GB755475A - Machine for the production of moulded articles - Google Patents

Abstract

755,475. Rotary-mould machines for making articles from pulp or resins.. PETERSEN, J. A. July 23, 1954, No. 21596/54. Class 87(2) A machine for moulding thermoplastic or thermosetting materials or for moulding fibrous articles from pulp comprises an outer frame 4 fixed on a shaft 1 which rorates clockwise through each of the four positions shown. The frame 4 carries four mould elements 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d which cooperate with four complementary elements 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d movable radially towards and from shaft 1 by plungers 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d slidable in cylinders 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d rotatably mounted on shaft 1. In making articles from pulp the machine is set to rotate continuously and a tank 15, which may contain wood pulp, is suspended under the shaft 1 within the frame 4. A tray 27 is mounted on the shaft bearings for the removal of ejected articles by gravity. In operation, and considering only the mould parts 5a, 8a, before mould element 8a enters tank 15 fluid is withdrawn from cylinder 6a via pipe 9a so that tension spring 29a withdraws mould element 8a from its extended position until it abuts the cylinder 6a. The element then enters the tank 15 and air pressure is reduced in the element 8a so that a wet fibre mass is deposited on it and is subsequently carried with the mould element until it has passed the 12 o'clock position whereupon element 8a is moved into contact with the element 5a at the 3 o'clock position. Air pressure is increased in element 8a via conduit 11a, and reduced in element 5a via conduit 12a, so that the fibre article is transferred from element 8a to element 5a. Element 5a then carries it from the 3 o'clock position to the 6 o'clock position, while another fibre mass is deposited on mould 8a, and on to the 12 o'clock position where it is above tray 27, whereupon air pressure in element 5a is increased, via conduit 10a to eject the article on to the tray. Thus, the deposited mass is subjected to dewatering during 1“ rotations of the machine.. In moulding thermoplastic substances, e.g. to make gramophone records, the mould elements rotate stepwise and the material may be fed when the mould element is in its bottom position after which it is cooled while it moves to the 12 o'clock position where the finished blank is removed. The mould element is then heated, e.g. by steam, while it continues its rotation to the bottom position. In moulding thermo-hardened artificial substances the mould elements may be electrically heated, the wires to the heating elements being led through channels in the. shaft and the material may be fed at either the bottom or the 12 o'clock position. In pressing thermoplastic or thermosetting material the cylinders may be connected to the outer frame by columns.