Apparatus and method for manufacturing molded products

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing molded products, comprising: a containing body (3) for a predetermined amount of bulk material (4), such as powdery, fibrous or granular material, said body having at least one discharge opening (3a) for discharging said material (4); a forming chamber (5) having a bottom wall (5b) and an inlet opening (5a) configured to communicate with the outlet opening (3a) to allow the passage of the material (4) from the containment body (3) above the bottom wall (5b); and a compaction unit (6) operably engaged in the forming chamber (5) to compact the bulk material and define a block (2) in the form of a single body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a moulded product. Background Art

[0002] In particular, the invention is applicable to the manufacture of products obtained starting from a block (or blank) which is fed in a moulding process to obtain various types of objects.

[0003] The invention is particularly applicable to the field of manufacturing and forming blocks obtained from natural and renewable materials, for example cellulose-based materials, which are commonly used to manufacture a variety of objects currently made from synthetic polymer materials, in particular but not exclusively in the field of packaging. Cellulose-based materials are advantageously less polluting and easier to handle than synthetic polymer materials.

[0004] As is known, the object is formed by extruding a mass of cellulose-based material between a male and a female mould half.

[0005] The blocks generally have the shape of flat discs, making them easy to transport and to insert between the respective mould halves.

[0006] Those pieces are mainly obtained by die-cutting a web made of cellulose-based material.

[0007] As described in patent publication WO2021 / 037946A1, the cellulose web is continuously unrolled toward a forming station, where corresponding punches cut the web into a predetermined shape and size. In this way, the block made in the form of a flat disc is then fed to a molding station.

[0008] However, the main drawback of this solution mainly comes from the presence of large amounts of waste (scrap) obtained during the cutting operation.

[0009] In fact, it should be noted that directly between one disk shape and another obtained on the cellulose web, waste is generated which must be removed from the object forming line. Furthermore, in order to avoid excessive consumption of cellulose material, a waste recovery step must be implemented, with attendant disadvantages in terms of additional handling and processing costs.

[0010] Another major disadvantage of the above-described method for preparing the mass results from the presence of a cellulose web which is gathered in large reels and is therefore particularly bulky. In this case, it should in fact be considered that in order to be able to properly form the mass, a low-density and therefore easily deformable and formable cellulose web is used, the so-called "air-laid web", which is particularly bulky due to the large amount of air it contains.

[0011] Finally, another disadvantage of the known methods for manufacturing the above-mentioned blocks is caused by the poor flexibility in obtaining different thicknesses and densities. In fact, as mentioned above, the continuous molding process is carried out on a single block made of cellulose-based material starting from a film that generally has a constant thickness and density. Summary of the invention

[0012] In this context, one object of the present invention is to improve the method for manufacturing a dose intended for a forming method by moulding.

[0013] In particular, a first object of the invention is to make available a device and a corresponding method for manufacturing blocks which avoids the generation of waste. In other words, a first object of the invention is to limit any material waste and therefore also the steps associated with the recovery and reuse of materials.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to make available an apparatus for manufacturing moulded products which is structurally simple and which does not require the use of very bulky rolls of low-density cellulose-based material.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing molded products which are particularly versatile in obtaining multilayer blocks.

[0016] In particular, an object of the invention is to be able to obtain blocks with different thicknesses and / or densities, which would not be possible if the blocks were obtained from a film with uniform thickness.

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a molded product, the apparatus comprising:

[0018] a receiving body for a predetermined amount of bulk material, such as powdery, fibrous or granular material, the receiving body having at least one discharge opening for discharging the material; and

[0019] - a forming chamber having a bottom wall and an inlet opening configured to communicate with the outlet opening to allow the passage of material from the containment volume above the bottom wall.

[0020] Furthermore, the apparatus preferably has a compacting unit operatively engaged in the forming chamber to compact the bulk material to an intermediate density between the initial density and the final density of the molded product and to define a mass in the form of a single, deformable and formable body that can be easily transferred to a mold.

[0021] There is also provided a method for manufacturing a molded product, the method comprising the steps of:

[0022] - preparing a predetermined amount of bulk material, such as powdery, fibrous or granular material, in a receiving body;

[0023] - Transferring the material contained in the containing body to the interior of the forming chamber.

[0024] Advantageously, finally, the bulk material is also compacted inside the chamber so as to define a mass in the form of a single body.

[0025] In this way, the use of a determined dose of powdered, fibrous or granular material and its feeding into the forming chamber allows the preparation of the block while avoiding the generation of waste or scrap. The use of large reels is also avoided.

[0026] Furthermore, by superimposing different materials, it is possible to compact different layers from each other, thereby obtaining a multilayer mass. For example, a first quantity of cellulose-based loose material and a second quantity of a different material can be superimposed. After the compaction action, the different quantities of material are combined in a single body defining a mass.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, any excess material exiting the forming chamber may be scraped off and reused in a subsequent step. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention may be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0029] Figure 1a to Figure 1c A perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view showing, in corresponding order, an apparatus for preparing a block according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figure 2a to Figure 2f shows a perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view in corresponding order of an apparatus for preparing a block according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0031] Figure 3a to Figure 3f A perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view showing an apparatus in corresponding order for removing a block moulding according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view showing an apparatus for removing agglomerates in a corresponding sequence according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 5a to Figure 5d a perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view showing, in corresponding order, an apparatus for preparing a block according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

[0034] Figure 6A schematic diagram of an initial station is shown, which is part of a method for preparing a block according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] With reference to the attached drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes as a whole a plant for manufacturing a mass 2 intended for use in a forming method by moulding.

[0036] It should be noted that the block 2 is preferably made of a cellulose-based material. In fact, the invention can be particularly applied to the manufacture of cellulose-based products. However, it should be noted that the invention can be used in a variety of situations and can be used for different materials.

[0037] The device 1 comprises a containing body 3 for a predetermined amount of bulk material 4, preferably a material such as powdery, fibrous or granular material.

[0038] The bulk material 4 is advantageously cellulose powder or fibers.

[0039] The body 3 has at least one discharge opening 3 a for discharging the material 4 , which is configured to guide the material into the interior of the forming chamber 5 .

[0040] Preferably, as shown in the drawings, body 3 releases material 4 by allowing material 4 to fall through opening 3a towards chamber 5.

[0041] More specifically, the chamber 5 has an inlet opening 5 a configured to communicate with the outlet opening 3 a to allow the material 4 to pass from the body 3 to the interior of the chamber 5 .

[0042] There is also a bottom wall 5b in the chamber 5, on which the material 4 falling from the body 3 is deposited.

[0043] according to Figure 1a-Figure 1c In the first embodiment shown, the body 3 is configured like a hopper for releasing inside the chamber 5 a suitable determined amount of mass.

[0044] In this embodiment, a compacting unit 6 ( Figure 1c ), the punch 6a moves toward the bottom wall 5b to compress and compact the material 4, thereby forming a corresponding material block 2 in the form of a single body.

[0045] according to Figure 2a-2f In the second embodiment shown, the containment body 3 is made in the form of a grid 7 defining a plurality of compartments 7a for containing a predetermined amount of bulk material 4. In this case, the compartments 7a cooperating with each other define the above-mentioned discharge opening 3a.

[0046] Advantageously, the use of the grid 7 allows the entire material 4 to be evenly arranged inside the body 3. In fact, the compartment 7a is evenly distributed in the compartment 7a by means of the hopper 8 ( Figure 2a ), the hopper 8 releases the material into the grid 7. In this way, during the step of transferring the material to the inside of the chamber 5, the material 4 falls evenly on the bottom wall 5b itself.

[0047] Also according to the second embodiment, the grid 7 is slidable on the outer surface 5 c of the shaping chamber 5 , on which the corresponding access openings 5 ​​a are formed.

[0048] The grid 7 is in the conveying state ( Figure 2b ) and material 4 release position ( Figure 2c and 2d ), in the conveying state, the discharge opening 3a is blocked by the surface 5c, and in the material 4 release position, the discharge opening 3a coincides with the inlet opening 5a of the forming chamber 5.

[0049] In this case, the bottom wall 5b of the forming chamber 5 is preferably in a raised state ( Figure 2c ) and reduced state ( Figure 2d ) are movable between, in the raised state, the bottom wall 5b is coplanar with the outer surface 5c to block the entry opening 5a, and in the lowered state, the wall 5b is lowered below the outer surface 5c to allow the material 4 to fall into the entry opening 5a.

[0050] Once the material 4 is released into the chamber 5, the grid 7 returns to the initial state in which the corresponding discharge opening 3a is blocked by the surface 5c.

[0051] A scraping element 9 is also provided, which is slidable on the outer surface 5c of the chamber 5 and above the aforementioned inlet opening 5a in a first direction close to the grille 7 ( Figure 2e ).

[0052] The movement of the scraping element 9 towards the grid 7 enables any excess material 4 to be removed from the forming chamber 5. In other words, any part of the material protruding outside the opening 5a is removed from the opening 5a, the material is leveled so as to be flush with the surface 5c, and the excess material is returned towards the grid 7.

[0053] Then, if Figure 2f As shown, the material 4 is compacted by a compacting unit 6. In this case, the compacting unit consists of a punch 6a inserted into the chamber 5 and a bottom wall 5b rising towards the punch 6a. Thus, the combined action of the punch 6a and the wall 5b achieves the compaction necessary to compact the material 4 into a block 2 prepared in a single body.

[0054] Alternatively, the compacting unit 6 may be of the pneumatic type for creating a vacuum inside the chamber 5 and compacting the material 4 defining the mass 2 in a single body.

[0055] refer to Figure 5a-5d In the third embodiment shown, the device 1 also comprises a hopper 10 for containing at least one second material 11 which can be inserted into the forming chamber 5 above the bulk material 4. The second material 11 can also be bulk (powdered, fibrous or granular) or can be of another type depending on the object to be manufactured.

[0056] The hopper 10 is inserted between the containing body 3 and the scraping element 9 and, once the body has been removed from the access opening 5 a , is positioned above the chamber to allow the second material 11 to be provided by falling so that it is located above the bulk material 4 .

[0057] Advantageously, the scraping element 9 is slidable in the first direction in order to also remove any excess second material 11 from the forming chamber 5 .

[0058] like Figure 5c As shown, both the hopper 10 and the scraping element 9 are movable so as to access the body 3 to deposit the second material 11 and immediately remove any excess amount.

[0059] Advantageously, after the action of the compacting unit 6, the two materials are compacted into a multi-layered single block 2. It should be noted that there can be any number of hoppers 10 and therefore any number of second materials 11 to obtain a block 2 having two or more layers of different materials.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the containment body 3 may be provided with a suction unit (not shown in the figure) for generating a vacuum inside the containment body 3 itself and pre-compacting the loose material 4. In this way, the material 4 falling from the body 3 to the chamber 5 is already partially compacted to facilitate the transfer operation to the chamber 5.

[0061] Advantageously, a plurality of chambers 5 of the above-mentioned type may be provided, of the type described above and arranged on the outer surface of the drum. In this case, the outer surface 5c is defined by the cylindrical surface of the above-mentioned drum.

[0062] Alternatively, the chambers 5 are arranged to be aligned in a single plane.

[0063] In addition, if Figure 6, the device 1 may comprise a grinding unit 12 upstream of the containing body. This unit consists, for example, of two rollers rotating in opposite directions, which grind a continuous web 13 of cellulosic material to produce the above-mentioned loose material 4. The web 13 is unwound from a respective reel 14 of (cellulosic) material, which is tightly compacted and therefore not bulky. The web 13 is unwound towards the above-mentioned grinding unit 12, which feeds the material 4 in loose form directly into the interior of the body 3.

[0064] Alternatively, there may be a plurality of grinding steps in order to make the base material (web) provided in compacted form increasingly loose and thus suitable for forming a mass 2 .

[0065] The device 1 also removes the compacted mass 2 in the chamber 5 .

[0066] according to Figure 3a to Figure 3f In the first embodiment shown, a clamping unit 15 is provided for clamping the block 2 in the form of a single body, in order to extract it from the chamber and feed it into the half-moulds 20a and 20b (for forming the final product).

[0067] According to a first embodiment, the clamping unit 15 comprises a pneumatic element provided with a suction surface 15a which can be abutted against the block 2 in order to retain the block 2 by means of a pneumatic vacuum. Figure 3a and 3b ).

[0068] Alternatively, the clamping unit 15 may include at least one pin (not shown) which is partially insertable into the block 2 for fixing the block 2 itself by mechanical interference. There may be a plurality of pins which, once inserted into the block 2 by interference, fix it for transfer.

[0069] Advantageously, there may be a plurality of clamping units 15 mounted in line or on respective rotating turntables, and each clamping unit 15 is configured to move a respective block 2 to a molding station.

[0070] In addition, an openable bottom wall 5b may be provided for unloading the block 2 from below. In this case, the block 2 is not clamped and extracted from the chamber 5 through the opening 5a, but is discharged from the opposite side of the opening 5a and moves following the bottom wall 5b.

[0071] like Figure 3c-3fAs shown, the block 2 is positioned in a molding station, and more specifically in a female mold half 20b, by means of a clamping unit 15. The male mold half 20b is then coupled to the female mold half to deform the block 2 and define the shape of the final product 100, which in the example case of the figures has a cup-like configuration.

[0072] Also in this case, there can be a plurality of mold halves 20a and 20b mounted on a rotating turntable.

[0073] according to Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown, the mass 2 can be removed from the chamber 5 by means of a scraping element 9. In fact, in this case, the scraping element 9 is slidable on the outer surface 5c of the chamber 5 and over the access opening 5a in a second direction opposite to the first direction, ie away from the body 3.

[0074] Advantageously, this movement allows the removal of a mass 2 that has previously been compacted and is therefore situated on a wall 5b that lies coplanar with the surface 5c.

[0075] The invention, described above in strictly structural terms, also relates to a method for manufacturing a block 2 intended for a method of forming by moulding.

[0076] The method comprises the following steps: preparing a predetermined amount of loose material 4, such as powdery, fibrous or granular material 4, in a containing body 3; transferring the material 4 contained in the containing body 3 to the interior of a forming chamber 5; and then compacting the loose material 4 in the chamber 5 to define a material block 2 in the form of a single body.

[0077] refer to Figure 6 , the step of preparing a predetermined amount of material 4 can be performed by at least one step of grinding a base material in the form of a sheet or web 13 to obtain the material 4 in a loose or powdery or fibrous or granular form.

[0078] Once the grinding is complete, the material 4 is fed directly into the body 3 or hopper 8 ( Figure 2a ) is used to transfer material 4 to the interior of body 3.

[0079] Preferably, the step of transferring the material 4 to the interior of the forming chamber 5 is performed by releasing the loose material 4 to fall through the inlet opening 5a of the chamber 5 itself ( Figure 1a , Figure 2d , Figure 5b ).

[0080] In addition, reference Figure 2a-2e , Figure 5a-5dIn the embodiment of the present invention, the step of releasing the loose material 4 to fall is implemented by sliding the containment body 3 on the outer surface 5a of the chamber 5, which, as mentioned above, is provided in the form of a grid 7. The sliding of the grid 7 is implemented starting from the corresponding loading zone until it reaches the access opening 5a.

[0081] Advantageously, between the step of releasing the material 4 to fall and the step of compacting the material 4 , a step of removing any excess material 4 from the forming chamber 5 is implemented by the passage of a scraping element 9 in a first direction.

[0082] In particular, after the material 4 has been transferred into the chamber 5, the containing body 3 is brought to the loading and unloading area for filling again with more material 4, thus leaving the opening 5a empty. Then or while the body 3 is moving, the scraping element 9 is slid on the surface 5c, bringing it close to the body 3. This movement causes the material coming out of the chamber 5 to be removed, the removed material returning towards the body 3. Thus, during the subsequent passage of the body 3 itself (in the form of the grid 7) towards the chamber 5, the excess material is incorporated again in the body 3.

[0083] Preferably, there may also be a step of pre-compacting the bulk material 4 inside the containment volume 3, in order to facilitate the transfer of the material 3 to the chamber 5. The pre-compacting effect is carried out by reducing the pressure in the containment volume 3 itself.

[0084] The method further comprises a step of depositing at least one second material 11 inside the chamber 5 and above the bulk material 4 , before the step of removing any excess material 4 from the chamber 5 .

[0085] This step is implemented by means of a hopper 10 containing a second material 11 which allows it to be deposited also inside the openings 5a before the scraping elements 9. Advantageously, both materials inserted into the chamber are subjected to a compaction step to prepare a mass 2 in the form of a multilayer single body.

[0086] It should be pointed out that the number of materials that can be superimposed in the chamber 5 can be arbitrary in order to obtain a block 2 made of a series of materials suitable for superposition.

[0087] For this purpose, there may also be a further step of applying at least one material in sheet form to at least one surface of the block 2 .

[0088] In particular, a material in sheet form, usually paper-based and indicated by the term "tissue" in view of the extremely low thickness, may be applied inside the chamber 5 before the insertion of the material 4. Additionally or alternatively, the tissue is positioned on the material 4 inserted into the chamber 5. In both cases, the compacting action of the punch 6a causes the tissue to be connected to the rest of the material 4 and thus defines a block 2 provided with the aforementioned tissue.

[0089] Alternatively, after the block 2 has been formed, a paper layer is applied on one or more surfaces of the block 2 by appropriate application and / or gluing techniques carried out with specific adhesive substances.

[0090] Advantageously, the presence of the paper layer makes it possible to improve the surface appearance of the block 2 , for example facilitating the application of a waterproof layer or other coating determined according to the area of ​​use of the final product 100 .

[0091] According to one possible embodiment, the step of compacting the bulk material 4 is carried out by creating a vacuum in the chamber 5 .

[0092] Alternatively, as shown in the figures, the step of compacting the loose material 4 comprises the step of moving the punch 6a inside the chamber 5 and towards the bottom wall 5b of the chamber 5 so as to compress the material 4 and define the mass 2 in the form of a single body.

[0093] Advantageously, the step of compacting the material also comprises a step of moving the bottom wall 5 b towards the punch 6 a so as to define a combined action of crushing the material 4 .

[0094] After the step of compacting the bulk material 4 , the method further comprises a step of removing the previously compacted mass 2 from the forming chamber 5 .

[0095] like Figure 4a , Figure 4b As shown, this step can be implemented by passing the scraping element 9 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, ie away from the body 3. In this way, during the return movement of the scraping element 9, the block 2 is pushed out of the chamber 5 and moved towards the subsequent processing station.

[0096] Alternatively, the step of removing the block 2 from the forming chamber 5 is carried out by means of a pneumatic fixing action, wherein a robot arm brings a suction surface into contact with the block 2 to fix the block 2 and move it towards a pair of half-moulds 20a, 20b ( Figure 3a-3f ). Furthermore, instead of a suction surface, the arm may have one or more pins (not shown) for mechanically interfering with the mass 2 , fixing it and moving it out of the chamber 5 .

[0097] Finally, the block 2 removed from the chamber 5 is fed to a female half-mold 20a adapted to receive a male half-mold 20b ( 20b ) which forms the block 2 into a final product 100. Figure 3e and Figure 3f ).

[0098] Thus, the present invention solves the shortcomings of the prior art and produces a number of advantages.

[0099] First, the mass 2 is obtained starting from the bulk material 4, which can be bulked in the chamber, thus avoiding the generation of waste or other waste. Advantageously, the action of the scraping element 9 also allows the recovery of the excess material 4 coming out of the chamber 5 and its reuse in subsequent filling steps.

[0100] Furthermore, the use of powdered or fibrous material makes it possible to eliminate large reels and all steps of die-cutting the web unwound from the reel.

[0101] Finally, the invention is particularly versatile since it can be used with any powdery, fibrous or granular material to obtain different types of blocks 2. In fact, by dosing a quantity of material 4 at the feed of the chamber 5, it is possible to set the thickness and density of the block 2 itself, or even to vary the thickness and density of the block 2 itself, and therefore the thickness and density of the final product 100. Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture multilayer blocks 2 by superimposing the corresponding materials in layers within the chamber 5.

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing moulded products, characterised in that The device comprises: a containing body (3) for a predetermined amount of bulk material (4), such as powdery, fibrous or granular material, said body (3) having at least one discharge opening (3a) for discharging said material (4); and a forming chamber (5) having a bottom wall (5b) and an inlet opening (5a), the inlet opening (5a) being configured to communicate with the outlet opening (3a) to allow the material (4) to pass from the containing body (3) located above the bottom wall (5b); - a compacting unit (6) operatively engaged in said forming chamber (5) to compact said bulk material (4) and define a mass (2) in the form of a single body; and - A pair of forming half-moulds (20a, 20b) movable towards each other to compress the mass (2) and produce a moulded product (100).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The discharge opening (3a) of the containing body (3) releases the bulk material (4) into the interior of the forming chamber (5) by allowing the bulk material (4) to fall.

3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The receiving body (3) comprises a suction unit for generating a vacuum in the receiving body (3) and pre-compacting the bulk material (4) in the receiving body (3) itself.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: The containing body (3) comprises a grid (7) defining a plurality of compartments (7a) for containing the predetermined amount of bulk material (4); the plurality of compartments (7a) cooperate with each other to define the discharge opening (3a).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The containing body (3) is capable of sliding on the outer surface (5c) of the forming chamber (5), and a corresponding inlet opening (5a) is formed on the outer surface (5c) of the forming chamber (5) between the conveying state and the material (4) release position. In the conveying state, the discharge opening (3a) is blocked by the surface (5c), and in the material (4) release position, the discharge opening (3a) coincides with the inlet opening (5a) of the forming chamber (5).

6. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein: The apparatus further comprises a scraping element (9) slidable in a first direction on the outer surface (5c) of the chamber (5) and above the inlet opening (5a) to remove any excess material (4) from the forming chamber (5).

7. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein: A scraping element (9) is slidable on the outer surface (5c) of the chamber (5) and above the inlet opening (5a) in a second direction opposite to the first direction to remove previously compacted mass (2) from the bottom wall (5b) of the forming chamber (5).

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The bottom wall (5b) of the forming chamber (5) is movable between a raised state and a lowered state, wherein in the raised state the bottom wall (5b) is coplanar with the outer surface (5c) to block the access opening (5a), and in the lowered state the bottom wall (5b) is lowered below the outer surface (5c) to allow the material (4) to be inserted by falling into the access opening (5a).

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The compacting unit (6) is of pneumatic type and is used to create a vacuum in the chamber (5) and compact the material (2) into the block (2) in the form of a single body.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The compacting unit (10) is a punch (6a) movable inside the chamber (5) and towards the bottom wall (5b) for compressing the material (4) and defining the block (2) in the form of a single body.

11. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein: The punch (6a) and the bottom wall (5b) are movable towards each other to compress the material (4) in the chamber and define the mass (2) in the form of a single body.

12. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The apparatus further comprises at least one hopper (10) for containing at least one second material (11), said hopper (10) being insertable into said forming chamber (5) above said material (4).

13. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein: A hopper (10) is inserted between the containing body (3) and a scraping element (9); the scraping element (9) is slidable in a first direction to remove any second excess material (11) from the forming chamber (3).

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The device further comprises a clamping unit (15) for clamping the block (2) in the form of a single body in order to remove the block (2) from the forming chamber (5).

15. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein: The clamping unit (15) comprises a pneumatic element, which is used to fix the block (2) by suction.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: The clamping unit (15) comprises at least one pin which can be at least partially inserted into the block (2) in order to fix the block itself by means of mechanical interference.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: The device comprises a plurality of clamping units (15) mounted on respective rotating turntables.

18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The device also comprises a grinding unit (12) upstream of the containing body (3) for grinding the continuous web (13) made of cellulose-based material and bringing the material (4) into loose form.

19. A method for producing a molded product, characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: - preparing a predetermined amount of bulk material (4), such as powdery, fibrous or granular material, in a containing body (3); and - transferring the material (4) contained in the containing body (3) to the interior of the forming chamber (5); - compacting the material (4) in the chamber (5) and defining a mass (2) in the form of a single body; The method further comprises, after the step of compacting the material (4), a step of compressing the block (2) between two half-moulds (20a, 20b) to form a moulded product (100).

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The step of preparing a predetermined amount of material (4) is carried out by means of at least one of the following steps: grinding the base material (13) in sheet form to obtain a loose or powdery or fibrous or granular form of said material (4).

21. The method according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein: The step of transferring the material (4) into the forming chamber (5) is performed by releasing the bulk material (4) to allow the bulk material (4) to fall through an entry opening (5a) into the forming chamber (5).

22. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein: Prior to the step of releasing the bulk material (4) to allow the bulk material (4) to fall, a step of sliding the containing body (3) on the outer surface (5c) of the forming chamber (5) until the containing body (3) reaches the access opening (5a) is performed.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The method further comprises, between the step of releasing the material (4) to allow the material (4) to fall and the step of compacting the material (4), the step of removing any excess material (4) from the forming chamber (5) by passing a scraping element (9) in a first direction.

24. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The method further comprises, after the step of compacting the bulk material (4), the step of removing previously compacted masses (2) from the forming chamber (3) by passing a scraping element (9) in a second direction.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: The method further comprises a step of pre-compacting the bulk material (4) within the containment volume (3) by reducing pressure in the containment volume (3) itself.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein: The step of compacting the bulk material (4) comprises the steps of moving a punch (6a) inside the chamber (5) and towards the bottom wall (5b) of the chamber (5) to compress the material and define the mass (2) in the form of a single body.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The method further comprises the step of depositing at least one second material (11) within the forming chamber (5) and above the bulk material (4) prior to the step of removing any excess material (4) from the chamber (5); the mass (2) in the form of a single body being multi-layered.

28. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein: The method also comprises a step of removing the mass (2) in the form of a single body from the forming chamber (5) by means of pneumatic fixing and / or by mechanical interference.

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