CA1310161C - Precision moulding machine - Google Patents
Precision moulding machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1310161C CA1310161C CA000578672A CA578672A CA1310161C CA 1310161 C CA1310161 C CA 1310161C CA 000578672 A CA000578672 A CA 000578672A CA 578672 A CA578672 A CA 578672A CA 1310161 C CA1310161 C CA 1310161C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- transfer
- moulds
- carrier
- finishing
- conveyor
- 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
Links
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
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprises an input carrier, a transfer carrier and a finishing conveyor. The input carrier and transfer carrier are each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes. The finishing conveyor is an endless conveyor which is mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier. The finishing conveyor has a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier. Input moulds are mounted on the input carrier and transfer moulds are mounted on the transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from the input moulds to the transfer moulds.
Finishing moulds are mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press and dry a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive portions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use. A
discharge mechanism is provided for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier.
A moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprises an input carrier, a transfer carrier and a finishing conveyor. The input carrier and transfer carrier are each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes. The finishing conveyor is an endless conveyor which is mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier. The finishing conveyor has a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier. Input moulds are mounted on the input carrier and transfer moulds are mounted on the transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from the input moulds to the transfer moulds.
Finishing moulds are mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press and dry a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive portions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use. A
discharge mechanism is provided for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier.
Description
~31 01 ~1 This invention relates to a machine for moulding wood pulp and other fibrous materials to produce articles such as plates, bowls and trays.
In particular, this invention relates to an improvement in a moulding machine of the type described in Canadian Patent No.
861,385.
PRIOR ART
In prior devices for producing fully flnished moulded fibrous pulp articles such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
In particular, this invention relates to an improvement in a moulding machine of the type described in Canadian Patent No.
861,385.
PRIOR ART
In prior devices for producing fully flnished moulded fibrous pulp articles such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
2,183,869, a number of different pressing stations have been provided at spaced circumferential intervals about the axis of rotation of a carrier. The carrier is indexed from one station to another in a series of intermittent steps. This intermittent rotation reduces the speed of operation and requires repeated careful alignment of the mould elements.
The present invention provides Einishing mould elements which are carried by an endless conveyor and which mate with transfer mould elements and remain mated with the transfer mould elements over an extended period of time during which the mated elements move continuously through a finishing station.
By reason of the fact that the preformed article is retained between a pair of mating moulds during the finishing operation for an extended period of time, it is possible to maintain a high level of control over the quality of the end product. Because it is not necessary to repeatedly remove the end product from one mould and transfer it to another mould, there is very little likelihood that the product will be damaged by the mating of the moulds.
1 3 ~
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 transfer carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, an endless finishing conveyor mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier and having a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier, input moulds mounted on said input carrier, transfer moulds mounted on said transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from ~he input moulds to the transfer moulds, finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive ~ortions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use, discharge means for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter o the transfer carrier.
The invention will ~e more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein;
~3~01~
~S55-2675-61 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed ir.
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an end eleva~ion of the machine o Figure 1, Figure 3A is a vertical cross-section of the machine of Figure 1, Figure 3B is a vertical cross-section which is similar to Figure 3A which illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4A is an enlarged cross-section showing the finishing moulds and transfer moulds in the mated position, Figure 4~ is a cross-section which is similar to Figure 4A which illustrates a further embodiment of ~he invention, Figure 5 is a sectional side view o~ the machine of Figure 1, Figure 6A is an enlarged detail showing the manner in which the transfer moulds mate with the finishing moulds, Fi~ure 6B is an enlarged detail similar to Figure 6A
which illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 7A is a plan view of an end portion of a mounting shoe and an orientation carrier which serves to align the transfer moulds with respect to the forming moulds and with respect to the finishing moulds, Figure 7~ is a plan view which is similar to Figure 7A
~hich illustrates a further embodiment of the inven~ion, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the gear train and the pitch line of the chain conveyor and the guide tracks used to guide the chain conveyor.
, ~ 3 3 ~
Figure 9A and sa are each end views ofa portion of the transfer carrier, input carrier and discharge carrier showing two alternative aspec~s of ~he manner in which the transfer moulds may be aligned with the input carrier and the discharge carrier in order to effect transfer of the moulded item to and from the transfer moulds.
Figures lOA and lOB are schematic diagrams related to Figures 9A and 9B respectively showing the cooperative relationship between the cam tracks and the cam followers which serve to align and orient the transfer moulds according to each of the two aspects illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B respec~ively.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 refers generally to a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The moulding machine lO0 has an input carrier lOl and a transfer carrier 102 which have shafts 14 and lS respectively which are mounted for rotation in bearings which are supported on the main supporting frame 107 about parallel axes 70 and 72.
Similarly, a discharge carrier 104 has its shaft 16 mountad for rotation in bearings which are supported by the main frame 107. A
finishing carrier 103 is in the form of an endless conveyor which is mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier 102 as will be described hereinafter. A discharge conveyor 18 also has one end mounted on the frame lC1 and is arransed to cooperate ~ith the discharge carrier 194 to transport finished articles away from the moulding machine 100.
~L 3 ~
As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the input carrier 101 has a gear 11 at its outer perimeter which meshes with the gear 12 of the transfer carrier 102. Similarly, the discharge carrier 104 has a gear 13 which meshes with the gear 12 of the finishing carrier. As a result, the rotation o khe input carrier, transfer carrier and discharge carrier are synchronized with respect to one anotnerO
As shown more clearly in ~igure S of the drawings, the input carrier 101 has a plurality of first or forming moulds 20 mounted thereon for rotation into and out of a vat 105 which will contain a slurry of wood pulp or the like. Preformed moulded items 62 (Fig. 9) are formed o~ the moulds 20 in a conventional vacuum forming process which is well known and will not therefore be described in detail.
Transfer moulds 21 are mounted on the transfer carrier 102 ~or movement into and out of engagement with the forming moulds 20.
As shown in Figures 6A and 6B of the drawings, the transfer moulds 21 are mounted on a mounting shoe 25. The mounting shoe 25 is in turn mounted on an orientation carrier 26 by means of guide rods 27 and spring washers 35.
The orientation carrier 26 has shafts 60 projecting from opposi~e ends thereof. The shafts 60 are mounted in bearings 61 to swing about the axis 66. The bearings 61 are carried by a press platen 28. The shafts 60 have levers 49a or 49b mounted at opposite ends thereof on which cam followers 47a, 47b and 48a, 48b respectively, are mounted for rotation.
_ 5 : :
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~S55-2675-61 ~ he press platen 28 is slideably mounted on guide rods 29. ~he outward radial displacement of the press platen 28 is limited by the enLarged head portions 30 of the guide rods 29.
The inner ends of the guide rods 30 are mounted in the cylindrical ring portion 31 of the transfer car.rier. The ring 31 is mounted on and extends transversely between the wheel members 43 and 44 of the transfer carrier. Air mounts 32 extend between the rirg portion 31 and the press platen 28. The air mounts are expandable to urge the press platen 28 radially outwardly with variable force in accordance with the controlled variation in the application of compressed air. The air mounts 32 axe connected through ducts 33 to an air distribution ring 52 which is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced air outlets which are periodically aligned with the inlet of each duct 33 to cyclically supply compressed air to or vent compressed air from the air mounts 32.
A vacuum conduit 34 communicates between the transfer moulds 21, which are porous moulds and the plenum 51 so that a vacuum can be drawn within the transer moulds to withdraw the water and water vapour which are expelled from the moulded product in use.
Spring washers 35 are mounted on the guide rods 26 and are arranged to act between the oppositely disposed faces of the mounting shoe 25 and the orientation carrier 26 to normally urge the mounting shoe to th0 position in which the flanges 37 of the guide rods ~1 wiLl bear against the inner face of the orientatior.
carrier 26.
~3~a~
Sprockets 42 are moun~ed on the wheels 43 and 44 to receive the rollers 46 of the endless chains 24 of the finishing carrier L03. The finishing carri~r 103 comprises a pair of endless chains 24 which have a forward run portion 74 which is co-extensive with and disposed opposite a major arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier 102 as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The finishing conveyor also has a return portion o its length 76 which is located radially outwardly from the forward run portion and which extends in a closely adjacent spaced parallel relationship thereto. A cover 106 encloses substantially the full length of the forward and return portions of the transfer conveyor and serves to retain heat in the finishing chamber ll~.
The chains 24 are as previously indicated mounted on the sprockets 42 along the forward run portion 74.
Mounting shoes 23 are mounted on and extend transversely between the chains 24. The finishing moulds 2~ are mounted on the shoe 23. The finishing moulds 22 are smooth-faced moulds which serve to provide a high-quality surface finish on the moulded items.
The shoes 23 each have shafts 36 which project outwardly from opposite ends thereof and are connected to the chain 24.
Wheels 45 are mounted on the shafts 36 for rotation thereof. The wheels 45 act as followers which run along and are supported by ?
the guide tracks 38. The portion 38a of the guide track 38 which : , ~ 3 ~
faces radially inwardly toward the axis 72 (Fig.8) serves to control the travel path of the rollers 45 and thus retain the chain rollers 46 in correct position on the sprockets 42 by preventing radial outward movement of the shoes 23 with respect to the axis 72. The portion 38b of the track serves to prevent inward radial movement. The track 39 serves to prevent radial outward movement of the chain roller 46 over the portion of the travel of the moulding shoes 23 where their weight is downwardly directed in a manner which would cause the chain rollers 46 to move away from the portion of 38b of the track 38.
In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figurs 9A and lOA, the alignment af the transfer moulds 21 with res~ect to the forming ~oulds 20 and the vacuum pick-off elements 64 is achieved by providing cam tracks 147a and 148a (Figure lOA) along which the cam followers 47a and 48a are guided res~ectively to control simultzneously the orientation and the radial movement outward of the transfer mould assembly.
In the arransement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9~ and 10~, the outward radial movement of the-transfer mould assembly is controlled separately by the action o~ the cam followers 50 against the track 150 and the orientation is controlled by the cam followers 47b and 48b travelling in channel cam tracks 147b and 14~b respectively. The transfer moulds 21 and their orientation carrier 26 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 60 so as to be pivotal about the axis 66. The orientation carrier 26 is mounted on the press platen 28 and the related pivot shaf~ 60 is therefore radially mo~able along the axis 76 which extends radially ~rom the axis 72 (Figure 3). In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9A and Figure lOA, the shaft 60 is urged radially outward along the axis ~6 by the air mounts 32 such that the followers 47a and 48a bear against the cam tracks 147a and 148a (Figure lOA). In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9B and ~igure lOB, the followers 50 bear against the track 150 to control the radially outward movement of the track 60 and the trailing cam followers 47b and 48b travelling in channel tracks 147b and 148b are used to regulate the orientation only of the transfer mould assembly. In each arrangement all necessary facilities are provided to ~ollow the teachings of Canadian Patent No. 861,385 in which the orientation carriers are initlally displaced outwardly of the transfer carrier and are aligned with the axes 78 of the input moulds 20 and the axes 80 of the vacuum cup pick-off elements 64.
The transfer moulds 21 and the finishing moulds 22 each have electric heating elements embedded therein with exterior thermostatic controls which serve to heat the moulds to a predetermined temperature as required for the drying and inishir.
process. The design of the heating elements and their controls are well known in the industry and will not be described further here. Electrical energy to the heating elements is fed into the rotating portion of the ~ransfer carrier 102 by means of collector -.
,~ ~
, ~ 3 ~
.
ring 110 leading to electrical conductors 112 and extended to transfer moulds 21 through flexible conduit 114 and hence to flnishing mould 22 through mating connectors located in mouLds 21 and 22.
In use, the input carrier 101 is rotatably driven through the vat 105 and a preform particle 62 i5 formed in a conventional manner by the application of a vacuum which draws the slurry toward the surface of the foraminous mould 50 that the fibrous particles are deposited on the surface of the mould and form the preform 6~ while the fluids are withdrawn through the passages which are formed in the forming moulds 20. ~his technique is well known. The transfer moulds 21 are then aligned with the forming mould 20. ~he vacuum applied to the forming moulds 20 is then released and the moulded preform is blown off by the application of compressed air while a vacuum is applied to the transfer moulds 21 which are also foraminous. The conduits 34 (Fig.3) are used to apply the vacuum to the transfer moulds 21 and again, this technique is well known. As a result, the preform 62 is transferred from the forming moulds 20 to the transfer moulds 21 during the passage of these moulds through the transfer station.
The transfer moulds 21 are then transportad to the inpu~
end of the finishing station at which point they are mated with a finishing mould 22 carried by the finishing carrier 103 tFig.6).
.
'~:
.
~9 9 ~
The moulded preform is retained between the finishing moulds 22 which have a smooth surf.ace finish and the transfer moulds 21 which are foraminous. The moulded items are retained between these moulds during travel along the first arcuate portion 90 of the forward run portion 74 of the chain. During the continuous movement of the mated t:ranser and finishing moulds along this portion of the path of travel, air pressure may optlonally be cyclically increasecl and reduced at the air mounts 32 to enhance the rate at which moisture is expelled ~rom the pre~orm. Simultaneously, the fluids which are expelled from the mould cavity through the foraminous transfer moulds 21 are withdrawn through the flexible hose 54 and vacuum conduit 34 which is associated with each transfer moul~.
The finishing moulds 22 and transfer moulds 21 remain mated during travel along the first arcuate portion 90 which as illustrated in ~igure 9 of the drawings, extends over almost 270 of the perimeter of ~he transfer carrier. The finishing moulds 22 are separated from the transfer moulds 21 immediately in advance of the discharge carrier 104 with appropriate cam tracks being provided to ensure that the moulds are separated without dama~e to the finished articles 63.
As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the transfer moulds 21 and their associated mounting shoes 25 and orientation carriers 25 are aligned with the axis 80 o~ the pick-of~ carrier 104 in the manner previously described and a vacuum is applied through the vacuum cups 64 to extract the moulded item 63. ~he moulded item -:
.
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- oSS5-267S-61 - 63 is then deposited on the discharge conveyor 18 as a highly finished moulded item.
Form the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a moulding machi~e which i5 capable o~
oeerating at high speed and which is capable o~ pro~iding highly finished moulded products.
::
The present invention provides Einishing mould elements which are carried by an endless conveyor and which mate with transfer mould elements and remain mated with the transfer mould elements over an extended period of time during which the mated elements move continuously through a finishing station.
By reason of the fact that the preformed article is retained between a pair of mating moulds during the finishing operation for an extended period of time, it is possible to maintain a high level of control over the quality of the end product. Because it is not necessary to repeatedly remove the end product from one mould and transfer it to another mould, there is very little likelihood that the product will be damaged by the mating of the moulds.
1 3 ~
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 transfer carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, an endless finishing conveyor mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier and having a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier, input moulds mounted on said input carrier, transfer moulds mounted on said transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from ~he input moulds to the transfer moulds, finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive ~ortions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use, discharge means for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter o the transfer carrier.
The invention will ~e more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein;
~3~01~
~S55-2675-61 Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed ir.
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an end eleva~ion of the machine o Figure 1, Figure 3A is a vertical cross-section of the machine of Figure 1, Figure 3B is a vertical cross-section which is similar to Figure 3A which illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4A is an enlarged cross-section showing the finishing moulds and transfer moulds in the mated position, Figure 4~ is a cross-section which is similar to Figure 4A which illustrates a further embodiment of ~he invention, Figure 5 is a sectional side view o~ the machine of Figure 1, Figure 6A is an enlarged detail showing the manner in which the transfer moulds mate with the finishing moulds, Fi~ure 6B is an enlarged detail similar to Figure 6A
which illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, Figure 7A is a plan view of an end portion of a mounting shoe and an orientation carrier which serves to align the transfer moulds with respect to the forming moulds and with respect to the finishing moulds, Figure 7~ is a plan view which is similar to Figure 7A
~hich illustrates a further embodiment of the inven~ion, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the gear train and the pitch line of the chain conveyor and the guide tracks used to guide the chain conveyor.
, ~ 3 3 ~
Figure 9A and sa are each end views ofa portion of the transfer carrier, input carrier and discharge carrier showing two alternative aspec~s of ~he manner in which the transfer moulds may be aligned with the input carrier and the discharge carrier in order to effect transfer of the moulded item to and from the transfer moulds.
Figures lOA and lOB are schematic diagrams related to Figures 9A and 9B respectively showing the cooperative relationship between the cam tracks and the cam followers which serve to align and orient the transfer moulds according to each of the two aspects illustrated in Figures 9A and 9B respec~ively.
With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 100 refers generally to a moulding machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The moulding machine lO0 has an input carrier lOl and a transfer carrier 102 which have shafts 14 and lS respectively which are mounted for rotation in bearings which are supported on the main supporting frame 107 about parallel axes 70 and 72.
Similarly, a discharge carrier 104 has its shaft 16 mountad for rotation in bearings which are supported by the main frame 107. A
finishing carrier 103 is in the form of an endless conveyor which is mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier 102 as will be described hereinafter. A discharge conveyor 18 also has one end mounted on the frame lC1 and is arransed to cooperate ~ith the discharge carrier 194 to transport finished articles away from the moulding machine 100.
~L 3 ~
As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the input carrier 101 has a gear 11 at its outer perimeter which meshes with the gear 12 of the transfer carrier 102. Similarly, the discharge carrier 104 has a gear 13 which meshes with the gear 12 of the finishing carrier. As a result, the rotation o khe input carrier, transfer carrier and discharge carrier are synchronized with respect to one anotnerO
As shown more clearly in ~igure S of the drawings, the input carrier 101 has a plurality of first or forming moulds 20 mounted thereon for rotation into and out of a vat 105 which will contain a slurry of wood pulp or the like. Preformed moulded items 62 (Fig. 9) are formed o~ the moulds 20 in a conventional vacuum forming process which is well known and will not therefore be described in detail.
Transfer moulds 21 are mounted on the transfer carrier 102 ~or movement into and out of engagement with the forming moulds 20.
As shown in Figures 6A and 6B of the drawings, the transfer moulds 21 are mounted on a mounting shoe 25. The mounting shoe 25 is in turn mounted on an orientation carrier 26 by means of guide rods 27 and spring washers 35.
The orientation carrier 26 has shafts 60 projecting from opposi~e ends thereof. The shafts 60 are mounted in bearings 61 to swing about the axis 66. The bearings 61 are carried by a press platen 28. The shafts 60 have levers 49a or 49b mounted at opposite ends thereof on which cam followers 47a, 47b and 48a, 48b respectively, are mounted for rotation.
_ 5 : :
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~S55-2675-61 ~ he press platen 28 is slideably mounted on guide rods 29. ~he outward radial displacement of the press platen 28 is limited by the enLarged head portions 30 of the guide rods 29.
The inner ends of the guide rods 30 are mounted in the cylindrical ring portion 31 of the transfer car.rier. The ring 31 is mounted on and extends transversely between the wheel members 43 and 44 of the transfer carrier. Air mounts 32 extend between the rirg portion 31 and the press platen 28. The air mounts are expandable to urge the press platen 28 radially outwardly with variable force in accordance with the controlled variation in the application of compressed air. The air mounts 32 axe connected through ducts 33 to an air distribution ring 52 which is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced air outlets which are periodically aligned with the inlet of each duct 33 to cyclically supply compressed air to or vent compressed air from the air mounts 32.
A vacuum conduit 34 communicates between the transfer moulds 21, which are porous moulds and the plenum 51 so that a vacuum can be drawn within the transer moulds to withdraw the water and water vapour which are expelled from the moulded product in use.
Spring washers 35 are mounted on the guide rods 26 and are arranged to act between the oppositely disposed faces of the mounting shoe 25 and the orientation carrier 26 to normally urge the mounting shoe to th0 position in which the flanges 37 of the guide rods ~1 wiLl bear against the inner face of the orientatior.
carrier 26.
~3~a~
Sprockets 42 are moun~ed on the wheels 43 and 44 to receive the rollers 46 of the endless chains 24 of the finishing carrier L03. The finishing carri~r 103 comprises a pair of endless chains 24 which have a forward run portion 74 which is co-extensive with and disposed opposite a major arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier 102 as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The finishing conveyor also has a return portion o its length 76 which is located radially outwardly from the forward run portion and which extends in a closely adjacent spaced parallel relationship thereto. A cover 106 encloses substantially the full length of the forward and return portions of the transfer conveyor and serves to retain heat in the finishing chamber ll~.
The chains 24 are as previously indicated mounted on the sprockets 42 along the forward run portion 74.
Mounting shoes 23 are mounted on and extend transversely between the chains 24. The finishing moulds 2~ are mounted on the shoe 23. The finishing moulds 22 are smooth-faced moulds which serve to provide a high-quality surface finish on the moulded items.
The shoes 23 each have shafts 36 which project outwardly from opposite ends thereof and are connected to the chain 24.
Wheels 45 are mounted on the shafts 36 for rotation thereof. The wheels 45 act as followers which run along and are supported by ?
the guide tracks 38. The portion 38a of the guide track 38 which : , ~ 3 ~
faces radially inwardly toward the axis 72 (Fig.8) serves to control the travel path of the rollers 45 and thus retain the chain rollers 46 in correct position on the sprockets 42 by preventing radial outward movement of the shoes 23 with respect to the axis 72. The portion 38b of the track serves to prevent inward radial movement. The track 39 serves to prevent radial outward movement of the chain roller 46 over the portion of the travel of the moulding shoes 23 where their weight is downwardly directed in a manner which would cause the chain rollers 46 to move away from the portion of 38b of the track 38.
In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figurs 9A and lOA, the alignment af the transfer moulds 21 with res~ect to the forming ~oulds 20 and the vacuum pick-off elements 64 is achieved by providing cam tracks 147a and 148a (Figure lOA) along which the cam followers 47a and 48a are guided res~ectively to control simultzneously the orientation and the radial movement outward of the transfer mould assembly.
In the arransement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9~ and 10~, the outward radial movement of the-transfer mould assembly is controlled separately by the action o~ the cam followers 50 against the track 150 and the orientation is controlled by the cam followers 47b and 48b travelling in channel cam tracks 147b and 14~b respectively. The transfer moulds 21 and their orientation carrier 26 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 60 so as to be pivotal about the axis 66. The orientation carrier 26 is mounted on the press platen 28 and the related pivot shaf~ 60 is therefore radially mo~able along the axis 76 which extends radially ~rom the axis 72 (Figure 3). In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9A and Figure lOA, the shaft 60 is urged radially outward along the axis ~6 by the air mounts 32 such that the followers 47a and 48a bear against the cam tracks 147a and 148a (Figure lOA). In the arrangement of cam followers and cam tracks shown in Figure 9B and ~igure lOB, the followers 50 bear against the track 150 to control the radially outward movement of the track 60 and the trailing cam followers 47b and 48b travelling in channel tracks 147b and 148b are used to regulate the orientation only of the transfer mould assembly. In each arrangement all necessary facilities are provided to ~ollow the teachings of Canadian Patent No. 861,385 in which the orientation carriers are initlally displaced outwardly of the transfer carrier and are aligned with the axes 78 of the input moulds 20 and the axes 80 of the vacuum cup pick-off elements 64.
The transfer moulds 21 and the finishing moulds 22 each have electric heating elements embedded therein with exterior thermostatic controls which serve to heat the moulds to a predetermined temperature as required for the drying and inishir.
process. The design of the heating elements and their controls are well known in the industry and will not be described further here. Electrical energy to the heating elements is fed into the rotating portion of the ~ransfer carrier 102 by means of collector -.
,~ ~
, ~ 3 ~
.
ring 110 leading to electrical conductors 112 and extended to transfer moulds 21 through flexible conduit 114 and hence to flnishing mould 22 through mating connectors located in mouLds 21 and 22.
In use, the input carrier 101 is rotatably driven through the vat 105 and a preform particle 62 i5 formed in a conventional manner by the application of a vacuum which draws the slurry toward the surface of the foraminous mould 50 that the fibrous particles are deposited on the surface of the mould and form the preform 6~ while the fluids are withdrawn through the passages which are formed in the forming moulds 20. ~his technique is well known. The transfer moulds 21 are then aligned with the forming mould 20. ~he vacuum applied to the forming moulds 20 is then released and the moulded preform is blown off by the application of compressed air while a vacuum is applied to the transfer moulds 21 which are also foraminous. The conduits 34 (Fig.3) are used to apply the vacuum to the transfer moulds 21 and again, this technique is well known. As a result, the preform 62 is transferred from the forming moulds 20 to the transfer moulds 21 during the passage of these moulds through the transfer station.
The transfer moulds 21 are then transportad to the inpu~
end of the finishing station at which point they are mated with a finishing mould 22 carried by the finishing carrier 103 tFig.6).
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The moulded preform is retained between the finishing moulds 22 which have a smooth surf.ace finish and the transfer moulds 21 which are foraminous. The moulded items are retained between these moulds during travel along the first arcuate portion 90 of the forward run portion 74 of the chain. During the continuous movement of the mated t:ranser and finishing moulds along this portion of the path of travel, air pressure may optlonally be cyclically increasecl and reduced at the air mounts 32 to enhance the rate at which moisture is expelled ~rom the pre~orm. Simultaneously, the fluids which are expelled from the mould cavity through the foraminous transfer moulds 21 are withdrawn through the flexible hose 54 and vacuum conduit 34 which is associated with each transfer moul~.
The finishing moulds 22 and transfer moulds 21 remain mated during travel along the first arcuate portion 90 which as illustrated in ~igure 9 of the drawings, extends over almost 270 of the perimeter of ~he transfer carrier. The finishing moulds 22 are separated from the transfer moulds 21 immediately in advance of the discharge carrier 104 with appropriate cam tracks being provided to ensure that the moulds are separated without dama~e to the finished articles 63.
As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the transfer moulds 21 and their associated mounting shoes 25 and orientation carriers 25 are aligned with the axis 80 o~ the pick-of~ carrier 104 in the manner previously described and a vacuum is applied through the vacuum cups 64 to extract the moulded item 63. ~he moulded item -:
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- oSS5-267S-61 - 63 is then deposited on the discharge conveyor 18 as a highly finished moulded item.
Form the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a moulding machi~e which i5 capable o~
oeerating at high speed and which is capable o~ pro~iding highly finished moulded products.
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Claims (5)
1. A moulding machine for moulding fibrous material such as wood pulp to form moulded items comprising;
a) an input carrier and a transfer carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, b) an endless finishing conveyor mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier and having a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier, c) input moulds mounted on said input carrier, d) transfer moulds mounted on said transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from the input moulds to the transfer moulds, e) finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive portions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use, f) discharge means for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier.
a) an input carrier and a transfer carrier each mounted for continuous synchronized rotation about parallel axes, b) an endless finishing conveyor mounted for continuous movement with respect to the transfer carrier and having a first portion of its length arranged to be coextensive with and disposed opposite a first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier, c) input moulds mounted on said input carrier, d) transfer moulds mounted on said transfer carrier for movement into and out of cooperative engagement with the input moulds to permit the transfer of a preformed item from the input moulds to the transfer moulds, e) finishing moulds mounted on said finishing carrier for movement into and out of cooperative pressing engagement with the transfer moulds to press a preformed item therebetween during movement of the moulds along the coextensive portions of the transfer conveyor and the finishing conveyor to thereby dewater and enhance the finish of moulded item in use, f) discharge means for removing finished items from the transfer moulds as they travel along a second arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier.
2. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the finishing conveyor has a second portion of its length extending parallel to and radially outwardly from the first portion with respect to the axis of the transfer carrier.
3. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a housing extending around a major portion of the first arcuate portion of the path of travel of the perimeter of the transfer carrier to enclose a major portion of the finishing conveyor to reduce heat loss from the transfer moulds and from the finishing moulds as the finishing moulds are driven along the second portion of the length of the conveyor.
4. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transfer moulds are mounted on the transfer conveyor for limited radial and angular movement relative thereto and alignment guide means is provided for guiding the transfer moulds into and out of alignment with respect to the input and finishing mould.
5. A moulding machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for cyclically displacing the transfer mould with respect to the finishing mould to cyclically apply and partially release the pressure therebetween to enhance the dewatering of the moulded items in use.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000578672A CA1310161C (en) | 1988-09-28 | 1988-09-28 | Precision moulding machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000578672A CA1310161C (en) | 1988-09-28 | 1988-09-28 | Precision moulding machine |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1310161C true CA1310161C (en) | 1992-11-17 |
Family
ID=4138801
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000578672A Expired - Lifetime CA1310161C (en) | 1988-09-28 | 1988-09-28 | Precision moulding machine |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1310161C (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 |
-
1988
- 1988-09-28 CA CA000578672A patent/CA1310161C/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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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |