초록 ▼

A differential pressure thermoforming machine has a female mold with a female mold cavity, and an opposing mold, with a mold closing portion cooperable therewith. A foam injection head is perimetrally separated from the mold closing portion and is provided on the opposing mold. When the molds are in

A differential pressure thermoforming machine has a female mold with a female mold cavity, and an opposing mold, with a mold closing portion cooperable therewith. A foam injection head is perimetrally separated from the mold closing portion and is provided on the opposing mold. When the molds are initially closed, a differential pressure is created in the molds to cause the heated plastic sheet to move into contact with the mold cavity and form a configured pocket in the sheet. Mechanism is provided for releasing the plastic sheet from the carriage in which it has been moved between the molds, after the molding operation, to the cavity in the female mold, after which the molds are restored to spread-apart position. Mechanism is then activated to move the opposing mold to a position in which the foam injection head is now aligned with the female mold, whereupon the molds are again closed to bring the injection head into the pocket, whereupon the foam injection head is operated to charge a settable foam material to the pocket formed.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of fabricating a plastic web, having a differential pressure formed pocket therein which contains a cured foam bed, with a differential pressure thermoforming machine having a female mold assembly, with a female mold cavity; an opposing mold assembly having a web contacting portion surrou

The method of fabricating a plastic web, having a differential pressure formed pocket therein which contains a cured foam bed, with a differential pressure thermoforming machine having a female mold assembly, with a female mold cavity; an opposing mold assembly having a web contacting portion surrounding said cavity; mechanism mounting the mold assemblies for relative movement along a mold opening and mold closing axis to spread apart and mold closed positions; a carriage for delivering a clamped in place, heated web of plastic between the mold assemblies when in spread apart position; mechanism for creating a differential pressure in the mold assemblies in the mold closed position; and a foam injection head with a foam injection nozzle member on the opposing mold assembly separated perimetrally from the web contacting portion; the steps of a. moving the mold assemblies relatively to mold closed position and differential pressure forming said pocket in the web; b. releasing the web from the carriage so that it is carried in the female mold cavity and moving the mold assemblies relatively to spread them apart; c. then orienting the opposing mold assembly to a position in which the web contacting position is removed from alignment with said axis and the foam injection member is simultaneously aligned with said axis, and with the web pocket carried by the mold cavity; d. relatively moving mold assemblies to mold closed position and sealing the plastic web around the pocket; e. injecting plastic foam material carried in said head into said web pocket; and f. returning said mold assemblies to mold separated position.