Robotic parison handling method and apparatus

A method for releasing molded articles from a mold into a molded article receiver, the mold having a first mold portion, a second mold portion movable with respect to the first mold portion, and a third mold portion movably interposed between the first and second portions and having at least one pair of space defining surfaces which together with the first and second mold portions defines in a closed position at least one space for receiving plastic material injected therein to form at least one molded article, the second and the third mold portions being movable away from the first mold portion to permit removal of the at least one molded article from the first mold portion, the second mold portion being movable away from the third mold portion to remove the at least one molded article from the second mold portion;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a guide coupled to the second mold portion forming a cam track;
• providing a cam follower coupled to the at least one pair of space defining surfaces of the third mold portion;
• engaging the cam follower in the cam track at least when the second and third mold portions are within a pre-selected distance of each other, the cam follower interacting with the cam track to cause relative movement of each pair of space defining surfaces, the cam follower being engaged in a first portion of the cam track when the mold portions are in the closed position;
• moving the molded article receiver in between the first and second mold portions and into proximity with the third mold portion;
• moving the third mold toward the molded article receiver so that the cam follower moves to a second portion of the cam track including a ramp defining a pre-release position of each pair of space defining surfaces wherein the at least one molded article is loosely retained by the space defining surfaces;
• and
• providing a signal from the molded article receiver to a power operator carried by the third mold portion and coupled to the space defining surfaces, the signal causing the power operator to move each pair of space defining surfaces from the pre-release position to a full release position for releasing the molded article from the third mold portion into the olded article receiver.

An article molding assembly including a mold and a release mechanism for releasing molded articles from the mold, the mold including a first mold portion, a second mold portion movable with respect to the first mold portion, and a third mold portion movably interposed between the first and second portions and having at least one pair of space defining surfaces which together with the first and second mold portions defines in a closed position at least one space for receiving plastic material injected therein to form at least one molded article, the second and the third mold portions being movable away from the first mold portion to permit removal of the at least one molded article from the first mold portion, the second mold portion being movable away from the third mold portion to remove the at least one molded article from the second mold portion, the release mechanism operating to release the at least one molded article from the third mold portion and comprising:

• a guide coupled to the second mold portion forming a cam track;
• a cam follower coupled to the at least one pair of space defining surfaces of the third mold portion and engaged in the cam track at least when the second and third mold portions are within a pre-selected distance of each other, the cam follower interacting with the cam track to cause relative movement of each pair of space defining surfaces, the cam follower being engaged in a first portion of the cam track when the mold portions are in the closed position, the first portion of the cam track also including a ramp to an intermediate portion defining a pre-release position of each pair of space defining surfaces so that the at least one molded article is loosely retained by the space defining surfaces;
• and
• a power operator carried by the third mold portion and coupled to the space defining surfaces, the power operator being responsive to a signal to move each pair of space defining surfaces from the pre-release position to a full release position.

An article molding assembly including a mold, a molded article receiver for receiving molded articles from the mold, and a release mechanism for releasing molded articles from the mold, the mold having a first mold portion, a second mold portion movable with respect to the first mold portion, and a third mold portion movably interposed between the first and second portions and having at least one pair of space defining surfaces which together with the first and second mold portions defines in a closed position at least one space for receiving plastic material injected therein to form at least one molded article, the second and the third mold portions being movable away from the first mold portion to permit removal of the at least one molded article from the first mold portion, the second mold portion being movable away from the third mold portion to remove the at least one molded article from the second mold portion, the release mechanism comprising:

• a guide coupled to the second mold portion forming a cam track;
• a cam follower coupled to the at least one pair of space defining surfaces of the third mold portion and engaged in the cam track at least when the second and third mold portions are within a pre-selected distance of each other, the cam follower interacting with the cam track to cause relative movement of each pair of space defining surfaces, the cam follower being engaged in a first portion of the cam track when the mold portions are in the closed position, the first portion of the cam track also including a ramp to a second portion, the second portion defining a pre-release position of each pair of space defining surfaces so that the at least one molded article is loosely retained by the space defining surfaces;
• and
• a power operator carried by the third mold portion and coupled to the space defining surfaces, the power operator being responsive to a signal indicating the relative position of the third mold portion and said molded article receiver to move each pair of space defining surfaces from the pre-release position to a full release position.