A cavity is charged with particulate material by positioning a predetermined quantity of the material in a box (140). The box has substantially the same horizontal cross-sectional shape as the cavity and is closed at the bottom by at least one door (78) on which the material rests. In order to level the material, the box (140) is moved to and fro horizontally a plurality of times with the energy imparted to the material being progressively reduced during the movements. The door (78) is then opened sufficiently rapidly that the particulate material falls out of the box (140) into the cavity substantially as a unit.
An inventive machine and method are used for manufacturing fiber articles with a variable density across the article. The machine includes a mold providing a cavity. An inventive cover providing an opening is arranged over the cavity. In one example, the opening is provided on a belt. The size of the opening may also be adjustable. The cover and mold move relative to one another to arrange the opening over multiple portions of the cavity. A fiber feed system deposits fiber material in the multiple portions beneath the opening in varying amounts. Various sensors and other devices may be used to control the positioning of the opening to regulate the distribution of fiber deposited in the cavity.
