Press Assembly for Ceramic Containers with Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current press arrangements for ceramic parts, especially those with handles, require complex and labor-intensive processes involving separate production cycles for the cup and handle sections, making it difficult to produce bulbous containers with handles efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A press arrangement with a first press mold component having a rear pressurizable membrane and a second press mold component that forms a mold space, allowing for the simultaneous pressing of a ceramic container with a handle in a single cycle by using an outer mold with a mold space leading from the cup section to form the handle, and applying pressure through a membrane and pressure lines for controlled pressing and venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate production cycles are used for cup and handle sections, then manufacturing complexity is reduced for each individual component, but overall productivity decreases and technical effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cup and handle sections into a single integrated mold cavity system. The outer mold contains both a cup mold section and a handle mold section that are pressed simultaneously in one operation, eliminating the need for separate production cycles and subsequent assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The press arrangement uses a single press cycle to perform multiple functions: forming both the cup body and the handle attachment in one operation. The membrane and mold components are designed to simultaneously shape both sections from the green body material.
2Productivity
If a single press cycle is used for bulbous containers with handles, then productivity increases and technical effort decreases, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve due to complex geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pressing pressures to different sections of the mold cavity. The system can exert higher pressure on the handle attachment area compared to the cup body, ensuring proper densification and bonding at the critical handle base region while maintaining appropriate density in the cup section.
Solution Approach 2:
The press arrangement uses a flexible membrane that can dynamically adjust to the complex geometry of the bulbous container with handle. The membrane conforms to the varying wall thicknesses and angles, providing uniform pressure distribution across irregular surfaces during the pressing process.
3Shape
If membrane pressure is applied to form steep-walled or bulbous containers, then the desired container shape is achieved, but cracking occurs at the handle base due to uneven pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized pressure control where the pressing force can be independently adjusted for the handle attachment region versus the cup body. This ensures that the handle base receives sufficient pressure for proper bonding without excessive force that would cause cracking, while the cup section receives appropriate pressure for its geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary between the pressing mechanism and the green body material. It distributes the pressing force uniformly across the complex geometry of the container with handle, preventing stress concentration at the handle base that would lead to cracking.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex support elements and repositioning are used for handle attachment, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cup and handle formation into a single integrated mold cavity system. The outer mold contains both mold sections that are filled and pressed simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate support molds, repositioning operations, and sequential handling of the fragile green body.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient production of ceramic containers with handles in a single press cycle, reducing technical effort and avoiding separate production of cup and handle sections, while ensuring uniform compaction and preventing cracking at the handle base.
Implementation Method 1
a first press mold component (22) which has a membrane (26) that can be subjected to pressing pressure from the rear
Implementation Method 2
has an outer mold (40) that is at least partially elastic and which can be inserted or is inserted in the first press mold component (22)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 4C~6B
AI summary
The press assembly (10) has a press molding component (22) whose rear side is applied with clamping pressure (p1) upon a membrane (26). A resilient outer mold (40) is inserted in the press molding component. Press molding components (23) are arranged as a counter-element so as to form a mold cavity (43) between the press molding component (23) inside an inner mold (60) and an inner-side mold section (50) of the outer mold. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a method for pressing the pressing element of powder and/or granular ceramic material to-be pressed; (2) the outer mold of press assembly; (3) an inner mold of press assembly; (4) an apparatus for manufacturing outer mold from elastic material; and (5) a method for manufacturing outer mold.