# US 7,461,531 B2 · Press plant and a method and use for it with a pressure cell and a divisible tray > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,461,531 B2 - Document ID: US7461531B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/415,244 - Filed: 2001-11-23 - Published: 2004-03-18 - Granted: 2008-12-09 - Earliest claimed: 2000-11-28 - Assignees: Avure Technologies AB - Inventors: Keijo Hellgren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7461531B2 ## CPC - B30B 5/02: wherein the pressing means is in the form of a flexible element, e.g. diaphragm, urged by fluid pressure - B30B 15/042: {Prestressed frames} - B30B 15/048: {Laminated frame structures} - B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)} ## Abstract A press plant includes a press of pressure cell type, into which a tray device, which defines a space intended to receive a workpiece and, optionally, a forming tool, is insertable. The tray device comprises a tray plate and a tray frame. The tray frame is adapted to independently withstand, at least in certain portions, loads applied during the pressing operation. The tray device is divisible into at least an upper part and a lower part. The invention also relates to a method and use of a tray device in a press plant. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A press plant, comprising: a pressure cell-type press adapted for sheet metal forming, the press including a force-absorbing press body enclosing a press chamber; and a tray device configured to be positioned within the press chamber, the tray device being adapted to hold a forming tool and defining a space to receive a workpiece, said tray device comprising a tray plate and a tray frame, the tray frame being adapted to independently withstand loads applied during a pressing operation, the tray device being divisible into at least an annular upper part and a lower part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray frame is adapted to independently withstand loads applied during the pressing operation along the direction of a main axis of the press chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray frame is annularly divisible into at least an upper frame part and a lower frame part for insertion into the tray device and removal therefrom of a workpiece. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The press plant as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tray frame is arranged such that a workpiece inserted into the tray device is retained in a fixed position when the upper and lower frame parts have been joined to form the tray frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The press plant as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tray frame is adapted to retain the workpiece in a fixed position between the upper and lower frame parts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray frame is annularly detachable from the tray plate for insertion into the tray device and removal therefrom of a workpiece. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein prestressing means for inducing a compressing prestress acting in planes parallel to the tray plate are arranged on an external surface of the tray frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The press plant as claimed in claim 7, wherein said prestressing means comprise at least one prestressing element wound round an external surface of the tray frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The press plant as claimed in claim 3, wherein each frame part comprises at least one annular plate so that the tray device comprises at least two concentric annular plates abutting against one another, each having a centrally located through hole and being located in planes which are parallel to the tray plate, each plate being provided with a prestressing element, said prestressing element being band-shaped and having essentially the same width as a thickness of the respective plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The press plant as claimed in claim 3, wherein actuating means are adapted to exert a force on at least one of the upper and lower frame parts to allow access to a workpiece inserted into the tray device for removal thereof and to allow a workpiece to be inserted into the tray device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The press plant as claimed in claim 10, wherein said actuating means are adapted to exert a force on at least one of the upper and lower frame parts along the direction of their common center axis to create a space between the upper and lower frame parts, a height of which is related to an extension of a finished workpiece along the direction of said center axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The press plant as claimed in claim 11, wherein said actuating means are located adjacent to a worktable outside the press chamber and adapted to exert a lifting force on the upper frame part when the tray device is placed on the worktable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The press plant as claimed in claim 12, wherein contact means configured to co-operate with said actuating means project from an external edge surface of the upper tray part, said contact means comprising engagement surfaces and said actuating means acting on the contact means from underneath. ### Claim 14 (depends on 3) The press plant as claimed in claim 3, wherein a resilient mat is arranged adjacent to the upper frame part, the mat accompanying the upper frame part as this is removed from the lower tray part, thereby uncovering the workpiece. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the press plant is configured for high-pressure pressing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The press plant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annular upper part surrounds the space. ### Claim 17 A tray device for use in a press plant having a press, the tray device comprising: an annular upper part; and a lower part; the tray device being configured to hold a sheet metal forming tool, and to independently withstand loads applied during a pressing operation, wherein the annular upper part and the lower part are divisible. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The tray device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tray device is adapted to independently withstand loads applied during the pressing operation along the direction of the main axis of the press chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The tray device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper part comprises a tray frame and the lower part comprises a tray plate, and wherein the tray frame is configured to be separated from the tray plate for insertion therein and removal therefrom of a workpiece. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The tray device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular upper part surrounds a space intended to receive a workpiece. ### Claim 21 A press plant with a press, comprising: a pressure cell-type press adapted for sheet metal forming, the press comprising a force-absorbing press body enclosing a press chamber; and a tray device configured to be positioned within the press chamber, the tray device defining being adapted to hold a forming tool, and defining a space to receive a workpiece, said tray device comprising a tray plate and a tray frame, the tray frame being adapted to independently withstand loads applied during a pressing operation, the tray device being divisible into at least an annular upper part having at least one arcuate portion and a lower part. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The press plant as claimed in claim 21, wherein the annular part surrounds the space. ### Claim 23 A tray device for use in a press plant having a press of pressure cell type, the tray device comprising: an annular upper part having at least one arcuate portion; and a lower part; the tray device being configured to hold a sheet metal forming tool and independently withstand loads applied during a pressing operation, wherein the annular upper part and the lower part are divisible. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The tray device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the annular upper part surrounds a space intended to receive a workpiece.