Molding apparatus having an in-mold shutter

Abstract

An in-mold shutter (140) for embedding in an injection mold (100, 200, 300) is described herein. The in-mold shutter (140, 240, 340, 440, 540) includes a shutter actuator (148, 548) that is configured to selectively engage a first mold shoe (130) of the injection mold (100, 200, 300) with a platen of a mold clamping assembly (996) to hold the first mold shoe (130) in an extended position (E), along a mold-stroke axis (X), during a step of molding a first molded article (102A) in the injection mold (100, 200, 300). Also described herein is a molded article transfer device (150, 250) for use with the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The molded article transfer device (150, 250) includes a shuttle (154) that is slidably arranged, in use, within the injection mold (100, 200, 300). The shuttle (154) defines a first aperture (156A), at least in part, that alternately accommodates: (i) a first mold stack (106A, 206A, 306A) arranged therein; and (ii) a first molded article (102A) received therein with opening of the first mold stack (106A, 206A, 306A).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.