Apparatus and method for automatically counting and stacking trimmed molded articles

An apparatus for forming a stack of molded articles successively trimmed by a trim press from a web of thermoplastic material, the trim press having a stationary die member which includes a die plate and a die shoe, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a frame;
• (b) a carriage means mounted to said frame;
• (c) at least one stacking mechanism, said stacking mechanism comprising:
• (i) a plurality of stack rods rotatively mounted to said carriage means, each of said stack rods having a stack dog integrally connected and substantially perpendicular to a first end thereof, said stack dog positionable within a corresponding aperture of the die shoe of the stationary die member;
• and
• (ii) means for rotating said stack rods so that said stack dogs engage an endmost article of the formed stack of articles, the stack of articles located at least partially within the die shoe of the stationary die member;
• and
• (d) means for transporting the completed stack of articles from within the die shoe of the stationary die member to a position for removal from the apparatus, said means for transporting the completed stack of articles from within the die shoe of the stationary die member to a position for removal from the apparatus comprising means for rotating the stack of articles from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position.