Patent ID: 6048440
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: D21J

Abstract:
A vacuum molding apparatus for pulp products comprising:molding platen means for providing a plurality of forming mold attachment sites to receive one or more forming molds, and for introducing wet pulp material to said forming molds to mold formed products;air pressure source means operably connected to said plurality of forming mold attachment sites of said molding platen means for selectively creating an air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites, including means for creating a negative air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites to attract said wet pulp material to said forming molds and means for creating a positive air pressure at said forming mold attachment sites to remove said formed products from said forming molds; andcontrol means connected between said air pressure source means and said plurality of forming mold attachment sites for individually and differentially controlling a duration of air application to each of said forming mold attachment sites and individually and differentially varying a volume flow rate of air applied to each of said forming mold attachment sites by said air pressure source means depending on characteristics of the formed product at each said forming mold attachment site.