Apparatus and method for forming a clamshell assembly
US4778439A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1987 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S493/902
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for progressively converting each blank of sheet material in a stream of moving blanks into a clamshell assembly having interconnected lid and bottom portions. The apparatus includes a female die assembly having first and second mold cavities, an upstream control system for aligning one portion of each blank at a lid-pressing station defined by the first mold cavity, and a downstream control system for aligning a remaining portion of each blank at a bottom-pressing station defined by the second mold cavity. A male die assembly is provided for simultaneously forming a lid portion in one blank of sheet material and a bottom portion in an adjacent blank of sheet material. In particular, during each pressing cycle, the male die assembly simultaneously presses an initial blank at the bottom-pressing station and a succeeding blank at the lid-pressing station to produce the equivalent of a whole clamshell assembly on a single stroke of the male die assembly. This pressing cycle is repeated upon shifting the pressed blanks to a next downstream position to accomplish progressive conversion of each blank into a clamshell assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.