Bottle trimmer and method

A method of trimming flash extending in a plane from a plastic bottle forming a portion of a plastic one-bottle or multi-bottle blow molded log discharged from a blow mold, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) continuously moving a log holder and a punch assembly together along a path having an intake location and a discharge location, the punch assembly movable with respect to the log holder for relative movement of the punch assembly with the log holder while the log holder and punch assembly move together along said path, the punch assembly carrying a punch shaped to cut the flash away from the bottle, the punch movable with respect to the punch assembly;
• (b) placing an untrimmed log on the log holder when the log holder is at the intake location, the punch assembly spaced away from the log holder while the log is being placed on the log holder;
• (c) positioning the punch assembly adjacent the log holder after the log has been placed on the log holder, the punch spaced from and overlaying a first side of the flash in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flash when adjacent the log holder;
• (d) moving the punch towards the flash and impacting the flash with the punch to trim the flash from the bottle, the punch while moving toward and impacting the flash moving with respect to the plane of the flash in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the flash and without rotation towards or away from the plane of the flash;
• (e) moving the punch assembly from its position adjacent the log holder to a position spaced away from the log holder after the punch has trimmed the flash and before the log holder has reached the discharge location;
• and
• (f) removing the trimmed log from the log holder at the discharge location.