Patent ID: 6024905
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: B27N

Abstract:
A device for manufacturing shaped composite articles comprising:(a) means for mixing a fibrous material, a granulated material, or a combination thereof with a thermoplastic binder, thermosetting binder, or a combination thereof to form a mixture;(b) means for conveying the mixture to a mat forming chamber, said mat forming chamber being a sealable unit comprising a lower half and a movable upper half, said upper half comprising an outer hood and a rotatable drum having a circumferential surface comprising a perforated pattern of a desired article and an unperforated portion, said unperforated portion being blocked by a template fitted to the drum;(c) means for controlling pressure at the circumferential surface of the drum, said means providing a closed loop air circuit via the perforated pattern;(d) at least one skim roller to control height of said desired article;(e) means for moving the moveable upper half to a drop position, wherein rotation of the drum, control of the pressure at the circumferential surface of the drum, or both, are continued during the movement of the drum to a drop position; and(f) second means for conveying the preformed article from said drop position to a molding station, a curing station, a molding and curing station, or both a molding station and a curing station.