# US 2019/0315044 A1 · Method for manufacturing hollow molded article and apparatus for molding hollow molded article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0315044 A1 - Document ID: US20190315044A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/454,912 - Filed: 2019-06-27 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-31 - Assignees: Moriroku Technology Company, Ltd. - Applicants: Moriroku Technology Company, Ltd. - Inventors: Yasufumi SUGAUCHI; Jungo HORIYAMA; Hidetoshi MOROHASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190315044A1 ## CPC - B29C 51/10: Forming by pressure difference, e.g. vacuum - B29K 2101/12: Thermoplastic materials - B29L 2022/00: Hollow articles (tubular articles B29L2023/00; pneumatic tyres B29L2030/00) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract While naturally suctioning air between a first thermoplastic resin sheet and a second thermoplastic resin sheet from a fluid passage formed in a first thermoplastic resin sheet, the first thermoplastic resin sheet is subjected to vacuum-molding by a first vacuum molding die, a first shaping section is formed in the first thermoplastic resin sheet by a molded section of the first vacuum molding die, the second thermoplastic resin sheet is subjected to vacuum-molding by a second vacuum molding die, a second shaping section is formed in the second thermoplastic resin sheet by the molded section of the second vacuum molding die, and a hollow section is defined between the first thermoplastic resin sheet and the second thermoplastic resin sheet by the first shaping section and the second shaping section. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for molding a hollow molded article, of which a hollow section is molded between a pair of superimposed, heated and softened thermoplastic resin sheets, by a pair of vacuum molding dies having shaping section to form a concave shape facing each other on the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets and air bleeding holes provided in the shaping sections, wherein one of the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets is formed with a through-hole to which the hollow section is connected, one vacuum molding die corresponding to the one of thermoplastic resin sheet is formed with a notch corresponding to the through-hole, when holding the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets by closing the pair of vacuum molding dies in a state in which the one thermoplastic resin sheet and the other thermoplastic resin sheet are superimposed with each other and are disposed between the pair of vacuum molding dies, and a seal section configured to seal between the shaping section and the notch, formed between the shaping section of the one vacuum molding die and the notch. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The molding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal section is formed by a convex section formed on the one vacuum molding die, and a concave shape corresponding to the convex section formed in the other vacuum molding die. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The molding apparatus of claim 2, wherein the convex section forms a substantially trapezoidal shape, a space is provided between a front end section of the convex section and the concave section, and the seal section is formed, by holding the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets between the concave shape and a side surface section of the convex section facing the concave shape. ### Claim 4 An apparatus for molding a hollow molded article, the apparatus comprising: a first molding die; and a second molding die disposed to face the first molding die, wherein a pressing surface for partially holding a pair of resin sheets between the first molding die and the second molding die, a molding surface for forming a concave section with respect to the pressing surface, and a plurality of suction holes provided on the molding surface are provided, the first molding die includes a convex section provided to partially project in comparison with the pressing surface of the first molding die, and further includes a fluid supply source adjacent to the convex section, when holding the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets by closing the pair of molding dies in a state in which the pair of resin sheets are superimposed with each other and are disposed between the pair of molding dies. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fluid supply source is configured to be connected to a through-hole provided on one resin sheet corresponding to the first molding die out of the pair of resin sheet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fluid supply source is configured to form a notch recessed partially in the first molding die. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The molding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the convex section forms a substantially trapezoidal shape, a space is provided between a front end section of the convex section and the concave section, and a seal section is formed, by holding the pair of thermoplastic resin sheets between the concave shape and a side surface section of the convex section facing the concave shape. ### Claim 8 An apparatus for molding a hollow molded article, the apparatus comprising: a first molding die; and a second molding die disposed to face the first molding die, wherein each the first molding die and the second molding die has a pressing surface for partially holding two resin sheets between the first molding die and the second molding die, a molding surface for forming a concave section with respect to the pressing surface, and a plurality of suction holes provided on the molding surface, and the first molding die further includes a convex section provided to partially project in comparison with the pressing surface of the first molding die. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a notch corresponding to a through-hole is provided on one resin sheet corresponding to the first molding die out of the two resin sheet.