Abstract: The mould comprises a base plate and a plurality of forming areas, wherein each forming area comprises a cavity in the base plate and a forming sleeve placed in the cavity. Each forming area further comprises first heat means for heating or keeping heated the forming sleeve relative to the base plate, such that the temperature of the part of the film which lies against the forming sleeve during cooling remains above a glass temperature of the plastic long enough to obtain a product with an at least partially crystalline structure.

Abstract: A forming station for a thermoform packaging machine, wherein the forming station comprises a forming tool upper part and a forming tool lower part that are each configured for cooperating so as to thermoform a film positioned between the forming tool lower part and the forming tool upper part. The forming station includes a first change bar that is adapted to be releasably attached to a reception area of the forming tool lower part and the first change bar carries a plurality of punches or blades.

Abstract: A gripping device for supporting preforms made of a thermoplastic material, having necks with a different length, such necks having, in turn, a step obtained therein which may abut against a step obtained on the outer surface of the gripping device, i.e., the chuck, such a step of the chuck being located, for each preform, always at the same distance from the neck ring base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, such as a container or container lid, and to a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, e.g. in form of a container or container lid. At least one threaded or catch segment projecting in a radial direction is formed on such an article in order to provide a thread-like or bayonet-coupling-like structure and thus a possibility for closing the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine with a lifting gear for a forming station, sealing station or cutting station, wherein the lifting gear provides guides and lifting spindles which are arranged outside a collision region of a movable tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine and to a method of operating such a deep-drawing packaging machine, comprising a lifting device for a workstation, wherein a lower tool part connected to a stand and an upper tool part connected to a frame are coupled to each other and driven by a motor such that both tools may at least partially move together towards a film web.

Abstract: A draw press device may include a lower mold having a lower surface forming portion, a blank holder disposed outside the lower mold, an upper mold having an upper surface forming portion disposed at an upper side slider above an upper side of the lower mold, and a stretching forming portion that performs a stretching when both end portions of the material panel are grasped by a cam operation before shaping or pressing the material panel.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for concurrently cutting, imprinting and piercing of a sheet of dough consisting of flour, water and yeast to produce imprinted loaves is disclosed. Arrays of molded frames each containing edged borders and an emboss pattern are placed onto the surface of a cylinder member configured for rotating onto a sheet of dough to simultaneously cut out loaves, imprint the loaves with the emboss pattern and pierce the loaf with pins. The emboss pattern contains areas raised above the surface of the cylinder member and recessed areas below that surface. The emboss patterns include a plurality of Coptic religious symbols that are imprinted onto the loaves to form a Korban used for ceremonial purposes. The emboss pattern is heated and initiates a par-baking process when the cylinder member engages the dough. The formation of the Korban loaves is completed by baking the loaves in the oven.

Abstract: A unitary elastic mold and cutter combination configured to mold and cut moldable material is disclosed herein. The mold and cutter combination comprises an elastic mold cavity having an elastic bottom wall with an embossed inner surface and an elastic sidewall extending from and unitary with a perimeter of the bottom wall. An elastic cutting blade extends from and is unitary with the sidewall of the mold cavity and is configured to cut moldable material and maintain a substantially consistent perimeter upon cutting. The cutting blade comprises a cutting edge disposed between an inner cutting blade surface and an outer cutting blade surface. The mold and cutter combination may have an elasticity sufficient to release molded material therefrom by hand stretching, wherein the cutting edge, inner cutting blade surface, and the inner surface of the sidewall of the mold cavity are stretched by an amount sufficient to release the molded material.

Abstract: A system for forming one or more barbs on a length of suture is provided. The system includes a suture nest and a punch apparatus. The suture nest defines a longitudinal passage configured for receipt of a length of suture. The suture nest includes at least one recess formed along the longitudinal passage and at least one opening corresponding to the at least one recess. The punch apparatus includes at least one punch member corresponding to the at least one opening in the suture nest. The at least one punch member is configured to be selectively received within the at least one opening in the suture nest.

Abstract: Noodles with hand-made quality consisting of thick and thin portions are processed by introducing a noodle belt between first and second cutting rolls 5 and 6 having first and second cutting blades 3 and 4 each formed by large and small diameter portions 3a, 4a and 3b and 4b, and spacers 7. The cutting rolls are relatively shifted in an axial direction such that the thick portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and spacer and the thin portion is formed by opposing large diameter portion and small diameter portion.

Abstract: A kitchen tool applies texture to gnocchi or gnocchetti. The kitchen tool has a bottom surface defining a plurality of parallel longitudinal ridges. Serrations on the longitudinal ridges help the longitudinal ridges to grip a ball of dough. A cross ridge is generally normal to the longitudinal ridges and depends below the longitudinal ridges. Sides depend below the cross ridge and the longitudinal ridges. The kitchen tool may be a part of a kit that also includes a dry dough mix. A method of using the tool also is provided.

Abstract: In a process for producing half-shells (2) which are made from a dough for bakery products and are characterized by an annular orifice rim (6) with a finished surface, by producing a wafer sheet (1) comprising a plurality of half-shells (2) connected to one another by an interconnecting wall (4), by forming and baking said dough in a mold with the use of a mold formed by two complementary plates (12, 14) having respective front surfaces which, as a result of the fitting together of the two plates, can define a forming cavity having a shape generally corresponding to that of said wafer sheet (1), a mold is used wherein the front forming surface of at least one of said plates has shaped portions (26) which project towards the front surface of the other plate (12) and which can define, in the dough that is subjected to baking in the forming cavity, a notch (24) in the interconnecting wall (4) adjacent each half-shell (2), wherein the plates can be fitted together in an initial position in which the forming cavit

Abstract: A continuous length of material of non-circular cross-section is pelletized to form discrete bits, by feeding the material to a cutting wheel with shaped cutters that form non-planar bits having non-circular axial projections and that are aligned with the material. The material is fed so as to maintain a rotational orientation with respect to the cutters, and so as to avoid buckling. Multiple banks of strands of material are severed simultaneously, thereby producing high volumes of shaped bits that are useful as filling and as filter material, and as friction-enhancing additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pelletizing at least one strand of material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a cutting device with two blades that can be displaced relative each other, at least one feed roller and at least one strand feeder for feeding the strand to the cutting device. An additional tab-shaped rectification guide is arranged downstream of the strand feeder in the region directly in front of the feed roller and next to the same, said guide being adjustable and movable in relation to the strand feeder. The rectification guide can be used to adjust the angle at which the strand is fed to the feed roller.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a pressed paper piece by deep drawing a sheet of blank that is primarily made of paper in use of a punch and a die, and a production apparatus for implementing the method, whereby no distinguishable wrinkles are formed in upright portions of the pressed paper piece. The method of producing a pressed paper piece according to the present invention, implemented when deep drawing a sheet-like blank that is primarily made of paper in use of a punch and a die, includes maintaining a predetermined gap between a first blank holder and the die in an outer peripheral region of a process portion of the blank and applying a pressure to a radially inner region thereof via a second blank holder, thereby reducing wrinkling by an effect of integrated functions exerted in both regions of the blank.

Abstract: A design transfer device comprising an elastic planar wall having a first side surface and a second side surface is disclosed herein. An elastic cutting blade is unitary with the elastic planar wall and extends directly from the first side surface of the elastic planar wall. The elastic cutting blade is continuous and is configured to cut a design from a moldable material. The elastic cutting blade has an inner side surface and an outer side surface with a cutting edge therebetween. The cutting edge is disposed at a substantially constant distance, from the first side surface of the elastic planar wall, throughout its perimeter. A method of using the design transfer device is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoforming device for thermoforming a product (1) from a plastic foil (23), and to a corresponding method. The invention relates particularly to a thermoforming process and device in which a slot (2) is arranged in a product (1) to be formed. The invention also relates to a product (1), particularly a flowerpot, manufactured using this thermoforming device or method. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the cutting sleeve (10) and cutting plate (7) and/or hold-down element (8) define an auxiliary cutting line through which the plastic foil (23) is cut in order to arrange a slot (2) in the product (1) to be formed. The functions of slot-forming and product-foil separation are hereby performed by substantially the same components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an in-mold cutting unit for a thermoforming machine having at least one mold element (4), at least one counter-mold element (5) intended to cooperate, in use, with a respective mold element (4), and actuation means intended to command the relative movement of the mold (4) and countermold (5) elements; the cutting unit comprising at least one annular knife element (60) having a sharp edge (61), and at least one counter-cutting element (7) for each knife element (60), defining a sharp counter-edge portion (71), and the in-mold cutting unit comprising at least one witness-forming insert (8) removably housable in a respective reception seat (S) at the at least one annular knife element (60) or the at least one counter-cutting element (7), and delimiting at least one recess or incision (89) thereon, during use very close to the sharp edge (61) of the annular knife element (60) or to the sharp counter-edge portion (71) for the formation of a respective witness (T) between a thermof

Abstract: A molding apparatus to trim a molded product which comprises an outer member and a substrate member is disclosed, with the molding apparatus comprising a first mold half and a second mold half operable together to define a mold cavity to form the molded product therein and edge-wrap at least a portion of the substrate with the outer member; a trimming device operable to trim the outer member at the edge-wrapped portion of the molded product as the first mold half and/or the second mold half move in an opening direction relative to one another; and the trimming device comprising shearing means, the shearing means comprising a pair of cooperating shearing edges with one shear edge provided by the first mold half and the other shear edge provided by the second mold half.

Abstract: Mandrel supported IV tubing is inserted within a mold of a mold assembly to heat the IV tubing and form a tapered end of the tubing. The tip of the tubing extending beyond the tapered end of the tubing is severed by the mandrel bearing against the mold to lodge the tip in an outlet of the mold. Cooling air is introduced to the mold assembly to cool the mold and to create a flow of turbulent air about the outlet of the mold to extract the severed tips. The turbulent air is exhausted through a channel, pipe and fitting into a collection chamber and causes translation of the severed tip to and into the collection chamber. Sensors may be incorporated to sense the translation of the severed tips.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for producing portions of food products in pieces, especially chunks of fresh meat, comprising at least one pump capable of outputting an approximately constant flow rate of food product in pieces, a tubular distributing pipe (2) connected to the delivery outlet of said pump, and comprising at least one delivery opening (22a, 22b), and cutting and shaping means (61) acting on the food product distributed by the outlet opening of the pipe to form portions (P1), said tubular pipe being equipped with a cutting system (3) comprising at least one cutting means, such as a flat oscillating blade (310a, 310b1 320a, 320b, 410), which traverses transversely from one side to the other of said main internal passageway in order to cut the food product into at least two layers and so produce textured portions (P1) of food products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing pellets from plastic material or from material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a continuous casting device (1) from which at least one strand (2) of the material to be pelletized is issued, and a belt conveyor (3) comprising at least one conveying belt (4) on which the strand (2) can be fed to a pelletizer (5), said pelletizer breaking the strand up into pellets (6). The invention is characterized in that the belt conveyor (3) has a switchable direction of conveyance of the conveying belt (4), a direction of feed conveyance towards the pelletizer (5) and a direction of discharge conveyance away from the pelletizer (5). The invention also relates to a method for operating said device.

Abstract: A unitary elastic mold and cutter combination configured to mold and cut moldable material is disclosed herein. The mold and cutter combination comprises an elastic mold cavity having an elastic bottom wall with an embossed inner surface and an elastic sidewall extending from and unitary with a perimeter of the bottom wall. An elastic cutting blade extends from and is unitary with the sidewall of the mold cavity and is configured to cut moldable material and maintain a substantially consistent perimeter upon cutting. The cutting blade comprises a cutting edge disposed between an inner cutting blade surface and an outer cutting blade surface. The mold and cutter combination may have an elasticity sufficient to release molded material therefrom by hand stretching, wherein the cutting edge, inner cutting blade surface, and the inner surface of the sidewall of the mold cavity are stretched by an amount sufficient to release the molded material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reinforcing a predetermined edge region of a hole in a hole region of a workpiece, the edge region comprising an edge of the hole, the hole region comprising thermoplastically bound fibres, preferably a thermoplastically bund fibre tangle, comprising the steps: providing the workpiece with a softened thermoplastic binder at least in the hole region, penetrating the hole region of the workpiece in a penetration direction with displacement of fibres with a spike, after penetration: scraping fibres from the spike contrary to the penetration direction by a scraper part mobile relative to the spike, and compacting the predetermined edge region surrounding the spike with a pressing surface of the scraper part relative to workpiece regions of the hole region located radially outside the edge region.

Abstract: An upper press platen supports an upper mold member slidable vertically within a surrounding upper trim frame. A lower press platen supports a lower trim frame surrounding a lower mold member slidable vertically within the lower trim frame. The lower mold member defines a cavity connected to a vacuum source, and one or two heated sheets of material are positioned between the trim frames and mold members which are then closed to clamp peripheral portions of the sheets between the trim frames. The lower heated sheet is vacuum formed into the cavity and the sheets are fused together with heat and pressure to form a part which is then cooled. The mold members shift downwardly as a unit within the trim frames to shear the peripheral portions of the sheets from the part. The trimmed part and peripheral portions are removed after the trim frames and mold members open.

Abstract: An automated concrete block machine including a mold cavity, a feedbox driven between retracted and extended positions and depositing concrete in the mold cavity when at the extended position, a cutoff bar, and a drive system coupled to and driving the cutoff bar in a direction of movement of the feedbox such that a distance between at least a portion of the cutoff bar and a top of the mold varies so that the cutoff bar removes varying amounts of concrete deposited in the mold cavity so that a depth of concrete remaining in at least a portion of the mold cavity varies so as to be unevenly distributed in a desired fashion in the direction of movement of the feedbox.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an in-mold cutting unit for a thermoforming machine having at least one mold element (4), at least one counter-mold element (5) intended to cooperate, in use, with a respective mold element (4), and actuation means intended to command the relative movement of the mold (4) and countermold (5) elements; the cutting unit comprising at least one annular knife element (60) having a sharp edge (61), and at least one counter-cutting element (7) for each knife element (60), defining a sharp counter-edge portion (71), and the in-mold cutting unit comprising at least one witness-forming insert (8) removably housable in a respective reception seat (S) at the at least one annular knife element (60) or the at least one counter-cutting element (7), and delimiting at least one recess or incision (89) thereon, during use very close to the sharp edge (61) of the annular knife element (60) or to the sharp counter-edge portion (71) for the formation of a respective witness (T) between a thermof

Abstract: To separate resin molded parts that are used for a push button switch member with less light leakage from the side faces and less trouble in key operation, easily, a resin molded body comprises one or more resin molded parts for a push button switch member, a frame surrounding the outside of the resin molded parts, one or more gates connecting a plurality of the resin molded parts each other or the resin molded part to the frame and one or more runners crossing the longitudinal direction of the gates, wherein the gates are connected at the back faces of the resin molded parts not to be coated with light shielding paint, and wherein the runners are connected to the gates on the same surfaces as the resin molded parts are connected to and are connecting the opposing sides of the frame.

Abstract: An upper press platen supports an upper mold member slidable vertically within a surrounding upper trim frame. A lower press platen supports a lower trim frame surrounding a lower mold member slidable vertically within the lower trim frame. The lower mold member defines a cavity connected to a vacuum source, and one or two heated sheets of material are positioned between the trim frames and mold members which are then closed to clamp peripheral portions of the sheets between the trim frames. The lower heated sheet is vacuum formed into the cavity and the sheets are fused together with heat and pressure to form a part which is then cooled. The mold members shift downwardly as a unit within the trim frames to shear the peripheral portions of the sheets from the part. The trimmed part and peripheral portions are removed after the trim frames and mold members open.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for manufacturing a slab of extruded material, with a die relief, in which an outlet is arranged, of which the outlet edge determines an outlet cross-section with a given shape and size, wherein at least one peripheral portion of the outlet edge is arranged in a manner displaceable inwards and outwards transversely to the axis of the outlet and can be adjusted inwards and outwards by an adjustment device.

Abstract: A system and/or method for making a pizza pie having an outer cheese portion comprises a cutting tool and/or a cutting guide to enable formation of at least one opening at an outer crust region of a pizza pie to cause an inner cheese portion embedded within the outer crust to flow through the at least one opening, thereby forming the outer cheese portion at the upper surface of the outer crust. A cutting tool of the system comprises a rotatable disc with notches in its cutting surface to enable formation of the at least one opening in the outer crust. A cutting guide of the system comprises a generally disc shaped member with a support surface at its outer edge for supporting and guiding application of a cutting device against an outer crust region of a pizza dough.

Abstract: An upper press platen supports an upper mold member slidable vertically within a surrounding upper trim frame. A lower press platen supports a lower trim frame surrounding a lower mold member slidable vertically within the lower trim frame. The lower mold member defines a cavity connected to a vacuum source, and one or two heated sheets of material are positioned between the trim frames and mold members which are then closed to clamp peripheral portions of the sheets between the trim frames. The lower heated sheet is vacuum formed into the cavity and the sheets are fused together with heat and pressure to form a part which is then cooled. The mold members shift downwardly as a unit within the trim frames to shear the peripheral portions of the sheets from the part. The trimmed part and peripheral portions are removed after the trim frames and mold members open.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an operating device and a die suitable for interacting to form containers from a sheet material, a cutting device for separating said containers from said sheet material, said cutting means being so shaped as to be removably connectable to said operating device.

Abstract: A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system.

Abstract: A forming roller structure for making dough sheet products from a dough sheet has a cylindrical body turned on a axle. The axle preferably has annular bodies of a greater diameter than the axle and gears for holding the roller structure in a tortilla machine and engaging the cylindrical body with the mechanism of the tortilla machine. The cylindrical body has an outer surface with a cutting border formed therein to define the edge of a dough sheet product, such as a tortilla. The outer surface also has embossing located within the cutting border, so that the embossing presses a predetermined design into the dough sheet surface as the dough sheet is moved with respect to the cylindrical body. The design may be text or a graphic image. A dough sheet product with an embossed design and a method of making same are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides apparatus and methods for producing cooked material having a desired shape that varies in cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: A disposable cup lid including a body and a mounting portion extending around the periphery of the body. The body defines a suitably shaped clearance area to accommodate a person's nose when drinking the contents of a cup having the lid positioned thereon. The body also defines an enhanced drinking area which is suitably configured to provide a person with a drinking experience more similar to the drinking experience of drinking from an uncovered cup or glass. In one embodiment, the body includes a raised portion which defines a lip engaging front wall and an enhanced drinking area. The enhanced drinking area includes a closure member having an upwardly extending gripping member and a drink-through opening initially covered by the closure member, wherein the drink-through opening is positioned substantially adjacent to the lip engaging front wall. The closure member is movable about a hinge from an initial closed position to an open position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an operating device and a die suitable for interacting to form containers from a sheet material, a cutting device for separating said containers from said sheet material, said cutting means being so shaped as to be removably connectable to said operating device.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a mold charge into a cavity includes a pair of hubs mounted for rotation around parallel axes, a link connected between the hubs at positions off-center relative to the parallel axes and a blade connected to the link. Rotation of the hubs causes the blade to travel in an elliptical path relative to an extrusion orifice to cut mold charges from the orifice and place the mold charges into cavities passing beneath the blade. The apparatus preferably includes a drive member that simultaneously rotates both of the hubs to drive the blade relative to the extrusion orifice and cavities. The blade preferably includes an arm that extends into a cavity to place a mold charge into the bottom of the cavity for consistent and accurate placement of the mold charges from one cavity to the next.

Abstract: A system and/or method for making a pizza pie having an outer cheese portion comprises a cutting tool and/or a cutting guide to enable formation of at least one opening at an outer crust region of a pizza pie to cause an inner cheese portion embedded within the outer crust to flow through the at least one opening, thereby forming the outer cheese portion at the upper surface of the outer crust. A cutting tool of the system comprises a rotatable disc with notches in its cutting surface to enable formation of the at least one opening in the outer crust. A cutting guide of the system comprises a generally disc shaped member with a support surface at its outer edge for supporting and guiding application of a cutting device against an outer crust region of a pizza dough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a sheet of polymeric material, such as polycarbonate. A forming mold is provided having halves that engage for forming a heated sheet therebetween. Each of the halves defines an interior cavity having a peripheral edge. The sheet is retained between the peripheral edges of the halves and a vacuum is generated within one of the cavities for drawing the sheet therein, whereby a sensing mechanism detects a draw depth for initiating a cooling mechanism to cool the sheet to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the material. A series of retention mechanisms are provided about the peripheral edge of one of the halves, for biasing the sheet into engagement with the peripheral edge of the opposing half. A trimming mechanism is further provided for trimming the perimeter of the sheet to a desired form.

Abstract: A plug assist drive assembly for driving plug assists in a thermoforming apparatus includes a single centrally located roller screw assembly enclosed in a housing and driving a third platen mounting the plug assist with a group of guide-drive bars connected to a drive platen which is driven by the roller screw nut. The roller screw assembly is removable by removing screws holding the nut to one hub adapter, the screws accessed through an opening in the housing normally covered with a plate.

Abstract: An exemplary injection mold includes a first mold, a second mold, and a trimming member. The first mold and the second mold cooperatively define a cavity therein, for forming a molded article. A runner is defined in the second mold and communicated with the cavity, for melted resin running therethrough. A through hole is defined in the second mold, with an end disposed at a connection between the runner and the cavity. The trimming member is slidably received in the through hole, moving between a first position to allow melted resin flowing into the cavity and a second position to prevent melted resin flowing into the cavity.

Abstract: A method and a molding tool for producing containers from a thermoplastic plastic film. The method and tool permit the production of containers having a hollow floor and a double-walled standing base, with a seal between the two walls of the standing base. The method permits the production of such a container in large piece numbers, and with a high quality, and allows it to be transferred reliably into a stacking device. The components of the molding tool are subjected to low wear, and the molding tool is unsusceptible to contamination. These features are attained by a constant contact between the mold floor and the container floor between the shaping and stacking processes, and by the creation of a space between the inside wall of the standing base and the outside wall of the mold floor prior to the ejection of the container, the space also permitting the unmolding of a standing base that has a more pronounced undercut or a slightly conical shape.

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: A device is disclosed for edge-machining in particular plastic spectacle lenses (L) with two aligned holding shafts (14, 16) rotatable with a controlled angle of rotation (&PHgr;B) about a rotational axis of a workpiece (B) between which the lens may be clamped and a tool spindle (12) by means of which a combination tool (10) may be driven rotationally about a rotational axis of a tool (C) running parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece. The holding shafts and the tool spindle may be moved with position control towards each other in a first axial direction (X) and optionally parallel to each other in a second axial direction (Z) perpendicular to the first axial direction.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for forming a shaped laminate in one step are provided where the laminate includes a cladding layer and a foam backing layer. The apparatus includes a male mold half matable to a female mold half that define a mold cavity. An inlet is mounted on the mold apparatus for introducing foamable materials into the mold cavity. Edge folding members, carried by one of the mold halves, movable from a retracted position to an extended position, fold the cladding layer over at least part of the edge of the foam backing layer. Trim blades are located adjacent to the edge folding members movable from a retracted position adjacent the cavity to an extended position engaging the other mold half to sever the cladding layer to define the finished shape of the laminate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a reinforced plastics material part from a drapable sheet (6) by means of a mold (1) comprising a first portion (2) and a second portion (3) that are movable relative to each other. The method comprises the following steps: placing the sheet on the first portion (2) of the open mold; pressing the sheet (6) against said first portion (2) at one or more locations by means of one or more pushers (8) mounted on the second portion (3) of the mold and movable relative to said second portion; closing the mold (1) and compacting the sheet (6); and trimming the portion of the sheet that projects from the join plane (15) after the mold (1) has been closed, and unmolding the part.

Abstract: A mold apparatus and method for forming a shaped laminate in one step are provided where the laminate includes a cladding layer and a foam backing layer. The apparatus includes a male mold half matable to a female mold half that define a mold cavity. An inlet is mounted on the mold apparatus for introducing foamable materials into the mold cavity. Edge folding members, carried by one of the mold halves, movable from a retracted position to an extended position, fold the cladding layer over at least part of the edge of the foam backing layer. Trim blades are located adjacent to the edge folding members movable from a retracted position adjacent the cavity to an extended position engaging the other mold half to sever the cladding layer to define the finished shape of the laminate.