Apparatus and method for removing and transporting articles from molds

A method for removing and transporting mold contact lens packaging articles from a molding installation;

• comprising:
• (a) actuating a first assembly for removing the articles from the molding installation and transporting the articles to a first location, said molding installation comprises two separable mold halves, said first assembly having means for imparting a transverse movement to said first assembly for accelerating and optimizing the speed of removal of said articles from said molding installation and for transporting said articles to said first location;
• (b) actuating a second assembly for receiving said articles at said first location and transporting said articles to a second location, wherein said second assembly comprises pivotable arm means for retrieving said articles conveyed by said first assembly to said first location and transporting said articles to said second location;
• and
• wherein said method further comprises at said first location receiving said articles from said first assembly and reorienting the articles into specific arrays prior to being retrieved by said second assembly.

A method for removing and transporting mold articles from a molding installation;

• comprising:
• (a) actuating a first assembly for removing the articles from the molding installation and transporting the articles to a first location, said molding installation comprises two separable mold halves, said first assembly having means for imparting a transverse movement to said first assembly for accelerating and optimizing the speed of removal of said articles from said molding installation and for transporting said articles to said first location;
• (b) actuating a second assembly for receiving said articles at said first location and transporting said articles to a second location, wherein said second assembly comprises pivotable arm means for retrieving said articles conveyed by said first assembly to said first location and transporting said articles to said second location;
• and
• wherein said method further comprises at said first location receiving said articles from said first assembly and reorienting the articles into specific arrays prior to being retrieved by said second assembly.

A method for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens fabricating mold sections from a molding installation;

• comprising:
• (a) actuating a first assembly for removing the lens fabricating mold sections from the molding installation and transporting the lens fabricating mold sections to a first location, said molding installation comprises two separable mold halves, said first assembly having means for imparting a transverse movement to said first assembly for accelerating and optimizing the speed of removal of said mold sections from said molding installation and for transporting said mold sections to said first location;
• (b) actuating a second assembly for receiving said mold sections at said first location and transporting said mold sections to a second location, wherein said second assembly comprises pivotable arm means for retrieving said mold sections conveyed by said first assembly to said first location and transporting said mold sections to said second location;
• and
• wherein drive means is operatively connected to one end of said pivotable arm means for imparting oscillatory movement to said arm means between said first and second locations, said drive means imparting vertical displacement to said pivotable arm means intermediate the oscillating end positions thereof to facilitate retrieval of the mold sections at said first location and depositing said mold sections by said pivotable arm means at said second location, said pivotable arm means is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said arm means by said drive means to facilitate retrieval of said mold sections directly from said first assembly in one inverted position of said arm means and inverting said arm means into an opposite position so as to invert said mold sections prior to depositing said mold sections at said second location.