Pick-up press device and method of producing a 3D-molded product from a pulp slurry

A device for use in a process of producing a 3D molded product from a pulp slurry comprising:

• a pick-up press tool presenting a porous first product face, and
• a press tool presenting a second product face, and
• wherein the pick-up press tool is provided with at least one heating element adapted to supply heat to the porous first product face of the pick-up press tool and/or the press tool is provided with at least one heating element adapted to supply heat to the second product face of the press tool, and the pick-up press tool is provided with a vacuum source adapted to draw a vacuum through a porous product face of at least one of the tools,
• wherein the pick-up press tool and the press tool are vertically movable relative one another,
• wherein, in a first relative position of the press tools, at least one of the product faces is positioned so as to receive a pulp slurry layer in liquid form to its product face, and
• wherein in a second relative position of the press tools, the product faces are pressed towards each other for pressing the pulp slurry layer,
• wherein the device further comprises a first transfer tool, wherein the first transfer tool comprises:
• a first forming surface portion, configured to conform to a first portion of the porous first product face of the pick-up press tool, such that a forming gap is defined there between, said forming gap defining a desired pulp slurry layer thickness, and
• a second forming surface portion, configured to diverge from a second portion of the porous first product face of the pick-up press tool, such that a non-forming space is defined by the second forming surface portion and the second portion of the porous first product face of the pick-up press tool, said non-forming space having a greater thickness than the forming gap,
• wherein the device further comprises a second mold configured to receive product from the first transfer tool and carry out a second forming step, the second mold comprising
• a first press tool comprising a first product face, and
• a second press tool comprising a second product face;
• wherein at least one of the first product face and the second product face is porous,
• wherein at least one of the first press tool and the second press tool is provided with at least one heating element adapted to supply heat to the first product face and/or the second product face;
• and
• wherein the second mold is provided with a vacuum source adapted to draw a vacuum through a porous product face of at least one of the first product face and the second product face, wherein the vacuum source for the second mold is the same or different from the vacuum source of the pick-up press tool.