Abstract: A molded fiber part former includes a first forming mold defining a first mold area and at least one fluid inlet. The molded fiber part former also includes a wall substantially surrounding the first mold area. The molded fiber part former includes a fluid channel disposed adjacent to and surrounding the wall, wherein the channel is fluidically connected to the at least one fluid inlet and defines a fluid channel outlet.

Abstract: A collaborative robot employs low ratio drives for three or more axes of movement, such as three primary axes. An arm assembly may be mounted to a support for movement along a vertical linear axis, and the arm assembly may include first and second arm links that are each rotatable about vertical axes, e.g., such that the arm links move in a horizontal plane. Low ratio drives may be used for movement along the vertical linear axis and the rotary axes for the first and second arm links. Feedforward and feedback control may be employed to control the movement of the arm assembly and arm links, and feedback torque components may be limited to 25% or less of the maximum drive torque.

Abstract: A collaborative robot employs low ratio drives for three or more axes of movement, such as three primary axes. An arm assembly may be mounted to a support for movement along a vertical linear axis, and the arm assembly may include first and second arm links that are each rotatable about vertical axes, e.g., such that the arm links move in a horizontal plane. Low ratio drives may be used for movement along the vertical linear axis and the rotary axes for the first and second arm links. Feedforward and feedback control may be employed to control the movement of the arm assembly and arm links, and feedback torque components may be limited to 25% or less of the maximum drive torque.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of manufacturing an egg package wherein the cooperating locking means in a cover part and bottom part of the egg package are formed and placed relative to each other so that form changes in the cover part arising during manufacture are compensated for The invention furthermore pertains to an egg package manufactured according to the above mentioned method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display rear shell with waterproof and fireproof properties comprising a main layer of a pulp made from hardwood in an amount from 80% to 90% by weight of the main layer, a pulp waterproof composition in an amount from 5% to 15% by weight of the main layer, and a flame retardant in an amount of a remaining weight percentage by weight of the main layer, a fireproof layer and a waterproof layer, in place of a traditional plastic display rear shell using plastic materials for characteristics as waterproof, fireproof and light weight.

Abstract: A method that includes classifying photographs into categories; generating computational models of image aesthetics, each computational model of image aesthetics associated to one different category of the categories; extracting a plurality of features from a photograph, the plurality of features including simplicity features, global features computed in the whole image and/or low-level features in contrasting regions of an image of the photograph, the contrasting regions being partitions of the image obtained by applying an image segmentation algorithm based on feature contrast to the photograph; and applying a computational model of image aesthetics to at least part of the plurality of features extracted from the photograph, the computational model applied according to the category of the photograph, in order to assess aesthetic quality of the photograph.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for moulding an article from pulp material, in which the article is moulded on the surface of a mould tool, the article is pressed and the pressed article is dried, using heated gas or superheated steam that is passed through the pressed article or using microwaves, in which the pressed article is retained on a tool during the drying. The tool may be the mould tool or a different tool.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for a making a formed fibrous article and more specifically to method and apparatus for making a formed fibrous article useful as an absorbent core structure in a disposable sanitary article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, diaper or the like. The present invention also relates to a disposable sanitary article including a formed fibrous article according to the present invention as a core structure thereof.

Abstract: Methods for making a molded beverage container insulator from a slurry including water and a polysaccharide by presenting at least one male mold, which may have an elliptical cross section, therein and causing a portion of the slurry to temporarily adhere to the at least one mold. After a suitable period of time, removing the mold from the slurry and then removing the insulator. At such time, and particularly if the mold is not characterized as elliptical in cross section, the insulator is subject to bidirectional compression in order to collapse the same. Opposing hinge elements may be formed in the insulator, either at the time of molding or subsequently, to localize stresses resulting from the collapsing of the insulator. The resulting insulator is fully recyclable/compostable and possesses a constricting bias to mitigate container slip issues.

Abstract: A process for molding recyclable, compostable, and disposable containers made of pulp paper is disclosed herein. The process includes disposing a wet pulp layer on a male or female mold, mating the mold with its counterpart, and applying a force on the pulp layer to remove moisture and thin the pulp. The process continues by applying a vacuum to either the male or female mold to hold the pulp layer, and removing the other mold. The process further comprises sequentially mating male and female molds until the pulp layer is the desired thickness and shape of the container. Embodiments of the process may include molding pulp containers to include pleats, stability features, reverse draft features, and puffed pulp configurations.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making die-dried friction wafers collects friction particulates in a mold defining a wafer. The mold includes at least one perforate wall portion against which an aqueous slurry including the particulates is passed to form at least one layer on the wall as the particulates collect in the mold. The collection is dried followed by curing, and may be cured in the mold by heating.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.

Abstract: A shaped pulp article and the method for making same are disclosed. The method of making a shaped pulp article includes the steps of preparing a slurry by mixing at least one material of construction with water, placing the slurry in a porous mold having a shaped molding surface, extracting excess water through the porous mold to form the shaped article, and pressing the shaped article between complementary heated male and female structures.

Abstract: A shaped pulp article and the method for making same are disclosed. The method of making a shaped pulp article includes the steps of preparing a slurry by mixing at least one material of construction with water, placing the slurry in a porous mold having a shaped molding surface, extracting excess water through the porous mold to form the shaped article, and pressing the shaped article between complementary heated male and female structures.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the production of activated fibres or particles having self-binding properties comprising the steps of treating fibers or particles of lignocellulose containing material by contacting them with an oxidant during a time sufficient for the formation of water soluble reaction products with binding properties and retaining at least a significant part of said water soluble reaction products with the treated fibers or particles. The invention further concerns activated fibers or particles obtainable by the process, a press molded product and a process for the production thereof from activated fibers or particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a fiber molded article comprising the step of transferring a fiber molded article 10 formed in a papermaking mold 2 composed of splits 20 and 20? to a split 30? of a drying mold 3, in which the papermaking mold 2 is once opened while attracting the fiber molded article 10 to the inner surface of the split 20? by suction to separate the fiber molded article 10 from the inner surface of the split 20, the papermaking mold 2 is closed, the suction by the split 20? is stopped, the papermaking mold 2 is opened again while attracting the fiber molded article 10 to the inner surface of the split 20 to separate the fiber molded article 10 from the split 20?, the split 20 is joined with the split 30?, the fiber molded article 10 is attracted to the inner surface of the split 30? by suction, and the fiber molded article 10 is separated from the split 20.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.

Abstract: A pulp molded article (1) of the present invention comprises a neck portion (2) and a thread (5) provided on the outer surface of the neck portion (2), and has an overrun torque of 1 N·m or higher between the neck portion and a threaded cap screwed on the neck portion (2).

Abstract: A fibrous panel is molded in two or more progressively formed mold members each comprising a porous support plate to which a plurality of rigid mold pieces are affixed. The mold pieces are truncated 3D tapered structures, and are arranged on the support plate in a regular array so that an intersecting grid or lattice of channels is defined between them. A fiber stock is poured into a first mold member and the stock is compressed and dewatered to form a panel. The panel is removed from the first mold member and placed into a second mold member having narrower and shallower channels whose side walls are more upright than those of the first mold member. The panel is further compressed and dewatered in the second mold member, and is densified in both the vertical and lateral directions by virtue of the progressive formation of the mold members.

Abstract: A method of producing pulp moldings having a paper-making process comprising the steps of assembling split mold halves (11, 12) having suction passageways (14) to form a paper-making mold (10), feeding pulp slurry of predetermined set feed concentration into the cavity (13) in the paper-making mold (10), and sucking the pulp slurry through the suction passageways (14) to form a pulp layer (15) on the inner surface of the paper-making mold (10), wherein the concentration of the pulp slurry in the cavity (13) in the initial and/or final period of formation of the pulp layer (15) in the paper-making process is lower than the above-mentioned set feed concentration of the pulp slurry.

Abstract: A molded body formed with pulp mold having projected lines corresponding to a slit-shaped vent package part, capable of being provided by paper-making/dewatering, using a paper making mold, a slurry having fibers dispersed in a liquid so as to obtain a three-dimensional fiber wetted laminated body, moving the laminated body to a dry mold having an inner surface with the slit-shaped vent package, and pressing and drying that laminated body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a fiber-molded hollow article by using a papermaking mold (2) composed of splits (21, 22) which are joined to form a cavity (20) having two openings (20a, 20b) connecting with the outside and an expandable pressing member (3) adapted to be placed in the cavity (20). The method comprises the steps of immersing each of the splits (21, 22) before being joined in a fiber slurry to form a fiber preform (10a, 10b), joining the splits (21, 22) each having the fiber preform (10a, 10b) formed thereon while placing the pressing member (3) in the cavity (20), and molding and dewatering a molded article (1) in the papermaking mold (2).

Abstract: A method of producing a pulp molded article. The method feeds a pulp slurry to a cavity of a papermaking mold having a prescribed cavity shape to form a pulp preform including a main part having an opening and a separable part having a flange and connected to an edge of the opening. A pressing member is inserted into the preform, the pressing member is expanded to press the preform toward the papermaking surface, the preform is removed from the papermaking mold, and then the preform is cut at a joint between the separable part and the main part.

Abstract: A method for producing a pulp molded article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming and drying a pulp molded precursor (15). The drying step includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the precursor (15) is set in a cavity of a heating mold, and is hot-pressed. The cavity has a configuration in conformity to the contour of the pulp molded article to be produced. In the second step, the hot-pressed precursor (15) is taken out from the heating mold and is heat-dried in a drying furnace.

Abstract: A pulp molded article having a pulp fiber layer (2) of single layer structure which is formed by papermaking from a single raw material composition and has a density distribution in the thickness direction thereof. The pulp fiber layer (2) has such a density distribution that the density increases or decreases in the thickness direction thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a pulp molded article comprising a papermaking step in which a pulp slurry is fed to the surface of a papermaking mold having suction paths, and water contained in the pulp slurry is sucked through the suction paths whereby the pulp is deposited on the surface to form a wet preform, and a dewatering step in which the wet preform is dewatered, wherein the temperature of the fed pulp slurry is raised while the pulp is being deposited on the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing articles (5) from moulded pulp material that are laminated with a plastic film (4). Thus an environmental friendly and water-resistant package for food products and for other moulded pulp products such as packages for industrial products is provided. The apparatus comprises a moulding line 1 and a laminating line (3). The moulding line (1) comprises a suction moulding station (20) with a pulp vat (25) and a number of suction moulds (22), a drying oven (28) and conveying means (26,28) for transporting the moulded pulp articles through the moulding line (1). The articles are transported in line by a conveyor 10 from the moulding line (1) to the laminating line (3), the laminating line (3) comprises a plastic film supply unit (47), a heating station (69) a laminating station (80) and conveying means (56) for conveying the articles (5) through the laminating line (3).

Abstract: A method for producing a pulp molded article is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming and drying a pulp molded precursor (15). The drying step includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the precursor (15) is set in a cavity of a heating mold, and is hot-pressed. The cavity has a configuration in conformity to the contour of the pulp molded article to be produced. In the second step, the hot-pressed precursor (15) is taken out from the heating mold and is heat-dried in a drying furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a molded pulp product from a fiber slurry comprising a dip tank containing a fiber slurry therein and having a liquid level. A platen is provided. A porous mold is carried by the platen. The platen and the mold carried thereby are lowered into the fiber slurry in a downward direction with the platen being disposed upwardly of the mold so that the mold is introduced through the liquid level into the fiber slurry. A vacuum is supplied to the platen and to the mold while the mold is disposed in the fiber slurry to cause fibers in the fiber slurry to collect onto the mold and form a wet molded pulp product. The platen and the mold with the wet molded product thereon are moved out of the fiber slurry through the liquid level to permit water to drain from the mold and the wet molded pulp product. The wet molded pulp product is then dried.

Abstract: Pulp deposited bodies (7 and 8) are formed on the surfaces (2a and 3a) of a set of splits (2 and 3) of a papermaking mold, each split having a plurality of interconnecting holes connecting the outside to the inside thereof, and the splits (2 and 3) are mated to join the pulp deposited bodies (7 and 8).

Abstract: A pulp molded article is produced by depositing pulp fiber on the outer surface of a papermaking core mold having a plurality of interconnecting paths connecting the outside and the inside to form a pulp deposited body, placing the pulp deposited body in a set of split molds, and then pressing the pulp deposited body for dehydration by a prescribed means.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming from a fiber slurry a three-dimensional fiber truss. The forming method involves compressing a fiber slurry or a fiber pulp between a pair of rigid foraminous dies to rapidly drive out most of the carrier fluid. The fiber retained between the dies is compacted into a pre-form fiber truss. The pre-form fiber truss is subsequently dried and consolidated in a heated press to produce a finished fiber truss. In panel applications, the fiber truss can be used by itself, or combined with other fiber trusses, to form a light-weight structural core for sandwich panels. Sandwich panels have numerous uses in packaging, material handling, construction, and furniture industries. Specific products include bulk bins, heavy-duty boxes, shipping containers, wall panels, roof panels, cement forms, partitions, poster displays, reels, desks, caskets, shelves, tables, and doors.

Abstract: Method of producing a paper having a three dimensional pattern which has been given the paper web in connection with drying the paper web, at which the wet paper web (10) is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising a rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the paper web during the passage through the press nip is given said three dimensional pattern either by means of a pattern provided on the heated roll (13), alternatively on a member surrounding the roll or by means of a patterned wire, band or belt and where said pattern is pressed into the paper web against a counter means (11,14). After said press nip (12) the paper web (10) is taken off from the heated roll (13) by means of a detaching roll (16) and is creped against said detaching roll.

Abstract: A speaker frame is constructed from dried paper pulp. Features in the speaker frame such as holes or slits are formed by carbonizing corresponding sections in the dried paper pulp and applying shear processing to remove the carbonized material. A carbonizing mold contains protrusions corresponding to the sections in the dried pulp to be carbonized. The result is a high quality speaker frame that is biodegradable and can be produced economically.

Abstract: An apparatus for press forming products having a desired shape from a web is provided. The apparatus includes a cyclically operating blanking section for cutting the web to produce a single blank for each blanking cycle and a cyclically operating forming section for receiving a plurality of single blanks from the blanking section during a first portion of each forming cycle and for press forming the plurality of single blanks into a plurality of three dimensional press formed paperboard products having the desired shape during a second portion of each forming cycle. The forming section includes a die set having a plurality of forming die cavities wherein each of the forming die cavities receives a single blank. The blanking section operates cyclically at a predetermined rate r and the die set of the forming section includes n forming die cavities, the blanking section operating at n cycles for each forming cycle and the forming section operating cyclically at a rate r/n.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing paper coffin for use in cremation including the steps of forming a box and a cover for a coffin from prepared pulp by vacuum molding, drying the molded box and cover, compressing walls of the box and of the cover in a die casting machine to consolidate them and give them enhanced structural strength, and painting the box and the cover so that the coffin has beautified outer surfaces. Dies for compressing the walls of the box and the cover may be provided with patterns so as to form raised or depressed patterns on outer wall surfaces of the coffin.

Abstract: In a filter manufacturing method, during a time period from the start of the suction of the slurry to a point in time when fibers in the slurry accumulate on the outer peripheral surface of the protector to a prescribed thickness, the protector and its leg portions are held spaced away from each other. The leg portions are moved toward the protector so that the leg portions are disposed at a position spaced by a uniform distance from the outer peripheral surface of the protector and the suction operation is continued. Thus, the slurry containing the fibers therein can be easily caused to flow deeply into recess portions of a fin-like portion with no fiber being caught between the protector and the leg portions, thus reducing non-walled portions.

Abstract: Stressed-skin panels are provided having internal open-cell grids molded from material such as fibers, and methods and apparatus for the production thereof are disclosed. The invention utilizes a porous screen having a plurality of elastomeric pads spaced apart thereon. Fiber dispersed in fluid is introduced into the apparatus and over and around the pads. Pressure exerted thereon expels fluid through the screen and consolidates the fibers to form a panel. The pads are designed and constructed in a manner so as to consolidate the fiber mat located below the pads compressed by the pressure, so that the finished panel includes an integrally-molded flange. The height, shape and/or spacing of the pads in the present invention advantageously provide improved mold release and greater resistance to compression set after repeated use. The pads provide greater consistency and improved quality in the flange formation on the panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compacting a plurality of flat, stacked, non-woven cotton and cotton blend articles from a normal size to a greatly reduced size to form a package of such articles that saves exterior packaging, shipping, handling and warehouse costs. The pressure and time dwell are selected to compact the stacked articles to the extent necessary to cause the desired size reduction, but not sufficient to either damage the articles or compact them to the degree that a liquid or other means is required to recover them from their compacted to their original size.

Abstract: A moldable pulp material, which contains a main constituent of pulp comprising strips of paper having a size of millimeters and a fibrous component defibrated from waste paper, a starch binder in which a portion of the hydroxyl group in molecules of starch is modified, and thermally expandable hollow particles, is mixed with water which is effective to gelatinize the starch binder. The moldable pulp material is filled in a mold assembly and compressed in the mold assembly. The compressed moldable pulp material is then heated to at least a gelatinization temperature at which the starch binder is gelatinized, for thereby gelatinizing the starch binder to produce a molded pulp product for use as a shock absorbing material.

Abstract: A slurry of suspended formation fiber and binder fiber is brought to pass through a suction unit to form a molded member. Longitudinally extending channel portions are formed on both inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the molded member, and a wall portion is formed to close one end of the channel portions of the inner peripheral surface. Further, opposite surfaces of the channel portion at the other end of the molded member are closed by pressing from outside and bonded by binder resin which is impregnated into the molded member.

Abstract: A method of preparing biodegradable water-resistant paper utensils which includes the steps of: (a) preparing a pulp aqueous slurry at a consistency of about 4%; (b) adding surfactant to the slurry; (c) thereafter, adding between 8 and 30 percent weight of a biodegradable and water-resistant agent to the slurry to form a slurry mixture; (d) refining the slurry mixture at a consistency of about 4 percent to a desired drainage; (e) diluting the refined slurry mixture and adding an aggregating agent thereto to form a furnish; and (f) after step (e), forming the furnish to obtain biodegradable, water-resistant paper board or directly a paper utensil. The forming step can be through a hot-press at a temperature of 115.degree. to 170.degree. C.

Abstract: The specification discloses an unorthodox system for manufacturing strong, light-weight and weather-resistant cellulosic composite materials from discarded paper and newsprint, and papermill sludge--and from an unlimited variety of particulated fibrous lignocellulosics--without the use of an extrinsic adhesive. Both the matrix-forming resin and the fiber-substrate, which comprise the entire composite, are spontaneously created in situ at ambient conditions by the ammoniation of a mixture of a protein-containing material and a particulated cellulosic. Heating an article shaped from such a mixture to above 175.degree. C. polymerizes the resin and bonds the fiber-substrate into a cellulosic composite product. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing reinforced and laminated composites as well as a composition which simplifies the production of both cellulosic composites and all-biomass thermosetting resins.

Abstract: In manufacturing fiberboard, it is known to press mixtures of lignocellulosic material and binding agents to form a board product. In this invention, an improved process for manufacturing fiberboard is disclosed including the step of adding a solution of maleic anhydride and glycerol to the lignocellulosic material prior to refining thereof. The binder used is preferably phenolic-formaldehyde resin, in which case post-heating may be beneficial.

Abstract: Calcium hydrosilicate bound fiberboard, in particular double-deck board, is manufactured in a process wherein a fiber-binder-filler mixture having a water content of 40 to 45% by weight and a solids content of 55 to 60% by weight is prepared by digesting cellulose fibers in an amount of from 2 to 12% by weight of the solids content with water and mixing them with fillers and with a binder comprising cement and/or lime hydrate and substances containing reactive calcium silicates to form a thick pasty mixture, whereupon the thick pasty mixture is introduced in a predetermined amount into the frame of a bottom mold of a single-shot press which further includes a top mold. The mixture is essentially leveled out, formed by closing top and bottom mold, and, via dewatering fabrics and channels in the top and bottom molds, dewatered. Finally, the mixture is compacted and vented, whereupon the raw board is demolded and autoclaved.

Abstract: A sheet calendering method and apparatus including a calendering cylinder, a delivering cylinder, and a conveyor for transporting sheets between the calendering cylinder and the delivering cylinder; wherein the conveyor includes two flexible elongated members forming parallel endless loops around the calendering and delivering cylinders, a plurality of support members attached between the parallel loops, and a plurality of calendering plates each linked to an adjacent plate by the support members to form an endless belt.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a molded paper pulp article from a fiber slurry involves the vacuum deposition of a layer of wet paper pulp onto a forming mold, the separation of the wet layer of paper pulp from the forming mold and the pressing and shaping of the layer of wet paper pulp at a solids content of from about 5 to 20 percent solids. A finished product molded paper article is prepared having improved surface appearance and detailing and improved mechanical and physical properties.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to form grids of open cells from fibers, especially wood fibers and fibers from waste paper and mixed waste materials. The invention utilizes a screen carrying a plurality of elastomeric pads of predetermined sizes arranged thereon in predetermined spaced relation to each other. The fiber is deposited between the pads but not above the pads. The deposited fibers and the pads are compressed normal to the screen, which causes the fiber in the spaces between the pads to be consolidated both normal and parallel to the screen, resulting in a open grid having cells of the shape of the pads. Numerous variations are provided including several continuous production embodiments. The invention uses state of the art technology for virtually all aspects.

Abstract: In a process for molding a fiber molding for a fiber-reinforced composite material with short fibers oriented in one direction, a slurry molding material having short fibers dispersed in a liquid is used, and pressing forces are applied to the molding material from two directions substantially perpendicular to each other within a mold, while removing the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of contoured vehicle internal panelling supports having surfaces smooth on both sides on the basis of wood fibers by depositing an aqueous suspension of wood fiber (pulp) on a preforming screen, drying the preform, pressing and hardening. A deposited layer of fibers is dewatered to a residual water content of 20 to 25% by mass, related to the original quality of suspension, dried in an electric alternating field, then compression molded in a tool without a screen and hardened.