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US 7,867,418 B2Granted
Tool and apparatus for forming a moldable material
AssigneeMars, Incorporated
InventorsDouglas Shouse, James M. Suttle, Ryan Brown, Mark Harshman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a tool and apparatus for forming a moldable material into a formed product having a desired shape, and optionally having a pouch for inserting pills, vitamins, and the like. The tool comprises a sleeve with a concentric insert, with a gap between the two for directing compressed air to eject the formed product from the tool. Exemplary apparatus using the tool and an associated method are also provided.
Claims16
A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
- a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween;
- and
- an insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said insert, wherein said insert comprises a barrel portion having at least one air outlet aperture configured to direct air into said gap,
- wherein said insert comprises a nib extending from said barrel, said nib configured to form a pouch within a moldable material pressed into said tool, and
- said insert comprises a concave area between said barrel and said nib, said concave area defining a sharp edge around a perimeter of said barrel at its juncture with said concave area.
2 more elements
A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
- a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween;
- an insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said insert, wherein said insert comprises a barrel portion having at least one air outlet aperture configured to direct air into said gap, and
- a concave area in an outer surface of said barrel, said concave area extending around a circumference of said barrel.
A tool for forming moldable material, comprising:
- a sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a bore extending axially therebetween;
- an insert comprising a barrel having a plurality of air outlet apertures, said insert configured to concentrically mate with said sleeve such that a gap is defined between said sleeve and said barrel;
- and
- a nib protruding from said barrel, said nib configured to form a pouch in a moldable material pressed into said tool,
- wherein said barrel comprises a trough extending around a perimeter of said barrel, and wherein said air outlet apertures are positioned within said trough.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.