Molding apparatus and method
US4937025A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S425/044
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for making self-supporting bodies from particulate materials. The apparatus includes a mold with opposed first and second walls defining a particulate chamber therebetween. The second wall is advanceable and retractable toward and away from the first wall. A plurality of chamber reducers may be removably mounted over each of the walls. Thick-walled members can be incrementally built up by pressing successive batches of particulate material at low and high pressures respectively. The chamber reducers can be successively removed between such batches, or can be used to vary the mold for making bodies of different sizes. A long body can be built up in increments, using a shorter mold, by forming a first increment, displacing the increment lengthwise in the mold, adding another batch of particulate material in overlapping relation to the first body increment, and then pressing such other batch to form a second increment bonded to the first. The latter technique is enhanced by applying different forces or pressures to different sections of the second wall along the length of the mold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.