Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a beverage lid using a fiber-based slurry. The slurry comprises a moisture barrier component in the range of 0.5%-10% by weight, a rigidity component in the range of 1%-4% by weight, and a polycationic component in the range of about 1%-4%.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a beverage lid using a fiber-based slurry. The slurry comprises a moisture barrier component in the range of 0.5%-10% by weight, a rigidity component in the range of 1%-4% by weight, and a polycationic component in the range of about 1%-4%.

A rotating pulp suction and robot transfer molding machine includes: a frame and a pulp container located at an inner bottom of the frame. A pulp container drive mechanism is connected to the pulp container and drives the pulp container to move up and down. A pulp suction vacuum pipeline is arranged horizontally and two ends thereof are rotatably connected on the frame. A pulp suction mold is fixed on the middle of the pulp suction vacuum pipeline and connected thereto by a vacuumizing connecting structure. An extrusion mechanism downwardly engages with the pulp suction mold and extrudes pulp to prepare a wet blank of pulp product. A robot is mounted with a transfer mold and used to transfer the wet blank to outside of the frame. A high-low pressure sprinkler pipe is horizontally slidably connected with the frame and transversely arranged above the pulp suction vacuum pipeline.

A rotating pulp suction and robot transfer molding machine includes: a frame and a pulp container located at an inner bottom of the frame. A pulp container drive mechanism is connected to the pulp container and drives the pulp container to move up and down. A pulp suction vacuum pipeline is arranged horizontally and two ends thereof are rotatably connected on the frame. A pulp suction mold is fixed on the middle of the pulp suction vacuum pipeline and connected thereto by a vacuumizing connecting structure. An extrusion mechanism downwardly engages with the pulp suction mold and extrudes pulp to prepare a wet blank of pulp product. A robot is mounted with a transfer mold and used to transfer the wet blank to outside of the frame. A high-low pressure sprinkler pipe is horizontally slidably connected with the frame and transversely arranged above the pulp suction vacuum pipeline.

A method of making 3D printed porous mold or filters are disclosed in which the external surface of the mold/filter is formed by a single printed layer of material. Supporting layers are then laid down on the surface layer in way that creates a porous body that of substantially uniform porosity across the entire mold/filter surface. Use of such porous bodies as screens on molds for the manufacture of molded fiber parts are described as well as general uses as filters having 3D exterior surfaces.

A method of making 3D printed porous mold or filters are disclosed in which the external surface of the mold/filter is formed by a single printed layer of material. Supporting layers are then laid down on the surface layer in way that creates a porous body that of substantially uniform porosity across the entire mold/filter surface. Use of such porous bodies as screens on molds for the manufacture of molded fiber parts are described as well as general uses as filters having 3D exterior surfaces.

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for manufacturing molded fiber products using a pulp slurry and apparatus submerged in pulp slurry. The system utilizes a vacuum and mesh shaping of the product to pull fiber from the pulp slurry to the mesh shape while sucking the water through the mesh shape. The molded fiber product is then pressed to bolster the strength and structure of the product. The product is then coated using centripetal force to uniformly spread the coating across the selected area of the product. After coating, the product is pressed again to ensure the waterproof and airproof structure of the product. The materials used in manufacturing the molded fiber product are biodegradable, and the apparatus to form the molded fiber product is shaped according to the desired shape and size of the product.

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for manufacturing molded fiber products using a pulp slurry and apparatus submerged in pulp slurry. The system utilizes a vacuum and mesh shaping of the product to pull fiber from the pulp slurry to the mesh shape while sucking the water through the mesh shape. The molded fiber product is then pressed to bolster the strength and structure of the product. The product is then coated using centripetal force to uniformly spread the coating across the selected area of the product. After coating, the product is pressed again to ensure the waterproof and airproof structure of the product. The materials used in manufacturing the molded fiber product are biodegradable, and the apparatus to form the molded fiber product is shaped according to the desired shape and size of the product.

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a microwavable food container include: forming a wire mesh over a mold comprising a mirror image of the microwavable food container; immersing the wire mesh in a fiber-based slurry bath; drawing a vacuum across the wire mesh to cause fiber particles to accumulate at the wire mesh surface; and removing the wire mesh including the accumulated fiber particles from the slurry bath; wherein the slurry comprises a moisture barrier, an oil barrier, and a vapor barrier.

A fiber capsule and a method of compression molding a fiber-based packaging capsule, includes the steps: forming a raw capsule of a loosely bonded fiber mat, which capsule has an opening, positioning the raw capsule of the loosely bonded fiber mat on the inside of a substantially rigid mol having inner surfaces defining the molded outer surfaces of the fiber-based packaging capsule, compression molding the loosely bonded fiber mat by the insertion of a pressurizable compression member through the opening, and pressurizing the pressing device at a temperature of 150-250 degrees C.?, preferably 160-200 degrees C., and at a pressure of 100-5000 bar, preferably 300-1200 bar. The compression molding may take place by reshaping the reshaping pressing device and pressing the inside of the capsule against the inner surfaces of the rigid mold so that a cohesive fiber-based packaging capsule is obtained.