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US 7,665,982 B2Granted
Twin-sheet thermoforming process and apparatus for insert inclusion
AssigneeLes Produits Plastitel Inc.
InventorsNormand Lucier, Stéphane Poirier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A twin-sheet thermoforming process and associated apparatus which enables placement of an insert between upper and lower sheets before the sheets are actually heated and formed is described herein. Since the insert is positioned before molding takes place, the insert does not cause the formed panels to rest and cool down before fusing is finally carried out to capture the insert and seal the panels to each other. Panel fusing may therefore be performed at an optimal temperature.
Claims25
A thermoforming apparatus comprising:
- a thermoforming press station including first and second translatable molds;
- an oven station including heating elements;
- and
- a framing device comprising:
- an upper sheet mounting frame so configured as to releasably hold an upper thermoplastic sheet;
- a lower sheet mounting frame so configured as to releasably hold a lower thermoplastic sheet;
- and
- at least one insert holding assembly so configured as to hold at least one insert between the upper sheet mounting frame and the lower sheet mounting frame.
5 more elements
A twin-sheet thermoforming framing device comprising:
- an upper sheet mounting frame so configured as to releasably hold an upper thermoplastic sheet;
- a lower sheet mounting frame so configured as to releasably hold a lower thermoplastic sheet;
- and
- at least one insert holding assembly so configured as to hold at least one insert between the upper sheet mounting frame and the lower sheet mounting frame.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.