Pressware Die Set With Pneumatic Blank Feed
An improved apparatus for making disposable pressware features a pneumatic feeding system which accelerates a paperboard blank into a forming die. In a typical embodiment, a pair of adjustable air knives propel a paperboard blank into the forming cavity.
1 . A method for making a pressed paperboard container, comprising:
advancing a first paperboard blank along an inclined feed path into a pressware die set using a first gas stream, wherein the first gas stream is directed downward toward the feed path from a first location relative to the feed path, and
pressing the first paperboard blank in the pressware die set to provide a first paperboard container.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
removing the paperboard container from the pressware die set;
advancing a second paperboard blank along the inclined feed path into the pressware die set using the first gas stream; and
forming a second pressed paperboard container in the pressware die set to provide a second paperboard container.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein a time period between introducing the first paperboard blank into the pressware die set and introducing the second paperboard blank into the pressware die set occurs at a frequency of at least about 40 cycles per minute.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first paperboard blank is advanced into the pressware die set at a rate of at least about 750 fpm to about 3000 fpm.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first gas stream comprises a plurality of gas streams.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second gas stream, wherein the second gas stream is directed toward the feed path from a second location relative to the feed path.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the first location and the second location are located on opposite sides of the feed path.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first gas stream and the second gas stream comprises a plurality of gas streams.