Method and apparatus for forming an article and an article formed thereby
AssigneeBale Fusion Limited
InventorPeter Joseph Lelievre Lewis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming an article in which thermoplastics materials are used as the binding agent. Materials (21) are shredded in a shredder (1), compressed in a compressing chamber (15) and moulded in a moulding chamber (16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27). The thermoplastics material is heated whilst the material is held under compression and then cooled to bind the material together. In one embodiment superheated steam is supplied via tubes (31) having apertures there along. In another embodiment superheated steam is supplied via apertures in side walls of the mould (58, 59). Blocks (62, 72) formed by the method and apparatus of the invention may find application as construction materials etc. and have good structural, thermal and acoustic properties.
Claims49
A method of forming an article comprising the steps of:
- i) introducing into a chamber material to be formed containing a sufficient amount of thermoplastics material to bind the material together;
- ii) compressing the material within the chamber in one direction and then in a second direction, transverse to the first direction, so that it occupies a reduced volume;
- iii) inputting sufficient energy to melt sufficient thermoplastics material substantially throughout the material to bind the material together when cooled, and
- iv) releasing an article produced from the chamber.
A method of forming an article comprising the steps of:
- i) introducing into a chamber material to be formed containing a sufficient amount of thermoplastic material to bind the material together;
- ii) compressing the material within the chamber so that it occupies a reduced volume;
- iii) introducing sufficient superheated steam into the chamber to melt sufficient thermoplastics material substantially throughout the material to bind the material together when cooled;
- and
- iv) releasing an article produced from the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.