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EP-4739495-A1 - METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING AN AIR-FORMED CELLULOSE BLANK STRUCTURE AND BUFFERING MODULE

EP4739495A1EP 4739495 A1EP4739495 A1EP 4739495A1EP-4739495-A1

Abstract

Method for transporting an air-formed cellulose blank structure to a forming mould via a buffering module configured for alternatingly operating in a buffering mode and a feeding mode. The forming mould is arranged for dry-forming cellulose products from the cellulose blank structure. The buffering module comprises a first blank carrying structure, a second blank carrying structure, a blank redirection structure movably arranged between the first blank carrying structure and the second blank carrying structure, and an application device movably arranged in connection to the second blank carrying structure. The blank redirection structure is configured for feeding the cellulose blank structure from the first blank carrying structure to the second blank carrying structure.

Inventors

  • HÖGBLOM, Olle
  • ARLEROT, Björn
  • DAHL, ANDERS
  • LARSSON, PATRIK

Assignees

  • PulPac AB

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240612

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A method for transporting an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2) to a forming mould (3) via a buffering module (4) configured for alternatingly operating in a buffering mode (MB) and a feeding mode (MF), wherein the cellulose blank structure (2) has a first side (Si) and an opposite second side (S2), wherein the forming mould (3) is arranged for dry-forming cellulose products (1) from the cellulose blank structure (2), wherein the buffering module (4) comprises a first blank carrying structure (5), a second blank carrying structure (6), a blank redirection structure (7) movably arranged between the first blank carrying structure (5) and the second blank carrying structure (6), and an application device (8) movably arranged in connection to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the blank redirection structure (7) is configured for feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) from the first blank carrying structure (5) to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the method comprises the steps: continuously feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) by the first blank carrying structure (5) in a first feeding direction (DFI), with the first side (Si) facing the first blank carrying structure (5); redirecting the cellulose blank structure (2) by means of the blank redirection structure (7) from the first blank carrying structure (5) to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein after redirection the second side (S2) is facing the second blank carrying structure (6); intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) by the second blank carrying structure (6) in a second feeding direction (DF2) being at least partly opposite the first feeding direction (DFI), wherein upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) the blank redirection structure (7) is alternatingly moving in opposite directions relative to the first blank carrying structure (5) and the second blank carrying structure (6); alternatingly moving the application device (8) in opposite directions relative to the second blank carrying structure (6) upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure by the second blank carrying structure (6) and applying one or more substances (S) onto the first side (Si) by the application device (8).
  2. 2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step: operating the first blank carrying structure (5) with a continuous transportation speed (Tc) in the buffering mode (MB) and the feeding mode (MF).
  3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises the steps: operating the second blank carrying structure (6) with a first transportation speed (Ti) in the buffering mode (MB); and operating the second blank carrying structure (6) with a second transportation speed (T2) in the feeding mode (MF), wherein the first transportation speed (T1) is lower than the second transportation speed (T2).
  4. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first transportation speed (T1) is zero, or wherein the first transportation speed (T1) is essentially zero.
  5. 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the method further comprises the step: forming the cellulose products (1) in the forming mould (3) during the buffering mode (MB) when the second blank carrying structure (6) is operated with the first transportation speed (T1).
  6. 6. The method according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the method further comprises the step: feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) from the second blank carrying structure (6) to the forming mould (3) during the feeding mode (MF) when the second blank carrying structure (6) is operated with the second transportation speed (T2).
  7. 7. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises the steps: moving the application device (8) in the buffering mode (MB) from a start position (Ps) to an end position (PE) in a direction opposite the second feeding direction (DF2); and applying the one or more substances (S) to the first side (Si) by means of the application device (8) in the buffering mode (MB).
  8. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the step: moving the application device (8) in the feeding mode (MF) from the end position (PE) to the start position (Ps) in the second feeding direction (DF2).
  9. 9. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the application device (8) comprises a first set of spray nozzles (8a), wherein the method further comprises the step: applying the one or more substances (S) to the first side (Si) by means of the first set of spray nozzles (8a).
  10. 10. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the buffering module (4) further comprises an application unit (9) arranged in connection to the first blank carrying structure (5), wherein the method further comprises the step: applying one or more substances (S) onto the second side (S2) by the application unit (9).
  11. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the application unit (9) comprises a second set of spray nozzles (9a), wherein the method further comprises the steps: applying the one or more substances (S) to the second side (S2) by means of the second set of spray nozzles (9a) upon feeding of the cellulose blank structure (2) by the first blank carrying structure (5).
  12. 12. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the buffering module (4) comprises an inlet portion (4a), an outlet portion (4b), and a buffering portion (4c) between the inlet portion (4a) and the outlet portion (4b), wherein the cellulose blank structure (2) has a buffering extension (EB) in the buffering portion (4c) between the inlet portion (4a) and the outlet portion (4b), wherein the method further comprises the steps: gradually increasing the buffering extension (EB) of the cellulose blank structure (2) by means of the blank redirection structure (7) during the buffering mode (MB), and gradually decreasing the buffering extension (EB) of the cellulose blank structure (2) by means of the blank redirection structure (7) during the feeding mode (MF).
  13. 13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein a first layer application unit (10) is arranged in connection to the first blank carrying structure (5), wherein the method further comprises the steps: arranging one or more first material layers (2a) in connection to the first side (Si) upon feeding of the cellulose blank structure (2) by the first blank carrying structure (5).
  14. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step: separating the one or more first material layers (2a) from the first side (Si) upon feeding past the application device (8), wherein the cellulose blank structure (2) is fed past the application device (8) with the first side (Si) facing an application area (A) of the application device (8), and wherein the one or more first material layers (2a) are routed past the application device (8) away from the application area (A).
  15. 15. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein a second layer application unit (11) is arranged in connection to the first blank carrying structure (5), wherein the method further comprises the steps: arranging one or more second material layers (2b) in connection to the second side (S2) upon feeding of the cellulose blank structure (2) by the first blank carrying structure (5).
  16. 16. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises the steps: moving the blank redirection structure (7) in the buffering mode (MB) in a first direction (Di) from a buffering mode starting position (PSB) to a buffering mode ending position (PEB); and moving the blank redirection structure (7) in the feeding mode (ME) in a second direction (D2) from a feeding mode starting position (PSF) to a feeding mode ending position (PEF), wherein the buffering mode starting position (PSB) is corresponding to the feeding mode ending position (PEF) and the buffering mode ending position (PEB) is corresponding to the feeding mode starting position (PSF).
  17. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises the step: synchronizing the alternating movement of the blank redirection structure (7) with the alternating movement of the application device (8), wherein in the buffering mode (MB) the blank redirection structure (7) and the application device (8) are moved in the first direction (Di), and wherein in the feeding mode (MF) the blank redirection structure (7) and the application device (8) are moved in the second direction (D 2 ).
  18. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises the steps: moving the blank redirection structure (7) in the buffering mode (MB) with a speed in the first direction (Di) that is lower than the speed in the first direction (Di) of the application device (8); and moving the blank redirection structure (7) in the feeding mode (MB) with a speed in the second direction (D2) that is lower than the speed in the second direction (D2) of the application device (8).
  19. 19. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the blank redirection structure (7) is arranged as a rotating wheel structure, wherein the method further comprises the steps: rotating the blank redirection structure (7) with a rotational speed in the feeding mode (MF) that is higher than the rotational speed in the buffering mode (MB).
  20. 20. A buffering module (4) for buffering an air-formed cellulose blank structure (2) upon feeding of the cellulose blank structure (2) to a forming mould (3) arranged for dry-forming cellulose products (1) from the cellulose blank structure (2), wherein the buffering module (4) is configured for alternatingly operating in a buffering mode (MB) and a feeding mode (MF), wherein the cellulose blank structure (2) has a first side (Si) and an opposite second side (S2), wherein the buffering module (4) comprises a first blank carrying structure (5), a second blank carrying structure (6), a blank redirection structure (7) movably arranged between the first blank carrying structure (5) and the second blank carrying structure (6), and an application device (8) movably arranged in connection to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the blank redirection structure (7) is configured for feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) from the first blank carrying structure (5) to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the first blank carrying structure (5) is configured for continuously feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) in a first feeding direction (DFI), with the first side (Si) facing the first blank carrying structure (5), wherein the blank redirection structure (7) is configured for redirecting the cellulose blank structure (2) from the first blank carrying structure (5) to the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein after redirection the second side (S2) is facing the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the second blank carrying structure (6) is configured for intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) in a second feeding direction (DF2) being at least partly opposite the first feeding direction (DFI), wherein upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) the blank redirection structure (7) is alternatingly moving in opposite directions relative to the first blank carrying structure (5) and the second blank carrying structure (6), wherein the application device (8) is configured for being alternatingly moved in opposite directions relative to the second blank carrying structure (6) upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure (2) by the second blank carrying structure (6), and further configured for applying one or more substances (S) onto the first side (Si).

Description

METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING AN AIR-FORMED CELLULOSE BLANK STRUCTURE AND BUFFERING MODULE TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a method for transporting an air-formed cellulose blank structure to a forming mould via a buffering module. The disclosure further relates to a buffering module buffering an air-formed cellulose blank structure upon feeding of the cellulose blank structure to a forming mould. BACKGROUND Cellulose fibres are commonly used as raw material for producing or manufacturing cellulose products. Products formed of cellulose fibres can be used in many different situations where there is a need for sustainable products. A wide range of cellulose products can be produced from cellulose fibres and a few examples are disposable plates and cups, cutlery, lids, bottle caps, coffee pods, blank structures, hangers, and packaging materials. Forming mould systems are commonly used when manufacturing cellulose products from raw materials including cellulose fibres, and traditionally the cellulose products have been produced by wet-forming methods. With the wet-forming methods, there is a need for drying of the wet moulded product, where the drying process is a time and energy consuming part of the production. One development in the field of producing cellulose products is dry-forming of cellulose products without using wetforming methods. Instead of forming the cellulose products from a liquid or semi liquid pulp suspension or slurry, an air-formed cellulose blank structure is used. The airformed cellulose blank structure is inserted into a forming mould, and during the dryforming of the cellulose products the cellulose blank is subjected to a high forming pressure and a high forming temperature. When dry-forming the cellulose products, the forming mould is operated intermittently, and one difficulty with the dry-forming methods is the problem with inefficient intermittent feeding of the cellulose blank structure to the forming mould. T raditionally, complex and non-efficient feeding units are used for the intermittent feeding of the cellulose blank structure to the forming mould and there is a risk for breaking the cellulose blank structure during the intermittent feeding operation. There is thus a need for more efficient intermittent feeding systems. SUMMARY An object of the present disclosure is to provide to a method for transporting an airformed cellulose blank structure, and a buffering module, where the previously mentioned problems are avoided. This object is at least partly achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the method for transporting an air-formed cellulose blank structure, and the buffering module. The disclosure concerns a method for transporting an air-formed cellulose blank structure to a forming mould via a buffering module configured for alternatingly operating in a buffering mode and a feeding mode. The cellulose blank structure has a first side and an opposite second side. The forming mould is arranged for dryforming cellulose products from the cellulose blank structure. The buffering module comprises a first blank carrying structure, a second blank carrying structure, a blank redirection structure movably arranged between the first blank carrying structure and the second blank carrying structure, and an application device movably arranged in connection to the second blank carrying structure. The blank redirection structure is configured for feeding the cellulose blank structure from the first blank carrying structure to the second blank carrying structure. The method comprises the steps: continuously feeding the cellulose blank structure by the first blank carrying structure in a first feeding direction, with the first side facing the first blank carrying structure; redirecting the cellulose blank structure by means of the blank redirection structure from the first blank carrying structure to the second blank carrying structure, wherein after redirection the second side is facing the second blank carrying structure; intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure by the second blank carrying structure in a second feeding direction being at least partly opposite the first feeding direction, wherein upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure the blank redirection structure is alternatingly moving in opposite directions relative to the first blank carrying structure and the second blank carrying structure; alternatingly moving the application device in opposite directions relative to the second blank carrying structure upon intermittently feeding the cellulose blank structure by the second blank carrying structure and applying one or more substances onto the first side by the application device. Advantages with these features are that the first blank carrying structure, the second blank carrying structure, and the blank redirection structure, efficiently establish the intermittent feed