CA1307969C - Moulding machine - Google Patents
Moulding machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1307969C CA1307969C CA000607270A CA607270A CA1307969C CA 1307969 C CA1307969 C CA 1307969C CA 000607270 A CA000607270 A CA 000607270A CA 607270 A CA607270 A CA 607270A CA 1307969 C CA1307969 C CA 1307969C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- transfer
- carrier
- finishing
- mould
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
- D21J—FIBREBOARD; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM CELLULOSIC FIBROUS SUSPENSIONS OR FROM PAPIER-MACHE
- D21J5/00—Manufacture of hollow articles by transferring sheets, produced from fibres suspensions or papier-mâché by suction on wire-net moulds, to couch-moulds
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An improved moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form fully finished moulded items comprises an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized movement along an endless path. Input moulds are mounted on the input carrier. Finishing moulds are mounted on the finishing carrier. Transfer moulds are provided and each has a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and the finishing mould face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use.
Each transfer mould has an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient its transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use. A
transporting system is provided for transporting the transfer moulds along an endless path which forms an enclosure within which the finishing carrier is located. The transfer systems comprise a first mould transport and reorienting system arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of the enclosure when in engagement with the input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of the enclosure when in engagement with the finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, and a second mould transport and reorienting system arranged between the finishing carrier and the input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of the enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for re-engagement with the input moulds of the input carrier.
An improved moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form fully finished moulded items comprises an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized movement along an endless path. Input moulds are mounted on the input carrier. Finishing moulds are mounted on the finishing carrier. Transfer moulds are provided and each has a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and the finishing mould face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use.
Each transfer mould has an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient its transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use. A
transporting system is provided for transporting the transfer moulds along an endless path which forms an enclosure within which the finishing carrier is located. The transfer systems comprise a first mould transport and reorienting system arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of the enclosure when in engagement with the input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of the enclosure when in engagement with the finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, and a second mould transport and reorienting system arranged between the finishing carrier and the input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of the enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for re-engagement with the input moulds of the input carrier.
Description
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This invention relates to moulding machines for producing fully finished moulded products made from fibrous materials such as wood pulp. In particular this invention relates to machinery for the drying and finishing of moulded preforms in continuous motion in one continuous production line, while maintaining complete control of each product in a special cam-controlled transfer mould assembly throughout their travel together to the point of final discharge. This invention relates also to the camming elements for the control and positioning of the transfer mould assemblies and their contained moulded products.
Prior Art In prior devices for producing fully finished moulded articles from fibrous pulps, a number of different pressing stations have been provided at spaced circumferential intervals about the axis of rotation of a carrier, and each of the moulds mounted on the carrier is indexed and pres~nted sequentially, together with the contained product, to a different matching mould at each of the pressing stations. One such device is described in U.S. Patent No. 2,183,868, Randall et al. This intermittent action reduces the speed of operation and the contact time of the matching mould elements.
In the moulding machine of the present invention, each transfer mould element, together with its contained product, is mated sequentially with one matching finishing mould element mounted on a continuously moving carrier, and the moulded product remains within the same matching pair of moulds in the drying and . ~
,' ~31~7~9 finishing process throughout their travel around on the finishing carrier and until the transfer mould assembly and its contained product are transferred therefrom.
The transfer system comprises a multiplicity oE transfer mould assemblies each having a ser:ies of cam followers mounted circumferentially about the supporting shaft thereof at intervals, and a series of cam tracks by means of which the transfer mould assemblies are controlled and oriented throughout their travel path between an input carrier and a finishing carrier, the number and spacing of the cam followers being adapted to provide for complete rotation through lBO degrees in either direction in relation to the main shaft of the rotary carrier, as required for the transfer of the moulded products from the input carrier to the finishing carrier and thence to the point of final discharge. According to one aspect of the present invention ,there is provided a moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprising an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, input moulds mounted on said input carrier, each input mould having an input mould face, finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier, each finishing mould having a finishing mould face, transfer moulds which are mounted in a releaseable transfer mould assembly for transfer to a chain conveyor, each transfer mould having a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and also with the finishing mould ~. ~i, ~3~
face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use, each transfer moul~ assembly having an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient its transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use, transporting means for transporting said transfer moulds along an endless path which for~ls an enclosure within which the finishing carrier is located, said transporting means comprising a first transfer and mould reorienting means serially arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded .item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, a second transfer and mould reorienting means serially arranged between the finishing carrier and said input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through :180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for re-engagement with said input moulds of said input carrier.
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein ;
: - 3 -~, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment o~ the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of a transfer mould assembly.
Figure 3 is a side view of the transfer mould assembly of Fig.2 Figure 4 is an end view of a transfer mould assembly mated with a finishing mould assembly.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of a portion of the machine of Figure 1 showing the input carrier, first, second and third transfer carriers and the finishing carrier in more detail.
Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section of the moulding machine of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a diagram which illustrates the gear train which synchronizes the rotary motion of the rotary carriers, and which also illustrates the path of travel of an endless conveyor according to one aspect of the invention.
Figure 7x is a diagram similar to Figure 6a showing the path of travel of the endless conveyor according to a second aspect of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram which illustrates the various cam tracks used for guiding the cam followers through the transfer stations and it also illustrates the position of the various cam followers in relation to the cam tracks.
Figure 8x is a diagram similar to Figure 8 which illustrates the various cam tracks used for guiding the cam followers between and through the transfer stations according to the said second aspect `':' ;', ~. , .: .
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of the present invention, and it also illustrates the position of the various cam followers in relation to the cam tracks.
Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of an endless conveyor chain showing the releaseable connection with the cam followers of the transfer mould assembly.
Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of the chain of Figure 9 showing the position of the shaft of the shoe of the transfer carrier in relation to the chain.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 8 refers generally to a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The moulding machine 8 comprises an input carrier 10, a finishing carrier 13, a first rotary transfer carrier 11, a second rotary transfer carrier 12, a third rotary carrier 14, and a transporting chain conveyor 16. The input carrier 10 rotates through the forming vat 9, and acts as a vacuum former on which the preform moulded items are formed in a well known manner.
Referring to Figure 5 the first rotary transfer carrier transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and their contained moulded items to the second rotary transfer carrier which in turn transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and their contained moulded items to the finishing carrier. The third rotary transfer carrier transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and the contained finished items from the finishing carrier to the chain conveyor 16 which in turn conveys the transfer mould assemblies 40 through the discharge point and thence onward to '~
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~. , 75~9 the first transfer carrier 11 and into cooperation with the input moulds 41 on input carrier 10. The input carrier 10, finishing carrier 13 and the transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14 and the sprocket 63 of the chain conveyor 16 each have parallel axes about which the transfer mould assemblies 40 are caused to rotate as they are being reoriented. A first transfer station 100 is located between the input carrier 10 and the first rotary transfer carrier 11. ~ second transfer station 200 is located between the second transfer carrier 12 and the finishing carrier 13. A third transfer station 300 is located between the finishing carrier 13 and the third transfer carrier 14. The chain conveyor travels through a fourth transfer station 400 where moulded items are discharged from the transfer moulds.
The finishing process performed between the transfer moulds and the finishing moulds when mated on the finishing carrier 13 may optionally comprise pressing a previously dried preform with one or both moulds heated to achieve permanent densification and a smoother surface, or pressing a wet moulded preform with unheated moulds, to achieve partial densification, partial dewatering and a smoother surface, or pressing a wet moulded preform with one or both moulds heated to achieve improved densification, with partial dewatering by pressing and further drying by evaporation.
Removal of moisture pressed or evaporated from the moulded product is effected by the application of vacuum internally of the moulds in a manner well know to the industry.
he input carrier lO consists of a carrier wheel 124 which has a ~;
~3~ 9 support shaft 20 mounted for rotation in bearings 128. The lower segment of the carrier wheel 124 extends into a pulp vat 9.
A plurality of forming moulds 41 are located at circumferentially spaced intervals about the carrier wheel 124 and are arranged to pass sequentially through the vat 9. A gear wheel 30 is mounted on the shaft 26 and serves to drive the carrier wheel 124 in a synchronized rotation with respect to the finishing carrier 13 as will be described hereinafter.
The first transfer carrier 11 has a support shaft 21 mounted for rotation in bearings 136 which are mounted on the frame 18. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5/ the second transfer carrier 12 has a shaft 22 mounted for rotation in bearings 138 which are supported by the frame. The finishing carrier 13 has a shaft 23 mounted for rotation in bearings 140 which are mounted on the frame 18. The third transfer carrier 14 has a support shaft 24 mounted for rotation in bearings 142 which are mounted on khe frame 18 and the sprocket 63 of the chain conveyor has a support shaft 25 which is mounted for rotation in bearings 144 also supported on the frame 18.
The input carrier and the finishing carrier 13 are each supplied with facilities for the controlled application of compressed air and vacuum to each of the moulds which they support, the means o~
supply comprising connecting piping leading from a rotary valve mounted on each of their principal shafts in a manner which is well know to the industry and will not therefore be described in detail, and also to the transfer moulds as they and their related ~3~17~
valve connectors enter together into cyclical engagement withthe corresponding moulds and valve connectors mounted on said input carrier 10 and said finishing carrier 13.
The sprocket 63 has ~acilities for the controlled supply of compressed air to the trans:fer moulds by means of valve connectors individually mounted on their respective transfer mould assemblies and on said sprocket 63. The finishing carrier also has facilities for the controlled application of compressed air at a higher pressure level to a plurality of air mounts.
Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, a rotary valve 163 is comprised of a rotary element 161 mounted on the shaft 23 and connected to the wheel 70 and cooperating with a stationary element 160, the element 161 being preferably made of stainless steel with a smooth wearing face with ports connected to all of the piping 164, 165 and 166, and the element 160 being preferably made of a resilient material such as urethane and pressed tightly by springs or other means against the rotary element 161 to prevent leakage in operation of the vacuum and compressed air between the said elements 160 and 161. The stationary element 160 has ports leading from the vacuum plenum chamber 163 and the compressed air ring through the rotary element 161 to the piping connections 165 and 166 respectively. Separate external piping (not shown) is connected to separate ports on the stationary element 161 for the application of compressed air to the finishing moulds at alternate times through the connecting piping 165, 166. Compressed air to the airmounts 168 is - ~L3~ 69 connected from the outer ring 162 through an outer ring of separate ports. A drive train which may be used to drive various carriers and the conveyor chain 61 rotatably is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings to which reference is now made. As shown in Figure 7, the gear wheel 30 of the input carrier 10 is meshed with the gear wheel 31 of the first transfer carrier 11.
The gear wheel 31 is in turn meshed with the gear wheel 32 of the second transfer carrier 12. The gear wheel 32 is meshed with the gear wheel 33 of the finishing carrier 13. The gear wheel 33 is meshed with the gear wheel 34 of the third transfer carrier 14.
The transporting chain conveyor 16 extends along guide tracks 64 and 65 and around sprockets 62 and 63 which are mounted for rotation with the shafts 21 and 25 respectivel~. The notches 178 in the links 58 of the chain conveyor 16 (Figure 9) face the cam track 151a (Fig.8) so that the chain rollers 59 and shaft mounted rollers 50 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 travel together along said track 151a which acts as chain roller and cam roller control and serves to guide said mould assemblies 40 as they are returned from the discharge station to the first transfer station 100, and to retain the cam roller 51 in the notch 178 to propel the transfer mould assemblies 40 along with the chains 61 in their continuing travel together.
Referring again to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that a discharge conveyor 17 is arranged to cooperate with the sprocket 63 to receive moulded items 36 and to transport the moulded items 36 away from the moulding machine.
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As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the finishing carrier 13 is mounted for rotation in a fixed housing 73 which forms an enclosure surrounding a major portion of the finishing carrier 13, the transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14, and ths sprocket 63.
Transfer Carriers The transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14 which are illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings are designed to transport the transfer mould assemblies 40 as they are driven through the transfer stations. The transfer carrier 11 includes a central body portion 79 on which four heads 76 are mounted for radial movement with respect to the axis of the shaft 21.
Each of the heads 76 has a notch 75 which receives a roller 52 (Fig.3) of the transfer mould assembly 40 about which the transfer mould assemblies 40 may be caused to pivot as they are being reoriented by the reorienting cam tracks as will be described hereinafter.
Compression springs 77 are mounted in the main body 79 and serve to bear against each head 76 to urge it radially outwardly along guide rods 78 and in cooperation with the roller 52 to maintain the companion roller 50 in continuous serial contact with guide tracks 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d in their travel path around the three transfer carriers and along the chain conveyor 16.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the second and third transfer carriers are constructed in the same manner as the first -- 10 ~
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" ~3~7~9 transfer carrier 11 and will not therefore be described in detail.
Transfer Moulds The transfer moulds 42 on the transfer mould assemblies 40 are used to transfer the moulded items from the forming moulds 41 to the finishing moulds 43 and between the finishing moulds 43 and the discharge conveyor 17.
With reference to Figure ~ of the drawings, a transfer mould assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is generally identified by the reference number 40.
This assembly includes a plurality of transfer moulds 42 which are mounted on a shoe 45. The shoe 45 has supporting pivot shafts 53 projecting from opposite ends thereof. Lever arms 46 are mounted at opposite ends of the shafts 53. Heavy duty pressure rollers 55 are mounted on the reverse side of the shoe 45 for use in the pressing action between the transfer moulds 42 and the finishing moulds ~3 as will be explained later. The lever arms 46 have follower rollers 47, 48 and 49 mounted for rotation thereon. Rollers 50, 51 and 52 are mounted on the shafts 53. This entire transfer mould assembly 40 is transferred back and forth between the carriers and the chain conveyor and around on the finishing carrier. The shoe 45 of the transfer mould assembly 40 has a plenum chamber 156 formed therein and spring mounted valve connectors 157 and 158 mounted thereon for the application of vacuum or compressed air. As said moulds 42 are cyclically mated at transfer point 100 with their cooperating ~ 11 --, ~3~
input moulds 41 mounted on input carrier 10 said valve connectors 157 are simultaneously mated with corresponding valve connectors mounted on said input carrier lo and the porting of the rotary valve mounted on said input carrier 10 is arranged to supply vacuum at the same time through the valve connector 157 for application internally of the moulds 42 to attract and assist in the transfer of the moulded preform from said input moulds 41 to said transfer moulds 42. Thereafter as the transfer moulds 42 are cyclically mated with their corresponding finishing moulds 43 mounted on the finishing carrier 13 said valve connectors 157 are simultaneously mated with corresponding valve connectors mounted on the shoe of said moulds 43 but connected separately to the porting of the rotary valve 160 of said carrier 13 to supply vacuum through said valve connectors internally of the moulds 42 to remove moisture pressed or evaporated from the moulded products during the finishing operation as they travel around on said carrier 13, and finally to attract and retain the finished moulded products on the transfer moulds 42 as they separate from the finishing moulds ~3 at the transfer point 300, and continue on their path towards transfer point 400. As the transfer mould assemblies pass through the discharge position at transfer point 400 the valve connector 158 is mated with a corresponding connector mounted on the sprocket 63 and connected to the porting of the rotary valve thereof for the application of compressed air internally of the moulds 42 to blow off and thus discharge the finished moulded products on to the conveyor 17.
'Jl~
07~3~9 The two transporting chains 61 of the chain conveyor 16 which are shown on Figure 5 and Figure 7 each consist of links 58 which are interconnected by coupling links 57 (Figure 9).
Rollers 59 are mounted for rotation in the links 58. A notch 178 is formed on each of the links 58 facing outwardly of the tracks 64 and 65 and the sprockets 62 and 63 to accommodate the roller 51 in a releaseable connection to the chain for transport of the related mould assemblies 40 batween transfer stations 300 and lOO. The rollers 50 and 51 are both mounted on shaft 53 of said transfer mould assembly, the roller 50 being sufficiently larger in diameter than the roller 51 to contact the track 151c to support said roller 51 securely in its position in the notch 178 and free of said track 151c as the roller 50 rolls along the tracks 63 and 64 of the chain conveyor.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7x of the drawings the transporting chains 61x extend around the sprocket 62 and the guide tracks 66, 67, 68 and 64xb, with the notches 178 facing inwardly of the finishing carrier. As the links of the supporting chain commence their travel on the sprocket 62 the rollers 52 of the transfer mould assemblies are supported in the notches 75 of the spring mounted heads 76, the track 64 is discontinued and the rollers 50 are urged into contact with the track 151d for continuing control of the travel path of the related transfer mould assembly 40 through the transfer point 100 and around on the first transfer carrier 11 to reach the chain track 66. At t~is point the rollers 50 are transferred to the ., .
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notches 178 of the links 58 of the conveyor chains 61x, the track 151a begins shortly before the track 151d ends, and thereafter the travel path of the rollers 50 are urged into continuous contact with track 151a for control of the travel path of shafts 53 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 as they travel around on conveyor track 66 to the transfer point 200 where the transfer moulds 42 are mated with the finishing moulds 43 mounted on the finishing carrier 13 and the travel path of the mated pairs of moulds together around the finishing carrier is controlled by the action of the airmounts 168 urging the wheels 55 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 into continuing contact with the track 155. In the same manner the travel paths of the transfer mould assemblies around on transfer carrier 14 and through transfer point 300 are controlled by their support in the notches 82 of the heads 80 of the said transfer carrier and the continuous contact of the wheels 50 with the track 151c. A
preferred configuration of the travel path of the pivot shafts 53 and schedule of orientation of the transfer moulds 42 as these are cyclically engaged with and disengaged from their corresponding input moulds 41 and finishing moulds 43 is described in my Canadian patent 861385 and is well known to the industry and will not be described further here~
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7x, the conveyor chains 61x extend around the sprockets 62 of the transfer carrier 11 and along chain tracks 66, 67, 68, 6~xa and 64xb, thus forming an enclosure surrounding said transfer carrier and said finishing .~
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carrier. The notches 178 in the links 58 of said chain conveyor 61b face inwardly of the shaft 21 of the transfer carrier 11 as they travel around on the sprocket 62 so that the transfer mould assemblies are released inwardly of the chains on to the notches 82 of the spring-mounted heads 80 of said transfer carrier so that their tra~el path and schedule of orientation can be controlled b~ the tracks 151ax and 151bx and tracks 147ax and 148ax respectively as they pass through the transfer points 100 and 200. Said notches 178 face outward of the track 66 and inwardly toward the shaft 23 of the finishing carrier 13 so that the transfer moulds 42 mounted on transfer mould assemblies 40 are guided by the chain tracks 66 and the cam tracks 151d and 148d of Figure 7 into engagement with finishing moulds 43 mounted on said finishing carrier 13, after which said chain conveyor 61x is led into a circular path outwardly of said finishing carrier by the tracks 67 as it travels toward and through transfer point 300 at which point the notches 178 of the links 58 are brought into cooperation with the wheels 51 of the transfer mould assemblies 40, the transfer moulds 42 are disengaged from the finishing moulds 43 by the combined action of the chain conveyor and its track 68 of Figure 7x and the cam tracks 151cx and 148bx of Figure 8x. Thereafter said transfer mould assemblies supported on chain conveyor 61x are transported towards transfer point 100 along track 68 and between tracks 64ax and 64bx of Figure 7x, guided by the action of wheels 50 serially on tracks 151ax, 151ex and 151ax of Figure 8x.
~3~17~ 9 Referring again to Figure 7 and Figure 8 of the drawings, as atransfer mould assembly 40 and its support rollers 50 are transported by the chain conveyor 61 along track 64 and thence into support and control on transfer carrier 11 toward the first tranmsfer station 100, the cam follower 48 enters the first guide track 148d which serves to guide and control the continuously changing orientation of the transfer moulds 42 mounted on transfer mould assembly 40 as they travel into cooperation with their mating input moulds 41 (Figure 1) mounted on the input carrier 10. Thereafter as track 148d is discontinued the moulds 42 and their transfer mould assemblies are guided and controlled serially by the action of cam rollers 47, 49 and 48 on cam tracks 147a, 149a and 148a respectively in their changing orientation as they travel out of cooperation with said moulds 41 and are reoriented into cooperation with finishing moulds 43 mounted on finishing carrier 13, and also by the action of the rollers 48, 49 ,47, 48, 47 and 48 serially on tracks 148b, 149b, 147b, 148c, 147c and 148d as they travel out of cooperation with their mated moulds 43 and through transfer point 300 and through the discharge point located over conveyor 17 and are reoriented for discharge of the finished moulded products and thence onward toward transfer point 100.
As previously indicated, it will be noted that by reason of this series of cam tracks and the multiplicity of cam followers, it is possible to cause the finishing moulds 40 to rotate about the axis of the shaft on which they are mounted so as to permit the ,.
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moulds to be arranged to face inwardly and to face outwardly of the enclosure 210 which is located within the endless path 150 along which the transfer moulds are caused to travel in a complete cycle. It is this structure which eliminates the need to provide a long length of chain and a large number of additional moulds in order to return the moulds from the load discharge station to the first transfer station as is required in the structure described in my prior Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 576,355 filed September l, 1988.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a moulding machine which makes efficient use of the transfer moulds required.
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This invention relates to moulding machines for producing fully finished moulded products made from fibrous materials such as wood pulp. In particular this invention relates to machinery for the drying and finishing of moulded preforms in continuous motion in one continuous production line, while maintaining complete control of each product in a special cam-controlled transfer mould assembly throughout their travel together to the point of final discharge. This invention relates also to the camming elements for the control and positioning of the transfer mould assemblies and their contained moulded products.
Prior Art In prior devices for producing fully finished moulded articles from fibrous pulps, a number of different pressing stations have been provided at spaced circumferential intervals about the axis of rotation of a carrier, and each of the moulds mounted on the carrier is indexed and pres~nted sequentially, together with the contained product, to a different matching mould at each of the pressing stations. One such device is described in U.S. Patent No. 2,183,868, Randall et al. This intermittent action reduces the speed of operation and the contact time of the matching mould elements.
In the moulding machine of the present invention, each transfer mould element, together with its contained product, is mated sequentially with one matching finishing mould element mounted on a continuously moving carrier, and the moulded product remains within the same matching pair of moulds in the drying and . ~
,' ~31~7~9 finishing process throughout their travel around on the finishing carrier and until the transfer mould assembly and its contained product are transferred therefrom.
The transfer system comprises a multiplicity oE transfer mould assemblies each having a ser:ies of cam followers mounted circumferentially about the supporting shaft thereof at intervals, and a series of cam tracks by means of which the transfer mould assemblies are controlled and oriented throughout their travel path between an input carrier and a finishing carrier, the number and spacing of the cam followers being adapted to provide for complete rotation through lBO degrees in either direction in relation to the main shaft of the rotary carrier, as required for the transfer of the moulded products from the input carrier to the finishing carrier and thence to the point of final discharge. According to one aspect of the present invention ,there is provided a moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprising an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, input moulds mounted on said input carrier, each input mould having an input mould face, finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier, each finishing mould having a finishing mould face, transfer moulds which are mounted in a releaseable transfer mould assembly for transfer to a chain conveyor, each transfer mould having a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and also with the finishing mould ~. ~i, ~3~
face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use, each transfer moul~ assembly having an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient its transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use, transporting means for transporting said transfer moulds along an endless path which for~ls an enclosure within which the finishing carrier is located, said transporting means comprising a first transfer and mould reorienting means serially arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded .item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, a second transfer and mould reorienting means serially arranged between the finishing carrier and said input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through :180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for re-engagement with said input moulds of said input carrier.
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein ;
: - 3 -~, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment o~ the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of a transfer mould assembly.
Figure 3 is a side view of the transfer mould assembly of Fig.2 Figure 4 is an end view of a transfer mould assembly mated with a finishing mould assembly.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of a portion of the machine of Figure 1 showing the input carrier, first, second and third transfer carriers and the finishing carrier in more detail.
Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section of the moulding machine of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a diagram which illustrates the gear train which synchronizes the rotary motion of the rotary carriers, and which also illustrates the path of travel of an endless conveyor according to one aspect of the invention.
Figure 7x is a diagram similar to Figure 6a showing the path of travel of the endless conveyor according to a second aspect of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a diagram which illustrates the various cam tracks used for guiding the cam followers through the transfer stations and it also illustrates the position of the various cam followers in relation to the cam tracks.
Figure 8x is a diagram similar to Figure 8 which illustrates the various cam tracks used for guiding the cam followers between and through the transfer stations according to the said second aspect `':' ;', ~. , .: .
,:
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of the present invention, and it also illustrates the position of the various cam followers in relation to the cam tracks.
Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of an endless conveyor chain showing the releaseable connection with the cam followers of the transfer mould assembly.
Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of the chain of Figure 9 showing the position of the shaft of the shoe of the transfer carrier in relation to the chain.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 8 refers generally to a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The moulding machine 8 comprises an input carrier 10, a finishing carrier 13, a first rotary transfer carrier 11, a second rotary transfer carrier 12, a third rotary carrier 14, and a transporting chain conveyor 16. The input carrier 10 rotates through the forming vat 9, and acts as a vacuum former on which the preform moulded items are formed in a well known manner.
Referring to Figure 5 the first rotary transfer carrier transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and their contained moulded items to the second rotary transfer carrier which in turn transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and their contained moulded items to the finishing carrier. The third rotary transfer carrier transfers the transfer mould assemblies 40 and the contained finished items from the finishing carrier to the chain conveyor 16 which in turn conveys the transfer mould assemblies 40 through the discharge point and thence onward to '~
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~. , 75~9 the first transfer carrier 11 and into cooperation with the input moulds 41 on input carrier 10. The input carrier 10, finishing carrier 13 and the transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14 and the sprocket 63 of the chain conveyor 16 each have parallel axes about which the transfer mould assemblies 40 are caused to rotate as they are being reoriented. A first transfer station 100 is located between the input carrier 10 and the first rotary transfer carrier 11. ~ second transfer station 200 is located between the second transfer carrier 12 and the finishing carrier 13. A third transfer station 300 is located between the finishing carrier 13 and the third transfer carrier 14. The chain conveyor travels through a fourth transfer station 400 where moulded items are discharged from the transfer moulds.
The finishing process performed between the transfer moulds and the finishing moulds when mated on the finishing carrier 13 may optionally comprise pressing a previously dried preform with one or both moulds heated to achieve permanent densification and a smoother surface, or pressing a wet moulded preform with unheated moulds, to achieve partial densification, partial dewatering and a smoother surface, or pressing a wet moulded preform with one or both moulds heated to achieve improved densification, with partial dewatering by pressing and further drying by evaporation.
Removal of moisture pressed or evaporated from the moulded product is effected by the application of vacuum internally of the moulds in a manner well know to the industry.
he input carrier lO consists of a carrier wheel 124 which has a ~;
~3~ 9 support shaft 20 mounted for rotation in bearings 128. The lower segment of the carrier wheel 124 extends into a pulp vat 9.
A plurality of forming moulds 41 are located at circumferentially spaced intervals about the carrier wheel 124 and are arranged to pass sequentially through the vat 9. A gear wheel 30 is mounted on the shaft 26 and serves to drive the carrier wheel 124 in a synchronized rotation with respect to the finishing carrier 13 as will be described hereinafter.
The first transfer carrier 11 has a support shaft 21 mounted for rotation in bearings 136 which are mounted on the frame 18. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5/ the second transfer carrier 12 has a shaft 22 mounted for rotation in bearings 138 which are supported by the frame. The finishing carrier 13 has a shaft 23 mounted for rotation in bearings 140 which are mounted on the frame 18. The third transfer carrier 14 has a support shaft 24 mounted for rotation in bearings 142 which are mounted on khe frame 18 and the sprocket 63 of the chain conveyor has a support shaft 25 which is mounted for rotation in bearings 144 also supported on the frame 18.
The input carrier and the finishing carrier 13 are each supplied with facilities for the controlled application of compressed air and vacuum to each of the moulds which they support, the means o~
supply comprising connecting piping leading from a rotary valve mounted on each of their principal shafts in a manner which is well know to the industry and will not therefore be described in detail, and also to the transfer moulds as they and their related ~3~17~
valve connectors enter together into cyclical engagement withthe corresponding moulds and valve connectors mounted on said input carrier 10 and said finishing carrier 13.
The sprocket 63 has ~acilities for the controlled supply of compressed air to the trans:fer moulds by means of valve connectors individually mounted on their respective transfer mould assemblies and on said sprocket 63. The finishing carrier also has facilities for the controlled application of compressed air at a higher pressure level to a plurality of air mounts.
Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, a rotary valve 163 is comprised of a rotary element 161 mounted on the shaft 23 and connected to the wheel 70 and cooperating with a stationary element 160, the element 161 being preferably made of stainless steel with a smooth wearing face with ports connected to all of the piping 164, 165 and 166, and the element 160 being preferably made of a resilient material such as urethane and pressed tightly by springs or other means against the rotary element 161 to prevent leakage in operation of the vacuum and compressed air between the said elements 160 and 161. The stationary element 160 has ports leading from the vacuum plenum chamber 163 and the compressed air ring through the rotary element 161 to the piping connections 165 and 166 respectively. Separate external piping (not shown) is connected to separate ports on the stationary element 161 for the application of compressed air to the finishing moulds at alternate times through the connecting piping 165, 166. Compressed air to the airmounts 168 is - ~L3~ 69 connected from the outer ring 162 through an outer ring of separate ports. A drive train which may be used to drive various carriers and the conveyor chain 61 rotatably is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings to which reference is now made. As shown in Figure 7, the gear wheel 30 of the input carrier 10 is meshed with the gear wheel 31 of the first transfer carrier 11.
The gear wheel 31 is in turn meshed with the gear wheel 32 of the second transfer carrier 12. The gear wheel 32 is meshed with the gear wheel 33 of the finishing carrier 13. The gear wheel 33 is meshed with the gear wheel 34 of the third transfer carrier 14.
The transporting chain conveyor 16 extends along guide tracks 64 and 65 and around sprockets 62 and 63 which are mounted for rotation with the shafts 21 and 25 respectivel~. The notches 178 in the links 58 of the chain conveyor 16 (Figure 9) face the cam track 151a (Fig.8) so that the chain rollers 59 and shaft mounted rollers 50 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 travel together along said track 151a which acts as chain roller and cam roller control and serves to guide said mould assemblies 40 as they are returned from the discharge station to the first transfer station 100, and to retain the cam roller 51 in the notch 178 to propel the transfer mould assemblies 40 along with the chains 61 in their continuing travel together.
Referring again to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that a discharge conveyor 17 is arranged to cooperate with the sprocket 63 to receive moulded items 36 and to transport the moulded items 36 away from the moulding machine.
_ g -" ~L3~3~
As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the finishing carrier 13 is mounted for rotation in a fixed housing 73 which forms an enclosure surrounding a major portion of the finishing carrier 13, the transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14, and ths sprocket 63.
Transfer Carriers The transfer carriers 11, 12 and 14 which are illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings are designed to transport the transfer mould assemblies 40 as they are driven through the transfer stations. The transfer carrier 11 includes a central body portion 79 on which four heads 76 are mounted for radial movement with respect to the axis of the shaft 21.
Each of the heads 76 has a notch 75 which receives a roller 52 (Fig.3) of the transfer mould assembly 40 about which the transfer mould assemblies 40 may be caused to pivot as they are being reoriented by the reorienting cam tracks as will be described hereinafter.
Compression springs 77 are mounted in the main body 79 and serve to bear against each head 76 to urge it radially outwardly along guide rods 78 and in cooperation with the roller 52 to maintain the companion roller 50 in continuous serial contact with guide tracks 151a, 151b, 151c and 151d in their travel path around the three transfer carriers and along the chain conveyor 16.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the second and third transfer carriers are constructed in the same manner as the first -- 10 ~
~' - . ' .. ~, ~
.
" ~3~7~9 transfer carrier 11 and will not therefore be described in detail.
Transfer Moulds The transfer moulds 42 on the transfer mould assemblies 40 are used to transfer the moulded items from the forming moulds 41 to the finishing moulds 43 and between the finishing moulds 43 and the discharge conveyor 17.
With reference to Figure ~ of the drawings, a transfer mould assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is generally identified by the reference number 40.
This assembly includes a plurality of transfer moulds 42 which are mounted on a shoe 45. The shoe 45 has supporting pivot shafts 53 projecting from opposite ends thereof. Lever arms 46 are mounted at opposite ends of the shafts 53. Heavy duty pressure rollers 55 are mounted on the reverse side of the shoe 45 for use in the pressing action between the transfer moulds 42 and the finishing moulds ~3 as will be explained later. The lever arms 46 have follower rollers 47, 48 and 49 mounted for rotation thereon. Rollers 50, 51 and 52 are mounted on the shafts 53. This entire transfer mould assembly 40 is transferred back and forth between the carriers and the chain conveyor and around on the finishing carrier. The shoe 45 of the transfer mould assembly 40 has a plenum chamber 156 formed therein and spring mounted valve connectors 157 and 158 mounted thereon for the application of vacuum or compressed air. As said moulds 42 are cyclically mated at transfer point 100 with their cooperating ~ 11 --, ~3~
input moulds 41 mounted on input carrier 10 said valve connectors 157 are simultaneously mated with corresponding valve connectors mounted on said input carrier lo and the porting of the rotary valve mounted on said input carrier 10 is arranged to supply vacuum at the same time through the valve connector 157 for application internally of the moulds 42 to attract and assist in the transfer of the moulded preform from said input moulds 41 to said transfer moulds 42. Thereafter as the transfer moulds 42 are cyclically mated with their corresponding finishing moulds 43 mounted on the finishing carrier 13 said valve connectors 157 are simultaneously mated with corresponding valve connectors mounted on the shoe of said moulds 43 but connected separately to the porting of the rotary valve 160 of said carrier 13 to supply vacuum through said valve connectors internally of the moulds 42 to remove moisture pressed or evaporated from the moulded products during the finishing operation as they travel around on said carrier 13, and finally to attract and retain the finished moulded products on the transfer moulds 42 as they separate from the finishing moulds ~3 at the transfer point 300, and continue on their path towards transfer point 400. As the transfer mould assemblies pass through the discharge position at transfer point 400 the valve connector 158 is mated with a corresponding connector mounted on the sprocket 63 and connected to the porting of the rotary valve thereof for the application of compressed air internally of the moulds 42 to blow off and thus discharge the finished moulded products on to the conveyor 17.
'Jl~
07~3~9 The two transporting chains 61 of the chain conveyor 16 which are shown on Figure 5 and Figure 7 each consist of links 58 which are interconnected by coupling links 57 (Figure 9).
Rollers 59 are mounted for rotation in the links 58. A notch 178 is formed on each of the links 58 facing outwardly of the tracks 64 and 65 and the sprockets 62 and 63 to accommodate the roller 51 in a releaseable connection to the chain for transport of the related mould assemblies 40 batween transfer stations 300 and lOO. The rollers 50 and 51 are both mounted on shaft 53 of said transfer mould assembly, the roller 50 being sufficiently larger in diameter than the roller 51 to contact the track 151c to support said roller 51 securely in its position in the notch 178 and free of said track 151c as the roller 50 rolls along the tracks 63 and 64 of the chain conveyor.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7x of the drawings the transporting chains 61x extend around the sprocket 62 and the guide tracks 66, 67, 68 and 64xb, with the notches 178 facing inwardly of the finishing carrier. As the links of the supporting chain commence their travel on the sprocket 62 the rollers 52 of the transfer mould assemblies are supported in the notches 75 of the spring mounted heads 76, the track 64 is discontinued and the rollers 50 are urged into contact with the track 151d for continuing control of the travel path of the related transfer mould assembly 40 through the transfer point 100 and around on the first transfer carrier 11 to reach the chain track 66. At t~is point the rollers 50 are transferred to the ., .
. .
notches 178 of the links 58 of the conveyor chains 61x, the track 151a begins shortly before the track 151d ends, and thereafter the travel path of the rollers 50 are urged into continuous contact with track 151a for control of the travel path of shafts 53 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 as they travel around on conveyor track 66 to the transfer point 200 where the transfer moulds 42 are mated with the finishing moulds 43 mounted on the finishing carrier 13 and the travel path of the mated pairs of moulds together around the finishing carrier is controlled by the action of the airmounts 168 urging the wheels 55 of the transfer mould assemblies 40 into continuing contact with the track 155. In the same manner the travel paths of the transfer mould assemblies around on transfer carrier 14 and through transfer point 300 are controlled by their support in the notches 82 of the heads 80 of the said transfer carrier and the continuous contact of the wheels 50 with the track 151c. A
preferred configuration of the travel path of the pivot shafts 53 and schedule of orientation of the transfer moulds 42 as these are cyclically engaged with and disengaged from their corresponding input moulds 41 and finishing moulds 43 is described in my Canadian patent 861385 and is well known to the industry and will not be described further here~
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7x, the conveyor chains 61x extend around the sprockets 62 of the transfer carrier 11 and along chain tracks 66, 67, 68, 6~xa and 64xb, thus forming an enclosure surrounding said transfer carrier and said finishing .~
.
' :
~L~ [)7~
carrier. The notches 178 in the links 58 of said chain conveyor 61b face inwardly of the shaft 21 of the transfer carrier 11 as they travel around on the sprocket 62 so that the transfer mould assemblies are released inwardly of the chains on to the notches 82 of the spring-mounted heads 80 of said transfer carrier so that their tra~el path and schedule of orientation can be controlled b~ the tracks 151ax and 151bx and tracks 147ax and 148ax respectively as they pass through the transfer points 100 and 200. Said notches 178 face outward of the track 66 and inwardly toward the shaft 23 of the finishing carrier 13 so that the transfer moulds 42 mounted on transfer mould assemblies 40 are guided by the chain tracks 66 and the cam tracks 151d and 148d of Figure 7 into engagement with finishing moulds 43 mounted on said finishing carrier 13, after which said chain conveyor 61x is led into a circular path outwardly of said finishing carrier by the tracks 67 as it travels toward and through transfer point 300 at which point the notches 178 of the links 58 are brought into cooperation with the wheels 51 of the transfer mould assemblies 40, the transfer moulds 42 are disengaged from the finishing moulds 43 by the combined action of the chain conveyor and its track 68 of Figure 7x and the cam tracks 151cx and 148bx of Figure 8x. Thereafter said transfer mould assemblies supported on chain conveyor 61x are transported towards transfer point 100 along track 68 and between tracks 64ax and 64bx of Figure 7x, guided by the action of wheels 50 serially on tracks 151ax, 151ex and 151ax of Figure 8x.
~3~17~ 9 Referring again to Figure 7 and Figure 8 of the drawings, as atransfer mould assembly 40 and its support rollers 50 are transported by the chain conveyor 61 along track 64 and thence into support and control on transfer carrier 11 toward the first tranmsfer station 100, the cam follower 48 enters the first guide track 148d which serves to guide and control the continuously changing orientation of the transfer moulds 42 mounted on transfer mould assembly 40 as they travel into cooperation with their mating input moulds 41 (Figure 1) mounted on the input carrier 10. Thereafter as track 148d is discontinued the moulds 42 and their transfer mould assemblies are guided and controlled serially by the action of cam rollers 47, 49 and 48 on cam tracks 147a, 149a and 148a respectively in their changing orientation as they travel out of cooperation with said moulds 41 and are reoriented into cooperation with finishing moulds 43 mounted on finishing carrier 13, and also by the action of the rollers 48, 49 ,47, 48, 47 and 48 serially on tracks 148b, 149b, 147b, 148c, 147c and 148d as they travel out of cooperation with their mated moulds 43 and through transfer point 300 and through the discharge point located over conveyor 17 and are reoriented for discharge of the finished moulded products and thence onward toward transfer point 100.
As previously indicated, it will be noted that by reason of this series of cam tracks and the multiplicity of cam followers, it is possible to cause the finishing moulds 40 to rotate about the axis of the shaft on which they are mounted so as to permit the ,.
~3~'7~
moulds to be arranged to face inwardly and to face outwardly of the enclosure 210 which is located within the endless path 150 along which the transfer moulds are caused to travel in a complete cycle. It is this structure which eliminates the need to provide a long length of chain and a large number of additional moulds in order to return the moulds from the load discharge station to the first transfer station as is required in the structure described in my prior Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 576,355 filed September l, 1988.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a moulding machine which makes efficient use of the transfer moulds required.
~, . ~ :
Claims (16)
1. A moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprising ;
a) an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized movement along an endless path, b) input moulds mounted on said input carrier, each input mould having an input mould face, c) finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier, each finishing mould having a finishing mould face, d) transfer moulds each having a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and the finishing mould face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use, each transfer mould being mounted in a transfer mould assembly having an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient the transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use, e) transporting means for transporting said transfer mould in continuous motion along an endless path which extends around an enclosure, said transporting means comprising ;
(i) a first transfer mould assembly transport and reorienting means serially arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, (ii) a second transfer mould transport and reorienting means serially arranged between the finishing carrier and said input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for discharge of said moulded products and for subsequent re-engagement with said input moulds of said input carrier.
a) an input carrier and a finishing carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized movement along an endless path, b) input moulds mounted on said input carrier, each input mould having an input mould face, c) finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier, each finishing mould having a finishing mould face, d) transfer moulds each having a transfer mould face adapted to cooperate with the input mould face of the input moulds and the finishing mould face of the finishing moulds to form mould cavities therebetween in use, each transfer mould being mounted in a transfer mould assembly having an axis of rotation about which it is rotatable to reorient the transfer mould face with respect to the input and finishing mould faces as required in use, e) transporting means for transporting said transfer mould in continuous motion along an endless path which extends around an enclosure, said transporting means comprising ;
(i) a first transfer mould assembly transport and reorienting means serially arranged between the input carrier and the finishing carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from a first orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said input mould carrier to a second orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed inwardly of said enclosure when in engagement with said finishing mould carrier when transferring a moulded item from the input carrier to the finishing carrier, (ii) a second transfer mould transport and reorienting means serially arranged between the finishing carrier and said input carrier to cause each transfer mould to rotate about its axis of rotation through 180 degrees from said second orientation to a third orientation in which the transfer mould face is directed outwardly of said enclosure so as to be correctly oriented for discharge of said moulded products and for subsequent re-engagement with said input moulds of said input carrier.
2. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 1 with rotatable input and finishing carriers each mounted for synchronized continuous rotation about parallel axes, wherein said first transfer mould assembly transfer and reorienting means comprise ;
first and second transfer carriers each mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about axes which extend parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, and a related series of cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and control each transfer mould assembly in its travel path and orientation.
first and second transfer carriers each mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about axes which extend parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, and a related series of cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and control each transfer mould assembly in its travel path and orientation.
3. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said second transfer mould assembly transfer and reorienting means comprise ;
a third transfer carrier mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about an axis which extend parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, an endless chain conveyor mounted for syunchronous movement with said third carrier and a related series of cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and control each transfer mould assembly in its travel path and orientation.
a third transfer carrier mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about an axis which extend parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, an endless chain conveyor mounted for syunchronous movement with said third carrier and a related series of cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and control each transfer mould assembly in its travel path and orientation.
4. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said first transfer mould assembly transfer and reorienting means comprise;
a first transfer carrier mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about an axis which extends parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, and an endless conveyor forming an enclosure extending around said first transfer carrier and said finishing carrier, and a series of arcuate cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and orient each transfer mould assembly along an endless path around said enclosure.
a first transfer carrier mounted for synchronized rotation with respect to the input and finishing carriers about an axis which extends parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, and an endless conveyor forming an enclosure extending around said first transfer carrier and said finishing carrier, and a series of arcuate cam roller tracks by means of which to guide and orient each transfer mould assembly along an endless path around said enclosure.
5. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a) a first transfer station is located between said input carrier and said first transfer carrier b) a second transfer station located between said second transfer carrier and said finishing carrier, c) a third transfer station located between said finishing carrier and said third transfer carrier, d) a discharge station located on said endless chain ccnveyor between said third transfer carrier and said first transfer carrier, e) said transfer moulds being carried by said endless conveyor through said discharge station and onward toward said first transfer station.
6. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said first, second and third transfer carriers comprise second, third and fourth rotary transport means respectively, each having a plurality of transfer heads mounted thereon at circumferentially spaced intervals, said transfer heads each serving to transfer said transfer mould assemblies from said chain conveyor to said second transfer carrier and from said second transfer carrier to said finishing carrier, and from said finishing carrier to said chain conveyor.
7. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising first guide means for aligning said transfer moulds with said first moulds of said input carrier as the transfer moulds are carried through said first transfer station by the first transfer carrier and the first moulds are carried through the first transfer station by the input carrier.
8. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said endless conveyor comprises an endless chain means, said chain means comprising a pair of endless chains and an independent supporting sprocket and said first and third transfer carriers each having sprockets mounted coaxially therewith which mesh with said endless chains.
9. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising means for pressing the transfer moulds and their associated finishing moulds toward one another, while travelling around on the finishing carrier.
10. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising means for heating the finishing moulds
11. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising means for heating the transfer moulds.
12. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each transfer mould assembly comprises a shoe having at least one mould element mounted thereon, complementary coupling means on each shoe and on the first, second and third transfer carriers and the finishing carrier and on the endless conveyor for releaseably locating each shoe on the first, second and third transfer carriers and on the finishing carrier and on the endless conveyor for movement therewith when coupled together.
13. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the shoe of each transfer mould assembly has an alignment axis which extends parallel to the axes of the input and finishing carriers, and wherein each shoe further comprises;
a) an orienting arm projecting outwardly from the orienting axis.
b) first, second and third cam followers mounted on the orienting arm, said cam followers being circumferentially spaced radially outwardly of the orienting axis, guide means being provided for selectively engaging one or other of said cam followers as their associated shoe approaches, travels through and leaves said first, second and third transfer stations and said discharge station to rotate the transfer moulds through 180° about the orienting axis to align the transfer moulds with the input and finishing moulds.
a) an orienting arm projecting outwardly from the orienting axis.
b) first, second and third cam followers mounted on the orienting arm, said cam followers being circumferentially spaced radially outwardly of the orienting axis, guide means being provided for selectively engaging one or other of said cam followers as their associated shoe approaches, travels through and leaves said first, second and third transfer stations and said discharge station to rotate the transfer moulds through 180° about the orienting axis to align the transfer moulds with the input and finishing moulds.
14. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said guide means comprise first guide tracks which are located in advance of and extend toward the first transfer station and thereafter extend along first arcuate paths one pair of which engages shaft mounted rollers and guides the shafts of the transfer mould assemblies along a predetermined path while another track guides a cam follower mounted on the orienting arm such that it causes its associated shoe to align its transfer mould with an input mould of the input carrier as the transfer mould moves into and our of engagement with the input mould.
15. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said guide means comprise two further series of guide tracks, one series of which in combination with the radially moveable heads on the first, second and third transfer carrier determine the travel paths of the shaft mounted rollers of the transfer mould assemblies and the second series of guide tracks cooperate with corresponding orienting cam followers mounted on the orienting arms of said transfer mould assemblies to guide the transfer moulds into and out of engagement with the finishing moulds on the finishing carrier and through the discharge point.
16. A moulding machine as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said guide means further comprise a pressure roller track which extends around the finishing carrier from the second transfer station to the third transfer station and cooperates with rollers on the shoes of the transfer mould assemblies to guide them in their circular path about the finishing carrier.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000607270A CA1307969C (en) | 1989-08-02 | 1989-08-02 | Moulding machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000607270A CA1307969C (en) | 1989-08-02 | 1989-08-02 | Moulding machine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1307969C true CA1307969C (en) | 1992-09-29 |
Family
ID=4140411
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000607270A Expired - Lifetime CA1307969C (en) | 1989-08-02 | 1989-08-02 | Moulding machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1307969C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10995454B2 (en) | 2013-12-19 | 2021-05-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Using recycled waste water to make nonwoven fibrous materials suitable for use in a pollution control device or in a firestop |
-
1989
- 1989-08-02 CA CA000607270A patent/CA1307969C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10995454B2 (en) | 2013-12-19 | 2021-05-04 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Using recycled waste water to make nonwoven fibrous materials suitable for use in a pollution control device or in a firestop |
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