Method and apparatus for forming apertures in foamed polystyrene and other foamed plastic panels

An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lifting device comprises a frame having a plurality of upstanding pusher members positioned beneath said panel, said pusher members being mounted to said frame, wherein when said frame is moved vertically, said pusher members move vertically past said transport conveyor to lift and lower a panel carried on said transport conveyor.

A method of forming a plurality of apertures in a panel made from a meltable foamed plastic material, said panel having first and second opposed surfaces defining a panel body there between, said method comprising the step of:

• i. moving said panel toward a plurality of heat elements in a first direction so that said first surface of said panel is heated by said plurality of heating elements to melt said plastic material at a plurality of locations.

An heating apparatus comprising:

• i. an outer tube having a hollow interior cavity and a first end and a second end, said first end having a hot tip;
• ii. a high resistance element extending in said cavity from proximate said first end to proximate said second end, said high resistance element being connected to a source for electricity to pass electric current through said high resistance element to thereby generate heat capable of melting a plastic material when said plastic material is proximate said heating element;
• iii. a heating disc mounted to said outer tube at a distance from said first end, said heating disc adapted to generate heat capable of melting said plastic material when said plastic material is proximate said heating disc.