초록 ▼

A vacuum forming mold has a plurality of dies with at least one die being movable with respect to the other dies. The die can be movable in a linear direction or they can be movable in both a linear and angular direction. A plurality of plastic sheets are heated and placed on a respective die with a

A vacuum forming mold has a plurality of dies with at least one die being movable with respect to the other dies. The die can be movable in a linear direction or they can be movable in both a linear and angular direction. A plurality of plastic sheets are heated and placed on a respective die with a vacuum being supplied through the dies to attract the plastic sheet. Once formed, the dies are moved together to create a seam bond between adjacent pieces of plastic sheets. Additional heating can be supplied to insure an adequate seam bond if required. In another embodiment, a single sheet of material composed of a plurality of sheets of material is used. The single sheet of material has a plurality of preseamed areas connecting each of the individual plastic sheets. These preseamed areas are positioned inbetween adjacent dies of the plurality of dies and the process continues as described above for the multiple sheets of material.

대표청구항 ▼

A vacuum forming process for manufacturing a single piece panel, said process comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of plastic sheets of vacuum formable plastic; positioning said plurality of plastic sheets within a vacuum forming mold having a plurality of dies; each plastic sheet being po

A vacuum forming process for manufacturing a single piece panel, said process comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of plastic sheets of vacuum formable plastic; positioning said plurality of plastic sheets within a vacuum forming mold having a plurality of dies; each plastic sheet being positioned over a respective die; heating said plurality of plastic sheets at least to a temperature which said plurality of sheets are in a formable state; depositing each of said plurality of plastic sheets on said respective die; applying negative pressure through each of said dies, said negative pressure being of sufficient degree and applied in a manner whereby an attractive force is transmitted through each of said dies and attracts each of said plastic sheets onto said respective die; moving at least one of said plurality of dies in both an angular and linear direction such that a seam bond is produced between adjacent sheets of said plurality of plastic sheets; permitting said plurality of plastic sheets to cool to form said single piece panel with said seam bond maintaining a desired shape of said panel.