Patent ID: 6713012
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
In a system for forming a molded article from a composition comprised of a plurality of chopped mineral fibers and a binder applied to at least one portion of a perforated mold and initially held in place by a vacuum drawn through the perforations before undergoing a curing process, an automated assist apparatus, comprising:at least one holding device for holding the composition applied to the at least one portion of the perforated mold in place both prior to and during the curing process; a motive device for automatically moving the holding device from a first retracted position sway from the mold to a second position far holding the composition in place; wherein the motive device includes a first rotatable shaft journaled in a plurality of supports; a support assembly having a first end for supporting the holding device and a second end coupled to the rotatable shaft; and a first motor for selectively engaging and rotating the shaft to move the support assembly and hence the holding device between the first and second positions; wherein the vacuum is released when the holding device is in the second position, the composition is subjected to the curing process, and the holding device is automatically moved to the first refracted position for removing the cured molded article from the mold.