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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2009
Assignees:
Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Otsuka