APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOLDING POLYMERIC FIBERS INTO PRODUCTS

摘要

An apparatus and method are provided for molding clusters of fibers, including at least some thermoplastic fibers, into products at a cost, quality, and performance level acceptable for commercial production. The clusters are dedensified 10 and then placed 12 into an empty mold 20. The mold 20 has apertures 28 to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy through the mold 20. A linear conveyor 32 is used to transport the mold through a plurality of process locations on a continuous or semi-continuous basis. Included is a heating location 48 wherein the mold 20 is heated 14, providing an influx of thermal energy sufficient to fuse the thermoplastic fibers to form a heated product. A cooling location 50 follows the heating location 48, wherein the mold 20 and the heated product contained therein are cooled 6 to produce a cooled product. The cooled product is then ejected 18 from the mold 20.