Articulated mold assembly and method of use thereof

摘要

An apparatus for molding articles includes a first mold carrier configured to angularly displace relative to a fixed structure from a first molding position to first accessing position and a second mold carrier traveling with the first mold carrier and configured to angularly displace relative to the first mold carrier from a second molding position to a second accessing position. The first mold carrier may be pivotably coupled to the fixed structure; the second mold carrier may be slidably and rotatably coupled to the first mold carrier. A third mold carrier may be provided, and the second mold carrier may be located between the first and third mold carriers. An articulation mechanism may be provided to control relative motion of the second mold carrier relative to the first mold carrier as the first mold carrier pivots relative to the fixed structure. A method for molding articles is also provided.

主权项

1. An apparatus for molding articles, the apparatus comprising:
a first mold carrier coupled to a fixed structure and configured to angularly displace relative to the fixed structure from a first molding position to a first accessing position; a second mold carrier traveling with the first mold carrier and configured to angularly displace relative to the first mold carrier from a second molding position to a second accessing position; and a third mold carrier configured to move from a third molding position in a first direction toward the first mold carrier when the first mold carrier is in the first molding position, and configured to move in a second direction transverse to the first direction to a third accessing position, and wherein the second mold carrier is located between the first mold carrier and the third mold carrier when the first mold carrier is in the first molding position and when the third mold carrier is in the third molding position.