Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – Direct application of electrical or wave energy to work – Producing or treating porous product
Patent
1998-08-29
2000-10-24
Kuhns, Allan R.
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
Direct application of electrical or wave energy to work
Producing or treating porous product
249 78, 249119, 264 53, 264416, 2642971, 425174, 4251746, 425453, B29C 4402, B29C 4458
Patent
active
061362557
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects made of biodegradable materials including wheat flour and starch.
BACKGROUND ART
Examples of biodegradable molded objects include containers or cushioning materials such as trays, cups, and corner pads, and molded baked snacks such as ice-cream cones, monaka, and wafers. One method for manufacturing this kind of biodegradable molded objects is the external heating method, wherein materials for the molded objects are placed into a mold previously heated to a predetermined temperature, and molding is performed using heat conductivity.
However, such a method has drawbacks in that a long molding time is required thereby leading to low productivity, and that unevenness in the temperature of the metal mold causes uneven baking, thus making it impossible to obtain a uniform consistency.
For this reason, in another method, alternating current is supplied to a metal mold so that heat is generated in the materials by dielectric heating, and with this heat, the materials are baked and molded. In this case, the metal mold is divided into two mold halves, which are insulated from each other by an insulating material provided therebetween, and alternating current is connected to each mold half, so that the materials in the mold are baked and molded by dielectric heating.
The foregoing manufacturing method by dielectric heating is, however, unsuited for mass production and is difficult to realize, since it is a method wherein power is supplied by direct contact, and moreover, the foregoing method has a drawback in that adjustment of output is complicated.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the foregoing problems, a method for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects, in accordance with the present invention, is characterized by comprising the steps of (a) placing materials having biodegradability and containing flour and starch in a mold made up of first and second conductive mold halves and an insulating section therebetween, and (b) applying across both the mold halves alternating current from an alternating current power source, thus heating and expanding the materials by means of dielectric heating, wherein (i) the first mold half is provided with a conductive incoming section, (ii) a conductive feeder section is provided in parallel with the incoming section, so as to be not in contact with the incoming section, and (iii) in the step (b), the materials are heated and expanded by means of the dielectric heating, by moving the mold containing the materials in a predetermined direction, and by applying the alternating current from the alternating current power source through the feeder section and the incoming section by applying an electric field in a direction crossing the direction of the movement of the mold.
A device for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects, in accordance with the present invention, is characterized by comprising (1) a mold made up of first and second conductive mold halves and an insulating section therebetween, in which materials having biodegradability are placed, (2) an alternating current power source for applying alternating current across both the mold halves, to heat and expand the materials by means of dielectric heating, (3) a conductive incoming section provided on the first mold half, and (4) a conductive feeder section provided in parallel with the incoming section, so as to be not in contact with the incoming section, wherein, while the mold containing the materials is moved in a predetermined direction, alternating current from the power source is applied across both the mold halves through the feeder section and the incoming section, by applying an electric field in a direction crossing the direction of the movement of the mold.
Thus, the molds are not in direct contact with the electrodes. Therefore, mass production by serial operation is possible, and molded objects superior in moldability and properties can be produced.
For a fuller unde
REFERENCES:
patent: 2325637 (1943-08-01), Stewart
patent: 4985189 (1991-01-01), Sugiura et al.
patent: 5591491 (1997-01-01), Ando et al.
patent: 5965080 (1999-10-01), Ando et al.
Ando Sadamasa
Haruta Toshitaka
Karasawa Taizo
Kurisaka Takayuki
Oowada Tsutomu
Kuhns Allan R.
Nissei Kabushiki Kaisha
LandOfFree
Method and device for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and device for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and device for manufacturing biodegradable molded objects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1960385