Thermoforming apparatus and method
US4382762A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 1981 |
| Grant date | May 10, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C51/32
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Thermoforming equipment includes a solid state sensor adapted to determine when a sheet of thermoplastic material has been clamped between a forming mold and a heating platen. Clamping force is provided by a cutter blade carried by said mold around the periphery thereof. Electronic control circuitry responsive to the sensor maintains the thermoplastic sheet in clamped relation without being severed by the blade. After the thermoplastic sheet has been formed into an article defined by the mold, the mold and platen are permitted to continue to close beyond the point sensed by the sensor, permitting the blade to penetrate the sheet and sever the formed article therefrom.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.