Apparatus for forming fibrous pads

摘要

An apparatus for defiberizing a web of compressed material into fluff and then forming the fluff into pads, and a method of use of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a hammermill or other machine for performing the actual defiberizing. The fluff is then drawn by vacuum which is contained within a shroud, into insert molds which form fluff pads in any shape and contour desired. The insert molds are assembled into a drum which turns continuously such that the vacuum is applied to only certain of the molds. As each mold leaves the shroud, any excess fluff which may overfill the mold is removed and recycled. The pad is then removed from the mold and passed downstream for further processing. The apparatus includes an arrangement for vacuuming out any remaining bits of fiber after the pad is removed. Also included is an apparatus for culling the pads at the discretion of the operator for start-up and shut-down as well as other purposes. The excess fluff which overfills the molds can be removed by scarfing rolls and additionally by air streams which are drawn by the vacuum and directed at the excess fluff as it is removed by the scarfing rolls. The molds themselves are changeable and can be easily replaced if a different shape or size of pad is required, by merely removing the current insert molds and installing ones having the desired shape and contour.