Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing of a curved elongated structural element of composite material. The curved elongated structural element includes a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion in an angled relation. A substantially flat blank of composite material including a first and second elongated edge is provided. The blank is folded over a first portion forming surface and a second portion forming surface of a forming tool's flexible tool body for forming the first elongated portion and the second elongated portion. The forming tool's tool body is bent such that its bending moment center prevails essentially adjacent the first portion forming surface.

Abstract: A section of a foil is sandwiched between an upper die and a first lower die and heat deformed into a cavity of the first lower die while simultaneously synchronously displacing the upper die, the first lower die, and the foil downstream. Then the upper die is raised and recirculated back upstream while cooling the section of foil in the cavity of the first lower die and displacing the lower die with the section of the foil downstream. Another section of the foil is sandwiched between the upper die and a second lower die and heat deformed into a cavity of the second lower die while simultaneously synchronously displacing the upper die, the second lower die, and the foil downstream. The first lower die is disengaged from the foil in the downstream station and recirculated back upstream to the upstream station. These steps are then repeated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a forming arrangement that is movable along a path for compression moulding of doses of plastics, a transferring device for transferring the doses to the forming arrangement, a liquid cooling arrangement for cooling the transferring device, an arm arrangement associated with the transferring device for moving the transferring device along a further path having a portion substantially coinciding with a further portion of said path.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a pleating head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The pleating head includes at least three segments, each having a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length. Each segment has a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member. The segments are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a spiral-pleat dimension having at least three channels in communication with a central aperture.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus including a pallet for use with a thermoforming machine that thermoforms a plastic billet into a usable form, the pallet including a billet support surface for supporting thereon a billet, and a gripper mounted on the pallet and arranged for movement between a first position, wherein the gripper does not grip a billet placed on the billet support surface, and a second position, wherein the gripper grips the billet placed on the billet support surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, step-and-repeat imprint lithography is effected by applying balanced pressing forces from both sides of a substrate. The pressing forces are substantially equal in amplitude and opposite in direction. With the pressing forces thus balanced, the fixture that steps and holds the substrate does not bear the load of imprinting. The balance allows use of a high resolution aligning stage to carry the substrate and to maintain high accuracy of positioning without being shifted by change of load. With this method, sufficient imprint pressure can be used to obtain high quality patterning, a thin and uniform residual layer, and a high fidelity pattern.

Abstract: In the case of a thermoforming system, it is provided, for the purpose of changing over the moulds (11, 12) in a station (1) of this system, that one (4) of the two transporting devices (3, 4), for transporting the sheet (7) from one station to the other, can be displaced in the direction of the other transporting device (3), transversely to the conveying direction, in order to create space on one side of the lifting tables (9, 10) so that it is possible for the mould block (11, 12) to be moved out of the station onto a mould-changing arm (13) and, from there, onto a mould-changing carriage (15).

Abstract: An apparatus for placing mold charges into a mold of a compression molding machine includes at least one mold charge pick-up cup for receiving a severed charge of molten plastic, a vacuum source for applying a vacuum to the pick-up cup to retain the mold charge in the cup, and a source of gas (such as air) under pressure for periodically applying gas to the cup to release the mold charge from the cup. In one exemplary embodiment, the vacuum source applies a continuous vacuum to the cup, and the source of gas under pressure periodically applies gas to the cup to overcome the continuous vacuum at the cup. In another exemplary embodiment, vacuum and gas under pressure, are alternately applied to the cup. The vacuum source preferably includes a vacuum generator coupled to the source of gas under pressure for generating the vacuum to be applied to the cup. The vacuum source preferably includes a vacuum pump coupled to the source of gas under pressure for generating the vacuum to be applied to the cup.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a mold having a pattern to be transferred to the workpiece, with the pattern including recesses, a first support member for supporting the mold, and a second support member, arranged opposite to the first support member, for supporting the workpiece. A pressing mechanism brings the first and second support members close to each other and presses the mold and the workpiece together so as to transfer, to the workpiece, the pattern on the mold. Recessed portions are provided on at least one of a surface of the mold on the first support member side, a region of the first support member, and a region of the second support member. The recessed portions correspond to recesses in the pattern of the mold.

Abstract: An exemplary mold for molding lenses includes an upper mold core, a lower mold core, and a shell. The upper mold core has a first convex molding surface. The lower mold core has a second convex molding surface opposite to the first convex molding surface. The shell has an upper portion and a lower portion for respectively accommodating the upper mold core and the lower mold core therein. The shell has an inner step support formed between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Abstract: A stamping device stamps characteristic data, especially in the form of code numbers (22), into plastic products. Such containers are preferably produced according to blowing, filling and gelling methods. At least one stamp (32), having a stamping unit (34) with interchangeable characteristic data units (42), is guided in the longitudinal direction in the frame (24) of the device. When the stamp is in an elevated position, the products to be stamped and/or have been stamped can be fed or removed. When in a lowered position, the products are stamped.

Abstract: An assembly device includes: a push-in unit provided in a vertically movable tool base to push a ceramic catalyst carrier together with a support mat into a recession of a shaping die; a first and second pressing units for pressing both end portions of the mat from side faces to curve them along an arc-shaped upper surface of the carrier; pressure rollers provided at the both pressing units to press the both end portions toward the carrier; a tape presser in the push-in unit for pressing an adhesive tape to an upper surfaces of engagement portions of the depression and projection in a gap formed between the both rollers and operating with the push-in unit in pushing the carrier and mat into the recession of the shaping die; and a push-up unit provided on a bottom of the recession to push up the carrier and mat.

Abstract: Blanks (12) of thermoplastic material are heated, and a thermoforming step is performed in which the heated blanks are deformed plastically by stretching. Before the thermoforming step, a die-punching step is performed in which the peripheral regions of the blanks are deformed by die-punching while the material of the blanks is held captive on the outside. The installation includes heater means (16) for heating said blanks, thermoforming means (24), and a die-punching tool (26, 28) suitable for deforming the peripheral regions of the blanks before they are thermoformed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming elongated composite structural members with a desired cross-sectional geometry as taken transverse to the length of the member. The apparatus may include a base with a substantially elongated mandrel mounted thereon. One or more rollers configured to at least partially complementarily engage the mandrel are configured to roll over and press a plurality of plies of composite material onto the mandrel. The rollers may be configured to form intermediate structures which partially conform to the geometry of the mandrel prior to forming the final structure, which substantially completely conforms to the geometry of the mandrel. The rollers serve to both form and debulk the structure. The present invention enables the formation of elongated structural members from resin-impregnated materials while maintaining the materials in a substantially uncured state. The formed members may then be cocured with a skin or other composite structure.

Abstract: A sheet material pressing machine for pressing a sheet material into a formed article may include a first die unit that can be opened and closed and a second die unit that can be opened and closed. The first and second die units are arranged and constructed such that closing operation of the first die unit and opening operation of the second die unit, or vice versa, can alternately occur.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system to vary dimensions of a template in order to attenuate if not prevent distortions in an underlying pattern formed by the template. To that end, the system features a compression device that includes a pair of spaced-apart contact members to compress a perimeter surface of the template between the pair of spaced-apart contact members. The compression device includes first and second bodies, each has a contact member and an actuator arm. One of the actuator arms is coupled to the first body to reciprocate about an axis in response to variations of a volume of a bladder disposed adjacent to the actuator arm. In this manner, the distance between the two contact members may be varied.

Abstract: A transfer arm holds a plurality of preforms arranged in a single line and simultaneously drops and supplies the preforms downward. A positioning arm has a pair of arm split members split in its widthwise direction. The arm split members have positioning surfaces formed on their contact surfaces to be brought into contact with outer peripheries of the preforms. After the preforms are dropped and supplied from the transfer arm, the arm split members of the positioning arm are opened and closed so that the positioning surfaces are brought into contact with the outer peripheries of the preforms. Thus, the performs are properly positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing imprint lithography especially useful in creating patterns with ultrafine features on a substrate. The apparatus comprises a substrate having moldable surface carried on a first block, a mold having a molding surface carried on a second block, positioners for moving the first and second blocks relative to each other, a sensor of the relative positions of the blocks and a controller for controlling the relative positions of the blocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for forming a number of thin-walled objects by means of a blow-moulding process from a layer of material which is deformable when heated, comprising: a lower mould with cavities (6) arranged therein, wherein the shape of each of the cavities (6) corresponds with the external shape of the objects to be formed; means for carrying the layer of material to be moulded onto the lower mould; supply means for supplying gas to the upper side of the lower mould; heating means for heating the lower mould; and mandrels movable into the cavities, wherein the lower mould is divided into a number of segments (5), wherein a number of segments (5) is placed around each cavity and the segments are movable in substantially radial direction between a first position, in which they form the wall of the cavity enclosed by the segments (5), and a second position in which an object (19) formed in the cavity can be moved out of the mould.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of forming articles includes a press having a pair of opposite platens. An articulated clamping frame is mounted between the platens, each of which are moveable toward and away from the clamping frame. Material to be formed is clamped into the clamping frames and the articulated clamping frame is wrapped around the die as the die forms the material. The formed article is extracted from the die by moving the clamping frame away from the die.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making slotted tubular dunnage in which a resilient plastic tube having a pair of flanges at opposite sides extending along the length of the tube is held by gripping the flanges at opposite sides of the tube and squeezing sides of the tube together. The apparatus then moves the tube into a slotting position between a steel rule die and a kissing plate while holding the tube with the sides squeezed together. The apparatus then shifts the die against and through the sides of the tube forming a slot therein surrounding a cutout slug of the tube. The apparatus then withdraws the die from the tube while retaining the slug within the slot and moves the tube to a discharged position and discontinues the squeezing of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member; a rotatable drive hub which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member; and a pleating head aligned with respect to the stationary base member and to the rotatable drive hub. The pleating head includes at least three segments, each having a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length. Each segment has a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member. The segments are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a spiral-pleat dimension having at least three channels in communication with a central aperture.

Abstract: A press for flattening dough pieces is provided having a floor supported frame, an endless conveyor belt movably carried on the frame and presenting an upper horizontal surface, and at least one movable platen carried on the frame for pressing the dough pieces against the belt. In an embodiment, a sub frame is adjustably supported by the frame to permit leveling and adjustment of said sub frame relative to the frame. Attachment mechanisms are provided for securing the sub frame to the main frame following adjustment between the two. In an embodiment, at least two movable platens are carried on at least one of said frames, both of the platens being movable in a longitudinal horizontal direction and at least one of the platens is movable in a vertical direction. A linear actuator is drivingly connected to the two movable platens. In an embodiment, a loading system for loading dough balls onto the belt is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bending a substantially rigid substrate (22) having first and second portions (28, 30) interconnected by a bend region (32). The apparatus comprises first and second heated die members (60, 80). The first heated die member (60) has a longitudinal body portion (62) and an outer edge portion (64) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (62) and is substantially rounded. The second heated die member (80) has a longitudinal body portion (82) and a groove (84) that extends along the longitudinal body portion (82). The first and second heated die members (60, 80) are configured to contact the substrate (22) and are capable of bending the substrate (22) in the bend region (32) when the outer edge portion (64) of the first heated die member (60) slides into the groove (84) of the second heated die member (80). There is also a method for bending the substantially rigid substrate (22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a picking-up device and assembly for making a part made of a reinforced plastics material in a mold. The picking-up device includes at least one presser having a shaped front face and first needles mounted to have end portions that project beyond the front face in one position and retract so as to be set back from the front face in a second position. The picking-up device may have a base mounted to move relative to the picking-up device. A production line may be formed from use of two picking-up devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a bar-like dough piece into substantially an M-shaped piece. A conveying section (2) continuously conveys bar-like dough pieces (1) in a traveling direction that is orthogonal to the length of the bar-like dough piece (1). Each incoming bar-like dough piece (1), whose length is measured by photosensors (38), is centered by a centering device in a centering section (3) based on the measured length of it A forming section (4) bends the centered bar-like dough piece (1) with a centrally located bending member and two bending members symmetrically located with respect to the center of the length of the bar-like dough piece. Because the symmetrically located bending members are oriented inversely with respect to the centrally located bending member, the bar-like dough piece (1) is formed into an M-shaped piece.

Abstract: Multiple cell layers are formed with one cell layer formed on another cell layer. A carrier is provided having an alginate gel layer formed on a porous membrane. An extracellular matrix component gel layer or extracellular matrix component sponge layer may be formed on the alginate gel layer. A cell layer is formed on the alginate gel layer, or the extracellular matrix component gel layer or extracellular matrix component sponge layer. The alginate gel layer is solubilized such as with a chelating agent to exfoliate the cell layer from the porous membrane, and the exfoliated cell layer is placed on another cell layer on a carrier. The number of cell layers formed on each other may be 1-10, preferably 1-5, and more preferably 1-3.

Abstract: An apparatus that receives packaging containers and a mixture of powdered chemicals and compresses the powder into the containers at a pressure sufficient to form a solid of the powder yet not so high as to rupture the container. The apparatus is computer controlled and fully automated. The apparatus mixes a batch of chemicals in powder form, apportions a quantity of the mixture into the container and compresses it into a solid. Alternatively, the apparatus comprises a mold instead of the container for receiving the mixture portion, presses the portion into the mold and then the mold is rotated in a vertical plane to discharge the molded portion.

Abstract: Extensible gripper for clamping plastics material plates on thermoforming apparatus for on-line thermoforming the plastics material plates, in which supporting assemblies support slidably with respect to a central body, sliding blocks which can be driven to project from the side of the central body, thereby providing the gripper with a length which can amount to twice the length of the central body, while providing the required gripping mechanical force on the head portions of the plastics material plates.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing pressware containers from container blanks there is provided a plurality of inertial blank stop pins disposed so as to position a container blank prior to press forming. The stop pins are rotatable in order to absorb the kinetic energy of the container blanks as they are fed to the apparatus and eliminate blank bounce. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming plates utilizing the improved apparatus including the inertial blank stop pins.

Abstract: A device and method for forming tableware from biodegradable vegetable fibers includes a device for punching a sheet of vegetable fibers into a preset shape and forming final products from the vegetable fibers. The device and method include a humidifier for humidifying the vegetable fibers, a bender for bend-drawing the vegetable fiber into an intermediate article, a warm-air dryer for keeping and drying the intermediate article, a cool-air dryer for further drying and cooling the intermediate article into a finished article.

Abstract: A trim component (1) includes a substrate (2) and two different cover materials (3, 4), which are not spliced together but are independently adhesively bonded onto the substrate (2) by a hot-melt contact adhesion. The junction (7) is received in a valley (6) of the substrate that is pinched closed using a molding apparatus that includes a horizontally movable pinching stamp (13) which forms a pinching gap (16) relative to a protruding edge (11A) of a fixed mold tool (11). A tucking blade (22) cooperates with a counter-clamping blade (26) to clampingly hold and then press the substrate and junction of the cover sheets into the pinching gap. The tucking blade is then retracted while the pinching stamp pinches closed the pinching gap, to form a tightly closed valley in the substrate with the junction cleanly pinched therein.

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 thermoformer, which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package uses a precut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut areas are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs, a forming station adapted to form each of the webs, and a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other, by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.

Abstract: A method of forming consumer portions from a block of frozen foodstuff is described, in which similarly sized sections of the frozen block are removed by severing for shaping into the differently shaped consumer portions under pressure between tooling of a forming press. Each section is of a similar size and volume so that when the press is operated the severed section is formed into a consumer portion of known volume. Each consumer portion is ejected for further processing after the tooling separates. The surface of each severed section of frozen foodstuff is wetted with a liquid (typically water) just before the pressing operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of forming articles includes a press having a pair of opposite platens. An articulated clamping frame is mounted between the platens, each of which are moveable toward and away from the clamping frame. Material to be formed is clamped into the clamping frames and the articulated clamping frame is wrapped around the die as the die forms the material. The formed article is extracted from the die by moving the clamping frame away from the die.

Abstract: Adjustable clamping frames for rotary thermoforming machine have movable sets of clamp supporting members which are driven by selectively engageable drive units to carry out a size adjustment at a station in the thermoforming machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.

Abstract: An apparatus for bending a bar-like dough piece into substantially an M-shaped piece is disclosed. A conveying section (2) continuously conveys bar-like dough pieces (1) in a traveling direction that is orthogonal to the length of the bar-like dough piece (1). Each incoming bar-like dough piece (1), whose length is measured by photosensors (38), is centered by a centering device in a centering section (3) based on the measured length of it. A forming section (4) bends the centered bar-like dough piece (1) with a centrally located bending member and two bending members symmetrically located with respect to the center of the length of the bar-like dough piece. Because the symmetrically located bending members are oriented inversely with respect to the centrally located bending member, the bar-like dough piece (1) is formed into an M-shaped piece.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp frame for securing a work piece in a thermo-forming machine includes a pair of opposed, transverse cross members, each of which are adjustable along a continuum toward and away from one another. Each transverse cross member includes at least one clamping member for securing a work piece to the frame by clamping the respective edges thereof. The clamp frame also includes a pair of opposed, longitudinal cross members, each of which are adjustable along a continuum toward and away from one another. Each longitudinal cross member includes at least one clamping member for securing a work piece to the frame by clamping the respective edges thereof. The clamping members for each of the respective pair of opposed transverse and longitudinal cross members are adapted to be disposed on a common plane when the workpiece is secured in said frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die.

Abstract: Provided is a molding apparatus having a low cost, including an intermittent feed belt conveyer which can be moved back and forth, for transferring compressed rice foods having a predetermined shape and fed thereonto, a molding frame composed of a pair of openable and closable molding dies having opposed parts formed therein with substantially semicircular molding recesses which are outward symmetric, and a plurality of press boards fixed to push-down rods so as to be horizontally extend and elevatable in the molding recesses in a condition in which both molding dies are closed, and an opening and closing mechanism and an elevating mechanism for the molding frame, wherein the molding dies are arranged so that the molding recesses are juxtaposed with each other, being spaced from one another by a predetermined distance widthwise of the intermittent feed belt conveyer.

Abstract: A pizza rice molding apparatus enhances the efficiency of molding a pizza rice having a substantially true circular disc-like shape and a highly valuable quality. The apparatus comprises a feed conveyer belt which can be longitudinally moved back and forth, for intermittently feeding a square planar rice food which has been compressed and fed onto the belt conveyer, a molding frame composed of a pair of molding dies which are curved outward symmetrically, and which are arranged so as to be openable and closable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the feed conveyer belt, and an opening and closing mechanism and an elevating mechanism for the pair of molding dies, wherein the pair of molding dies have parts which correspond to side parts of a square planar rice food and which are formed into arcuate side molding parts, and parts which correspond to corner parts thereof, and which are formed into corner molding parts which are convex inward from the arcuate side molding parts.

Abstract: A machine for making cones from baked wafers utilizes roll-up mechanism in the form of a roll-up mandrel and a roll-up form. A multiplicity of such mechanisms is carried by a chain along an endless path. Each roll-up mechanism can have a frame on which the roll-up mandrel and roll-up form is mounted.

Abstract: An improved on-line thermoforming machine comprises at least a loading station (2) for loading a sheet-like plastic material (in plate or coil form), at least a heating station (3), a thermoforming station (4) and a unloading station (5) for unloading the thermoformed plastic material, the heating station (3) being provided with heating ovens which, in their deactuated condition, do not cause any increase of the side size of the machine with respect to the size necessary for the heating operations. With respect to conventional on-line thermoforming machines, the inventive thermoforming machine has the advantage of a width size which is substantially a half of that of the prior machines, thereby the subject thermoforming machine can be easily transported without the need of disassembling the machine and assembling it again at the working place.

Abstract: A continuous thermoplastic wire is heated and fed into a coil forming apparatus having a rotative drum holding an injection nozzle so that it registers with and be linked in a common rotative movement to a threaded mandrel also supported by the drum. The wire discharged by the nozzle slidably engages the threads of the mandrel into a helical pattern, the mandrel being radially and coaxially surrounded by a cooled sleeve. The wire will thus solidify along the helical thread of the mandrel, to form a continuous plastic coil being discharged at the downstream extremity of the mandrel and sleeve assembly. Due to the fact that the drum, mandrel and nozzle all rotate in a common rotative movement, it is possible to select the direction and speed of rotation of the three last-mentioned elements so that the coil being discharged have an ouput discharge translational speed, while being exempt of any absolute rotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for semi-automatically forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a male die, a female die, a presence sensing assembly, and a control assembly. The presence sensing assembly is positioned for sensing the presence of an operator in a sheet feeding zone which is located between an operator's station and a zone of operation of the male die and the female die. The control assembly initiates an article forming sequence, wherein the male die and the female die are moved from a discharge position to a forming position to form the article from the sheet of material and subsequently returned to the discharge position, in response to the operator clearing the presence sensing assembly subsequent to the operator breaking the presence sensing assembly while positioning a sheet of material between the male die and the female die via the sheet feeding area.

Abstract: A support assembly, a knife support assembly operatively linked with the support assembly, and a control system assembly operatively linked with the support assembly and with the knife support assembly deliver an adhesive sheet into a mold. The support assembly includes a side clamp and a center clamp. An adhesive sheet assembly, in cooperative engagement with the support assembly, feeds a continuous supply of adhesive sheet to the support assembly. Accordingly, the adhesive sheet travels across the support assembly and is clamped by the side clamp for cutting by the knife support assembly. The side clamp moves the cut adhesive sheet from the support assembly and, along with a side clamp rib brace coupled with the side clamp, positions the sheet in the mold. The center clamp maintains the remaining adhesive sheet in a position relative to the support assembly ensuring that the side clamp optimally clamps the adhesive sheet upon returning to the support assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoformer which produces zero scrap during the heating, forming and cutting of a blister package. In one embodiment, the thermoformer comprises a pre-cut roll having a series of adjacent webs connected by a cut area. Each of the webs are defined by an overall length L, a width W, and a radius R. Each of the cut area are defined by a cut depth D1, said cut depth D1 being in the range of about 25% to 90% of the width W of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a heating station adapted to heat each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a forming station adapted to form each of the webs. The thermoformer further comprises a cutting station adapted to separate the webs from each other by making a cut along each of the cut areas connecting the webs.