Molded fiber materials and methods and apparatus for making the same
US7513967B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD04H1/558
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A raw material including a mixture of a natural fiber and a thermoplastic fiber is supplied to a surface of a rotating rotary body. The natural and thermoplastic fibers are scattered toward a carrying surface of a conveyor belt by the rotational force of the rotary body. An air blower may direct pressurized air to the scattered raw material in order to further effect separation of the natural and thermoplastic fibers. Consequently, the natural fibers and the thermoplastic fibers are deposited such that the relative concentration of the natural fibers and the thermoplastic fibers gradually and seamlessly changes or varies across the thickness of depth of the resulting molded fiber material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.