Abstract: A pair of form keys and a method for forming reverse drafts in foam parts are disclosed. A male form key is reciprocally mounted in a first mold half in a retracted position. A female form key is rotatably mounted in a second mold half in a neutral position. The first mold half includes a first drive pin that when engaged, moves the male form key into engagement with a foam sheet to form an undercut as the first and second mold halves are closed. The first mold half also includes a second drive pin that engages the female form key as the first and second mold halves close rotating the female form key into engagement with the foam sheet and the male form key. After closure of the mold and the product is formed, the mold is opened. As this occurs, the drive pins are disengaged and the male form key retracts and the female form key rotates to their neutral positions. The formed product may then be stripped from the mold while maintaining the reverse draft or undercut.

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: The invention relates to a tool which enables articles to be deep-drawn without difficulty, even when the material used is of low elasticity and/or when a decorative sheet is used to produce a composite article. The tool includes a die which has a recessed zone which extends between a die opening and a die contour or an undercut. The recessed zone is delimited on one side at right angles to an end of the die. In order to hold decorative sheet in place, a mounting is fitted on a part of the recessed zone facing the end of the die.

Abstract: Thermal presses and methods for operating thermal presses in the fabrication of finished articles from a web of thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, a thermal press includes a primary frame, a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, and a first arm projecting away from the drive shaft. The drive shaft can extend from one side of the frame to another to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the drive shaft can have a load area spaced apart from the primary frame. The first arm projects from the drive shaft at the load area, and the first arm is connected to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft. The first arm includes a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly. The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first arm and the second link to move the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engage position and a disengage position.

Abstract: A baking dough configuration device 10 includes a cutter or first member 12 that removably inserts into a tray or second member 18 having a preselected quantity of baking dough therein. The first member 12 is forcibly urged into the second member 18 until the first member 12 engages a lower wall 19 of the second member 18 thereby cutting or separating the dough in the second member 18 into a predetermined configuration. The first member 12 is then removed from the second member 18 followed by the removal of the dough from the second member 18. The dough maintains its configuration imposed by the first member 12 due to the dimension of the cuts or separations. The dough is then placed in an environmental chamber to allow for the growth of yeast, then baked, resulting in a bread roll having a configuration that is substantially the same as a bread roll derived from baked dough positioned into an “overhand knot” configuration.

Abstract: A die ring for a dough pressing machine is provided which is to surround a die carried on a movable platen. The die ring, which must be vertically movable relative to the die and platen, is held onto the platen by a plurality of fasteners extending through a flange at an outer periphery of the ring. The flange is elevated above a lower face of the die ring so that the fasteners will be spaced above any dough positioned under the die ring on a dough supporting surface.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped packaging having at least one recess made from a metal-plastic laminate 20. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate 20 is held between a retaining tool 5 and a die 1. The die 1 exhibits at least one opening 8 and a stamping tool 6 is driven into the die opening 8 causing the laminate to be shape-formed into the said packaging and, correspondingly, exhibiting one or more recesses. The die 1 and the retaining tool 5 exhibit facing edge regions 11,12, and within the edge region 11 the die 1 exhibits a shoulder region 13 that surrounds the die opening 8 or openings 8. The surface of the shoulder region 13 lies 0.01 to 10 mm lower than the surface of the edge region 11 of the die 1.

Abstract: A pair of form keys and a method for forming reverse drafts in foam parts are disclosed. A male form key is reciprocally mounted in a first mold half in a retracted position. A female form key is rotatably mounted in a second mold half in a neutral position. The first mold half includes a first drive pin that when engaged, moves the male form key into engagement with a foam sheet to form an undercut as the first and second mold halves are closed. The first mold half also includes a second drive pin that engages the female form key as the first and second mold halves close rotating the female form key into engagement with the foam sheet and the male form key. After closure of the mold and the product is formed, the mold is opened. As this occurs, the drive pins are disengaged and the male form key retracts and the female form key rotates to their neutral positions. The formed product may then be stripped from the mold while maintaining the reverse draft or undercut.

Abstract: A compression mold apparatus for compressing a segment has a base having an elongated and substantially semi-circular mold cavity and an end plate including a blade mounted thereon. The mold cavity has a top opening. A ram is aligned with the top opening. The ram includes two fixed opposing planar flank surfaces. The two fixed opposing planar flank surfaces are nominally centrally separated by a ram groove for mating with the blade while allowing linear movement within the mold cavity. A ram press is connected to the ram for translating the ram linearly along the blade within the mold cavity. A plurality of cartridge heaters is mounted in the base and arranged around the mold cavity for heating the segment.

Abstract: A method of forming blister pack packaging is provided including providing a thermoplastic material and placing the thermoplastic material between a pair of opposed male and female thermoforming dies, while cooling a portion of at least one of the dies. The cooled portion of the die is positioned to contact the area of the thermoplastic material in which it is desired to avoid distortion.

Abstract: In a method for working the end portion of a roof molding for use in an automobile, at desired position on the molding surface 32 of a pressing mold 31 that faces a cut-away portion 21 formed on the back surface of the end portion 12 of the roof molding, there is formed a pressing projecting portion 33 which extends along the width direction of the end portion 12. In a pressing operation after the end portion 12 is heated and softened, the cut-away portion 21 of the back surface of the end portion 12 is pressed and deformed by the pressing projecting portion 33 of the pressing mold 31 to thereby form a mounting and fixing projection portion 22 which projects toward at least one side in the width direction of the end portion 12.

Abstract: A thermoformer apparatus having a press driving upper and lower platens by respective pairs of servo motors, each pair driving four toggle linkages to stabilize the platen against the forming pressures. Linear bearings are provided on four corner posts for precision guiding of the platen motion.

Abstract: A sliding frame press utilizing a single pressure generating actuator to simultaneously apply the same uniform load to opposite sides of a workpiece. Two posts integral to sliding frame part 2 are freely and movably supported at the upper surface and within a post guide part located at both sides of frame base 5. Pressure is exerted on pressure rod 7 by the force applied at actuator 6. When the pressure applied to pressure rod 7 by actuator 6 exceeds the free weight of sliding frame part 2, a reactive force generated from pressure rod 7 operates to raise sliding frame part 2, thus simultaneously applying a uniform load to opposing sides of the workpiece located between pressure rod 7 and the lower punch 9 operatively connected to the sliding frame part 2.

Abstract: Thermal presses and methods of their operation to fabricate finished articles from a web of thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, a thermal press includes a primary frame, a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, and a first arm projecting away from the drive shaft. The drive shaft can extend from one side of the frame to another to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The drive shaft can have a load area spaced apart from the primary frame. The first arm projects from the drive shaft at the load area, and rotates with the drive shaft. The first arm includes a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly. The rotation of the drive shaft rotates the first arm and the second link to move the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engage position and a disengage position.

Abstract: A thermoforming station in a thermoforming machine for thermoplastic cups, which is equipped with a cyclically operating conveying section which takes over a cup sheet web from an unwinding station, the conveying section running through a heating station, the thermoforming station and further processing stations. The technical problem is a perfect and rapid cooling of the thermoplastic cups in the thermoforming station, in order to keep the cycle time as short as possible, and an adaptation of the thermoforming die to different heights of the thermoplastic cups. The lower die (7) of the thermoforming station (6) is constructed from intermediate plates (32) forming a plate stack, grooves (35) being made in the surface of the intermediate plates (32) for the purpose of forming cooling channels within the plate stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing cold formed shaped forms of packaging having at least one recess from a metal-plastic laminate. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The apparatus is such that the laminate is held between a retaining tool and a die. The die exhibits at least one opening and a stamp is driven into the die opening causing the laminate to be shape-formed into a packaging, correspondingly exhibiting one or more recesses. The die and the retaining tool exhibit facing edge regions and the die, within the edge region, exhibits a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening or openings. The surface of the shoulder region lies 0.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming articles in a thermoplastic sheet, severing the articles in the sheet, and stacking the articles in a stacking receiver. The apparatus includes upper and lower molds moveable between closed positions in which the molds engage opposite sides of the sheet to differentially pressure form a part in the thermoplastic sheet. The molds in which the article is formed are moved toward each from the closed positions to article trim positions to sever the article from the sheet. The lower mold is then moved linearly away from the sheet in a vertical direction and then transversely moved in a second linear transverse path of travel to a remote discharge location. Apparatus is provided for reorienting the mold between its orientation in the first linear path of travel and its orientation in the second path of travel.

Abstract: In a process for forming contours in aramide flat structures, in particular textile flat structures made from aramide fibers, contouring is performed by molding in a temperature range of 180-300.degree. C. and a press pressure range of 4-8 bar (400-800 kPa). The flat structures contoured by molding are suited in particular for the manufacture of antiballistic women's protective clothing as well as of antiballistic helmets. The effectiveness against penetration of bullets and splinters is not affected by the molding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus process a thinly walled tube of thermoplastic resin to produce a tubular container having an inwardly directed flange section in a hole formed at an end of the thinly walled tube. In a first step, the thinly walled tube is secured to a tube holder provided with a male mold for molding the flange section in the hole and forming an opening located inside the flange section. The front end of the thinly walled tube projects by a predetermined distance from the front end of the tube holder. Then, in a second step, hot air is blown to an inner wall surface of the thinly walled tube at and near the front end thereof and the outer wall surface of the thinly walled tube is cooled also at and near the front end thereof. This produces a temperature difference between an inside and an outside of the thinly walled tube, so as to deform the front end of the thinly walled tube into a flange projecting radially.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing decorative panels with relief decorations on at least one of the broad sides of the panel are described. In a chamber, a hard, at least partly thermoplastic resin foam sheet with an essentially closed cell structure is substantially evenly heated on at least one of its broad sides, such that it becomes soft. Then, by means of a mould, the decorations in raised and/or sunken relief are applied to at least one of the broad sides by pressing.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped forms of packaging having at least one recess from a metal-plastic laminate. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate is held between a retaining tool and a die. The die exhibits at least one opening and a stamp is driven into the die opening causing the laminate to be shape-formed into a packaging, correspondingly exhibiting one or more recesses. The die and the retaining tool exhibit facing edge regions and the die, within the edge region, exhibits a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening or openings. The surface of the shoulder region lies 0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a soap bar from remnants of used soap bars. A molding base defining an internal molding cavity is provided with a pivotal closure also defining an internal die cavity. A forming die is movably supported by the closure and is movable from a retracted position out of the molding cavity to an extended position within said molding cavity where the forming die applies mechanical pressure to the soap fragments. The forming die is receivable within the die cavity at its retracted position and has a concave die surface of a configuration for forming a portion of the soap bar. A die actuator extends through the closure and may be provided with a spring for retraction of the die or for urging the die in a direction for continuous application of molding force to the forming die for a sufficient period of time for adhering and forming the soap bar fragments so as to define a resulting soap bar for subsequent conventional use.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus for making comestible units. The comestible units made in accordance with the present invention can include active ingredients and are capable of dissolving in the mouth of the consumer within several seconds. They are particularly useful as antacids and as delivery vehicles for biologically active ingredients, especially those which are ideally combined with antacid ingredients.

Abstract: A process of forming and shaping a preheated workpiece made of honeycomb core material using a press including complementary male and female dies. The first step of the process is providing a carrier sheet for supporting the workpiece. The carrier sheet is suspended over the female die by two shafts supported by support towers. The next step is loading the preheated workpiece onto the carrier sheet. The next step is applying rotational torque to each of the two shafts whereby the carrier sheet is wrapped around the said shafts thereby applying tension to the carrier sheet and pulling the shafts toward each other and into pressing contact with the sides of the workpiece while said carrier sheet means supports the bottom surface of said workpiece.

Abstract: A device for the encapsulation of syringes and other hazardous plastic waste having needles or other sharp elements, the device having a melt chamber with a reciprocating compaction head, the weight of the compaction head providing the force to conform molten plastic into a puck covering the needle points. Flow release apertures allow for escape of gases and provide an overflow conduit for excess molten plastic. The puck adheres to the compaction head and is ejected back into the melt chamber for removal and disposal.

Abstract: A method of resin molding for molding regular products and a resin molding machine for the same. In the method of the present invention, release film, which is capable of easily peeling off from molding dies and resin, is provided on faces of the molding dies. A member to be molded by the molding dies is clamped together with the release film. An inner face of a pot of the molding die is covered with the release film. A resin tablet is supplied into the pot.

Abstract: A method of shaping a layer of settable material such as honeycomb core (24) including placing the core on a flexible support (38); translating the flexible support (38) and core into an oven (28); heating the core to a desired forming temperature in the oven; translating the flexible support (38) and core (24) horizontally from the oven into a forming area (26); lowering a contoured upper die (32) onto the core (24); tensioning the flexible support (38); pressing the core between the tensioned flexible support and the upper die so that the core (24) is forced to conform to the shape of the die (32); cooling the core to set temperature; and raising the die (32) to remove the finished shaped core, is provided.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for wrapping an article, wherein a metal foil is pleated and then formed in to a dished shape such that the pleats unfold, and then an article is placed within this dished shape.

Abstract: A method for making a flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of electronic components by an advancement mechanism is disclosed. The tape includes a strip portion having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism; and a plurality of aligned pockets for carrying the electronic components. The pockets are spaced along the strip portion and opening through the top surface. The device for engagingly receiving the advancement mechanism includes a plurality of hollow protuberances that are spaced equally along the strip portion, open through the strip portion, and extend outwardly from the strip portion. The protuberances are adapted to receive the advancement mechanism within the hollow portion. The method includes simultaneously thermoforming the pockets and the protuberances to provide excellent registration therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for making carbon discs for brake disc assemblies by feeding continuous strands of fibrous carbon material from spools into a die, the volume of the carbon material so dispensed being continuously monitored. A cutter terminates the dispensing operation and a debulking plate urges all of the fibrous carbon material so dispensed into the die alone. The material is compressed within a cylindrical annular die and, in one embodiment, is submitted to a convection curing oven where the preform is cured. Subsequently, the preform is carbonized, densified, and machined to form a final carbon disc brake. In another emobodiment, a dry preform is fabricated, obviating the need for curing and carbonizing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a thermoplastic container-shaped intermediate or article having biaxially oriented side walls and a bottom having an unoriented portion surrounded by a biaxially oriented transparent portion. In the method, a sheet of thermoplastic at its orientation temperature is secured over the mouth of a forming tube. A plunger having a circumscribing sharp edged lip and a plunger follower sandwich the thermoplastic sheet and the plunger and plunger follower are driven into the forming tube while preventing the circumscribed portion of the thermoplastic from becoming oriented. Thereafter the thermoplastic is blow formed to yield a container-shaped intermediate. The final container is formed by heat shrinking the intermediate onto a male form having a predetermined size, shape and texture. The apparatus includes the forming tube, plunger, plunger follower and pressurized air for performing the method.

Abstract: A molding tool is provided that has a cavity half and a core half for molding a workpiece. The molding tool has a male trimpiece that is attached to the cavity half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices for removal of the male trimpiece when worn. A female trimpiece is attached to the core half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices for removal of the female trimpiece when worn. An adjustable stop plate is also provided that is attached to the core half of the molding tool via a plurality of securing devices. The stop plate is disposed around, and is adjacent to, the female trimpiece. The stop plate is vertically adjustable to provide for varying thickness of the workpiece. A trimline retention reservoir is also disposed in the core half of the molding tool between the female trimpiece and the stop plate for receiving the male trimpiece when the molding tool is in the closed position. The thicknesses of each trimpiece can be varied so as to change the size of the workpiece.

Abstract: A simple apparatus for forming a fill line in a paper beverage container such as a paper cup is disclosed. The apparatus includes no moving parts. A fill line is formed by forcing a punch of a mating ring into a finished cup positioned in a die which includes an annular recess spaced below the rim of the finished cup, the annular recess terminating in a bottom edge which serves as an anvil surface for forming the fill line. The fill line provides a user of the beverage container with a reference point for establishing a consistent measure of volume. The advantage is a simple apparatus adapted to be fitted to most paper cup finishing machines. The apparatus has no moving parts and is therefore not prone to requiring maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: A hat molding machine using advanced features will produce a completed hat form from an unshaped felt or wool configuration. The machine employs male and female hat molds. The female hat mold has embedded electric heating elements which are temperature controlled. Low pressure steam is piped into the female mold. Using three pneumatic cylinders and an automatic programmable air controller with timer for proper sequencing, a completed hat form shape including shape portion and flange brim portion results.

Abstract: Apparatus for the thermoforming of hollow objects at a base comprises thermoforming of the objects from a sheet of thermoplastics material in a half of a double female mould that can be moved between a forming area against a male die and a discharge area to one or the other side of the forming area. The thermoformed objects are transferred from the discharge area onto a plurality of receiving formers moving sequentially stepwise along a track. One or more processing or handling operations are performed on the objects while the formers are stationary.

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 portable version of a honeycomb core forming restricter (20) for forming and shaping a workpiece made of stiff honeycomb core material, the apparatus (20) to be used in combination with a press including a male die (70) and a female die (72), the apparatus (20) including: (a) a base plate (62); (b) four support tower assemblies (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) supported by the base plate (62); (c) two shafts (22a, 22b) supported by the support tower assemblies (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d), the shafts (2a, 22b) being arranged in a generally parallel relationship to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the female die 72; (d) a carrier sheet (74) for supporting the workpiece, the carrier sheet (74) being attached to the two shafts (22a, 22b); (e) four air motors (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) for applying rotational torque to the shafts ( 22a, 22b); and (f) the support tower assemblies including a double acting air cylinder (36a) for moving the shaft (22a) in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the female

Abstract: A bottom mold for molding a biaxially stretch blow-molded article. The bottom mold has a grounding bottom portion and a central inwardly concave dome inside of the grounding bottom portion. The central inwardly concave dome has annular flat walls at different levels from the grounding bottom portion. The annular flat walls are defined by polygons of similar figures. An angle of one of the polygons is aligned along a radial line connecting a bisected point of one side of an adjacent upper or lower polygon and the center of the central inwardly concave dome. The angles of the polygons are the highly stretched areas having a high latitudinal stretch ratio, while the sides of the polygons particularly around the center point, are the moderately stretched areas. The highly and the moderately stretched areas are alternately arranged around the central inwardly concave dome in the circumferential and radial directions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing leather coin pouches. The method provides for wetting a leather assembly comprising a substantially flat, flexible leather cover laminated to a substantially flat, more rigid centerpiece, to soften the leather which facilitates the eventual forming of the leather. The method further comprises creasing the leather in a creasing die. After a preforming step designed to foldedly bias the leather assembly toward forming as desired, the leather assembly is formed into a foldedly raised leather assembly with an overlapping flap spiral closure. Finally, while its formed shape is retained, the leather assembly is dried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a food product and ejecting the food product onto an appropriate discharge area. One embodiment includes a mold with a three-dimensional mold face. A membrane is mounted on the mold and extends over the mold face such that raw food material directed toward the mold substantially conforms the membrane to the mold face to define a three-dimensional contour for the upper surface of the food product. A plunger assembly which includes a plurality of plungers is thereafter advanced to extend through the mold face to force the membrane away from the mold face and thereby eject the food product from the mold. During ejection the three-dimensional contour of the upper surface of the food product and the substantially planar contour of the lower surface of the food product are substantially reversed. Consequently, a separator may be passed between the membrane and upper surface of the food product.

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: Device for the fabrication of concrete blocks having thin through holes for the drainage of water (perforated blocks), the fabrication taking place in at least one mold filled with concrete, which mold is supported on a mold table, and at least one male die for the compaction of the concrete. In order to create the thin holes, core pins are arranged in the region of the male dies or of the mold table or of the mold, which core pins are introduced inside the mold before the compaction of the concrete. Afterward, the concrete is compacted, the core pins are removed from the region of the mold, the compacted concrete blocks are completely demolded, and the concrete blocks are cured.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermoforming plastic sheet material which has a frame and complementary mold halves mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from one another. The apparatus has an indexing means which moves along a vertical path to pull the plastic material through the mold and a clamping means disposed between the mold halves which operates with the mold to clamp the plastic sheet around the edges of the forming tool of one mold half. The indexing means and clamping means operate to reduce sag of the plastic material and improve uniformity of the finished article. Operation of the apparatus is enhanced by the use of air pressure, vacuum and cooling during molding and release.

Abstract: The mold that belongs to a cardboard box forming machine is comprised of four forming corners, equal to each other, assembled in such a way that they can be moved longitudinally and transversally in order to carry out the adjustment of length as well as width of the boxes to be formed. The adjustment of length is achieved as a result of the corners being assembled on bushings threaded on spindles, each one of the latter having two sections threaded in a different direction so that the rotation of the former involves contrary movement of each pair of forming corners assembled on each spindle. The adjustment of width is achieved on the grounds of movement of said forming corners along linear guides upon which corresponding bridges slide. Forming corners are also completed with means retaining the box during its formation and pressing means for gluing of the corresponding laps.

Abstract: In order to be able to produce packages economically and when the package design results in undercuts being provided in a deep-drawing tool for its manufacture, a simple and practical solution for the movement of the lower parts in each of the required work stations is advantageous. These lower parts are generally vertically movable in order to be able to easily open the mold. An inclined opening of the mold or rather removal of the lower part is achieved according to the invention in such a manner that between the lower part of the tool and the lifting device for facilitating its vertical movement there is provided a carriage guide which enables also an easy horizontal movement. A guide pin fastened on the carriage guide is part of a guide system which controls a desired forced inclined guided opening of the mold. The guide system can be used in deep-drawing tools, sealing tools and similar ones.

Abstract: Apparatus for differential pressure forming an article in a thermoplastic sheet including a female mold cavity mounting a one piece, ring-shaped detachable mold insert for forming at least a portion of the article. The insert is formed by rolling a crescent shaped sheet, having opposite ends into a truncated cone with opposite ends thereof in abutting relation, inserting the truncated cone shaped mold insert into a mold cavity, and applying endwise force to the ends of the mold insert to detachably secure the mold in a mold body.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing three-dimensional parts using sheets of a thermoplastic resin high-performance fiber-reinforced composite material. The apparatus includes a sheet clamping device for clamping an end portion of the sheet and conveying the sheet to a heating/forming zone, a heater for heating the sheet to a predetermined temperature, upper and lower frames driven by cylinders for clamping the sheet and a male mold member for forming the three-dimensional part by deep drawing the clamped sheet inwardly through a stroke of the mold member.

Abstract: Forming apparatus for forming hollow articles from a thermoplastic web wherein a mold block and a counter-mold block are respectively provided with the same number of forming chambers and cylindrical cavities. Each cylindrical cavity contains a forming punch having an inactive top portion and an active bottom portion, which active bottom portion is suitable for penetrating vertically into the corresponding forming chamber. The inactive portion of each forming punch extends over an axial height that is less than the maximum width of the punch. Each forming punch is surmounted by a guide piston which slides in sealed manner inside the corresponding cylindrical cavity of the counter-mold block. The annular space beneath the guide piston is suitable for communicating periodically with a source of compressed gas via at least one link duct.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a three-dimensional food product. In one embodiment, a piston is reciprocally positioned within a forming cavity and includes a face which has a three-dimensional contour. An elastic membrane is positioned over the face of the piston to assist in the separation of the product therefrom. In this regard, when a raw food material is provided to the forming cavity, such material stretches the elastic membrane into substantial conformance with the contour of the piston face to thereby form at least one three-dimensional surface for the food product. When the forming cavity is positioned to discharge the product, the elasticity causes the membrane to contract to move the membrane away from the piston face and thereby eject the product from the forming cavity.

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.