Patent attributes
Processes for manufacturing stoppers from mixed material agglomerate are provided. According to one embodiment, a homogenized mass is produced by processing a mixture in which cork power, having particle sizes approximately within a range of 30 to 300 mesh, predominates with agglomerating equipment, the mixture also including rubber or resin, a cross-linking agent and an expander. Rollers are then produced according to a predefined measurement of desired stoppers by passing the homogenized mass through a cylindrical extruder. The rollers are then finished and expanded and reticulated in a press machine. Finally, the rollers are polished and severed to form appropriate dimensional shapes. In one embodiment, the agglomerated and homogenized mass can also be shaped in expanded and cross-linked plates, from which, through drills, molds, and/or other suitable tool equipment, the corks are obtained in the desired measures.
