Abstract: The inventive method serves for producing open containers from a flat sheeting (4) consisting of a foam material or containing at least one layer of such a material, by drawing the sheeting with the help of a female (2) and a male tool (1) and by expanding the foam material with the help of a pressure reduction. The action sequence of one cycle of the inventive method is e.g.

Abstract: A method for forming a vehicle headliner comprises providing at least one layer of formable material and a cover member; heating the layer and the cover member; providing a mold having a pair of mold halves and a compressible seal disposed between the mold halves, at least one of the mold halves having an aperture and a channel in communication with the aperture; positioning the layer and the cover member between the mold halves; bringing the mold halves toward each other to effect a sealed relationship; and applying a vacuum pressure to the aperture to sufficiently draw the mold halves together and compress the seal, thereby compressing the at least one layer and the cover member together to form the headliner.

Abstract: A method of producing a curable prepreg which comprises (i) sandwiching a multi-ply fabric layer comprising at least two superposed sheets of woven reinforcing fabric between solid films of a curable resin composition and (ii) heating the resulting sandwich under pressure so that the resin composition impregnates the sheets of woven reinforcing fabric to form a coherent curable structure.

Abstract: A modular, vacuum formed, unitary vanity which extends from floor to the ceiling, or near the ceiling. Alternatively, the vanity extends upwardly from the counter top level to the ceiling. The vanity is vacuum formed of a single piece of formable material, such as acrylic. The vanity has no joints or seals to deteriorate with use and time or to collect dirt. The modular and unitary vanity fits within a void formed in a wall during construction. The device is substantially maintenance free in ordinary use. The vanity is vacuum formed from a single piece of formable material using a vacuum form mold. The mold is a break apart mold which allows the vanity to be removed from the mold without interference from the sink bowl which is formed in the vanity.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: A thermoforming method and apparatus is provided for a flat thin sheet plastic substrate having printed material thereon in the form of a matrix of a plurality of items. The substrate is clamped between a pair of clamp plates providing support for the substrate around the perimeter thereof and also in a matrix support pattern having a plurality of subperimeters providing individual support around the respective perimeter of each item. The assembly is heated, and then thermoformed into a contoured three dimensional workpiece by pushing a matrix of a plurality of tool faces into the substrate at respective items. The matrix support pattern of the clamp plates along the plurality of subperimeters prevents sagging across the substrate during heating, and isolates the items from each other during deformation of the substrate by the tool faces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a skid-resistant surface on a thermoformed object such as a bed liner. The method includes forming a blank of extruded plastic material, abrading the surface with a wire brush, reheating the blank and thermoforming the blank to open the abraded surface of the blank. The apparatus includes an extruder delivery mechanism delivering a blank of sheet material to a wire brush which is turned by an electric motor at a speed slightly greater and in the same direction as the travel of the blank under the roller.

Abstract: A method for forming the outer surface of a breast prosthesis is disclosed. A digital, three-dimensional image is formed of a patient's breast using a computerized scanner. A computer-controlled milling machine utilizes the image to form a solid model of the breast. A sheet of flexible, moldable material having a uniform, precise thickness is then vacuum-formed over the breast model. A hard, two-piece mold is cast from the flexible sheet. A soft, curable material is then either poured or injected between the two pieces of the mold to form the breast prosthesis outer surface. The breast prosthesis outer surface is then turned inside out to form a shape that is a mirror image of the patient's breast.

Abstract: A method of thermoforming a thin flexible film comprising a series of steps. A thin flexible film capable of being thermoformed is heated until it is pliable. A mold having first and second surfaces on different planes forms a thermoformed article having a contoured surface. A first portion of the pliable film is contacted with the first surface. A first vacuum is applied through the first surface to draw the first portion against the first surface. After the first portion of the film is drawn against the first surface, a second portion of the film contacts the second surface. A second vacuum is applied through the second surface to draw the second portion of the film against the second surface. Air trapped between the mold and the film is first removed between the first surface and the first portion of the film and then removed from between the second surface and the second portion of said film so that the thermoformed article is substantially defect-free.

Abstract: A vacuum forming apparatus has a first mold and a second mold, the first mold including a forming surface. The first mold has a hollow space defined therein and communicating with the forming surface through holes defined in the first mold. The hollow space is connected to a vacuum pump for developing a vacuum in the hollow space to attract a sheet against the forming surface through the holes. The second mold has a presser including a cylinder which displaces a cutter having a serrated trimming blade of the second mold. The presser has an upper groove which accommodates teeth of the serrated trimming blade. The first mold has a lower groove for receiving the teeth of the serrated trimming blade when it is displaced downwardly by the cylinder.

Abstract: An air bag cover and manufacturing method thereof wherein the air bag cover comprises a core member which can be formed by injection molding, and a decorative sheet disposed on the surface of the core member. The decorative sheet includes at least two layers, an outer layer and a barrier layer disposed on a back side of the outer layer to protect the outer layer when the core member is injection molded. The core member is made of thermoplastic elastomer which can be thermally fused to the barrier layer. A breakable portion is provided in the barrier layer and core member.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine utilizes two clamping frames to advance cut sheets through heating and forming stations, with the clamping frames returned via an overhead path above the oven in the heating station. Pneumatic cylinders arranged about the inner perimeter of the frames are operated to grip the sheet and release the sheets, which are pressurized and released via fluid connections established when the frames are lifted from a transfer bar structure at the loading and forming stations. The clamping frames have pivoted end sections which are engaged by extendible gear posts at the forming station to bend the clamped sheet into greater conformity with the tooling shape prior to forming.

Abstract: A method of making thin walled covers employing a vacuum mold assembly comprises the steps of effecting a relative movement between a thin sheet of thermoplastic material and the vacuum mold assembly sufficient to form a peripheral seal with a surface area of the sheet and thereafter applying a vacuum to the vacuum mold to draw portions of the sheet about main body forming molding surfaces of molding horns, thin marginal edge molding surfaces of the molding horns, and inturned flange molding surfaces of the molding horns so as to form a plurality of thin walled covers, each with an exterior surface presenting a substantially dimple-free class A surface. The sheet is then separated from the vacuum mold assembly.

Abstract: A process is described for forming a lighting louver that includes a plurality of louver members. The process includes the steps of providing a sheet of thermoformable material and heating the sheet to a pliable state. A further step includes providing a forming mandrel having a series of mandrel partitions arranged with spaces between the partitions. The heated sheet is positioned over the forming mandrel, and is forced against the forming mandrel to form the heated sheet over the mandrel partitions and thereby produce a formed louver blank including formed louver segments that conform to the mandrel partitions and webbing segments that span the spaces between the partitions on the forming mandrel. In one preferred form the webbing segments are removed. In another preferred form, transparent webbing segments are formed that do not require removal and will transmit light. The webbing segments in the first form are removed from the louver blank to form light transmissive openings through the louver blank.

Abstract: A method for producing a heel mat-attached floor rug for a motor vehicle. A floor rug proper is prepared which has been previously compression-molded to have a three-dimensionally projected portion. Then, the floor rug proper is put on a lower die of a depression-molding device in such a manner that the three-dimensionally projected portion of the rug proper neatly covers a projected portion formed on a shaping surface of the lower die. Then, a heel mat of thermoplastic material is put on a shaping surface of an upper die of the compression-molding device. The shaping surface of the upper die has a depressed portion which is shaped to neatly receive the projected portion of the lower die. Then, the upper die is pressed against the lower die having the heel mat and the floor rug proper put therebetween. Then, a lower surface of the heel mat is melted, by means of high frequency induction welding, thereby to bond the heel mat to the floor rug proper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of thermoforming a sheet material around an insert to make a thermoformed article. The sheet material may include poly(methyl) methacrylate and other thermoplastic sheet material. The inserts become an integrated part of the thermoformed product, and are characterized by having at least one removable portion or plug. The plug(s) are removed during the thermoforming process, and allow the thermoformed sheet material to shrink without creating undesirable levels of stress in the sheet material. This prevents cracking or other failure of the sheet material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming thick wall plastic components laminated with formable decorative film layers. A thermoformable thick wall plastic sheet in the range of 0.065 to about 0.300 inches thick over at least half its area is provided having a thermoformable decorative dry film coating on one side forming an outer surface of the laminated sheet. The sheet is peripherally supported in an open center rack, heated in one or more ovens to forming temperature and formed by a combination of compression and, preferably, vacuum forming with subsequent trimming of excess material to form a finished component with a high quality finish suitable for automotive body use. The compression and vacuum forming steps may be interchangeably performed in order and provide for high quality finish on the outer surface with shaping of reentrant wall portions on the inner side. Any suitable form of laminated sheet may be formed by the apparatus and method.

Abstract: The inventive packaging item is e.g. a tray for packing fresh meat. It has at least on its bottom part (10) grooves (11) which open towards the inside of the packaging item. The openings of these grooves are narrower than the inside part of the grooves. If the groove opening is sufficiently narrow e.g 1mm or less, unwanted liquid oozing out of the packed meat is trapped in these grooves (11) and such separated from the meat and kept out of sight of a potential buyer.

Abstract: A male thermoformed package hinge includes two sides, each having opposed ends extending therebetween. The hinge has a triangular cross-section, the sides intersecting at outer ends thereof and thus forming the apex of the triangular cross-sections. The hinge also has opposed flanges, extending substantially horizontally away from the lower ends of the sides in opposed directions when the hinge is positioned as on a male mold on which it is thermoformed, in which molding position the apex of the triangular cross-section of the hinge points away from the mold, and an imaginary line drawn from the first flange to the second flange forms the base of the triangular cross-section.

Abstract: A gasket for vacuum thermoforming machines, which gasket is designed to be positioned on the perforated base plate of the thermoforming machine to cover selected ones of the vacuum openings in the base plate. An opening is provided in the center of the gasket for concentrating the vacuum in this area and increasing the vacuum applied to a heated plastic sheet or plate positioned above a dental impression cast located on the base plate in the gasket vacuum opening. The vacuum applied by the vacuum thermoforming machine is thus concentrated within the confines of the vacuum opening of the gasket to more efficiently mold the soft plastic plate over the dental impression cast and form a plastic retainer for straightening teeth.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for key tops includes the steps of molding a light-shielding film on a to-be-peeled shield by a plane printing, effecting colored printing to provide a readout part at a predetermined position on it in the state of a plane sheet prior to the 3-D molding, then sucking a printed light-shield film sheet on a metal mold with an evacuation system, adsorbing said light-shield film sheet onto the wall face in the metal mold. A push mold may be used with a suction system so as to be positioned in the female mold. Materials such as silicone are put into this metal mold for one-piece molding. A laser processing is effected on the surface of a key top prepared in a 3-D shape to form a desired pattern.

Abstract: A tape as unwound from a roll is passed through a preheater where it is preheated, and then heated to the softening temperature of the tape material by a main heater. The tape having ceased to retain its flat configuration due to being softened will drape over and come into close contact with generally the entire side surfaces of convex molds except for those portions of the tape located between adjacent convex molds. The tape thus generally brought into close contact with the convex molds continues to be moved with a rotating drum and is exposed to vacuum drawn through the slits formed at the roots of the opposed side walls of the convex molds while it is urged against a drum by the hold-down roller whereby those portions of the tape remote from the convex molds and located between adjacent convex molds are drawn into close contact with the front and back surfaces of the convex molds.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a lid having an annular mounting portion, an annular trough region positioned radially inward of the annular mounting portion, an annular side wall extending upwardly from an inner periphery of the annular trough region to an annular ridge adjacent said annular side wall, and a crown region is set forth. The apparatus includes a forming die having an upper surface of a configuration conforming to the configuration of the lid, a forming ring for aiding in the forming of the lid, a positioning device for positioning the thermoformable sheet material adjacent the upper surface of the forming die between the forming die and the forming ring and a drive mechanism for lowering the forming ring into contact with the sheet material. The method includes contacting that portion of the sheet material which forms a lowermost region of the lid with the forming ring so as to carry the material down into the lowermost region of the forming die.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an aircraft stowage container, comprising a bottom member A, a top member D, at least two side wall members B, C, and two plane end wall members 1. Said members are essentially rigid and plane. Additionally an essentially rigid closure flap member 3 may be provided. The process comprises the steps of preparing at least two layers of prepregs impregnated with a curable thermosettings for forming the top, bottom and side wall members or the U-shaped surround. Between at least two of said layers of prepregs 6 a honeycomb construction material 7 is interposed in a manner that several regions spaced apart from each other are defined by said honeycomb material thereby defining folding or bending regions. Then the layers of prepregs are bent or folded by applying them over a mould 5, and they are cured afterwards in an autoclave by beat application to a cured composite component 2.

Abstract: A male die, a female die, air pressure and vacuum are used to form a sheet of material into a flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover. A platform supports the female die which has an opening with flat surfaces for forming panels in the base and skirt of the flower pot or flower pot cover. The male die has forming surfaces which mate with the forming surfaces of the female die. The sheet of material is centered over the opening of the female die. A bracket having a plurality of legs which align with the panel-forming surfaces of the female die is placed on the sheet of material. Air pressure and vacuum lines communicating with the opening of the female die are used to control the sheet of material as the male die enters the opening of the female die. The top surface of the platform and the bracket legs provide additional control of the sheet of material. The sheet of material is pressed between forming surfaces of the male and female die to form the flat-paneled flower pot or flower pot cover.

Abstract: A process for producing a stud plate from plastic by vacuum forming uses a positive mold (21) in which these is held on the end face (32) of each stud (28), a flexible elastic disc which protrudes with a part (45) of its flexible length over the edge. A projection (22, 24) of a hollow stud is formed thereon. During demolding a part (44) of the disc lying radially further inwards bends upwards from the end face, so that the protruding part (45) yields and readily slides along the inner wall (49) of the previously molded hollow stud (11).

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing reinforced twin-sheet thermoformed articles comprising the steps of heating first and second sheets of thermoplastic material; forming the sheets in molds; heating a reinforcing insert of thermoplastic material; placing the heated insert on the first sheet in its mold at the location to be reinforced; pressing the second sheet into contact with the heated first sheet and the heated insert to form the insert between the sheets so that a fusion of the thermoplastic sheets and the insert takes place to produce a reinforced section of the article having a desired shape and thickness. Alternative processes are disclosed wherein a heated quantity of thermoplastic liquid material is extruded or injected between the first and second sheets within the first and second molds either by inserting the liquid material before the molds are closed or by injecting it through one of the molds.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a differential temperature vacuum forming tool having differentially heated sections. In a specific application, vacuum formed plastic buttons with indicia thereon are produced without distortion of the print indicia. The vacuum forming tool accepts a printed plastic overlay for shaping; and the shaped printed plastic overlay can be used to produce back-lit buttons.

Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing reinforced twin-sheet thermoformed articles comprising the steps of heating first and second sheets of thermoplastic material; forming the sheets in molds; heating a reinforcing insert of thermoplastic material; placing the heated insert on the first sheet in its mold at the location to be reinforced; pressing tile second sheet into contact with the heated first sheet and the heated insert to form the insert between tile sheets so that a fusion of the thermoplastic sheets and tile insert takes place to produce a reinforced section of the article having a desired shape and thickness. Alternative processes are disclosed wherein a heated quantity of thermoplastic liquid material is extruded or injected between the first and second sheets within the first and second molds either by inserting the liquid material before the molds are closed or by injecting it through one of the molds.

Abstract: An apparatus with pivoting blades and closable surfaces for forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover having fins. In an embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, the apparatus includes a male mold and a plurality of plates arranged in pairs to define a forming opening. The male mold has a plurality of fingers which are laterally extendable from the outer periphery of the male mold. A pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder is provided to move the male mold between a storage position spaced from the forming opening and a forming position within the forming opening. Each pair of plates is movable between an open position and a closed position. In operation, the fingers are extended to push folded portions of a sheet of material between the pairs of plates, which are closed to press the folded portions into fins. In an alternate embodiment for forming outwardly extending fins, pairs of movable plates are positioned between stationary segments.

Abstract: The invention provides a method by which the mold for a molded vehicle component can be engraved with a grain pattern to match the stretched grain pattern of an adjacent vehicle panel covered by a stretched vinyl sheet. According to the method, a grained vinyl sheet is stretched over a model of the vehicle panel so that the grained pattern of the vinyl is distorted. A portion of the vinyl sheet is then severed at the region to be occupied by the molded component and this severed portion of the vinyl sheet is used as a master for engraving the mold for the molded component.

Abstract: An article forming system for forming at least one sheet of material into an article, such as a decorative flower pot cover for example. The article forming system includes a male die and a female die. A sheet of material is automatically moved to a loaded position between the male and female dies and then the male and female dies are moved to a forming position for forming the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.

Abstract: A spa having structural integrity is manufactured from a formable sheet contoured by the steps of disposing the formable sheet over a male form adapted for vacuum-forming the formable sheet, heating the formable sheet to a temperature enabling forming thereof, forcing the male form into the formable sheet with some portions of the forced formable sheet having a greater thickness than other portions of the formable sheet, and vacuum-forming the forced heated formable sheet into intimate contact with the male form. Thereafter, a urethane coating is applied to a side of the spa not contacted by the mold. This results in a delamination resistant spa.

Abstract: For producing connections made from composite material for structures having at least two hollow or non-hollow bars, interconnected by at least one hollow connecting joint, separate production takes place of blanks of said different parts with the definitive shapes, but in which the impregnation resin for the assembly of said blanks has not yet been introduced, after which they are assembled by thermosetting resin transfer moulding, so as to produce the resin matrix of the connecting joint or the complete structure at the same time as the assembly. The blanks of the connecting joints are obtained by compressing a planar textile complex formed from hot preformable textile fibers between a cavity of a shaping mould and a countermould, by cutting and folding down onto the countermould the overlap parts and performing a thermal preforming cycle.

Abstract: A light-weight cover or shield, having the appearance of, and contour of, a human limb, adapted/designed to surround the endoskeletal component of a prosthesis, is provided by heating and deforming a preform composed of a closed cell polyethylene sheet material of specified thickness, to yield said contoured cover/shield of extremely light weight and being toolable for tailor finishing to individual requirements.

Abstract: A process of molding a thermoplastic sheet for making blister packaging. The process particularly includes premolding steps of brining the sheet into close contact with the outer cylindrical surface of a molding drum, preheating the sheet and concurrently vacuum sucking the sheet into a cavity defined on the outer cylindrical surface of the drum, to partially form a pocket in the sheet, and a full-molding step of vacuum sucking the sheet and concurrently inserting the sheet into the cavity by means of a plug so that the pocket is conformed to the shape of the plug.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of boat hull construction. The method comprises mounting a former having an external configuration conforming to the internal configuration of the hull to a vacuum forming bed, heating a sheet of thermo-plastic material, supporting the heated sheet above the former by supporting one side of the sheet material on a first frame member, and supporting the opposed sides of the sheet to each side of the one side from a pair of second frame members. The second frame members are pivotally mounted to the first frame member about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the sheet material. On lowering the sheet over the former air is extracted from the space between the former and sheet material.

Abstract: A fiberglass molding method characterized by the use of a male mask to which glass fiber material is affixed and then sealed against a female mold by a vacuum actuated gasket system. Resin is placed into the bottom of the female mold and is pulled by vacuum through the glass fiber material by means of vacuum ports which extend through the bottom of a spillway and open at an elevation above the bottom of the spillway. The method also allows the resulting fiberglass part to be subsequently surfaced coated using the vacuum method.

Abstract: A method of forming a sheet of material into a flower pot or flower pot cover comprising means for engaging portions of the sheet of material and forming pleats in predetermined portions of the sheet of material having a predetermined shape whereby the formed flower pot or flower pot cover has pleats in predetermined portions and of predetermined shapes.

Abstract: A method of and for forming blisters in which a web material including a thermoplastic resin that is supplied to a rotary forming drum is heated and deformed by heat in accordance with the configuration of cavities provided on the rotary forming drum. A predetermined tension is applied to the web material while feeding it. When the rotary forming drum consists of a polygonal drum, each peripheral surface of the drum is formed as a curved surface extending along an arc whose radius is larger than that of the circumscribed circle of the polygon. This invention can be used in a packing device for foods, drugs, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to an injection moulding process for the manufacture of multi-layered articles, especially articles having barrier properties. The process includes clamping a thermoplastic film over the cavity of a mould of an injection moulding process, the film being capable of being stretched. The film is then stretched within the mould by inserting the core of the mould, preferably using a core in which a central part enters the mould and partially stretches the film prior to the remainder of the core entering the mould. The mould is then closed, excess film is trimmed off and polymer is injected into the mould cavity. The resultant article is a multi-layered injection moulded article which, depending on the characteristics of the film and injected polymer, may have barrier properties to oxygen, liquids or the like that are superior to articles moulded from only the polymer. The process is particularly useful in the moulding of containers having a depth:width ratio of at least 0.5.

Abstract: A method of molding a blister for a display package wherein there is provided a plurality of mold units, each mold unit having a base, a first surface extending from the base, a second surface adjacent to the first surface and forming with the first surface an angle less than 90.degree., providing a planar plastic sheet and orienting the mold unit so that the first surface is essentially normal to or forms an angle about equal to or less than 90.degree. to the plane of the plastic sheet, with the proviso that the angle formed by the plane and the second surface is less than 90.degree.

Abstract: A thermoformable mat, e.g., a mat of resinated fiberglass, is compressed and shaped into a contoured object, e.g., a shell for an automobile headliner, by this process. The mat is compressed between two dies that have been preheated. At least one of the dies is perforated. Superheated steam (e.g., at 80 psig and 600.degree. F.) is ejected from the perforations into the mat, thereby quickly raising the mat temperature to its thermoforming point. After the mat is set into the contoured shape, the dies are reopened and the formed mat is removed. If the mat that is used contains a thermoplastic adhesive, the mat is cooled to below the adhesive's melt print before the dies are opened. This can be done by applying a vacuum to the perforated die and pulling ambient air through the mat.

Abstract: Sailboards having a tucked rail are made from a flexible, resilient mold so that the seam of the board is along its bottom edge instead of at its point of greatest breadth. A flexible mold part having the contour of the sailboard to be produced has an opening smaller than the greatest breadth of the board. The mold is first flexed so that its opening is sufficiently wide to receive the blank that forms the body of the sailboard. Secondly, the blank is inserted into the flexed mold, and thirdly, the mold is released and its resiliency returns it to its original shape. A conventional rigid mold part closes the open end, and a vacuum is applied to form the final product. The flexible mold part is flexed a second time to remove the product.

Abstract: Thermoformable laminate films with a decorative feature include a polymer carrier film, a paint layer and an optional protective clearcoat and the clearcoat and paint layer have a preconfiguration which produces uniform decorative color appearances following deformation of the laminate by a thermoforming process. To accomplish such results, the laminated film has a carrier film prestretched to orient pigment flakes in the paint layer prior to molding, thereby to reduce strain levels required to mold the laminate with an acceptable surface appearance. The process of manufacture includes the steps of painting a polymeric support or carrier film and prestretching the painted carrier film to control the color hue appearance of the laminate as applied to an underlying relatively rigid substrate or body part.

Abstract: A method of shaping a thermoplastic sheet. The sheet is mounted on an articulated frame and pre-shaped by swinging hinged sections of the frame toward each other. A vacuum mold is then placed with its molded surfaces adjacent the pre-shaped sheet. Vacuum applied to the mold finally shapes the sheet.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally shaped aromatic imide polymer sheet article is produced by a method comprising the steps of shaping an aromatic imide polymer sheet having a second order transition temperature of 250.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. and an ultimate elongation of 120% or more at 100.degree. C., by press-stretching at least a portion of the sheet at a temperature of 100.degree. C. or more, but not exceeding a temperature of 100.degree. C. higher than the second order transition temperature of the sheet, into a desired three-dimensional convex or concave form protruding from the sheet, heat-setting the resultant shaped sheet article in its shaped form at a temperature equal to or higher than the second order transition temperature of the sheet, and then cooling the heat-set sheet article to a desired low temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing dental copings using a vacuum tray permits the making of a large number of copings simultaneously using a single sheet of plastic material. Vacuum is applied to the perforated bottom of a box-like tray partially filled with a die retaining medium such as lead shot. Dies are held in position by being embedded in the lead shot and extending above the lead shot. A frame holds a sheet of heat-softenable plastic material, which is heated from above. The frame is lowered onto the shot-containing tray and the vacuum draws the heat-softened plastic material down over the field of dies, producing copings on all the dies simultaneously.

Abstract: Method for the production of heat resistant polyethyleneterephthalate containers by means of thermoforming with a longitudinal and radial direction stretching of a sheet (1) of unstretched amorphous polymer in a die (2) kept at a temperature of about 175.degree.-180.degree. C. The container is consolidated and extracted by a counterdie (4), cooled and provided with suction means. The containers thus are stable at sterilization temperature in boiling water and in steam at 130.degree. C.