Device and method for handling molded articles

An apparatus for handling molded articles comprising:

• a robotic transfer device that includes a first handling means thereon for, in use, receiving said molded articles in an array from a mold and transferring said array of molded articles to an arranging station, said mold having a pitch separation;
• and
• said arranging station which comprises:
• 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 grouping said first set and said second set of articles together in a linear array, said means for grouping being arranged to permit the pitch separation between adjacent articles to be reduced;
• and
• said robotic transfer device further comprises:
• a second handling means thereon that is configured for receiving, in use, said linear array from said arranging station and thereafter delivering and depositing said molded articles.

A method for handling molded articles using a robot supporting a multi-function take-out plate, the molded articles formed in a multi-cavity mold having a first pitch separation between adjacently molded articles, the method comprising:

• using the take-out plate to remove and transfer an array of molded articles from the mold;
• placing a plurality of sets of molded articles of said array onto a plurality of sets of pins;
• and
• manipulating the robot arm in a sequence to pick up the molded articles from the plurality of sets of pins in a linear array for subsequent delivery and deposition, the linear array of molded articles on the robot having a reduced pitch separation between adjacent injection molded articles relative to the first pitch separation in the mold.

A handling device for handling molded articles comprising an arranging station;

• said arranging station comprising:
• a support table;
• a first longitudinal receiving plate pivotably mounted to said support table about a first pivot axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said first receiving plate;
• a first holder arranged on said first receiving plate for holding, in use, an end of a first molded article on said first receiving plate;
• a second longitudinal receiving plate pivotably mounted to said support table about a second pivot axis that is substantially parallel to both a longitudinal axis of said second receiving plate and said first pivot axis;
• a second holder arranged on said second receiving plate for holding, in use, an end of a second molded article on said second receiving plate;
• said first and second receiving plates being pivotable about said first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a loading position and an interlacing position;
• said first and second receiving plates being mutually positioned on said support table to include a spacing therebetween that is sufficient to at least partially interlace, in use, said first and second molded articles when said first and second receiving plates are in their interlacing position, and wherein said first and second holders, located thereon, are arranged in a staggered relation to the extent that a longitudinal gap of at least the width of an article exists therebetween;
• an actuator for pivoting said first and second receiving plates about their respective pivot axis so as to bring said articles side-by-side in a linear array between said receiving plates;
• and
• a means for releasing said articles from said first and second holders.