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Thermoforming machine with controlled cooling station

  • US 5,620,715 A
  • Filed: 02/10/1994
  • Issued: 04/15/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A machine for thermoforming a thick gauge thermoplastic sheet against a rigid mold, the machine comprising:

  • a) a frame;

    b) a carriage mounted for movement on the frame;

    c) at least one subframe connected to the carriage, wherein the subframe is engageable with a sheet;

    d) a heating station mounted to the frame, wherein the subframe is movable through the heating station for heating of the sheet;

    e) a forming station mounted to the frame, wherein the forming station has a thermoforming mold positioned to engage a heated sheet on the subframe which has traversed the heating station, and the mold being operable to mold the heated sheet to a desired shape; and

    f) a controlled cooling station mounted to the frame, the controlled cooling station including an upper portion, a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being relatively movable between a closed position wherein the upper and lower portions define a cavity which is adapted to surround the molded sheet to receive the molded sheet on the subframe after the forming station, and an opened position, a multiplicity of first ducts for introducing cooling air into the cavity to cool the molded sheet held in the subframe, each of the first ducts extending from one of the upper and lower portions to direct cooling air uniformly around the formed thermoplastic sheet, and at least one second duct extending from one of the upper and lower portions for removing heated air from the cavity, wherein the second duct is in fluid communication with the first ducts so recirculation of the cooling air can be effected.

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