# US 9,751,251 B2 · Vacuum forming regulator bag

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- Number: US 9,751,251 B2
- Document ID: US9751251B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/313,931
- Filed: 2014-06-24
- Published: 2014-10-16
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-04-12
- Assignees: Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Applicants: Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Inventors: Gregory Piedmont; Mike Malis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751251B2

## CPC

- B29C 51/10: Forming by pressure difference, e.g. vacuum
- B29C 51/16: Lining or labelling
- B65D 33/16: End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices (valves of valve bags {B65D31/14}; closures of filled bags B65D77/10)
- B29C 2791/006: Using vacuum
- 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)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A vacuum-forming system for deforming a forming blank is disclosed. The system includes a tool and at least one regulator bag disposed adjacent to the tool. The regulator bag includes a sealed bag having an exterior and an interior and a first volume and a defined passage from the interior to the exterior of the regulator bag. The passage is configured such that the regulator bag has a rate of deflation wherein the sealed bag will deflate from the first volume to a second volume over a determined period of time while the exterior of the sealed bag is at a determined reduced pressure. The system also includes a vacuum membrane coupled to the tool, the membrane configured to form a vacuum space enclosing the forming blank and the at least one regulator bag.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of regulating deformation of a forming blank during a vacuum forming process, the method comprising the steps of:
placing at least one gas-filled regulator bag adjacent to a tool, the regulator bag comprising a defined passage from an interior having a first volume to an exterior;
placing at least a portion of the forming blank adjacent to the regulator bag;
enclosing the forming blank, the at least one regulator bag, and at least a portion of the tool with a vacuum membrane to form a vacuum space; and
reducing pressure within the vacuum space to a determined first pressure, thereby causing the regulator bag to deflate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
placing a flexible support over the regulator bag;
wherein the step of placing at least a portion of the forming blank adjacent to the regulator bag comprises placing the forming blank at least partially on the flexible support.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
maintaining the first pressure within the vacuum space until the regulator bag has deflated to a determined second volume.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
heating the forming blank to a determined first temperature.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the forming blank is heated to the first temperature before reducing the pressure within the vacuum space.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:
cooling the forming blank to a determined second temperature after the regulator bag has deflated to a determined second volume.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:
changing the pressure within the vacuum space to a second pressure after the regulator bag has deflated to a determined third volume.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the third volume is greater than the second volume.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
holding the first pressure within the vacuum space until the forming blank is fully formed.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the forming blank comprises a foam material.