WO2013067634A1

WO2013067634A1 - A transfer device for molded articles

Info

Publication number: WO2013067634A1
Application number: PCT/CA2012/050735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Bechtel; Christophe Halter
Original assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-11-09
Filing date: 2012-10-17
Publication date: 2013-05-16

Abstract

Disclosed herein, amongst other things, is a transfer device (120, 220, 320) for use with a mold (100, 200, 300). The transfer device (120, 220, 320) includes a catcher (122, 222, 322) that is configured to be associated with a first mold face (102, 202, 302) of a first mold half (104, 204, 304) of the mold (100, 200, 300) that confronts a second mold face (106, 206, 306) of a second mold half (108, 208, 308) of the mold (100, 200, 300). The catcher (122, 222, 322) extends outwardly from the first mold face (102, 202, 302) beneath a mold stack (110) for catching a molded article (116) after it is ejected from the mold stack (110). Furthermore, the catcher (122, 222, 322) is configured to define a transfer channel (124, 224, 324) through which the molded article (116) is transferrable.

Description

TRANSFER DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD Non-Limiting embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a transfer device and a method of molding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known in the molding art to provide a transfer device in association with a mold. In operation the tooling of the transfer device is generally movable between an inboard position and an outboard position, the inboard position being in between the core and cavity of the mold for receiving the molded article therefrom and the outboard position being somewhere beside the core and cavity which may be within the perimeter of the mold.

Various examples of transfer devices may be referenced in the following publications:

US patent 7,128,564 to Di Simone, published on October 31 , 2006 discloses an in-mold system and method for handling molded articles. An in-mold lid handling system provides a slide that is operable to translate laterally across a molding face of an injection mold to perform a first operation on, or to retrieve a plurality of molded articles from, a column of molding cavities and to thereafter retreat to an outboard position for a second operation, or to transfer the molded articles to drop chutes. The driving means for the slide include a first and a second transmission attached to the ends thereof. The transmissions operate on the same basic principle wherein at least one belt contained therein is configured along a path defined by a plurality of guides, the path including a plurality of segments defined between the guides, and the at least one belt being operable along the path between two positions, wherein the slide is attached to various suitably arranged path segments and is thereby driven between the inboard and the outboard positions respectively. US patent 5,709,833 to Di Simone, published on January 20, 1998 discloses a high speed, automatic device for removal of molded plastic articles from a multi-cavity injection mold including a method of minimizing molding machine cycle time.

US patent 4,976,603 to Di Simone, published on December 11, 1990 discloses a device for removing workpieces from a wide variety of injection molding machines, particularly stack mold machines. The device includes at least one suction cup for grasping and rotating each workpiece through an approximate 90 DEG arc from a position intermediate the mold portions to a position outboard of the mold portions. The suction cup(s) are mounted to a rotatable shaft which is actuated by a cam-operated linkage assembly. US patent 4,589,840 to Schad, published on May 20, 1986 discloses an apparatus for continuously receiving and collecting molded articles from a continuously cycling injection molding machine where the articles are collected sequentially and continuously in a uniform physical position or orientation. PCT patent publication WO 93/11923 to Doebler, published on June 24, 1993 discloses a process and a device for injection moulding plastic cups having a label-shaped enveloping sheet integrated therein according to the inmould labelling method and comprising the steps of coaxially moving a male mould and a female mould into one another for establishing thus a closed injection mould and injecting then molten plastic through an opening into said injection mould. During the opening and closing movements of the injection mould, a suction holding mandrel is adapted to be moved to a position at which it extends coaxially with the male mould and the female mould, whereupon the whole female mould is divided into a base member maintaining its instantaneous position and an advancable part, which is moved so as to cover part of the suction holding mandrel for picking up the enveloping sheet and holding, it in position by means of a suction force applied through a suction gap and which is then moved back to the base member with which it will recombine so as to establish the complete female mould. Due to the movement of the female mould and the male mould towards each other, the suction holding mandrel is then removed from the interspace by a pivotal movement and the suction gap is closed by means of a force which acts between the female mould and the male mould and which presses these components together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a general aspect of the invention is to provide a transfer device for use with a mold. The transfer device includes a catcher that is configured to be associated with a first mold face of a first mold half of the mold that confronts a second mold face of a second mold half of the mold. The catcher extends outwardly from the first mold face beneath a mold stack for catching a molded article after it is ejected from the mold stack. Furthermore, the catcher is configured to define a transfer channel through which the molded article is trans ferrable.

Another general aspect of the invention is to provide a method of molding. The method begins with the step of closing relative movement between a first mold half and a second mold half of a mold to define a molding cavity in a mold stack. Next, the method includes the step of molding a molded article within the molding cavity. Next, the method includes the step of opening relative movement between the first mold half and the second mold half to open the molding cavity. Next, the method includes the step of ejecting the molded article from a member of the mold stack. Next, the method includes the step of catching the molded article after it is ejected from the mold stack with a catcher that is associated with a first mold face of the first mold half that confronts a second mold face of the second mold half of the mold, wherein the catcher extends outwardly from the first mold face beneath the mold stack. The method ends with a step of transferring the molded article through a transfer channel that is defined in the catcher.

These and other aspects and features of non-limiting embodiments will now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The non-limiting embodiments will be more fully appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 depicts a view of a mold, schematic representation, having a transfer device according to a first non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A depicts a section view through the mold and transfer device of FIG. 1 , wherein the mold is in an open configuration with the transfer device arranged for catching a molded article that is to be ejected from a mold stack of the mold.

FIG. 2B depicts a section view through the mold and transfer device of FIG. 1 , wherein the mold is in a closed configuration with the transfer device arranged for transferring the molded article. FIG. 3A depicts a section view through a mold and a transfer device according to an alternative non- limiting embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mold is in an open configuration with the transfer device arranged for catching a molded article that is to be ejected from a mold stack of the mold. FIG. 3B depicts a section view through the mold and transfer device of FIG. 3A, wherein the mold is in a closed configuration with the transfer device in a retracted configuration. FIG. 4A depicts a section view through a mold and a transfer device according to another alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, wherein the mold is in an open configuration with the transfer device arranged for catching a molded article that is to be ejected from a mold stack of the mold.

FIG. 4B depicts a section view through the mold and transfer device of FIG. 4A, wherein the mold is in a closed configuration with the transfer device arranged for transferring the molded article. FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of a method of molding in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMB ODIMENT(S Reference will now be made in detail to various non-limiting embodiment(s) of a transfer device for use with a mold and a method of molding. It should be understood that other non-limiting embodiment(s), modifications and equivalents will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the non-limiting embodiment(s) disclosed herein and that these variants should be considered to be within scope of the appended claims.

Furthermore, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that certain structural and operational details of the non-limiting embodiment(s) discussed hereafter may be modified or omitted (i.e. non-essential) altogether. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 1 , 2A and 2B there is depicted a mold 100, schematic representation, having a transfer device 120 according to a first non- limiting embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the mold 100 is generally consistent with known techniques and as such will not be described in detail herein. The mold 100 includes, as best appreciated with reference to FIG. 2 A, a first mold half 104 and a second mold half 108 with which there is associated a core member 112 and a cavity member 114 of a mold stack 110, respectively. With further reference to FIG. 2B it may be appreciated that the core member 112 and the cavity member 114 of the mold stack 110 are configured to cooperate in defining a molding cavity 118 with the first mold half 104 and the second mold half 108 arranged in a closed configuration. In operation, a molding material is injected into the molding cavity 118, via a nozzle 115 of a melt distribution device (e.g. hot runner, cold runner, insulated runner, etc.), to define a molded article 116 (FIG. 2A) therein.

With reference to FIG. 2A, it may be appreciated that the transfer device 120 includes a catcher 122 that is configured to be associated with a first mold face 102 of the first mold half 104 that confronts a second mold face 106 of the second mold half 108. With the mold arranged in the open configuration the catcher 122 extends outwardly from the first mold face 102 beneath the mold stack 110 for catching the molded article 116 after it is ejected from the core member 112 of the mold stack 110 (or alternatively after it has been ejected from the cavity 114). With reference to FIG. 1, it may be appreciated that the catcher 122 may in fact be configured to catch a plurality of molded articles 119 that are ejected from a row of mold stacks 111.

By contrasting the catcher 122 as depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B, it may be appreciated that the catcher 122 may be provided as a variable length member (i.e. collapsible and extendable), that is able extend and retract with opening and closing of the mold 100, respectively. The catcher 122 extends and retracts automatically with opening of the mold 100. In particular, the catcher 122 is biased towards an extended configuration with the opening of the mold 100 by means of a spring 127 that extends between the first mold face 102 and a rear face of a front panel 129 of the catcher 122. The catcher 122 is pushed to retract with closing of the mold, wherein the front panel 129 comes into contact with the second mold half 108 as the mold halves come together. Alternatively, the catcher 122 may be automatically extended and retracted with opening and closing of the mold by any suitable means, such as, for example, an actuator.

With specific reference to FIG. 2A, it may be appreciated that the catcher 122 has a base portion and a lip portion 125. The base potion 123 is substantially perpendicular to the first mold face 102. The lip portion 125 is at a free end of the base portion 123, the lip portion 125 being substantially perpendicular to the base portion 123 and parallel to the first mold face 102. As such, the first mold face 102, the base portion 123 and the lip portion 125 together define a transfer channel 124 having a U-shape with an opening that is arranged beneath the core member 112 of the mold stack 110 for catching the molded article 116 from the core member 112 after it has been ejected therefrom. As shown with reference to FIG. 1 , once in the transfer channel 124 the molded article 116 is transferrable in the direction of the arrow towards an exit thereof. To assist with the transfer of the molded article 116 along the transfer channel 124, the transfer device 120 may have an air flow device 126 arranged for accelerating the molded article 116 along the transfer channel 124 of the catcher 122. The air flow device 126 that is illustrated is a blower that has an outlet that is oriented to direct an air flow down the transfer channel 124. Alternatively, the air flow device could instead be provided as a suction device that is suitably arranged for establishing a suction air flow along the transfer channel.

With reference to FIG. 2B, it may be appreciated that the transfer channel 124 is configured to accommodate the molded article 116 being transferrable therealong with the mold 100 being in a closed configuration. That is, while the transfer channel 124 does become narrower with the closing of the mold 100 and the retraction of the catcher 122, the transfer channel 124 does remain sufficiently open to accommodate the transfer of the molded article 116 therealong. To accommodate the foregoing an enclosure 128 is provided that is associated with the second mold half 108. In particular, the enclosure 128 is provided by a slot that is recessed through the second mold face 106 of the second mold half 108. As such, the enclosure 128 is configured to enclose, at least in part, the catcher 122 with closing of the mold 100. With the mold 100 being in a closed configuration the enclosure 128 defines a portion of the transfer channel 124 in cooperation with the catcher 122. In particular, the enclosure 128 closes the opening to the transfer channel 124.

With reference to FIG. 3A there is depicted a mold 200 having a transfer device 220 in accordance with an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the mold 200 is similar to the mold 100 and as such will not be described in detail herein. Suffice it to state that the mold 200 broadly includes a first mold half 204 and a second mold half 208 with which there is associated the core member 112 and the cavity member 114 of the mold stack 110, respectively. The transfer device 220 includes a catcher 222 that is configured to be associated with a first mold face 202 of the first mold half 204 and a second mold face 206 of the second mold half 208. In particular, the catcher 222 is provided by a roller belt having a dispensing and take-up reels that are associated with each mold half. With movement of the mold halves towards the open configuration (FIG. 3A) the belt of the catcher 222 is able to un-reel from one or both of the reels to extend between the first mold face 202 and the second mold face 206 beneath the mold stack 110 for catching the molded article 116 after it is ejected from the mold stack 110. With movement of the mold halves towards the closed configuration (FIG. 3B) the belt of the catcher 222 is able to be taken-up on one or both of the reels as they are biased towards a retracted configuration.

With the mold 200 being open, the transfer device 220 also defines a transfer channel 224 between the first mold face 202, the second mold face 206 and the catcher 222. Unlike the mold 100, the second mold half 208 does not include an enclosure 128 for accommodating the catcher 222 when the mold is closed. As such, the transfer of the molded article 116 through the transfer channel 224 must be completed before the mold 200 can close again. Alternatively, the second mold half 206 could be provided with an enclosure, not shown, to accommodate the catcher 222 in mold closed configuration, in the manner already described with reference to the transfer device 120, and thereby keep the transfer channel open.

With reference to FIG. 4A there is depicted a mold 300 having a transfer device 320 in accordance with another alternative non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the mold 300 is similar to the mold 100 and as such will not be described in detail herein. Suffice it to state that the mold 300 broadly includes a first mold half 304 and a second mold half 308 with which there is associated the core member 112 and the cavity member 114 of the mold stack 110, respectively. The transfer device 320 is similar to the transfer device 120 in that it includes a catcher 322 that is configured to be associated with a first mold face 302 of the first mold half 104 that confronts a second mold face 306 of the second mold half 108. With the mold arranged in the open configuration the catcher 322 is arranged beneath the mold stack 110 for catching the molded article 116 after it is ejected from the core member 112 of the mold stack 110 (or alternatively after it has been ejected from the cavity 114).

By contrasting the catcher 322 as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it may be appreciated that the catcher 322 may be provided as a fixed length member that in contrast with the catcher 122 does not extend and retract with opening and closing of the mold 200, respectively. Instead, the catcher 322 is constructed to be relatively long so as to be positionable beneath the mold stack 110 in the mold open configuration without requiring an extension thereof.

With specific reference to FIG. 4A, it may be appreciated that the catcher 322 has a base portion 323 and a lip portion 325. The base potion 323 is substantially perpendicular to the first mold face 302. The lip portion 325 is at a free end of the base portion 323, the lip portion 325 being substantially perpendicular to the base portion 323 and parallel to the first mold face 302. As such, the first mold face 302, the base portion 323 and the lip portion 325 together define a transfer channel 324 having a U-shape with an opening that is arranged beneath the core member 112 of the mold stack 110 for catching the molded article 116 from the core member 112 after it has been ejected therefrom. With reference to FIG. 4B, it may be appreciated that the transfer channel 324 is configured to accommodate the molded article 116 being transferable therealong with the mold 100 being in a closed configuration. That is, while the transfer channel 324 does become narrower with the closing of the mold 300, the transfer channel 324 does remain sufficiently open to accommodate the transfer of the molded article 116 therealong. To accommodate the foregoing an enclosure 328 is provided that is associated with the second mold half 108. In particular, the enclosure 328 is provided by a slot that is recessed through the second mold face 306 of the second mold half 308. As such, the enclosure 328 is configured to enclose, at least in part, the catcher 322 with closing of the mold 300. With the mold 300 being in a closed configuration the enclosure 328 defines a portion of the transfer channel 324 in cooperation with the catcher 322. In particular, the enclosure 328 closes the opening to the transfer channel 324.

The transfer device 320 also includes a blocker 330 that is configured to selectively block an opening of a cavity that is defined in the cavity member 114 of the mold stack 110, whereupon with ejection of the molded article 116 from a core member 112 of the mold stack 110 the molded article 116 is directed by the blocker 330 into the catcher 322 for transfer from the mold 300 without reentering the cavity. The non- limiting embodiment of the blocker 330 is a cover 334 that is selectively positionable over an opening to the cavity 114. The blocker 330 may advantageously incorporated into any of the preceding non-limiting embodiments of the transfer device 120 or 220.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is depicted a flow chart of a method of molding 400 in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention that may be practiced using any one of the foregoing non-limiting embodiments of the transfer device 120, 220 or 330. The method 400 includes the steps of:

Step 410

The method 400 starts with a closing relative movement between the first mold half 104 and the second mold half 108, 208, 308 of a mold 100, 200, 300 to define a molding cavity 118 in a mold stack 110.

Step 420

Next, the method 400 includes molding a molded article 116 within the molding cavity 118. The step of molding is well known to those of skill in the art and will not be reviewed herein. Suffice it to state that the step of molding may involve, for example, the known steps of injection or compression molding.

Step 430

Next, the method 400 includes opening relative movement between the first mold half 104 and the second mold half 108, 208, 308 to open the molding cavity 118.

Step 440

Next, method includes ejecting the molded article 116 from a member of the mold stack 110.

Step 450

Next, the method 400 includes catching the molded article 116 after it is ejected from the mold stack 110 with a catcher 122, 222, 322 that is associated with a first mold face 102 of the first mold half 104 that confronts a second mold face 106, 206, 306 of the second mold half 108, 208, 308 of the mold 100, 200, 300, wherein the catcher 122, 222, 322 extends outwardly from the first mold face 102 beneath the mold stack 110. The step may include first extending the catcher 122, 222, 322 into a catching configuration and then retracting the catcher 122, 222, 322 into a transfer configuration once the molded article 116 has been caught. The step may also include catching a plurality of molded articles 119 that are ejected from a row of mold stacks 111. In addition, this step may also include blocking of a cavity that is defined in a cavity member 114 of the mold stack 110, whereupon with ejection of the molded article 116 from a core member 112 of the mold stack 110 the molded article 116 is directed by a blocker 330 into the catcher 122, 222, 322 for transfer from the mold 300 without re-entering the cavity. Step 460

The method ends with transferring the molded article 116 through a transfer channel 124, 324 that is defined in the catcher 122, 222, 322. This step may include causing air to flow along the transfer channel 124, 324 of the catcher 122, 222, 322 for accelerating the molded article 116 therethrough. It is noted that the foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent non-limiting embodiments. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that modifications to the disclosed non-embodiment(s) can be effected without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. As such, the described non-limiting embodiment(s) ought to be considered to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications. Other beneficial results can be realized by applying the non-limiting embodiments in a different manner or modifying the invention in ways known to those familiar with the art. This includes the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various non-limiting embodiment(s) is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept thereof may be suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A transfer device (120, 220, 320) for use with a mold (100, 200, 300), comprising:

a catcher (122, 222, 322) that is configured to be associated with a first mold face (102, 202, 302) of a first mold half (104, 204, 304) of the mold (100, 200, 300) that confronts a second mold face (106, 206, 306) of a second mold half (108, 208, 308) of the mold (100, 200, 300), wherein the catcher (122, 222, 322) extends outwardly from the first mold face (102, 202, 302) beneath a mold stack (110) for catching a molded article (116) after it is ejected from the mold stack (110);

the catcher (122, 222, 322) being configured to define a transfer channel (124, 224, 324) through which the molded article (116) is transferrable.

2. The transfer device (120, 220, 320) of claim 1, wherein:

the catcher (122, 222, 322) is configured to catch a plurality of molded articles (119) that are ejected from a row of mold stacks (111).

3. The transfer device (120, 220, 320) of claim I, further comprising:

an air flow device (126) arranged for accelerating the molded article (116) along the transfer channel (124, 224, 324) of the catcher (122, 222, 322).

4. The transfer device (120, 220) of claim 1 , wherein:

the catcher (122, 222) is configured to extend and retract with opening and closing of the mold (100, 200).

5. The transfer device (120) of claim 4, wherein:

the catcher (122) is biased towards an extended configuration with the opening of the mold (100).

6. The transfer device (220) of claim 4, wherein:

the catcher (222) is biased towards a retracted configuration with a closing of the mold (200).

7. The transfer device (220) of claim 6, wherein:

the catcher (222) is furthermore associated with the second mold face (206) of the second mold half (208).

8. The transfer device (220) of claim 7, wherein: the catcher (222) is a roller belt.

9. The transfer device (120, 220) of claim 4, further comprising:

an actuator that is operatively connected to the catcher (122, 222), the actuator being operable to extend and retract the catcher (122, 222) with the opening and closing of the mold (100, 200).

10. The transfer device (120, 320) of claim 1 , further comprising:

an enclosure (128, 328) that is associated with the second mold half (108, 308) of the mold (100, 300), wherein the enclosure (128, 328) is configured to enclose, at least in part, the catcher (122, 322) with closing of the mold (100, 300).

11. The transfer device (120, 320) of claim 10, wherein:

with the mold (100, 300) being in a closed configuration the enclosure (128, 328) defines a portion of the transfer channel (124, 224, 324) in cooperation with the catcher (122, 322).

12. The transfer device (120, 320) of claim 10, wherein:

the transfer channel (124, 224, 324) is configured to accommodate the molded article (116) being transferrable therealong with the mold (100, 300) being in a closed configuration.

13. The transfer device (120, 320) of claim 10, wherein:

the enclosure (128, 328) is provided by a slot that is recessed through the second mold face (106) of the second mold half (108).

14. The transfer device (320) of claim 10, wherein:

the catcher (322) has a substantially fixed length.

15. The transfer device (120, 320) of claim 1, wherein:

the catcher (122, 322) has a base portion (123, 323) that is substantially perpendicular to the first mold face (102, 302) and further wherein the catcher (122, 322) has a lip portion (125, 325) at a free end of the base portion (123, 323), the lip portion (125, 325) being substantially perpendicular to the base portion (123, 323).

16. The transfer device (320) of claim 1, further comprising:

a blocker (330) that is configured to selectively block an opening of a cavity that is defined in a cavity member (114) of the mold stack (110), whereupon with ejection of the molded article (116) from a core member (112) of the mold stack (110) the molded article (116) is directed by the blocker (330) into the catcher (322) for transfer from the mold (300) without re-entering the cavity.

17. A method of molding, comprising:

closing (410) relative movement between a first mold half (104, 204, 304) and a second mold half (108, 208, 308) of a mold (100, 200, 300) to define a molding cavity (118) in a mold stack (110);

molding (420) a molded article (116) within the molding cavity (118);

opening (430) relative movement between the first mold half (104, 204, 304) and the second mold half (108, 208, 308) to open the molding cavity (118);

ejecting (440) the molded article (116) from a member of the mold stack (110);

catching (450) the molded article (116) after it is ejected from the mold stack (110) with a catcher (122, 222, 322) that is associated with a first mold face (102, 202, 302) of the first mold half (104, 204, 304) that confronts a second mold face (106, 206, 306) of the second mold half (108, 208, 308) of the mold (100, 200, 300), wherein the catcher (122, 222, 322) extends outwardly from the first mold face (102, 202, 302) beneath the mold stack (110); transferring (460) the molded article (116) through a transfer channel (124, 224, 324) that is defined in the catcher (122, 222, 322).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

catching the molded article (116) includes catching a plurality of molded articles (119), with the catcher (122, 222, 322), that are ejected from a row of mold stacks (111).

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

causing air to flow along the transfer channel (124, 224, 324) of the catcher (122, 222, 322) for accelerating the molded article (116) therethrough.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein:

catching (450) the molded article (116) includes first extending the catcher (122, 222, 322) into a catching configuration and then retracting the catcher (122, 222, 322) into a transfer configuration once the molded article (116) has been caught.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

catching (450) the molded article (116) includes blocking of a cavity that is defined in a cavity member (114) of the mold stack (110), whereupon with ejection of the molded article (116) from a core member (112) of the mold stack (110) the molded article (116) is directed by a blocker (330) into the catcher (122, 222, 322) for transfer from the mold (300) without re-entering the cavity.