Abstract: A device and method for forming tableware from biodegradable vegetable fibers includes a device for punching a sheet of vegetable fibers into a preset shape and forming final products from the vegetable fibers. The device and method include a humidifier for humidifying the vegetable fibers, a bender for bend-drawing the vegetable fiber into an intermediate article, a warm-air dryer for keeping and drying the intermediate article, a cool-air dryer for further drying and cooling the intermediate article into a finished article.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for simulating the appearance of an article having surface texture comprising the step of applying a textured skin having a surface texture to a prototype to produce a textured prototype, thereby to simulate the appearance of the article having surface texture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plastic film having a predefinable outline and/or even or uneven thickness, by machining preformed plastic film for separation and/or ablation. The method is used especially for producing flexible flaps for artificial heart valves. To produce a film having local variations in thickness and smooth edges where the piece of film has been cut, the invention provides for the plastic film to be separated and/or for specific areas to be ablated to the desired thickness by means of a laser beam.

Abstract: A trim press article handling apparatus includes a punch plate, a die plate, a plunger, and a receiver. The punch plate has a punch, and the die plate has a die cooperating in relative movement with the punch plate to sever articles from a thermoformable web. The plunger is carried by one of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered advancing head. The receiver is carried by the other of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered recess configured to receive the plunger. A tapered article locator provided within a thermoformed web also having articles therein is captured between the plunger and the receiver as the punch plate and die plate are brought together there about, thereby imparting alignment of an article in the web between the punch and the die. A method for aligning and severing articles from a web is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making a screen filter, especially for filtering liquid or gaseous materials, in which the screen filter comprises a mounting ring or mounting element (10) and a filtering screen arranged on the mounting ring or mounting element. The filtering screen is composed of a mesh web fabric (15) and can be connected to a basket-shaped support skeleton (16). The mounting ring (10) and the support skeleton (16) are injection-molded around the mesh web fabric (15).

Abstract: Polymeric films including a layer of propylene resin having microvoids therein, the microvoids having been formed by stretching a web containing the beta-form of polypropylene, have shown low static cling when being unwound from rolls in labelling operations and also during destacking of pre-formed labels. The invention provides labels formed from such films.

Abstract: A trim press article handling apparatus includes a punch plate, a die plate, a plunger, and a receiver. The punch plate has a punch, and the die plate has a die cooperating in relative movement with the punch plate to sever articles from a thermoformable web. The plunger is carried by one of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered advancing head. The receiver is carried by the other of the punch plate and the die plate having a tapered recess configured to receive the plunger. A tapered article locator provided within a thermoformed web also having articles therein is captured between the plunger and the receiver as the punch plate and die plate are brought together there about, thereby imparting alignment of an article in the web between the punch and the die. A method for aligning and severing articles from a web is also provided.

Abstract: A filter plate for use in biological or chemical applications, and its method of manufacture, are disclosed. The filter plate comprises a plurality of structurally interconnected wells which comprise a matrix of wells having a uniform diameter, each well having a side wall which defines a vertically extending, generally cylindrical cavity; a bottom wall which closes the cavity, the bottom wall having a drainage opening formed therein; a filter sheet extending across and resting on top of the bottom wall; the filter sheet being irremovably fixed in position as a result of engagement with the side wall; a conical nozzle having an external surface and an internal passage communicating with the drainage opening in the bottom wall; and a membrane supporting surface across the internal passage extending from the walls of the internal passage to a plane normal to the bottom wall.

Abstract: An electronic package or module is protected by a lid sealed with a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive laminate that has been pre-applied onto the lid, including the bonding area of the lid. The adhesive is deposited as wet adhesive or is laminated in sheet format onto a sheet of the material of which the lids are to be formed. The adhesive is dried or B-staged to become a solid sheet preform, as by solvent removal or chemical cross-linking, respectively. The lids are then formed from the laminate of lid material and adhesive, as by thermo-forming or by stamping. The lid and adhesive materials may be electrically insulating, or may be electrically conductive so as to replace soldered lids in providing electromagnetic interference protection. In some cases, the adhesive may be thermally conductive and be utilized in combination with thermally conductive interface material that is in direct contact with heat generating devices covered by the lid.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for the manufacture of multiwell plates and multiwell filter plates. The plates are the result of a two part construction in which individual filter discs are securely pinned between opposing plates, one of which is insert molded against the other.

Abstract: A contact key switch formed with two conductive layers molded together on opposite sides of an elastic layer to form a contact sheet. A contact portion is removed from the contact sheet and molded with a main body to form the contact key switch.

Abstract: A method of producing a carbon-carbon part having a filamentized composite fiber substrate is provided. A substrate having a plurality of discontinuous filamentized fibers and a binder that binds said filaments together to form a composite substrate is provided, and carbon atoms are deposited onto the filaments at a predetermined temperature so that the binder is removed completely from the filaments and replaced with carbon atoms to from a dense carbon-carbon part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of multi-layer security products and to a security product produced in accordance with the process. The process is distinguished by the fact that the various layers of the security product are produced substantially separately from one another as rolled materials and are provided with security features, and the individual rolled webs are led together and joined to one another in a common processing process. The security products produced in this way are laser-active and can therefore be personalized by means of a laser.

Abstract: A closure (3) for a container (1), the container having a mouth (16) surrounded by an external flange (7) extending generally away from the mouth, the closure comprising a closure body (9) adapted to extend across the mouth, a skirt (15) which is disposed below the level of the container flange when the closure is initially secured to the container and the mouth is uppermost, the skirt being connected to the margin of the body by a plurality of spaced-apart bridges (19) which lie adjacent to the outer margin of the flange in the initially secured condition of the A closure, and a plurality of upwardly-facing latching formations (20) depending from the skirt (15) and each disposed circumferentially between adjacent bridges (19) as viewed in plan and adapted to latch under the flange (7), the upper portion (23) of the latching formations each lying vertically beneath a respective tool access aperture (25) provided in the margin of the closure body.

Abstract: A machine for continuously making gaskets and similar flat products. Sheet gasket material is fed from a roll and through tooling that successively: cuts the outline, separates the center scrap, then separates the gaskets from the remaining sheet stock waste. The cutting tool rotates. The center scrap and the gaskets may be removed by rotating tooling or by vacuum and air pressure, respectively. Design and fabrication of such a machine, especially the cutting roller, is made possible by state of the art CAD software.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making insignias with a raised design is capable of providing more aesthetic appearance to the insignias thus made. A base material consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet overlaying the base sheet is prepared for making into an insignia. The base material is coating with a surface coating of decorative material. A bottom mold and an upper mold are used to press the base material to form raised design of patterns. The bottom and upper molds are coupled to a composite heating device including high-frequency induction and electric heating means for applying both high-frequency induction heat and electric heat to the base material while the upper molding is being pressed against the bottom mold. The upper mold is formed with a plurality of edge-defining blades for cutting an edge for the insignia, a plurality of pattern-defining blades for forming a pre-designed pattern on the insignia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making insignias with a raised design is capable of providing more aesthetic appearance to the insignias thus made. A base material consisting of a base sheet and a surface sheet overlaying the base sheet is prepared for making into an insignia. The base material is coating with a surface coating of decorative material. A bottom mold and an upper mold are used to press the base material to form raised design of patterns. The bottom and upper molds are coupled to a composite heating device including high-frequency induction and electric heating means for applying both high-frequency induction heat and electric heat to the base material while the upper molding is being pressed against the bottom mold. The upper mold is formed with a plurality of edge-defining blades for cutting an edge for the insignia, a plurality of pattern-defining blades for forming a pre-designed pattern on the insignia.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a part out of reinforced plastics material, the method comprising the following steps:

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: Methods for forming a lined brake shoe having a curved brake lining attached to a table of the lined brake shoe. The curved brake lining is manufactured by molding a flat sheet of brake lining material in a partially polymerized state. This flat sheet is allowed to cool prior to be positioned within a press having warmed dies. The warm dies of the press form the curved brake lining while holding the curved brake lining in its desired shape. The warm dies restart the polymerization process. When further polymerization has been completed the curved lining is removed from the press. One embodiment places the table of the lined brake shoe in the press. Then, by adding a bonding material, the completed lined brake shoe can be manufactured while the polymerization process continues in the press.

Abstract: The invention relates first of all to a decorative component (1), in particular designed to constitute a piece of trim or to be integrated in a piece of internal trim of a vehicle, constituted by at least a sheet of material (2), provided with stiffening means (3) and having, at least locally, on at least one of its faces, referred to as an aspect conferring face (4), an aesthetic and/or comfortable aspect.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetically encodable card which comprises forming a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles in an organic fluid medium, forming a composite by intimately combining the dispersion with a thermoplastic resin plasticized by the organic fluid medium and forming the composite into an encodable card.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a body formed entirely of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material with a gear insert molded therein and a ratchet mechanism mounted on the insert and retained in place by retaining rings. The body includes layers of random discontinuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material and a band of unidirectional continuous glass-fiber-reinforced plastic material which are subjected to compression molding around the insert to form a composite wrench structure.

Abstract: An extruded plastic strip (1) adapted for use in protecting the edge of an article having a curved surface: said strip including alongitudinal groove (6), a flexible covering portion (2) extending from one side of the longitudinal groove adapted to be placed over and conform with the curve surface of an article to be protected and a plurality of tabs (3-5) hinged to and extending from the other side of the longitudinal groove, wherein said covering portion includes a plurality of holes (9, 10) which are located at or proximate the outer most edge of the covering portion.

Abstract: A color coated article is formed by applying a color coated material to an injection mold having mold halves, a mold cavity edge and a mold cavity therein for the formation of an injection molded article, and injecting molten plastic into the mold cavity to form a laminated article with the color coated material bonded to the injected plastic. The process uses a color coated blank having a roughened surface, said blank adapted to be placed into at least one mold half and transferring the blank into registry with at least one of the mold halves. The molten plastic is injected against the roughened surface of the blank to enhance bonding of the blank to the injected plastic.

Abstract: The inventive method relates to manufacturing of thermoformed packaging items or parts thereof having a non-uniform wall thickness and containing at least one layer with a specific function which at least one layer needs for this function a specific minimum thickness. In a first method step a multilayer film material (10) containing the layer with the specific function is produced, e.g. by coextrusion. In a second method step a thermoformable blank (30) is produced by injection molding onto the multilayer film material (10) a substantially flat injection molded part (21) with thicker and thinner portions. In a third method step the blank (30) is thermoformed into the packaging item or part thereof or into an item (40) from which the packaging item (50) is produced in further steps.

Abstract: A photo film cassette includes a spool core (13) on which photo film is wound in a form of a roll. A cassette shell (3, 4) contains the spool core in rotatable fashion. In each of a pair of disks (16, 17), a bearing hole (16a, 17a) is formed. The disks are secured to first and second ends of the spool core, and regulate edges of the photo film. To produce at least one kind of disk, a continuous sheet (27, 78, 88, 162, 171, 215) of thermoplastic synthetic resin is partially masked with a mask plate (48, 87, 160, 161, 170). A portion of the sheet emerging out of the mask plate is heated at temperature higher than a softening point of the sheet. The emerging portion is subjected to vacuum/air-pressure forming, so as to form a disk-like portion (20) in the sheet. The bearing hole and a contour of the disks is cut in the disk-like portion, to produce the disks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: A flexible, open-pored cleaning body having at least one scouring surface (2) provided in at least one subregion with continuously formed, raised projecting ridges (3), wherein the ridges (3) have regions C,D of different heights in the direction of their extension.

Abstract: A method of forming plastics which comprises the sequential steps of cutting a plastic piece from a sheet of plastic, heating both sides of the plastic piece by contact heating, molding the heated plastic piece into its end-shape by press-molding, and cooling the heated and molded plastic piece into its end shape by air cooling means. In the preferred embodiment, the plastic piece, which may be laminated on one or both of its sides, is heated by use of a heating press which compresses the plastic piece thereby preventing "wrinkling" or warping of either side of the plastic piece. Thereafter, in the preferred embodiment, the heated plastic piece is positioned in a press-molding mechanism which comprises specially made male-female dies. Preferably, the air cooling step of the method takes place during the latter part of the press-molding step whereby both steps are, at some period, occurring concurrently.

Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

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 process for substantially covering with at least one non-rigid decorative foil a visible face of a support part of plastic material, so as to obtain a finished part including a decorative inset, including the steps of a) inserting into the mould the foil having a decorative area with the foil having a decorative area, intended to form the inset, and a further area, b) closing the mould at least partially by moving the two mould parts together such that the foil creates a continuous separation of the moulding cavity into a first space and a second space, c) inside the moulding cavity, cutting at least one aperture in the foil at the location of the further area, such that the first and second spaces of the cavity are placed in fluid communication by the at least one aperture which henceforth interrupts the separation between these two spaces so as to enable the plastic material to pass through the at least one aperture, leaving a cut end of the foil in the moulding cavity, d) before and/or after steps b) and

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a decorated molded product includes a first clamping device for pressing an insert film to a parting face of a fixed mold to enclose a cavity and an injection gate. The fixed mold has a vacuum suction port and the injection gate for a molten resin. A movable mold has a runner facing the injection gate and communicating with the cavity. The insert film is held between the fixed mold and movable mold, so that a pattern of the insert film is formed to a molded product simultaneously when the product is injection-molded. The insert film after being pressed to a surface of the fixed mold by the first clamping device is brought into tight contact with the fixed mold by vacuum suction, and the molten resin is injected from the injection gate to pass through the runner of the movable mold from a hole formed in the insert film to finally reach the cavity and fill a gap between the insert film and movable mold.

Abstract: A rapping device is provided for forming a battery separator or the like by rapping from a flexible elastic band material. A rapping device for manufacturing works in a specified shape by rapping from an elastic band material comprises a conveying drum having a first suction unit and a second suction unit for conveying the band material while suction is applied, a die drum having a blade possessing a forming position for rapping and forming the works with a width coinciding with the width of the band material, and a cutting position for cutting between the adjacent works, disposed continuously on the outer circumference at every pitch equal to the length of each work, and a die drum driving device for rotating and driving the die drum in synchronization with the conveying speed of the band material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flex die punching apparatus for forming an aperture in at least one sheet of material. There is a flexible, extrudable platen which, upon exertion of a force against it, extrudes at least a portion of at least one sheet of material through an aperture of a die. The flexible, extrudable platen may have a punch feature, corresponding to the shape and position of the die aperture, which assists in the extruding of the flexible, extrudable platen through the die aperture and also in the formation of the aperture in the sheet of material. In another embodiment of the invention, there may be a second die wherein the at least one sheet of material is placed between the first and second dies to form the aperture in the sheet of material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for readily and continuously producing foamed resin containers with labels by following a process sequence including the steps of supplying a sheet which bears label bodies printed in predetermined positions thereon, positioning a label body, punching the label body, and molding a foamed resin container with the label properly positioned. The invention further provides a process which allows for precise positioning of a label. Therefore, a thin and less stiff synthetic resin sheet can be employed for the label instead of a paper base. In addition, the label can be applied in a predetermined position on the foamed resin container without preliminarily rolling the label into a predetermined tubular shape.

Abstract: A photo film cassette includes a spool core (4), on which the photo film is wound in a form of roll. A cassette shell (2a, 2b) contain the spool core in rotatable fashion. First and second disks (6a, 6b) are respectively provided with bearing holes (5) formed in a middle thereof, and respectively secured to ends of the spool core, for regulating positions of sides of the roll. A ring-like lip (11) is formed integrally with a periphery of the first disk, projected toward the roll, contacted on one edge of an outermost turn of the roll, and prevents the roll from being loosened. In a disk producing method, a sheet (21) of thermoplastic resin is heated and softened. Pressurization and/or suction is applied to the heated sheet to fit the sheet on a mold (23d), so as to form a pattern (19, 31, 58, 60) on the sheet. The pattern includes first and second groups of disk-like portions (19) and positioning portions (31, 58, 60) associated with the disk-like portions.

Abstract: A filter well of plastic having a bottom portion with an outlet and supporting a filter provided on top of the outlet, which filter is well sealed against leakage of liquid, is produced by first forming a bottom portion having a supporting surface for the filter and an outlet opening. Thereafter, a filter is applied on the bottom portion so that it covers at least essentially the whole bottom portion. Then, the cylindrical wall portion of the filter well is formed against the bottom portion with the lower part of the wall portion surrounding the edge of the filter and the upper edge of the bottom portion so that the bottom and wall portions form a fused unit with the outer edge of the filter being fused into the filter well material.

Abstract: A punch button (32) has a central disc (36) integral with and separable from an outer peripheral annular ring (38). The disc and ring are joined by a breakaway portion (40) of reduced thickness. A pair of peel points or pilot cuts (50 and 52) may be provided on distally opposite sides of the disc, and if so, the disc is initially separable from the ring at the peel points and then rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to an axis through the distally opposite pilot cuts. The punch button is formed by providing a strip of material of a first thickness, placing the strip in a die, performing an inner cut with the die and partially cutting through the strip to yield first and second subpieces joined to each other by material of a second reduced thickness, and performing an outer cut with the die and cutting all the way through the strip to yield a piece composed of the first and second subpieces providing the disc and ring.

Abstract: An improved punch and die assembly for use with a closure liner insertion device is disclosed. As contrasted with prior art construction, the assembly is supported upon a pair of vertically oriented posts located adjacent the periphery of a rotating dial, the vertical axis of each post lying in a vertical plane passing through the vertical axis of the punch and corresponding die. This construction permits installation of a standard punch and die unit in conjunction with closure liner insertion machines of varying dimensions, without substantial alteration.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping perforations of sheet material which comprises a first mold structure at one side of the sheet material and a complementary mold structure at the other side of the sheet material to cooperate with the first mold structure wherein the structures are arranged to be reciprocated and are capable of meeting approximately half way through the sheet material whereby to shape the perforations between them. The apparatus can include a needle so that perforations are simultaneously formed and shaped, or it may be used to shape pre-formed perforations. If a needle is included it may be of the ultrasonic type or it may be heated, e.g. electrically heated. If a needle is used, one of the mold structures may be defined by an appropriate formation on the needle, or the structure may be separate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for the assembly of a multiply shaped fiber preform, the apparatus using a shaping tool having the shape of the desired part, and one or more secondary location tools, can be positioned on the shaping tool, so as to simulate a flat shape. The location tools include a number of upwardly extending location pins, such that a number of plies can be assembled in a vertical stack using the pins to assure ply to ply accuracy and orientation. After assembly, the plies are engaged in a localized portion of the assembly so as to hold the plies in register, with the secondary tools then removed and the plies then formed to shape over the tool surfaces. Utilizing the apparatus and method of the invention maintains multiple plies in register during the assembly and forming process to assure part reproducibility, in an automated process.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern onto an article during injection molding thereof. A pattern-bearing film is heated and softened by a heating board. The softened pattern-bearing film is transferred to the cavity surface of a female mold. Thereafter, the female mold and a male mold are closed. Then, a molten resin is injected into the cavity. When a pattern-bearing film is brought in contact with and heated by the heating board, marks or impressions of air blow holes on the surface of the heating board remain on the pattern-bearing film. To prevent the formation of these marks or impressions, a square-shaped holding frame is fixed on the surface of the heating board. The peripheral portion of the pattern-bearing film is held on the surface of the holding frame. Thus, while the pattern portion of the pattern-bearing film is spaced apart from the surface of the heating board, the film is heated.

Abstract: A precut die apparatus arranged and adapted for use in a thermoform-trimming method and system to produce plastic molded articles, and to the method and system in which the apparatus is employed. The precut apparatus is positioned, in the method and system, between the form press and the trim station. The precut apparatus is arranged to precut, in a desired and selected manner, the thermoformed sheet material containing thermoformed articles therein, about the periphery of the thermoformed articles. The precut provides for a bridged and joining area of the sheet material to allow for slight movement and adjusting of the molded articles for precise alignment in the punch and die trim step of the thermoforming and trimming operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing patterned molded articles includes an injection mold composed of a first mold and a second mold, an unwind roll for unwinding a continuity of pattern film, a film introducing device for introducing the pattern film unwound from the unwind roll to between the first mold and the second mold, and a main clamp for pressing the pattern film against a surface of the first mold. A cutting device is provided on the upstream side of the surface of the first mold and serving for cutting off the pattern film, and a sub-clamp provided on the downstream side of the surface of the first mold and serving for fixing a cut-off end portion of the pattern film. The film introducing device has a pinch device for grasping the cut-off end portion of the pattern film and a driving device for reciprocatingly moving the pinch device.

Abstract: A novelty candle having flat sides incorporating a plurality of defined shapes located at the outer surface of the flat sides of the candle and a method of making same are provided. The method has the steps of: forming a sheet of wax to a desired thickness; heating the sheet of wax to below the melting temperature of the wax; cutting a plurality of shapes from the heated sheet of wax; arranging the plurality of shapes in a mold having an interior defined by flat sidewalls flush against the flat sidewalls and filling the interior of the mold with wax. In another embodiment, a novelty candle having a tree-like wax ornamentation on the surface thereof and a method of making same are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric keypad having a hard key cap over the elastomeric key. A sheet (50) containing a key cap (24) with graphics (26) is placed onto a first plate (52) of a molding tool (54). A second plate (58) is then attached to the first plate, covering the graphic film. The first plate and the second plate interact in a manner such that the key cap containing the graphic is excised out of the film and retained in the molding tool assembly. The waste material (60) surrounding the key cap is displaced away from its original position. A third plate (64) is then attached to the assembled first and second plates. The assembled molding tool creates a cavity (66) that is representative of the keypad assembly, and an elastomeric material is molded into that cavity. Afar the elastomeric material (12) solidifies, the tool is opened, the molded keypad assembly (10) containing the integrally attached rigid key caps is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming simulated flowers from cut-out sheets of a confectionery material such as gum paste. A kit for forming the simulated flowers includes one or more template cutters formed in the shapes of the leaves and/or petals of an actual flower, a male mold having an exterior surface cast from the interior of the actual flower, and a flower holder having a surface that generally conforms to the exterior or interior of the flower. The flower holder preferably comprises either a female or male mold or a deformable material having indentations therein. Optional components of the kit include a stamen mold for forming a simulated stamen and a ruffling tool for ruffling the peripheral edges of the simulated flower.

Abstract: A method for the thermoforming of hollow objects having a base from a sheet of thermoplastics material, which effects in one single predetermined operating cycle, the production of a pressed object by hot forming and cutting out of the object or objects between one half of a movable double female mould which is located in the forming area opposite a male die, movement of the female half of the mould, said half containing therewithin the thermoformed object or objects, towards a corresponding discharge area alternately to one side or the other of the forming area; picking up the object or objects from the female half of the mould located in corresponding discharge area and transferring each object to a plurality of receiving formers of a shape corresponding to the mould, which formers can move sequentially stepwise along a track, sequential movement of the formers to at least one workstation or handling station at the same time as the female mould moves back to place its other half opposite the male die in ord