Abstract: A method of forming an interior trim part having an insert and a spray formed layer. The insert has a rib that is received in a groove formed in a surface of the mold. The groove is provided with a vacuum port that may be used to draw the insert into the groove while the spray polymer layer is applied over at least a portion of the back of the insert. The bead receiving groove may be partially formed by a tool insert to which the vacuum is ported. The insert may be formed as a multi-layer film including a backing layer, decoration layer and clear coat layer. The multi-layer film may be vacuum formed to create a bead or rib on the insert. The method and tool may be used to form an interior trim part such as a floor covering with integral floor mats.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaping apparatus for an extrusion system with at least one calibration die having a plurality of calibration units (31) disposed one after the other, having a calibration orifice (38) with a plurality of shaping surfaces (39 to 42) which come into contact with an article (6) fed therethrough, and end faces (43) spaced apart from one another with side faces (45 to 48) extending between them. At least one cavity is provided between at least two immediately adjacent calibration units (31). The calibration die is provided with means for dispersing heat. The calibration orifice (38) is provided with at least one continuous circulation passage (67) around a predominant part of and immediately adjacent to its circumference, having a separate inlet and outlet line (68, 69).

Abstract: Method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component including arranging a fiber composite semi-finished product on a tool, forming a first cavity, forming a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity, suctioning air from the second cavity, distributing the matrix material over the at least one side using a flow promoting device, and allowing the matrix material to penetration into the fiber composite semi-finished product from a vertical direction. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A sizer assembly for providing a shaped polymeric article in an extrusion process comprises a sizer body having a product profile channel corresponding to the shaped polymeric article formed therethrough. The sizer body comprises a plurality of cooling liquid inlet slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel and a plurality of vacuum slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel for removing cooling liquid expelled from said cooling liquid inlet slots.

Abstract: A molding die apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which ensures for air and gas (or fluid) present in a resin filling space to be exhausted so as to be able to fill molten resin into the cavity smoothly and uniformly thereby enabling production of a high quality molded resin product suitable as an optical disc substrate or the like having optimum optical properties required therefor. The molding die apparatus for obtaining the molded product by injecting the molten resin into a cavity that is formed between dies includes a vacuum apparatus which is disposed in proximity to the cavity, the vacuum apparatus including a vacuum tank, an exhaustion channel and a vacuum valve which controls open and close of a channel between the vacuum tank and the exhaustion channel, and the cavity is exhausted efficiently and rapidly by the vacuum apparatus.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for perforating and consolidating an uncured laminate sheet (14) at a substantially low pressure in one cycle of operation. The system (10) includes a pinmat (20) that is coupled to a tool base (24). This pinmat (20) is comprised of a mat portion (28) and a plurality of pins (26) extending from the mat portion (28). These pins (26) are intended to displace discontinuous fibers (32) within the laminate sheet (14) so as to perforate the laminate sheet (14). Furthermore, the mat portion (28) has one or more ventilation holes (58) integrally formed therein for allowing gas adjacent to the pins (26) to be withdrawn therefrom so as to improve the consolidation of the laminate sheet (14). The system (10) also includes a positive pressure source (12) that is coupled to the laminate sheet (14) for forcing the laminate sheet (14) onto the pinmat (20).

Abstract: A method for molding the fiber aggregate comprising placing divided members of a mold obtained by dividing the mold having gas permeability into the plurality of members in a developed state, filling cavities of the divided members of the mold in the developed state with the fiber aggregate wherein binder fibers having a lower melting point than that of crimped synthetic staple fibers are dispersed and mixed in matrix fibers composed of the crimped synthetic staple fibers, respectively, uniting the divided members of the mold in the developed state, uniting each divided and filled fiber aggregate, heating the united fiber aggregate, melting or softening the binder fibers, fusing the melted or softened binder fibers to the matrix fibers at their crossing points, then cooling and solidifying the melted or softened binder fibers and providing a molded product and an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A method and system (10) having a flowable pressure pad (22) for consolidating an uncured laminate sheet (14) during a cure cycle is provided. The system (10) includes an autoclave machine (12) for utilizing a pinmat (20) for to perforate and consolidate the sheet (14). This pinmat (20) has a mat portion (28) and a plurality of pins (26) extending from the mat portion (28). These pins (26) are intended to penetrate the uncured laminate sheet (14) during a perforation cycle that occurs prior to the cure cycle. During the cure cycle, the autoclave machine (12) applies a predetermined amount of and pressure heat to the pressure pad (22) for a predetermined amount of time so as to cause the pressure pad (22) to flow around the protruding pins (26). This feature allows the pressure pad (22) to transfer a substantial portion of the applied pressure to the uncured laminate sheet (14) so as to improve consolidation of the sheet (14).

Abstract: A microstructure is formed in a viscous glass or plastic substrate by pressing a structured surface of a forming tool corresponding to a negative of the microstructure to be produced in the viscous glass or plastic substrate. After the microstructure has been formed, the forming tool is removed from the surface. In order to help form the microstructure and remove the forming tool from the substrate the forming tool has an at least partially porous base body (1) and an operative layer (2) structured with a negative structure consisting of grooves (11) extending to the porous base body (1). The forming of the microstructure in the substrate is assisted by applying suction to the porous base body (1) so that the grooves (11) fill more easily and completely with melted glass or plastic material. The removal of the forming tool after forming the microstructure is assisted by applying an overpressure to the porous body to help release the solidified glass or plastic material from the forming tool.

Abstract: An injection molding apparatus for producing a plastic product having a grain pattern thereon. The apparatus includes a female die having a grain pattern on an inner surface thereof, the female die further provided with a vacuum drawing mechanism for drawing a vacuum therethrough, and a male die having an injection aperture for injecting a thermal formable plastic material therethrough. The male die further includes a burr cutter adapted to slide fit in a gap between the male die and the female die and a guide pin with a spacer provided at four corners of the male die for controlling a distance between the male die and a female die.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow FRP article by internal pressure molding includes positioning a FRP prepreg on a periphery of an airtight internal-pressure holding tube, inserting a composite body including the internal-pressure holding tube and the prepreg into a vacuum chamber containing a forming die, evacuating the vacuum chamber in an isolation state where the composite body and the forming die do not contact each other, and clamping the forming die to bring the forming die and the composite body into contact with each other and heating the forming die with an application of pressure to an inside of the internal-pressure holding tube after completion of the evacuating step.

Abstract: Shaping tool for the polymerisation of profiled parts (P) made of a composite material, comprising a mould (10) formed of several unconnected elements (14, 16), a flexible and leak tight bladder (24) capable of pushing a part blank into contact with the walls of a cavity (12) formed in the mould (10), and devices (36) such as flexible walls or the leak tight bladders capable of holding elements (14, 16) of the mould (10) in contact with each other. The result is a part (P) with outside surfaces free of geometric and dimensional defects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a large-volume cup-shaped or tub-shaped container made of a synthetic thermoplastic material, whereby a compact plastic, flexible hose-type preform (6) is extruded to obtain a given length and the container (1) is subsequently shaped. In order to carry out said operations with the aid of extremely simple extrusion devices and moulds, thc extruded preform (6) is expanded to a given size and a core (2) is moved upwards into the expanded preform (6). The lower, open end of the expanded preform (6) is then clamped against the core (2) to provide a seal and the preform is shaped by air in order to form a container.

Abstract: A method for making a cargo liner or a floor mat using a plastic molding process wherein a male mold includes a steel rule about its perimeter or a female mold includes a groove about its perimeter creating a ridge in the molded article to allow trimming of surplus material from the article along the ridge such that the dimensions of the finished article are determined by the ridge. In a preferred embodiment, an article is molded in a thermoforming process, the article thus produced includes a channel edge which enhances the appearance of the finished article and improves its structural integrity.

Abstract: A female mold vacuum forming apparatus and a method for using the female mold vacuum forming apparatus for providing improved draw depth capability. The female mold vacuum forming apparatus comprises a top contoured surface and a cavity having a cavity surface formed within the top contoured surface. The cavity surface defines part geometry having deep-draw sections. The top contoured surface defines open sections in the side surfaces of the mold adjacent to at least one deep-draw section to allow free formation of parts within said at least one deep-draw section.

Abstract: A simultaneous twinsheet thermoforming system having a carousel rack to simultaneously move two sheets of thermoplastic together through a heating station and a forming station. The two thermoplastic sheets are vertically disposed on upper and lower tiers of the rack. The single heating station includes vertically disposed upper and lower ovens, which both sheets pass through simultaneously. The ovens each include upper and lower heating platens, the lower platens being movable to accommodate for sagging thermoplastic. The forming station includes upper and lower vacuum molds that are movable from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, the two sheets are moved in between the mold faces. The molds are driven together to contact the sheets and simultaneously form the two sheets to the two molds. At least one of the two molds is further moved to establish contact between at least portions of the two sheets, thus fusing them together.

Abstract: There is provided a pipe extrusion die that includes a first and second die assembly. The first and second die assembly each include an extrusion head, a nozzle carrying an outer die lip, a hollow mandrel, an inner mandrel carrying an inner die lip, and a layer-forming channel. The layer-forming channel is defined by the space between the nozzle and inner mandrel. The extrusion die includes a space between the nozzle of the second die assembly and the inner mandrel of the first die assembly such that the first and second die assembly do not share a common wall. The space between the inner and outer die lip (die gap) can be individually adjusted and the second die assembly is freely movable relative to the first die assembly. The extrusion die also includes a vacuum cooling mandrel with a single cooling channel and multiple vacuum ports that provide improved vacuum control over the final die product.

Abstract: This invention refers to a method and a device for use in connection with the fabrication of multilayer products (8) such as composites and bonded multilayer sheet products, ect. by beans of the so-called “bagging technique,” to increase the compressive pressure (P) on the product being created beyond normal atmospheric pressure. In the bagging technique, which is used to join a plurality of different material layers with one another to form a unit via polymeric binder layers, atmospheric pressure is normally used to press the various objects together in that they are enclosed in a depressurized gas-impervious bag (9, 21) while the various layers are joined to form a unified product.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bathtub liner over an existing bathtub comprising a container, a seal, a heating element, and a pressure increasing element. The container defines a cavity. The seal is associated with cavity and is capable of forming a substantially continuous seal with a bathtub liner. The heating element is capable of heating the cavity, and in turn, the liner. The pressure increasing element is capable of increasing the pressure within the cavity, to in turn, force a bathtub liner outwardly, away from the cavity. Upon positioning of the liner and apparatus over an existing bathtub the pressure increasing element will force the liner toward and into contact with the surfaces of the existing bathtub.

Abstract: A hot embossing auto-leveling apparatus which has an air-floating spherical bearing between a lower mold and a base, placed in a depression on the base, with the base housing an air inlet and an air outlet. A hot embossing auto-leveling method, comprising the steps of (1) performing an upward and downward coupling movement of the lower and upper molds; (2) adjusting the lower mold against the upper mold using the air-floating spherical bearing; (3) fixing the lower mold by under pressure in an orientation parallel to the upper mold; (4) placing a molded part on the lower mold; (5) evacuating, heating and pressurizing a working chamber; (6) cooling; and (7) opening.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for making a plastic sleeve (56), plastic is fed into an extruder die (216). The plastic is extruded from the extruder die (216) as a molten plastic stream into a mold cavity (272) having an inner wall (270) with dimensions greater than the outside dimensions of the molten plastic stream. A first end (274) of the inner wall (270) includes a first projection (282) extending radially inward of the mold cavity (272) and circumferentially completely around the mold cavity (272). The molten plastic stream is vacuum expanded radially against the inner wall (270) and around the projection (282) to form a plastic sleeve (56) with a circumferential rib (74) and a aligned external first groove (92) at one end (60) of the sleeve (56).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermoforming deep drawn parts such as cups in which a vacuum is momentarily applied to a preheated sheet material when overlying a clamping plate prior to clamping and advance of the plug assists to delay contact with a lip molding feature projecting from each mold cavity. This avoids a molding defect due to premature cooling of a localized region of the sheet material when the sheet material comes into contact with the lip molding features.

Abstract: A system for producing composite or bonded metal components including: first and second pressure chambers, each pressure chamber having an elastically deformable chamber wall; means for circulating fluid at an elevated temperature and pressure through each said pressure chamber; and at least one mould assembly including at least one separate mould section providing a mould cavity within which a composite or bonded metal lay-up can be located; wherein when the system is in use, the pressure chambers are held together with the elastically deformable chamber walls located in opposing relation, the at least one mould assembly containing a said lay-up being accomodated between the chamber walls while fluid at elevated temperature and pressure is circulated through each pressure chamber such that the lay-up can be compressed and cured or formed.

Abstract: A thermoforming machine for manufacturing triple sheet thermoplastic articles is disclosed. The thermoforming machine comprises three controllable ovens for heating three sheets to a heat deformable temperature, three shape giving molds for separately thermoforming each sheet in succession, and forging-like means to compress the three thermoformed sheets into a unitary article. The three sheets are thermoformed and compressed together in a form station comprising upper and lower platens. Acting with the upper platen is a mold shuttle system for moving two of three molds into position relative the thermoforming and forging-like operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

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 method and apparatus for producing an extruded product includes a machine that cooperates with an extruder. The machine is commonly used as a corrugator and the extruded product is often corrugated piping. The machine has a frame supporting a trackway in a continuous path. A plurality of mold block assemblies travel about the continuous path to form a mold tunnel along a portion of the continuous path. The mold block assemblies include a carriage connected by at least one guide and linear bearings to a pair of mold holders. The mold holders are connected to at least one pair of opposing mold blocks. Guides and directors position the mold block pairs relative to one another while the assemblies travel along the continuous path. As the holders, and thus the mold block halves, are linearly displaceable from one another, the halves may meet to form the mold tunnel and separate to allow removal of the extruded product.

Abstract: A roll forming apparatus used for rolling a material around a cylindrical core that comprises a core support, a roll support means, and a material supply means. The core support has an associated core rotation means for rotating the core about an axis at a controllable rate. The roll support means supports a plurality of forming rolls positioned to surround the core about the core rotation axis. The roll support means has a roll control means operable to both radially position the plurality of forming rolls relative to the core rotation axis so that they are equally spaced from the rotation axis. The material supply means is for supplying the selected material to the core at a material supply rate, and has an associated material supply control means for controlling the material supply rate.

Abstract: The invention provides a molding apparatus capable of obtaining a reference mark utilizing characteristics of molding of a polarizing film in the course of molding the polarizing film, and adapted for large item small scale production of the polarizing film. The molding apparatus comprises a molding box which is opened at an upper face, a closing valve attached to a suction port communicating with an inner space of the molding box, a vacuum source connected to the closing valve, pressing means provided at an opening edge of the molding box, and a mold having a concave spherical molding face and installed in the molding box. allowing the polarizing film to be sucked onto the molding face by vacuum suction to mold a colored concave and convex polarizing film.

Abstract: A vehicle carpet module consisting of a piece of tufted carpet that is attached to a piece of thermoplastic material, the module being contoured to the shape of a motor vehicle floor. The carpet module being vacuum formed over a single hollow mold element. The mold element having a molding surface shaped to correspond to the shape of the vehicle floor and having a plurality of vacuum ports formed through the contoured surface. A vacuum pulling the air from the interior of the mold element and causes the vacuum ports to draw a heated carpet segment against the contoured surface and thereby shape the segment into a carpet module. The carpet segment is heated sufficiently soften the thermoplastic material which, upon subsequent cooling, hardens to retain the shape of the molding surface.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a chamber for a heating press which can cope well with the height change of a composite material article. In a chamber for a heating press, upper and lower metal flanges 6, 7 are provided between upper and lower press heating plates 1, 2 and an intrusion part 11 is further formed in the lower metal flange. This intrusion part 11 is intruded into the upper metal flange 6 and the gap between the intrusion part 11 and the upper metal flange 6 is sealed by a packing 22 having a lip.

Abstract: A six station rotary thermoforming machine includes a first oading station for first or upper panels, a second loading station for second or lower panels, two adjacent stations for heating the panels, a thermoforming station, an unloading station and a carousel for transferring thermoformable panels between such stations. The carousel includes a rotating circular frame which is driven by a centrally disposed drive assembly. The circular frame carries and supports six carrier assemblies having peripheral clamping members which receive panels of thermoformable material and rotates to sequentially move them from one station to the next. The two heating stations each include upper and lower radiant heaters. The thermoforming station includes a pair of opposed, vertically translatable platens which receive respective molds which engage and form the panels and may include a device for loading performs or inserts.

Abstract: A new plastic tandem extrusion sizer mold. The mold includes an inlet plate, middle plates and an outlet plate which are connected with each other in series by columniform pin, and then side baffles are added to mount on a base with the aid of bolts. A rectangular inlet plate, middle plates and outlet plate, which constitute a cavity of different shape, are placed upright and connected together in sequence and in series. Compared with the conventional sizer mold, the present sizer mold gets over the limitations of cavity parting, machining deep holes, cutting gas slots, trivial design and complex manufacture process, and has a shortened design period and simplified technological process, and can be manufactured rapidly.

Abstract: A system for controlling the deposit of liquid, gaseous, and/or particulate solid substances from a staging medium and method of making same is provided. The system comprises a distribution medium for receiving substances, and a containment layer adjacent to the substance distribution medium. The containment layer substantially prevents substance from entering the deposit area until the distribution medium is substantially filled with substance, thereby helping to prevent uneven deposits of the substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for shaping plate-shaped thermoplastic material into three-dimensional molded bodies with the process steps: insertion of the heated plastic plate to be shaped into a concave mold part, sealing the mold part at its upper edge by covering with a membrane made of a material impermeable to gas and elastically stretchable, pressing the membrane onto the mold edge by means of a rigid covering, and supplying compressed gas to the space between the membrane and the covering, along with an arrangement for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: A method of flowing resin from an inlet opening into a sealed mold and a lay up which is comprised of at least one top layer of absorbent or reinforcing material which defines a passage or hole from the inlet opening to a non-absorbent layer which non-absorbent layer lies above at least one bottom layer of reinforcing material. This process flows the resin from the inlet opening into the mold then through the passage defined by the top reinforcing layer through the non-absorbent layer and then through channels defined by the non-absorbent layer throughout the lay up.

Abstract: The forming device (3) for an extrusion plant (1) having at least one calibrating device (9) comprising at least one calibration tool (24 to 27) having a plurality of calibration dies (29 to 37), arranged one after the other in an extrusion direction (7), has at least one calibration orifice (38) with several forming surfaces QQ to 42) The calibration dies (29 to 37) have end faces (43, 44) spaced at a distance apart from one another in the extrusion direction (7). At least one cavity (51) is formed between at least two immediately adjacent calibration dies (29 to 37) extending from the forming surface through to a passage applying a vacuum to the cavity, and the cavity (Si) is open across a predominant part of the, periphery of the calibration orifice (38) towards the calibration orifice (38) bounded by the forming surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating hollow chamber sheet extruded lines out of thermoplastic resin includes a vacuum housing and a planar intake area at a first end of the vacuum housing. The planar intake area is configured to receive the extruded line. Support rollers within the vacuum housing are configured to support the extruded line. The extruded line exits the vacuum housing through a planar outlet area located at a second end of the vacuum housing opposite the first end.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for forming a rigid foamed cementitious core within a plurality of article shells. In general, the apparatus can be comprised of a shell bank for retaining a plurality of article shells and comprising a sled and a plurality of reinforcement shells, a filing station for delivering a gas-entrained cementitious material, and a pump. The gas-entrained cementitious material cures to form a rigid foamed cementitious core within each article shell in the plurality of article shells.

Abstract: An adaptation device and method for molding a dental material to a die in the preparation of a dental coping with the die having the shape of a tooth to be restored and with said dental material placed over said die. The adaptation device includes a base for placement of the die, a cover mounted on the base over the die to form an enclosed chamber, an inlet opening extending through the cover into communication with the chamber, a source of a gaseous fluid connected to the inlet opening for pressurizing the chamber, an outlet opening extending through the base in proximity to said die and diaphragm means removably positioned in the chamber to surround the die and to isolate the outlet opening from the chamber such that upon pressurizing the chamber the diaphragm is caused to collapse about the die and to apply a uniform pressure over the dental material for adapting the dental material to the die.

Abstract: For making orthotic braces and prosthetic devices, vacuum shaft mandrels and foam workpiece blanks are pre-fabricated to a standard design for repeatable assembly and disassembly. A mandrel is easily installed in a workpiece blank, or reinstalled in a previously made mold body. The mandrel is likewise easily removed from the mold body and returned to stock after the mold is made and the required brace is completed. Mold bodies are storable for reuse with a mandrel of the same design for the next vacuum forming brace making operation. A limited supply of standard size mandrels can thus be used for making and serving any number of mold bodies. One mandrel size accommodates a range of mold sizes.

Abstract: A method includes a first, a second and a third step, and a circuit member is installed in a resin-molded panel simultaneously when this resin-molded panel is vacuum formed. In the first step, the circuit member to be installed is placed on an upper surface of a circuit member-installing portion formed on and projecting from a front surface of a base mold. In the second step, a heated and softened panel material is laid on the front surface of the base mold. In the third step, the air between the panel material and the base mold is drawn via notch spaces and air-drawing holes.

Abstract: Mold blocks and methods for thermoforming corrugated plastic pipe that provide a uniform vacuum on the internal lateral surface and optimize forced convective cooling on exterior surface is disclosed. Mating mold blocks have an interior surface with transverse corrugations and an exterior lateral surface having transverse channels containing radial slots that intersect circular slits formed in the interior mold surface. The channels are fitted with a dual cover arrangement that serves to provide (1) a low-resistance vacuum path to the slits located on the interior surface and (2) a forced convective heat transfer path to cool the mold blocks. The cover arrangement is removable, providing a convenient means of inspecting, maintaining and modifying the mold blocks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding structural composite materials. The method applies positive pressure on a mold vent after filling the mold with resin to reduce the size of the voids by collapsing the voids.

Abstract: In the method, after the pattern-bearing film is fed to the female mold, the distal end of the film is fixed under a lower portion of the female mold, and at the same time the film is retreated by a force from the film supply portion. Thus, this tightens up the film so that the slacks or wrinkles cannot be formed on the film. Therefore, the film can be fortunately spread around the parting surface of the female mold. In the apparatus, the film suppressing frame is pressed to the female mold through the sliding rod arranged in the female mold, in such a manner that the female mold embraces the frame. Thus, the pressing of the frame is performed by a simple structure, and the film is accurately positioned to the internal surface of the female mold. Also, the film suppressing frame is constituted to advance from and retreat to the female mold. Thus, this causes a space between the both molds and an outside standby position to be useless. A space around the apparatus can be effectively utilized.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus for forming sheets of sheet plastic onto a substrate in which a retractable substrate heater is able to be positioned over a substrate loaded into the press and energized while a plastic sheet is being heated in an oven included in the thermoformer apparatus. The plastic sheets are cut from a strip pulled from a roll of sheet material, the roll supported for side to side movement and driven by a servomotor responsive to error signals generated by a strip edge sensor to compensate for wandering of a strip edge to thereby insure accurate location of plastic sheets cut from the unwound strip.

Abstract: A plug assist tooling assembly for a roll fed, post trim thermoforming machine in which a spider plate connecting plug assist rods is located below one or more support plates holding a clamping plate having an array of holes formed therein each defining a chamber each receiving a plug assist which chambers are sealed when sheet material is clamped by rings encircling the open top of each chamber to enable air pressure communicating to each chamber to exert forming pressure on the section of sheet material within each clamping ring. The support plates are fixed spaced from one of the main platens by standoffs fixed relative to the support plate or plates and the platen, the spider plate located in the same space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for continuous vacuum forming of a thermoplastic material between a pair of rotating flexible belts in which one belt includes a plurality of teeth, which are received in a plurality of indentations of the other belt. Each of the belts includes a mold, which forms a channel when the belts are adjacent to one another. A vacuum is applied to at least one of the flexible belts for drawing material received in the channel and alignment of the belts. Preferably, a vacuum can be applied to both of the belts for improved alignment. Each belt can include a plurality of apertures, which are in fluid flow communication with a plurality of perforations of a flat support belt positioned over a vacuum manifold.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mold form includes forming a mold blank having a surface corresponding to the surface of the article desired and enclosing the mold blank in an open ended enclosure. A thin layer of polymer resin, preferably polyurea is sprayed on the surface of the mold blank and allowed to cure. Heat transfer tubing is inserted over the resin layer. A mixture of metallic pellets and epoxy are inserted over the heat transfer tubing and then another layer of resin is sprayed over the mixture. After the resin has cured, the mold blank is removed to expose the mold form having an outer surface of polyurea.