Apparatus for rotary molding

US8753107B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Formax, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Scott A. Lindee · Mokena, US
• David M. Hansen · Green River, US
• Salvatore Lamartino · Orland Park, US
• Bruce Bauer · Mokena, US
• Thomas C. Wolcott · Bourbonnais, US
• Steve Ill · Mokena, US
• E. William Wight · Roscoe, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2013
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2014
• Expiry date: May 23, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29C45/4005
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.