Method and apparatus for manufacturing dunnage material
US5382325A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD21J3/10
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming articles, used as dunnage material, from pulped paper products includes a paper shredder that forms the pulped paper and delivers it to a slurry tank. The slurry tank gravity feeds the slurry into a slurry reservoir where a pump pumps the slurry into molds. A plunger delivers compressed air to the slurry blobs contained within each molds to expand the slurry blobs to the shape of the molds and to force the water in the slurry through an outlet in the bottom of the molds to a vacuum chamber connected to the molds. The delivery of compressed air further forms a cavity within the expanded slurry blobs. During the next four steps, the molds again connect to the vacuum so that additional water is forced from the pulp into the vacuum chamber. Finally, an ejector supplies compressed air to the bottom of the molds such that the finished articles are propelled from the molds onto a conveyor which delivers the cubes to packaging machines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.