This application claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application having serial number 61/354,617, which was filed on June 14, 2010 and is entitled "MOLDING AND TRIMMING APPARATUS", the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to molding apparatuses. More specifically, the apparatus relates to an apparatus for molding a first article and trimming a second article. BACKGROUND

Overmolding is a type of molding used to manufacture various products. This process involves molding an item out of a first pliable material (such as plastic or rubber) and then applying a layer of a second pliable material over the molded item using a molding process (hence the term "overmolding"). An example of this process can be found on most modern toothbrushes, which usually include a plastic handle over which a layer of rubber has been "overmolded" to provide better grip to the user. This process is also used in the automobile industry to produce seals.

The process can be divided in three steps: (1) the item is molded or extruded; (2) the molded item is "trimmed" in order to remove excess material, especially around the edges and in openings (this operation can be performed using trimming means such as punches, blades, etc.); (3) the trimmed item is molded once again, or overmolded, usually using an injection press, which applies the layer of second pliable material over the trimmed item. Usually, the item is trimmed in a first operation by a first group of operators on specialized machinery at a first location, and is then transported to a second location to be overmolded. Unfortunately, this transportation of items from one location to another is time-consuming and unproductive and adversely affects production costs. Furthermore, a first set of operators is needed for the trimming while a second set of operators is need for the molding, which multiplies the cost associated with manpower and adds to the overall production cost of the item.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus that will overcome at least one of the above-identified drawbacks.

Features of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided a molding and trimming apparatus for molding a first article and trimming a second article, the apparatus comprising a first molding portion; a second molding portion movably connected to the first molding portion and cooperable therewith in order to mold the first article; trimming means for trimming the second article; and transmission means operatively connected to the first molding portion, to the second molding portion and to the trimming means for actuating the trimming means in order to trim the second article when the second molding portion is moved relative to the first molding portion.

The apparatus advantageously enables recycling of the energy used by the actuator to move the second molding portion relative to the first molding portion during molding of the first article in order to trim the second article, which saves energy and substantially lowers production costs. Since both the trimming and the molding are performed using the same apparatus, only one operator is needed, which advantageously reduces the manpower required to manufacture the article as well as the cost associated therewith.

Furthermore, by enabling two operations needed to complete a product to be performed simultaneously or immediately consecutively, the apparatus enables substantial reduction of production time and thus, enhanced productivity, which is of great advantage. The apparatus also enables the second article to first be trimmed, and then overmolded while requiring relatively little movement of the article, which further contributes to reducing production time and reduces the risk of injuries for operators and part movers. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an actuator operatively connected to at least one of the first and second molding portions for selectively moving the first molding portion towards and away from the second molding portion. This advantageously enables the first molding portion to be moved relative to the second molding portion with minimal physical effort from the operator in order to prevent injuries and to operate the apparatus at a relatively rapid pace.

In one embodiment, the transmission means are adapted for actuating the trimming means when the first molding portion is moved towards the second molding portion.

In this embodiment, the trimming of the second article and the molding of the first article are therefore simultaneous, which advantageously reduces production time.

In one embodiment, the transmission means are adapted for actuating the trimming means when the first molding portion is moved away from the second molding portion.

In this embodiment, while energy from the movement of the molding portions is still being recycled, the trimming of the second article and the molding of the first article are immediately consecutive instead of being simultaneous. This enables the operator to load articles in the trimming means while the first and second molding portions are adjacent to each other and material is injected in the molding cavity thereby formed. This further enables the operator to load articles in the trimming means while the first and second molding portions are activated and the second article is being trimmed. This embodiment therefore prevents the operator from standing idle while the apparatus is activated, thereby advantageously increasing productivity.

In one embodiment, the transmission means comprise a base extending in a first plane and a plurality of gears rotatably mounted to the base, each one of the plurality of gears having a rotation axis orthogonal to the first plane, at least one of the plurality of gears being operatively connected to the trimming means. It will be appreciated that gears are relatively simple parts which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and to replace. Therefore, the use of gears in this embodiment advantageously reduces the cost of fabrication of the apparatus, and may also advantageously reduce the cost of maintenance of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a crank extending between at least one of the plurality of gears and the trimming means such that rotation of the at least one of the plurality of gears actuates the trimming means to thereby trim the second article.

In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of gears is meshed with an adjacent one of the plurality of gears.

It will be appreciated that meshed gears provide a relatively high precision in their movement relative to each other. This configuration thus enables the actuation of the trimming assembly to be synchronized with relatively high precision with the movement of the first and second molding portions towards each other. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of gears is operatively connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of gears by means of a chain.

It will be appreciated that the use of chains provides a slight play between rotation of the gears relative to each other, which advantageously enables the gears to be manufactured and installed with a relatively lower degree of precision. Furthermore, the use of chains reduces friction between the gears, which advantageously reduces wear and tear of the gears.

In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a first transmission member secured to the second molding portion; and a second transmission member mounted to the base and operatively connected to the first transmission member and to at least one of the plurality of gears, the second transmission member being movable in the first plane for rotating the plurality of gears and the first transmission member being movable in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. This configuration enables movement in a first plane, for instance a vertical plane, to be transmitted to create movement in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, for instance a horizontal plane. This advantageously enables the apparatus to be used in relatively confined areas where a plurality of movements in a same plane would not be practical and/or possible. Furthermore, this configuration enables the trimming assembly to be positioned in a location which is relatively easily accessible for the operator, thereby advantageously reducing the risk of injuries while improving productivity.

In one embodiment, the first transmission member comprises a first rack and the second transmission member comprises a second rack.

In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a plurality of interconnected pinions for operatively connecting the first rack to the second rack such that movement of the first rack causes movement of the second rack.

In one embodiment, the first transmission member comprises an elongated member comprising a first portion having a longitudinal axis extending along the first plane, the elongated member being restricted to movement along the longitudinal axis, the elongated member further comprising a second portion angled away from the first portion, the second portion having a first side surface and a second side surface extending parallel to the first side surface. In one embodiment, the second transmission member comprises a carriage having a channel extending therethrough, the channel being sized and shaped to receive the second portion of the elongated member and being complementary thereto, the channel having a third side surface and a fourth side surface extending parallel to the third surface, the third and fourth side surfaces being adapted to respectively contact and slide against the first and second side surfaces; and carriage guiding means operatively connected to the carriage and secured to the base for restricting movement of the carriage to movement along a linear path extending along the second plane such that movement of the elongated member along the longitudinal axis causes movement of the carriage along the linear path. This configuration enables the elongated member to be designed with a relatively large cross-section. In this embodiment, the load transmitted from the first and second molding portions to the trimming means, and therefore from the first transmission member to the second transmission member, is substantially distributed across the cross-section of the elongated member engaged in the channel of the carriage. A relatively larger cross-section will therefore enable the elongated member to resist to higher load, which advantageously reduces or even eliminate the costs that would be associated with the first transmission member breaking. In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises at least one article receiving article subassembly for receiving the second article therein, the at least one article receiving article subassembly having trimming tools for trimming the second article engaged therein.

In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises two article receiving subassemblies for simultaneously trimming two articles.

This configuration enables the apparatus to trim two articles at one, which advantageously increases productivity.

In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises four article receiving subassemblies for simultaneously trimming four articles. This configuration enables the apparatus to trim four articles at one, which also advantageously increases productivity.

In one embodiment, the at least one article receiving article subassembly comprises an article receiving portion for receiving the second article; and a tool holding portion slidably connected to the article receiving portion, the tool holding portion being movable towards the article receiving portion; and a cutting tool attached to the tool holding portion, the cutting tool extending towards the article receiving portion for engaging the second article received in the article receiving portion when the tool holding portion is moved towards the article receiving portion. In one embodiment, the at least one article receiving article subassembly further comprises tool guiding means operatively connected to the article receiving portion and to the tool holding portion for guiding the tool holding portion towards the article receiving portion in a linear path. In one embodiment, the article receiving portion comprises a stationary member secured to one of the first and second molding portions; and a movable member slidably connected to the stationary portion, the movable member being spaced from the stationary member to define a space therebetween for receiving the second article therein, the movable member being selectively movable towards the stationary member to hold the second article received therein and away from the stationary member to release the second article.

In one embodiment, the movable member has an opening extending therethrough, the opening being sized and shaped to enable the cutting tool to pass therethrough and contact the second article received in the space between the stationary member and the movable member when the tool holding portion is moved towards the article receiving portion.

In one embodiment, the cutting tool comprises one of a blade and a punch.

In one embodiment, the first molding portion comprises a first recess and the second molding portion comprises a second recess facing the first recess, the first and second recess together forming a molding cavity when the first molding portion is placed adjacent the second molding portion.

In one embodiment, the first and second molding portions are part of an injection press.

In one embodiment, the injection press is used for overmolding. According to another aspect, there is also provided a use of the apparatus for overmolding.

Since the process of overmolding comprises both the operations of trimming and molding, using the apparatus for overmolding advantageously enables the entire overmolding process to be performed by the apparatus by providing pre-molded base articles, or "blanks" to the apparatus, trimming the blanks and then overmolding the trimmed blanks. The apparatus thus advantageously reduces or eliminates the delay that may occur between the trimming step and the overmolding step in a traditional overmolding process. According to another aspect, there is also provided a trimming assembly for use with an injection press, the injection press comprising a first molding portion and a second molding portion movably connected to the first molding portion and cooperable therewith in order to mold a first article, the trimming assembly comprising trimming means for trimming a second article; and transmission means operatively connected to the first molding portion, to the second molding portion and to the trimming means for actuating the trimming means in order to trim the second article when the second molding portion is moved relative to the first molding portion.

In one embodiment, the injection press is used for overmolding. In one embodiment, the transmission means are adapted for actuating the trimming means when the first molding portion is moved towards the second molding portion.

In one embodiment, the transmission means are adapted for actuating the trimming means when the first molding portion is moved away from the second molding portion.

In one embodiment, the transmission means comprise a base extending in a first plane and a plurality of gears rotatably mounted to the base, each one of the plurality of gears having a rotation axis orthogonal to the first plane, at least one of the plurality of gears being operatively connected to the trimming means. In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a crank extending between at least one of the plurality of gears and the trimming means such that rotation of the at least one of the plurality of gears actuates the trimming means to thereby trim the second article. In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of gears is meshed with an adjacent one of the plurality of gears.

In one embodiment, each one of the plurality of gears is operatively connected to an adjacent one of the plurality of gears by means of a chain. In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a first transmission member secured to the second molding portion; and a second transmission member mounted to the base and operatively connected to the first transmission member and to at least one of the plurality of gears, the second transmission member being movable in the first plane for rotating the plurality of gears and the first transmission member being movable in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.

In one embodiment, the first transmission member comprises a first rack and the second transmission member comprises a second rack.

In one embodiment, the transmission means further comprise a plurality of interconnected pinions for operatively connecting the first rack to the second rack such that movement of the first rack causes movement of the second rack.

In one embodiment, the first transmission member comprises an elongated member comprising a first portion having a longitudinal axis extending along the first plane, the elongated member being restricted to movement along the longitudinal axis, the elongated member further comprising a second portion angled away from the first portion, the second portion having a first side surface and a second side surface extending parallel to the first side surface.

In one embodiment, the second transmission member comprises a carriage having a channel extending therethrough, the channel being sized and shaped to receive the second portion of the elongated member and being complementary thereto, the channel having a third side surface and a fourth side surface extending parallel to the third surface, the third and fourth side surfaces being adapted to respectively contact and slide against the first and second side surfaces; and carriage guiding means operatively connected to the carriage and secured to the base for restricting movement of the carriage to movement along a linear path extending along the second plane such that movement of the elongated member along the longitudinal axis causes movement of the carriage along the linear path.

In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises at least one article receiving article subassembly for receiving the second article therein, the at least one article receiving article subassembly having trimming tools for trimming the second article engaged therein.

In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises two article receiving subassemblies for simultaneously trimming two articles. This configuration enables the apparatus to trim two articles at one, which advantageously increases productivity.

In one embodiment, the trimming means comprises four article receiving subassemblies for simultaneously trimming four articles.

This configuration enables the apparatus to trim four articles at one, which also advantageously increases productivity.

In one embodiment, the at least one article receiving article subassembly comprises an article receiving portion for receiving the second article; a tool holding portion slidably connected to the article receiving portion, the tool holding portion being movable towards the article receiving portion; and a cutting tool attached to the tool holding portion, the cutting tool extending towards the article receiving portion for engaging the second article received in the article receiving portion when the tool holding portion is moved towards the article receiving portion.

In one embodiment, the at least one article receiving article subassembly further comprises tool guiding means operatively connected to the article receiving portion and to the tool holding portion for guiding the tool holding portion towards the article receiving portion in a linear path.

In one embodiment, the article receiving portion comprises a stationary member secured to one of the first and second molding portions; and a movable member slidably connected to the stationary portion, the movable member being spaced from the stationary member to define a space therebetween for receiving the second article therein, the movable member being selectively movable towards the stationary member to hold the second article received therein and away from the stationary member to release the second article.

In one embodiment, the movable member has an opening extending therethrough, the opening being sized and shaped to enable the cutting tool to pass therethrough and contact the second article- received in the space between the stationary member and the movable member when the tool holding portion is moved towards the article receiving portion.

In one embodiment, the cutting tool comprises one of a blade and a punch.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a use of the trimming assembly for overmolding.

According to another aspect, there is also provided a method for molding a first article and trimming a second article, the method comprising providing a molding and trimming apparatus having a first molding portion and a second molding portion movable relative to the first molding portion; moving the first molding portion towards the second molding portion until a first molding recess defined in the first molding portion is adjacent a second molding recess defined in the second molding portion to thereby form a molding cavity; injecting material into the molding cavity to thereby mold the first article; placing the second article in trimming means operatively connected to at least one of the first and second molding portions via transmission means adapted for actuating the trimming means when the first molding portion is moved relative to the second molding portion; moving the first molding portion away from the second molding portion, thereby trimming the second article.

In one embodiment, injecting material into the molding cavity and placing the second article in trimming means are performed simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises, before moving the first molding portion towards the second molding portion, placing the first article in one of the first and second molding recess, wherein injecting material into the molding cavity comprises injecting material on the first article received in the molding cavity to thereby overmold the first article.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises, after moving the first molding portion away from the second molding portion, removing the first article from the molding apparatus; removing the second article from the trimming means; placing the second article in one of the first and second molding recess; moving the first molding portion towards the second molding portion until the molding cavity is formed; injecting material into the molding cavity, on the second article received therein, to thereby overmold the second article.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises, after moving the first molding portion towards the second molding portion, placing a third article in the trimming means; moving the first molding portion away from the second molding portion, thereby trimming the third article. In one embodiment, injecting material into the molding cavity over the second article and placing the third article in the trimming means are performed simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of an apparatus for molding a first article and trimming a second article, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of trimming means and transmission means for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a drawing which shows a top plan view of the trimming means shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a drawing which shows a side elevation view of transmission means for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of an article trimming subassembly for the trimming means shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a drawing which shows another perspective view of an article trimming subassembly for the trimming means shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a drawing which shows a perspective view of trimming means and transmission means for an apparatus for molding a first article and trimming a second article, in accordance with an alternative embodiment; FIG. 8 is a drawing which shows another perspective view of the trimming means and the transmission means shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a drawing which shows a top plan view of the trimming means and the transmission means shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a drawing which shows a cross-section view, taken along cross-section line 10-10 of FIG. 9, of the transmission means shown in FIG. 7, with the trimming means removed to better appreciate the details of the transmission means;

FIG. 11 is a perspective, cross-sectioned view, taken along cross-section line 11- 11 of FIG. 8, of the transmission means shown in FIG. 7, which shows details of the first and second transmission members;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an article receiving subassembly for the trimming means shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the article receiving subassembly shown in FIG. 12. Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the embodiments, references to the accompanying drawings are by way of illustration of an example by which the invention may be practiced. It will be understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 for molding a first article and trimming a second article, in accordance with one embodiment. Although the singular is used when referring to the first article and the second article, it will be appreciated that the apparatus 100 is not limited to molding a single article and trimming another single article. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 100 is adapted for molding four articles while trimming four articles, as it will become apparent below. Alternatively, the apparatus 100 may be adapted for molding two articles while trimming two articles.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus 100 comprises an injection press 102 which is used for molding and/or overmolding. This type of press is widely known in the art. The injection press 102 comprises a frame 104 and first and second press members 106, 108 connected to the frame 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second press members 106, 108 respectively comprise first and second plates 110, 112 which extend parallel to each other. The apparatus 100 further comprises a mold 114 for molding the first article and trimming means 116 for trimming the second article. It will be appreciated that the trimming means 116 are advantageously located to enable an operator to readily access the trimming means 116 for loading articles therein and unloading articles therefrom. The mold 114 comprises first and second molding portions 120, 122 respectively mounted on the first and second press members 106, 108, facing each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the second molding portion 122 is secured to the second press member 108 and faces towards the first press member 106, while the first molding portion 120 is secured on a base 118 and faces towards the second press member 108. According to this configuration, the second molding portion 122 is movably connected to the first molding portion 120 via the injection press 102 and is cooperable with the first molding portion 120 in order to mold the first article. More specifically, the first molding portion 120 comprises a first molding recess 124a and the second molding portion 122 comprises a corresponding second molding recess 126a facing the first molding recess 124a. When the first molding portion 120 is placed adjacent the second molding portion 122, the first and second molding recesses 124a, 126a, together form a molding cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the first molding portion 120 comprises four molding recesses 24a, 124b, 124c, 124d and the second molding portion comprises four molding recesses 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d. Four molding cavities may therefore be formed to simultaneously mold four articles. It will be appreciated that the first molding portion 120 may have any number of molding recesses, provided that the second molding portion 122 has a corresponding number of molding recesses.

Alternatively, one of the first and second molding portion 120, 122 may comprise a planar surface instead of molding recesses. This embodiment may be useful for molding objects having a planar surface, for instance.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , an actuator, not shown, is further connected to at least one of the first and second press members 106, 108 for selectively moving the first and second press members 106, 108 towards and away from each other.

The actuator may be used to move the first and second press members 106, 108 towards each other until they contact each other. In this position, the first molding recess 124a is adjacent the second molding recess 126a and thereby forms the molding cavity. A pliable material, such as molten plastic, may then be injected in the molding cavity to thereby mold an article using injection molding techniques known to the skilled addressee.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second plates 110, 112 extend horizontally and are adapted to move towards each other in a vertical direction. Alternatively, the first and second plates 110, 112 may instead extend vertically and be adapted to move toward each other in a horizontal direction. Still in the illustrated embodiment, the first press member 106 is secured to the frame while the second press member 108 is movably connected to the frame 104 and operatively connected to the actuator for moving the second press member 108 towards the first press member 106. In an alternative embodiment, the second press member 108 is instead secured to the frame 104 while the first press member 106 is movably connected to the frame 104 and operatively connected to the actuator for moving the first press member 106 towards the second press member 108. In yet another embodiment, both the first and second press members 106, 108 are movably connected to the frame 104 and, upon activation of the injection press 102, the first press member 106 moves towards the second press member 108 while the second press member 108 moves towards the first press member 106.

In one embodiment, the injection press 102 is used for overmolding. In this embodiment, the first article is engaged in one of the first and second molding recesses 124a, 126a and the actuator is activated to move the first and second molding portions 120, 122 towards each other. Once the first molding portion 120 contacts the second molding portion 122 to thereby form the molding cavity, the pliable material is injected in the molding cavity to form an additional layer of material over the first article, thereby overmolding the first article. Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the trimming means 116 comprise at least one article receiving subassembly 200a provided with trimming tools to trim the second article engaged therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the trimming means 116 comprise four article receiving subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d to thereby simultaneously trim four articles, as it will become apparent below.

The apparatus 100 further comprises transmission means 202 operatively connected to the first molding portion 120, to the second molding portion 122 and to the trimming means 116 for actuating the trimming means 116 in order to trim the second article when the second molding portion 122 is moved relative to the first molding portion 120. More specifically, the transmission means 202 comprise the base 118, which extends in a first plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plane is generally horizontal, but alternatively, the base 118 may be angled such that the first plane has another orientation. The transmission means 202 further comprises a plurality of gears 208 rotatably mounted to the base 118. At least one of the plurality of gears 208 is operatively connected to the article trimming subassemblies 200. The plurality of gears 208 are operatively connected to each other such that rotation of one gear causes rotation of all the other gears, as it will become apparent below. Each of the plurality of gears 208 has a rotation axis which extends generally vertically, orthogonally to the first plane. This configuration enables movement to be transmitted from the plurality of gears 208 to the article trimming subassemblies 200 in a generally horizontal plane, as it will become apparent below.

The transmission means 202 also comprise a first transmission member 250 secured to the second molding portion 122 and a second transmission member 252 mounted to the base 118. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the first transmission member 250 comprises a first rack, or actuating rack 204, best shown in FIG. 1 , and the second transmission member 252 comprises a second rack, or connecting rack 210, which is operatively connected to the plurality of gears 208.

Still in this embodiment, the transmission means 202 further comprise a plurality of interconnected pinions 206 rotatably connected to the base 118. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 has an axis which extends generally horizontally, perpendicularly to the actuating rack 204, to enable engagement of the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 and the actuating rack 204. The plurality of interconnected pinions 206 operatively connect the actuating rack 204 with the connecting rack 210, such that movement of the actuating rack 204 causes movement of the connecting rack 210, which causes the plurality of gears 208 to rotate. More specifically, the connecting rack 210 comprises a first toothed portion 300 located proximal to the actuating rack 204 and a second toothed portion 302 located away from the actuating rack 204. The first toothed portion 300 comprises a first series of teeth 304 facing generally upwardly for engaging the plurality of interconnected pinions 206. This enables linear movement of the connecting rack 210 when the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 are rotated. The second toothed portion 302 comprises a second series of teeth 306 oriented generally perpendicularly to the first series of teeth 304 such that the second series of teeth 306 face generally laterally. This configuration allows the second series of teeth 306 to engage the plurality of gears 208 to thereby enable rotation of the plurality of gears 208 when the connecting rack 210 is moved linearly. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting rack 210 extends generally in the first plane defined by the base 118, which is horizontal in this embodiment, as explained above. The actuating rack 204 extends in a second plane which is generally orthogonal to the first plane. Therefore, in this embodiment, the actuating rack 204 extends generally vertically. Movement of the actuating rack 204 in the vertical direction thus causes movement of the connecting rack 210 in the horizontal direction. This configuration enables the generally vertical movement of the actuating rack 204 to be converted to horizontal movement, which is used to actuate the trimming means 116. In this embodiment, the article receiving subassemblies 200 may therefore be located such that an operator may easily and readily access the trimming means 116 from the sides of the injection press 102 instead of having to reach under or over the first press member 106, thereby advantageously increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of injury.

Alternatively, the connecting rack 210 may instead be configured to move vertically, generally in the second plane, and the trimming means 116 may instead be configured to be actuated by vertical movement of the connecting rack 210.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the transmission means 202 further comprise a plurality of cranks 212 which operatively connect the plurality of gears 208 to each of the four article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. This type of crank mechanism is well known in the art. Each of the plurality of cranks 212 has a first end 308 pivotally connected to one of the plurality of gears 208 and a second end 310 pivotally connected to one of the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. In this configuration, rotation of the plurality of gears 208 causes linear movement of the second end 310 of the plurality of cranks 212, which activates the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, as it will become apparent below. Now referring to FIG. 4, the connections between the actuating and connecting racks 204, 210, the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 and the plurality of gears 208 will be explained in further details to better appreciate the transmission of movement between the injection press 202 and the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. The skilled addressee will understand that the illustrated configuration is merely provided as an example and that other configurations are possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 comprises a first pinion 400 secured to a first rotatable shaft 402 and a second pinion 404 secured to a second rotatable shaft 406. The second rotatable shaft 406 extends parallel to the first rotatable shaft 402 and is located proximal to the first rotatable shaft 402 to enable the second pinion 404 to operatively engage the first pinion 400. As best shown in FIG. 2, a third pinion 408 is further secured to the second rotatable shaft 406, spaced apart from the second pinion 404. The second rotatable shaft 406 is further located proximal to the first toothed portion 300 of the connecting rack 210 to allow the third pinion 408 to engage the first series of teeth 304 of the connecting rack 210.

When the actuating rack 204 is moved vertically and engages the first pinion 400, the first pinion 400 rotates in a first direction. Rotation of the first pinion 400 causes the second pinion 404, and thus the second rotatable shaft 406 to which it is secured, to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. The third pinion 408, being also secured to the second rotatable shaft 406, therefore also rotates in the second direction and thereby moves the connecting rack 210 horizontally. It will be appreciated that the actuating rack 204, the first pinion 400 and the second pinion 404 are located in a first vertical plane while the third pinion 408 and the connecting rack 210 are located in a second vertical plane which is parallel to the first plane and spaced apart therefrom, as best shown in FIG. 3. This configuration advantageously prevents the actuating rack 204 and the connecting rack 210 to interfere with each other when moved. Alternatively, the plurality of interconnected pinions 206 may not comprise the third pinion 408, the second pinion 404 being directly operatively engaged with the first toothed portion 300 of the connecting rack 210. Still referring to FIG. 4, the second toothed portion 302 of the connecting rack 210 operatively engages the plurality of gears 208 and the linear movement of the connecting rack thereby causes rotation of the plurality of gears, as explained above. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of gears 208 comprises first, second, third and fourth gears 410a, 410b, 410c, 41 Od which are positioned in series, in the same horizontal plane. More specifically, each gear is meshed with an adjacent gear. The first gear 410a is for transmitting movement of the connecting rack 210 to the second gear 410b and the third gear 410c is for transmitting movement of the second gear 410b to the fourth gear 41 Od. The second and fourth gears 410b, 41 Od are each secured to a rotatable gear shaft 412 and are sandwiched between top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416, which are also secured to the rotatable gear shaft 412. The plurality of cranks 212 are secured to the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 such that rotation of the second and fourth gears 410b and 41 Od moves the second end 310 of the plurality of cranks 212 in a linear motion, as it will become apparent below. Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d will be described in further details. Since all four illustrated article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d are similar, only a first one 200a of the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d will be described.

The article trimming subassembly 200a comprises an article receiving portion 500 securely connected to the base 118, not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and a tool holding portion 502 slidably connected to the article receiving portion 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the article receiving portion 500 comprises a stationary member 504 secured to the base 118 and a movable member 506 slidably connected to the stationary member 504 by means of resilient members, such as springs 550. The movable member 506 is spaced from the stationary member 504 to define a space 508 therebetween for receiving the second article therein. The movable member 506 may be moved towards the stationary member 504 to thereby hold the second article received in the space 508 during trimming of the second article, as it will become apparent below. Similarly, the movable member 506 may be moved away from the stationary member 504 to thereby release the second article after trimming. Tool guiding means 510 are further provided for guiding the tool holding portion 502 towards the article receiving portion 500 in a linear path. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool guiding means 510 comprise a pair of panel members 512, 514 which are secured to the movable member 506. The panel members 512, 514 extend parallel to each other and generally horizontally. A pair of corresponding openings 600, 602 are further provided in the tool holding portion 502 for receiving the panel members 512, 514. This configuration enables the tool holding portion 502 to be slid linearly along the panel members 512, 514 selectively towards and away from the article receiving portion 500.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second end 310 of the cranks 212 is pivotally connected to the tool holding portion 502 by means of a pin 604. An elongated guiding groove 606 is defined in each of the panel members 512, 514. The pin 604 extends through the elongated guiding grooves 606 between the second ends 310 of the cranks 212. When the second end 310 of the cranks 212 is moved towards the article receiving portion 500, the pin 604 is guided by the elongated guiding grooves 606 in a linear path, thereby further contributing to guiding the tool holding portion 502 in a linear path.

In the illustrated embodiment, the movable member 506 is operatively connected to the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 via a cam mechanism for enabling the movable member 506 to be moved linearly towards the stationary member 504 when the second molding portion 122, not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is moved relative to the first molding portion 120, not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

More specifically, each of the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 comprises a generally semicircular indent 552 and each of the panel members 512, 514 comprises a tab 554 sized and shaped to operatively engage a corresponding semicircular indent 552 in a cam-follower relationship. When the second molding portion 122 is positioned away from the first molding portion 120, the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are in an idle position in which the tab 554 is aligned with the corresponding semicircular indent 552. In this position, the springs 550 are resiliently urging the movable member 506 away from the stationary member 504. Since the panel members 512, 514 are secured to the movable member 506, the tab 554 is thereby urged into the corresponding semicircular indent 552.

When the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are rotated, the semicircular indent 552 moves out of alignment with the corresponding tab 554, thereby pushing the panel members 512, 514 and the movable member 506 secured thereto towards the stationary member 504, until the second article received in the space 508 is held between the movable member 506 and the stationary member 504. When the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are rotated back towards the idle position such that the semicircular indent 552 is again aligned with the corresponding tab 554, the springs 550 urge the movable member 506 away from the stationary member 504, thereby releasing the second item, as it will become apparent below.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the article trimming subassembly 200a further comprises a cutting tool such as a blade or a punch for trimming the second article received in the space 508 when the tool holding portion is moved towards the article receiving portion 500. In the illustrated embodiment, a blade 550 having an S-shaped configuration is secured to the tool holding portion 502 and extends towards the article receiving portion 500. An opening 610 having an S shape corresponding to the shape of the blade 550 is defined in the movable member 506 for enabling the blade 550 to slidably pass therethrough. This configuration enables the blade 550 to be moved linearly through the movable member 506 and into the space 508 between the movable member 506 and the stationary member 504 to thereby contact and trim the second article received in the space 508. It will be appreciated that the blade 550 may, instead of being S- shaped, have any other shape suitable for trimming the second article, and that the shape of the blade 550 is selected according to the shape of the second article. It will further be appreciated that the illustrated configuration is particularly adapted for moving the blade 550 along a relatively small linear path. In one embodiment for example, the blade 550 is moved by a distance of 5 mm during trimming of the second article. The blade 550 may be moved by a different distance depending on the size and shape of the second article. A person skilled in the art will understand the transmission means 202 may be configured differently in order to move the blade 550 by a desired distance.

With references to FIGS. 1 to 6, operation of the molding and trimming apparatus 100 will now be described. Initially, the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are spaced from each other and motionless. This configuration defines an initial position of the first and second molding portions 120, 122.

The second article is first loaded in the trimming means 116. More specifically, articles are loaded in each of the four article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. It will be appreciated that the four article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d are positioned such that they are accessible to the operator, thereby enabling the articles to be readily loaded. In the present embodiment, the second article comprises a molded item which has previously been molded in a separate operation. The first article is then placed in the first molding recess 124a of the first molding portion 120. In the present embodiment, the first article comprises an article which has previously been trimmed. The first article may have been trimmed in a separate operation or by the trimming means 116 of the apparatus, as it will become apparent below. In this configuration, the first article is ready to be overmolded.

Alternatively, the first article may first be placed in the first molding recess 124a, and the second article may then be loaded in the trimming means 116.

In yet another embodiment, the second article may only be loaded in the trimming means 116 later during molding or overmolding of the first article. Since the molding or overmolding process usually takes a certain amount of time, the operator may use this certain amount of time to place the second article in the trimming means 116, which advantageously improves productivity by preventing that the apparatus 100 remain idle while the operator loads both the first article and the second article in the apparatus 100. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus 100 is not used for overmolding, but is instead used for regular molding. In this embodiment, the first article is not placed in a molding recess, but is instead created directly by the injection press, by injecting pliable material in the molding cavity.

Referring back to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the injection press 102 is then activated. The actuator moves the second press member 108 downwardly, thereby moving the second molding portion 122 towards the first molding portion 120 until the second molding portion 122 contacts the first molding portion 120, thereby defining a molding position of the first and second molding portions 120, 122. The pliable material is then injected in the molding cavity thereby formed and the first article is thereby molded, or, in the present embodiment, overmolded.

Alternatively, the actuator may instead be operatively connected to the first press member 106 and move the first press member 106 upwardly to move the first molding portion 120 towards the second molding portion 122. In yet another embodiment, the actuator may instead be operatively connected to both the first and second press members 106, 108 and move the first press member 106 upwardly and the second press member 108 downwardly to move the first and second molding portion 120, 122 towards each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, as the second molding portion 122 moves downwardly, the actuating rack 204, which is secured thereto, operatively engages the plurality of pinions 206 and causes them to rotate. Rotation of the plurality of pinions 206 is then transmitted to the plurality of gears 208 via the connecting rack 210. Rotation of the plurality of gears 208, and thus rotation of the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416, moves the cranks 212 such that the second end 310 of the cranks 212 is moved towards their corresponding article trimming subassembly 200. The tool holding portion 502 of the article trimming subassembly 200a, which is pivotally connected to the second end 310 of the cranks 212, is thereby moved linearly towards the article receiving portion 500 and the blade 550, which is secured to the tool holding portion 502, trims the second article received in the article receiving portion 500. When the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are rotated, the panel members 512, 514 and the movable member 506 secured thereto are moved towards the stationary member 504 until the second article is held between the movable member 506 and the stationary member 504, as explained above. The cranks 212 are adapted to further move the tool holding portion 502 and the blade 550 secured thereto towards the article receiving portion 500 as the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are further rotated. This enables the second article to be held while being trimmed, which advantageously facilitates the trimming of the second article, as one skilled in the art will appreciate.

It will further be appreciated that in the illustrated configuration, all parts of the transmission means 202 move simultaneously. A person skilled in the art will therefore understand that the trimming of the second article is accomplished concurrently to the molding of the first article.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating rack 204, the plurality of pinions 206 and the connecting rack 210 are configured to rotate the plurality of gears 208 by half a turn when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved from the initial position to the molding position. As can be appreciated from FIG. 9, when the plurality of gears 208, and therefore the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416, are rotated by half a turn, the cranks 212 attached to the top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are moved along a semicircular path, such that they are first moved towards the stationary member 504 and then away from the stationary member 504 once the cranks 212 have passed the top of the semicircular path.

The tool holding portion 502, which is attached to the cranks 212, is also moved first towards the stationary member 504 and then away from the stationary member 504. Therefore, during the downwards movement of the second molding portion 122 towards the first molding portion 120, the second article is first trimmed, and then released. A full trimming operation, comprising a trimming phase and a release phase, is thus performed when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved from their initial position to their molding position. Once the second article, which is now trimmed, has been released, the operator may remove it from the trimming means 116.

Once the molding of the first article and the trimming of the second article are completed, the second press member 108 is moved upwardly to thereby move the second molding portion 122 away from the first molding portion 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, because of the configuration described above, when the second press member 108 is moved upwardly, the cranks 212 are moved along the same semicircular in the opposite direction. This again causes the tool holding portion 502 to be moved first towards the stationary member 504 and then away from the stationary member 504. Therefore, another full trimming operation, comprising a trimming phase and a release phase, is performed when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved from their molding position back to their initial position.

A skilled addressee will further appreciate that this configuration advantageously enables to choose whether to trim the second article when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other or when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved away from each other.

The operator may even choose to trim the second article while the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other, to remove the second article from the trimming means 116 and to trim another article while the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved away from each other. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus 100 is configured for performing only the trimming phase when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other and only the release phase when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved away from each other. For instance, this configuration may be obtained by configuring the transmission means 202 such that the plurality of gears 208 only move a quarter of a turn instead of half a turn when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other.

In this alternative embodiment, when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other, the tool holding portion 502 is moved towards the stationary member 504 to trim the second article and remains near the stationary member 504 while the first article is molded.

Once the molding of the first article and the trimming of the second article are completed, the second press member 108 is moved upwardly to thereby move the second molding portion 122 away from the first molding portion 120. When the actuating rack 204, which is secured to the second molding portion 122, is also moved upwardly, the plurality of pinions 206 are rotated in the opposite direction. All other parts of the transmission means 202 also move in a direction opposite to the direction they were moving in when the second molding member 122 was moving downwardly. Therefore, the tool holding portion 502 and the blade 550 secured thereto are moved away from the article receiving portion 500.

The top and bottom crank wheels 414, 416 are further rotated back in the idle position in which the semicircular indent 552 and the corresponding tab 554 are aligned. In this position, the springs 550 urge the movable member 506 away from the stationary member 504 and thereby enable the second article to be removed from the article trimming subassembly 200a.

The first article has now been molded, or overmolded, and the second article has now been trimmed. In one embodiment, the first article is now a finished product and may be moved to another work station for further operations, while the second article still needs to be overmolded. In this embodiment, the second article, now trimmed, may be placed in the first molding recess 124a to become the first article and a further batch of articles to be trimmed may be loaded in the article trimming subassemblies 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d. The injection press 102 may now be activated, and the cycle of production may continue.

The apparatus 100 advantageously enables recycling of the energy used by the actuator to move the second molding portion downwardly during molding of the first article in order to trim the second article, which will save energy and substantially lower production costs. Since both the trimming and the molding are performed using the same apparatus, only one operator is needed, which advantageously reduces the manpower required to manufacture the article as well as the cost associated therewith. Furthermore, by enabling two operations needed to complete a product to be performed simultaneously, the apparatus 100 enables substantial reduction of production time and thus, enhanced productivity, which is of great advantage. The apparatus 100 also enables the second article to first be trimmed, and then overmolded while requiring relatively little movement of the article, which further contributes to reducing production time.

Other embodiments of the apparatus are also possible. For instance, the trimming means could instead be actuated only when the second press member is moved upwardly after the part has been molded, and the second article may be released only when the second press member is moved back downwardly to mold another part. In this embodiment, the trimming of the second article is therefore consecutive to the overmolding of the first article, instead of being simultaneous thereto.

In another embodiment, the first article and the second article may not be part of the same production cycle. For instance, the second article, once trimmed, may be carried over to another machine, and the first article may instead have been trimmed at another location before being brought over to the apparatus and placed in the first molding recess. In yet another embodiment, the injection press is not used for overmolding, but for regular injection molding. In this embodiment, the first article may not be related to the second article. Now turning to FIGS. 7 to 11 , there is shown transmission means 702 and trimming means 704 for an apparatus 700 for molding a first article and trimming a second article, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, except for a few differences described below. The apparatus 700 comprises an injection press having a first molding portion and a second molding portion, not shown. Similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the trimming means 704 of the apparatus 700 comprise a plurality of article receiving subassemblies 750 which are operatively connected to the transmission means 702 to be actuated by movement of the injection press.

The transmission means 702 comprises a plurality of gears 706 rotatably mounted to a base 708, which defines a plane. In this embodiment however, the plurality of gears 706 are not intermeshed, but are instead interconnected by a plurality of chains 900.

More specifically, the plurality of gears 706 comprises a first gear 1000, a second gear 1002 and a third gear 1004. The first gear 1000 comprises a first shaft 1006, a first sprocket 1008 mounted to the first shaft 1006 and a pinion 1010 also mounted to the first shaft 1006, below the first sprocket 1008.

The second gear 1002 comprises a second shaft 1012, a second sprocket 1014 mounted to the second shaft 1012 and a third sprocket 1016 also mounted to the second shaft 1012, below the second sprocket 1014. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11 , the first and second sprockets 1000, 1002 are located generally in a first common plane and are operatively interconnected by means of a first chain 1018, which transmits rotation of the first gear 1000 to the second gear 1002.

The third gear 1004 comprises a third shaft 1020 and a fourth sprocket 1022 mounted to the third shaft 1020. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11 , the third and fourth sprockets 1016, 1022 are located generally in a second common plane, lower than the first common plane, and are operatively interconnected by means of a second chain 1024, which transmits rotation of the second gear 1002 to the third gear 1004. It will be appreciated that the use of chains provides a slight play between rotation of the gears relative to each other, which advantageously enables the gears to be manufactured and installed with a relatively lower degree of precision. Furthermore, the use of chains reduces friction between the gears, which advantageously reduces wear and tear of the gears. In the illustrated embodiment, the second gear 1002 further comprises a generally rectangular first crank plate 1026 mounted on the second shaft 1012 and first and second cranks 902, 904 pivotably connected to the first crank plate 1026. Each one of the first and second cranks 902, 904 extends between the first crank plate 1026 and a corresponding article receiving subassembly 750 to actuate the corresponding article receiving subassembly 750 when the second gear 1002 is rotated.

Similarly, the third gear 1004 comprises a generally rectangular second crank plate 1028 mounted on the third shaft 1020 and third and fourth cranks 906, 908 pivotably connected to the second crank plate 1028. Each one of the third and fourth cranks 906, 908 extends between the second crank plate 1028 and a corresponding article receiving subassembly 750 to actuate the corresponding article receiving subassembly 750 when the third gear 1004 is rotated.

Still referring to FIGS. 7 to 11 , the transmission means 702 further comprises a first transmission member 800 secured to the first molding portion and a second transmission member 802 operatively connected the first transmission member 800 and secured to the base 708.

In this embodiment, the first transmission member 800 comprises an elongated member 1100 having a generally straight upper portion 1102 which defines a longitudinal axis L1 and a second bottom portion 1104 which is angled away from the longitudinal axis L1.

Still in this embodiment, the second transmission member 802 comprises a carriage 1106 and carriage guiding means 1108 secured to the base 708.

More specifically, the carriage guiding means 1108 comprises a frame 1110 through which extends an elongated, generally rectangular opening 1112 sized and shaped to slidably receive the carriage 1106 therein. An elongated window

1114 is further provided in a side wall 1116 of the frame 1110 to slidably receive a sliding member 760 of the carriage 1006 therein, as best shown in FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding member 760 comprises a rack 1050 which faces towards the first gear 1000 and which operatively engages the pinion 1010 of the first gear 1000. The sliding member 760 extends through the elongated window 1114 and acts as a guide to enable movement of the carriage 1006 along a linear path which extends generally along the plane defined by the base 708, while preventing vertical movement of the carriage 1006.

A channel 1118 further extends through the carriage 1006. The channel 1118 is sized and shaped to receive the second portion 1104 of the elongated member 1100. As best shown in FIG. 11 , the shape of the channel 1118 is complementary to the shape of the second portion 1104 of the elongated member 1100. More specifically, the second portion 1104 of the elongated member 1100 comprises outer first and second side surfaces 1120, 1122 which are parallel to each other. Similarly, the channel 11 8 comprises inner third and fourth side surfaces 1124, 1126 which are also parallel to each other. When the transmission means 704 is properly installed and the second portion 1104 of the elongated member 1100 engages the channel 118, the third and fourth side surfaces 1124, 1126 respectively contact the first and second side surfaces 1120, 1122 and may slide against them.

Since the elongated member 1100 is secured to the first molding portion of the injection press, movement of the elongated member 1100 is restricted to vertical movement, along the longitudinal axis L1 of its first portion 1102.

It will be appreciated that in this configuration, vertical movement of the elongated member 1100 causes the first and second side surfaces 1120, 1122 to respectively slide against the third and fourth side surfaces 1124, 1126. Since movement of the carriage 1106 is restricted to lateral movement along the elongated opening 1112, the vertical movement of the elongated member 1100 causes lateral movement of the carriage 1106. Since the rack 1050 engages the pinion 1010 of the first gear 1000, this also causes rotation of the first gear 1000 and of the other gears 1002, 1004 via the chains 1018, 1024, and the rotation of the gears 1000, 1002, 1004 actuates the trimming means 704.

Furthermore, it will also be appreciated that the range of lateral movement of the carriage 1106 depends on the angle of the elongated member 1100 and of the channel 1118. A sharper angle will cause a larger lateral displacement than a softer angle for the same vertical displacement of the elongated member 1100, as one skilled in the art will appreciate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the angle of the elongated member 1100 is selected to move laterally the carriage 1106 by a distance which enables the gears 1000, 1002, 1004 to rotate by half a turn when the first and second molding portions are displaced from their initial position to their molding position. As explained above with references to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, this causes the trimming means to perform a full trimming operation, comprising a trimming phase and a release phase, while the first molding portion is moved towards the second molding portion, and another full trimming operation while the first molding portion is moved away from the second molding portion. Here again, the operator may choose whether to place the second article in the trimming means before the first molding portion is moved towards the second molding portion or before the first molding portion is moved away from the second molding portion.

Alternatively, the angle of the elongated member 1100 may instead be selected to move laterally the carriage 1106 by a distance which enables the gears 1000, 1002, 1004 to rotate by a quarter of a turn instead of half a turn when the first and second molding portions are displaced from their initial position to their molding position. In this configuration, only the trimming phase of the full trimming operation is performed when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved towards each other and only the release phase of the full trimming operation is performed when the first and second molding portions 120, 122 are moved away from each other. Since all article receiving subassemblies 750 are substantially similar, only one of the article receiving subassemblies 750 will be now described to avoid redundancies.

Now referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the article receiving subassembly 750 comprises an article receiving portion 1200 for receiving the second article and a tool holding portion 1202 which is operatively connected to a corresponding crank, not shown. A cutting tool 1204 is secured to the tool holding portion 1202 and extends towards the article receiving portion 1200. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting tool 1204 is a punch, but may instead by any cutting tool known to the skilled addressee such as a blade for instance.

Similarly to the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the article receiving portion 1200 comprises a stationary member 1206 and a movable member 1208 movable relative to the stationary member 1206.

The article receiving subassembly 750 further comprises tool guiding means 1210 for guiding the tool holding portion 1202 towards the article receiving portion 1200 in a linear path. More specifically, the tool guiding means 1210 comprise a pair of shoulder screws 1300 extending parallel to each other and to the linear path. Each shoulder screw 1300 comprises a first end 1302 located near the tool holding portion 1202 and a second end 1304 located near the movable member 1208. The shoulder screws 1300 are inserted through corresponding through holes 1306 defined in the tool holding portion 1202. The second end 1304 of the shoulder screw 1300 comprises threads, not shown, as is known in the art, and is further threadingly engaged in and secured to the movable member 1208. The first end 1302 of the shoulder screw 1300 comprises a head 1308 which prevents the tool holding portion 1202 to be slid off from the shoulder screws 1300 by being pulled away from the movable member 1208. It will be appreciated that instead of shoulder screws, other types of elongated members may be used to form the tool guiding means 1210. For instance, the tool guiding means 1210 may instead comprise one or more rods secured to the movable member 1208 by welding.

The tool guiding means 1210 further comprises a pair of springs 1310, each one being mounted around one of the shoulder screws 1300 and each one extending between the tool holding portion 1202 and the movable member 1208.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the article receiving portion 1200 further comprises a positioning mechanism 1212 for enabling positioning of the movable member 1208 relative to the stationary member 1206. In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 1212 is used for maintaining a predetermined distance between the movable member 1208 and the stationary member 1206. More specifically, the stop mechanism 1212 comprises a pin 1312 secured to the movable member 1208 and a corresponding barrel 1314 secured to the stationary member 1206 for receiving the pin 1312 when the movable member 1208 is moved towards the stationary member 1206. The pin 1312 and the barrel 1314 are sized and shaped such that the pin 1312 will abut the bottom of the barrel 1314 before the movable member 1208 abuts the stationary member 1206, thereby maintaining the predetermined distance between the movable member 1208 and the stationary member 1206. In one embodiment, the length of the pin 1312 may be adjusted to modify the predetermined distance between the movable member 1208 and the stationary member 1206. This advantageously enables an operator or user to set a distance which will not damage the second article, for instance.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pin 1312 comprises a tapered tip 1316 which is complementary to the shape of the barrel 1314 to enable the pin 1312 to be guided towards the bottom of the barrel 1314. This configuration enables the tool holding portion 1202 to remain on its linear path when the cutting tool 1214 is near the second article or engages the second article, which advantageously provides relatively more precise trimming of the second article.

When the plurality of gears 706, not shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, are rotated, the tool holding portion 1202 is moved by the corresponding crank towards the article receiving portion 1200. As explained above, the tool holding portion 1202 is guided by the guiding means 1210 along a linear path during this movement. It will be appreciated that the springs 1310 have a sufficient stiffness to move the movable member 1208 towards the stationary member 1206 when the tool holding portion 1202 is moved towards the article receiving portion 1200. At this stage, the tool holding portion 1202 contacts the head 1308 of the shoulder screws 1300 and does not move relative to the shoulder screws 1300.

When the pin 1312 abuts the bottom of the barrel 1314, the movable member 1208 is prevented from moving further towards the stationary member 1206. Since the shoulder screws 1300 are secured to the movable member 1208, the shoulder screws 1300 are prevented from moving further as well. However, the crank is configured to continue moving the tool holding portion 1202 towards the article receiving portion 1200 even when the movable member 1208 is stopped. The tool holding portion 1202 therefore continues moving towards the article receiving portion 1200. Since the shoulder screws 1300 are stopped, the tool holding portion 1202 slides down on the shoulder screws 1300 towards the article receiving portion 1200, thereby pushing and compressing the springs 1310. At this stage, the tool holding portion 1202 is no longer in contact with the head 1308 of the shoulder screws 1300.

It will be appreciated that the tool holding portion 1202 is now biased against the movable member 1208, which advantageously contributes to holding the second article in the article receiving portion 1200 and to prevent the second article from being undesirably released during trimming.

In an alternative embodiment, the article receiving portion 1200 does not comprise a stop mechanism 1212. When the movable portion 1208 is moved towards the stationary portion 1206 and is pressed against the second article received in the article receiving portion 1200 by the springs 1310, the article receiving portion 1200 instead acts as a vise to advantageously prevent movement of the second article during trimming.

After the trimming is performed, the crank pulls the tool holding portion 1202 away from the article receiving portion 1200. The springs 1310 also contribute to moving the tool holding portion 1202 away from the article receiving portion 1200 by moving from a compressed configuration to an uncompressed configuration. The tool holding portion 1202 is further moved away from the article receiving portion 1200 until it abuts the head 1308 of the shoulder screws 1300. The tool holding portion 1202 is then further moved away from the article receiving portion 1200, thereby pulling the shoulder screws 1300 and the movable member 1208 away from the stationary member 1206 to release the second article.

Although the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described herein.