Apparatus for producing molded articles from a pourable compound

Claim 2

Mold and press unit for producing molded articles from a dry, flowable porcelain substance, comprising a first mold and press unit (110) and a second mold and press unit (130), (a) said first mold press unit (110) and said second mold press unit (130) define a mold and press space (190) therebetween, said mold and press space having a circumferential edge encircling said mold and press space; (b) said first mold press unit comprises a compression membrane (118) forming a part of said mold and press space and said compression membrane has an edge (120) extending radially outwardly from said mold and press space; (c) said compression membrane (118) having one surface forming a part of said mold and press space and an opposite second surface, and said first mold and press unit (110) includes a support plate (116) supporting the opposite second surface of said compression membrane; (d) said support plate (116) having compressed medium channels (114') opening to the second surface of said compression membrane and a pressure chamber (114) in communication with the second surface of said compression membrane (118) through said channels so that pressure can be built up against the second surface; (e) said second mold and press unit (130) includes a precompression die (140) located on the opposite side of said mold and press space from said compression membrane (118) and forming a part of said mold and press space; (f) a first fluid-actuated power means (136) in communication with said precompression die (140) for pressing said die against said edge (120) of said compression membrane (118); (g) said precompression die (140) having a supply duct (164) therethrough centrally arranged relative to said mold and press space for supplying a flowable porcelain substance into said mold and press space, said supply duct secured to said precompression die; (h) said second mold and press unit (130) includes suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) extending around the circumferential edge of said mold and press space and annularly around the space outwardly from said supply duct (198); (i) an annular precompression membrane (121) located on the surface of said precompression die (140) facing said mold and press space, said precompression membrane (121) extending annularly around said supply duct (164) and extending outwardly therefrom toward the inlets (117) of said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) into said mold and press space; (j) a pressure fluid line (123) is connected to the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121); (k) control means are provided for: (aa) effecting contact pressure of said precompression die (140) on said edge (120) of said precompression membrane (118) by activating said first fluid actuating power means (136); (bb) subsequently applying a vacuum at said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) for permitting the entry of flowable porcelain substance through said supply duct (164) into said mold and pressure space; and (cc) subsequently effecting a pressure increase in the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121) by activating said pressure fluid line (123) while maintaining said pressure chamber (114) in an essentially pressure free condition.

Claim 3

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first mold and press unit can be displaced from the operating position relative to said second mold and press unit and can be moved into an operative position with respect to a third mold and press unit, so that articles formed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said second mold and press unit (130) can remain in said first mold and press unit (110) and can be completely pressed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said third mold and press unit by applying pressure in said pressure chamber (114).

Claim 4

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said supply duct (164) can be closed at the inlet end thereof into said mold and press space.

Claim 5

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a fluidizing air inlet tube (166) is located centered in said supply duct (164).

Claim 6

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 4, wherein a fluidizing air inlet tube (166) can be moved in the axial direction of said supply duct (164) for the purpose of closing said supply duct.

Claim 7

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said fluidizing air inlet tube (166) comprises a first tube and a second tube telescopically mounted relative to said first tube so that said second tube can be moved in the axial direction of said supply duct (164).

Claim 8

Mold and press unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said precompression membrane (121) extends over an annular surface of said precompression die and said annular surface is directed radially relative to the location of said supply duct extending through said (140).

Claim 9

Mold and press unit for producing molded articles from a dry, flowable porcelain substance, comprising a first mold and press mold (110) and a second mold and press unit (130), (a) said first mold press unit (110) and said second mold press unit (130) define a mold and press space (190) therebetween, said mold and press space having a circumferential edge encircling said mold and press space; (b) said first mold press unit comprises a compression membrane (118) forming a part of said mold and press space and said compression membrane has an edge (120) extending radially outwardly from said mold and press space; (c) said compression membrane (118) having one surface forming a part of said mold and press space and an opposite second surface and said first mold and press unit (110) includes a support plate (116) supporting the opposite second surface of said compression membrane; (d) said support plate (116) having compressed medium channels (114') opening to the second surface of said compression membrane and a pressure chamber (114) in communication with the second surface of said compression membrane (118) through said channels so that pressure can be built up against the second surface; (e) said second mold and press unit (130) includes a precompression die (140) located on the opposite side of said mold and press space from said compression membrane (118) and forming a part of said mold and press space; (f) a first fluid-actuated power means (136) in communication with said precompression die (140) for pressing said die against said edge (120) of said compression membrane (118); (g) said precompression die (140) having a supply duct (164) therethrough centrally arranged relative to said mold and press space for supplying flowable porcelain substance into said mold and press space, said supply duct secured to said precompression die; (h) said second mold and press unit (130) includes suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) extending around the circumferential edge of said mold and press space and annularly around and spaced outwardly from said supply duct (198); (i) an annular precompression membrane (121) located on the surface of said precompression die (140) facing said mold and press space, said precompression membrane (121) extending annularly around said supply duct (164) and extending outwardly therefrom toward the inlets (117) of said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) into said mold and press space; (j) a pressure fluid line (123) is connected to the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121); (k) control means are provided for: (aa) effecting contact pressure of said precompression die (140) on said edge (120) of said precompression membrane (118) by activating said first fluid actuating power means (136); (bb) subsequently applying a vacuum at said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) for permitting the entry of flowable porcelain substance through said supply duct (164) into said mold and pressure space; and (cc) subsequently effecting a pressure increase in the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121) by actuating said pressure fluid line (123) while maintaining said pressure chamber (114) in an essentially pressure free condition, said first mold and press unit can be displaced from the operating position relative to said second mold and press unit and can be moved into an operative position with respect to a third mold and press unit, so that articles formed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said second mold and press unit (130) can remain in said first mold and press unit (110) and can be completely pressed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said third mold and press unit by applying pressure in said pressure chamber (114).

Claim 10

Mold and press unit for producing molded articles from a dry, flowable porcelain substance, comprising a first mold and press mold (110) and a second mold and press unit (130), (a) said first mold press unit (110) and said second mold press unit (130) define a mold and press space (190) therebetween, said mold and press space having a circumferential edge encircling said mold and press space; (b) said first mold press unit comprises a compression membrane (118) forming a part of said mold and press space and said compression membrane has an edge (120) extending radially outwardly from said mold and press space; (c) said compression membrane (118) having one surface forming a part of said mold and press space and an opposite second surface and said first mold and press unit (110) includes a support plate (116) supporting the opposite second surface of said compression membrane; (d) said support plate (116) having compressed medium channels (114') opening to the second surface of said compression membrane and a pressure chamber (114) in communication with the second surface of said compression membrane (118) through said channels so that pressure can be built up against the second surface; (e) said second mold and press unit (130) includes a precompression die (140) located on the opposite side of said mold and press space from said compression membrane (118) and forming a part of said mold and press space; (f) a first fluid-actuated power means (136) in communication with said precompression die (140) for pressing said die against said edge (120) of said compression membrane (118); (g) said precompression die (140) having a supply duct (164) therethrough centrally arranged relative to said mold and press space for supplying flowable porcelain substance into said mold and press space, said supply duct secured to said precompression die; (h) said second mold and press unit (130) includes suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) extending around the circumferential edge of said mold and press space and annularly around and spaced outwardly from said supply duct (198); (i) an annular precompression membrane (121) located on the surface of said precompression die (140) facing said mold and press space, said precompression membrane (121) extending annularly around said supply duct (164) and extending outwardly therefrom toward the inlets (117) of said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) into said mold and press space; (j) a pressure fluid line (123) is connected to the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121); (k) control means are provided for: (aa) effecting contact pressure of said precompression die (140) on said edge (120) of said precompression membrane (118) by activating said first fluid actuating power means (136); (bb) subsequently applying a vacuum at said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) for permitting the entry of flowable porcelain substance through said supply duct (164) into said mold and pressure space; and (cc) subsequently effecting a pressure increase in the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121) by actuating said pressure fluid line (123) while maintaining said pressure chamber (114) in an essentially pressure free condition, said first mold and press unit can be displaced from the operating position relative to said second mold and press unit and can be moved into an operative position with respect to a third mold and press unit, so that articles formed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said second mold and press unit (130) can remain in said first mold and press unit (110) and can be completely pressed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said third mold and press unit by applying pressure in said pressure chamber (114).

Claim 11

Mold and press unit for producing molded articles from a dry, flowable porcelain substance, comprising a first mold and press unit (110) and a second mold and press unit (130), (a) said first mold press unit (110) and said second mold press unit (130) define a mold and press space (190) therebetween, said mold and press space having a circumferential edge encircling said mold and press space; (b) said first mold press unit comprises a compression membrane (118) forming a part of said mold and press space and said compression membrane has an edge (120) extending radially outwardly from said mold and press space; (c) said compression membrane (118) having one surface forming a part of said mold and press space and an opposite second surface, and said first mold and press unit (110) includes a support plate (116) supporting the opposite second surface of said compression membrane; (d) said support plate (116) having compressed medium channels (114') opening to the second surface of said compression membrane and a pressure chamber (114) in communication with the second surface of said compression membrane (118) through said channels so that pressure can be built up against the second surface; (e) said second mold and press unit (130) includes a precompression die (140) located on the opposite side of said mold and press space from said compression membrane (118) and forming a part of said mold and press space; (f) a first fluid-actuated power means (136) in communication with said precompression die (140) for pressing said die against said edge (120) of said compression membrane (118); (g) said precompression die (140) having a supply duct (164) therethrough centrally arranged relative to said mold and press space for supplying a flowable porcelain substance into said mold and press space, said supply duct secured to said precompression die; (h) said second mold and press unit (130) includes suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) extending around the circumferential edge of said mold and press space and annularly around the spaced outwardly from said supply duct (198); (i) an annular precompression membrane (121) located on the surface of said precompression die (140) facing said mold and press space, said precompression membrane (121) extending annularly around said supply duct (164) and extending outwardly therefrom toward the inlets (117) of said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) into said mold and press space; (j) a pressure fluid line (123) is connected to the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121); (k) control means are provided for: (aa) effecting contact pressure of said precompression die (140) on said edge (120) of said precompression membrane (118) by activating said first fluid actuating power means (136); (bb) subsequently applying a vacuum at said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) for permitting the entry of flowable porcelain substance through said supply duct (164) into said mold and pressure space; and (cc) subsequently effecting a pressure increase in the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121) by activating said pressure fluid line (123) while maintaining said pressure chamber (114) in an essentially pressure free condition, said first mold and press unit can be displaced from the operating position relative to said second mold and press unit and can be moved into an operative position with respect to a third mold and press unit, so that articles formed between said first mold and press unit (110) and second mold and press unit (130) can remain in said first mold and press unit (110) and can be completely pressed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said third mold and press unit by applying pressure in said pressure chamber (114) and said supply duct (164) can be closed at the inlet end thereof opening into said mold and pressed space, a fluidized air inlet tube (166) is located centered in said supply duct (164), said fluidized air inlet tube (166) can be moved in the axial direction of said supply duct (164) for the purpose of closing said supply duct.

Claim 12

Mold and press unit for producing molded articles from a dry, flowable porcelain substance, comprising a first mold and press unit (110) and a second mold and press unit (130), (a) said first mold press unit (110) and said second mold press unit (130) define a mold and press space (190) therebetween, said mold and press space having a circumferential edge encircling said mold and press space; (b) said first mold press unit comprises a compression membrane (118) forming a part of said mold and press space and said compression membrane has an edge (120) extending radially outwardly from said mold and press space; (c) said compression membrane (118) having one surface forming a part of said mold and press space and an opposite second surface, and said first mold and press unit (110) includes a support plate (116) supporting the opposite second surface of said compression membrane; (d) said support plate (116) having compressed medium channels (114') opening to the second surface of said compression membrane and a pressure chamber (114) in communication with the second surface of said compression membrane (118) through said channels so that pressure can be built up against the second surface; (e) said second mold and press unit (130) includes a precompression die (140) located on the opposite side of said mold and press space from said compression membrane (118) and forming a part of said mold and press space; (f) a first fluid-actuated power means (136) in communication with said precompression die (140) for pressing said die against said edge (120) of said compression membrane (118); (g) said precompression die (140) having a supply duct (164) therethrough centrally arranged relative to said mold and press space for supplying a flowable porcelain substance into said mold and press space, said supply duct secured to said precompression die; (h) said second mold and press unit (130) includes suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) extending around the circumferential edge of said mold and press space and annularly around the spaced outwardly from said supply duct (198); (i) an annular precompression membrane (121) located on the surface of said precompression die (140) facing said mold and press space, said precompression membrane (121) extending annularly around said supply duct (164) and extending outwardly therefrom toward the inlets (117) of said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) into said mold and press space; (j) a pressure fluid line (123) is connected to the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121); (k) control means are provided for: (aa) effecting contact pressure of said precompression die (140) on said edge (120) of said precompression membrane (118) by activating said first fluid actuating power means (136); (bb) subsequently applying a vacuum at said suction means (117, 115, 184, 186) for permitting the entry of flowable porcelain substance through said supply duct (164) into said mold and pressure space; and (cc) subsequently effecting a pressure increase in the space between said precompression die (140) and said precompression membrane (121) by activating said pressure fluid line (123) while maintaining said pressure chamber (114) in an essentially pressure free condition, said first mold and press unit can be displaced from the operating position relative to said second mold and press unit and can be moved into an operative position with respect to a third mold and press unit, so that articles formed between said first mold and press unit (110) and second mold and press unit (130) can remain in said first mold and press unit (110) and can be completely pressed between said first mold and press unit (110) and said third mold and press unit by applying pressure in said pressure chamber (114) and said supply duct (164) can be closed at the inlet end thereof opening into said mold and pressed space, a fluidized air inlet tube (166) is located centered in said supply duct (164), said fluidized air inlet tube (166) can be moved in the axial direction of said supply duct (164) for the purpose of closing said supply duct.