Abstract:
A press moulding machine includes a fixed mould portion and a horizontally moveable mould portion moveable in a linear horizontal direction between open and closed positions with the mould portions, respectively, spaced apart or in engagement. The device also includes means for removing a moulded object from the space between the fixed and moveable mould portions. The object removal means includes a gripper member including a gripping element at one end for grippingly engaging a moulded object adjacent the moveable mould portion, and means for moving the gripping member in a horizontal direction for moving the gripping element between an object gripping position adjacent the moveable mould portion in the space between the fixed and moveable mould portions and a withdrawn position remote from the space, the path of the horizontal motion of the gripping element including a first portion extending from the object gripping position in the linear horizontal direction of motion of the moveable mould portion to a position intermediate the fixed and moveable mould portions, and a second portion extending horizontally away from the space between the fixed and moveable mould portions to the retracted positions.