Apparatus for placing mold charges into a compression molding machine

Abstract

An apparatus for placing a mold charge into a mold of a compression molding machine includes a carrier mounted for rotation around a first axis, at least one arm mounted on the carrier for rotation around a second axis at an angle to the first axis, and a mold charge pick-up cup on the arm for receiving a mold charge, transporting the mold charge and placing the mold charge into a mold of the compression molding machine. A cam is carried in stationary position adjacent to the carrier surrounding the first axis, and a cam follower is operatively coupled to the arm in engagement with the cam for rotating the arm and the mold charge pick-up cup around the second axis as the carrier is rotated around the first axis. The second axis of rotation of the arm preferably is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation of the carrier, and the cam and follower preferably are such that the mold charge pick-up cup is oriented horizontally to receive a mold charge and oriented vertically to deposit the mold charge in the mold of the compression molding machine. A control valve preferably is carried for selective application of vacuum and air under pressure through a passage in the arm to the mold charge pick-up cup to assist in pick-up, transport and deposit of the mold charge into the mold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.