Apparatus for diaphragm forming

Apparatus for forming an article on a surface of a forming tool, comprising:

• a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed;
• a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm;
• a forming tool having a tool forming surface positionable for receiving a preform to be formed thereon between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are mounted on the apparatus;
• and
• a lower support for supporting the forming tool and an upper support mounted in opposed relationship with the lower support, the first diaphragm being pneumatically sealable to the upper support and the second diaphragm being pneumatically sealable to the lower support.

Apparatus for forming an article on a surface of a forming tool, comprising:

• a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed;
• a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm;
• a forming tool having a tool forming surface positionable for receiving a preform to be formed thereon between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are mounted on the apparatus;
• and
• a support for supporting the forming tool, the second diaphragm being pneumatically sealable to the support and pneumatically sealable to the first diaphragm.

Apparatus for forming an article on a surface of a forming tool, comprising:

• a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed;
• a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm;
• a forming tool having a tool forming surface positionable for receiving a preform to be formed thereon between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are mounted on the apparatus,
• wherein the first diaphragm includes a first surface that is conformable to a preform and a second surface opposite its first surface that is pneumatically isolable from the tool forming surface, the second diaphragm includes a first surface that is conformable to a preform and a second surface opposite its first surface that is pneumatically isolable from the tool forming surface, and the first surface of the first diaphragm, the first surface of the second diaphragm, and the tool forming surface together define in part a pneumatically isolable cell.

Apparatus for forming an article on a surface of a forming tool, comprising:

• a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed, the first diaphragm having a first side for engaging the preform and a second side opposite the first side;
• a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm;
• a forming tool having a tool forming surface positionable for receiving a preform to be formed thereon between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are mounted on the apparatus;
• and
• at least one inflatable member inflatable against the second side of the first diaphragm.

Apparatus for forming an article on a surface of a forming tool, comprising:

• a first diaphragm mountable on the apparatus and conformable to a preform to be formed;
• a second diaphragm mounted on the apparatus and conformable to a portion of the preform simultaneously with the first diaphragm, the second diaphragm having a first side for engaging the preform and a second side opposite the first side;
• a forming tool having a tool forming surface positionable for receiving a preform to be formed thereon between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm when the first diaphragm and second diaphragm are mounted on the apparatus;
• and
• at least one inflatable member inflatable against the second side of the second diaphragm.

Apparatus for forming an article, comprising:

• a forming tool having a tool forming surface for receiving a preform to be formed thereon;
• a first diaphragm having a forming surface that is conformable to a preform mounted on the tool forming surface, the first diaphragm having a first side for engaging the preform and a second side opposite the first side;
• a second diaphragm having a forming surface that is conformable to a preform mounted on the tool forming surface, the second diaphragm having a first side for engaging the preform and a second side opposite the first side;
• and
• at least one inflatable member inflatable against the second side of the second diaphragm.