GB1368698A - Apparatus for extracting hollow moulded articles from a moulding device and for subsequently stacking and discharging the articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1368698 Stacking articles INJELEC 19 June-1972 [21 June 1971] 28558/72 Heading B8C An apparatus for extracting from a moulding device, hollow articles such as cups a and for subsequent stacking and discharge of the articles, comprises extraction means having suction means 22 for holding the articles released by the moulding device, to change the orientation of the articles and to deposit them on a receiving plate 28 in a condition in which they are partially inserted in each other, stacker means having a reciprocating motion for axially pushing each article previously deposited on the plate by the extraction means in order to fully insert the article in the previous one and to axially move the same, and discharge means comprising retractable abutments associated with conveying means for axially expelling the stacks obtained when the latter comprise a predetermined number of articles. As shown, in which the apparatus is associated with a machine for manufacturing cups a from a strip 5 of plastics material in a two-part mould 1, 2, the movable part 2 is integral with a vertically slidable plate 3 and produces four cups a simultaneously. A tubular shaft 10 supported in bearings 11, is slidable in apertures 9a and on guides 13 by means of a double acting jack 16, and one end of the tube is connected by a crank 18, the free end of which operates in a curved ramp 20a in a side member 20. A source of vacuum is applied to the other end of tube 10 which is also provided with four suction devices 22. In use, and with the tube 10 in its advanced position, the devices 22 engage the cups a as they are released from the mould and as the tube is retracted by the jack 16, the cups are orientated by virtue of the crank 18 and are deposited on the plate 28. During this motion, the tube 10 is vented to atmosphere by means of a valve mechanism (23), Fig. 5 (not shown), which as the tube 10 rotates, moves a part (10a) of the tube away from a valve plate (24). As the mould part 2 again moves upwardly, a stirrup arm 29 on a shaft 30 is moved by a crank 32 connected to the plate 3 and attached to the shaft 30, to push the cups into a meshing arrangement on the plate 28, where they are held by jacks 35 which project through the plate. The jacks 35 are supported on rails 38 along which they are movable by a jack 39, 40. The jacks 35 and 39, 40 are controlled by a counting mechanism 3<SP>11</SP> associated with a feeler 3<SP>1</SP> on the plate 3 of the mould.