Abstract: A method and a plant for twin-sheet thermoforming of fuel tanks; first and second sheets (SA, SB) of thermoformable plastic material, are separately fed along respective processing lines (10A, 10B). The sheets (SA, SB) are heated and gripped along their peripheral edges by a pneumatically actuate suction and vacuum holding device (15A, 15B), for supporting the heated sheets (SA, SB) in a substantially flat condition while they are moved towards a respective thermoforming station (16A, 16B). Both the molds (17A, 17B) are disposed side by side with their open cavity facing upwards. After thermoforming of the plastic sheets (SA, SB), one of the molds (17B) is turned upside down onto the other mold (17A), to overlap and weld superimposed sealing areas of the two thermoformed shells (GA, GB). Cooling of the molds and thermoformed tank may be performed on a side of the processing lines (10A, 10B).

Abstract: A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

Abstract: For manufacture of fiber-reinforced components, a positionable base frame is used on which a controllable holding device is provided for gripping and holding at least one reinforced fiber layer. A draping device is provided on the base frame, using which the reinforced fiber layer may be draped onto a mould core via the application of a vacuum.

Abstract: The electric service load of a machine having at least one electric heater and at least one electric motor may be managed as follows. Where the electrical service load of the machine exceeds a threshold, which may result from transient in-rush current attendant upon start-up of an electric motor, or where this load is expected to exceed the threshold, at least one of the heaters may be de-energized. The heater may remain de-energized either for a pre-determined period of time or until the electrical service load falls below a further threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for performing a planarization treatment of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). The process includes positioning a first substrate onto a support surface of a planarization tool. The process further includes placing at least one layer of PSA onto the first substrate. The process further includes positioning a second substrate onto the layer(s) of PSA. The process further includes applying a pressure to the second substrate via a flexible membrane, said pressure being applied in a generally uniform, unidirectional and localized manner. Further, the applied pressure flattens the PSA between the first substrate and the second substrate for promoting suitability of the PSA for use in rigid-to-rigid lamination processes.

Abstract: An injection molding device includes a female mold defining a cavity, a male mold having a projecting part protruding toward the female mold corresponding to the cavity, a transport configured for transporting a foil into a position between the female mold and the male mold, a vacuum-pump, and a thermal medium source. A plurality of air discharging holes is defined in the female mold joining in the cavity. A channel is defined in the projecting part of the male mold. The vacuum-pump is connected to the air discharging holes of the female for vacuuming the cavity to suck the foil toward the female mold. The thermal medium source is connected to the channel of the male mold for inputting thermal medium into the mold via the channel to press the foil to cling to the female mold.

Abstract: A vacuum forming machine and a method of manufacturing a duplex twin-sheet element from two continuous webs of thermoplastic material conveyed in parallel by means of a twin-sheet frame provided therebetween, which is adapted to be loaded by means of a tensioning frame for creating closed machine chambers with the material web sections to be shaped, provides for the aspect that the twin-sheet frame is provided with a front frame section in the front along the conveying direction of said material webs, which frame section can be removed for de-moulding said twin-sheet element. The material webs are conveyed in a cycled operation when the twin-sheet frame is not loaded and open in the conveying direction, and for forming a twin-sheet element, the twin-sheet frame is closed and loaded by the tensioning frame.

Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus for forming sheets of sheet plastic onto a substrate in which a retractable substrate heater is able to be positioned over a substrate loaded into the press and energized while a plastic sheet is being heated in an oven included in the thermoformer apparatus. The plastic sheets are cut from a strip pulled from a roll of sheet material, the roll supported for side to side movement and driven by a servomotor responsive to error signals generated by a strip edge sensor to compensate for wandering of a strip edge to thereby insure accurate location of plastic sheets cut from the unwound strip.

Abstract: A simultaneous twinsheet thermoforming system having a carousel rack to simultaneously move two sheets of thermoplastic together through a heating station and a forming station. The two thermoplastic sheets are vertically disposed on upper and lower tiers of the rack. The single heating station includes vertically disposed upper and lower ovens, which both sheets pass through simultaneously. The ovens each include upper and lower heating platens, the lower platens being movable to accommodate for sagging thermoplastic. The forming station includes upper and lower vacuum molds that are movable from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, the two sheets are moved in between the mold faces. The molds are driven together to contact the sheets and simultaneously form the two sheets to the two molds. At least one of the two molds is further moved to establish contact between at least portions of the two sheets, thus fusing them together.

Abstract: An internally label-sticking mold includes an outer mold and an inner mold. The outer mold has an interior hollow for containing a shaped material and the inner mold, and the inner mold has an interior hollow for containing a label therein. Thus, when the outer mold with the shaped material placed in its interior hollow is combined with the inner mold with the label placed in its interior hollow for blowing and molding a plastic product, the shaped material becomes a finished plastic product stuck with a label integral.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for de-bulking a composite material preform laid up in a mold. In detail, the apparatus includes a flexible cover adapted to fit over the mold and preform and attach to the sides of the mold. The cover includes an inlet port located in the cover such that when the cover is fit over the mold and preform, the inlet port positioned over the preform. A stretchable cord seals the peripheral portions of the cover to the sides of the mold forming a chamber over the preform. A hot air pump is coupled to the inlet port of the cover for pumping hot air into the chamber.

Abstract: The thermoforming press has a frame, a forming die assembly affixed to the frame, a mold-supporting table suspended to the frame under the forming die assembly, and a pair of molds mounted side by side on the mold-supporting table. A drive system is provided for imparting a pendulum movement to the mold-supporting table for alternately registering one of the molds with the forming die assembly while the other mold is positioned at a part retrieving station. The part retrieving and stacking mechanism has horizontal and angular displacements only as the vertical component of the retrieving motion is provided by the pendulum system. Spring discs are mounted between the forming die assembly and the press platen to control the forces generated between the forming die assembly and each mold.

Abstract: A process and plant for laying a pipe in a trench comprising placing a flattened tubular preform in the trench, the perform having a reinforcement surrounding an inner seal, the reinforcement being impregnated with a resin, and inflating the perform in the trench.

Abstract: A method for molding the fiber aggregate comprising placing divided members of a mold obtained by dividing the mold having gas permeability into the plurality of members in a developed state, filling cavities of the divided members of the mold in the developed state with the fiber aggregate wherein binder fibers having a lower melting point than that of crimped synthetic staple fibers are dispersed and mixed in matrix fibers composed of the crimped synthetic staple fibers, respectively, uniting the divided members of the mold in the developed state, uniting each divided and filled fiber aggregate, heating the united fiber aggregate, melting or softening the binder fibers, fusing the melted or softened binder fibers to the matrix fibers at their crossing points, then cooling and solidifying the melted or softened binder fibers and providing a molded product and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A six station rotary thermoforming machine includes a first oading station for first or upper panels, a second loading station for second or lower panels, two adjacent stations for heating the panels, a thermoforming station, an unloading station and a carousel for transferring thermoformable panels between such stations. The carousel includes a rotating circular frame which is driven by a centrally disposed drive assembly. The circular frame carries and supports six carrier assemblies having peripheral clamping members which receive panels of thermoformable material and rotates to sequentially move them from one station to the next. The two heating stations each include upper and lower radiant heaters. The thermoforming station includes a pair of opposed, vertically translatable platens which receive respective molds which engage and form the panels and may include a device for loading performs or inserts.

Abstract: A method of flowing resin from an inlet opening into a sealed mold and a lay up which is comprised of at least one top layer of absorbent or reinforcing material which defines a passage or hole from the inlet opening to a non-absorbent layer which non-absorbent layer lies above at least one bottom layer of reinforcing material. This process flows the resin from the inlet opening into the mold then through the passage defined by the top reinforcing layer through the non-absorbent layer and then through channels defined by the non-absorbent layer throughout the lay up.

Abstract: A twin sheet forming system and method is used to form a hollow article, such as an automotive fuel tank, from first and second sheets of thermoplastic material. The system includes first and second loading stations, first and second heating stations, and first and second thermoforming stations in an in-line arrangement. The in-line arrangement allows the sheets to be transferred independently between the stations and the separate thermoforming stations allows the sheets to be thermoformed independently. Each of the thermoforming stations includes an upper and lower platen generally in a side by side arrangement for supporting thermoforming tools and plug assists. After heating, the sheets are independently transferred to the thermoforming stations and formed using the thermoforming tools and plug assists. The thermoforming tool and thermoformed piece in one of the thermoforming stations is then transferred to the other station, and the thermoformed pieces are fused together.

Abstract: A method includes a first, a second and a third step, and a circuit member is installed in a resin-molded panel simultaneously when this resin-molded panel is vacuum formed. In the first step, the circuit member to be installed is placed on an upper surface of a circuit member-installing portion formed on and projecting from a front surface of a base mold. In the second step, a heated and softened panel material is laid on the front surface of the base mold. In the third step, the air between the panel material and the base mold is drawn via notch spaces and air-drawing holes.

Abstract: An in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including a first cam mechanism (58) and a second cam mechanism (64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling.

Abstract: A unit for making pre-shaped absorbent pads for sanitary items is equipped with a continuous conveyor belt with an operating branch which defines a line for pad forming and feed; the branch extends along a straight path, along which there are three successive stations for feeding absorbent material and a plurality of seats designed to accept and retain a given quantity of the absorbent material.

Abstract: A device for the manufacture of a cast, in particular a dental aid from a preheated workable substrate. The device comprises a hollow body having an essentially flat first side being provided with holes which first side is arranged to receive a model from which a cast is to be made. Said first side is adapted to cooperate with a holder-on, which seals the substrate against said first side. The body cooperated with a vacuum source that he cooperation is achieved through one to the body belonging connection being connect ably arranged to an external vacuum source.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite sheet includes perforating a reinforcement panel. A mold surface onto which the composite sheet may be formed is provided. At least one outer coat of material is applied onto the mold surface. At least one coat of resin and reinforcement material is applied over the outer coat to form a reinforcement layer. The perforated reinforcement panel is applied to the reinforcement layer, and the resin is forced into the perforations formed in the reinforcement panel, thereby bonding the reinforcement layer to the reinforcement panel.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A plastic blow molding system (20) and a method for blow molding utilize an in-mold labeler (24) and a method for in-mold labeling a rotary plastic blow molding machine (22) includes a dispensing assembly (38) having a dispensing wheel (42) that is rotatably mounted on a base (40) and supports a plurality of dispensing head assemblies (46) each of which includes a support (48) and a dispensing head (50). An actuator (56) including first and second cam mechanisms (58, 64) moves the support (48) of each dispensing head assembly (46) along the rotary path of movement of an adjacent open mold (30) of the blow molding machine and angularly positions the support in alignment with a moving mold parting plane of the adjacent open mold in a manner that permits high speed operation of the in-mold labeling. Label transfer apparatus (160) provides high speed labeling of the dispensing assembly.

Abstract: A process for producing a plastic blow-molded part. A plastically deformable plastic parison with a first subregion and an opposite second subregion is placed between a molding element having a projecting region and a mold interacting with the molding element. A positive pressure is generated between the molding element and the first subregion and within the parison, to keep the first subregion at a distance from the molding element and to keep the first and second subregions at a distance from each other. A stretching region of the first subregion is preformed by moving the molding element in relation to an edge region in the direction of the mold and by generating a negative pressure between the projecting region and the stretching region of the first subregion. The subregions are deformed for generating a positive pressure within the parison.

Abstract: A hybrid injection molding machine that has the capability to draw an decorative or other sheet into a mold cavity prior to injection into the mold has opposing male and female mold parts. One of the mold parts has an insert formed from a porous metal so that a vacuum may be drawn through the insert in order to draw a decorative sheet into all aspects of the insert cavity. The decorative sheet is held in place with a retention mechanism that is selectively attachable to either of the two mold blocks.

Abstract: To provide a film holding apparatus for an injection mold which is capable of surely holding a protective film on a specific position of a mold surface of the injection mold. The film holding apparatus for holding an inner film on the mold surface of the injection molds consisting of two coupled molds having substantially-vertical coupled surfaces thereof includes two positioning pins that can hang an upper edge side of the inner film on an upper edge portion of the mold surface of the mold, and upper and lower vacuum opening portions for film adsorption disposed so as to interpose the positioning pins therebetween from the upper and lower sides. The upper vacuum opening portion is formed in a line, which extends along an upper edge of the mold surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying labels to cylindrical portions of plastic bottles by in-mold labeling utilizes an indexing label magazine which dispenses labels to first label engaging heads and, following indexing of said label magazine, dispenses labels to second label engaging heads.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a molded article having a substrate material and skin material may include a first die that receives and supports the substrate material and a second die that receives and supports the skin material. The first die is arranged and constructed to engage the first die. A cutter may be provided on the first molding die. The cutter can be actuated when the second die moves toward the first die in order to partially cut away the substrate material.

Abstract: Manufacturing process for the blowing technique of a plastic container and, more specifically, of a small bottle (6) designed for use in cosmetics.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding articles from moldable material in a mold includes end of arm tooling for an articulated robot arm associated with the mold, where the end of arm tooling includes an insert transfer member mounted on the end of the articulated robot arm. The insert transfer member has an insert holder for gripping the insert. The apparatus also includes a charger for generating an electric field that causes the insert to adhere onto a surface of the mold.

Abstract: A twin sheet thermoforming method and apparatus of a type using a rotary wheel to carry each of a series of clamping frames for releasably holding sheets to be formed through successive processing stations. The clamping frames can be shuttled on the wheel to be alternatively located for alignment with one of two forming tooling sets at a forming station, and to be shiftable at an unload-load station so that unloading and loading do not occur at the same location.

Abstract: A multilayer ornament, that is formed of a back of foam and a sheet of ornament, is brought on a support portion of the part, that it surrounds in the edge region. In a first step, the ornament is brought onto the part and is maintained in at least one edge region. Then, in a second step, the thickness of the foam is reduced by heating in the edge zone and/or stretching. And, in a third step, the ornament assembly or the projecting sheet of ornament is fixed onto at least one edge of the part.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-layer blow molded container (10), the multi-layer preform (10′) from which the container is blow molded, and the apparatus (53) for making a liner (24) of the preform utilizes thermoforming of a heated sheet (34) of resin. A vacuum is drawn within a vacuum enclosure (54) at a first surface of the heated sheet of resin (34) and a male vacuum mold (56) engages the other surface of the heated sheet of resin which has a concave shape to provide the forming in a manner that prevents crystallinity of the lower freestanding base of the multi-layer container that is ultimately blow molded from the preform (10′) made with the thermoformed liner (24).

Abstract: A vacuum debulking table for fiber reinforced thermoplastic prepreg includes a base, a base table mounted to the base, and a platen mounted to the base table. The platen has a frame and the base table includes a vacuum aperture located within the frame. A vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum aperture. The platen includes a heat generator. The table further includes tooling conforming to the frame and a kit to be debulked. A pair of opposing pressurized cylinders is coupled to the base at a first end. A top cover is mounted to the base and attached at a second end of the opposing pressurized cylinders. The top cover includes a flexible bladder. An insulator is mounted to the base table surrounding the platen. An insulation cover blanket is configured to be drawn between the insulator and top cover. An activation switch activates a programmable controller connected to the pressurized actuator control, the heat control and the vacuum control.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A thermoforming tool employed for wrap-around lamination of a sheet to at least one edge (3) of a molding (2) loosely resting on the tool's lower half. The tool comprises a sheet-stretching frame (4) that is positioned over the molding and lowers a thermally plasticized sheet (5) tensioned therein at its edges into a holding position below the edge of the molding, a device for sealing the sheet off from the lower half of the tool, and a device for applying a suction in the subsequent lamination process. The suction device includes an evacuatable depression (9) in the lower half of the tool and below the edge of the molding. The object is to provide smoother lamination. The lower half (1) of the tool has a sealing lip (8) at the level of a conceptual plane below the edge of the molding. The lip parallels the edge of the molding and demarcates the depression.

Abstract: An assemblage for bonding the skin of an airfoil to the core of the airfoil includes a hybrid caul plate assembly for covering the surface of the airfoil assembly which is exposed to bonding pressure. The hybrid caul plate includes a central elastomeric component and peripheral semi-rigid metal components. The semi-rigid metal components are formed from a steel sinusoidal mesh and are axially elongated. The mesh is flexible in the direction of elongation, but are rigid in the transverse direction. The peripheral semi-rigid caul componnents will thus closely conform to the contours of the core in the axial direction, and will, at the same time, provide support for the edges of the core so that the core edges will not be crushed or deformed by bonding pressure applied to the assemblage during the skin-to-core bonding process. The result of using the hybrid caul plate assembly is an improved skin-to-core bond wherein bridging or voids in the bond line at the periphery of the airfoil are avoided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for inserting labels into blow-molded hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four multi-cavity molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding workstations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each workstation, and at a label-insertion station, one time during each carrousel revolution. An in-mold labeler inserts a label into each mold at the label-insertion station. The in-mold labeler includes four picker heads supported on a carriage that shuttles the heads between label dispensing magazines and the mold station path. Each magazine includes a label stack receptacle in which labels rest edgewise, by gravitational force on a pair of label guide surfaces.

Abstract: A unitary plastic appliance door is produced by thermoforming an outer door panel and an inner door liner and joining them together in a unitary apparatus. The inner door liner is formed of sheet plastic on a male mold member and is then positioned over a female mold member mounted alongside the male mold member. The outer door panel is formed from a second sheet of plastic in the female mold member and then the inner door liner is registered with the formed outer door panel in the female mold member and is joined thereto to form the appliance door.

Abstract: Multiple legs elevate a central ring bearing, to which a ring-shaped rotatable plastic sheet support carousel is mounted. The carousel is fitted with a ring gear which engages with a drive system to position the carousel and the thermoplastic sheets supported from it. A multi-post vertical press is positioned with two posts extending upwardly interior to the ring bearing, and two posts extending upwardly exterior to the ring bearing. The ring bearing thus extends through the press, allowing the carousel to supply and remove plastic sheets to and from the press. An upper platen and a lower platen are mounted for vertical displacement to the posts, thereby ensuring a high degree of parallelism between the molds mounted to the platens, and accurate twin-sheet thermoforming.

Abstract: An improved vacuum fusion bonding structure and process for aligned bonding of large area glass plates, patterned with microchannels and access holes and slots, for elevated glass fusion temperatures. Vacuum pumpout of all the components is through the bottom platform which yields an untouched, defect free top surface which greatly improves optical access through this smooth surface. Also, a completely non-adherent interlayer, such as graphite, with alignment and location features is located between the main steel platform and the glass plate pair, which makes large improvements in quality, yield, and ease of use, and enables aligned bonding of very large glass structures.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having spring loaded detents at one circumferential position on an outer working surface. A gasket is installed on the outer working surface in abutment with the exposed detents. The heated socket end of a thermoplastic pipe is forced over the mandrel exterior and over the gasket with the detents in an extended position. This action causes the heated socket end of the pipe to flow over the gasket and form a retention groove for retaining the gasket before again contacting the working surface of the mandrel. The heated end of the pipe is cooled and retracted from the working surface of the mandrel. The retraction step serves to force the spring loaded detents to the retracted position to allow travel of the thermoplastic pipe over the working surface of the mandrel with the gasket being retained within the formed groove.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the thickness of press-cured composite articles during the manufacture thereof. The method includes a preparatory or prefabrication stage wherein prepreg plies are layed up and compacted to form a plurality of laminates that define a final laminate package that defines the uncured configuration of the composite article. The final laminate package may include supplemental ply-packs layed up at the mid-plane or neutral axis of the final laminate package for the purpose of controlling the overall thickness of the final laminate package. The prepreg plies layed up in the preparatory stage have been precut to conform to the final net shape of the composite article, but include a predetermined overbuild in the width dimension to facilitate control of thickness during cure of the final laminate package.

Abstract: A first mold is provided having a first molding surface including a flat primary surface area, a plurality of spaced leg areas within the primary surface area, and a plurality of pin holes in the primary surface area positioned between the leg areas; and a second mold is provided having a second molding surface including a flat primary surface area, a plurality of leg areas in the primary surface area corresponding to the leg areas in the primary surface area of the first molding surface, and a plurality of spaced knitting surfaces relieved from the general plain of the primary surface area, positioned between the leg areas, and corresponding to respective pin holes in the primary surface area of the first molding surface. A first plastic sheet is thermoformed to the first molding surface to conform the first plastic sheet to the primary surface area and the leg areas of the first molding surface and position the sheet in overlying relation to the pin holes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-layer bottle by discharging an inner layer parison from a multi-layer die head and pinching a lower portion of the inner layer parison by a pinch apparatus; discharging an outer layer parison which is longer than the inner layer parison; pinching the lower portion of the outer layer parison by a molding mold; and blow molding the inner layer parison. In such a manner, the multi-layer bottle is manufactured. When the multi-layer bottle having an inner layer separating function is manufactured, the inner layer parison and the outer layer parison comprise different resins having no adhesivity to each other.

Abstract: Multiple legs elevate a central ring bearing, to which a ring-shaped rotatable plastic sheet support carousel is mounted. The carousel is fitted with a ring gear which engages with a drive system to position the carousel and the thermoplastic sheets supported from it. A multi-post vertical press is positioned with two posts extending upwardly interior to the ring bearing, and two posts extending upwardly exterior to the ring bearing. The ring bearing thus extends through the press, allowing the carousel to supply and remove plastic sheets to and from the press. An upper platen and a lower platen are mounted for vertical displacement to the posts, thereby ensuring a high degree of parallelism between the molds mounted to the platens, and accurate twin-sheet thermoforming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing at least one insertion label on a tool of a machine, the insertion label being insertable into a mold half of a tool of a plastics processing machine, in particular injection molding machine or deep-drawing machine. In this method insertion labels are punched out of label web material by means of a punching device consisting essentially of a punching plate and a cutting tool. The insertion labels are transferred by a carrier, which belongs to the punching device, to the tool of the machine and are discharged for insertion thereinto. So far a great problem has consisted in performing such a transfer in such a manner that the insertion label is positioned in a sufficiently precise manner without creases.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for inserting labels into blow-molded hollow articles. The blow-molding apparatus includes a carrousel mounted to rotate within a support frame. The carrousel carries four multi-cavity molds around a circular mold path. Two blow-molding workstations are disposed next to the mold path in fixed positions relative to the frame. The carrousel is indexed to cause each mold to pause by each workstation, and at a label-insertion station, one time during each carrousel revolution. An in-mold labeler inserts a label into each mold at the label-insertion station. The in-mold labeler includes four picker heads supported on a carriage that shuttles the heads between label dispensing magazines and the mold station path. Each magazine includes a label stack receptacle in which labels rest edgewise, by gravitational force on a pair of label guide surfaces.