Die having air passages
US4578027A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA21C9/06
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus acts upon an extrudate rope to form individual elements of predetermined size and shape which elements are separated from one another a predetermined distance. A die is used having a predetermined shape with indentations therein to press the extrudate rope against a support at predetermined locations. A conveyor belt is used to carry the extrudate rope in one direction, and the die is supported such that during the pressing operation the die forward speed matches the extrudate rope forward speed. A supporting table underlies the conveyor belt. The die has a pair of generally spherical indentations for shaping pieces from the extrudate rope. The die is formed of a non-stick material such as Teflon.RTM.. A chamber is located in an opposite surface of the die from each respective indentation, to serve as a plenum fluid supply to the indentations, bores connecting the respective opposing chambers to respective indentations. The fluid pressure in each indentation assists separation of a shaped piece of the extrudate rope from respective indentations. A plurality of extrudate ropes may be formed into pieces simultaneously, by using a plurality of dies in parallel, thereby al…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.