A multi-cavity mould (1) for a thermoforming machine used in the process of high-volume, continuous thermoforming of a plurality of thin-gauge plastic products (2) from a preheated thin-gauge thermoplastic sheet (3) comprising:
- an upper tool (11) and a lower tool (12) arranged in a cooperating manner;
- the lower tool (12) comprising:
- a plurality of cavities (8) in which cavity moulds (8′) may be placed and
- a plurality of base plates (91) from which a plurality of supporting blocks (92) extend perpendicularly over a predetermined total height (a), situated between adjacent cavities (8),
- characterized in that
- each of said supporting block (92) has a stepped profile comprising a first (92a), a second (92b), a third (92c) substantially rectangular shaped zones in a vertical cross section and a substantially isosceles trapezoid shaped fourth zone (92d) in a vertical cross section, having a common symmetry axis in a vertical cross section through a plane perpendicular to said base plate (91) wherein:
- said first zone (92a) extends perpendicularly from said base plate (91) over a distance (a1) calculated as 17-50% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92) and the width of the first zone (92a) is calculated as 24-60% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92);
- said second zone (92b) extends in continuation of said first zone (92a) over a distance (a2) calculated as 45-65% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92) and the width of the second zone (92b) is calculated as 7-16% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92);
- said third zone (92c) extends in continuation of said second zone (92b) over a distance (a3) calculated as 9-12% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92) and the width of the third zone (92c) is calculated as 5-10% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92);
- said substantially isosceles trapezoid shaped fourth zone (92d) extends in continuation of said third zone (92c) over a distance (a4) calculated as 9-12% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92), wherein the fourth zone (92d) has a bottom base in contact with and having the same width as the third zone (92c), a top base and two legs of equal length between the top and bottom bases, and the width of the top base of said fourth zone (92d) is calculated as 2.5-5% of the total height (a) of said supporting block (92).