WO2007119999A1

WO2007119999A1 - Mass producing apparatus and method for clay receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2007119999A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001853
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo-Hyeon Yeo
Original assignee: Bo-Hyeon Yeo
Priority date: 2006-04-18
Filing date: 2007-04-17
Publication date: 2007-10-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle. The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes: a fixed frame having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof; a movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into the fixed frame and separated from one another when escaped from the fixed frame, the movable separating frame having the shape formed at the inside thereof to correspond to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the fixed frame; a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle; and a movable separating frame-moving means adapted to move the movable separating frame in an escaping direction from the fixed frame, such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame are separated from one another.

Description

MASS PRODUCING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLAY

RECEPTACLE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle like ceramics, tableware, dishes, Kimchi-containers for a Kimchi refrigerator.

[2] More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle that is capable of stably separating a clay-molded product that is not hard yet from a frame (mold), thereby enabling the clay receptacle to be produced in large quantities by using one mold. Background Art

[3] Clay receptacles made of clay like ceramics, tableware, dishes, and so on are favored as having no chemical components discharged therefrom and having a good air ventilation capability, unlike receptacles made of synthetic resin like plastics. However, there occurs a problem that it is difficult to produce the clay receptacles in large quantities.

[4] That is, shaping dough for respective clay receptacle products should be carried out before the production, which needs a relatively long period of time for producing one clay receptacle product.

[5] So as to solve this problem, thus, there has been proposed Korean Patent Application No. 10-1992-0009500 (entitled 'ornamental ceramics, a method for making the ornamental ceramic, and a ceramics-molding apparatus', as filed in June 01, 1992) wherein soil water is filled in a mold, thereby making the ceramics.

[6] Further, there has been proposed Korean Utility Model Application

No.20-2000-0022050 (entitled 'a molding apparatus for a good- ventilated ceramic receptacle' as filed in August 2, 2000) wherein clay is charged into and pressurized in a porous mold, thereby molding the ceramic receptacle, and further, there is proposed Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-8216 (as filed January 18, 1994) wherein clay is charged into and pressurized in a mold for forming the clay receptacle.

[7] By the way, according to the conventional arts as mentioned above the clay

(hereinafter, referred to as 'clay-molded product') molded to conform to a receptacle shape in the mold is hardened, and then, the clay-molded product after the hardening is separated from the mold, which needs a lots of molds for the mass production of the clay receptacle.

[8] Moreover, according to the above Korean Utility Model Application No.20-2000-0022050 wherein a method for producing the clay receptacle by using the porous mold is adopted, a demerit is caused that it is possible to produce the clay receptacle that is relatively low in depth at a portion (hereinafter, referred to as 'a depressed portion') for placing food staffs thereon or for storing them therein, but it is difficult to produce the clay receptacles having a deep depressed portion.

[9] In this case, since the depressed portion is deep, it is difficult to separate the clay- molded product from the mold, and further, during the separation, it is likely that the clay-molded product will be broken to pieces or deformed in its original shape. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle that can produce the clay receptacle by using one frame in large quantities at a fast speed and also can produce the clay receptacle having a deep depressed portion easily.

[11] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle that can produce the clay receptacle like ajar having a convexedly protruded middle portion in large quantities. Technical Solution

[12] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle.

[13] According to the present invention, a clay-molded product being not rigidly hard is separated stably from a frame, thereby producing the clay receptacle by using one frame in large quantities.

[14] So as to do this, a movable separating frame has a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, and if the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame are inserted into a fixed frame, they are assembled, thereby achieving rapid assembling.

[15] A method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention includes a clay-charging step wherein clay is charged into the movable separating fram e having the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another by means of the fixed frame and forms the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, when assembled.

[16] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention includes a molding step wherein the clay charged into the movable separating frame is pressurized by means of a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion to form the shape of the clay receptacle.

[17] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention includes a frame -removing step wherein the pressurizing frame is removed and the movable separating frame is escaped from the fixed frame to release the assembled state thereof, thereby obtaining a clay-molded product.

[18] Finally, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention includes a finishing step wherein the clay-molded product obtained through the frame-removing step is dried or burnt in a furnace, thereby obtaining a hard clay receptacle.

[19] An apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention includes the fixed frame having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof.

[20] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the movable separating frame having the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another. That is, if the movable separating frame is inserted into the fixed frame, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another. In this case, when the plurality of parts are assembled, the movable separating frame forms the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle.

[21] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the pressurizing frame having the post-like protrusion and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inside space of the clay receptacle.

[22] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes movable separating frame-moving means adapted to move the movable separating frame in an escaping direction from the fixed frame, such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame can be separated from one another.

[23] Hereinafter, the present invention will be in detail explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[24] Therefore, there are shown in the drawings the embodiments of the invention that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the shapes shown in the drawings.

[25] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for mass- producing a clay receptacle that can produce the clay receptacle by using one frame in large quantities at a fast speed.

[26] That is, according to a conventional method for producing a clay receptacle by using a frame, the clay receptacle can be repeatedly produced by using one frame, but it can be separated from the frame after rigidly hardened. [27] Therefore, it takes a substantially long period of time for producing one clay receptacle by using one frame, thereby giving the restriction in the mass production of the clay receptacle.

[28] The present invention can greatly reduce the time required for producing one clay receptacle by using one frame, thereby enabling the clay receptacle to be produced in large quantities.

[29] So as to reduce the time required for producing one clay receptacle by using one frame, there is a need for escaping the clay-molded product that is just molded to a predetermined receptacle shape and is not rigidly hardened from the frame.

[30] By the way, when the clay-molded product that is not rigidly hardened is escaped from the frame, it should be not deformed or broken, which enables the clay receptacles having the same shape to be produced in large quantities.

[31] Now, an explanation on an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be given in detail wherein a fixed frame 10, a movable separating frame 20, a pressurizing frame 30, and movable separating frame-moving means 40 are provided.

[32] The movable separating frame 20 includes a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, and when the plurality of parts are assembled, they have the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, at the inside thereof.

[33] The pressurizing frame 30 has a post-like protrusion 31 and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame 20 for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame 20 to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inside space of the receptacle by means of the post-like protrusion 31.

[34] That is, the clay-molded product is molded by means of the movable separating frame 20 and the pressurizing frame 30, and when the clay-molded product 1 is separated from the movable separating frame 20, the respective parts of the movable separating frame 20 are separated from one another, thereby enabling the clay-molded product 1 to be separated from the movable separating frame 20, without any deformation or breaking of the clay-molded product.

[35] The post- like protrusion 31 has a circular section, but it may have a square, pentagonal, or polygonal section.

[36] However, so as to help the pressurizing frame 30 smoothly moved backwardly after the pressurizing frame 30 is moved forwardly to pressurize the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20, desirably, the protrusion 31 has the same sectional shape and size, that is, has a straight extended shape. Otherwise, it may have the same sectional shape but have a gradually reducing size. [37] Of course, the post- like protrusion 31 has a projection part 32 formed at a predetermined position thereof in such a manner as to be moved inwardly to and outwardly from the space portion thereof, as shown in FIG.6.

[38] In this case, the structure having the projection part 32 has means for moving the projection part 32 to the inside of the protrusion 31 during the protrusion 31 is moved forwardly and backwardly and for moving the projection part 32 outwardly from the protrusion 31 during the clay is pressurized.

[39] So as not to prevent clay from entering the space where the projection part 32 is moved to the inside of the protrusion 31, the structure having the projection part 32 is made by means of substantially precise machining.

[40] The structure having the projection part 32 generally adopts an injection mold in practical use, but since the present invention molds the clay requiring a relatively long period of time until the clay is rigidly harden, it needs more precise machining than the injection mold. Therefore, the structure having the projection part 32 is not economical in practical use.

[41] According to the present invention, there is a need for the rapid and accurate assembling of the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20.

[42] While the pressurizing force is being exerted by means of the pressurizing frame

30, further, the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 should not be released from their assembling state and further should not have any change in their assembling state.

[43] So as to do this, according to the present invention, the fixed frame 10 has a hollow portion 11 formed at the inside thereof in such a manner as to place the movable separating frame 20 thereinto.

[44] If the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 are inserted into the fixed frame 10, they are assembled, and if they are escaped from the fixed frame 10, they are separated from one another.

[45] The movable separating frame 20 as shown in FIGS.1 to 5 is used for producing a box-shaped clay receptacle having a square storing space portion.

[46] The movable separating frame 20 as shown in FIGS.1 to 5 includes a bottom plate

21 forming the bottom surface thereof and four wall surface plates 22 forming the side walls thereof. The bottom plate 21 is separably moved from the lower portion of the hollow portion 11 of the fixed frame 10 to the upper portion thereof, and the four wall surface plates 22 have a coupling groove 22a adapted to be coupled with the fixed frame 10.

[47] Further, the hollow portion 11 of the fixed frame 10 is formed in such a manner as to insert the bottom plate 21 thereinto and move the bottom plate 21 upward and downward, and it has a coupling protrusion 12 formed on each of the four side surfaces thereof in such a manner as to be inserted into the coupling groove 22a of each of the four wall surface plates 22.

[48] The coupling groove 22a coupled with the coupling protrusion 12 is released from the coupling state only when the bottom plate 21 is moved upwardly and escaped from the fixed frame 10.

[49] That is, only when the bottom plate 21 and the four wall surface plates 22 are escaped from the hollow portion 11 of the fixed frame 10, the respective parts of the movable separating frame 20 are separated from one another, and after that, the wall surface plates 22 that are attached (which is caused by the viscosity of the clay-molded product 1) from the sides of the clay receptacle can be separated therefrom.

[50] The coupling protrusion 12 and the coupling groove 22a have outwardly extended taper in the drawings, but they may be slid to each other, which is applied in a variety of industrial fields.

[51] According to the present invention, the movable separating frame 20 where the clay-molded product 1 is molded should be escaped from the fixed frame 10 easily.

[52] This is achieved by movable separating frame-moving means 40 adapted to move the movable separating frame 20 in an escaping direction from the fixed frame 10, such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 can be separated from one another.

[53] The movable separating frame-moving means 40 can be operated manually, automatically, or semi-automatically.

[54] The movable separating frame-moving means 40 as shown in FIGS.1 to 5 is configured wherein the bottom plate 21 of the movable separating frame 20 is moved upwardly and thus, the wall surface plates 22 are escaped from the fixed frame 10, together with the bottom plate 21, such that the respective wall surface plates 22 are separated from one another.

[55] The upward movement of the bottom plate 21 is carried out by means of a cylinder

41 of the movable separating frame-moving means 40.

[56] Under the above structure, the upward movement of the bottom plate 21 may be carried out manually by means of a manual-operating device, not by means of the cylinder 41, and otherwise, it may be carried out full-automatically or semi- automatically in a cooperative relation between the cylinder 41 and another device (a sensor, and the like).

[57] Under the above structure, after the movable separating frame 20 is escaped from the fixed frame 10, the wall surface plates 22 of the movable separating frame 20 are separated from one another, and the clay-molded product placed on the bottom plate 21 is safely moved to a drying room or a furnace, thereby conducting a clay-molded product-hardening step. [58] Since the bottom plate 21 under the above structure as shown in FIGS.l to 5 is flat, a great number of bottom plates can be prepared at relatively low costs.

[59] Even though the bottom plate has a predetermined groove, it can be formed in a relatively easy manner, and therefore, it is not difficult to prepare a great number of bottom plates.

[60] FIG.1 is a schematic view showing the clay receptacle producing procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[61] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is difficult to produce the clay receptacle like jars and ceramics having a lower portion having a larger width than an inlet portion thereof, that is, the clay receptacle having a protruded predetermined portion.

[62] So as to produce the clay receptacle like jars and ceramics, as mentioned above, the projection part 32 is formed at a predetermined position of the post-like protrusion 31 of the pressurizing frame 30, and means for moving the projection part 32 inwardly and outwardly from the protrusion 31 is needed.

[63] By the way, it is difficult to achieve the rapid molding through the projection part

32, and further, the shape of molding the clay receptacle is very limited.

[64] So as to overcome these disadvantages, in an apparatus and method for mass- producing a clay receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, an unfinished clay-molded product similar to the shape of the clay receptacle is primarily molded by using the fixed frame 10, the movable separating frame 20, and the pressurizing frame 30 as mentioned above, and after that, the primarily molded-unfinished clay-molded product is secondarily molded, thereby producing a finished clay-molded product.

[65] An explanation on the apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be in detail given.

[66] A method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a clay-charging step, a first molding step, a movable separating frame-removing step, a pre-expansion step, an expanded pressure-supplying step, an expansion frame-removing step, and a finishing step.

[67] In the clay-charging step, first, clay is charged into a movable separating frame, the movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be separably assembled by means of a first fixed frame and to form the shape corresponding to the outer faces of the clay receptacle when assembled by means of the first fixed frame.

[68] In the first molding step, the clay charged into the movable separating frame is pressurized by means of a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion adapted to form a hole at the center portion of the clay charged into the movable separating frame.

[69] In the movable separating frame-removing step, the pressurizing frame is removed after the first molding step, and the movable separating frame is escaped from the first fixed frame to release the assembled state thereof, thereby obtaining an unfinished clay-molded product.

[70] In the pre-expansion step, the unfinished clay-molded product obtained through the movable separating frame-removing step is positioned at the inside of an expansion frame 50, the expansion frame 50 having a plurality of parts adapted to be separably assembled to one another upon the insertion into a second fixed frame and to form the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the finished clay receptacle when assembled by means of the second fixed frame.

[71] In the expanded pressure-supplying step, the inlet of the expansion frame 50 is blocked and the oxygen being supplied from oxygen supplying means blows to the inside of the unfinished clay-molded product positioned at the inside of the expansion frame 50, such that the clay-molded product is expanded to come into close contact with the expansion frame 50 along the outer surface thereof.

[72] In the expansion frame-removing step, the expansion frame 50 is escaped from the second fixed frame to release its assembled state, thereby obtaining the clay-molded product with no material attached thereto.

[73] In the finishing step, the clay-molded product obtained through the expansion frame-removing step is dried or burnt in a furnace, thereby obtaining a hard clay receptacle.

[74] An apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the first fixed frame 15 and the second fixed frame 16 each having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof.

[75] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the movable separating frame 20 having a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another. That is, if the movable separating frame 20 is inserted into the first fixed frame 15, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another. In this case, when the plurality of parts are assembled, the movable separating frame 20 forms the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle.

[76] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the pressurizing frame 30 having the post-like protrusion 31 and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame 20 for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame 20 to mold the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the faces corresponding to the inner shape of the clay receptacle.

[77] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the movable separating frame-moving means 40 adapted to move the movable separating frame 20 in an escaping direction from the first fixed frame 15 such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 can be separated from one another.

[78] The first fixed frame, the second fixed frame, the movable separating frame, and the pressurizing frame as mentioned above have the same principles as those in the first embodiment of the present invention wherein no air-compressing step exists.

[79] In this case, the movable separating frame in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention forms the faces similar to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, but the movable separating frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention wherein no air- compressing step exists forms the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the finished clay receptacle, because of having no additional process.

[80] Additionally, the pressurizing frame in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention forms the faces similar to the inner shape of the clay receptacle, but the pressurizing frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention wherein no air-compressing step exists forms the shape corresponding to the inner shape of the finished clay receptacle.

[81] In other words, according to the first embodiment of the present invention wherein no air-compressing step exists, the clay-molded product is obtained to have the shape completely or almost corresponding to the shape of the finished clay receptacle, and contrarily, according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the air-compressing step exists, the unfinished clay-molded product that has the shape completely different from the shape of the finished clay receptacle is obtained by using the first fixed frame 15, the movable separating frame 20, and the pressurizing frame 30.

[82] So as to completely mold the unfinished clay-molded product, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the air-compressing step exists includes an expansion frame 50, expanded pressure-supplying means 60, and the expansion frame-separating means 70.

[83] The expansion frame 50 has a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another.

If the expansion frame 50 is inserted into the second fixed frame 16, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another.

[84] In this case, the assembling/disassembling principles of the expansion frame 50 and the second fixed frame 16 are the same as of the movable separating frame 20 and the fixed frame 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[85] If the respective parts of the expansion frame 50 are assembled to one another, they form the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the finished clay receptacle, at the inside thereof.

[86] So as to expand the unfinished clay-molded product separated from the movable separating frame 20 after molding by means of air compression, the unfinished clay- molded product is placed at the inside of the expansion frame 50.

[87] The expanded pressure-supplying means 60 serves to block the inlet of the expansion frame 50 and blow the oxygen being supplied from the oxygen supply means to the inside space of the unfinished clay-molded product placed at the inside of the expansion frame 50, such that the unfinished clay-molded product is expanded to come into close contact with the expansion frame 50 at the outer face thereof.

[88] The expanded pressure-supplying means 60 includes a compressed air generating device or a compressed air storing tank, an oxygen supply line, and an inlet-blocking cover 61.

[89] That is, the oxygen may be generated from a compressed air generating device like a compressor, or may be supplied from the compressed air storing tank where oxygen is stored.

[90] So as to block the inlet of the expansion frame 50, further, the inlet-blocking cover

61 is needed.

[91] The shape of the oxygen supply line or the inlet-blocking cover 61 is determined upon the shapes of the clay receptacle and the expansion frame 50.

[92] The expansion frame-separating means 70 is adapted to move the expansion frame

50 in an escaping direction from the second fixed frame 16 such that the plurality of parts of the expansion frame 50 can be separated from one another.

[93] FIG.10 is a schematic view showing an expanded pressure- supplying step in the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[94] In the apparatuses for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, if the viscosity of the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20 is strong, it is difficult to detach the movable separating frame 20 from the clay-molded product, and in the detaching process, the clay-molded product may be broken easily to pieces.

[95] As the viscosity of the clay forming the clay-molded product is strong, the clay adheres rigidly to the movable separating frame 20, and contrarily, the clay-molded product is soft.

[96] Especially, as the thickness of the clay-molded product is thin, the degree of the breaking of the clay-molded product occurring in the process of detaching the movable separating frame 20 is increased, thereby making it difficult to produce the thin clay receptacle in large quantities. [97] As the size of the clay-molded product is large, further, the contacted area between the movable separating frame and the clay-molded product is large, thereby making it difficult to detach the movable separating frame 20 from the clay-molded product.

[98] Further, the clay-molded product from which the movable separating frame 20 is detached is exposed at its outside, thereby making a large amount of dust adhere thereto.

[99] So as to solve these problems, there is provided an apparatus and method for mass- producing a clay receptacle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and an explanation on them will be given below.

[100] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention has only a frame having a complicated shape and additionally has a receptacle-molding member 140 adapted to form the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle.

[101] The receptacle-molding member 140 includes a base plate 141 and a plurality of separating plates 142 each having a plate-like shape which lowers the production costs even though they are prepared in large quantities, thereby enabling the clay-molded product 1 to be produced repeatedly.

[102] In other words, the separating plates 142 forming the sides of the clay-molded product 1 are attached to the clay-molded product 1 until the clay-molded product 1 is dried, and the separation of the separating plates 142 from a movable separating body 130 is carried out rapidly and easily.

[103] Therefore, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the fixed frame 10, the movable separating body 130, the receptacle-molding member 140, the pressurizing frame 30, and the movable separating frame-moving means 40.

[104] The fixed frame 10 has a hollow portion 11 formed at the inside thereof, like that in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[105] The movable separating body 130 has a plurality of parts adapted to be separably assembled to one another when inserted into the fixed frame 10 and to be separated from one another when escaped therefrom the fixed frame 10. When assembled, further, the movable separating body 130 forms a hollow portion at the inside thereof.

[106] The receptacle-molding member 140 has the base plate 141 and the plurality of separating plates 142, and if the separating plates 142 are assembled to one another, forms the shape corresponding to the sides of the clay receptacle, at the inside thereof.

[107] The pressurizing frame 30 has the post-like protrusion 31 and is adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame 130 for pressurizing the clay 3 charged into the receptacle-molding member 140, such that the clay 3 comes into close contact with the receptacle-molding member 140 to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle.

[108] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the movable separating frame-moving means 40 adapted to move the movable separating frame 130 in an escaping direction from the fixed frame 10 such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 130 can be separated from one another.

[109] By the way, it should be easy to connect the separating plates 132 of the receptacle- molding member 140 to form the shape corresponding to the sides of the clay receptacle, at the inside thereof and to release the connected state of the separating plates 132.

[110] If the plurality of separating plates 132 are inserted into the hollow portion of the movable separating body 130, they are fixedly fitted to connect one another, without any movement, so that the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle is formed at the inside thereof.

[I l l] So as to fixedly fit the respective separating plates 142 to one another, thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the separating plates 142 come into close contact with the inner walls of the hollow portion of the movable separating body 130, at the outer sides thereof, in such a manner that the edges of the separating plates 142 abut against one another.

[112] In this structure, as shown in FIG.16, each of the separating plates 142 has an inclined face 142a, and when the separating plates 142 are inserted into the movable separating body 130, the inclined faces 142a of the respective separating plates 142 abut against one another, thereby fitting to one another. Desirably, this provides a rigid contacting relation of the separating plates 142 and the easiness in fixing the separating plates 142.

[113] Desirably, the separating plates 142 of the receptacle-molding member 140 are released from their fixed state, if the movable separating body 130 is escaped from the fixed frame 10 to separate the plurality of parts from one another.

[114] In other words, if the movable separating body 130 is escaped and removed, the fixed state of the separating plates 142 is released, and at the instant when the attaching force between the separating plates 142 and the clay-molded product 1 disappears, the respective separating plates 142 are separated from one another.

[115] In the structure as shown in FIGS.14 to 16, the fixed state of the separating plates

142 of the receptacle-molding member 140 is released, if the movable separating body 130 is removed.

[116] The base plate 141 of the receptacle-molding member 140 corresponds to the bottom surface of the clay receptacle, thereby forming the bottom surface of the clay- molded product 1.

[117] Further, it is possible to move the clay-molded product 1, without having any contact with the clay-molded product 1.

[118] In the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable that the outer shape of the clay receptacle has a flat surface, without any curved face. If the curved clay receptacle is to be produced, the curved face corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle should be formed on the separating plates 142, which is not economical to form the curved face on the great number of separating plates 142.

[119] On the other hand, as the viscosity of the clay is strong, it is very difficult to separate the pressurizing frame 30 from the clay.

[120] That is, since the pressurizing frame 30 tightly adheres to the clay-molded product, it is difficult to separate the pressurizing frame 30 from the clay-molded product.

[121] So as to prevent the difficulties of the separation, before the pressurizing frame 30 starts to pressurize the clay, oil is applied manually by means of spraying or painting on the outer surfaces of the pressurizing frame 30.

[122] Undesirably, however, this raises the production costs and deteriorates the productivity, and thus, oil supplying means 80 is provided, as shown in FIG.12, to supply oil to the outer surfaces of the pressurizing frame 30, thereby allowing the pressurizing frame 30 to be smoothly separated from the clay.

[123] Further, according to the present invention, if the viscosity of the clay is strong, while the pressurizing frame 30 is being moved for the separation from the clay- molded product, the clay-molded product is moved together with the pressurizing frame 30, at the state of adhering to the pressurizing frame 30, which also causes the movable separating frame 20 to be moved together with the pressurizing frame 30.

[124] So as to prevent these problems, desirably, there is provided movable separating frame-moving prevention means 90 that prevents the movable separating frame 20 from being moved together with the pressurizing frame 30 by the adhering force between the clay and the pressurizing frame 30 when the pressurizing frame 30 presses the clay and moves backwardly.

[125] Further, there is provided movable separating body-moving prevention means that prevents the movable separating body 130 from being moved together with the pressurizing frame 30 by the adhering force between the clay and the pressurizing frame 30 when the pressurizing frame 30 presses the clay and moves backwardly.

[126] The movable separating frame-moving prevention means 90 is provided in a variety of structures.

[127] As shown in FIG.12, a ball 92 pressurizes the movable separating frame 20 by the elastic force of an elastic body 91, thereby preventing the movable separating frame 20 from being moved together with the pressurizing frame 30 by the adhering force to the pressurizing frame 30, and if a relatively strong force is exerted by the operation of the movable separating frame-moving means 40, the elastic body 91 is contracted to pressurize the movable separating frame 20, such that the movable separating frame 20 is moved.

[128] That is, the movable separating frame 20 is pressurized and held, without any movement together with the pressurizing frame 30.

[129] Further, the movement of the movable separating frame 20 is selectively controlled by means of bolting, a manual-operating lever, an electro-magnet, and the like (which is not shown in the drawings).

[130] That is, the movable separating frame 20 is held by means of a bolt, a lever, an electro-magnet, and the like.

[131] Moreover, if the movable separating frame 20 is relatively heavy in weight, it is not separated by means of the adhering force between the clay and the pressurizing frame 30.

[132] If the movable separating frame 20 has a relatively heavy weight, oil is supplied to the pressurizing frame 30, thereby making the adhering force between the clay and the pressurizing frame 30 weakened.

[133] The movable separating body-moving prevention means (which is not shown) is formed in the same structure as the movable separating frame-moving prevention means 90.

[134] In the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the air-compressing step exists, if the unfinished clay-molded product 2 at the first molding step by means of the movable separating frame 20 and the pressurizing frame 30 has a relatively thick thickness or if it is much expanded, the re-molding of the unfinished clay-molded product 2 is not carried out well through the air compression.

[135] So as to solve this problem, as shown in FIG.9, there is provided a roller 100 that has a protruded portion and rotates at the state of being inserted into the unfinished clay-molded product disposed at the inside of the expansion frame 50, thereby pressurizing the thick portion of the clay-molded product to be easily deformed.

[136] So as to do this, the inside upper and lower portions of the expansion frame 50 abut against the upper and lower portions of the unfinished clay-molded product 2 to be disposed at the inside thereof, thereby holding the unfinished clay-molded product 2.

[137] Also, the expansion frame 50 has a predetermined central portion, that is, a portion

(corresponding to the portion where the unfinished clay-molded product 2 is convexedly expanded) where the unfinished clay-molded product 2 is extended to come into contact therewith, formed concavedly, thereby providing a space portion between the predetermined central portion and the unfinished clay-molded product 2.

[138] Further, there is a need for the formation of expansion frame-rotating means 110 adapted to rotate the expansion frame 50 such that the unfinished clay-molded product 2 disposed at the inside of the expansion frame 50 rotates together with the expansion frame 50, thereby making the inner shape of the unfinished clay-molded product 2 evenly abut against the roller 100.

[139] The expansion frame-rotating means 110 has an automatic or semi-automatic structure having a decelerator 111, or a motor and all kinds of power transmission units (gear, sprocket, chain, clamp, and so on), and otherwise, the expansion frame 50 may be rotated in a manual-operating manner.

[140] On the other hand, after the rotating roller 100 enters the inlet of the unfinished clay-molded product 2 it should be moved in one direction, which enables the roller 100 to pressurize the inner sides of the unfinished clay-molded product 2.

[141] Therefore, there is a need for the formation of expansion frame-moving means 12 adapted to move the expansion frame 50 such that the portion where the unfinished clay-molded product 2 being rotated at the inside of the expansion frame 50 is extended convexedly at the inside thereof abut against the roller 100 and is pressurized by the roller 100.

[142] The expansion frame-moving means 12 has a variety of structures.

[143] The expansion frame-moving means 12 may have a structure for moving a table on which a work piece is fixed in various machines, in any one direction.

[144] The structure for moving the table in various machines is made automatically by using a decelerator or manually through a rotating handle, and generally, it has the structure using both of them.

[145] According to the present invention, so as to prevent the clay-molded product 1 from being contracted to the inside thereof, there is provided a deformation-preventing member 150 adapted to be filled at the inside of the clay-molded product 1.

[146] That is, while the clay-molded product 1 is being dried, the top end portion of the clay-molded product 1 is contracted to the inside thereof, thereby deforming the shape.

[147] So as to prevent the clay-molded product 1 from being contracted to the inside thereof, thus, the deformation-preventing member 150 is filled at the inside of the clay- molded product 1.

[148] The deformation-preventing member 150 is made of an expansive material like sponge or may be made of a hard material.

[149] If the deformation-preventing member 150 is made of the expansive material, it is responsive to the whole contraction of the clay-molded product 1, and after the clay- molded product 1 is dried, it is easily escaped from the clay-molded product 1.

[150] According to the third embodiment of the present invention wherein the separating plates 142 are provided, as shown in FIGS.14 to 16, in a case where the separating plates 142 are formed just on the inner faces of the hollow portion of the movable separating body 130, they should be substantially heavy.

[151] This is because the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member 140 is pressurized by means of the pressurizing frame 30 and is moved partially to the upper portion of the receptacle-molding member 140, thereby generating a force of upwardly pushing the plurality of separating plates 142.

[152] The strength of the force of upwardly pushing the separating plates 142 by means of the clay moving to the upper portion of the receptacle-molding member 140 depends upon the viscosity of clay, the pressurizing speed of the pressurizing frame 30, and an amount of moving clay according to the size and thickness of the clay-molded product.

[153] Therefore, the separating plates 142 as shown in FIGS.14 to 16 should determine the weight in accordance with the above-mentioned conditions.

[154] Since this is determined by those skilled in the art, based upon the design technology, and an explanation on it will be avoided.

[155] If the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied, however, the separating plates 142 should be substantially heavy.

[156] If the separating plates 142 are heavy, it is difficult to move the clay-molded product to which the separating plates 142 are attached.

[157] Even though the clay pressurized is partially moved to the upper portion of the receptacle-molding member 140, therefore, desirably, separating plate-moving prevention means 160 is additionally provided to hold the plurality of separating plates 142 such that the separating plates (which are thin and light) forming the receptacle- molding member 140 are not moved to the upper portion thereof, together with the clay.

[158] The separating plate-moving prevention means 160 has a structure wherein an insertion groove 133 is formed at the movable separating body 130 for inserting the whole separating plates 142 or a portion of the separating plates 142 thereinto, as shown in FIG.21.

[159] In addition, the separating plate-moving prevention means 160 may have a structure wherein a protrusion 143 of each separating plate 142 is inserted into a hole 134 formed on the movable separating body 130, thereby restricting the movement of the separating plates 142.

Advantageous Effects

[160] In the apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the movable separating frame has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, such that the clay-molded product being not hard is separated stably from the frame, thereby producing the clay receptacle by using one frame in large quantities. [161] Further, the movable separating frame has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, and therefore, if the respective parts are inserted into the fixed frame, they are assembled to achieve rapid assembling, thereby producing the clay receptacle in large quantities at a fast speed.

[162] Further, with the formation of the separably assembled movable separating body and the receptacle-molding member, even when the viscosity of the clay is strong, the clay-molded product is rapidly separated from the frame, thereby producing the clay receptacle in large quantities.

[163] Additionally, according to the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the unfinished clay-molded product is formed and then the finished clay-molded product is obtained by the air compression, it is possible to produce the clay receptacle like ajar having a convex middle portion or a protruded specific portion in large quantities. Brief Description of the Drawings

[164] FIG.1 is a schematic view showing an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[165] FIG.2 is a schematic view showing a clay-charging step in the apparatus for mass- producing a clay receptacle of FIG.1.

[166] FIG.3 is a schematic view showing a molding step in the apparatus for mass- producing a clay receptacle of FIG.1.

[167] FIG.4 is a schematic view showing the assembling-releasing state between a fixed frame and a movable separating frame in a frame-removing step in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle of FIG.1.

[168] FIG.5 is a schematic view showing the separating state of each part of the movable separating frame of the frame-removing step in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle of FIG.1.

[169] FIG.6 is a schematic view showing a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion forming a projection part in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention.

[170] FIG.7 is a schematic view showing the fixed frame and the movable separating frame in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention.

[171] FIG.8 is a schematic view showing a first molding step at which an unfinished clay- molded product is obtained in a method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[172] FIG.9 is a schematic view showing the process of pressurizing the unfinished clay- molded product made by the first molding step disposed in an expansion frame with a roller at the side thereof in the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[173] FIG.10 is a schematic view showing an expanded pressure- supplying step in the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[174] FIG.11 is a schematic view showing the varying procedure of the clay-molded product by each step in the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.l IA is a clay-molded product being at the first molded unfinished state, FIG.1 IB is the clay-molded product being at the pressurized state at the inner sides by means of a roller, and FIG.11C is the clay-molded product being at a second molded state through the air compression.

[175] FIG.12 is a schematic view showing oil-supplying means and movable separating frame-moving prevention means in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the present invention.

[176] FIG.13 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus having separating plates, wherein FIG.13A shows a state where clay is charged into a receptacle-molding member, FIG.13B shows a state where the clay is pressurized by means of a pressurizing frame, FIG.13C shows a state where the pressurizing frame is removed and the movable separating body and the receptacle-molding member are separated from the fixed frame, FIG.l 3D shows a state where the movable separating body is separated, FIG.13E shows a state where the clay-molded product is dried and the separating plates and the base plate as the parts of the receptacle-molding member are separated from the clay-molded product, and FIG.13F shows a state where the clay-molded product is at a dried state,

[177] FIG.14 is a schematic view showing the fixed frame, the movable separating body, and the receptacle-molding member in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[178] FIG.15 is a schematic view showing fixing the receptacle-molding member by means of the movable separating body in FIG.14.

[179] FIG.16 is a schematic view showing the fixed state of the separating plates with an inclined face in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[180] FIG.17 is a schematic view showing a state where clay is filled at the inside of the receptacle-molding member of FIG.16.

[181] FIG.18 is a schematic view showing the clay -pressurized state by means of the pressurizing frame in FIG.17.

[182] FIG.19 is a schematic view showing a state where the pressurizing frame is removed and the movable separating body and the receptacle-molding member are separated from the fixed frame in FIG.18. [183] FIG.20 is a schematic view showing the separating state of each part of the movable separating body in the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [184] FIG.21 is a schematic view showing the insertion state of the separating plates as a part of the receptacle-molding member into grooves formed at the inside of the hollow portion of the movable separating body. [185] FIG.22 is a schematic view showing separating plate-moving prevention means having a hole and a protrusion.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [186] First, there is provided an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [187] So as to produce a box-shaped clay receptacle having a square-like storage space therein, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the fixed frame 10, the movable separating body 130, the receptacle-molding member 140, the pressurizing frame 30, and the movable separating body-moving means 40. [188] The fixed frame 10 has a generally square hollow portion 11 formed at the inside thereof, as shown in FIG.14. [189] The movable separating body 130 has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, as shown in FIG.20. If the movable separating body 130 is inserted into the fixed frame 10, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another. [190] When assembled, further, the movable separating body 130 forms a hollow portion at the inside thereof. [191] The receptacle-molding member 140 has the base plate 141 and the plurality of separating plates 142, as shown in FIG.20, and if the separating plates 142 are inserted into the hollow portion of the movable separating body 130, they are fitted to one another without any movement and form the shape corresponding to the sides of the clay receptacle, at the inside thereof. [192] In addition, when the separating plates 142 are inserted into the insertion grooves

133 formed on the movable separating body 130, they are not moved upwardly. [193] The pressurizing frame 30 has the post-like protrusion 31, as shown in FIG.18, and it is adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating body 130 by means of the cylinder 41 for pressurizing the clay 3 charged into the receptacle-molding member 140, such that the clay 3 comes into close contact with the receptacle-molding member 140 to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle.

[194] Further, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle includes the movable separating body-moving means 40 having the cylinder 41, as shown in FIG.19, adapted to move the movable separating body 130 in an escaping direction from the fixed frame 10 such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating body 130 can be separated from one another.

[195] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the movable separating body-assembling step wherein the movable separating body 130, which has the plurality of parts assembled to one another when inserted into the fixed frame 10 and separated when escaped therefrom, is assembled to the fixed frame 10.

[196] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes the clay-charging step wherein the receptacle-molding member 140, which has the base plate 141 and the plurality of separating plates 142 formed fittedly to one another without any movement when inserted into the hollow portion of the movable separating body 130, forms the shape of the sides of the clay receptacle, at the inside thereof, and then, clay is charged into the receptacle-molding member 140.

[197] After the clay-charging step, the molding step is carried out wherein the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member 140 is pressurized by means of the pressurizing frame 30 having the post-like protrusion 31 and comes into contact with the receptacle-molding member 140 and the post-like protrusion 31, thereby being molded to the clay-molded product 1 like the clay receptacle.

[198] After the molding step, next, the movable separating body-separating step is carried out wherein the pressurizing frame 30 is removed and the movable separating body 130 is escaped from the fixed frame 10 to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts thereof.

[199] After the movable separating body-separating step, then, the receptacle-molding member-separating step is carried out wherein the clay-molded product is dried and the receptacle-molding member 140 is separated into the plurality of parts, thereby obtaining the primarily dried clay-molded product.

[200] Finally, the finishing step is carried out wherein the primarily dried clay-molded product is more dried and after coated with glaze, burnt in a furnace, thereby obtaining a hard clay receptacle.

[201] On the other hand, a reference numeral 42 which is not described yet denotes a base stand on which the bottom plate 21 of the movable separating frame 20 is disposed, and a reference numeral 72 denotes a base stand on which the bottom plate 21 of the expansion frame is disposed.

[202] Further, a reference numeral 131 denotes each of the wall surface plates forming the movable separating body 130, and a reference numeral 132 denotes a coupling groove adapted to fixedly insert each of the wall surface plates into the fixed frame. Mode for the Invention

[203] Hereinafter, an explanation on an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be in detail given, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[204] First, there is provided an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[205] So as to produce a box-shaped clay receptacle having a square-like storage space therein, the apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the fixed frame 10, the movable separating frame 20, the pressurizing frame 30, and the movable separating frame- moving means 40.

[206] At this time, the fixed frame 10 has a generally square hollow portion 11 formed at the inside thereof, as shown in FIGS.2 to 5.

[207] The movable separating frame 20 has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, as shown in FIGS.2 to 5.

[208] If the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 is inserted into the fixed frame 10, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another. When assembled, further, the movable separating frame 20 forms the shape corresponding to the square outer shape of the clay receptacle.

[209] The pressurizing frame 30 has the post-like protrusion 31, as shown in FIGS.2 to 5, and it is adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame 20 for pressurizing the clay 3 charged into the movable separating frame 20, such that the clay 3 comes into close contact with the movable separating frame 20 to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle.

[210] Further, the movable separating frame-moving means 40 has the cylinder 41, as shown in FIGS.2 to 5, adapted to move the movable separating frame 20 in an escaping direction from the fixed frame 10 such that the movable separating frame 20 can be disassembled into the plurality of parts.

[211] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the clay-charging step wherein the clay is charged into the movable separating frame 20 and the molding step wherein the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20 is pressurized by means of the pressurizing frame 30, thereby being molded to the clay-molded product 1 like the clay receptacle.

[212] After the molding step, next, the movable separating frame-separating step is carried out wherein the pressurizing frame 30 is removed, and the movable separating frame 20 is escaped from the fixed frame 10 to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20.

[213] Finally, the finishing step is carried out wherein the clay-molded product is dried and burnt in a furnace, thereby obtaining a hard clay receptacle.

[214] Next, there is provided an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[215] So as to produce a jar-like clay receptacle as shown in FIG.l 1, the apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the first fixed frame 15, the second fixed frame 16, the movable separating frame 20, the pressurizing frame 30, the movable separating frame-moving means 40, the expansion frame 50, the expanded pressure-supplying means 60, and the expansion frame-separating means 70.

[216] At this time, the first fixed frame 15 has the hollow portion formed at the inside thereof, as shown in FIG.8, and the second fixed frame 16 has the hollow portion formed at the inside thereof, as shown in FIGS.9 and 10, the hollow portion having a generally square shape.

[217] The movable separating frame 20 has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, as shown in FIG.8. If the movable separating frame 20 is inserted into the first fixed frame 15, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another. When assembled, further, the movable separating frame 20 has the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle.

[218] The pressurizing frame 30 has the post-like protrusion 31, as shown in FIG.8, and it is adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame 20 for pressurizing the clay 3 charged into the movable separating frame 20, such that the clay 3 comes into close contact with the movable separating frame 20 to mold the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle.

[219] Further, the movable separating frame-moving means 40 having the cylinder 41, as shown in FIG.8, adapted to move the movable separating frame 20 in an escaping direction from the first fixed frame 15 such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame 20 can be separated from one another.

[220] The expansion frame 50 has the plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, as shown in FIGS.9 and 10. If the expansion frame 50 is inserted into the second fixed frame 16, the plurality of parts are assembled with one another, and if escaped therefrom, they are separated from one another.

[221] Further, if the respective parts of the expansion frame 50 are assembled to one another, they form the shape corresponding to the outer shape of the finished clay receptacle, while disposing the unfinished clay-molded product separated after molding from the movable separating frame 20 at the inside thereof.

[222] The expanded pressure-supplying means 60 serves to block the inlet of the expansion frame 50 and blow the oxygen being supplied from the compressor to the inside space of the unfinished clay-molded product placed at the inside of the expansion frame 50, as shown in FIG.10.

[223] The expansion frame-separating means 70 is adapted to move the expansion frame

50 by means of the cylinder 71 in an escaping direction from the second fixed frame 16, as shown in FIG.10, such that the plurality of parts of the expansion frame 50 can be separated from one another.

[224] Next, the method for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the clay-charging step wherein the clay is charged into the movable separating frame 20 and the first molding step wherein the clay charged into the movable separating frame 20 is pressurized by means of the pressurizing frame 30.

[225] After the firs molding step, next, the movable separating frame-separating step is carried out wherein the pressurizing frame 30 is removed and the movable separating frame 20 is escaped from the first fixed frame 15, thereby obtaining the unfinished clay-molded product 2.

[226] Next, the pre-expansion step is carried out wherein the unfinished clay-molded product obtained through the movable separating frame-separating step is positioned at the inside of the expansion frame 50.

[227] Next, the expanded pressure-supplying step is carried out wherein the inlet of the expansion frame 50 is blocked and the oxygen being supplied from the compressor blows to the inside of the unfinished clay-molded product positioned at the inside of the expansion frame 50, such that the clay-molded product is expanded to come into close contact with the expansion frame 50 along the outer surface thereof.

[228] After that, the expansion frame-removing step is carried out wherein the expansion frame 50 is escaped from the second fixed frame 16 to release its assembled state, thereby obtaining the clay-molded product.

[229] In the finishing step, the clay-molded product obtained through the expansion frame-removing step is dried or burnt in a furnace, thereby obtaining a jar- like hard clay receptacle. Industrial Applicability

[230] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for mass-producing a clay receptacle.

[231] The present invention provides a movable separating frame having a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another, such that a clay-molded product being not hard is separated stably from the frame, thereby producing the clay receptacle by using one frame in large quantities.

[232] Further, if the respective parts of the movable separating frame are inserted into a fixed frame, they are assembled to conduct rapid separating and assembling, thereby producing the clay receptacle in large quantities at a fast speed. Even if the viscosity of the clay is strong, the clay-molded product can be rapidly detached from the movable separating frame, thereby producing the clay receptacle in large quantities.

[233] Therefore, the present invention can reduce the costs and time required for the mass production of the clay receptacle.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising: a fixed frame having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof; a movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into the fixed frame and separated from one another when escaped from the fixed frame, the movable separating frame having the shape formed at the inside thereof to correspond to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the fixed frame; a pressurizing frame having a post- like protrusion and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle; and a movable separating frame-moving means adapted to move the movable separating frame in an escaping direction from the fixed frame, such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame are separated from one another.

[2] An apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising: a first fixed frame and a second fixed frame each having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof; a movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into the first fixed frame and separated from one another when escaped from the first fixed frame, the movable separating frame having the faces formed to correspond to the outer shape of the clay receptacle, when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the first fixed frame; a pressurizing frame having a post- like protrusion and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating frame for pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame, such that the clay comes into close contact with the movable separating frame to mold the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the faces corresponding to the inner shape of the clay receptacle; a movable separating frame-moving means adapted to move the movable separating frame in an escaping direction from the first fixed frame, such that the movable separating frame is disassembled into the plurality of parts; an expansion frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into the second fixed frame and separated from one another when escaped from the second fixed frame, the expansion frame having the shape formed at the inside thereof to correspond to the outer shape of the finished clay receptacle, when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the second fixed frame, while disposing an unfinished clay-molded product separated after molding from the movable separating frame at the inside thereof; an expanded pressure-supplying means adapted to block an inlet of the expansion frame and to allow the oxygen being supplied from an oxygen supplying means to be blown to the inside space of the unfinished clay-molded product disposed at the inside of the expansion frame, such that the unfinished clay-molded product is expanded to come into contact with the expansion frame at the outer face thereof; and an expansion frame-separating means adapted to move the expansion frame in an escaping direction from the second fixed frame, such that the plurality of parts of the expansion frame are separated from one another.

[3] An apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising: a fixed frame having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof; a movable separating body having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into the fixed frame and separated from one another when escaped from the fixed frame, the movable separating body having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the fixed frame; a receptacle-molding member having a base plate and a plurality of separating plates adapted to be fixedly fitted to one another without any movement when inserted into the hollow portion of the movable separating body to form the shape corresponding to the sides of the clay receptacle at the inside thereof; a pressurizing frame having a post- like protrusion and adapted to move forwardly to and backwardly from the inside of the movable separating body for pressurizing the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member, such that the clay comes into close contact with the receptacle-molding member to mold the outer shape of the clay receptacle and at the same time to mold the inner space of the clay receptacle; and a movable separating body-moving means adapted to move the movable separating body in an escaping direction from the fixed frame, such that the plurality of parts of the movable separating body are separated from one another.

[4] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a movable separating frame-moving prevention means adapted to hold the movable separating frame for preventing the movable separating frame from being moved together with the pressurizing frame by the adhering force between the clay and the pressurizing frame when the pressurizing frame presses the clay and moves backwardly.

[5] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an oil supplying means adapted to supply oil to the outer surfaces of the pressurizing frame, thereby allowing the pressurizing frame to be smoothly separated from the clay pressurized.

[6] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the expansion frame has inner upper and lower portions abutting against the upper and lower portions of the unfinished clay-molded product to be disposed at the inside thereof, thereby holding the unfinished clay-molded product and has a predetermined central portion formed concavedly to provide a space between the predetermined central portion and the unfinished clay-molded product, and the apparatus further comprises: a roller having a protruded portion and adapted to rotate at the state of being inserted into the unfinished clay- molded product disposed at the inside of the expansion frame; an expansion frame-rotating means adapted to rotate the expansion frame to allow the unfinished clay-molded product disposed at the inside of the expansion frame to rotate together with the expansion frame; and an expansion frame-moving means adapted to move the expansion frame such that a portion where the unfinished clay-molded product being rotated at the inside of the expansion frame is extended convexedly from the inside thereof abuts against the roller and is pressurized by the roller.

[7] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to claim 3, further comprising a separating plate-moving prevention means adapted to hold the plurality of separating plates forming the receptacle-molding member for preventing the separating plates from being moved to the upper portion together with the clay, when the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member that is being pressurized by the pressurizing frame is partially moved to the upper portion of the receptacle-molding member.

[8] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to claim 3, wherein each of the separating plates has an inclined face, and when the separating plates are inserted into the movable separating body, the inclined faces of the respective separating plates abut against one another, thereby fitting to one another.

[9] The apparatus for mass-producing a clay receptacle according to claim 3, further comprising a deformation-preventing member adapted to be filled at the inside of the clay-molded product, for preventing the clay-molded product formed by pressurizing the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member by means of the pressurizing frame from being contracted to the inside thereof.

[10] A method for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising the steps of: charging clay into a movable separating frame, the movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be separably assembled to one another when inserted into a fixed frame and having the shape formed at the inside thereof to correspond to the outer shape of the clay receptacle when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the fixed frame; pressurizing the movable separating frame by means of a pressurizing frame having a post- like protrusion such that the clay charged into the movable separating frame comes into contact with the movable separating frame and the post-like protrusion so as to be molded to a clay-molded product conforming to the shape of the clay receptacle; removing the pressurizing frame and escaping the movable separating frame from the fixed frame to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame so as to obtain the clay-molded product; and burning the obtained clay-molded product in a furnace, thereby obtaining the hard clay receptacle.

[11] A method for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising the steps of: charging clay into a movable separating frame, the movable separating frame having a plurality of parts adapted to be separably assembled to one another when inserted into a first fixed frame and forming the faces corresponding to the outer shape of the clay receptacle when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the first fixed frame; pressurizing the clay charged into the movable separating frame by means of a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion adapted to form a hole at the center portion of the clay charged into the movable separating frame; removing the pressurizing frame and escaping the movable separating frame from the first fixed frame to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts of the movable separating frame so as to obtain an unfinished clay-molded product; disposing the unfinished clay-molded product at the inside of the expansion frame, the expansion frame having a plurality of parts separably assembled to one another when inserted into a second fixed frame and having the shape formed at the inside thereof to correspond to the outer shape of a finished clay receptacle when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the second fixed frame; blocking an inlet of the expansion frame and allowing the oxygen being supplied from an oxygen supplying means to be blown to the inside of the unfinished clay-molded product disposed at the inside of the expansion frame, such that the clay-molded product is expanded to come into close contact with the expansion frame along the outer surface thereof; escaping the expansion frame from the second fixed frame to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts of the expansion frame so as to obtain the clay-molded product; and burning the obtained clay-molded product in a furnace, thereby obtaining the hard clay receptacle. [12] A method for mass-producing a clay receptacle comprising the steps of: assembling a movable separating body to a fixed frame, the movable separating body having a plurality of parts adapted to be assembled to one another when inserted into a fixed frame and separated when escaped therefrom and having a hollow portion formed at the inside thereof when the plurality of parts are assembled by means of the fixed frame; charging clay into a receptacle-molding member, the receptacle-molding member having a base plate and a plurality of separating plates adapted to be fixedly fitted to one another without any movement to form the shape corresponding to the side of the clay receptacle, when the plurality of separating plates are inserted into the hollow portion of the movable separating body; pressurizing the clay charged into the receptacle-molding member by means of a pressurizing frame having a post-like protrusion such that the clay comes into contact with the receptacle-molding member and the post-like protrusion so as to be molded to the clay-molded product conforming to the shape of the clay receptacle; removing the pressurizing frame and escaping the movable separating body from the fixed frame to release the assembled state of the plurality of parts of the movable separating body; drying the clay-molded product and separating the plurality of parts of the receptacle-molding member from one another so as to obtain a primarily dried clay-molded product; and burning the primarily dried clay-molded product in a furnace, thereby obtaining the hard clay receptacle.