Pulp molding apparatus and molds for use therein

Press [1] for making large molded pulp objects, which has a raisable and lowerable male mold half [5], perforated (10, 8] for suction dewatering after dipping into a pulp slurry [16]. The molding surface of said male mold half [5] is coated with an elastomer [6] to preserve even surface contact with the molded pulp object during compression and during thermal expansion or contraction of said mold halves [3,5]. Advantageous embodiments include vacuum distribution troughs [14] beneath the elastomer layer [6] in the male mold half [5], multiple wire mesh layers [7] on top of the perforated elastomer layer [6], and slight lateral adjustability of the otherwise stationary female mold half [3].