초록 ▼

A method is provided for forming a curve or curves in a thin solid surface material such as an acrylic sheet material. The method includes taking a sheet of solid surface material of a thickness within the range of 1.4 mm to 5.9 mm and placing the sheet in or on an apparatus which includes a heating

A method is provided for forming a curve or curves in a thin solid surface material such as an acrylic sheet material. The method includes taking a sheet of solid surface material of a thickness within the range of 1.4 mm to 5.9 mm and placing the sheet in or on an apparatus which includes a heating station a platen or platens and a vacuuming station including a sandwich mold. The heating platens are set at a predetermined temperature within the range 80.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. and the solid surface material to be formed is brought into contact with or at least near the heating platens so that heat emanating from said platen/s is distributed substantially uniformly across at least one surface of the solid surface material. The heating of the solid surface material is for a predetermined time within the range of 5 seconds-10.0 minutes according to the temperature selected from the temperature range. The heated solid surface material sheet is transferred into or onto the vacuum mold prior to cooling, causing with the use of said sandwich mold, based on mold parts or a substrate used as a mold part, the solid surface material to bend about said mold generally along a corridor located at a predetermined distance from an edge of the sheet and/or in a region therebetween to form a bend or bends having a radius or radii of a predetermined sizes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for forming a curve or curves in a solid surface material and applying the so formed material to a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:providing a sheet of solid surface material having a thickness within the range of 1.4 to 5.9 mm;preparing a solid sub

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for forming a curve or curves in a solid surface material and applying the so formed material to a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:providing a sheet of solid surface material having a thickness within the range of 1.4 to 5.9 mm;preparing a solid substrate material to receive the sheet of solid surface material;placing the solid substrate on a forming mold located in or on a forming apparatus including a heating station including heating platens and a vacuuming forming station including a mold and a sealing envelope thereabout;placing the solid surface material in contact with a heating platen or very near to the platen and heating the platen to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period so that heat emanating from said platen is distributed substantially uniformly over at least one side of the sheet and throughout the full thickness of the sheet;after the predetermined heating period has expired relocating the solid surface material onto said solid substrate;before cooling sandwiching the solid surface material sheet between an upper mold element and said substrate such that the solid surface material sheet conforms to the profile of an opposing surface of the substrate; andforming a solid surface material and substrate composite with the solid surface material sheet and the substrate.