a mold of an injection molding machine; b) forming a set of second articles separate from the set of first articles in the mold of the injection molding machine; c) transferring the set of first articles from the mold to a first set of first receivers; d) moving the first set of first receivers to align with the set of second articles; and e) after step d), transferring the set of second articles from the mold toward the first set of first receivers and into assembled condition with the set of first articles held in the first set of first receivers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step d) comprises linearly displacing the first set of first receivers in a direction parallel to a mold-opening direction of the mold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein step a) and step b) occur during a single machine cycle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step c) occurs before step b), and the method further comprises retracting the first set of first receivers to a retracted position clear of the mold prior to step b). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein step d) comprises rotating a tooling plate to which the first set of first receivers is affixed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein during step e) another set of first articles is transferred from the mold to a second set of second receivers affixed to the tooling plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein step c) occurs after step b). ### Claim 8 A method for producing assembled injection molded articles, comprising: a) forming a set of first articles in respective first mold cavities of a mold of an injection molding machine; b) forming a set of second articles separate from the set of first articles in respective second mold cavities of the mold of the injection molding machine; c) opening the mold by translating at least a first mold half away from a second mold half along a machine axis; d) advancing a tooling plate toward the machine axis to align a first set of first receivers of the tooling plate with the first mold cavities; e) after step (d), transferring the set of first articles from the first mold cavities to the first set of first receivers; f) after step (e), moving the tooling plate to align the first set of first receivers with the second mold cavities; and g) after step (f), transferring the set of second articles from the second mold cavities toward, and into assembled condition with, the set of first articles held in the first set of first receivers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (a) comprises injecting a first resin into the first mold cavities from a first injection barrel, and step (b) comprises injecting a second resin into the second mold cavities from a second injection barrel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein step (e) comprises translating the set of first articles in a direction parallel to the machine axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein step (e) comprises advancing an ejector to push the set of first articles from the first mold cavities toward the first set of first receivers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein step (g) comprises translating the set of second articles in a direction parallel to the machine axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein step (g) comprises advancing an ejector to push the set of second articles from the second mold cavities toward the first set of first receivers of the tooling plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein step (a) occurs during a first machine cycle, step (d) occurs after step (a), step (b) occurs during a second machine cycle after step (d), and step (g) occurs after step (d). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein an other set of first articles is formed during step (b), the other set of first articles transferred during step (g) from the first mold cavities to a second set of first receivers affixed to the tooling plate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein step (g) comprises advancing an ejector to eject the set of second articles from the second mold cavities into assembled condition with the set of first articles held in the first set of first receivers of the tooling plate, and to simultaneously eject the other set of first articles from the first mold cavities to the second set of first receivers affixed to the tooling plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising during step (g), engaging an abutment surface fixed to the tooling plate with stoppers fixed relative to the mold to resist deflection of the tooling plate during ejection of the second articles from the second cavities toward and into assembled condition with the first articles held in the first set of first receivers of the tooling plate.