Apparatus for forming compacts from solid particles

Claim 1

A die for forming compacts from finely divided solid particles or a mixture of fine and coarse solid particles in a dry, semi-dry or plastic state by applying high pressure through a ram to the particles; comprising: a. a laterally disposed base; b. a plurality of die segments resting on the base and forming an upwardly open die chamber to receive a ram under pressure, each die segment comprising (1) an interior wall defining a portion of the die chamber; (2) an exterior camming surface inclined radially inwardly from the base upwardly toward the top of the die segment; and (3) first and second lateral faces, each first lateral face of one die segment mating with a second lateral face of an adjacent die segment; c. a retainer adapted to be lowered around the die segments to peripherally enclosed the mated die segments, the retainer having internal camming surface portions engaging the exterior camming surfaces of the die segments to prevent substantial horizontal and vertical movement of the die segments when pressure is applied to the solid particles placed in the chamber; d. means for securing the retainer in relation to the base; and e. means for simultaneously applying a force on the die segments toward the base and an opposing force on the retainer away from the base to essentially simultaneouly disengage the internal camming surface portions of the retainer from the exterior camming surfaces of the die segments.