U.S. patent application number 15/595893 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for pulp-molded lid and molding device thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sanho Agricultural Energy Technology Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ming-Chih LIN.
Application Number | 20180086511 15/595893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61688256 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180086511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN; Ming-Chih |
March 29, 2018 |
Pulp-molded lid and molding device thereof
Abstract
The present invention relates to a pulp-molded lid and its
molding device. The molding device comprises a first lid molding
die and a second lid molding die. The first lid molding die
comprises a snap-fit molding part and a rim molding part, so that a
snap-fit section of the pulp-molded lid and a circular rim section
at the edge of the pulp-molded lid are formed when the first lid
molding die and the second lid molding die are coupled with each
other. The rim section and the snap-fit section are used to
strengthen the combination of the pulp-molded lid and an external
container, so that the combination is more stable.
Inventors: |
LIN; Ming-Chih; (Yi-Lan
County, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sanho Agricultural Energy Technology Ltd. |
Yi-Lan County |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
61688256 |
Appl. No.: |
15/595893 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00629
20130101; B65D 2543/00268 20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; D21J
7/00 20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101;
D21J 3/10 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; A47G 19/065 20130101;
B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00351 20130101; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02; D21J 7/00 20060101 D21J007/00; D21J 3/10 20060101
D21J003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 2016 |
TW |
105130752 |
Claims
1. A pulp-molded lid, which is made of paper pulp and comprises a
central section at the center and an annular rim section encircling
the central section and having two side walls and further a
snap-fit section extended from the outside one of the two side
walls, protruding inward; wherein the snap-fit section is
integrally formed with the pulp-molded lid; and wherein when an
external container is coupled to the pulp-molded lid, the snap-fit
section expands and then contracts based on physical elasticity of
paper pulp so that the pulp-molded lid can couple to a protrusion
extended from a cup rim of the external container.
2. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid for manufacturing of the
pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a first lid
molding die, which comprises a first molding unit for shaping of a
complete interior profile of the pulp-molded lid wherein the first
molding unit has a center molding part for shaping of the central
section of the pulp-molded lid and a rim molding part for shaping
of the rim section of the pulp-molded lid and the rim molding part
has an annular snap-fit molding part situated at an outer edge and
at one side far away from the center molding part for shaping of
the snap-fit section of the pulp-molded lid; and a second lid
molding die, which comprises a second molding unit for shaping of a
complete exterior profile of the pulp-molded lid and is driven to
fit into the first lid molding die for shaping of the pulp-molded
lid between the second lid molding die and the first lid molding
die.
3. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 2
wherein the first molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the first molding unit inside and each of
the pore channels creates suction by which excessive water in pulp
slurry during shaping of the pulp-molded lid is drained or pressure
in a pulp molding process is regulated.
4. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 2
wherein the second molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the second molding unit inside and each
of the pore channels is used to regulate pressure during shaping of
the pulp-molded lid or create suction by which the pulp-molded lid
is sucked and separated from the first lid molding die.
5. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 3
wherein the second molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the second molding unit inside and each
of the pore channels is used to regulate pressure during shaping of
the pulp-molded lid or create suction by which the pulp-molded lid
is sucked and separated from the first lid molding die.
6. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 2
wherein the first lid molding die is provided with a strainer
adhered to the first molding unit and immersed in paper pulp for
construction of a first lid pulp-sucking and molding die and the
strainer comprises a plurality of fine meshes to filter paper pulp
and keep pulp fibers attached and paper pulp deposited on the first
lid pulp-sucking and molding die, covered over the first molding
unit, and correspondingly applied to the second lid molding die for
shaping of the pulp-molded lid by the second molding unit in a
second lid pulp-sucking and molding die.
7. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 3
wherein the first lid molding die is provided with a strainer
adhered to the first molding unit and immersed in paper pulp for
construction of a first lid pulp-sucking and molding die and the
strainer comprises a plurality of fine meshes to filter paper pulp
and keep pulp fibers attached and paper pulp deposited on the first
lid pulp-sucking and molding die, covered over the first molding
unit, and correspondingly applied to the second lid molding die for
shaping of the pulp-molded lid by the second molding unit in a
second lid pulp-sucking and molding die.
8. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 2
wherein the second lid molding die which is casted with thermal
conductive materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping
the pulp-molded lid is a second lid heating and molding die; and
the first lid molding die which is casted with thermal conductive
materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping the
pulp-molded lid is a first lid heating and molding die.
9. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 3
wherein the second lid molding die which is casted with thermal
conductive materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping
the pulp-molded lid is a second lid heating and molding die; and
the first lid molding die which is casted with thermal conductive
materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping the
pulp-molded lid is a first lid heating and molding die.
10. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid for manufacturing of the
pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 1, comprising: a first lid
molding die, which comprises a first molding unit for shaping of a
complete exterior profile of the pulp-molded lid; a second lid
molding die, which comprises a second molding unit for shaping of a
complete interior profile of the pulp-molded lid wherein the second
molding unit has a center molding part for shaping of the central
section of the pulp-molded lid and a rim molding part for shaping
of the rim section of the pulp-molded lid and the rim molding part
has an annular snap-fit molding part situated at an outer edge and
at one side far away from the center molding part for shaping of
the snap-fit section of the pulp-molded lid; wherein the second lid
molding die and the first lid molding die are coupled with each
other for shaping of the pulp-molded lid with paper pulp held
between the second lid molding die and the first lid molding
die.
11. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 10
wherein the first molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the first molding unit inside and each of
the pore channels creates suction by which excessive water in pulp
slurry during shaping of the pulp-molded lid is drained or pressure
in a pulp molding process is regulated.
12. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 10
wherein the second molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the second molding unit inside and each
of the pore channels is used to regulate pressure during shaping of
the pulp-molded lid or create suction by which the pulp-molded lid
is sucked and separated from the first lid molding die.
13. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 11
wherein the second molding unit optionally comprises a plurality of
pore channels penetrating the second molding unit inside and each
of the pore channels is used to regulate pressure during shaping of
the pulp-molded lid or create suction by which the pulp-molded lid
is sucked and separated from the first lid molding die.
14. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 10
wherein the first lid molding die is provided with a strainer
adhered to the first molding unit and immersed in paper pulp for
construction of a first lid pulp-sucking and molding die and the
strainer comprises a plurality of fine meshes to filter paper pulp
and keep pulp fibers attached and paper pulp deposited on the first
lid pulp-sucking and molding die, covered over the first molding
unit, and correspondingly applied to the second lid molding die for
shaping the pulp-molded lid by the second molding unit in a second
lid pulp-sucking and molding die.
15. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 11
wherein the first lid molding die is provided with a strainer
adhered to the first molding unit and immersed in paper pulp for
construction of a first lid pulp-sucking and molding die and the
strainer comprises a plurality of fine meshes to filter paper pulp
and keep pulp fibers attached and paper pulp deposited on the first
lid pulp-sucking and molding die, covered over the first molding
unit, and correspondingly applied to the second lid molding die for
shaping the pulp-molded lid by the second molding unit in a second
lid pulp-sucking and molding die.
16. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 10
wherein the second lid molding die which is casted with thermal
conductive materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping
the pulp-molded lid is a second lid heating and molding die; and
the first lid molding die which is casted with thermal conductive
materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping the
pulp-molded lid is a first lid heating and molding die.
17. A molding device of a pulp-molded lid as claimed in claim 11
wherein the second lid molding die which is casted with thermal
conductive materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping
the pulp-molded lid is a second lid heating and molding die; and
the first lid molding die which is casted with thermal conductive
materials for heating and drying paper pulp and shaping the
pulp-molded lid is a first lid heating and molding die.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The present application is based on, and claims priority
from, Taiwanese application number 105130752, filed on Sep. 23,
2016 to TIPO, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a pulp-molded lid,
particularly a pulp-molded lid and a molding device thereof wherein
the pulp-molded lid comprises a snap-fit section which is formed
with the pulp-molded lid integrally and coupled with a cup.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Paper cups and bowls are disposable consumables ubiquitous
in our daily lives. Currently, the manufacturers considering costs
of manufacturing materials and requests for distinct products have
created various methods to manufacture these disposable
consumables.
[0004] To manufacture a paper product with firm texture or styling
or a thicker layer, a manufacturer should deposit paper pulp to a
certain thickness for molding. However, if paper products are
extruded from a thicker layer of deposited paper pulp in a
conventional manufacturing process which aims at manufacturing
thinner paper cups or bowls, it is quite often to see the
appearance of convex edges or irregular surface wrinkles of the
paper products. These disfigures the aesthetic exteriors or
structural strength of those paper products.
[0005] Furthermore, an appropriate manufacturing process based on
pulp molding (also known as the pulp die molding method) developed
recently is applicable to paper products with a certain thickness.
However, the inside embossed or barb-like patterns which contribute
to securing the combination of a cup lid and a paper cup are mostly
disposed on the rim and/or the snap-fit section of an ordinary
pulp-molded cup lid and shaped on a formed lid in a secondary local
roll-extrusion process.
[0006] In this regard, there is an increased time cost in a
secondary roll-extrusion process for rework which also often causes
defects or disfigurements to the lids which are the finished
products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To solve the problems in the prior arts, an integrated
pulp-molded lid provided in the present disclosure reduces
manufacturing time and costs.
[0008] The pulp-molded lid comprises a central section and a rim
section which encircles the central section, accommodates an upper
wall edge of an external container coupled with the pulp-molded
lid, and clamps the wall edge of the external container.
[0009] Furthermore, the rim section comprises a snap-fit section,
which is downwardly connected with the upper wall edge of the
external container, manufactured with the central section as well
as the rim section integrally, and further coupled with a
protrusion encircling the external container for a firm combination
of the pulp-molded lid and the external container when the rim
section clamps the upper wall edge of the external container.
[0010] To manufacture the pulp-molded lid, the present disclosure
provides a molding device of a pulp-molded lid which comprises a
first lid molding die and a second lid molding die: the first lid
molding die comprises a first molding unit with a center molding
part for shaping of the corresponding central section of the
pulp-molded lid and a rim molding part for shaping of the
corresponding rim section of the pulp-molded lid; the rim molding
part comprises a snap-fit molding part recessed from an outer edge
of the rim molding part and situated at one side far away from the
center molding part for shaping of the snap-fit section of the
pulp-molded lid; the second lid molding die comprises a second
molding unit for shaping of a corresponding exterior profile of the
pulp-molded lid.
[0011] As mentioned previously, a manufacturing process of a
pulp-molded lid in the present disclosure is similar to that of a
conventional pulp-molded lid in general. In pulp-based hot press
molding steps, the elastic pulp-molded lid features the snap-fit
section which is slightly deformed for separation from the snap-fit
molding part in a de-molding process and characteristic of a
profile similar to that of the snap-fit molding part. As such, the
snap-fit section is coupled with a protrusion extended outward from
a cup rim of an external container which is to be connected to the
snap-fit section at the pulp-molded lid as required in standards of
product manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a pulp-molded lid;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a sectional view which illustrates both a
pulp-molded lid and an external container joined together;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic view which illustrates a second lid
molding die in a molding device of a pulp-molded lid;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view which illustrates a first lid
molding die in a molding device of a pulp-molded lid;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view which illustrates a molding
device of a pulp-molded lid in disengaged status;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a lid pulp-sucking and molding
device for a pulp-molded lid;
[0018] FIG. 7A is the first schematic view which illustrates a
molding device of a pulp-molded lid in a de-molding process;
[0019] FIG. 7B is the second schematic view which illustrates a
molding device of a pulp-molded lid in a de-molding process;
[0020] FIG. 7C is the third schematic view which illustrates a
molding device of a pulp-molded lid in a de-molding process;
and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram for steps in a manufacturing
process of using a molding device of a pulp-molded lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The features, content, advantages and effects of a pulp-mold
lid and a molding device thereof in the present disclosure are
explained in embodiments and accompanying drawings which are
schematic views to illustrate the patent specification but not
intended to limit the scope of patent claims.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1 which is a sectional view of a
pulp-molded lid 1 comprising a central section 10 and a rim section
12 encircling the central section 10 and having two side walls and
a top edge part for development of an inverted U-shaped profile and
further an annular snap-fit section 14 at an inner surface of the
rim section 12 being disposed away from a side wall of the central
section 10 and protruding inward.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, which illustrates the pulp-molded lid 1
easily connected and coupled with an external container 3 by means
of the rim section 12 clamps the entire upper edge of an exterior
wall of the external container 3 preferably. As shown in FIG. 2,
the snap-fit section 14 abuts and contacts a protrusion 300
outwardly raised or rolled from the upper edge of an exterior wall
of the external container 3, contributing to a better combination
of the pulp-molded lid 1 and the external container 3. It can be
seen that either the rim section 12 or the snap-fit section 14 is
designed to secure the pulp-molded lid 1 and the external container
3 as required in standards of product manufacturing.
[0025] A pulp-molded lid of an ordinary paper cup in which a
beverage would normally be carried, the pulp-molded lid 1 in FIG. 1
comprises the circular central section 10 with a convex part raised
from the edge and a concave part at the center of the central
section 10 in an embodiment; the central section 10 comprises an
opening from which beverages inside are drawn and a perforation
drilled or pressed into the concave part to balance pressure in a
container filled with beverages. However, it should be reiterated
that the opening or the perforation is not a primary technical
feature for a pulp-molded lid herein.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, which illustrate a molding device
of a pulp-molded lid comprises a first lid molding die 22 and a
second lid molding die 20. The first lid molding die 22 comprises a
first molding unit 220 with a center molding part 2201 and a rim
molding part 2202 wherein the center molding part 2201 and the rim
molding part 2202 are used in shaping an interior profile of the
central section 10 of the pulp-molded lid 1 and an interior profile
of the rim section 12 of the pulp-molded lid 1, respectively.
Moreover, the first lid molding die 22 comprises a snap-fit molding
part 2203 which is designed on the rim molding part 2202 for
shaping of the rim section 12 and at one side far away from the
central section 10 and used to form the snap-fit section 14 of the
pulp-molded lid 1; the second lid molding die 20 comprises a second
molding unit 200 designed at one side and used in shaping an
exterior profile of the pulp-molded lid 1.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, which illustrates a strainer 226 is
installed on the first molding unit 220 of the first lid molding
die 22 and a plurality of pore channels 2204 are uniformly
distributed on the first lid molding die 22 for development of a
first lid pulp-sucking and molding die used in a practical process.
In an embodiment of a pulp-molded lid, each of the pore channels
2204 is opened on an outer edge of the rim molding part 2202 of the
first molding unit 220, between the center molding part 2201 and
the rim molding part 2202, and the topmost end of the center
molding part 2201. As such, the strainer 226 lowered into a pulp
tank makes paper pulp subside in a first lid pulp-sucking and
molding die 22A as no pulp fibers migrate across the strainer 26
and each of the pore channels 2204 from which external air is drawn
provides suction to absorb pulp fibers, draining excessive water
without jams of the pore channels 2204 and shaping a raw
pulp-molded lid 1 inside the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die
22A. Furthermore, a plurality of pore channels 2021 are opened on
the second molding unit 200 of the second lid molding die 20 for
development of a second lid pulp-sucking and molding die 20A. In
the embodiment, each of the pore channels 2021 is further opened on
an outer edge of the second molding unit 200 and opposite to the
center molding part 2201 as well as the rim molding part 2202 of
the first molding unit 220. As such, the second lid pulp-sucking
and molding die 20A and the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die
22A are coupled with each other for supply of suction induced by
outward exhaled air to the pore channels 2021 through which a raw
pulp-molded lid is sucked by the second lid pulp-sucking and
molding die 20A from the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die
22A.
[0028] Furthermore, when the first lid molding die 22 is bored for
placement of a heating rod and a thermocouple or the first lid
molding die 22 casted with thermal conductive materials is securely
installed on a heating plate in the embodiment, a first lid heating
and molding die, which is heated directly or via thermal conduction
to increase temperature of the first molding unit 220 inside and
dry paper pulp, is created; on the other hand, when the second lid
molding die 20 is bored for placement of a heating rod and a
thermocouple or the second lid molding die 20 casted with thermal
conductive materials is securely installed on another heating
plate, a second lid heating and molding die, which is heated
directly or via thermal conduction to increase temperature of the
second molding unit 200 inside and dry paper pulp, is created and
comprises a plurality of pore channels 2021 through which the dried
pulp-molded lid 1 is drawn. It should be reiterated that neither
the first molding unit 220 in the first lid molding die 22 nor the
second molding unit 200 in the second lid molding die 20 are
provided with a strainer 226 inside.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, which are schematic views
illustrating a molding device of a pulp-molded lid in a de-molding
process. A pulp-molded lid is drawn by the corresponding second lid
pulp-sucking and molding die 20A and removed from the first lid
pulp-sucking and molding die 22A in a continuous process, as shown
in schematic partial enlargement views which present a relationship
between the snap-fit molding part 2203 at the edge of the first lid
molding die 22 or the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die 22A
and the pulp-molded lid 1.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7A in which there is no second lid
pulp-sucking and molding die displayed. FIG. 7A illustrates status
before a de-molding process that the raw pulp-molded lid 1 shaped
in a pulp molding process is securely attached to and matches the
profile of the snap-fit molding part 2203 at the edge of the first
lid molding die 22 through the strainer 226 and the snap-fit
section 14 of the pulp-molded lid 1 fits into the strainer 226.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 7B, which illustrates the raw pulp-molded
lid 1 shaped in a pulp molding process is drawn by the second lid
pulp-sucking and molding die 20A and gradually separated from the
first lid molding die 22 in the first lid pulp-sucking and molding
die 22A as well as the attached strainer 226. As shown in FIG. 7B,
the snap-fit section 14 of the pulp-molded lid 1, which is made of
flexible paper and extended a bit, is being removed from but still
squeezed by the snap-fit molding part 2203 and slightly deformed in
a de-molding process of separating a die from the other upward.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7C, which illustrates the raw pulp-molded
lid 1 shaped in a pulp molding process is drawn by the second lid
pulp-sucking and molding die 20A and totally separated from the
first lid molding die 22 as well as the attached strainer 226. As
shown in FIG. 7C, because of the flexibility of paper, the snap-fit
section 14 of the pulp-molded lid 1, which was separated from the
first lid pulp-sucking and molding die 22A and deformed partially,
is slightly reconstituted and overall matches the profile of the
snap-fit molding part 2203 as appropriate but possibly leaves some
distinct squeezed and deformed or truncated parts which have no
adverse effect on a pulp-molded lid with a manufacturing process
corrected for better fastening strength between the snap-fit
section 14 and a convex part of an external container 3.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 8, which illustrates a flow diagram for a
manufacturing process of using a molding device of a pulp-molded
lid to shape a pulp-molded lid according to steps as follows:
[0034] Step S801: the first molding unit is covered with pulp
slurry when the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die is immersed
in pulp slurry.
[0035] Step S802: the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die is
removed from pulp slurry and excessive water, which is included in
pulp slurry deposited on the first molding unit and unused in a
manufacturing process, is drained from the pore channels and the
strainer.
[0036] Step S803: the second lid pulp-sucking and molding die is
driven to fit into the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die so
that a raw lid featuring a profile similar to that of a desired
pulp-molded lid is shaped with dehydrated paper pulp adhered to and
matching the strainer on the first molding unit.
[0037] Step S804: the raw lid is sucked by the second lid
pulp-sucking and molding die through the pore channels for
separation from the first lid pulp-sucking and molding die in a
de-molding process.
[0038] Step S805: the raw lid is held in the first lid heating and
molding die with which the second lid pulp-sucking and molding die
is coupled.
[0039] Step S806: the second lid heating and molding die is driven
to fit into the first lid heating and molding die completely for
sealing the raw lid between the first and second lid heating and
molding dies.
[0040] Step S807: the raw lid is heated and dried by the first lid
heating and molding die as well as the second lid heating and
molding die and totally dehydrated for shaping of the pulp-molded
lid.
[0041] Step S808: the pulp-molded lid is sucked by the second lid
heating and molding die for separation.
[0042] According to a manufacturing process from step S801 to step
S808, a pulp-molded lid is shaped.
[0043] An alternative manufacturing process different from that of
the above embodiment is introduced in the present disclosure. In
the alternative embodiment, the profile of a first molding unit (a
second molding unit) in a lid pulp-sucking and molding die (as well
as a lid heating and molding die) is exchanged to the profile of a
second molding unit (a first molding unit). When a molding unit to
shape an exterior profile of a pulp-molded lid is first immersed in
pulp slurry and driven to fit into another molding unit which is
used to shape an interior profile of a snap-fit section on the
pulp-molded lid, a pulp-molded lid featuring an identical profile
can be created with two dies at reversed positions.
[0044] In summary, a pulp-molded lid and a molding device thereof
for once-and-for-all die molding of a snap-fit section in the
patent application, which are innovative work in technical ideas
and features several effects in contrast to conventional molded
lids, meets novelty and non-obviousness for patentability.
* * * * *