GB528582A - Improvements relating to pulp molding machines - Google Patents

Abstract

528,582. Moulding pulp. TRIGGS, W. W. (Keyes Fibre Co.). April 27, 1939, No. 12604. [Class 87 (ii)] In a pulp-moulding machine of the kind comprising forming and coacting dies arranged for continuous rotation in opposite directions about spaced parallel axes into engagement with one another, the coacting die being adapted to receive the formed article from the forming die and provision being made for automatically applying compressed air to the forming die and suction to the coacting die during a portion of the period of engagement of the dies to transfer the article from the forming die to the coacting die, provision is made for automatically applying compressed air through the coacting die to the article during the initial portion of the engagement of the forming and coacting dies and prior to the transter of the article to the coacting die, and suction is applied at the same time to the forming'die; liquid is thus effectively removed from the pulp layer. As shown, the machine comprises perforated forming dies 17 mounted on radial arms 16 and rotating with a shaft 14 so as to pass through a pulp vat 13. The dies are connected through the arms 16 and ports in a fixed collar and in a hub 15 to pipes supplying suction and compressed air. A heating chamber is formed around the dies by a casing 24 and a ring 26 on the arms 16 and warm air is supplied at 27. The pulp is subjected to suction until the forming die reaches the coacting perforated compression die 36 on a radial arm 32 rotating with a shaft 30, when first of all compressed air is supplied to the chamber 46 to remove liquid from the pulp, and then suction is applied to the chamber and compressed air to the arm 16 to transfer the article to the die 36. The dies 36 are mounted on toggle ends 35 pivoted on pins mounted in slots in the arms 32, the pins being urged outwardly by springs. These chambers 46 in the dies 36 are connected to suction or compressed air by flexible conduits 45 leading to ports in a fixed collar and in a hub on the shaft 30. The toggle ends 35 carry rollers 38 to engage a fixed cam track 39 whereby the dies 36 are guided as they approach and leave the dies 17 and are maintained parallel to and in alignment with them. The pulp articles are transferred from the dies 36 to receiving dies 74 by compressed air and suction in the dies 36, 74 respectively. The dies 74 are mounted on arms 73 on a rotary shaft 70 and transfer the articles to a conveyer 83. The hubs on the shafts 14, 30 are maintained against the fixed collars by springs. The shafts 14, 30, 70 and the drive for the conveyer are positively geared together. While the articles are on the dies 36, they may be treated by one or more sets of rotating finishing dies 56, 66 mounted on shafts 55, 65 rotating about shafts 50, 60. The dies 56, 66 are also rotated about the axes of the shafts 55, 65, by bevel gearing. The shafts 50, 60 are mounted in slidable bearings and are moved to gear with the drive of the shaft 30 by handwheels 53, 63. The dies 56, 66 may be perforated and connected to compressed air ; they may also be heated. Waterproofing or other finishing material may be sprayed on the articles while on the dies 36 by a sprayer 90. A counting device 93 may be provided.