Thermoforming machine and method
AssigneesEssilor International, Shamir Optical Industry Ltd.
InventorYouval Katzman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This thermoforming machine includes a thermoforming chamber having at least one heated air inlet through which heated air flows into the thermoforming chamber at a controlled pressure. The air inlet cooperates with a heated air flow distribution regulator located in the thermoforming chamber and through which the heated air flows out of the thermoforming chamber at a predetermined temperature. The regulator includes a heated air flow regulating mask receiving heated air flow, having a plurality of flow restricting elements providing different air flow restrictions.
Claims19
A thermoforming machine adapted for use in a process of laminating a functional multi-layer film on an optical article by use of increased pressure and temperature, the thermoforming machine comprising:
- a thermoforming chamber having at least one heated air inlet through which heated air flows into said thermoforming chamber at a controlled pressure;
- and
- a heated air flow distribution regulator extending downward into said thermoforming chamber and holding a heated air flow regulating mask at a bottom thereof, the heated air flow regulating mask receiving heated air flow and having a plurality of flow restricting elements providing different air flow restrictions to control a distribution of the heated air flow within the thermoforming chamber, said heated air inlet cooperating with the heated air flow distribution regulator such that said heated air flows out of said thermoforming chamber at a predetermined temperature.
A thermoforming machine comprising:
- a thermoforming chamber having at least one heated air inlet through which heated air flows into said thermoforming chamber at a controlled pressure;
- and
- a heated air flow distribution regulator disposed in said thermoforming chamber and cooperating with the air inlet of the thermoforming chamber such that said heated air flows out of said thermoforming chamber through the air inlet at a predetermined temperature, said heated air flow distribution regulator comprising
- a heated air flow regulating mask receiving the heated air flow, the heated air flow regulating mask having a plurality of flow restricting elements providing different air flow restrictions,
- wherein said heated air flow distribution regulator has a curved surface.
An assembly comprising:
- a thermoforming machine comprising
- a thermoforming chamber having at least one heated air inlet through which heated air flows into said thermoforming chamber at a controlled pressure, and
- a heated air flow distribution regulator extending downward into said thermoforming chamber and holding a heated air flow regulating mask at a bottom thereof, the heated air flow regulating mask receiving heated air flow and having a plurality of flow restricting elements providing different air flow restrictions to control a distribution of the heated air flow within the thermoforming chamber;
- and
- one or more of a film, a film patch, an active film, and an adhesive to be thermoformed by said thermoforming machine and positioned below the heated air flow regulating mask in relation to the thermoforming chamber, the second surface of the heated air flow regulating mask being configured to face the one or more of the film, the film patch, the active film, and the adhesive, the heated air flow flowing through the heated air flow regulating mask to the one or more of the film, the film patch, the active film, and the adhesive to generate uniform heat distribution within the one or more of the film, the film patch, the active film, and the adhesive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.