Abstract: A vacuum forming apparatus has a forming die, a plurality of holding devices, a pressing device and a pair of supplemental holding devices. The forming die has at least one suction hole for creating a vacuum. The holding devices hold a resin sheet that has been softened by heating. The pressing device moves relative to the forming die to close a space therebetween and form an airtight state therebetween. Each of the supplemental holding devices includes a clamp member and a support member. The supplemental holding devices are movably arranged to move toward each other. The clamp members clamp the resin sheet on two sides of a selected sag area where the resin sheet will be made to sag. The support members extend along two side portions of the selected sag area for supporting a bottom surface of the resin sheet where the resin sheet will be made to sag.

Abstract: A device for sealing folders, parcels, and the like. The device comprises a handle which carries at its free end a metal plate containing an image to be printed, a thermoelectric element for heating the plate, and a heat accumulator for maintaining the temperature of the plate. An adhesive thermolabile tape comprises a semi-transparent film of cellulose acetate carrying on one of its faces a layer of colored adhesive material. The film is "scorched" by the action of the seal so as to display in an indelible way, the image of the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a decorative seal on envelopes and the like is disclosed. The envelopes to be embossed are intermittently transported along a conveyor past various processing stations. At a first station, a quantity of heated molten seal material is deposited at a desired location on an envelope. The envelope is next transported to a first cooling station where a stream of cooled air is directed against the deposited molten material for partial cooling. At a subsequent stamping position, a cooled embossed die is applied to the seal material to form an embossed decorative pattern therein. The envelope is then transported to a refrigerated chamber which accelerates solidification of the stamped seal material to form an embossment. The timing of the intermittent movement of the conveyor is controlled in accordance with the quantity, temperature, and type of seal material used to form the embossment.