Patent ID: 6716319
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: D21J

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing a molded pulp product from a fiber slurry comprising a dip tank containing a fiber slurry therein and having a liquid level, a platen, a porous mold carried by the platen, means for moving the platen and the mold carried thereby into the fiber slurry in a downward direction with the platen being disposed upwardly of the mold so that the mold is introduced through the liquid level into the fiber slurry while retaining the platen so that it is not immersed in the fiber slurry, means for supplying a vacuum to the platen and to the mold while the mold is disposed in the fiber slurry to cause fibers in the fiber slurry to collect onto the mold to form a wet molded pulp product, means for moving the platen and the mold to move the mold upwardly out of the fiber slurry through the liquid level to permit water to drain from the mold and the wet pulp molded product and means for causing the wet molded pulp product to dry.