Apparatus and Method for Deforming Thermoplastics

A method of deforming a thermoplastic object having a melting temperature, the method comprising:

• resiliently deforming the object via a mold, the mold comprising first and second mold members that are movable toward and apart from each other between open and closed positions, the first and second mold members defining a parting line or gap and a mold cavity when in the closed position, the mold cavity having a shape such that the thermoplastic object is resiliently deformed in the mold cavity when the first and second mold members are in the closed position;
• and thereafter,
• heating a portion of the mold with the first and second mold members in the closed position in a manner such that the object partially melts while the parting line or gap of the mold remains below the melting temperature of the object;
• and thereafter,
• allowing the object to cool in the mold with the first and second mold members in the closed position such that the object at least partially takes the shape of the mold cavity when the object is in equilibrium.