Low profile product extractor for thermoformed products

A method of moving thermoformed products from a mold assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

• shifting, via a powered drive mechanism, a first car frame in a downward direction so that a plurality of extractor elements connected to the first car frame releasably engage respective products held by the mold assembly;
• shifting, via the powered drive mechanism, the first car in an upward direction so that the plurality of extractor elements connected to the first car frame to lift the respective products out of engagement with the mold assembly;
• and
• shifting, via a lateral drive mechanism, a second car along an elongated transport rail that extends along and defines a lateral rail axis, the first car and the powered drive mechanism being supported to shift laterally with the second car to move the products away from the mold assembly.

A method of thermoforming products, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning, via one or more roller assemblies, a web material between molds;
• pressing, via an actuator, the web between the molds to form the products in the web;
• removing, via one or more punches, the products from the web;
• using a powered drive mechanism to lower a first car relative to a second car so that extractor elements of the first car are lowered into engagement with the products removed from the web;
• using the powered drive mechanism to raise the first car relative to the second car so that the extractor elements are raised so that the products are lifted by the extractor elements;
• and
• shifting at least one of the first car and the second car laterally to move the products away from the molds,
• wherein said powered drive mechanism includes:
• a linkage that drivingly interconnects the first and second cars to facilitate vertical movement of the first car relative to the second car, and
• a motor drivingly engaged with the linkage to power the linkage and shift the first car between a lowered position, in which the extractor elements are positioned to engage products held by the molds, and a raised position, in which the products are lifted by the extractor elements out of engagement with the molds.