Improvements in or relating to steam conditioning mouldable wood fibre mats

摘要

PICT:1056332/C3/1 A mouldable mat 38 consisting of wood fibre, thermoplastic binder and thermosetting resin is placed between upper and lower platens 21 and 22 spaced apart by spacer blocks 29 and 37 a distance greater than the thickness of the mat. Steam is injected into the mat via openings 31 in platen 22 and screens 35 and 36, a wire mesh and a nylon cloth respectively. The steam escapes around the edge of platen 21 through similar screens 27 and 28. The mat expands to a thickness equal to the platen spacing and thereby assumes a desired predetermined density. The platen 21 is mounted for movement relative to stationary platen 22 by means of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 13, Fig. 1 (not shown). Steam is admitted to chamber 34 of platen 22 from a supply via a valve 48, Fig. 1, operated by a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 42.