Device and method for handling molded articles

The handling device for handling molded articles, in particular large injection molded preforms, received from a molding machine, said handling device comprising:

• a first longitudinal receiving plate for receiving a first end of at least one article, said first receiving plate comprising at least one holder for holding said at least one article on said first receiving plate, said first receiving plate having a first pivot axis;
• a second longitudinal receiving plate for receiving a first end of at least one article, said second receiving plate comprising at least one holder for holding said at least one article on said second receiving plate, said second receiving plate having a second pivot axis substantially parallel to said first pivot axis;
• and
• an actuator for pivoting said first and second receiving plates about their respective pivot axis so as to bring said articles side-by-side between said receiving plates.

A Handling device for handling molded articles, in particular large injection molded preforms, received from a molding machine, said handling device comprising:

• a take-out plate for receiving said articles from a mold of said molding machine;
• a robot arm for operating said take-out plate so as to transfer said articles from said mold onto receiving plates;
• a first longitudinal receiving plate for receiving a first end of at least one article from said take-out plate, said first receiving plate comprising at least one holder for holding said at least one article on said first receiving plate, said first receiving plate having a first pivot axis;
• a second longitudinal receiving plate for receiving a first end of at least one article from said take-out plate, said second receiving plate comprising at least one holder for holding said at least one article on said second receiving plate, said second receiving plate having a second pivot axis substantially parallel to said first pivot axis;
• and
• an actuator for pivoting said first and second receiving plates about their respective pivot axis so as to bring said articles side-by-side between said receiving plates.

A handling device for handling an array of large injection molded articles;

• the handling device comprising:
• means for transferring said array of articles from a mold having a pitch separation to an arranging station;
• an arranging station including
• means for receiving and aligning a first set of articles of said array,
• means for receiving and aligning a second set of articles of said array,
• means for orientating said second set of articles relative to said first set of articles such that said second set of articles are orientated in an opposing direction to said first set of articles, and
• means for grouping said first set and said second set of articles together in a linear array, said means for grouping being able to reduce pitch separation between adjacent articles;
• and
• a robot including transport means configured to pick up said linear array for subsequent delivery and deposition.

A handling system for handling a plurality of large injection molded articles formed in an array within a mold having a pitch separation between adjacent molded articles, the handling system operationally supported, in use, by a robot, the handing system comprising:

• an arranging station having:
• means for receiving and aligning a first set of articles of said array;
• means for receiving and aligning a second set of articles of said array;
• means for orientating said second set of articles relative to said first set of articles such that said second set of articles are orientated in an opposing direction to said first set of articles;
• and
• means for grouping said first set and said second set of articles together in a linear array, said means for grouping being able to reduce the pitch separation between adjacent articles.