PLATEN PRESS

摘要

A platen for supporting material to be processed in a platen press including a plate portion defining substantially planar upper and lower surfaces. A fluid circuit in the plate portion supports the flow of heated fluid through the plate portion. A plurality of collection bores are formed in the plate portion for collecting byproducts generated during a processing cycle. A plurality of vent passages extend from the lower planar surface of the platen to an associated collection bore. A side bar, attached to the plate portion, defines at least in part a collection chamber for receiving the byproducts collected by the collection bores. The collection chamber is adapted to discharge the products to a discharge conduit. The communication of the collection chamber with the discharge conduit is controlled by an on/off control valve. In operation, the control valve is opened at the conclusion of a processing cycle, but prior to opening the press so that the process byproducts can be discharged to the discharge conduit prior to press opening. Prior art platens can be retrofitted with features of the invention by removing a side bar from the platen in order to expose a side edge of a plate portion. A plurality of collection bores and associated vent passages are machined into the platen. A recess or slot is formed in the side bar, such that when reattached to the plate portion, the recess is placed in fluid communication with the collection bores. The byproducts collected are ultimately conveyed to the discharge conduit.