Movable Mold Segments for Elongated Pulp-Molded Tubular Articles

The mold is divided into multiple segments including a first mold, second mold, third mold, and fourth mold that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mold to form complex cylindrical shapes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction and assembly.

The mold employs dynamic movement capabilities where the first and second molds can move toward each other, and the third and fourth molds can move toward each other. This dynamic configuration enables the formation of three-dimensional cylindrical shapes from planar materials through controlled deformation sequences.

The method applies preliminary compression to the paper article between molds before final forming. This pre-compression strengthens the fibrous structure and creates a more robust base that can support the longitudinal height requirements without compromising structural integrity during subsequent forming operations.

The process controls and changes multiple parameters including moisture content, compression force, temperature, and mold movement sequences. By optimizing these parameters throughout the forming process, the method achieves both high structural strength in the final product and maintains ease of manufacture through controlled parameter adjustments.

The mold system employs dynamic, multi-stage compression where different regions of the mold apply pressure at different times and magnitudes. This dynamic pressure distribution achieves high shape accuracy for elongated articles while avoiding excessive localized stress that would cause material defects and reduce production yield.

The molding process applies different compression forces to different regions of the paper article based on local requirements. Areas requiring higher precision receive increased localized pressure, while other regions receive appropriate compression without excessive force, thereby maintaining both shape accuracy and production yield.

The mold is segmented into four distinct molds that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation enables the formation of small-diameter tubular shapes with transverse widths less than 8mm by allowing precise control over the forming geometry through coordinated movement of the individual mold segments.

The molding process transitions from two-dimensional planar forming to three-dimensional tubular shaping by introducing movement in multiple dimensions. The molds move toward each other in controlled sequences, creating complex three-dimensional tubular geometries with small transverse dimensions that cannot be achieved through conventional single-plane molding.