Molded fiber product production line utilizing fluid trim operation
A molded fiber part former includes a first forming mold defining a first mold area and at least one fluid inlet. The molded fiber part former also includes a wall substantially surrounding the first mold area. The molded fiber part former includes a fluid channel disposed adjacent to and surrounding the wall, wherein the channel is fluidically connected to the at least one fluid inlet and defines a fluid channel outlet.
1. A method of producing a molded fiber part, the method comprising:
disposing a first forming mold into a slurry tank comprising a plurality of fibers and a liquid, wherein the first forming mold comprises a first mold area, at least one fluid inlet, and a plurality of vacuum channels;
actuating a vacuum communicatively coupled to the plurality of vacuum channels to draw at least some of the plurality of fibers onto the forming mold to form a partially-formed molded fiber part;
removing the first forming mold from the slurry tank;
applying a compressive pressure to the partially-formed molded fiber part with a second forming mold;
separating a waste trim from the partially-formed molded fiber part substantially simultaneously with applying the compressive pressure; and
subsequent to separating the waste trim, transferring the partially-formed molded fiber part to a downstream station,
wherein separating the waste trim comprises receiving a fluid from the at least one fluid inlet and ejecting the fluid from a fluid outlet at least partially defined by the first forming mold.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vacuum channels are fluidically connected to the first mold area, and wherein the at least one fluid inlet is fluidically connected to a fluid outlet disposed on a location on the first forming mold remote from the first mold area.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising directing the ejected fluid away from the first mold area.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising catching the waste trim and the fluid.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising, subsequent to catching the waste trim and the fluid, reprocessing the waste trim and the fluid.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein separating the waste trim comprises ejecting a fluid towards an edge of the partially-formed molded fiber part.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the fluid is ejected in a substantially annular stream.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid outlet comprises a slot.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the slot is at least partially defined by a sealing ring.