Product forming unit and method for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a product forming unit for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank (10) The product forming unit comprising a moulding tool having a male mould part (16) and a female mould part (15) having co-operating designs, wherein at least one of the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) is displaceable in an axial direction in relation to the other in order to press the cellulose blank (10) therebetween into final shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool. The female mould part (15) comprises a plurality of undercut members (30) displaceable between a retracted position and an inwardly extended position in relation to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15), wherein each undercut member (30) is displaceable in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15), and the moulding tool comprises an undercut member activation body (32) that is displaceable in relation to the female mould part (15) in the axial direction when the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) are in the press-position, and thereby configured to displace each undercut member (30) from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position when the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) are in the press-position.

Description

[0001] PRODUCT FORMING UNIT AND METHOD FOR DRY MANUFACTURING RIGID CELLULOSE

[0002] PRODUCTS

[0003] Technical field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates in general to the field of method and apparatus for dry manufacturing of rigid cellulose products having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank. Such cellulose products may be used for packaging, storing, transporting and / or displaying other products such as electronics, tools, jewelry, food, dairy products, cosmetics, etc., and / or may be used as single / multiple use disposable articles. The method and product forming unit are especially defined to provide rigid cellulose products having undercut features, and to secure reliable removal of the rigid cellulose product from the moulding tool after the pressing of the cellulose blank. The term cellulose products means products that mainly consists of the cellulose part of organic matter.

[0005] The present invention relates specifically to a product forming unit and a method for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products, the product forming unit comprising a moulding tool having a male mould part and a female mould part, wherein at least one of the male mould part and the female mould part is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the other in order to press the cellulose blank therebetween into final shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool when located in a press-position, the female mould part comprising a product press-surface having a bottom surface and an inclined wall surface, wherein the inclined wall surface is connected to the bottom surface and extends essentially in the axial direction, and the male mould part comprising a product press-surface and an ejector member configured for removing the pressed cellulose product from the male mould part after the pressing of the cellulose blank, wherein the ejector member constitutes at least a part of the product press-surface of the male mould part during pressing of the cellulose blank.

[0006] Background of the Invention

[0007] There are many situations where it is desirable to provide two-dimensional (2D) or three- dimensional (3D) shaped objects made of sustainable materials, such as biomaterials, instead of using plastic / polymer materials. A biomaterial commonly used for packaging and disposable articles is wet moulded pulp based on cellulose fibres. Such wet moulded pulp has the advantage of being considered as a sustainable material, since it is produced from biomaterials and can be recycled after use. Wet moulded pulp comprises more or less only water and separated cellulose fibers, and consequently, wet moulded pulp has been popular to use for primary packaging applications (packaging next to the article), for secondary packaging applications (assembly of such primary packages), as well as for manufacturing of disposable articles / products.

[0008] One advantage of using wet-forming techniques is that the moulding tool is usually made of a wire netting / cloth that is filled with a wet cellulose slurry and thereafter the cellulose slurry is dried and obtains the shape of the moulding tool. Thus, one may easily manufacture rigid cellulose products having socalled undercut features in the wall of the cellulose product, i.e. local siub-features having negative shape / draft angles. These sub-features are for instance intended for securing a lid on a cup / tray, securing an article / object in a transport / display package, etc.

[0009] However, a common disadvantage with all wet-forming techniques is the need for large amounts of water during the preparations of the cellulose pulp and the need for drying during the manufacturing / moulding of the cellulose product, which is a time and energy consuming step leading to low production speed and substantial high investment cost in machines and tooling. Meaning that the wet -forming techniques are not feasible to replace fossil-based alternatives neither in small nor large scale production of rigid cellulose products. Thereto, the aesthetical and mechanical properties of a wet-moulded cellulose product are hard to control with desirable precision, due to un-uniform cellulose pulp and due to the wet moulding manufacturing technique per se.

[0010] Therefore many actors / companies, starting a few decades ago, have changed their focus and investments towards dry-forming techniques wherein rigid cellulose products are manufactured from separated cellulose fibres that are introduced into a product forming unit in the shape of a dry cellulose blank / web, wherein the cellulose blank is formed / moulded into the shape of the intended cellulose product and wherein the cellulose fibres are bonded to each other using heat and pressure. The dry-forming techniques comprises different steps of generating an air-laid cellulose blank, that is fed into a product forming unit, i.e. thermo-forming press.

[0011] The technical field of dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape, such as trays, lids, or the like, i.e. wherein the forming / pressing is performed in one step using a moulding tool having a male mould part and a female mould part configured to cooperate with each other, is well known. However, the technical field of dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape and undercut features, such as lids and the like, is still exposed to challenges.

[0012] WO 2023 / 110282 is directed towards the same technical field as the present invention and discloses a forming mould intended to generate undercut grooves in pressed cellulose products. The forming mould of WO 2023 / 110282 disclose that one of the mould parts, i.e. the male or the female mould part, comprises a first mould part section that is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to a base structure and comprises a second mould part section that is displaceable in the radial direction in response to said axial displacement of the first mould part section. It is described that the first mould part section due to the axial displacement thereof applies a predetermined forming pressure to the cellulose blank and that the second mould part section due to the radial displacement thereof applies the same predetermined forming pressure to the cellulose blank. However, said document clearly disclose that during the entire pressing / forming of the cellulose product the location of the first mould part section (top part) is floating / undefined in the axial direction in relation to the base structure. Thereby, there is no possibility to have control of the pressing force in the axial direction applied by the first mould part section or in the radial direction applied by the second mould part section, and it will be practically impossible to have the same predetermined pressure applied in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction. Thus, according to WO 2023 / 110282 the applied pressure in the axial direction by the first mould part section is totally dependent on the material characteristics and shape of the second mould part section. Thereto, the material characteristics / properties of the second mould part section will change over time due to deterioration. When not having total control of the applied press force, there is an immediate risk that the applied forming pressure in the radial and / or the axial direction will become too large, leading to an over-pressed cellulose product at some locations and under-pressed cellulose product at other locations. The material characteristics of the final cellulose product will then fluctuate along the product and the cellulose product will be miss-coloured at locations being exposed to over-pressure and also risk becoming brittle at those locations, and will suffer from fibre release at locations being exposed to underpressure.

[0013] It is known within the present technical field, e.g. W02024 / 002723 figs 2c-2d, to use a movable element in the forming mould to eject the pressed cellulose product out from the forming mould. Thus, said document teaches that the movable member is an ejector member configured to entirely remove the pressed cellulose product away from the moulding tool when the ejector member is displaced from a retracted position to an extended position. W02024 / 002723 further teaches that the movable element is always biased towards the extended position in order to insert the cellulose blank into the female mould part during closing of the forming mould and in order to eject the pressed cellulose product out from the forming mould.

[0014] Thus, there is still a need in the art for a reliable, cheap and unharmful dry-forming technique / process for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape and undercut features, and reliable removal of the cellulose product from the moulding tool.

[0015] Object of the Invention

[0016] The present invention aims at obviating the aforementioned and other disadvantages and failings of previously known methods and apparatus for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products, and at providing an improved method and apparatus for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape and undercut features.

[0017] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for dry forming / manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape and undercut feature, wherein the environmental benefits as well as time and energy saving benefits of conventional dry-forming techniques are maintained. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for dry forming / manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape and undercut feature, wherein the applied press forces to the cellulose blank are accurate in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction. It is another object of the present invention to perform the forming / pressing of the rigid cellulose product having undercut feature in a single pressing operation / motion. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved product forming unit and method for dry forming / manufacturing rigid cellulose products having non-flat general shape, wherein the pressed cellulose products are protected from damage during the step of removal of the cellulose product from the moulding tool.

[0018] Summary of the Invention

[0019] According to the invention at least the primary object is attained by means of the initially defined product forming unit and method having the features defined in the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the dependent claims.

[0020] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product forming unit of the initially defined type, the female mould part comprising a plurality of undercut members, each undercut member being displaceable between a retracted position and an inwardly extended position in relation to the inclined wall surface of the female mould part, wherein each undercut member is displaceable in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface of the female mould part, and the moulding tool comprising an undercut member activation body that is displaceable in relation to the female mould part in the axial direction when the male mould part and the female mould part are in the press-position, and thereby configured to displace each undercut member from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position when the male mould part and the female mould part are in the press-position.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank using a product forming unit as defined herein above, wherein the method comprises the steps:

[0022] - providing the cellulose blank into the moulding tool between the male mould part and the female mould part,

[0023] - displacing at least one of the male mould part and the female mould part in the axial direction in relation to each other, towards the press-position,

[0024] - displacing the undercut member activation body in the axial direction in relation to the female mould part, and thereby displacing each undercut member from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface of the female mould part when the male mould part and the female mould part are in the press-position,

[0025] - returning the undercut members from the inwardly extended positions to the retracted positions, - displacing at least one of the male mould part and the female mould part in the axial direction away from each other, and

[0026] - removing the pressed cellulose product from the male mould part by means of the ejector member.

[0027] Thus, the present invention is based on the insight that it is of uttermost importance to have control of the press forces in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction when generating undercut features during the forming / pressing of the rigid cellulose product. Thus, the inventors have proposed using undercut members that are mechanically controlled / displaced, and thereto realized that the direction of displacement of the undercut members is crucial. The present invention is also based on the insight that in the default position the ejector member is biased towards a retracted position and constitutes part of the product press-surface of the male mould part during pressing of the cellulose blank, and thereby does not interfere with the pressing of the cellulose blank in the moulding tool.

[0028] The present invention provides the advantage that all surfaces of the rigid cellulose product are pressed using predetermined and optimal pressing force. The present invention also provides the advantage that the forming / pressing is performed using a single pressing operation / motion, whereby obtaining a time and energy efficient forming of rigid cellulose products having undercut features. The present invention also provides the advantage that the ratio of successful removal of undamaged cellulose products will increase.

[0029] According to various example embodiments of the present invention the male mould part comprises a product press arrangement presenting the product press-surface of the male mould part, wherein the undercut member activation body is connected to a base body of the male mould part. Thereby, the entire pressing procedure is controlled by the movement of the male mould part in the axial direction.

[0030] According to various example embodiments of the present invention each undercut member comprises a convex surface at the inner end, wherein the limiting line of the convex surface is adjacent the inclined wall surface of the female mould part when the undercut member is located in the inwardly extended position. Thereby the pressed cellulose product is provided with a continuous outer surface free from sharp edges and local weakening, and thereto the moulding tool is given the requirement to provide the cellulose product with a uniform wall thickness.

[0031] According to various example embodiments of the present invention the arc height of the convex surface is in the range 0,10-0,25 times the maximum diameter of the limiting line of the convex surface taken in the axial direction. A too small arc height of the convex surface entails that the function of the undercut feature is absent, and a too big arc height of the convex surface entails an immediate risk that the pressed cellulose product will obtain cracks at the undercut feature due to extensive material draw and elongation locally at the undercut member. According to various example embodiments of the present invention the product press arrangement of the male mould part comprises a main body and the ejector member, wherein the ejector member is displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position in relation to the main body, and wherein said ejector member is biased towards the retracted position and configured to be pneumatically driven from the retracted position to the extended position in order to remove the pressed cellulose product from the male mould part after the pressing of the cellulose blank.

[0032] Thereby the ejector member does not interfere with the insertion of the cellulose blank into the moulding tool or with the pressing of the cellulose blank in the moulding tool, and after the pressing of the cellulose blank the ejector member is pneumatically activated in order to secure accurate conditions for subsequent removal of the pressed cellulose product from the moulding tool without damaging the pressed cellulose product during the step of removal of the delicate cellulose product from the moulding tool.

[0033] Further advantages with and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

[0034] Brief iption of the

[0035] A more complete understanding of the abovementioned and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a production line or apparatus for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a moulding tool according to a first embodiment, wherein a cellulose blank is provided into the moulding tool between the female mould part and the male mould part,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the moulding tool according to figure 2, wherein the male mould part and the female mould part are in the press position, and wherein the undercut members are in the retracted positions,

[0039] Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of the moulding tool according to figures 2 and 3 during forming / pressing of the cellulose product, wherein the undercut members are displaced to the extended positions,

[0040] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the moulding tool according to figures 2-4 after the forming / pressing step and the pressed cellulose product is removed from the male mould part,

[0041] Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a moulding tool according to a second embodiment after the forming / pressing step and the pressed cellulose product is removed from the male mould part, Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of the pressed cellulose product, wherein the scrap area is removed from the final cellulose product,

[0042] Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a part of a moulding tool according to a third embodiment,

[0043] Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a part of a moulding tool according to a fourth embodiment.

[0044] Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of the moulding tool according to figure 2, wherein the ejector members are utilized to pre-shape the cellulose blank during the closing of the moulding tool,

[0045] Fig. 11 is a schematic enlarged illustration of an undercut member located in the retracted position,

[0046] Fig. 12 is a schematic illustration of a cellulose product, i.e. a circular lid according to a first embodiment, manufactured according to the inventive method, and a cup / container having an upper rim protruding in the radial direction,

[0047] Fig. 13 is a schematic illustration of a cellulose product, i.e. a circular lid according to a second embodiment, manufactured according to the inventive method,

[0048] Fig. 14 is a schematic illustration of a cellulose product, i.e. a rectangular lid, manufactured according to the inventive method, and

[0049] Fig. 15 is a schematic illustration of a moulding tool according to a fifth embodiment.

[0050] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0051] As used herein, the term "air / dry moulding / forming or air / dry laying / laid" means a well- known method according to which separated cellulose fibres are formed into a cellulose blank / sheet.

[0052] In air-laying technique, small / short fibres having a normal length in the range of 0,5 to 70 mm, for instance 1 to 50 mm, are separated and captured by an air stream / flow, and then laid on / applied to a forming mesh / surface, usually using an under-pressure at the other side of the mesh / surface. The general terms "air / dry laying" and "air / dry moulding" are used interchangeably herein. The cellulose fibre carrying air flow may be generated by suitable device located upstream and / or downstream the forming mesh / surface.

[0053] Reference is initially made to figures 1 and 7, wherein figure 1 disclose a schematic illustration of a generic production line / apparatus for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products, wherein said apparatus is generally designated 1. The production line 1 is configured for manufacturing rigid cellulose products, generally designated 2, having essentially non-flat general shape from separated cellulose fibres. Such a production line / apparatus 1 may be arranged and set-up according to different well-known ways. The apparatus 1 may have automatic transfer / handling between the different process steps, and / or may have manual transfer / handling between the different process steps, and thereto the apparatus 1 may have intermediate storing and / or additional process steps between the disclosed process steps, and / or the process steps may be located at different sites.

[0054] Figure 7 disclose a rigid cellulose product 2 constituted by a circular lid, wherein the lid is formed using the inventive method. The cellulose product 2 comprises a circumferential wall 3 and an opening 4 defined by a circumferential rim / brim 5 arranged at the upper / distal end of the wall 3. According to figure 7 embodiment the brim 5 has an essentially radially extending shape, however it shall be pointed out that the cross-section of the brim 5 may have other shapes, such as just a termination of the wall 3. The lid / product 2 may have truncated cone shape having generally straight wall 3, narrowing in the direction away from the opening 4, in accordance with figure 7 embodiment. The lid / product 2 may for instance have curved-shaped wall 3 seen in the axial plane. By having inclined walls 3 multiple lids / products 2 are stackable one inside the other when they are empty. The lid could also be a mug / cup, a tray, packaging or the like product. The cross section of the wall 3 in the radial plane may have any suitable shape, such as circular, oval, rectangular, polygonal, etc., and may differ in shape and / or dimension along the axial extension of the lid 2. The lid / product 2 comprises a bottom 6, wherein the bottom 6 is entirely flat or the bottom may comprise local ribs, projections, etc., for strength and rigidity of the cellulose product 2. The bottom 6 may be located at the very lower end of the wall 3, according to figure 7 embodiment, or be partly located at an axial distance from the lower end of the wall 3, or a combination thereof. The circumferential inclined wall 3 is connected to and extends in the axial direction upwards from the bottom 6. During use, the product 2 may be oriented in such a way that the bottom 6 is turned upwards and the rim / brim 5 downwards.

[0055] In connection with the present invention, the walls 3 of the cellulose product / lid are inclined and the release angle may be equal to or less than 2 degrees per millimetre depth of the cellulose product 2, preferably equal to or less than 1,5 degrees per millimetre depth. Having a too large release angle will make it difficult or impossible to provide operational undercut features to a cellulose lid 2. A greater release angle requires a greater undercut in order to obtain adequate snapping function from the undercut feature. The release angle is preferably less than 20 degrees, and most preferably equal to or less than 16 degrees. However, the release angle shall not go below 7 degrees independently on the depth of the cellulose product 2, preferably the release angle shall be equal to or more than 10 degrees. It shall be pointed out that the release angle of course may be much more than 2 degrees per millimetre depth, but for such designs the generated shape of the cellulose product does not have traditional undercut feature, i.e. ability to snap over a rim of a container. It shall be pointed out that the present invention is primarily applicable for cellulose products having minor depth, such as 0-20 millimetres. The release angle of the wall 3 is measured from a vertical / axial axis in figure 7.

[0056] Cellulose raw material 7, i.e. comprising mainly the cellulose part of organic matter, is provided to the production line, and is fed to a separating / disintegrating unit 8 in order to obtain individualized / separated cellulose fibres. The separated cellulose fibres are thereafter transported by an air stream / flow to a dispenser of a cellulose blank / sheet forming unit 9. The cellulose fibres are laid by the dispenser on a moving or stationary perforated surface of the cellulose blank forming unit 9. The cellulose fibre carrying air flow may be generated by suitable device located upstream and / or downstream the perforated surface. Thereafter the generated cellulose blank, generally designated 10, is transported / transferred to a product forming unit 11, whereby rigid cellulose products 2 are formed and discharged from the product forming unit 11.

[0057] The cellulose blank forming unit 9 may be configured to generate a continuous cellulose blank 10 and / or discontinuous / discrete cellulose blanks 10. Preferably discontinuous / discrete cellulose blanks 10 are fed into the product forming unit 11.

[0058] The cellulose raw material 7 may be in the form of reeled pulp or paper, bale of cellulose pulp, paper, etc. and / or sheets of paper, cellulose pulp, etc. In case said cellulose raw material 7 is in the form of sheets and / or reeled pulp or paper, it can be fed directly into the separating unit 8. However, in case said cellulose raw material 7 is in the form of a bale or compact stacks of sheets, etc. one or more shredders and / or one or more additional separating / disintegrating units 8 may be necessary to be used for separating and dosing said cellulose raw material 7 from said bale or sheets in smaller quantities. The shredder(s) prepare cellulose raw material 7 to be accepted by said separating unit 8. The separating unit 8 disintegrates the cellulose raw material 7 into separated cellulose fibres. Said one or plurality of shredder(s) are arranged before said one or a plurality of separating unit(s) 8, so that an output of one of said shredder is connected to an input of one of said separating units 8. The shredders may be arranged in parallel to each other or in series with each other, and the disintegrating units 8 may be arranged in parallel to each other or in series with each other. The shredders and the disintegrating units 8 together constitute a cellulose fibre separating unit, arranged upstream the cellulose blank forming unit 9.

[0059] Said cellulose raw material 7 may be constituted by virgin cellulose fibres and / or recycled cellulose fibres and may originate from wood pulps such as kraft pulp, sulphite pulp, mechanical pulp, thermomechanical pulp (TMP), chemical treated mechanical pulp, chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), and / or from non-wood pulps such as bagasse, bamboo, abaca, hemp, flax, cotton.

[0060] The separating unit 8 may according to various embodiments be constituted by a hammer mill. In said separating unit 8 the cellulose raw material is separated into fibres having a normal length in the range of 0,5-70 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. The length of said fibres may be customized by adjusting the internal properties of the separating unit 8 and / or by choosing a different separating unit 8 and / or choosing different cellulose raw material 7. The fibre length for wood pulp is according to various embodiments in the range 0,5-4 mm, preferably in the range 1,7-3, 6 mm. According to various embodiments the fibre length for non-wood pulp is in the range 0,5-70 mm.

[0061] The production line 1 may comprise a pre-compression and / or imprinting unit 12, located downstream the cellulose blank forming unit 9 and upstream the product forming unit 11. In the pre-compression and / or imprinting unit 12, an air-laid fluffy cellulose blank 10 having a first thickness may be compressed into a cellulose blank 10 having a second thickness, wherein said second thickness is thinner than said first thickness, and / or may be provided with an imprinting pattern. During the pre-compression / imprinting the cellulose blank is made more coherent and easier to handle, since the pre-compression / imprinting generates internal bindings between individual cellulose fibres preventing mutual separation of the cellulose fibres.

[0062] The product forming unit 11 comprises a press unit 13, and may optionally comprise a preheating unit 14 arranged upstream the press unit 13. According to various example embodiments said cellulose blank 10 may be heated to an elevated temperature before being fed into the press unit 13 of the product forming unit 11. In such embodiment(s) where the cellulose blank 10 is preheated before being fed into the press unit 13, said press unit 13 may or may not comprise heating. According to various example embodiment said press unit 13 may be a heated press unit 13 for heating said cellulose blank 10 during pressing. In the case of a heated press unit 13, preheating of said cellulose blank 10 using a pre-heating unit 14 is optional. According to various example embodiments preheating of the cellulose blank 10 in said pre-heating unit 14 may be combined with a heated press unit 13. Having a pre-heating unit 14 in combination with a heated press unit 13 will speed up the manufacturing process in the product forming unit 11, and improve the quality / rigidity of the final rigid cellulose product 2. In the product forming unit 11 the cellulose blank 10 is heated to a temperature in the range 120 - 200 °C in order to obtain adequate rigidity and strength in the final cellulose product 2.

[0063] Reference is now made to figures 2-5 and 6, respectively, disclosing a first and a second schematic embodiment of the product forming unit 11. The press unit 13 comprises a moulding tool having a female mould part 15 and a male mould part 16 having co-operating designs, wherein at least one of the female mould part 15 and the male mould part 16 is / are displaceable in the axial direction in relation to each other, i.e. reciprocating back and forth in relation to each other, in order to exert pressure to the cellulose blank 10 loaded therebetween. In the figures the mutual displacement is disclosed as being vertical, however the mutual displacement may be horizontal or any other suitable angle. The cellulose blank 10 loaded / provided into the moulding tool, is preferably constituted by the air-laid cellulose blank 10. The air-laid cellulose blank 10 may be generated upstream the product forming unit 11 in the same apparatus / production line and provided / transferred to the product forming unit 11, or may be generated at a separate location and provided / transferred to the product forming unit 11 via intermediate handling and storage.

[0064] According to various embodiments, the female mould part 15 has a main recess 17 for receiving a major part of the cellulose blank 10, and the male mould part 16 has a main protrusion 18 for cooperation with said recess 17 of the female mould part by being inserted therein, such that the cellulose blank 10 is pressed into a final rigid non-flat shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool, when located in a press-position. According to the disclosed embodiments the male mould part 16 is located above the female mould part 15, i.e. the pressed cellulose product 2 is intended to be collected from the lower female mould part 15 after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10. However, according to an alternative to the disclosed embodiments the female mould part 15 may be located above the male mould part 16, i.e. the pressed cellulose product 2 is intended to be collected from the male mould part 15 after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10. Thus, it is preferred that the pressed cellulose product 2 is intended to remain in / on the lower mould part after the pressing of the cellulose product 2. When the moulding tool has horizontal pressing direction, the pressed cellulose product 2 may be automatically removed / ejected from the moulding tool when the moulding tool is opened after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10.

[0065] The male mould part 16 comprises a product press-surface and a scrap press-surface 19 adjacent said product press-surface. In the disclosed example embodiment, the product presssurface of the male mould part 16 comprises a bottom surface 20, an inclined wall surface 21 connected to the bottom surface 20 and extending essentially in the axial direction, and a brim surface 22 connected to the wall surface 21 and extending essentially in the transversal / radial direction. According to various embodiments, the scrap press-surface 19 of the male mould part

[0066] 16 surrounds the entire product press-surface. According to other embodiments, the scrap presssurface 19 of the male mould part 16 is only located at some locations around the product presssurface.

[0067] The female mould part 15 also comprises a product press-surface and a scrap press-surface 23 adjacent said product press-surface. In the disclosed example embodiment, the product presssurface of the female mould part 15 comprises a bottom surface 24, an inclined wall surface 25 connected to the bottom surface 24 and extending essentially in the axial direction, and a brim surface 26 connected to the wall surface 25 and extending essentially in the transversal / radial direction. According to various embodiments, the scrap press-surface 23 of the female mould part 15 surrounds the entire product press-surface. According to other embodiments, the scrap presssurface 23 of the female mould part 15 is only located at some locations around the product press-surface. The scrap press-surface 23 of the female mould part 15 is arranged opposite the scrap press-surface 19 of the male mould part 16, and the product press-surface of the female mould part 15 is arranged opposite the product press-surface of the male mould part 16.

[0068] According to various embodiments, some moulding tools does not comprise scrap presssurfaces, but the cellulose product 2 is formed in its final design without need for cutting / trimming. According to various embodiments, some moulding tools does not comprise brim surfaces.

[0069] The cellulose blank 10 is pressed between the surfaces of the male mould part 16 and the surfaces of the female mould part 15 into final shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool. The mutual distance, taken perpendicular to the surface in question, between the product press-surface of the female mould part 15 and the product press-surface of the male mould part 16 during the pressing of the cellulose blank 10 is T millimetres, wherein T preferably is in the range 0,2-2, 5 millimetres, i.e. equal to the thickness of the bottom 6 of the pressed cellulose product 2. Preferably, T is in the range 0,3-1, 5 millimetres. The wall surfaces 21, 25 of the moulding tool has to be inclined in order to obtain the release angle of the cellulose product, and in order to obtain adequate press force to the wall region 3 of the cellulose product 2.

[0070] At the scrap area of the moulding tool, the mutual distance between the scrap presssurface 23 of the female mould part 15 and the scrap press-surface 19 of the male mould part 16 is equal to or more than the mutual distance between the product press-surface of the female mould part 15 and the product press-surface of the male mould part 16. The part of the cellulose blank 10 located at the scrap area may be left entirely uncompressed in the moulding tool, be partially compressed by applying a predetermined partial pressure less than said predetermined pressure P, or be fully compressed by applying said predetermined pressure P. Thus, radially outside the final rigid cellulose product 2, the cellulose blank 10 comprises a scrap area intended to be cut off. In figures 5 and 6, the cellulose product 2 is released and schematically removed from the moulding tool during the opening the moulding tool. Figure 7 disclose a schematic illustration of a cellulose lid 2 wherein the scrap 27 is cut off from the cellulose lid 2. According to various embodiments, the scrap 27 may be removed in a separate step in the moulding tool, in a subsequent step outside the moulding tool after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10, or in a step concurrent with the pressing of the cellulose blank 10.

[0071] According to various embodiments. When the compartment / inside of the rigid cellulose product 2 is filled with objects, a film / cover / lid may be attached to the circumferential rim / brim 5 of the cellulose product 2, for instance using heat lamination. The lid film may be constituted by a multilayer film comprising polymer, metal, and / or paper.

[0072] According to various embodiments. Before any items are placed in the compartment / inside of the rigid cellulose product or before the cellulose product is used, for instance when the inside of the cellulose product 2 is exposed to moist during use, the rigid cellulose product 2 may be provided with a liner film adhered to at least to the circumferential rim / brim 5, and preferably also to the wall 3 and / or the bottom 6 of the cellulose product 2. The liner film may be constituted by a multilayer film comprising polymer and / or metal. The adhesion of the liner film to the tray is preferably heat activated. The liner of a lid is intended for instance to withstand vapor from warm liquids.

[0073] According to various embodiments, the cellulose blank 10 may comprise barrier additives and / or material property enhancing additives, etc., such that the rigid cellulose product 2 withstand grease, fat, water, vapour, etc. The additives are preferably provided to the cellulose fibers upstream the disintegrating unit 8 or between the disintegrating unit 8 and the product forming unit 11.

[0074] The predetermined pressure P is in the range 40-10000N / cm2, preferably in the range 100- 4000N / cm2. According to various embodiments said predetermined pressures are above 1000 N / cm2, and according to various embodiments said predetermined pressures are below 2500 N / cm2. The holding time during the pressing step is in equal to or more than 0,5 seconds and equal to or less than 10 seconds, preferably less than 5 seconds, and most preferably less than 3 seconds.

[0075] Reference is now especially made to figures 2-5 disclosing the first schematic embodiment of the inventive product forming unit 11, and to figure 6 disclosing the second schematic embodiment of the inventive product forming unit 11. The figures disclose the moulding tool of the press unit 13.

[0076] The male mould part 16 comprises the product press-surface, as described herein above, and at least one ejector member 28 configured for removing the pressed cellulose product 2 from the male mould part 16 after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10. In the figures two parallel ejector members 28 are disclosed. The ejector member 28 constitutes at least a part of the product press-surface of the male mould part 16 during pressing of the cellulose blank 10. Thus, the end of the ejector member 28 is essentially in flush with the surrounding parts of the product press-surface of the male mould part 16.

[0077] According to figures 2-5 embodiment the ejector member 28 constitutes part of the bottom surface 20 of the male mould part 16 during pressing of the cellulose blank 10. The ejector member 28 may according to various alternatives constitute more or less the entire bottom surface 20 of the male mould part 16. When the pressed cellulose product 2 is removed from the male mould part 16, the ejector member 28 is displaced from a retracted position towards an extended position and thereby removes the cellulose product 2 by pressing against the bottom 6 of the cellulose product 2. A larger end surface of the ejector member 28 entails a decreased risk for unwanted marking on the pressed cellulose product 2.

[0078] According to figure 6 embodiment the ejector member 28 constitute part of the product press-surface, i.e. the brim surface 22, of the male mould part 16, and also constitute part of the scrap press-surface 19 of the male mould part 16 during pressing of the cellulose blank 10. Thus, when the pressed cellulose product 2 is removed from the male mould part 16, the ejector member 28 is displaced from the retracted position towards the extended position and thereby removes the cellulose product 2 by pressing against the brim 5 of the cellulose product 2 and against the scrap 27. This location of the ejector member 28 better imitate intended removal of the cellulose lid 2 from a container during use of the cellulose lid 2, and will require less force to remove the pressed cellulose product 2 from the male mould part 16.

[0079] The male mould part 16 comprises a product press arrangement presenting at least the product press-surface of the male mould part 16, wherein the ejector member 28 is displaceable between the retracted position and the extended position in relation to the rest of the product press arrangement. The ejector member 28 is biased towards said retracted position and according to various embodiments the ejector member 28 is configured to be pneumatically driven from the retracted position to the extended position in order to engage the cellulose product 2 and remove / release the pressed cellulose product 2 from the male mould part 16 after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10. Since the ejector member 28 is biased towards the retracted position, i.e. does not extend from the surrounding parts of the product press arrangement, the ejector member 28 will not interfere with the loading of the cellulose blank 10 into the moulding tool, according to figure 2 embodiment. In figures 3 and 4 the product press arrangement is in the press position.

[0080] In the disclosed embodiments the ejector member 28 is biased / forced towards the retracted position by means of a spring element 29. According to alternative embodiments, the ejector member 28 is pneumatically biased / forced towards the retracted position.

[0081] The female mould part 15 comprises a plurality of undercut members 30, each undercut member 30 being displaceable between a retracted position and an inwardly extended position in relation to the inclined wall surface 25 of the female mould part 15. It is central that each undercut member 30 is displaceable in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface 25 of the female mould part 15. The default position of the undercut members 30 is the retracted position, as disclosed in figures 2 and 3, i.e. when the moulding tool closes and the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 take the press-position. The undercut members 30 are preferably biased towards the retracted position, for instance by means of spring elements 31.

[0082] The moulding tool comprises an undercut member activation body 32 that is displaceable in relation to the female mould part 15 in the axial direction when the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are in the press-position, and thereby configured to displace each and every undercut member 30 from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position when the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are in the press-position, as disclosed in figure 4.

[0083] According to various embodiments, the undercut member activation body 32 is connected to a base body 33 of the male mould part 16. The base body 33 is the portion of the male mould part 16 that is directly operated by the moulding tool. According to various embodiments, the product press arrangement of the male mould part 16 is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the base body 32 and in relation to the undercut member activation body 32. The product press arrangement is displaceable between a lower position, in which the product press arrangement will take the press-position without the undercut member activation body 32 engages the undercut members 30, and an upper position, in which the product press arrangement is in the press-position and the undercut member activation body 32 displace the undercut members 30.

[0084] According to various embodiments, the product press arrangement is biased towards the lower position by means of spring elements 34 arranged between the product press arrangement and the base body 33. When the product press arrangement is in the upper position, there is preferably abutment between the product press arrangement and the base body 33 in the axial direction. According to various embodiments, a vertical / axial surface of the undercut member activation body 32 engage the undercut members 30 when the undercut members 30 are in the extended position in order to obtain a clearly defined position of the undercut members 30. According to the figure 4 embodiment, an inclined surface of the undercut member activation body 32 engage the undercut members 30 when the undercut members 30 are in the extended position. In the disclosed embodiment according to figure 4, the location of the undercut member activation body 32 in the vertical / axial direction when the undercut members 30 are in the extended position may be adjusted in order to obtain optimal pressing of the cellulose blank 10 at the location of the undercut feature.

[0085] After the pressing of the cellulose blank 10, the moulding tool is opened by displacing the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 away from each other, by displacing at least one of the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15. Thereby, the undercut member activation body 32 is firstly retracted at the same time as the product press arrangement is still in the press-position. By retracting the undercut member activation body 32 the undercut members 30 are displaced to their default retracted positions. Thereafter the product press arrangement of the male mould part 16 is displaced away from the female mould part 15 and the moulding tool is opened.

[0086] During the opening of the moulding tool, the ejector member 28 is activated / displaced from the retracted position to the extended position whereby the ejector member 28 engages the pressed cellulose product 2 and removes / releases the cellulose product 2 from the second mould part 16, according to figures 5 and 6.

[0087] According to various embodiments, the ejector member 28 is activated when the pressed cellulose product 2 is still in contact with the female mould part 15, whereby the cellulose product 2 is forced to stay in the female mould part 15 when the male mould part 16 is retracted. Thereafter, an out-feed device may be inserted into the moulding tool between the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 in order to engage the pressed cellulose product 2 and remove the cellulose product 2 from the moulding tool.

[0088] According to alternative embodiments, the ejector member 28 is inactive when the male mould part 16 is retracted and thereby the pressed cellulose product 2 will follow the male mould part 16 due to the generated undercut features 35 of the cellulose product 2. Thereafter a plate, or the like, may be inserted underneath the cellulose product 2 before the ejector member 28 is activated and removes the cellulose product 2 from the male mould part 16, whereby said plate thereafter removes the cellulose product 2 from the moulding tool.

[0089] The ejector member 28 is preferably displaced to the retracted position before the cellulose product 2 is removed from the moulding tool, in order to eliminate the risk of damaging the ejector member 28 or the pressed cellulose product 2.

[0090] Reference is now made to figure 8 disclosing a third embodiment of the moulding tool. According to the third embodiment, the product press arrangement is part of the base body 33 of the male mould part 16, and the undercut member activation body 32 of the moulding tool is arranged in connection with the female mould part 15. Thus, the undercut member activation body 32 follows the female mould part 15 when the moulding tool is open. When the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are in the press-position, the undercut member activation body 32 is displaced in relation to the female mould part 15 in order to displace the undercut members 30 to the extended positions. The displacement of the undercut member activation body 32 is preferably mechanically operated / controlled.

[0091] Reference is now made to figure 9 disclosing a fourth embodiment of the moulding tool. According to the fourth embodiment, the product press arrangement is part of the base body 33 of the male mould part 16, and the undercut member activation body 32 of the moulding tool is arranged in connection with the male mould part 16. Thus, the undercut member activation body 32 follows the male mould part 16 when the moulding tool is open. When the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are in the press-position, the undercut member activation body 32 is displaced in relation to the female mould part 15 in order to displace the undercut members 30 to the extended positions. The displacement of the undercut member activation body 32 is preferably mechanically operated / controlled.

[0092] Reference is now made to figure 10, wherein the ejector member 28 is also utilized to preshape the cellulose blank 10 during the closing of the moulding tool, in order to prevent material draw and elongation that might lead to crack formation in the pressed cellulose product 2. Thus, during closing of the moulding tool, the ejector member 28 is in the extended position, and when the male mould part 16 approaches the press-position the ejector member 28 is retracted to the retracted position.

[0093] Reference is now made to figure 11 disclosing the schematic undercut member 30 in enlarged view. According to various embodiments, each undercut member 30 comprises a convex surface 36 at the inner end of a stem 37. Thus, the convex surface 36 bulges towards the male mould part 16, and the stem 37 travels in a through hole 38 in the female mould part 15. The undercut member 30 has a limiting line 39 between the convex surface 36 and the stem 37, wherein the limiting line 39 is adjacent the inclined wall surface 25 of the female mould part 15 when the undercut member 32 is located in the inwardly extended position. When the undercut member 32 is located in the retracted position, the tip of the convex surface 36 is in flush with the inclined wall surface 25 of the female mould part 15, and the limiting line 39 is located in the through hole 38 of the female mould part 15. The inclined wall surface 21 of the male mould part 16 comprises a plurality of undercut recesses 40 corresponding to the plurality of undercut members 30, i.e. the shape and location of the undercut recesses 40 correspond to the shape and location of the undercut members 30. The undercut members 30 and the undercut recesses 40 are made of metal or the like material, i.e. non-flexible.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the arc height of the convex surface 36, i.e. the distance between the limiting line 39 and the tip of the convex surface 36 measured in the traveling direction of the undercut member 30, is in the range 0,10-0,25 times the thickness of the stem 37 of the undercut member 30. Preferably, the arc height of the convex surface 36 is in the range 0,15-0,20 times the thickness of the stem 37. The thickness / diameter of the stem 37 is in the range 3-6 millimetres and preferably in the range 4-5 millimetres.

[0095] Reference is now also made to figures 12-14 disclosing different embodiments of pressed cellulose products 2. According to various embodiments, illustrated by figure 12, the convex surface 36 of the undercut member 30 is dome-shaped, i.e. part of a sphere, whereby the undercut features 35 of the cellulose product 2 becomes dome-shaped. According to alternative embodiments, illustrated by figures 13 and 14, the convex surface 36 is elongated in the radial / transversal direction of the stem 37, whereby the undercut features 35 of the cellulose product 2 becomes elongated. The length of the undercut features 35 is preferably equal to or less than 30 millimetres.

[0096] The number of undercut members 30 are preferably at least four, which are arranged in pairs that are mutually diametrically arranged, i.e. opposing each other. The undercut members 30 are preferably equidistantly arranged around the female mould part 15. When having a circular lid 2 and dome-shaped undercut features 35, as disclosed in figure 12, the undercut members 30 are preferably mutually divided by 10-20 degrees, i.e. such female mould part 15 comprises 18-36 undercut members 30.

[0097] Reference is now made to figure 15, disclosing a schematic fifth embodiment of the moulding tool, wherein the trimming of the scrap 27 from the pressed cellulose product 2 is made in the moulding tool after the pressing of the cellulose blank 10, i.e. after the pressing motion. The undercut member activation body 32 comprises a cutting edge 41 that cooperates with a recess 42 in the female mould part 15 in order to generate a shear cut. Thus, when the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are located in the press position, the undercut member activation body 32 is displaced in order to engage / displace the undercut members 30 and at the same time the cutting edge 41 trim the scrap 27 from the pressed cellulose product 2.

[0098] Thus, according to the inventive method for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products 2 having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank 10, using a product forming unit 11 comprising a moulding tool according to the above, the method comprising the steps of:

[0099] - providing the cellulose blank 10 into the moulding tool between the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15,

[0100] - displacing at least one of the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 in the axial direction in relation to each other, towards the press-position,

[0101] - displacing the undercut member activation body 32 in the axial direction in relation to the female mould part 15, and thereby displacing each undercut member 30 from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface 25 of the female mould part 15 when the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 are in the press-position,

[0102] - returning the undercut members 30 from the inwardly extended positions to the retracted positions, - displacing at least one of the male mould part 16 and the female mould part 15 in the axial direction away from each other, and

[0103] - removing the pressed cellulose product 2 from the male mould part 16 by means of the ejector member 28.

[0104] Feasible modifications of the Invention

[0105] The invention is not limited only to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, which primarily have an illustrative and exemplifying purpose. This patent application is intended to cover all adjustments and variants of the preferred embodiments described herein, thus the present invention is defined by the wording of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. Thus, the equipment may be modified in all kinds of ways within the scope of the appended claims.

[0106] Throughout this specification and the claims which follows, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or steps or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0107] It shall also be pointed out that it shall be considered understood that features from a specific embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with and / or exchanged by features from another embodiment and the combination obvious, even though not expressly taught, when the combination and / or exchange is possible.

Claims

Claims1. Product forming unit (11) for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products (2) having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank (10), the product forming unit (11) comprising a moulding tool having a male mould part (16) and a female mould part (15), wherein at least one of the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the other in order to press the cellulose blank (10) therebetween into final shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool when located in a press-position,- the female mould part (15) comprises a product press-surface having a bottom surface (24) and an inclined wall surface (25), wherein the inclined wall surface (25) is connected to the bottom surface (24) and extends essentially in the axial direction, and- the male mould part (16) comprises a product press-surface and an ejector member (28) configured for removing the pressed cellulose product (2) from the male mould part (16) after the pressing of the cellulose blank (10), wherein the ejector member (28) constitutes at least a part of the product press-surface of the male mould part (16) during pressing of the cellulose blank (10), the product forming unit (11) is characterized in that:- the female mould part (15) comprises a plurality of undercut members (30), each undercut member (30) being displaceable between a retracted position and an inwardly extended position in relation to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15), wherein each undercut member (30) is displaceable in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15), and- the moulding tool comprises an undercut member activation body (32) that is displaceable in relation to the female mould part (15) in the axial direction when the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) are in the press-position, and thereby configured to displace each undercut member (30) from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position when the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) are in the press-position.

2. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 1, wherein the male mould part (16) comprises a product press arrangement presenting the product press-surface of the male mould part (16).

3. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 2, wherein the undercut member activation body (32) is connected to a base body (33) of the male mould part (16).

4. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 3, wherein the product press arrangement of the male mould part (16) is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the base body (33) and the undercut member activation body (32).

5. The product forming unit (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein each undercut member (30) is biased towards the retracted position.

6. The product forming unit (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein each undercut member (30) comprises a convex surface (36) at the inner end of a stem (37), wherein a limiting line (39) between the convex surface (36) and the stem (37) is adjacent the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15) when the undercut member (30) is located in the inwardly extended position.

7. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 6, wherein the arc height of the convex surface (36) is in the range 0,10-0,25 times the thickness of the stem (37) of the undercut member (30).

8. The product forming unit (11) according to any preceding claim, wherein the product presssurface of the male mould part (16) comprises a bottom surface (20) and an inclined wall surface (21), wherein the inclined wall surface (21) is connected to the bottom surface (20) and extends essentially in the axial direction.

9. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 8, wherein the inclined wall surface (21) of the male mould part (16) comprises a plurality of undercut recesses (40) corresponding to the plurality of undercut members (30).

10. The product forming unit (11) according to claim 2, wherein the product press arrangement of the male mould part (16) comprises the ejector member (28), wherein the ejector member (28) is displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position in relation to the product press arrangement, and wherein said ejector member (28) is biased towards the retracted position and configured to be pneumatically driven from the retracted position to the extended position in order to remove the pressed cellulose product (2) from the male mould part (16) after the pressing of the cellulose blank (10).

11. Method for dry manufacturing rigid cellulose products (2) having essentially non-flat general shape from a cellulose blank (10) using a moulding tool having a male mould part (16) and a female mould part (15), wherein at least one of the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) is displaceable in the axial direction in relation to the other in order to press the cellulose blank (10) therebetween into final shape by applying a predetermined pressure P in the axial direction of the moulding tool when located in a press-position,- the female mould part (15) comprises a product press-surface having a bottom surface (24) and an inclined wall surface (25), wherein the inclined wall surface (25) is connected to the bottom surface (24) and extends essentially in the axial direction,- the male mould part (16) comprises a product press-surface and an ejector member (28), wherein the ejector member (28) constitutes at least a part of the product press-surface of the male mould part (16) during pressing of the cellulose blank (10),- the female mould part (15) further comprises a plurality of undercut members (30), each undercut member (30) being displaceable between a retracted position and an inwardly extended position in relation to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15), and- the moulding tool further comprises an undercut member activation body (32), the method being characterized by the steps of:- providing the cellulose blank (10) into the moulding tool between the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15),- displacing at least one of the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) in the axial direction in relation to each other, towards the press-position,- displacing the undercut member activation body (32) in the axial direction in relation to the female mould part (15), and thereby displacing each undercut member (30) from its retracted position to the inwardly extended position in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the inclined wall surface (25) of the female mould part (15) when the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) are in the press-position,- returning the undercut members (30) from the inwardly extended positions to the retracted positions,- displacing at least one of the male mould part (16) and the female mould part (15) in the axial direction away from each other, and- removing the pressed cellulose product (2) from the male mould part (16) by means of the ejector member (28).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cellulose blank (10) is composed of an air-laid cellulose blank.

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