WO2013026145A1

WO2013026145A1 - Post-mold cooling injection molded articles

Info

Publication number: WO2013026145A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/000788
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert D. Schad SCHAD; Daniel Jung; Michael-Anthony TEDESCO
Original assignee: Athena Automation Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-08-24
Filing date: 2012-08-24
Publication date: 2013-02-28
Also published as: WO2013026144A1

Abstract

An injection molding machine includes a machine base; a stationary platen mounted to the base for supporting a stationary mold half; and a moving platen slidably supported by the base for supporting a moving mold half, the moving platen translatable along a machine axis between an advanced and a mold-change position. An inter-platen space extends axially between the stationary and moving platens when the moving platen is in the mold-change position. The machine further includes a take-out plate for reaching between the platens to remove molded parts from one of the mold halves; and a transfer shell coupled to the base along a linear slide. The shell is moveable to a maintenance position in which the shell is generally clear of the inter-platen space when viewed from a non-operator side of the machine.

Description

TITLE; POST-MOLD COOLING INJECTION MOLDED ARTICLES

FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to injection molding machines, and methods and apparatuses for post-mold cooling injection molded articles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,767 (Schad) relates to an apparatus for producing molded plastic articles which is capable of simultaneously producing and cooling the plastic articles. The apparatus has a stationary mold half having at least one cavity, at least two mating mold portions, each having at least one core element, mounted to a movable carrier plate which aligns a first one of the mating mold portions with the stationary mold half and positions a second of the mating mold portions in a cooling position, a device for cooling the molded plastic article(s) when in the cooling position, and a device for moving the carrier plate along a first axis so that the aligned mold portion abuts the stationary mold half and the second mating mold portion simultaneously brings each plastic article(s) thereon into contact with the cooling device. The carrier plate is also rotatable about an axis parallel to the first axis to permit different ones of the mating mold portions to assume the aligned position during different molding cycles.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,431 (Neter) discloses a rotary cooling station to be used in conjunction with a high output injection molding machine and a robot having a take-out plate. A high speed robot transfers warm preforms onto a separate rotary cooling station where they are retained and internally cooled by specialized cores. The preforms may also be simultaneously cooled from the outside to speed up the cooling rate and thus avoid the formation of crystallinity zones Solutions for the retention and ejection of the cooled preforms are described. The rotary cooling station of the present invention may be used to cool molded articles made of a single material or multiple materials.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,391 ,244 (Chen) discloses a take-out device for use with a machine for injection molding plastic articles such as PET preforms. The take-out device has a plurality of cooling tubes that receive hot preforms from the molding machine, carry them to a position remote from the molds of the machine for cooling, and then eject the cooled preforms onto a conveyor or other handling apparatus. The preforms are retained within the cooling tubes by vacuum pressure, but are then ejected by positive air pressure. A retaining plate spaced slightly outwardly beyond the outer ends of the cooling tubes is shiftable into a closed position in which it momentarily blocks ejection of the preforms during the application positive air pressure, yet allows them to be dislodged slightly axially outwardly from the tubes. Such slight dislodging movement is inadequate to vent the air system to atmosphere such that sufficient dislodging air pressure remains in tubes where the preforms might otherwise tend to stick and resist ejection. After the momentary delay, the plate is shifted to an open position in which all of the dislodged preforms are freed to be pushed out of the tubes by the air pressure. Preferably, the retaining plate is provided with specially shaped holes having pass-through portions that become aligned with the tubes when the plate is in its open position, and smaller diameter blocking portions that become aligned with the tubes when the plate is in its closed position. The smaller diameter blocking portions exceed the diameter of the neck of the preforms but are smaller in diameter than the flanges of the preforms such that surface areas around the blocking portions overlie the flanges to block ejection of the preforms as they undergo their dislodging movement.

[0005] EP Pat. No 1515829 (Unterlander) relates to a method and apparatus for cooling molded plastic articles after molding is finished In particular, the disclosed invention relates to method and apparatus for a post mold cooling ("PMC") device having at least two opposed faces. The method and apparatus are, according to the inventors, particularly well suited for cooling injection molded thermoplastic polyester polymer materials such as polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") preforms.

SUMMARY

[0006] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention. In general, disclosed herein are one or more methods or apparatuses related to injection molding, and to cooling injection molded articles outside the mold area of an injection molding machine.

According to some aspects of the teaching disclosed herein, an injection maiding machine, includes a machine base; a stationary platen mounted to the base for supporting a stationary mold half; a moving platen slidably supported by the base for supporting a moving mold half, the moving platen translatable along a machine axis between an advanced and a mold-change position, an inter-platen space extending axially between the stationary and moving platens when the moving platen is in the mold-change position; a take-out plate for reaching between the platens to remove molded parts from one of the mold halves; and a transfer shell coupled to the base along a linear slide, the shell having at least one shell side rotatable into and out of a load position, the shell slidable along the linear slide between at least one shell working position and a shell maintenance position, wherein when the shell is in the at least one working position and the shell side is oriented in the load position, the shell side is engageable by the take-out plate and is positioned axially within the inter-platen space, and when the shell is in the maintenance position, the shell side is retracted away from the stationary platen and is generally clear of the inter-platen space when viewed from a non-operator side of the machine. [0007) In some examples, the platens have respective mounting faces to which molds are affixed, and the inter-platen space may extend parallel to the machine axis from the mounting face of the stationary platen to the mounting face of the moving platen. The shell side may be generally oriented in a vertical plane orthogonal to the machine axis when oriented in the load position.

[0008] The machine may include at least one upper tie bar and at least one lower tie bar, the upper and lower tie bars extending between the platens for applying a clamping force across the mold halves, the shell side having upper and lower edges generally positioned at a vertical elevation between that of the upper and lower tie bars The robot may be slidable, in a direction parallel to the machine axis and away from the moving platen, from a robot working position to a robot maintenance position. The robot may be supported on the linear slide to which the transfer shell is coupled.

[0009] In some examples, when the shell is in the shell maintenance position and the robot is in the robot maintenance position, a receiver clearance may be formed between axially inwardly directed faces of take-out tubes supported by the robot and opposed axially inwardly directed tips of pins mounted to the shell side in the load position. The magnitude of the receiver clearance may be at least as large as 50 percent of the inter-platen access space when the moving platen is in the mold-change position In some examples, the receiver clearance may be more than 600mm.

According to some aspects, an injection molding machine includes a machine base; opposed platens supported by the base and defining a mold area between the platens; an unload conveyor supported by the base, the unload conveyor siideably adjustable relative to the base along a slide axis; and a part handling apparatus for transferring molded articles from the mold area to the unload conveyor. [0010] In some examples, the machine may include an adjustable mount securing the conveyor to the machine base. The adjustable mount may include a linear slide affixed to the machine base and a carriage slideably coupled to the linear slide, the unload conveyor fixed to the carriage. The linear slide may include at least one rail affixed to a sidewall of the base, and the carriage may comprise a shoe retained in sliding engagement with the rail. The rail may be generally horizontal and parallel to the slide axis.

[0011] In some examples, the part handling apparatus may comprise a transfer shell spaced away from the mold area, the transfer shell having at least a first shell side moveable between a load station for receiving the molded articles from the mold area and an unload station for dispensing the molded articles from the shell side onto the unload conveyor. The transfer shell may be slideably coupled to the base and moveable independently of the platens. The transfer shell may be coupled to the conveyor and slidable with the conveyor relative to the base. The transfer shell may be attached to the carriage.

[0012] In some examples the machine may include a rotary mount for attaching the cooling shell to the carnage, the rotary mount defining a shell axis about which the shell can rotate when moving the first shell side between the load and stations, and the shell axis may be fixed in position relative to the carriage. The machine may include a fluid pressurization device fixed relative to the conveyor, wherein the fluid pressurization device has a negative pressure inlet and a positive pressure outlet, and at least one of the inlet and outlet may be in fluid communication with a chamber of the cooling shell. The first shell side may include a plurality of transfer pins extending therefrom, and each transfer pin may have a hollow interior conduit in fluid communication with the chamber.

[0013] The part handling apparatus may further comprise a take-out robot supported by the base, the take-out robot configured to reach between the platens to transfer the molded articles from the mold area to the cooling shell. The take-out robot may be slideably coupled to the base, and may be coupled to the linear slide.

[0014] In some examples, the machine may include a supplemental cooling device supported by the base.The supplemental cooling device may comprise a plurality of supplemental tubes for receiving molded articles from the cooling shell and conductively cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles retained therein. The supplemental cooling device may be coupled to the linear slide, and the transfer shell may be disposed axially intermediate the take-out robot and the supplemental cooling device.

[0015] Other aspects and features of the present specification will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review Of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 is a back perspective view of an injection molding machine in accordance with or more aspects of the teaching disclosed herein;

[0018] Figure 2 is a front view of an exemplary article formed by the machine of Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 2A is a top view of the article of Figure 2;

[0020] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 2A, taken along the lines 2B-2B;

[0021 ] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the machine of Figure 1 , from the reverse side, showing part handling features in greater detail;

[0022] Figure 4 is a back (non-operator side) elevation view of a portion of the machine of Figure 3;

[0023] Figure 5 is an elevation view of another portion of the part handling apparatus of Figure 1 , including a take-out plate,

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic view of a portion of the machine of Figure 3 taken along the lines 6-6; showing a take-out plate partially advanced towards the shell,

[0025] Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing air flow through a pin and a preform retained on the pin;

[0026] Figure 8 is a perspective view of portions of an alternate part handling apparatus;

[0027] Figure 9 is an elevation view of the structure of Figure 8;

[0028] Figure 10 is an elevation view from the non-operator side of a portion of another example of an injection molding machine, with a robot and transfer shell shown in working positions;

[0029] Figure 11 is an elevation view of the portion of the machine of Figure 10, with the robot and transfer shell shown in maintenance positions;

[0030] Figure 12 is a perspective view of portions of another alternate injection molding machine, showing a take-out robot engaged with a transfer Shell;

[0031] Figure 13 is a side elevation view of the structure of Figure 12, showing the take-out robot and transfer shell in their maintenance positions; and [0032] Figure 14 is an end elevation view of a portion of the structure of Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1 , an example of an injection molding machine 100 includes a base 102, with a stationary platen 104 and a moving platen 106 mounted to the base 102 and coupled together via tie bars 108. The moving platen 106 can translate towards and away from the stationary platen 104 along a machine axis 105. A mold 107 is formed between the platens 104, 106, the mold 107 defined at least in part by a first mold half 104a mounted to the stationary platen 104, and a second mold half 106a mounted to the moving platen 106 An injection unit 110 is mounted to the base 102 for injecting resin or other mold material into the mold 107 to form a molded article.

[0035] In the example illustrated, the injection molding machine 100 is shown set up for molding preforms that can be used as input material for subsequent processing, for example, a blow molding operation to produce beverage containers. With reference to Figure 2, an exemplary preform 112 comprises a generally elongate tubular article extending along a preform axis 14, and having opposing open and dosed ends 116, 118 A threaded portion 120 for receiving a closure may be provided adjacent the open end 116. A radially outwardly extending annular flange 122 may be disposed adjacent the threaded portion 120, with the threaded portion 120 disposed axially between the open end 116 and the flange 122. The preforms have an inner surface 124 that can include a generally cylindrical inner wall portion 124a along the axial extent of the preform (between the open and closed ends), and a generally concave inner end portion 124b at the closed end. The preforms 112 have an outer surface 126 spaced apart from the inner surface 124 that can include a generally cylindrical outer wall portion 126a along the axial extent of the preform and a convex outer end portion 1 6b at the closed end. The spacing between the inner and outer surfaces 124, 126 generally defines a preform wall thickness 128.

[0036] With reference again to Figure 1 , in the example illustrated for producing the preforms, the first mold half 104a (attached to the stationary platen 104) can comprise a cavity side of the mold 107 having recesses (or mold cavities) 130 for forming the outer surface 126 of the preforms 112. The second mold half 106a can comprise a core side of the mold 107 having mold core pins 132 for insertion into the mold cavities 130 and forming the inner surface 124 of the preforms 112. In the example illustrated, the machine 100 has an equal quantity of mold cavities 130 and mold pins 132, this quantity defining the cavitation number of the mold 107. Typical mold cavitation numbers include 16, 32, 48, 96 or more. In the example illustrated, the mold cavitation number is 16, and the mold has 16 mold cavities 130 and 16 mold pins 132. [0037] Referring also to Figure 3, the injection molding machine 100 is, in the example illustrated, provided with a part-handling apparatus 140 for moving and/or treating articles formed in the mold 107 of the machine. The part-handling apparatus 140 comprises a rotary transfer shell 142 having one or more shell sides 144, each shell side 144 rotatable together with the cooling shell 142 about a shell axis 146. In the example illustrated, the shell axis 146 is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the machine axis 105. The transfer shell 142 has (in the example illustrated) four generally planar sides 144a, 144b, 144c, and 144d (first to fourth sides, respectively), adjacent sides arranged generally perpendicular to each other and joined along shell joint edges 148. The shell joint edges 148 are, in the example illustrated, parallel to the shell axis 1 6.

[0038] With reference to Figure 4, the shell 142 has a plurality of interior shell side chambers 149 associated with respective ones of the sides 144 of the shell 142. In the example illustrated, the shell side chambers 149 include a first shell side chamber 149a adjacent (and/or bounded at least in part by) an inner surface of the first side 144a The shell 142 further includes second, third and fourth shell side chambers 149b, 149c, and 149d, respectively, each adjacent (and/or bounded at least partially by) an inner surface of the second side 144b, third side 144c, and fourth side I44d, respectively,

[0039] Rotation of the cooling shell 142 about the shell axis 146 can move the sides 144 between various stations 150. In the example illustrated, the stations 150 comprise four stations, namely, 150a-150d (Fig. 4) generally spaced apart by 90 degree increments about the shell axis 146. One of the stations (e.g. first station 150a) can comprise a load station for loading articles onto the shell 142, and another station (e g. fourth station 150d) can comprise an unload station 150d for unloading articles from the shell 142. At least one optional supplemental treatment station can be provided between the load and unload stations 150a, 150d.

[0040] In the example illustrated, a side of the shell 142 is in the load station 150a when it is in a vertical orientation and nearest (along the machine axis) to the mold 107. In Figure 4, the first side 144a of the shell is in the load station 150a. A side of the shell 142 is, in the example illustrated, in the unload station 150d when it is oriented in a generally horizontal plane beneath the shell axis 146. In Figure 4, the second side 144b of the shell is in the unload station 150d. At least one of the second and third stations 50b, 50c can comprise an optional supplemental treatment station In the example illustrated, the second station 150b comprises a first supplemental treatment station, opposite the unload station 150d, and the third station 150c comprises an optional second supplemental treatment station provided opposite the load station 150a. The supplemental cooling stations may repeat a portion or all of the same cooling treatment as provided at the load and/or unload station. Optionally, the supplemental cooling stations may provide additional cooling treatment, such as, for example, cooling fluid along exterior surfaces of the preforms.

[0041] In the example illustrated, the shell rotates in a clock-wise direction about the shell axis when viewed from the front of the shell (i.e. when facing the non-operator side of the machine 00) as shown in Figure 4. Indexing the shell (i.e. rotating the shell 90 degrees) moves a side (e.g. first side 144a) from the load station 150a to the first supplemental treatment station 150b, and simultaneously moves another side (e.g. the second side 144b) from the unload station I50d to the load station 150a. Indexing the cooling shell another 90 degrees moves the first side 144a (in the example illustrated) to the second supplemental treatment station 150c, positioned opposite the load station 150a. A further 90 degree index (i.e. a total of 270 degrees from the load station 150a) moves the first side 144a to the unload station 150d. In alternate examples, the shell can rotate clockwise, or can alternate between clockwise and counter clockwise rotation during various points of the machine cycle.

[0042] With reference to Figure 3, in the example illustrated, the part- handling apparatus 1 0 further comprises a plurality of shell receivers in the form of transfer pins 154 configured to have preforms 12 loaded on the pins 154 and to help retain the preforms 112 on the transfer shell 142 as the shell indexes the sides among the stations 150. The transfer shell 142 can optionally provide cooling to the preforms 112 loaded on the shell. For example, the transfer pins 154 are, in the example illustrated, configured to provide cooling to interior surfaces of the preforms, and to have preforms retained on the pins as the cooling shell indexes the sides 144 among the various stations 150. The transfer pins 154 of the illustrated example may also be referred to as retaining cooling pins, and the transfer shell 142 of the illustrated example may also be referred to as a cooling shell.

[0043] In the example illustrated, the plurality of retaining cooling pins includes a first receiver set of retaining cooling pins 54a and at least a second receiver set of retaining cooling pins 154b disposed on each side 144 of the shell 142. Each one of the receiver sets may have an equal quantity of individual receivers (e.g. individual retaining cooling pins 154), and the quantity of retaining cooling pins 154 in each set may be equal to the cavitation number of the mold 107. In the example illustrated, each receiver set has 16 receivers (first receiver set has 16 first retaining cooling pins 154a, and second receiver set has 16 second retaining cooling pins 154b--see Fig 3). There are two receiver sets per side 44 providing a total of 32 receivers (i.e. 32 retaining cooling pins 154) per side of the cooling shell 142 and a total of eight receiver sets on the Shell 142 (a total of 128 retaining cooling pins154 on the shell). [0044] Referring again to Figure 3, the part handling apparatus 140 may comprise a fluid pressurization device 401 for urging a flow of fluid through the fluid channels 162. The fluid pressurization device can be a blower in fluid communication with one or more of the shell side chambers 149. In the example illustrated, the fluid pressurization device 401 is an air blower that has an inlet 403 for drawing air into the device 401, and an outlet 405 for expelling air from the device 401 , and provides a pressure differential between the inlet 403 and the outlet 405. The fluid pressure at the outlet 405 is greater than the fluid pressure at the inlet 403, and in the example illustrated, the fluid pressure at the outlet 405 is greater than atmospheric pressure and the fluid pressure at the inlet 403 is less than atmospheric pressure. The fluid pressurization device 401 can positively pressurize or negatively pressurize a space by connection to the outlet 405 or inlet 403, respectively.

[0045] Referring to Figure 3, the transfer shell 142 may further be provided with a plurality of load station cooling pins 354 on each side 144 of the shell 142. The load station cooling pins are, in the example illustrated, similar to the retaining cooling pins 154, and like features are identified by the reference numerals, incremented by 200. In the example illustrated, each side 144 of the shell 142 has a group of load station cooling pins comprising a set of pins arranged in the same pin pattern as the retaining cooling pins 154 (16 pins arranged in four rows and four columns, in the example illustrated), plus one additional column of load station cooling pins (a fifth column of four pins). This provides a total of 20 load station cooling pins per side 144, and a total of 80 load station cooling pins 354 on the shell 142 (in the example illustrated).

[0046] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, a take-out plate 164 is reciprocally movable between the mold 107 and the cooling shell 142 for transferring articles therebetween. The take-out plate generally transfers articles from the mold to a position outside the mold for engagement by the pins 154, 354 of a side 144 of the cooling shell positioned in the load station. When the first side 144a is in the load station 150a, articles are transferred to one of the first and at least second set retaining cooling pins 154a, 154b of the first side 144a of the cooling shell 142 during one (a first) injection cycle, and articles are transferred from the mold to the retaining cooling pins 154a, 154b of another one of the first and at least second sets of the first side 144a during another (a second) injection cycle. In the example, illustrated, while one set of retaining cooling pins 154a or 154b engages one set of performs 1 12 in the take-out plate, a second set of preforms 112 in the take-out plate is engaged by one set of the load station cooling pins 354 (i.e engaged by the central subgroup of load station cooling pins 354 in the central three columns, plus the pins 354 of one of the columns on either side thereof). In this specification, numbering of injection cycles is used to identify distinct injection cycles, and incremental numbering does not necessarily define a particular order or succession of cycles (incremental numbering may define a particular order in some parts of the discussion where such ordering is expressly specified).

[0047] In the example illustrated, the take-out plate 164 is joined to a linear robot 165 that can translate the take-out plate 164 along a first robot axis 66 between at least one advanced position in which the take-out plate is disposed between the mold halves 104a, 106a, and at least one retracted position in which the take-out plate 164 is clear of the mold 07 (Figure 3) In the example illustrated, the first robot axis 166 is parallel to the shell axis 146. Furthermore, the take-out plate 164 is, in the example illustrated, optionally translatable along a second robot axis 68 that is parallel to the machine axis 105.

[0048] The take-out plate 164 has a quantity of transfer tubes 170 for receiving molded articles from the mold core pins 132. The quantity of transfer tubes 170 can be equal to or greater than the cavitation number of the mold 107 and can be equal to or greater than the quantity of individual retaining cooling pins 154 in each receiver set. In the example illustrated, the quantity of transfer tubes 70 provided on the take-out plate 164 comprises a first set of 16 tubes 170a and a second set of 16 tubes 70b, for a total of 32 transfer tubes. The first set transfer tubes 70a of the take-out plate 164 are, in the example illustrated, spaced apart from each other in a tube pattern of four rows and four columns that matches the pin patter The second set transfer tubes 170b are similarly spaced apart from each other in the same tube pattern of four rows and four columns, and in the example illustrated, are interlaced with first set tubes 170a.

[0049] In the example illustrated, the take-out plate 164 can be moved to a first advanced position (along the first robot axis 166) in which the first set tubes 170a are aligned with the mold core pins 132 to receive preforms 112 therefrom, and a second advanced position (along the first robot axis 166) in which the second set tubes 170b are aligned with the mold core pins 132.

[0050] The take-out plate 164 can also be moved to at least one retracted position (along the first robot axis 166) for selectively aligning the transfer tubes 70 with pins 154, 354 on the side 144 of side of the shell in the load station 150a. In the example illustrated, the take-out plate 164 is movable relative to the cooling shell for selectively aligning one set of the tubes 170a or 170b with the retaining cooling pins 154a or 154b of one of the at least two receiver sets, while simultaneously aligning the tubes 170a or 170b of the other tube set with a corresponding set of the load station cooling pins 354.

[0051] More particularly, in the example illustrated, the take-out plate 164 can be moved to a first retracted position (along the first robot axis 166) in which the first set tubes 170a are aligned with the first set retaining cooling pins 154a, and a second retracted position (along the first robot axis 166) in which the second set tubes 170b are aligned with the second set retaining cooling pins 154b. In Figure 6, the take-out plate first retracted position is shown in phantom, and the second retracted position is shown in solid line. In the example illustrated, when in the first retracted position, the second set tubes 170b are aligned with respective ones of the load station cooling pins 354 forming a first set of 16 pins 354, including left-most pins 354a. When in the second retracted position, the first set tubes 170a are aligned with respective ones of the load station cooling pins 354 forming a second set of pins, including the right-most pins 354b.

[0052] At the cooling shell 142, a period of prolonged cooling can be applied by holding multiple sets of preforms on the shell. In the example illustrated, the cooling shell holds a total of eight sets of preforms, and at least seven injection cycles elapse between the time that a particular set of preforms is loaded onto a set of retaining cooling pins of the cooling shell and the time that such particular set of preforms is unloaded from the cooling shell. Cooling is provided to interior surfaces of the preforms during the entire time that the preforms are loaded on the cooling shell, by, for example, continuously urging a flow of cooling fluid along the inner surface of the preforms either into or out from the second openings 162b of the channels 162

[0053] The sequence can, in some examples, comprise indexing the cooling shell only once for every two successive injection cycles For example, with the first side 144a at the unload station 150d, both sets 152a, 152b of pins can be emptied immediately prior to indexing the cooling shell to move the first side to the load station. When at the load station 150a. articles from one injection cycle can be loaded onto one set of empty pins (e.g. the first set 152a of pins), the shell 142 can hold its orientation, and articles from the next injection cycle can be loaded onto the second set 152b of empty pins. After the second set 152b of pins has been loaded with articles (e.g. preforms 112), the cooling shell 142 can be indexed to move the second side 144b of the cooling shell from the unload station 150d (at which both sets of pins have been emptied) to the load station 150a. [0054] In the example illustrated, after a first set of articles from one injection cycle has been transferred onto the first set of pins 154a of one side of the cooling shell, a second set of articles from a subsequent injection cycle is transferred to the second set of pins 154b on that same side of the cooling shell while the first set of articles remain on the first set of pins At least one set of articles is removed from each side of the shell when at the unload station 150d.

[0055] Referring again to Figure 3, the fluid pressurization device 401 may be spaced apart from the cooling shell 142 and is, in the example illustrated, disposed adjacent the support column (or upright) 462 to which the cooling shell 42 is mounted. The blower can be fixed to and supported by the support column 462. The support column 462 is, in the example illustrated, adjustably supported by a rail 407 fixed to the machine base 102 and oriented parallel to the machine axis 105. The rail 407 can be engaged by bearing shoes 409 fixed to the support column 462. This can facilitate adjusting the axial position of the cooling shell in response to the axial length of a particular pre-form being produced. For example, when producing shorter preforms, the cooling shell can be moved along the rail towards the stationary platen 104 (and then locked in place), which can reduce the length of x-axis travel that the take-out plate must traverse when moving parts from the mold to the shell Furthermore, in the example illustrated, the rail 407 used to support the support column 462 is the same rail used to support the robot to which the take-out plate is attached. This can facilitate providing correct and accurate relative alignment between the take-out plate and the cooling shell.

[0056] In use, a first set of pre-forms is loaded onto the first set of transfer tubes of the take-out plate The take-out plate shuttles out of the mold area so a second set of molded articles can be produced in the mold.

[0057] Upon removal from the mold area, the take-out plate is moved towards the cooling shell, with the load station cooling pins of the first side entering into the first set of pre-forms held in the first set transfer tubes 170a. In the example illustrated, vacuum through each load station cooling pin 354 draws ambient air into the open end of the pre-form, in the intermediate space 502 between the inner surface of the pre-form and the outer surface of the pin. In other examples, pressurized air can be blown through the load station cooling pin towards an inner surface of the pre-form, and the air can thereafter vent to atmosphere through the gap between the inner surface of the pre-form and the outer surface of the load station cooling pin 354.

[0058] Prior to completion of molding the second set of preforms, the take-out plate is moved away from the cooling shell, and when the mold opens, the take-out plate enters the mold area and the second set of molded articles is loaded onto the second set of transfer tubes 170b. The take-out plate then shuttles out of the mold area, so a third set of molded articles can be produced in the mold

[0059] Upon removal from the mold area, the take-out plate is moved towards the cooling shell, with the load station cooling pins of the first side entering into the Gust-molded) second set of pre-forms, and with the first set of retainer cooling pins 154a simultaneously entering into the first set of preforms in the take-out plate. In the examples illustrated, the retainer cooling pins cool the second set by vacuum. In other examples, pressurized air can be blown through the retainer cooling pins as described above in regard to the load station cooling pins.

[0060] Prior to completion of molding the third set, the first set of preforms are ejected from the first set of transfer tubes 170a (by pins, stripper plate, air pressure, or other means) to effect transfer of the first set of preforms from the first set of transfer tubes 170a onto the first set of retainer cooling pins 154a, where they are held in place and also further cooled by the continued application of, in the example illustrated, vacuum through the retainer cooling pins. [0061] With reference to Figure 7, a retaining/cooling air flow (depicted at arrow 505) is urged through the intermediate space 501 between the preform and the transfer pin 154. In the example illustrated, a vacuum is applied through the channel 162. This draws ambient air into the intermediate space through a gap 503 near the opening of the preform, and then through a narrowed annular flow gate 506 downstream of the gap 503. The air is evacuated from the intermediate space via the channel 162 which in the example illustrated has larger cross-sectional area than that of the flow gate. This provides a continuous flow of convective-cooling air while simultaneously generating a vacuum in the intermediate space for retaining the preform on the pin.

[0062] After transfer, the take-out plate is moved away from the cooling shell, and when the mold opens, the take-out plate enters the mold area and the third set of molded articles is loaded onto the just-emptied first set of transfer tubes 0a. The take-out plate can then shuttle out of the mold area, so a fourth set of molded articles can be produced in the mold

[0063] Upon removal from the mold area, the take-out plate is moved towards the cooling shell, with the load station cooling pins 354 of the first side 144a entering into the third set of pre-forms, and with the second set of retainer cooling pins 154b simultaneously entering into the second set of preforms in the take-out plate. Pockets or openings 531 in the take-out plate 164 can accommodate the advancing first set of pre-forms (already transferred onto the first set of retainer cooling pins) to avoid interference. The load station cooling pins can cool the third set by vacuum or pressurized air, as described previously. The second set of retainer cooling pins 154b cool the second set of preforms by vacuum.

[0064] Prior to completion of molding the fourth set, the second set of pre-forms are transferred to the second set of retainer cooling pins 154b from the second set of transfer tubes 170b, where they are held in place and also further cooled by the continued application of vacuum through the retainer cooling pins 154b. After transfer, the take-out plate is moved away from the cooling shell, and when the mold opens, the take-out plate enters the mold area and the fourth set of molded articles is loaded into the just-emptied first set of transfer tubes

[0065] At this point, both sets of retainer cooling pins 154 on the first side of the cooling shell are loaded with pre-forms, and the cooling shell indexes 90 degrees. The above steps are repeated for the next (second) side

[0066] When the first side 144a ultimately is indexed to the unload station 150d, the fourth side 44d will be at the load station 150a, After both sets of retainer cooling pins on the fourth side 144d are loaded with preforms, and before the fourth side is ready to index out of the load station, the vacuum to both of sets of retainer cooling pins on the first side can be switched to neutral pressure or to positive pressure, helping the first and second sets of preforms to be ejected from the cooling shell.

[0067] The machine 1100 further includes a part handling apparatus 140 including a transfer shell 1142. The transfer shell 1 42 may have one or more sides 1144 with pins mounted thereto for cooling and/or holding preforms made in the mold 1104a, 106a of the machine 1100. In the example illustrated, the transfer shell has a single side 1 44 with a plurality of pins mounted thereto. The side 2144 of the shell is also referred to as the pin side 1144 of the shell 1142. The shell 1144 has, in the example illustrated, a single shell side chamber (also called a pin side chamber) 1149 inside the shell 2144, adjacent the pin side 1144.

[0068] The shell 1142 is rotatable about a shell axis 1146 for moving the pin side 1144 between an unload station (Figure 8) and a load station (Figure 9), In the example illustrated, the pin side is generally vertical when in the load station, and generally horizontal when in the unload station, rotating back and forth through 90 degrees of rotation to move between the two stations.

[0069] The plurality of pins includes at least a plurality of load station cooling pins 354 and a plurality of retaining cooling pins 1154. The load station cooling pins 1354 may be configured to interact with preforms only when the preforms are in the load station. The retaining cooling pins 1154 may be configured to interact with preforms that are positioned in the load station, the unload station, and/or preforms that are moving between the load station and unload station.

[0070] The number of retaining cooling pins 1154 may be equal to or greater than the cavitation number of the mold. In the example illustrated, the number of retaining cooling pins 1154 is twice the cavitation number of the mold, the pins 1 54 arranged in a first set of retaining cooling pins 1154a and a second set of retaining cooling pins 1154b. The plurality of load station cooling pins 1354 comprises a group of pins equal to one set of pins plus one additional column of pins (i.e. twenty load station cooling pins in the example illustrated).

[0071] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, another embodiment of a part handling apparatus 1140' is shown. The part handling apparatus 1140' is similar in many respects to the part handling apparatus 140, and like features are identified by like reference characters incremented by 1000 and suffixed with a prime (') indication.

[0072] The part handling apparatus 1140 includes a transfer shell 1 42 having two sides, 1144a and 1144b. In Figure 8, side 1144a is shown in a load station 150a, for interaction with a take-out plate 1 164. Each side has first and second sets of retaining cooling pins 1154a and 1 154b (a total of 32 retaining cooling pins 1154 per side, and a total of 64 retaining cooling pins 1154 on the shell 1142). The shell 1142 has corresponding shell side chambers 1149a and 1149b internal to the shell for fluid communication between the retaining cooling pins 1 154 and a fluid pressurization device (not shown). The shell 1142 also has one group of 20 load station cooling pins 1354 on each side 1144a and 1144b, a total of 40 load station cooling pins 1354 on the shell 1 142.

[0073] The two-sided shell 1 142 can facilitate efficiency for some applications, such as, for example, smaller volume part production.

[0074] Referring now to Figure 10, another example of an injection molding machine 2100 is shown. The machine 2100 has similarities to the machine 100, and like features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 2000.

[0075) In the example illustrated, the machine base 2102 has a stationary platen 2104 and a moving platen 2106 mounted thereon. The stationary platen 2104 supports a stationary mold half 2104a, and the moving platen supports a moving mold half 2106a. The moving platen 2106 is slidable along the machine axis 2105 towards and away from the stationary platen, to close and open the mold formed by the mold halves,

[0076] When the moving platen is translated away from the stationary platen generally as far as possible (at or near its retraction travel limit), the moving platen 2106 is in a mold-change position 2601 (as shown in Figures 17 and 18). At this position (i.e. the moving platen in the mold-change position), an inter-platen access space 2603 is provided axially between the stationary and moving platens. The inter-platen access space 2603 is generally defined by the axial distance between the opposed front faces 2104f and 2106f of the stationary and moving platens, respectively, when the moving platen is in the retracted, mold-change position. A relatively large inter-platen access space can improve access to parts of the machine, and can, for example, help make it easier to change the molds or to perform inspections or maintenance of the molds or other parts of the machine near the platens When molds are moved to the platens, the space between the moving and stationary platens (with tooling) is generally reduced by the sum of the heights of the molds halves 2104a, 2106a when mounted to the respective platens 2104, 2106.

[0077] The cooling shell 2142 is adjustably coupled to the base by, in the example illustrated, a support column 2462. The support column 2462 is coupled to a linear slide 2406 extending parallel to the machine axis. The linear slide 2406 comprises at least one linear rail 2407 fixed to a sidewall of the base 2102. A pair of bearing shoes 2409 are fixed to the support column 2409 and retained in sliding engagement with the rail 2407. In the example illustrated, the take-out plate 2164 is movably supported by a robot 2 65 that is slidably coupled to the same rail 2407.

[0078] The shell 2142 is slidable along a linear slide relative to the base between at least one shell working position 2605 (Fig. 10) and a shell maintenance position 2607 (Fig. 1 ). When in the shell working position 2605, the shell is engageable by the take-out plate and positioned axially between the maintenance position 2607 and the stationary platen 2104 In the working position, the shell is spaced apart from the stationary platen 2104 by a shell working spacing 2609, measured as the axial distance between the front face 2104f of the stationary platen 2104 and the 2104 and the proximal side 2144 of the shell 2142 (i.e. the shell side 2144 in the load position).

[0079] When the shell is in the shell maintenance position 2607 (Fig 1 1), the shell is spaced apart from the stationary platen 2104 by a shell maintenance spacing 2611 (again measured as the axial distance between the front face 2104f of the platen and the 2104 and the proximal side 2144 of the shell). The shell maintenance spacing 2611 is greater than the shell working spacing 2609, and can provide improved access to the mold area from the non-operator side of the machine. In the example illustrated, the shell is generally clear of the inter-platen space when in the shell maintenance position 2607 (Fig. 18). [0080] In the example illustrated, the shell has a shell axis 2146 about which the shell can rotate to move at least one shell side into and out of the load position 2150a between a load and an unload position. The shell axis 2146 is, in the example illustrated, positioned axially rearward of the front face 2106f of the moving platen 2106 when the shell is in the maintenance position 2607 and the moving platen 2106 is in the mold change position

[0081] The take-out plate 2164 (and robot 2 65 to which it is attached) may also be axially translatable between at least one robot x-axis working position 2615 and a robot x-axis maintenance position 2617. In the example illustrated, the at least one robot x-axis working position includes a robot x~ axis retracted position 2621 (for mold area entry and exit along a z-axis) and a robot x-axis advanced position 2623 (for engagement with the cooling shell 2142).

[0082] In the robot x-axis retracted position 2621 (shown in solid line in Figure 17), the rear face 2515 of the take-out plate 2164 is spaced axially forward of the front face of the stationary mold half 2104a by a mold clearance spacing 2625. The mold clearance spacing 2625 can typically be minimized to help minimize the required stroke length that the moving platen 2106 must open to accommodate entry of the take-out plate between the mold halves 2 04a, 2106a for (for example) unloading preforms.

[0083] Referring again to Fig. 10, in the robot x-axis advanced position 2623 (shown in phantom to the right of the retracted position 2621), the takeout plate 2164(also shown in phantom) is sufficiently near the cooling shell 2142 so that the pins 2154, 2354 of the cooling shell are inserted into the transfer tubes 2170 (and preforms loaded therein) to a desired depth. In the example illustrated, the robot x-axis advanced position 2623 is spaced axially forward of the retracted position 2621 by a robot working stroke length 2627

[0084] In the robot x-axis maintenance position 2617 (Figure 11), the take-out plate is spaced axially apart (generally as far as possible) from the moving platen 2106. The front face 2513 of the take out plate 2164 is, in the example illustrated, disposed rearward of the front face 2 04f of the stationary platen 2104 by a take-out plate maintenance offset 2631 when the robot is in the x-axis maintenance position 2617 The robot x-axis maintenance position 2617 is spaced axially rearward of the x-axis retracted position 2621 by a robot maintenance stroke length 2629 (Fig. 10).

[0085] Referring again to Figure 11, when the shell is in the shell maintenance position and the robot is in the robot maintenance position, the axially inwardly directed open end faces of the tubes 2170 and the tips of the opposed pins 2354 are spaced axially apart by a receiver clearance 2633. The magnitude of the receiver clearance 2633 may be at least as large as 50 percent of the inter-platen access space 2603 when the moving platen is in the mold-change position 2601. The receiver clearance 2633 may be greater than 600mm, and in some examples may be greater than 750mm. In the example illustrated, the receiver clearance is about 700mm.

[0086] The axial position of the cooling shell may be adjustable between at least two shell working positions. In the example illustrated, the cooling shell is generally infinitely adjustable to any working position between a proximal shell working position 2637 and a distal shell working position 2639 (each shown in phantom with reference to the support column 2462 in Figure 10 an opposite sides of the shell working position 2605). The distal shell working position 2639 can accommodate longer length performs. The proximal shell working position 2637 can help to increase cooling efficiency for shorter part production. The axial distance between the proximal and distal shell working positions (defined as a shell work position range 2641) can be 25mm, 50mm, or more than 100mm In some examples, the shell work position range 2641 can be 300mm or more. In the example illustrated, the shell work position range 2641 is about 250mm. [0087] In the example illustrated, a lower end of the support column 2462 is releaeably lockable to a lower rail which can serve as a keeper rail 2643. When unlocked, the support column 2642 can be manually translated to the shell maintenance position 2607, or to a desired working position between proximal and distal working positions, and then locked in place, to accommodate longer preforms and/or to help reduce or minimize the axial travel required by the take-out plate when moving between the advanced and retracted robot working positions. Reducing this axial travel can help to increase the amount of time that the pins 2354 are fully engaged with the tubes 2170 (i.e. fully inserted into the preforms held therein), which can help to increase the amount of cooling provided to the preforms.

[0088] Referring now to Figure 12, another example of an injection molding machine 3100 is shown. The machine 3100 has similarities to the machine 100, and like reference features are identified by like reference characters incremented by 3000.

[0089] In the example illustrated, the machine 3100 includes a machine base 3102 with opposed first and second platens 3104 and 3106 supported by the base 3102 and defining a mold area between the platens 3104, 3106.

[0090] In the example illustrated, the first platen 3104 is stationary relative to the base, and the second platen 3106 is movable relative to the first platen 3104 for opening and closing the mold.

[0091] The machine 3100 is provided with an optional unload conveyor 3701 supported by the base 3102 and generally configured to transport molded articles away from the machine once processing of the articles by the machine has been completed, The unload conveyor 3701 is slideably adjustable relative to the base along a slide axis 3703. The slide axis is, in the example illustrated, parallel to the machine axis along which the moving platen moves for opening and closing the mold. [0092] The machine further includes, in the example illustrated, a part handling apparatus 3140 for transferring molded articles from the mold area to the unload conveyor 3701.

[0093] Referring also to Figure 14, in the example illustrated, an adjustable mount 3707 is provided to couple the conveyor 3701 to the machine base 3102. The adjustable mount includes a linear slide affixed to the machine base and a carriage 3711 slideably coupled to the linear slide. The unload conveyor 3701 is fixed to the carriage 3711 , for example, by brackets 3713. The linear slide can include at least one rail affixed to a sidewall of the machine base and the carnage 3707 can comprises a shoe 37 5 retained in sliding engagement with the rail. In the example illustrated, the linear slide includes an upper rail 3407 and a lower rail 3643, each of which are generally horizontal and parallel to the slide axis. Respective upper and lower shoes 3715a and 3715b are retained in sliding engagement with the upper and lower rails.

[0094] In the example illustrated, the part handling apparatus 3140 comprises a transfer shell 3142 spaced away from the mold area, the transfer shell 3142 having at least a first shell side 3144 moveable between a load station 3150a for receiving the molded articles from the mold area and an unload station 3150d for dispensing the molded articles from the shell side onto the unload conveyor. In the example illustrated, the transfer shell 3142 has only a single shell side 3144 provided with transfer pins.

[0095] The transfer shell 3142 can be slideably coupled to the base 3102 and moveable independently of the platens 3104, 3106 In the example illustrated, the transfer shell 3142 is coupled to the conveyor 3701 and slidable with the conveyor 3701 relative to the base.

[0096] In the example illustrated, the transfer shell 31 2 is attached to the carriage 3711. The carriage 3711 may comprise an upright portion 3721 that extends vertically above the upper rail 3407. The machine includes a rotary mount 3723 for attaching the cooling shell to the upright portion of the carriage, the rotary mount 3723 defining a shell axis 3725 about which the shell can rotate when moving the first shell side between the load and stations. The shell axis is fixed in position relative to the carriage 3711.

[0097] The machine, in the example illustrated, includes a fluid pressurization device 3401 fixed relative to the conveyor. The fluid pressurization device 3401 has a negative pressure inlet and a positive pressure outlet. At least one of the inlet and outlet may be in fluid communication with a side chamber 3149 of the cooling shell. In the example illustrated, the negative pressure inlet is in fluid communication with the chamber to provide a negative pressure (vacuum) in the chamber 3149. The shell side 3144 includes a plurality of transfer pins 3154 extending therefrom, each transfer pin having a hollow interior conduit 3162 in fluid communication with the shell side chamber 3149.

[0098] The part handling apparatus 3140 further includes an optional ta e-out robot 3741 supported by the base, the take-out robot configured to reach between the platens to transfer the molded articles from the mold area to the transfer shell. In the example illustrated, the take-out robot is slideably coupled to the base, and is coupled to the same linear rails 3407 and 3643 as the carriage 3711 to which the conveyor 37 1 and shell 3142 are mounted.

[0099] In the example illustrated, the part handling apparatus 3140 further comprises an optional supplemental cooling device 3751 supported by the base 3102. The supplemental cooling device 3751 is optionally coupled to the same linear slide (and rails 3407, 3643) as the conveyor 3711 , shell 3142, and robot 3741. In the example illustrated, the supplemental cooling device is fixed to a supplemental carriage 3753 that is slidably coupled to the rails 3407, 3643.

[00100] In the example illustrated, the shell 3142 is disposed axially intermediate the take-out robot 3741 and the supplemental cooling device 3751 (along the slide axis) The supplemental cooling device 3751 comprises a plurality of supplemental tubes 3755 for receiving molded articles from the transfer shell and conductively cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles retained therein.

[00101] While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An injection molding machine, comprising:

a) a machine base;

b) a stationary platen mounted to the base for supporting a stationary mold half;

c) a moving platen slidably supported by the base for supporting a moving mold half, the moving platen translatable along a machine axis between an advanced and a mold-change position, an inter- platen space extending axially between the stationary and moving platens when the moving platen is in the mold-change position;

d) a take-out plate for reaching between the platens to remove molded parts from one of the mold halves; and

e) a transfer shell coupled to the base along a linear slide, the shell having at least one shell side rotatable into and out of a load position, the shell slidable along the linear slide between at least one shell working position and a shell maintenance position, wherein when the shell is in the at least one working position and the shell side is oriented in the load position, the shell side is engageable by the take-out plate and is positioned axially within the inter-platen space, and when the shell is in the maintenance position, the shell side is retracted away from the stationary platen and is generally clear of the inter-platen space when viewed from a non-operator side of the machine.

2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the platens have respective mounting faces to which molds are affixed, the inter-platen space extending parallel to the machine axis from the mounting face of the stationary platen to the mounting face of the moving platen.

3. The machine of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the shell side is generally oriented in a vertical plane orthogonal to the machine axis when oriented in the load position.

4. The machine of claim 3, further comprising at least one upper tie bar and at least one lower tie bar, the upper and lower tie bars extending between the platens for applying a clamping force across the mold halves, the shell side having upper and lower edges generally positioned at a vertical elevation between that of the upper and lower tie bars.

5. The machine of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the robot is slidable, in a direction parallel to the machine axis and away from the moving platen, from a robot working position to a robot maintenance position.

6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the robot is supported on the linear slide to which the transfer shell is coupled.

7. The machine of any one of claims 5-6, wherein when the shell is in the shell maintenance position and the robot is in the robot maintenance position, a receiver clearance is formed between axially inwardly directed faces of takeout tubes supported by the robot and opposed axially inwardly directed tips of pins mounted to the shell side in the load position, wherein the magnitude of the receiver clearance is at least as large as 50 percent of the inter-platen access space when the moving platen is in the mold-change position.

8. The machine of claim 7, wherein the receiver clearance is more than 600mm.

9. An injection molding machine, comprising;

a) a machine base;

b) opposed platens supported by the base and defining a mold area between the platens; c) an unload conveyor supported by the base, the unload conveyor slideably adjustable relative to the base along a slide axis; and

d) a part handling apparatus for transferring molded articles from the mold area to the unload conveyor.

10. The injection molding machine of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable mount securing the conveyor to the machine base.

11. The injection molding machine of claim 10, wherein the adjustable mount includes a linear slide affixed to the machine base and a carriage slideably coupled to the linear slide, the unload conveyor fixed to the carriage.

12. The injection molding machine of claim 11 , wherein the linear slide includes at least one rail affixed to a sidewall of the base, and the carriage comprises a shoe retained in sliding engagement with the rail.

13. The injection molding machine of claim 12, wherein the rail is generally horizontal and parallel to the slide axis.

14. The injection molding machine of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the part handling apparatus comprises a transfer shell spaced away from the mold area, the transfer shell having at least a first shell side moveable between a load station for receiving the molded articles from the mold area and an unload station for dispensing the molded articles from the shell side onto the unload conveyor.

15. The injection molding machine of claim 14, wherein the transfer shell is slideably coupled to the base and moveable independently of the platens.

16. The injection molding machine of any one of claims 14-15, wherein the transfer shell is coupled to the conveyor and slidable with the conveyor relative to the base.

17. The injection molding machine of claim 16, wherein the transfer shell is attached to the carriage.

18. The injection molding machine of claim 17, further comprising a rotary mount for attaching the cooling shell to the carriage, the rotary mount defining a shell axis about which the shell can rotate when moving the first shell side between the load and stations, the shell axis fixed in position relative to the carriage.

19. The injection molding machine of any one of claims 14-18, further comprising a fluid pressurization device fixed relative to the conveyor, wherein the fluid pressurization device has a negative pressure inlet and a positive pressure outlet, at least one of the inlet and outlet in fluid communication with a chamber of the cooling shell.

20. The injection molding machine of claim 19, wherein the first shell side includes a plurality of transfer pins extending therefrom, each transfer pin having a hollow interior conduit in fluid communication with the chamber.

21. The injection molding machine of any one of claims 14-20, wherein the part handling apparatus further comprises a take-out robot supported by the base, the take-out robot configured to reach between the platens to transfer the molded articles from the mold area to the cooling shell.

22 The injection molding machine of claim 21 wherein the take-out robot is slideably coupled to the base.

23. The injection molding machine of claim 22, wherein the take-out robot is coupled to the linear slide.

24. The injection molding machine of any one of claims 21-23, further comprising a supplemental cooling device supported by the base. 25 The injection molding machine of claim 24, wherein the supplemental cooling device comprises a plurality of supplemental tubes for receiving molded articles from the cooling shell and conductively cooling exterior surfaces of the molded articles retained therein. 26 The injection molding machine of claim 25, wherein the supplemental cooling device is coupled to the linear slide, the transfer shell disposed axially intermediate the take-out robot and the supplemental cooling device.