MOULD CONTAINER PART PROVIDED WITH A SEALING STRIP

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a mould container part (3), particularly for manufacturing green bricks therein with a mould container pressing device, comprising:
- one or more mould containers (16), each having a mould cavity (19) bounded by a base (38) and a wall (40);
- a sealing strip (100) extending outward from the wall (40);
- wherein the sealing strip (100) comprises an anchoring part (101) and a compression part (102) extending outward from the anchoring part (101);
- wherein the anchoring part (102) of the sealing strip (100) comprises on a side remote from the compression (102) part a thickened portion (103) of cylindrical cross-section and is received in a corresponding accommodation (104) of the mould container part (25); and
- wherein a narrowed portion is provided between the thickened portion (103) of the anchoring part (101) and the compression part (102).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mould container part provided with a sealing strip.

[0002] A mould container part and sealing strip of the prior art is known from the older Netherlands patent NL 2005214 and corresponding European patent application EP 2 418 057 A1 of Applicant, and describes a mould container part for manufacturing green bricks therein with a mould container pressing device, comprising:

• one or more mould containers, each having a mould cavity for forming a green brick from clay therein, wherein the mould cavity is bounded by a base and a wall; and
• a sealing strip extending outward from the wall.

The sealing strip extending outward from the wall has the purpose of preventing clay residues released during pressing of the green bricks in the mould cavity from dropping through an intermediate space between successive mould container parts.

[0003] A drawback of the seal known from NL 2005214 is that conditions sometimes occur whereby the seal loses its sealing property. The seal can for instance thus adhere to an adjacent mould container. This adhesion can for instance occur during frost when the mould containers are pressed against each other in a straight part of the conveyor. When the mould containers then detach from each other at a chain wheel, this can result in the cord-like seal being pulled out of its groove and damaged and/or the sealing function thereof being lost.

[0004] In the prior art known from NL 2005214 the seal is cord-like and is clamped in a groove in order to bring about some anchoring. Although the anchoring in the groove is regularly found to be insufficient to prevent removal of the cord-like seal from the groove, the clamping of the cord-like seal in the groove does however result in some compression of the seal. The cross-section of the cord-like seal, which in unloaded state is round, is pushed here into an elliptical shape, and the compressibility desired for the purpose of providing a seal between adjacent mould container parts is reduced. A prior art cord-like seal clamped in a groove is therefore a compromise between anchoring and compressibility, whereby both functions perform sub-optimally.

[0005] The Japanese publication JP H06 85 855 U shows a seal constructed from two parts. A first part forms a compression part with a leg extending therefrom. This leg engages in an anchoring part forming a second part of the seal. The seal is arranged in a slot-like recess of a mould for forming concrete elements. Fins extending transversely of the anchoring part engage against an inner wall of the slot and anchor the seal relative to the slot.

[0006] The French patent application FR 29 97 116 A1 shows a seal comprising an anchor-shaped anchoring part and a compression part connected via a body.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a seal and mould container part provided therewith wherein the stated drawbacks do not occur, or at least do so to lesser extent.

[0008] Said object is achieved according to the invention with the mould container part, in particular for manufacturing green bricks therein with a mould container pressing device, comprising:

• one or more mould containers, each having a mould cavity bounded by a base and a wall;
• a sealing strip extending outward from the wall; and
• wherein the sealing strip comprises an anchoring part and a compression part extending outward from the anchoring part;
• wherein the anchoring part of the sealing strip comprises on a side remote from the compression part a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section and is received in a corresponding accommodation of the mould container part; and
• wherein a narrowed portion is provided between the thickened portion of the anchoring part and the compression part.

[0009] Because the sealing strip according to the invention comprises a separate anchoring part and compression part, both can be optimized for their respective function. The anchoring part can on the one hand thus be adapted for a reliable anchoring on the mould container so that the removal of the cord-like seal from the groove occurring in the prior art formed by NL 2005214 is effectively prevented. The compression part can on the other hand also be adapted to provide a durable seal. The degree of flexibility/compressibility can be adjusted as desired in the design without this adversely affecting the anchoring.

[0010] As described in the foregoing, the seal shown in the Japanese publication JP H06 85 855 U is constructed from two parts. The first part forms a compression part with a protruding leg engaging in the anchoring part. The anchoring part forms the second part of the seal. The anchoring part of JP H06 85 855 U comprises a support part of rectangular cross-sectional form with fins extending transversely therefrom. The fins are configured to engage against an inner wall of a slot so as to thus anchor the seal relative to the slot. The anchoring part of JP H06 85 855 U thus lacks a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section. The anchoring part according to the invention comprising a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section on a side remote from the compression part results in a simplification which is easier to manufacture, this being particularly advantageous for such a replacement part. Further provided in JP H06 85 855 U between the anchoring part and the compression part is a thickened part where a leg extending from the compression part engages in a claw-like recess of the anchoring part. The seal of JP H06 85 855 U thus lacks a narrowed portion provided between the thickened portion of the anchoring part and the compression part. This narrowed portion provides a robust and reliable connection between the sealing strip and the mould container.

[0011] The French patent application FR 29 97 116 A1 shows a seal with an anchor-shaped anchoring part with a passage therein, and therefore lacks the anchoring part comprising a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section on a side remote from the compression part. An anchoring part comprising a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section is much simpler to manufacture than the anchoring part of FR 29 97 116 A1.

[0012] In FR 29 97 116 A1 the anchoring part is provided with a passage, whereby it is difficult to extrude. According to the invention the anchoring part can be solid, this resulting in a form which can be easily manufactured in an extrusion process.

[0013] Particularly advantageous preferred embodiments form the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for manufacturing green bricks from clay for the brick manufacturing industry;

Figure 2 shows a mould container part with seal according to a first prior art;

Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of a mould container part and seal according to a second prior art;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a mould container part with seal according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of two mould container parts between which the seal according to figure 5 is arranged;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a mould container part with a seal according to the invention.

[0015] Figure 1 shows a mould container pressing device 1 for manufacturing green bricks 18 from clay for the brick manufacturing industry, comprising a circulating conveyor 2 formed from connected mould container parts 3, wherein each mould container part 3 comprises one or more mould containers 16, each with a mould cavity 19, a reservoir 4 for clay arranged above mould containers 16, clay arranging means for arranging clay from reservoir 4 in mould containers 16 during a moulding stage, means for covering an open side of mould containers 16 with take-off plates 11, at least one ejecting device 20 arranged on conveyor 2 and movable relative to conveyor 2, wherein ejecting device 20 is configured to eject a green brick 18 present in mould container 16 onto an associated take-off plate 11 during a release stage, wherein ejecting device 20 comprises at least one base 38 which is displaceable in mould container 16.

[0016] The mould container pressing device 1 comprises a chain conveyor 2, also referred to as mould conveyor. This chain conveyor 2 is assembled from a large number of mutually connected mould container parts 3, each comprising a number of mould containers 16. Each mould container 16 comprises a mould cavity 19 in which clay can be received for the purpose of forming a green brick 18. Mould container parts 3 are coupled to each other and provided with rollers 15 rotatable over girders 14 so as to together thus form the chain - or conveyor - of chain conveyor 2 - or mould conveyor. The chain is driven by one of the chain wheels 13 or by both chain wheels 13 (wherein for the sake of clarity only the right-hand chain wheel is shown in Figure 1). The transporting direction of the chain conveyor is to the left in the shown embodiment of Figure 1 (PI in Figure 1). A conveyor rotating to the right is of course likewise possible.

[0017] Placed above mould containers 16 is a reservoir 4 for clay which is kept in continuous movement by an agitator 5 driven by motor 6. Clay is fed to reservoir 4 by a circulating conveyor 7. The clay is carried out of reservoir 4 into mould container 16 and then pressed down by a pressing device 8 (not shown). The excess clay is also trimmed using means which are not shown.

[0018] Device 1 further comprises a conveyor 10 with which take-off plates 11 are supplied. Conveyor 10 also ensures that a take-off plate 11 is placed on top of each passing mould container part 3. Take-off plates 11 remain pressed against the respective mould container parts 3 by a holding mechanism 12 when they pass over the left-hand chain wheel (not shown) on the discharge side of the device. After mould container part 3 has been turned over, the green bricks 18 still lie on plates 11.

[0019] An ejecting device 20 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 presses the green bricks 18 out of mould containers 16 per mould container part 3. Green bricks 18 here remain lying on take-off plates 11 after they have been released from mould containers 16. Take-off plates 11 with green bricks 18 thereon are then discharged for further treatment, such as drying and firing.

[0020] A mould container part 3 is assembled from different mould containers 16 connected to form a unit. Mould container part 3 further comprises a chain part 44 onto which link parts 46 are welded. When different mould container parts 3 with chain parts 44 are placed adjacently of each other and a shaft 52 is inserted through the link parts, these mould container parts 3 are connected to form a chain conveyor 2. Situated on the end of shaft 52 is a runner 48. A bolt 50 is also provided to lock shaft 52 through link parts 46.

[0021] Several further developments have taken place in the prior art to prevent clay pressed into mould containers 16 for the purpose of forming a green brick 18 therein from being spilled and dropping downward between successive mould container parts 3.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a first prior art wherein mould container parts 3 are provided on the outer side of wall 40 with fixedly welded anti-leakage strips 56 and 58. The front anti-leakage strip 56 arranged on the front side of mould container part 3 fits substantially against the rear anti-leakage strip 58 of an adjacent mould container part 3 (not shown) in front of it, so that only a small gap remains therebetween.

[0023] The upper side of the mould container parts and the anti-leakage strips 56 and 58 wear during production of bricks. Because these anti-leakage strips 56, 58 are fixedly welded, during repair these welds have to be regularly ground away, welded in again and subsequently milled level again, which is very laborious and moreover regularly has the adverse effect that a mould container part bends out of shape as a result of the heat released during the welding.

[0024] The embodiments as shown in Figures 3 and 4 show a further prior art as known from the Netherlands patent NL 2005214. Mould container part 3 comprises a base part 24 which is fixed to wall 40 of mould container part 3. Resting on the upper side of base part 24 is a wearing part 28 which lies with its upper side substantially level with the upper side 41 of wall 40. When wall 40 wears during production of bricks, wearing part 28 will also wear. During repair operations the wall 40 can easily be milled off, after which the initial distance between upper side 32 of base part 24 and upper side 41 of wall 40 is restored by likewise milling off the upper side 32 of base part 24. The worn wearing part 28 is removed and a new, substantially non-worn wearing part is arranged above base part 24, once again with its upper side 33 substantially level with upper side 41 of wall 40.

[0025] Arranged in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 between base part 24 and wearing part 28 is an intermediate part 25 which is provided on the side directed away from wall 40 with a recess 26 in which a cord-like seal 27 can be received. Seal 27 extends further outward away from wall 40 than outer wall 37 of base part 24, outer wall 35 of intermediate part 25 and outer wall 39 of wearing part 28.

[0026] A drilled hole 29 is provided which extends through base part 24, intermediate part 25 and wearing part 28. In a preferred embodiment the wearing part 28 is provided with a threaded end in which a bolt 30 can engage. Wearing part 28 and intermediate part 25 can then be fixed to base part 24 using a nut 31.

[0027] When upper side 41 of wall 40 wears together with upper side 33 of wearing part 28 during use - indicated with wear thickness S in Figure 4 - it is desirable to level the upper sides 41 and 33 of respectively wall 40 and wearing part 28. After nut 31 has been unscrewed, wearing part 28 is removed together with bolt 30 from drilled hole 29. The upper side 41 of wall 40 is then milled level, wherein a layer thickness is removed from upper side 41.

[0028] A layer of material is milled away on the upper side 32 of base part 24 which corresponds to the sum of the layer with layer thickness S worn away during use (Figure 4) and a layer thickness V removed during levelling. Because a layer thickness S + V is removed from base part 24, the original distance from upper side 32 of base part 24 to upper side 41 of wall 40 is restored, and it is possible to either re-place a single wearing part 28 according to the first embodiment or to re-place a combination of wearing part 28 and intermediate part 25 according to the second embodiment. Such wearing parts 28 and intermediate parts 25 are standard parts and can therefore be readily available in stock. Grinding away and re-welding, with all the associated drawbacks, have hereby become wholly unnecessary.

[0029] Because upper side 41 of wall 40 has had a layer thickness S + V removed, mould cavity 19 in mould container 16 has also become a distance S + V less deep. In order to ensure that green bricks 18 with the original brick height are manufactured, the legs 42 functioning as spacers attached to the underside of ejector base 38 are likewise shortened by a layer distance S + V. It is otherwise also possible in some cases to set the brick height with a support device - not further described here - in which case shortening of legs 42 may be unnecessary.

[0030] Figures 5-7 show a mould container part 3 with a sealing strip according to the invention. The description of overhauling operations included above with reference to Figures 3 and 4 for repairing wear of the upper side of mould container parts 3 can also be applied to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5-7. For this reason this latter is likewise provided with an intermediate part 25, although this part is not a requirement per se for the use of a sealing strip 100 according to the invention. An additional intermediate piece 110 can on the other hand optionally be applied. Like reference numerals are applied for like measures.

[0031] Figures 5-7 show a mould container part 3 for manufacturing green bricks 18 therein with a mould container pressing device, comprising one or more mould containers 16, each having a mould cavity 19 for forming a green brick 18 from clay therein, wherein mould cavity 19 is bounded by a base 38 and a wall 40. Extending outward from wall 40 is a sealing strip 100 which can optionally be arranged in an intermediate part 25. Sealing strip 100 comprises an anchoring part 101 and a compression part 102 extending outward from anchoring part 101. Because sealing strip 100 comprises a separate anchoring part 101 and compression part 102, both can be optimized for their respective function.

[0032] In the shown preferred embodiment anchoring part 101 of sealing strip 100 comprises on a side remote from compression part 102 a thickened portion 103 which is received in a corresponding accommodation 104 of mould container part 3. In Figure 5 accommodation 104 is situated in intermediate part 25.

[0033] Using anchoring part 101 the sealing strip 100 can be placed and/or replaced quickly and easily since anchoring part 101 can be inserted in simple manner in accommodation 104. Depending on the resilience thereof, anchoring part 101 can be pushed with force into accommodation 104 or be slid laterally into accommodation 104. It is not necessary to first release a clamping and then tighten it again, as takes place via bolt 30 in the prior art shown in Figure 3.

[0034] When accommodation 104 is an elongate slot open at least at one outer end 105, sealing strip 100 can be slid laterally into accommodation 104. Even a sealing strip 100 with an anchoring part 101 with a limited compressibility can hereby be arranged quickly and easily in accommodation 104. A limited compressibility of anchoring part 101 is advantageous for the anchoring function. Because of the limited compressibility the thickened portion 103 will after all not be able to move, or not move easily, through a narrowed portion 106 of accommodation 104.

[0035] Compression part 102 comprises a support surface 107 from which anchoring part 101 extends. Support surface 107 has in a cross-section of sealing strip 100 a larger dimension than anchoring part 101. Compression part 102, in contrast to the prior art shown in Figure 3, can hereby be given a larger form than anchoring part 101 and thus be designed with a desired degree of flexibility/compressibility guaranteeing a good sealing function.

[0036] Because support surface 107 of compression part 102 lies against a surface 108 in which accommodation 104 is arranged, the support surface will be supported over a relatively large surface area during compression of compression part 102.

[0037] In the shown embodiment compression part 102 comprises an open space 111 which further increases the degree of flexibility/compressibility.

[0038] Seal 100 of Figure 5 is shown on a rear side of a mould container 3, and can likewise be provided in mirrored form on a front side of a mould container 3. Compression parts 102 will then be pressed against each other during use.

[0039] An alternative embodiment is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Provided here is a mating part 109 which has a shape which is complementary to the shape of compression part 102. In Figures 6 and 7 compression part 102 is convex on the side remote from wall 40, and mating part 109 has a complementary concave shape.

[0040] It is otherwise noted that, in the case of a short distance between successive mould container parts 3, it is possible to envisage only one side wall 40 being provided with a sealing strip 100 and the other side wall 40 being without a mating part 109.

[0041] Although it shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, the above described embodiment is intended only for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0042] The skilled person will for instance appreciate that intermediate part 25 in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 5-7 is advantageous, though not essential for an application of a sealing strip according to the invention. Sealing strip 100 can alternatively be received with its anchoring part 101 in an accommodation of a lengthened base part 24 (not shown), or possibly even in an accommodation provided in wall 40 itself.

[0043] When measures in the claims are followed by reference numerals, such reference numerals serve only to contribute toward the understanding of the claims, but are in no way limitative of the scope of protection. The described rights are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Mould container part, comprising:

- one or more mould containers, each having a mould cavity bounded by a base and a wall; and

- a sealing strip extending outward from the wall,

characterized in that

- the sealing strip comprises an anchoring part and a compression part extending outward from the anchoring part;

- wherein the anchoring part of the sealing strip comprises on a side remote from the compression part a thickened portion of cylindrical cross-section and is received in a corresponding accommodation of the mould container part; and

- wherein a narrowed portion is provided between the thickened portion of the anchoring part and the compression part.

2. Mould container part as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring part is solid.

3. Mould container part as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the accommodation is an elongate slot which is open at least at one outer end.

4. Mould container part as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the compression part comprises a support surface from which the anchoring part extends.

5. Mould container part as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support surface has in a cross-section of the sealing strip a larger dimension than the anchoring part.

6. Mould container part as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the support surface of the compression part lies against a surface of the mould container part in which the accommodation is arranged.

7. Mould container part as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the compression part comprises an open space.

8. Mould container pressing device for manufacturing green bricks from clay for the brick manufacturing industry, comprising:

- a circulating conveyor formed from connected mould container parts, wherein each mould container part comprises one or more mould containers, each with a mould cavity;

- wherein at least one mould container part as claimed in at least one of the claims 1-7 is applied.

Drawing