In a first step, a molding die is immersed in a raw liquid including cellulosic fibers. Then, the liquid of a raw liquid is sucked through a net material by a liquid suction part, so as to cause the cellulosic fibers to be laminated on the net material. In the second step, the cellulosic fibers laminated on the net material are dried, so as to form a protrusion. In the third step, the dried protrusion and the communication part are removed from the molding die. A passage part of the communication part is formed at a position where a projection portion had been arranged, the passage part being configured to communicate an inside of the protrusion with an outside of the protrusion.

A forming mould system (3) for forming a cellulose product (1) from an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2), where the forming mould system (3) comprises a first mould part (4a) and a second mould part (4b). The first mould part (4a) and the second mould part (4b) are configured for moving in relation to each other in a pressing direction (DP). The second mould part (4b) comprises a forming cavity section (5) and an inlet section (6), where the inlet section (6) is arranged in connection to the forming cavity section (5) and configured for facilitating displacement of the cellulose blank structure (2) into a forming cavity (5a) of the forming cavity section (5). The inlet section (6) comprises a transition surface (6a) defining an inlet opening (6b), and the inlet opening (6b) is having a tapered configuration towards the forming cavity (5a). The disclosure further relates to a method for forming a cellulose product (1) from an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2) in a forming mould system (3).

A forming mould system (3) for forming a cellulose product (1) from an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2), where the forming mould system (3) comprises a first mould part (4a) and a second mould part (4b). The first mould part (4a) and the second mould part (4b) are configured for moving in relation to each other in a pressing direction (DP). The second mould part (4b) comprises a forming cavity section (5) and an inlet section (6), where the inlet section (6) is arranged in connection to the forming cavity section (5) and configured for facilitating displacement of the cellulose blank structure (2) into a forming cavity (5a) of the forming cavity section (5). The inlet section (6) comprises a transition surface (6a) defining an inlet opening (6b), and the inlet opening (6b) is having a tapered configuration towards the forming cavity (5a). The disclosure further relates to a method for forming a cellulose product (1) from an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2) in a forming mould system (3).

This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating porous molds using additive manufacturing processes such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. At a high level, it has been found that creating a generally porous mold, or a mold with porous regions or zones, can improve the performance of the mold and the quality of the parts created therefrom. It has further been determined that porous molds can be created using additive manufacturing techniques through manipulation of mold manufacturing parameters such as, but not limited to, layer thickness, number of perimeter layers, fill pattern, and fill density. Through variation of these manufacturing parameters, the porosity of a mold created by an additive manufacturing device, e.g., a 3D printer, can be tailored for use with molded fiber.

A system and method of producing a moulded article, e.g. a one-piece container, comprises delivering a fibre suspension to a porous mould and removing a suspending liquid (e.g. water) via pores of the porous mould. An inflatable bladder is inserted into the mould in a collapsed state and then inflated to apply pressure to internal walls of the article to remove water content. A wet embryonic form of the container is then transferred to a non-porous mould where an inflatable bladder applies internal pressure to compress the walls and remove further water content. The container is further dried by microwave and/or air drying and may be coated with a protective layer.

A system and method of producing a moulded article, e.g. a one-piece container, comprises delivering a fibre suspension to a porous mould and removing a suspending liquid (e.g. water) via pores of the porous mould. An inflatable bladder is inserted into the mould in a collapsed state and then inflated to apply pressure to internal walls of the article to remove water content. A wet embryonic form of the container is then transferred to a non-porous mould where an inflatable bladder applies internal pressure to compress the walls and remove further water content. The container is further dried by microwave and/or air drying and may be coated with a protective layer.

A mould (14) for forming an article from a fibre suspension. The mould includes an insert with a cavity (27) in the negative shape of an article to be formed and two regions of different porosity/permeability (28, 29) about the cavity (27). In use the mould communicates a suspending fluid of the fibre suspension, e.g. by vacuum pump, through the at least two regions of different porosity/permeability about the cavity. A formed shape (22) of fibres is left behind on the cavity.

A method of producing a lid including a top plate and a side wall extending downward from a periphery of the top plate, using molds, the molds including a papermaking mold and a drying mold. The top plate is provided with an abutting part abutting against an edge of an opening of a container, while an undercut part to be fitted to a lower part of the edge is formed on the side wall so as to be located below the abutting part. The papermaking mold is provided with suction holes at a level corresponding to a level of the undercut part formed on an inner surface of the side wall. The side wall is suctioned using the suction holes when a molded article is at least in one of several states to form the undercut part in a convex shape on the inner surface of the side wall.

A method of producing a lid including a top plate and a side wall extending downward from a periphery of the top plate, using molds, the molds including a papermaking mold and a drying mold. The top plate is provided with an abutting part abutting against an edge of an opening of a container, while an undercut part to be fitted to a lower part of the edge is formed on the side wall so as to be located below the abutting part. The papermaking mold is provided with suction holes at a level corresponding to a level of the undercut part formed on an inner surface of the side wall. The side wall is suctioned using the suction holes when a molded article is at least in one of several states to form the undercut part in a convex shape on the inner surface of the side wall.

The present invention provides a method for the production of a solid molded article comprising non-wood plant material, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing one or more fresh non-wood plant materials having a moisture content from 20% w/w to 99 w/w; (b) heating the fresh non-wood plant material at a temperature from 40° C. to 250° C., in particular, at a temperature from 60° C. to 140° C., and a pressure from 40 KPa to 750 KPa, in particular, for at least 0.5 h, maintaining the moisture content of the material equal to or higher than 20% w/w; (c) molding the heated material obtained in step (b); and (d) drying the molded material obtained in step (c). The invention also provides solid molded articles obtainable by the method of the invention.