Abstract: An apparatus used in combination with an input machine that continuously delivers a stretchable web to an input location and with an output machine that operates stepwise to treat the web at a stationary output location has a reciprocal support frame between the locations and displaceable in an upstream direction toward the upstream location and a downstream direction toward the downstream location. Longitudinal and transverse stretchers are carried on the frame and have web-engaging elements displaceable relative to the frame in the downstream direction for stretching the web and holding the web in stretched condition. A storing or tempering stage between the frame and the upstream location supports a loop of the web so that as the frame moves back and forth this loops grows and diminishes. A drive connected to the stretchers continuously advances the web in the downstream direction relative to the frame at a web-travel rate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin-walled articles from crystalline thermoplastic material comprising the steps of extruding a continuous web of hot crystalline thermoplastic material at an extrusion temperature above the crystalline melting temperature range of the material, substantially immediately rapidly precooling the opposite surfaces of the web to form therealong thin supportive layers having a temperature in the range wherein the said material is not further plastically deformable and wherein further growth of crystals is essentially avoided, while the hotter core material between said layers is cooled to a temperature adjacent to but above the crystalline melting temperature range and is held in a substantially crystal free condition, transporting the so precooled web into a thermoforming station within a sufficiently short time period to essentially maintain over the web thickness the above mentioned temperature profile produced by precooling, and then thermally forming at a rapid cooling rate said we

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thin-walled articles by thermoforming from crystalline thermoplastic sheet or web material wherein the sheet or web is rapidly precooled from extrusion temperature, and the outer surface layers reheated prior to thermoforming.

Abstract: A stamping press, as for stamping molded articles out of a plastic web wherein the articles are premolded, has a fixed stamping tool section accurately secured on the press frame and a movable tool section slidably mounted on fixed columns on the fixed tool section and connected by operating linkage to power driven devices on the frame, the linkage including adjustments for tool alignment, stroke and frequency. Push rods in the linkage transmit movement to the movable tool section from cam controlled rocker arms, and the push rods are removably hinged to the movable tool section to disconnect and remove the latter. Secondary devices such as ejectors and further tools are actuated in synchronism with the stamping tool.

Abstract: Thin-walled articles of thermoplastic material are formed in a continuous apparatus starting with heating and extruding granular thermoplastic raw material in the form of a continuous web which is immediately stabilized by rapid cooling of its opposite surfaces and the stabilized web wherein the material sandwiched between the precooled outer surface layers remains at or near extrusion temperature is fed into a thermal forming station wherein shaping tools form the articles in the web without the need for further heating of the web. Adjustments are provided for correlating the cooling action to different materials and web feed rates, for varying the web feed rates and increments, and for varying the shaping tool movements to adapt for different materials and sizes of articles. After the formed articles are separated from the web the web residue is fed back to be mixed with incoming raw material at the extrusion station.

Abstract: Thin-walled articles of thermoplastic material are formed in a continuous apparatus starting with heating and extruding granular thermoplastic raw material in the form of a continuous web which is immediately stabilized by rapid cooling of its opposite surfaces and the stabilized web wherein the material sandwiched between the precooled outer surface layers remains at or near extrusion temperature is fed into a thermal forming station wherein shaping tools form the articles in the web without the need for further heating of the web. Adjustments are provided for correlating the cooling action to different materials and web feed rates, for varying the web feed rates and increments, and for varying the shaping tool movements to adapt for different materials and sizes of articles. After the formed articles are separated from the web the web residue is fed back to be mixed with incoming raw material at the extrusion station.

Abstract: Cup-shaped articles made of thermoplastic material which have their outer surfaces printed or coated with a heat-sensitive material are dried in apparatus wherein a feeding device conveys the printed or coated articles to the lower end of a vertical run of an endless belt in a drying device, so that the articles are placed in inverted position on the belt to be held on the belt by suction exerted through the belt, the articles being so handled in the feeding device that they enter the drying device in proper orientation and in alignment with and at the same speed as the belt. The feeding device may be an arcuate channel with pneumatic pressure advance of the articles, or may be a porous belt running over a suction chamber.

Abstract: Thin-walled articles of thermoplastic material are formed in a continuous method and apparatus starting with heating and extruding granular thermoplastic raw material in the form of a continuous web which is immediately stabilized by rapid cooling of its opposite surfaces and the stabilized web wherein the material sandwiched between the precooled outer surface layers remains at or near extrusion temperature is fed into a thermal forming station wherein shaping tools form the articles in the web without the need for further heating of the web. Adjustments are provided for correlating the cooling action to different materials and web feed rates, for varying the web feed rates and increments, and for varying the shaping tool movements to adapt for different materials and sizes of articles. After the formed articles are separated from the web the web residue is fed back to be mixed with incoming raw material at the extrusion station.

Abstract: A container assembly wherein an initially filled container and its closure cover have coextensive flat edge regions attached by welds and also have independent snap fit connection. To safeguard against unauthorized opening and reclosing, provision is made for producing a tear line pattern in the cover upon detaching the edge regions at the welds, such rendering the edge regions incapable of undetectable reassembly to initial cover closed condition, but not affecting the ability of the snap fit connection to more or less temporarily reclose the assembly.