Apparatus for closing a hinged molded part

Abstract

An apparatus and method for folding a hinged molded part in a molding machine. As a part-removal apparatus, preferably a swing arm mechanism, grips one of the lid portion or the base portion of the molded part and moves the molded part away from the mold, a deflector connected to a portion of the mold engages the other portion of the part and initially folds the part at the hinge. The deflector further folds the part as the mold closes. The portions of the part are pushed together and latched in one embodiment by the swing arm mechanism that grips and moves the molded part against the deflector, and in another embodiment by a closing actuator operated separately from the swing arm mechanism.

1 . An injection molding apparatus, comprising: 
 a mold attached to an injection molding machine, the mold having a core side and a cavity side moveable relative to the core side, the cavity side and the core side together forming a mold cavity into which molten plastic can be injected to make a molded part having a base portion and a lid portion that engages the base portion when the molded part is folded at a hinge located between the base portion and the lid portion;    a part-removal apparatus having a suction cup that, in use, grips one of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part and moves the part away from the core side of the mold; and    a deflector connected to the cavity side of the mold and constructed and arranged to move with the cavity side during opening and closing of the mold, the deflector, in use, arranged to engage the other of the base portion or the lid portion of the molded part as the molded part is moved to initiate folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge, the deflector further continuing folding about the hinge of the base portion relative to the lid portion as the mold closes.    
     
     
         2 . A method of closing a lid portion of a molded part hingedly attached at a hinge to a base portion of the molded part, comprising the steps of: 
 moving the molded part out of a mold that formed the part so that, as the molded part moves, one of the lid portion or the base portion engages a deflector connected to a portion of the mold, thereby initiating folding of the lid portion to the base portion at the hinge;    moving the deflector by closing the mold so that the deflector continues to engage the portion of the molded part engaged by the deflector and further folds the molded part; and    pushing the base portion and the lid portion together so that the lid portion and base portion latch.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the moving is accomplished by a swing arm mechanism that pivots.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pushing is by a device operated separately from the swing arm mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pushing is done by the swing arm mechanism.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the pushing is done after the mold is closed.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein as the deflector is moved, the portion of the molded part engaged by the deflector is folded first by a first portion of the deflector, then further folded by a second portion of the deflector.