Abstract: A conical mandrel rotatable at a first station for rolling a precut paper-like container blank into a conical shape and having two separate, angularly spaced and axially extending rows of vacuum retention ports timely connected to a low pressure source via an axially shiftable control valve within the mandrel for vacuum retention of the leading and trailing edges of the rolled container blank as it is rolled and while the mandrel is indexed to a sealing station where overlapping leading and trailing edge portions of the rolled container blank are sealed together.

Abstract: Apparatus for lining by lamination air-permeable containers with thermoplastic film involving a deep drawing operation. The containers are held in deep drawing molds formed in a rotating table and the film blanks are formed from a film web onto individual holding means secured to another rotating table, the driving means for the tables being synchronized such that the film blanks are timely presented for the deep drawing operation following heating. Each holding means includes a metallic frame having a plurality of closely spaced pins for penetrating a film blank around the area to be deep drawn, the pins causing the area to be relieved of stresses during heating and shrinkage and hence troublesome wrinkles in the blanks prior to being deep drawn. Surprisingly, the pins do not cause tearing of even very thin film, because of the head conductor property of the pins and its effect on the arcing of the film blank in the vicinity of the pins as the blank shrinks.

Abstract: A process for lining an air-permeable container, such as a paper cup, with a thermoplastic foil by directing a warm pressurized stream of gas to press the foil into place and varying either the flow rate or temperature of the gas stream or both to guarantee the foil shape within the container while it is thus controllably cooled and solidified. The apparatus includes a controllable discharge valve, such as a relief valve formed at the edge of a spring loaded cover through which gas is supplied, for allowing a faster gas flow for cooling than used for deep drawing the foil. Either one or two gas supplies may be used. In the case of two, the gas supply for cooling is at a higher pressure than that used for deep drawing and is preferably at a lower temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming objects of thermoplastic material by deep-drawing in which portions of a foil are cut to a size appropriate for each object, and are then freely supported while heating to the desired temperature. After heating the cut-out portions are tensioned about the edges thereof for the deep-drawing step. Modifications include multiple stations for heating and deep-drawing and means may be provided for deep-drawing the foil into a permeable container so as to line it with the deep-drawn thermoplastic material.