Mold unit for manufacturing a container body via wet molding of a material
The mold unit design addresses the complexity and cost issues of existing mold units by using asymmetric frame and body parts with offset ports, enhancing simplicity and reducing energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ALPLA WERKE ALWIN LEHNER
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing mold units for manufacturing fiber-based containers require complex, three-dimensional interfaces and heavy, bulky frames, leading to high manufacturing and operating costs due to energy demands.
A mold unit design with asymmetric frame and body parts, featuring offset inlet and outlet ports concentric to the central axis, allowing for simpler design and assembly, reduced frame weight, and lower energy consumption.
Simplifies manufacturing and assembly, reduces energy requirements, and lowers operating costs while maintaining effective sealing and operational efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure EP2025087902_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0002] 1
[0003] MOLD UNIT FOR MANUFACTURING A CONTAINER BODY VIA WET MOLDING OF A MATERIAL
[0004] 1. Field of the invention The present invention is directed to a mold unit for manufacturing a container body via wet molding of a material, preferably of a fiber-based material.
[0005] 2. Technical background
[0006] There is a general trend to manufacture containers out of a fiber-based material, for example paper bottles. The fiber-based material can be wet-molded to be compressed into a shape nearing the desired bottle shape. A mold unit usually comprises i) a mold body in two parts forming together a molding cavity and ii) a frame body in two parts, each frame part holding a respective body part. The mold unit can be: closed by joining the parts of the mold body and of the frame, such that the molding cavity can receive the material to be wet molded, and opened by separating the parts of the mold body and of the frame to allow removal of the molded container body.
[0007] A known mold unit further comprises an inlet port which is usually arranged right above the molding cavity such that the material can enter into it for wet molding. In the known mold unit, the parts of the mold body are symmetrical and so are the parts of the frame.
[0008] Thus, when the mold unit is closed, the interface between the joined parts of the mold body must be arranged at the same level as the interface between the joined parts of the frame.
[0009] However, this arrangement requires a complex, three-dimensional interface between the parts of the frame to obtain a proper sealing, which induces a costly manufacturing and assembling of the mold unit. Besides, the part of the frame that gets moved to close the mold unit can be relatively bulky, hence heavy, which demands a high amount of energy, thus raising the operating costs over the repeated molding cycles. 3. Summary
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a mold unit, which contributes to obviating or at least alleviating some or all of the afore-mentioned problems, in particular by simplifying the design of the mold unit and lightening a part of the frame body. An aspect of the present disclosure provides a mold unit for manufacturing a container body ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0011] 2 via wet molding of a material, preferably of a fiber-based material, wherein the mold unit comprises: a mold body, the mold body comprising a first body part and a second body part configured to form together at least one molding cavity about a central axis and being suitable for molding the container body, and a frame body, the frame body comprising a first frame and a second frame, the first frame being configured to hold the first body part, the second frame being configured to hold the second body part, and the second frame being movable relative to the first frame such that the mold unit can be placed selectively: • in a closed configuration in which the first frame and the second frame are joined on a frame interface, and the first body part and the second body part are joined on a body interface and form together the at least one molding cavity, and
[0012] • in an open configuration, in which the first body part is separated from the second body part along a separation direction to allow removal of the molded container body, wherein the mold unit further comprises: an inlet port through which a means for molding the container body can be selectively entered into the molding cavity, wherein the inlet port is arranged generally concentrically to the central axis, and wherein, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the frame interface is radially offset from the inlet port with respect to the central axis so that the inlet port is entirely provided in the first frame, and / or an outlet port through which a means for wet molding the container body can be selectively drained out of the molding cavity, wherein the outlet port is arranged generally concentrically to the central axis, and wherein, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the frame interface is radially offset from the outlet port with respect to the central axis so that the outlet port is entirely provided in the first frame. Thus, as the inlet and / or outlet ports do(es) not lie flush with the body interface and / or the frame interface, the body interface and / or the frame interface can have quite a simple design, unlike in the known mold units where such interfaces must be designed with complex three-dimensional shapes. Further, the second frame can be free from the inlet and / or outlet port(s), which allows quite an easy manufacturing and assembling. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0013] 3
[0014] Due to the asymmetric arrangement in the mold unit, the inlet and / or outlet port(s) can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the molding cavity, which is also more convenient.
[0015] Preferably, the at least one molding cavity may extend longitudinally along the central axis.
[0016] Preferably, the inlet port and / or outlet port maybe arranged coaxially to central axis.
[0017] In the open configuration, the mold body maybe open, and so maybe the molding cavity. The wet molding operation can be performed in the closed configuration but not in the open configuration. Thus, in the closed configuration, the molding cavity maybe defined as a union of at least two separable entities. The mold unit may be maneuverable to place the mold body selectively in the open configuration or in the closed configuration. The closed configuration corresponds to the manufacturing configuration.
[0018] - According to an embodiment, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the body interface may be substantially aligned with the central axis, or wherein, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the body interface may be radially offset from the central axis or from the inlet port with respect to the central axis, the body interface being preferably aligned with the frame interface.
[0019] Thus, as the body interface is aligned or flush with the central axis, the molding cavity can be separated in two equivalent parts, which in turn helps in removing the container body from the molding cavity. Such design can be appropriate for a molding cavity having a cylindrical shape.
[0020] By contrast, as the body interface may be radially offset from the central axis or from the inlet port, it can offer some freedom in the design of the molding cavity. Such design can be appropriate for a molding cavity having a non-cylindrical, elongated shape, for example a prismatic shape with a square cross-section.
[0021] - According to an embodiment, the first frame may be wider than the second frame when measured along the separation direction.
[0022] Thus, the thinner second frame can have a smaller footprint, such that when it is the only movable part of the frame body, it can require less free space for moving between the open and closed configurations.
[0023] In some embodiments, the first frame may have a width, measured along the separation direction, comprised between 200 mm and 500 mm, and the second frame may have a width, measured along the separation direction, comprised between too mm and 200 mm. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0024] 4
[0025] - According to an embodiment, the mass of the first frame, preferably including the mass of the first body part, may be larger, preferably at least 2 times larger, than the mass of the second frame, preferably including the mass of the second body part.
[0026] Thus, when the lighter second frame is movable or the only movable part, it takes less energy for placing the mold unit in the open or closed configuration.
[0027] - According to an embodiment, the first frame may be asymmetrical with respect to the central axis, and wherein the second frame is asymmetrical with respect to the central axis.
[0028] Thus, such a design makes it possible for the frame interface to be offset with respect to the central axis.
[0029] - According to an embodiment, the body interface may lie in a plane that is substantially a symmetry plane of the mold body.
[0030] Thus, such a design of the body interface can help in removing the container body from the molding cavity. - According to an embodiment, the second frame and the second body part may be movable in translation along the separation direction to selectively place the mold unit in the closed configuration or in the open configuration, and wherein, preferably, the first frame and the first body part may remain immobile when the mold unit is moved between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Thus, the displacement of the mold unit between the open and closed configurations can be easily actuated and controlled, the more so when only the second frame and body have to move. Indeed, only the second frame and the second body part may be moved to place the mold unit in the open or closed configuration, while the first frame and first body part can remain fixed or immobile. - According to an embodiment, the separation direction may be substantially orthogonal to the central axis.
[0031] Thus, the design and control of the mold unit can be relatively simple.
[0032] Preferably, the mold unit may further comprise a moving unit for moving the second frame relative to the first frame between the closed configuration and the open configuration.
[0033] - According to an embodiment, the mold body may be removably attached to the frame body, or the mold body may be integral with the frame body. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0034] 5
[0035] When the mold body is removable, it is possible to replace the mold body in order to manufacture container bodies having various designs consecutively, for example in series.
[0036] When the mold body is integral with the frame body, manufacturing and assembling the mold unit can be relatively easy.
[0037] - According to an embodiment, the mold unit may further comprise a body sealing element arranged such that, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the body sealing element is compressed at the body interface between the second body part and the first body part, and / or wherein the mold unit may further comprise a frame sealing element arranged such that, when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, the frame sealing element is compressed at the frame interface between the second frame and the first frame.
[0038] Thus, the body sealing element and / or the frame sealing element can seal the molding cavity vis-a-vis the medium flowing in and out of the molding cavity, like the material to be wet molded.
[0039] The sealing element may have the shape of a closed loop, like an O-ring.
[0040] - According to an embodiment, a distance by which the frame interface may be radially offset from the inlet port is comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm, wherein a distance by which the frame interface may be radially offset from the outlet port is comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm.
[0041] Thus, such offset distances enable to design a frame interface with some freedom.
[0042] - According to an embodiment, the body interface may extend in a body plane and / or in a substantially planar body surface, and / or the frame interface may extend in a frame plane and / or in a substantially planar frame surface.
[0043] Thus, the mold body and / or the frame body can be manufactured and assembled more easily than in known mold units where these interfaces must usually be designed with complex three-dimensional shapes.
[0044] - According to an embodiment, the body plane may be arranged to be parallel to the frame plane at least when the mold unit is in the closed configuration.
[0045] Thus, the mold body and the frame body can have relatively simple designs, which enhances the sealing efficiency at the body interface and frame interface respectively. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0046] 6
[0047] - According to an embodiment, the separation direction may be oriented substantially orthogonally to the frame plane and / or to the body plane at least when the mold unit is in the closed configuration.
[0048] This orthogonal orientation allows achieve the highest possible sealing effect with the least compression forces.
[0049] - According to an embodiment, the means to be selectively entered in the molding cavity through the inlet port may comprise at least one of: i) the material to be wet-molded, preferably the fiber-based material, e.g. in the form of a pulp for wet molding, or ii) an inflatable core to be expanded in the molding cavity, preferably for drying the molded container body, and the means to exit through the outlet port maybe a fluid drained out of the molding cavity to be evacuated from the mold unit.
[0050] Thus, such means allow performing operations for achieving the wet molding process.
[0051] In some embodiments, the mold unit may further comprise an inflatable core selectively insertable into the molding cavity, particularly inside the container body being received in the molding cavity, wherein the inflatable core is configured to expand, preferably under gas pressure, towards the inner wall section in order to press the container body against the inner wall section.
[0052] - According to an embodiment, the mold unit may further comprise a feeding unit connectable to the inlet port so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, to selectively enter the means into the molding cavity, the feeding unit being preferably attached to the frame body, more preferably to the first frame, and / or the mold unit may further comprise a draining unit attachable to the outlet port so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity when the mold unit is in the closed configuration, to selectively drain the means from the molding cavity, the draining unit being preferably attached to the frame body, more preferably to the first frame.
[0053] The feeding unit may be: i) a tube or a pipe configured to feed the material, e.g. the pulp, into the molding cavity, or ii) a device configured to enter the inflatable core into the molding cavity so as to squeeze water out of the wet molded container body.
[0054] The draining unit may be a drainage pipe located below or under the molding cavity end and configured i) to drain water out of the molding cavity from the wet molding process, and / or ii) to drain fluid, e.g. air or steam, out of the mold unit during a drying process. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0055] 7
[0056] The mold unit may form a wet mold unit for receiving, preferably through the inlet port, the material to be wet-molded, preferably the fiber-based material, e.g. in the form of a pulp, for wet molding the container body.
[0057] Alternatively or additionally to a wet mold unit, the mold unit may form a drying unit for drying the wet molded container body, wherein the drying unit preferably comprises a heating unit, e.g. a microwave heater, for heating the wet molded container body received in the molding cavity, and / or preferably comprising a vacuum unit, preferably attachable to the outlet port, to guide a heating fluid through the mold unit.
[0058] Preferably, the mold body may be made partially or totally out of a material selected in the group consisting in: polypropylene (PP), Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), and amorphous polyimide (PEI). Thus, the mold body can absorb no or only a few microwaves, which can in turn reduce the heat building up in it.
[0059] In some embodiments, the mold unit may comprise a plurality of mold bodies, wherein preferably each mold body comprises a respective first body part and a respective second body part configured to be j oined on a respective body interface and to define together a respective molding cavity, and / or the (single) first body part and the (single) second body part may be configured to define together a plurality of molding cavities, each cavity being configured for receiving a container body to be molded. Thus, it is possible to manufacture a plurality of container bodies simultaneously.
[0060] In some embodiments, the mold body may have porous walls configured to drain water and / or steam out of the molding cavity to help evacuate water and / or steam from the mold unit, the porous walls being preferably made out of a 3D-printed material. In some embodiments, when the mold unit is in a closed, manufacturing configuration, the molding cavity may have a symmetry of revolution around the longitudinal axis. Thus, the container body, e.g. a bottle body, can have a round and symmetric shape. The container body may have any shape defining a hollow volume, for example the shape of a bottle body, possibly with a neck portion, a shoulder portion, a main portion and a base portion.
[0061] Optionally, for a given mold unit and an average size of container body, the largest width or diameter of the molding cavity (e.g. in the main region), may be about 120-140 mm, and the smallest width or diameter of the molding cavity (e.g. in the neck region) may be about 30 mm. ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0062] 8
[0063] In some embodiments, the fiber-based material may comprise or consist in pulp material, cellulose fibers such as cellulose fibers obtained from wood, and / or non-wood fibers, in particular hemp, straw, bagasse, bamboo and / or other agricultural fibers. In some embodiments, the fiber-based material may comprise a fiber content of at least 60% or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% or at least 95%. Thus, such fiberbased materials can be suitably handled, wetted, deformed, and dried, while having an increased biodegradability and, possibly, recycl ability.
[0064] The words “comprise”, “include”, “have” and their derivatives are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. The term “and / or” used in the context of “X and / or Y” should be interpreted as “X,” or “Y,” or “X and Y.”
[0065] 4. Brief description of drawings
[0066] Further features, details and advantages of the present invention are described hereinafter, in particular in relation to the appended figures, which illustrate, schematically and not on scale, some of the afore-described aspects, embodiments and implementations thereof, and in which:
[0067] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view, along a substantially vertical plane, of a mold unit in an open configuration according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view, along the same plane as Fig. 1, of the mold unit of
[0068] Fig. 1 in a closed configuration;
[0069] Fig. 3 shows a cutaway perspective view of a first frame and first body of the mold unit of Fig. 1 and 2;
[0070] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0071] 5. Detailed description
[0072] Fig. 1 to 3 illustrate a mold unit 1 for manufacturing a not shown container body via wet molding of a fiber-based material, which may comprise cellulose fibers. The wet molding step of the manufacturing process may be performed initially, then the semi-finished container body may be transferred to a not shown drying unit, where the drying step of the manufacturing process may be performed.
[0073] The mold unit 1 comprises a mold body 2 and a frame body 4. The mold body 2 comprises a first body part 2A (Fig. 1) and a second body part 2B (Fig. 2), which are configured to ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0074] 9 form together a molding cavity 6 about a central axis X6. The mold body 2 may be removably attached to the frame body 4, which makes it possible to replace the mold body 2 in order to manufacture consecutive series of container bodies having various designs. The molding cavity 6 is suitable or configured for molding the container body. The molding cavity 6 may extend longitudinally along the central axis X6. The molding cavity 6 may have a symmetry of revolution around the central axis X6. The container body may herein be a bottle body, with a round and symmetric shape, a neck portion, a shoulder portion, a main portion and a base portion. The frame body 4 comprises a first frame 4A (Fig. 1) and a second frame 4B (Fig. 2). The first frame 4A is configured to hold the first body part 2A, and the second frame 4B is configured to hold the second body part 2B. The second frame 4B is movable relative to the first frame 4A such that the mold unit 1 can be placed selectively:
[0075] • in a closed configuration (Fig. 2) in which the first frame 4A and the second frame 4B are joined on a frame interface J4, and the first body part 4A and the second body part 4B are joined on a body interface J2 and form together the molding cavity 6, and
[0076] • in an open configuration (Fig. 1), in which the first body part 4A is separated from the second body part 4B along a separation direction Y to allow removal of the not shown molded container body. On Fig.i the gap separating first body part 4A from second body part 4B is not necessarily on scale and it could be different.
[0077] The closed configuration of Fig. 2 corresponds to the manufacturing configuration, in which a container body may be wet molded in the molding cavity 6. The open configuration of Fig. 1 corresponds i) either to an initial configuration, that is, before a wet molding operation, or ii) to a final configuration, that is, after a wet molding operation, when the first body part 2A is distant, hence disconnected, from the second body part 2B. In such final configuration, a wet molded container body may be removed from the mold unit 1, to be subsequently dried up for instance.
[0078] The mold unit 1 may further comprise a moving unit 7 for moving the second frame 4B relative to the first frame 4A the closed configuration (Fig. 2) and in the open configuration (Fig. 1).
[0079] As visible on Fig. 1 and 2, the first frame 4A and the first body part 2A may remain fixed or immobile, while only the second frame 4B, together with the second body part 2B, may be moved to displace the mold unit 1 between the open and closed configurations. The selective placement of the mold unit 1 in the closed or open configuration ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0080] 10 consecutively requires only controlling the displacement of the second frame 4B holding the second body part 2B.
[0081] The second frame 4B and the second body part 2B may be movable in translation along the separation direction Y between the closed configuration (Fig. 2) and in the open configuration (Fig. 1) as symbolized by the double arrow T in Fig. 1. The separation direction Y may be substantially orthogonal to the central axis X6.
[0082] The mold unit 1 further comprises an inlet port 8 and an outlet port 10.
[0083] Through the inlet port 8 a not shown means for molding the container body can be selectively entered into the molding cavity 6. These means to be selectively entered in the molding cavity 6 through the inlet port 8 may comprise the fiber-based material to be wet-molded. These means to be selectively entered in the molding cavity 6 through the inlet port 8 may also comprise, for example in a subsequent operation, a not shown inflatable core that can be expanded in the molding cavity 6.
[0084] The mold unit 1 may further comprise a feeding unit 12, e.g. a tube, which is connectable to the inlet port 8 so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity 6 when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration (Fig. 2), to selectively enter the means into the molding cavity 6. The feeding unit 12 may be attached to the first frame 4A.
[0085] The inlet port 8 is arranged concentrically and coaxially to the central axis X6. When the mold unit 2 is in the closed configuration (Fig. 1), the frame interface J4 is radially offset, as shown by distance J4-8, from the inlet port 8 with respect to the central axis X6 so that the inlet port 8 is entirely provided in the first frame 4A.
[0086] Through the outlet port 10 a not shown means for wet molding the container body can be selectively drained out of the molding cavity 6. These means that exit through the outlet port 10 maybe a fluid drained out of the molding cavity 6 to be evacuated from the mold unit. In particular, as the inflatable core gets expanded, it can press the container body against the inner wall of the molding cavity 6, so as to squeeze water out of it and dry the molded container body. The mold body 2 may have porous walls configured to drain water out of the molding cavity 6 to help evacuate water from the mold unit 1. Not shown channels extending on the outside of the mold body 2 may guide a draining fluid like air to drain water thusly squeezed out of the molding cavity 6.
[0087] The mold unit 1 may further comprise a draining unit 14, e.g. a drainage pipe, which is attachable to the outlet port 10 so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity 6 when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration (Fig. 2), to selectively drain the means from the molding cavity 6. The draining unit 14 may be attached to the first frame 4A. The outlet port 10 is arranged concentrically and coaxially to the central axis X6. When the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration (Fig. 2), the frame interface J4 is radially ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0088] 11 offset, as shown by distance J4-10, from the outlet port 10 with respect to the central axis X6 so that the outlet port 10 is entirely provided in the first frame 4A.
[0089] Thus, the inlet port 8 and the outlet port 10 do not lie flush or level with the body interface J 2 and / or the frame interface J4, which can simplify the design of the body interface J2 and the frame interface J4. Further, the second frame 4B can be free from the inlet port
[0090] 8 and from the outlet port 10, which allows quite an easy manufacturing and assembling.
[0091] As visible on Fig. 1, the body interface J2 may be aligned with the central axis X6, when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration. Thus, the molding cavity 6 can be separated in two equal, symmetrical parts, which in turn helps in removing the container body from the molding cavity 6. At the second frame part 4B, the body interface J2 and the frame interface J4 may be separated by a distance J4-J2, which could be of about too mm, depending on the size of the container body to be manufactured.
[0092] Besides, the first frame 4A may be wider than the second frame 4B when measured along the separation direction Y. In the example of Fig. 1 the width W4A of first frame 4A may be about 340 mm, and the width W4B of second frame 4B may be about 140 mm, these widths depending on the size of the container body to be manufactured.
[0093] Further, the mass of the first frame 4A, including the mass of the first body part 2A, may be significantly larger than the mass of the second frame 4B, including the mass of the second body part 2B. Thus, it takes less space and energy for placing the mold unit 1 in the open or closed configuration thanks to the thinner and lighter second frame 4B.
[0094] The first frame 4A as well as the second frame 4B may be asymmetrical and offset with respect to the central axis X6.
[0095] The body interface J4 may lie in a plane that is a symmetry plane of the mold body 2, which can help to remove the container body from the molding cavity 6. Herein, this symmetry plane is perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1 and 2.
[0096] The body interface J2 may extend in a body plane as visible in particular on Fig. 2. The frame interface J4 may extend in a frame plane as visible in particular on Fig. 2. The body plane may be arranged to be parallel to the frame plane when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration of Fig. 2. Conversely, the body interface J2 and the frame interface J4 do not require complex designs with three-dimensional shapes.
[0097] As visible on Fig. 3, the mold unit 1 may comprise a plurality of mold bodies 2, each one comprising a respective first body part 2A and a respective second body part 2B configured to be joined on a respective body interface J2 and to define together a respective molding cavity 6. Thus, it is possible to manufacture a plurality of container ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO
[0098] 12 bodies simultaneously. In a not shown alternative embodiment, the mold unit could comprise only one mold body to manufacture only one container body at a time.
[0099] The mold unit 1 may further comprise a not shown frame sealing element, which may be arranged on a planar edge 16, such that, when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration, the frame sealing element is compressed between first frame 4A and second frame 4B. The frame interface J4 extends at and around the planar edge 16.
[0100] Likewise, the mold unit 1 may further comprise a not shown body sealing element arranged, such that, when the mold unit 1 is in the closed configuration, the body sealing element is compressed at the body interface J2 between first body part 2A and second body part 2B.
[0101] Fig. 4 illustrates a method 101 for manufacturing the container body using the mold unit 1 of Fig. 1 to 3, by wet molding a fiber-based material. The method 101 comprising:
[0102] - 102) implementing the mold unit 1 of Fig. 1 to 3,
[0103] - 104) placing the mold unit 1 in the closed configuration - 106) letting fiber-material enter the molding cavity 6 through the inlet port 8,
[0104] - 108) carrying out the wet molding operation,
[0105] - 110) optionally, letting the inflatable core enter the molding cavity 6 and press the wet molded body container against the inner wall of the molding cavity 6, to squeeze water out of it, and - 112) optionally, draining fluid, e.g. water, out of the mold unit 1 through the outlet port 10;
[0106] - 114) placing the mold unit 1 in the open configuration, and
[0107] - 116) removing the container body for further processing.
[0108] The invention defined in the appended claims is not limited to the afore-described objects, aspects, embodiments and implementations, most of which may be combined.
Claims
ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO13Claims1. Mold unit (1) for manufacturing a container body via wet molding of a material, preferably of a fiber-based material, wherein the mold unit (1) comprises: - a mold body (2), the mold body (2) comprising a first body part (2A) and a second body part (2B) configured to form together at least one molding cavity (6) about a central axis (X6) and being suitable for molding the container body, and a frame body (4), the frame body (4) comprising a first frame (4A) and a second frame (4B), the first frame (4A) being configured to hold the first body part(2A), the second frame (4B) being configured to hold the second body part (2B), and the second frame (4B) being movable relative to the first frame (4A) such that the mold unit (1) can be placed selectively:• in a closed configuration in which the first frame (4A) and the second frame (4B) are joined on a frame interface (J4), and the first body part (2A) and the second body part (2B) are joined on a body interface (J2) and form together the at least one molding cavity (6), and• in an open configuration, in which the first body part (2A) is separated from the second body part (2B) along a separation direction (Y) to allow removal of the molded container body, wherein the mold unit (1) further comprises: an inlet port (8) through which a means for molding the container body can be selectively entered into the molding cavity (6), wherein the inlet port (8) is arranged generally concentrically to the central axis (X6), and wherein, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the frame interface (J4) is radially offset from the inlet port (8) with respect to the central axis (X6) so that the inlet port (8) is entirely provided in the first frame (4A), and / or an outlet port (10) through which a means for molding the container body can be selectively drained out of the molding cavity (6), wherein the outlet port (10) is arranged generally concentrically to the central axis (X6), and wherein, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the frame interface (J4) is radially offset from the outlet port (10) with respect to the central axis (X6) so that the outlet port (10) is entirely provided in the first frame (4A).ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO142. Mold unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the body interface (J2) is substantially aligned with the central axis (X6), or wherein, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the body interface (J2) is radially offset from the central axis (X6) or from the inlet port (8) with respect to the central axis (X6), the body interface (J2) being preferably aligned with the frame interface (J4).
3. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame (4A) is wider than the second frame (4B) when measured along the separation direction (Y).
4. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass of the first frame (4A), preferably including the mass of the first body part (2A), is larger, preferably at least 2 times larger, than the mass of the second frame (4B), preferably including the mass of the second body part (2B).
5. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first frame (4A) is asymmetrical with respect to the central axis (X6), and wherein the second frame (4B) is asymmetrical with respect to the central axis (X6).
6. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body interface (J2) lies in a plane that is substantially a symmetry plane of the mold body (2).
7. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second frame (4B) and the second body part (2B) are movable in translation along the separation direction (Y) to selectively place the mold unit (1) in the closed configuration or in the open configuration, and wherein, preferably, the first frame (4A) and the first body part (2A) remain immobile when the mold unit (1) is moved between the open configuration and the closed configuration.
8. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation direction (Y) is substantially orthogonal to the central axis (X6).ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO159. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mold body (2) is removably attached to the frame body (4), or wherein the mold body (2) is integral with the frame body (4).
10. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mold unit (1) further comprises a body sealing element arranged such that, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the body sealing element is compressed at the body interface (J2) between the second body part (2B) and the first body part (2A), and / or wherein the mold unit (1) further comprises a frame sealing element arranged such that, when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, the frame sealing element is compressed at the frame interface (J4) between the second frame (4B) and the first frame (4A).
11. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (J4- 8) by which the frame interface (J4) is radially offset from the inlet port (8) is comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm, wherein a distance (J4-10) by which the frame interface (J4) is radially offset from the outlet port (10) is comprised between 90 mm and 110 mm.
12. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body interface (J2) extends in a body plane and / or in a substantially planar body surface, and / or wherein the frame interface ( J4) extends in a frame plane and / or in a substantially planar frame surface.
13. Mold unit (1) according to claim 12, wherein the body plane is arranged to be parallel to the frame plane at least when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration.ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG P62913 / WO1614. Mold unit (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the separation direction (Y) is oriented substantially orthogonally to the frame plane and / or to the body plane at least when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration.
15. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means to be selectively entered in the molding cavity (6) through the inlet port (8) comprises at least one of: i) the material to be wet-molded, preferably the fiber-based material, e.g. in the form of a pulp for wet molding, or ii) an inflatable core to be expanded in the molding cavity (6), preferably for drying the molded container body, and wherein the means to exit through the outlet port (10) is a fluid drained out of the molding cavity (6) to be evacuated from the mold unit (1).
16. Mold unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a feeding unit (12) connectable to the inlet port (8) so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity (6) when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, to selectively enter the means into the molding cavity (6), the feeding unit (12) being preferably attached to the frame body (4), more preferably to the first frame (4A), and / or further comprising a draining unit (14) attachable to the outlet port (10) so as to be fluidly connected with the molding cavity (6) when the mold unit (1) is in the closed configuration, to selectively drain the means from the molding cavity (6) the draining unit (14) being preferably attached to the frame body (4), more preferably to the first frame (4A).