Molded pulp product and apparatus and method for producing the same

摘要

Apparatus for producing a molded pulp product from a fiber slurry comprising a dip tank containing a fiber slurry therein and having a liquid level. A platen is provided. A porous mold is carried by the platen. The platen and the mold carried thereby are lowered into the fiber slurry in a downward direction with the platen being disposed upwardly of the mold so that the mold is introduced through the liquid level into the fiber slurry. A vacuum is supplied to the platen and to the mold while the mold is disposed in the fiber slurry to cause fibers in the fiber slurry to collect onto the mold and form a wet molded pulp product. The platen and the mold with the wet molded product thereon are moved out of the fiber slurry through the liquid level to permit water to drain from the mold and the wet molded pulp product. The wet molded pulp product is then dried.