Hot/cold press forming apparatus for thermoformable materials

• Main Author: KNOLL; FREDERICK L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.08.1990
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

One apparatus for forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes: (a) a base member; (b) a positioning frame supported by the base member; (c) a suspension tray for supporting a raw workpiece, the suspension tray being supported by the positioning frame; (d) a first pair of forming dies supported by the base member; (e) a press platen; (f) a second pair of forming dies moved by the press platen; (g) an actuator for moving the suspension tray whereby the suspension tray may be moved to a first position and to a second position between the pairs of forming dies; and (h) a cylinder for moving the press platen whereby the first pair of forming dies and the second pair of forming dies may be closed against the raw workpiece and the suspension tray. Other apparatus are also disclosed.