Device and method for producing molded articles
The described device facilitates high-speed, automated production of shaped bodies from fiber-based materials by alternating tool surfaces in a pivoting mechanism, addressing the need for efficient and flexible production of single- or multi-layer fiber-based materials.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OPTIMA CONSUMER GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for producing shaped bodies from fiber-based materials lack the capability for automated production at high process speeds, particularly for single- or multi-layer fiber-based materials.
A device comprising a first and second tool element with adjustable tool and counter surfaces, mounted on a frame and driven by an adjusting device, allows for high-speed formation and pressing of fiber-based materials through a pivoting mechanism that alternates tool surfaces in a working position, enabling clocked operation and simultaneous formation of multiple bodies.
Enables high-speed, automated production of shaped bodies with improved process efficiency and flexibility, allowing for continuous web or pre-formed material processing, and facilitates easy removal of formed parts.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025082992_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Device and method for manufacturing shaped bodies
[0002] SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART
[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for producing shaped bodies from a fiber-based material, in particular paper.
[0004] In the context of this application, a shaped body is defined as a three-dimensional hollow body. A shaped body is, for example, a container or vessel for the packaging industry, which has an opening through which a product can be poured. The opening can be closed after filling, in particular by attaching a lid and / or a sealing film.
[0005] Due to their suitability for recycling, fiber-based materials are increasingly being used for packaging in the packaging industry, some of which are also made from already recycled materials.
[0006] A fiber-based material is defined as a material comprising at least one layer of a fibrous material, for example pulp, wood pulp and / or recycled paper pulp, in particular paper and / or cardboard.
[0007] In one embodiment, the molded body serves as a capsule shell for a coffee capsule for use in single-serve coffee machines. However, numerous other applications for molded bodies made from a fiber-based material are known and / or conceivable.
[0008] Devices for manufacturing shaped bodies from fiber-based materials are known, comprising a first tool element with a tool surface and a second tool element with a counter surface complementary to the tool surface, wherein the tool surface and the counter surface are designed as a negative forming surface, also referred to as a die, and as a positive forming surface, also referred to as a punch or male die. The first tool element and the second tool element are adjusted relative to each other in a pressing direction to form a starting material arranged between the tool elements into the shaped body or a semi-finished product. The forming of the starting material is also referred to as compression molding. Such a method of manufacturing a shaped body from a multilayer fiber-based material is known, for example, from WO 2019 / 209160 A1. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
[0009] The object of the invention is to create a device and a method which allows the automated production of shaped bodies, in particular shaped bodies made of a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material, at high process speeds.
[0010] According to a first aspect, a device for producing shaped bodies, in particular shaped bodies made of a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material, is provided comprising a first tool element with a tool surface and a second tool element with a counter surface complementary to the tool surface, a frame and an adjusting device, wherein the tool surface and the counter surface are designed as a negative mold surface and as a positive mold surface.The first tool element and / or the second tool element are each mounted on the frame in such a way that they are adjustable in a pressing direction, at least in certain areas, such that at least the tool surface of the first tool element and / or at least the counter surface of the second tool element is adjustable in the pressing direction, wherein the adjusting device is coupled to the first tool element and / or the second tool element and is set up to adjust the tool surface and counter surface relative to each other in the pressing direction, in particular at a fixed rate, for forming and / or pressing a starting material arranged between the first and the second tool element.The first tool element has several tool surfaces comprising at least a first tool surface and a second tool surface, wherein the first tool element is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation at least between a first tool position and a second tool position, wherein in the first tool position the first tool surface is arranged in a working position and is opposite the second tool element in the pressing direction, and wherein in the second tool position the second tool surface is arranged in the working position and is opposite the second tool element in the pressing direction, and wherein the adjusting device is configured to adjust the tool surface arranged in the working position and the counter surface relative to each other in the pressing direction for forming and / or pressing a starting material arranged between the first and the second tool element.
[0011] Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms "a," "an," "one," etc., are used in the description and claims solely as indefinite articles and not as numerical elements. In particular, the second tool element in certain embodiments has more than one mating surface. The terms "first," "second," etc., serve only to distinguish individual components and / or elements and do not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, the mention of the term "first," "first," "first," etc., does not imply the presence of a second component or element.
[0012] The device allows for the forming of a starting material positioned between the tool elements. Depending on the design, the device creates either the finished body or a semi-finished product for its production. The starting material can be supplied as a continuous web, a blank, and / or a contoured web and / or sheet, depending on the design. The contoured web and / or sheet are pre-formed and, in some configurations, feature a 3D topography and / or a variable material thickness that does not extend across the width of the tool surfaces and / or the counter surface(s), but is less than the total width. In some configurations, the contour of a sheet is chosen such that, after processing, it forms a finished body.
[0013] The terms "tool surface" and "counter surface" serve only for differentiation. In some embodiments, the tool surfaces of the first tool element are designed as negative form surfaces, also referred to as matrices, and the counter surface, or if present, the counter surfaces of the second tool element are designed as complementary positive form surfaces. In other embodiments, the tool surfaces of the first tool element are designed as positive form surfaces, and the counter surface, or if present, the counter surfaces of the second tool element are designed as complementary negative form surfaces.
[0014] The tool surfaces are each designed to be complementary to at least one opposing surface. In certain embodiments, all tool surfaces of the first tool element are identical in design.
[0015] The device can be operated in a clocked manner, particularly in certain configurations, whereby with each cycle a reciprocating movement of the first tool element and / or the second tool element occurs in the pressing direction to form and / or compress a starting material arranged between the tool elements. A back-and-forth movement for forming and / or compressing a starting material arranged between the first and second tool elements in the pressing direction is referred to here as a reciprocating movement. Between two cycles, the first tool element can be pivoted to alternately position the first tool surface or the second tool surface in the working position if there are exactly two tool surfaces, or, if there are more than two tool surfaces, to successively position the multiple tool surfaces in the working position.The at least one tool surface not in the working position is accessible in a single cycle with a stroke movement for a further processing step, in particular for setting up with a starting material and / or removing one or more formed molded parts or semi-finished products. This allows for a process control with a higher process speed.
[0016] Depending on the application, the positioning device can be designed to apply the necessary pressure for forming.
[0017] Depending on the application, the tool surfaces and the counter surface(s) can be designed to form exactly one or more molded bodies simultaneously in one cycle, i.e., with one stroke movement of the first tool element and / or the second tool element in the pressing direction.
[0018] In this embodiment, the tool surfaces and / or the counter surface(s) are heated for forming. Alternatively or additionally, the embodiment provides that the tool surfaces and / or the counter surface(s) have openings through which active or passive venting is possible during forming.
[0019] The fiber-based material and / or at least one layer of a multilayer fiber-based material formed in the device is, in certain embodiments, a fiber-based tissue material. In the context of this application, a fiber-based tissue material is defined as a creped material made from a fibrous material, such as pulp, wood pulp, and / or recycled paper pulp, provided as blanks or in web form. The fiber-based tissue material is, in particular, tissue paper. Due to the creping, the tissue material exhibits improved extensibility compared to other fiber-based materials. In one embodiment, the fiber-based tissue material is single-layered. In other embodiments, a multilayer fiber-based tissue material is provided, wherein at least one layer of the multilayer tissue material is creped for improved extensibility.
[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the fiber-based material and / or at least one layer of a multi-layered fiber-based material formed in the device is, in some configurations, a so-called air-iaid paper. Air-iaid paper, also known as airlaid paper, is a paper made from cellulose, where cellulose fibers are formed using compressed air rather than water. Depending on the configuration, air-iaid paper can be provided as a single- or multi-layered continuous web, as a blank, or as a pre-formed, contoured sheet and processed in the device.
[0021] In some designs, it is provided that several layers of a multi-layered starting material are pressed together between the tool elements during the forming process.
[0022] In some embodiments, the starting material is moistened and / or sprayed with process chemicals and / or barriers before forming and / or pressing. These barriers serve in particular as oxygen, grease, oil, water, and / or steam barriers. In other embodiments, the formed parts are dried during or after forming and / or pressing by supplying air and / or heat. Alternatively or additionally, in other embodiments, the starting material is heated before forming and / or pressing.
[0023] The tool surfaces of the tool element are arranged in various configurations around the axis of rotation of the tool element, in particular evenly distributed. In some configurations, two tool surfaces are arranged offset by 180°, three are arranged offset by 120°, or four are arranged offset by 90°, which can be positioned in the working position by a pivoting movement around the axis of rotation.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the axis of rotation around which the first tool element is pivotably mounted is aligned perpendicular to the pressing direction. This arrangement allows for a compact design. Furthermore, it enables the positioning of a tool surface not in its working position in such a way that it is accessible for a subsequent machining step, in particular for setting up the workpiece with the starting material or removing formed elements.
[0025] In some embodiments, a rotary drive is provided, which is configured to pivot the first tool element about the axis of rotation between the first tool position and the second tool position, as well as any further tool positions. The rotary drive allows for automated movement of the tool element about the axis of rotation. Depending on the embodiment, the pivoting movement of the tool element about the axis of rotation occurs with a fixed direction of rotation or with an alternating direction of rotation.
[0026] In some configurations, a control unit is provided to actuate the swivel drive and the positioning device, pivoting the first tool element between two stroke movements of the first tool element and / or the second tool element in the pressing direction for forming and / or pressing the starting material. In clocked operation, each work cycle thus includes a stroke movement for forming and / or pressing and a swivel movement to position a tool surface in the working position.
[0027] In certain embodiments, the second tool surface and / or a further tool surface is arranged in a setup, removal, and / or cleaning position in the first tool position. The setup, removal, and / or cleaning position is selected in such a way that the tool surface is easily accessible for setup, in particular for automated setup, automated removal of formed elements, and / or cleaning of the tool surface.
[0028] In some embodiments, the tool surfaces and / or the mating surface have a punching contour. In others, the starting material is provided as a continuous material web, with sections being punched out between the tool elements without cutting the web. In some embodiments, the material web is guided through a gap between the two tool elements. In other embodiments, the starting material is provided as an arc-shaped blank, with punching remnants remaining on the tool surface and / or the mating surface, or between the tool surface and the mating surface, forming a so-called punching grid. Preferably, the device is configured such that punching remnants remain on the tool surface.After forming using an active tool surface, the tool element is pivoted, and the stamping residue can be removed from the working position after this tool surface is pivoted. For example, the stamping residue can be removed with the assistance of compressed air. Alternatively, the stamping residue can be safely removed and transported away using a vacuum system. In one embodiment, vacuuming takes place after the stamping residue has been released with the assistance of compressed air. In another embodiment, vacuuming is used as an alternative to removing the stamping residue with the assistance of compressed air.
[0029] In configurations where the tool surfaces and / or the counter surface do not have a punching contour, the device may have a separate, downstream punching station.
[0030] In some embodiments, the second tool element has a first counter surface and at least one second counter surface. The second tool element is adjustably mounted between a first operating position, in which the first counter surface faces the first tool element in the pressing direction, and a second operating position, in which the second counter surface faces the first tool element in the pressing direction. In some embodiments, the number of counter surfaces is not equal to the number of tool surfaces. In other embodiments, the number of counter surfaces is equal to the number of tool surfaces. Each tool surface of the first tool element interacts with a corresponding, complementary counter surface of the second tool element. The tool surfaces of the tool element may have different designs in some embodiments. In other embodiments, all tool surfaces or all counter surfaces are identical in design.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the second tool element is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation between the first operating position and the second operating position, in particular about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the pressing direction.
[0032] In some embodiments, the pressing direction lies in a horizontal plane. In other embodiments, the pressing direction is vertical, with the first and second tool elements designed as the upper and lower tools, respectively. The first and second tool elements are adjustable in the vertical pressing direction for forming and / or pressing. This allows for the advantageous use of gravitational forces for forming and / or pressing the starting material.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first tool element is designed as the upper tool. In others, the tool surfaces are designed as positive forming surfaces. The tool element and / or the tool surfaces are configured so that formed parts and / or stamping remnants remain attached to the tool surfaces between the tool elements and are pivoted away from the working position. For this purpose, the tool surfaces may have suction openings that can be pressurized with a vacuum. Before or after a subsequent stroke movement for forming and / or pressing, the formed parts and / or stamping remnants can be removed from the tool surface that is not in the working position. In some embodiments, the removal of the formed parts can be facilitated by pressurizing the suction openings with compressed air.
[0034] In other embodiments, the first tool element is designed as a lower tool. In these embodiments, the mating surfaces are designed as positive forming surfaces. The second tool element and / or the mating surface are configured such that formed parts and / or stamping remnants remain on the mating surface between the tool elements and are removed from it. For this purpose, the mating surfaces can have suction openings that can be pressurized with a vacuum. In a single cycle involving the removal of the formed parts and / or stamping remnants, a tool surface not in the working position can be loaded with a starting material, in particular with a starting material supplied as a blank or pre-formed.
[0035] According to a second aspect, a system comprising at least two devices arranged in a row for the production of molded parts is created. In particular, the devices are arranged in a row in the transport direction of a supplied starting material. In some configurations, the devices can be operated synchronously, with the at least two devices simultaneously performing a stroke movement in the pressing direction or changing a tool position. In other configurations, the devices can be operated such that one device performs a stroke movement in the pressing direction while another device changes a tool position or is paused.
[0036] According to a third aspect, a method for producing shaped bodies, in particular shaped bodies made of a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material, is described using a device comprising a first tool element with several tool surfaces comprising at least a first tool surface and a second tool surface, and a second tool element with a counter surface complementary to the tool surfaces, wherein the first tool element is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation between a first tool position and a second tool position, and wherein in the first tool position the first tool surface is arranged in a working position and is opposite the second tool element in a pressing direction, and in the second tool position the second tool surface is arranged in the working position and is opposite the second tool element in a pressing direction.
[0037] The method comprises the following steps: a) positioning the first tool element in the first tool position so that the first tool surface is in the working position; b) adjusting the first tool surface and / or the counter surface, positioned in the working position, in the pressing direction to form and / or press a starting material arranged between the first and second tool elements into at least one molded body; c) pivoting the first tool element about the axis of rotation to position the first tool element in the second tool position so that the second tool surface is in the working position; and d) adjusting the second tool surface and / or the counter surface, positioned in the working position, in the pressing direction to form and / or press the starting material arranged between the first and second tool elements.
[0038] In some designs, it is provided that the adjustment of the tool surface arranged in the working position takes place at a fixed rate.
[0039] In some designs, the first tool element is pivoted from the first tool position to the second tool position around a rotational axis perpendicular to the pressing direction.
[0040] In some embodiments, the molded body is punched out during the forming process of a starting material positioned between the first and second tool elements. Between the tool elements, forming and / or pressing takes place, and an edge of the molded body is trimmed to a defined contour.
[0041] In some embodiments, it is provided that in step c) the first tool element with the at least one mold body is pivoted, and that before and / or after step d) the at least one mold body is removed from the first tool surface. The position to which the tool element is pivoted is preferably selected such that, after pivoting, the mold body is freely accessible for removal. "Freely accessible" here refers to unobstructed access from a removal direction, whereby the at least one freely accessible mold body can be removed, in particular by a removal device, especially a semi- or fully automated removal device, for example, a pick-and-place unit. In some embodiments, it is provided that after removal of the at least one mold body, the first tool surface is loaded with a starting material.
[0042] In certain embodiments, the second tool element has at least a first counter surface and a second counter surface, and is adjusted between a first operating position in which the first counter surface faces the first tool element in the pressing direction, and a second operating position in which the second counter surface faces the first tool element in the pressing direction. In certain embodiments, the second tool element is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation between the first and second operating positions, in particular about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the pressing direction.
[0043] In some configurations, a lifting movement occurs at least partially simultaneously with step c).
[0044] In some embodiments, the starting material is fed between the first and second tool elements before, after, or during the pivoting of the first tool element in step c). In some embodiments, the starting material is fed as a blank or as a contoured material sheet. In other embodiments, the starting material is used to load the tool onto a surface not in a working position, and the first tool element is pivoted after the load. In other embodiments, the starting material is used to load the tool onto a counter surface not in its operating position, and the second tool element is pivoted after the load.
[0045] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. These figures show:
[0047] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a device for
[0048] Production of molded bodies;
[0049] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the device according to Fig. 1 during a forming process;
[0050] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device according to Fig. 1 during a change of the
[0051] Tool position;
[0052] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the device according to Fig. 1 in a second
[0053] Tool position;
[0054] Fig. 5 shows a side view of a first tool element and a second tool element.
[0055] Tool element of a second embodiment of a device for manufacturing shaped bodies; and
[0056] Fig. 6 shows a front view of a third embodiment of a device for
[0057] Production of molded parts. Detailed description of examples.
[0058] Figures 1 to 4 schematically show a first embodiment of a device 1 for the production of shaped bodies 2, in particular shaped bodies 2 made of a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material.
[0059] The device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a first tool element 11 designed as an upper tool, a second tool element 12 designed as a lower tool, a frame 13, an adjusting device 14, a swivel drive 15 and a control device 16.
[0060] As schematically illustrated by an arrow in Fig. 1, the first tool element 11 is adjustably mounted on the frame 13 in a pressing direction 4, such that the first tool element 11 is adjustable in the pressing direction 4 for forming. The adjusting device 14 is coupled to the first tool element 11, so that the first tool element 11 can be adjusted, in particular in a pulsed manner, by the adjusting device 14 for forming and / or pressing a starting material 3 arranged between the first tool element 11 and the second tool element 12 in the pressing direction 4. A back-and-forth movement of the first tool element 11 for forming and / or pressing a starting material 3 arranged between the first tool element 11 and the second tool element 12 in the pressing direction 4 is also referred to as a stroke movement.
[0061] The first tool element 11 has several tool surfaces 111, 112, which in the illustrated embodiment are offset by 180°. The two tool surfaces 111, 112 are identical in design. The first tool element 11 can be pivoted about a rotary axis 110 between a first tool position shown in Figure 1 and a second tool position shown in Figure 4, which is pivoted 180° relative to the first. In other embodiments, more than two tool surfaces 111, 112 are provided, which are distributed about the rotary axis 110, in particular evenly distributed.
[0062] The first tool element 11 can be pivoted automatically about the axis of rotation 110, in particular by means of the swivel drive 15. Depending on the configuration, the tool element 11 can be pivoted 180° in each direction between the first tool position and the second tool position. Alternatively or additionally, the tool element 11 can be pivoted 180° in each direction between the first tool position and the second tool position. A movement with a fixed direction of rotation is particularly advantageous in configurations with more than two tool surfaces 111, 112. The second tool element 12 has a mating surface 121, which is complementary to the two identical tool surfaces 111, 112.The two tool surfaces 111, 112 and the counter surface 121 are designed as a negative forming surface and as a positive forming surface and are adjustable relative to each other in the pressing direction 4 for forming and / or pressing the starting material 3 arranged between the tool elements 11, 12.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the two tool surfaces 111, 112 of the first tool element 11 are designed as positive forming surfaces, each with several, in this illustrated embodiment five, punch-like projections. The number, size, and design of the projections shown are merely examples. The complementary mating surface 121 of the second tool element 12 is designed in the illustrated embodiment as a negative forming surface with five recesses. The punch-like projections of the two tool surfaces 111, 112 can each be inserted into the recesses to form and / or press a starting material 3 arranged between the tool elements 11, 12.
[0064] In the first tool position shown in Fig. 1, the first tool surface 111 is arranged in a working position and is opposite the second tool element 12 in the pressing direction 4.
[0065] As schematically shown in Fig. 2, the adjusting device 14 can be operated in the first tool position in order to adjust the tool element 11 and thus the tool surface 111 arranged in the working position relative to the counter surface 121 in the pressing direction 4 for forming and / or pressing the starting material 3 arranged between the first tool element 11 and the second tool element 12.
[0066] As schematically shown in Fig. 3, after a stroke movement for forming and / or pressing the starting material 3, the first tool surface 111 is again separated from the counter surface 121, so that the first tool surface 111 and the counter surface 121 no longer engage. Subsequently, the first tool element 11 can be operated by the swivel drive 15 to swivel the first tool element 11 about the axis of rotation 110 into the second tool position.
[0067] As schematically shown in Fig. 4, in the second tool position, the second tool surface 112 is arranged in the working position and lies opposite the second tool element 12 in the pressing direction 4. The adjusting device 14 can be operated again in this tool position to adjust the second tool surface 112, which is arranged in the working position in the second tool position, towards the counter surface 120 in the pressing direction for forming and / or pressing the starting material 3 arranged between the first and the second tool elements 11, 12.
[0068] As schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment the first tool element 11 with the molded bodies 2 formed and / or pressed onto the first tool surface 111 is pivoted. In the second tool position shown in Figure 4, the first tool surface 11 is arranged in a removal and / or cleaning position in which the molded bodies 2 are freely accessible for removal.
[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a control device 16 is provided, which is configured to control the swivel drive 15 and the positioning device 14 in order to swivel the first tool element 11 between two stroke movements of the first tool element 11 in the pressing direction 4. In clocked operation, thus, in each work cycle, a stroke movement for forming and / or pressing and a swivel movement are performed to position one of the two tool surfaces 111, 112 in the working position and the other in the removal and / or cleaning position.
[0070] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a starting material 3 is provided as a continuous material web, wherein the tool surfaces 111, 112 and / or the counter surface 121 are designed to punch out shaped bodies from the material web during forming and / or pressing of the starting material 3, so that the formed shaped bodies 2 are each present as individual parts on the tool surface 111, 112 after forming and / or pressing. For this purpose, the tool surfaces 111, 112 and / or the counter surface 121 have, in particular, punching contours.
[0071] The feed of the starting material 3, provided as a material web, takes place between two stroke movements. In some embodiments, this feeding occurs at least partially simultaneously with a pivoting of the first tool element 11. For this purpose, the control unit 16 is, in some embodiments, coupled to a central control unit of a system comprising the device 1, at least for the exchange of data, and / or is part of the central control unit.
[0072] Fig. 5 schematically shows a side view of a first tool element 11 and a second tool element 12 of a second embodiment of a device 1 for producing shaped bodies not shown in Fig. 5. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5, the first tool element 11 is designed as a lower tool and the second tool element 12 as an upper tool. The first tool element 11 has a first tool surface 111 and a second tool surface 112, each designed as a negative forming surface. The second tool element 12 has a complementary counter surface 121 designed as a positive forming surface. The second tool element 12 is adjustable in a pressing direction 4 for a stroke movement to form and / or compress a starting material 3, as schematically indicated by an arrow.
[0073] The first tool element 11 is adjustable about a rotary axis 110 perpendicular to the pressing direction 4 in order to optionally position either the first tool surface 111 or the second tool surface 112 in a working position opposite the second tool element 12.
[0074] As schematically shown in Fig. 5, the tool surface 112, which is not in the working position, is exposed and accessible. This accessibility is particularly useful for preparing the tool surface 112 with a starting material 3. This design is especially advantageous when the starting material 3 is supplied as a blank and / or as a pre-formed, contoured material sheet. After preparation, the tool surface 112, with the starting material 3, can be pivoted into the working position for forming and / or pressing.
[0075] Fig. 6 schematically shows a third embodiment of a device 1 for manufacturing shaped parts in a front view. The device 1 shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and for a detailed description of identical or similar components, reference is made to the above. The device 1 shown in Fig. 6 also comprises a first tool element 11 designed as an upper tool and a second tool element 12 designed as a lower tool. The first tool element 11 has a first tool surface 111 and a second tool surface 112, each designed as a positive forming surface. The first tool element 11 is adjustable in a pressing direction 4 for a stroke movement to form and / or compress a starting material 3.
[0076] In contrast to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4, the second tool element 11 has two counter-surfaces 121, 122, each designed as a negative form surface and complementary to the tool surfaces 111, 112.
[0077] The first tool element 11 and the second tool element 12 are each adjustable about a rotary axis 110, 120 by means of an adjusting device 15, 17. In the state shown in Fig. 6, a first tool surface 111 is arranged in a working position and a first counter surface 121 is arranged in a service position. The stroke movement of the first tool element 11 forms and / or presses the starting material 3 arranged between the first tool surface 111 and the first counter surface 121. The second tool surface 112 is exposed so that any existing molded parts 2 and / or stamping remnants formed in a previous cycle can be removed from it. Likewise, the second counter surface 122 is exposed so that it can be prepared with starting material 3 for a subsequent stroke movement.
[0078] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the first tool surface 111 and the second tool surface 112 are designed differently. The first mating surface 121 is complementary to the first tool surface 111, and the second mating surface 122 is complementary to the second tool surface 112. The device 1 can be operated such that the first tool surface 111 and the first mating surface 121, or the second tool surface 112 and the second mating surface 122, are arranged in the working position or the operating position, respectively, with the same cycle time. In other embodiments, all tool surfaces or all mating surfaces are identical in design.
[0079] The illustrated embodiments are merely examples, and numerous variations are conceivable. In particular, components and / or features shown and / or described in connection with one embodiment can be combined with components and / or features from other embodiments to obtain further embodiments.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Device for producing shaped bodies (2), in particular shaped bodies (2) from a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material (3), comprising a first tool element (11) with a tool surface (111, 112), a second tool element (12) with a counter surface (121, 122) complementary to the tool surface (111, 112), a frame (13) and an adjusting device (14), wherein the tool surface (111, 112) and the counter surface (121, 122) are designed as a negative mold surface and as a positive mold surface, respectively, wherein the first tool element (11) is mounted on the frame (13) such that at least the tool surface is adjustable in a pressing direction (4), and / or the second tool element (12) is mounted on the frame (13) such that at least the counter surface (120) is adjustable in the pressing direction (4), and wherein the adjusting device (14) is coupled and set up with the first tool element (11) and / or the second tool element (12),to adjust the tool surface and counter surface (120) relative to each other in the pressing direction (4) for forming and / or pressing a starting material arranged between the first and the second tool element (11, 12), characterized in that the first tool element (11) has several tool surfaces comprising at least a first tool surface (111) and a second tool surface (112), wherein the first tool element (11) is pivotably mounted about a rotary axis (110) at least between a first tool position and a second tool position, wherein in the first tool position the first tool surface (111) is arranged in a working position and is opposite the second tool element (12) in the pressing direction (4), and in the second tool position the second tool surface (112) is arranged in the working position and is opposite the second tool element (12) in the pressing direction (4),and wherein the adjusting device (14) is configured to adjust the tool surface (111, 112) arranged in the working position and the counter surface (120) relative to each other in the pressing direction (4) for forming and / or pressing a starting material arranged between the first and the second tool element (11, 12).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of rotation (110) about which the first tool element (11) is pivotably mounted is aligned perpendicular to the pressing direction.
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a swivel drive (15) is provided, wherein the swivel drive is configured to pivot the first tool element (11) about the axis of rotation (110) between the first tool position and the second tool position, wherein in particular a control device (16) is provided which is configured to control the swivel drive (15) and the actuating device (14) in order to pivot the first tool element (11) between two stroke movements of the first tool element (11) and / or the second tool element (12) in the pressing direction for forming and / or pressing the starting material.
4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that in the first tool position the second tool surface (112) and / or a further tool surface is arranged in a setup, removal and / or cleaning position.
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool surfaces (111, 112) and / or the counter surface (121, 122) has / have a stamping contour.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second tool element (12) has a first counter surface (121) and at least one second counter surface (122), wherein the second tool element (12) is adjustably mounted between a first operating position in which the first counter surface (121) is opposite the first tool element (11) in the pressing direction, and a second operating position in which the second counter surface (122) is opposite the first tool element (11) in the pressing direction, wherein in particular the second tool element (12) is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation (120) between the first operating position and the second operating position, in particular about an axis of rotation (120) perpendicular to the pressing direction.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first tool element (11) and the second tool element (12) are designed as upper tool and lower tool, wherein the first tool element (11) and the second tool element (12) are adjustable in a vertical pressing direction for forming and / or pressing.
8. System comprising at least two devices arranged in a series according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Method for producing shaped bodies (2), in particular shaped bodies (2) from a single- or multi-layer fiber-based material (3), with a device comprising a first tool element (11) with several tool surfaces comprising at least a first tool surface (111) and a second tool surface (112) and a second tool element (12) with a counter surface (121, 122) complementary to the tool surfaces (111, 112), wherein the first tool element (11) is pivotably mounted about a rotational axis (110) between a first tool position and a second tool position, and wherein in the first tool position the first tool surface (111) is arranged in a working position and is opposite the second tool element (12) in a pressing direction (4), and in the second tool position the second tool surface (112) is arranged in the working position and is opposite the second tool element (12) in the pressing direction (4),The method comprises the steps of: a) arranging the first tool element (11) in the first tool position such that the first tool surface (111) is in the working position; b) adjusting the first tool surface (111) and / or the counter surface (121, 122) arranged in the working position in the pressing direction to form and / or press a starting material arranged between the first and the second tool element into at least one molded body; c) pivoting the first tool element (11) about the axis of rotation to arrange the first tool element (11) in the second tool position such that the second tool surface (112) is in the working position; and e) adjusting the second tool surface (112) and / or the counter surface (121, 122) arranged in the working position.122) in the pressing direction (4) for forming and / or pressing the starting material (3) arranged between the first and the second tool element.
0. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the first tool element (11) is extended by a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction (4), The axis of rotation (110) is pivoted from the first tool position to the second tool position.
11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The shaped body (2) is punched out during the forming of a starting material (3) arranged between the first and the second tool element (11, 12).
12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that in step c) the first tool element (11) is pivoted with the at least one mold body (2), wherein before and / or after step d), the at least one mold body is removed from the first tool surface.
13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the second tool element (12) has at least a first counter surface (121) and a second counter surface (122), wherein the second tool element is adjusted between a first operating position in which the first counter surface (121) is opposite the first tool element (11) in the pressing direction (4) and a second operating position in which the second counter surface (122) is opposite the first tool element (11) in the pressing direction (4), in particular being adjusted at least partially simultaneously with step c), wherein in particular the second tool element (12) is pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation (120) between the first operating position and the second operating position, in particular about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the pressing direction.
14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the starting material (3) is fed between the first and the second tool element before, after or with a pivoting of the first tool element (11) in step c).