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: A thermoforming station and method for molding a sheet-like plastics material provide to use a bell element including a cover which can be opened on a sidewall in order to provide a large opening for ventilating and cooling the molded plastics material thereby reducing up to 50% the time conventionally required for making a thermoformed evenly cooled product.

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: A vacuum and pressure tight cooling or ventilating device, specifically designed for thermoforming stations, comprises a shutter element for opening and closing respectively the cooling and ventilating device, the shutter element being mounted on an air inlet section of the ventilating device which, in turn, is completely arranged outside of its related thermoforming station.

Abstract: A thermoforming station and method for molding a sheet-like plastics material provide to use a bell element including a cover which can be opened on a sidewall in order to provide a large opening for ventilating and cooling the molded plastics material thereby reducing up to 50% the time conventionally required for making a thermoformed evenly cooled product.

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 single-station thermoforming apparatus is provided with at least an oven including a heating panel, formed by two panel portions which can be driven on a plane parallel to the laying plane of a plastics material sheet to be thermoformed and which can be mutually coupled at a common coupling line, thereby providing an even distribution of heat through the overall surface of the plastics material sheet being processed, and preventing any thermal differentials among different regions of the material sheet being processed.

Abstract: An improved construction panel, in particular for ovens to be used in heating stations of thermoforming apparatus, comprises two separated portions, that is: a front portion (2) provided with heating elements; and a rear portion (3) holding the related power supply electric cables. The panel allows to reduce the thermal losses toward the rear of the construction thereof, so as to prevent the electric cables from being overheated and so as to prevent damages to the maintenance operators.

Abstract: An oven for use be in heating stations of thermoforming apparatus, comprises a heating panel constituted by panel portions which can be mutually opened or separated by a controlled falling operation or by gravity. Thus, in an emergency condition, the panel can be immediately removed from the plastic material being deformed, even in a case of a malfunction of the driving mechanism controlling the operation of the oven.