Clay injection molding machine

Claim 2

A machine for use in forming moist clay in making an article of ceramic ware comprising a plurality of relatively movable dies which in a closed condition define a mould cavity having an inlet through which clay in a fluid condition can be injected, a chamber having an outlet and adapted to receive a charge of clay, means for closing the dies, means operatively connected to the chamber for moving the outlet from the chamber into a position to communicate with the inlet to the mold cavity, means for subjecting a charge of clay in the chamber to an impact so that clay thereby fluidized flows through the outlet into the mould cavity, and means for opening the dies to release the article formed therein.

Claim 3

A machine according to claim 1 in which there is also provided an outlet from the mould cavity, and in which article-retaining means is provided at the outlet when the dies are closed and clay is being injected thereinto in the operation of the machine whereby to restrict passage of clay through the outlet and to provide support for the article when the dies are opened.

Claim 4

A machine according to claim 2 in which the position of the article-retaining means at the outlet from the mould cavity is adjustable so that the restriction on the passage of clay through the outlet can be varied.

Claim 5

A machine according to claim 2 in which the dies define an open-ended mould cavity for a cup haNdle, the article-retaining means being mounted adjacent the chamber so that on opening of the dies in the operation of the machine the handle is supported at one end by the clay in the outlet from the chamber and at the other by the article-retaining means.

Claim 6

A machine according to claim 4 and additionally comprising cutting means, for severing the clay adjacent the chamber and retaining means, to separate the handle therefrom after the dies have opened.

Claim 7

A machine according to claim 5 comprising conveyor means on to which the separated handle falls upon operation of the cutting means.

Claim 8

A machine according to claim 1 in which the chamber has a nozzle portion mounted for movement between an injecting position, in which it is aligned with the impact cylinder and in which clay is extruded from it into the mould cavity, and a loading position, out of alignment with the cylinder, in which it can receive a charge of clay.

Claim 9

A machine according to claim 7 wherein the chamber outlet moving means comprises means for moving the nozzle portion between its injecting and loading positions.

Claim 10

A machine according to claim 7 in which the nozzle portion is pivoted to swing between the injecting and loading positions.

Claim 11

A machine according to claim 9 in which an axis of the impact cylinder, in the direction of which the plunger is driven in the operation of the machine, is horizontal and in which an axis of the nozzle portion which lies along said axis of the impact cylinder when the nozzle portion is in its injecting position is vertical when the nozzle portion is in its loading position.

Claim 12

A machine according to claim 2 and additionally comprising a nozzle portion of the chamber mounted for movement from an injecting position to a loading position, the article-retaining means being mounted for movement as a unit with the nozzle portion.

Claim 13

A machine for use in the manufacture of articles of ceramic ware comprising a plurality of dies which together provide a mould cavity (e.g. in the shape of a cup handle), means for bringing the dies into and out of engagement with one another, clay-injection means comprising an impact cylinder and a plunger slidably received in a chamber which, in the operation of the machine, is in communication with an inlet of the mould cavity, and article-retaining means arranged to project into an outlet of the mould cavity, the construction and arrangement being such that in the operation of the machine the impact cylinder is actuated to drive the plunger into the chamber to force clay by impact from the chamber into the mould cavity to fill the cavity with clay, passage of clay through the outlet of the cavity being restricted by the article-retaining means and a handle being retained thereby on opening of the dies.

Claim 14

A machine for use in the manufacture of articles of ceramic ware comprising a plurality of dies which together provide a mould cavity (e.g. in the shape of a cup handle), means for bringing the dies into and out of engagement with one another, clay-injection means comprising an impact cylinder and a plunger slidably received in a chamber which, in the operation of the machine, is in communication with an inlet of the mould cavity, and article-retaining means arranged to project into an outlet of the mould cavity, the construction and arrangement being such that in the operation of the machine the impact cylinder is actuated to drive the plunger into the chamber to force clay by impact from the chamber into the mould cavity to fill the cavity with clay, passage of clay through the outlet of the cavity being restricted by the article-retaining means and a handle being retained thereby on opening of the dies.

Claim 15

A machine for use in the manufacture of articles of ceramic ware comprising a plurality of dies, which together provide a mould cavity (e.g. in the shape of a cup handle), means for bringing the dies into and out of engagement with one another, and clay-injection means comprising a plunger, means for effecting an operative stroke of the plunger under impact, a nozzle portion which, in the operation of the machine is in communication with an inlet of the mould cavity and injects clay thereinto under the impact of the plunger, and means for moving the nozzle portion between its injecting position, in which clay is extruded from it into the mould cavity, and a loading position in which it can receive a charge of clay.

Claim 16

A machine for use in the manufacture of articles of ceramic ware comprising a plurality of dies, which together provide a mould cavity (e.g. in the shape of a cup handle), means for bringing the dies into and out of engagement with one another, and clay-injection means comprising a plunger, means for effecting an operative stroke of the plunger under impact, a nozzle portion which, in the operation of the machine is in communication with an inlet of the mould cavity and injects clay thereinto under the impact of the plunger, and means for moving the nozzle portion between its injecting position, in which clay is extruded from it into the mould cavity, and a loading position in which it can receive a charge of clay.