The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 31, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 26, 2003
Wayne A. Shakal, Taylors Falls, MN (US);
Wayne A. Shakal, Taylors Falls, MN (US);
Advance Tool, Inc., Blaine, MN (US);
Abstract
A molding machine and method for reducing the length of a mold cycle by enabling access to a previously molded part while the mold is closed. The machine includes a fixed platen and a platen movable toward and away from the fixed platen. A turret having a plurality of faces is positioned between the fixed and movable platens such that rotatation thereof brings different faces of the turret into alignment with the fixed platen. The fixed platen and at least two opposed turret faces have complementary mold halves that, when closed, define between them the desired shape of a part to be molded. The turret includes an actuator for moving the turret in the direction of movement of the movable platen between a molding position in which the mold halves of one turret face and the complementary mold halves of the fixed platen are closed on each other and an open position in which the turret may rotate about its axis of rotation, the actuator being capable of so moving the turret or of not moving the turret independently of the movement of the movable platen. Movement of the platen away from the turret without opening the mold enables time-saving access to a previously molded part at the opposite face of the turret.