초록 ▼

An improved flexible manufacturing process for making molded fiber products uses a molding machine provided with a large number of ports for mounting a variety of molds. Quick release mold attachments permit rapid changeover of production output. The molds used are designed to have a predetermined t

An improved flexible manufacturing process for making molded fiber products uses a molding machine provided with a large number of ports for mounting a variety of molds. Quick release mold attachments permit rapid changeover of production output. The molds used are designed to have a predetermined total height, and platen stops maintain this design separation during transfer of the molded product. An expanded stock chest is provided to permit a higher pulp usage rate. Separate positive air supply lines are provided for the different transfer mold sites. Using these separate lines, a novel air volume and flow control method is provided to control the volume of air applied to release products from transfer molds, permitting manufacture of a variety of complex structures. The air flow controls permit control of both the rate of flow and the duration of the selected rate of flow of positive pressure air, thus providing total volume control. A variable height conveyor is provided to receive molded structures and products dropped from the transfer molds of the upper platen to accommodate a variety of widths and depths of products in a particular run. Separate control of drying air flow in a multiple stage air dryer is provided to permit adjustment of the drying process to accommodate a variety of molded product configurations.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vacuum molding apparatus for pulp products comprising:molding platen means for providing a plurality of forming mold attachment sites to receive one or more forming molds, and for introducing wet pulp material to said forming molds to mold formed products;air pressure s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vacuum molding apparatus for pulp products comprising:molding platen means for providing a plurality of forming mold attachment sites to receive one or more forming molds, and for introducing wet pulp material to said forming molds to mold formed products;air pressure source means operably connected to said plurality of forming mold attachment sites of said molding platen means for selectively creating an air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites, including means for creating a negative air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites to attract said wet pulp material to said forming molds and means for creating a positive air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites to remove said formed products from said forming molds; andcontrol means connected between said air pressure source means and said plurality of forming mold attachment sites for individually and differentially controlling a duration of air application to each of said forming mold attachment sites and individually and differentially varying a volume flow rate of air applied to each of said forming mold attachment sites by said air pressure source means depending on characteristics of the formed product at each said forming mold attachment site.