Patent ID: 6056531
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a sheet according to a vacuum forming process comprising:a first mold having a forming surface, said forming surface comprising an open recess over which the sheet is initially positioned, said first mold having a plurality of holes communicating with said forming surface for attracting the sheet against said forming surface under a vacuum applied through the holes; anda second mold having a presser for pressing said sheet into said recess to thereby form a predetermined shape against said forming surface;wherein said second mold comprises said presser for pressing a region of said sheet at a position within said recess of said first mold, and a cutter displaceable with respect to said presser after said presser presses said region, said cutter including a serrated trimming blade for cutting off said sheet near said region, and wherein said presser comprises a plug complementary in shape to said recess and having a peripheral underside pressing surface disposed surrounding said serrated trimming blade; andmeans for displacing said plug together with said cutter including said trimming blade into said recess such that said sheet is pressed against a bottom of said recess by said peripheral underside pressing surface, and an actuator for displacing said cutter including the trimming blade relative to said plug to trim said sheet, wherein said plug further comprises a central underside pressing surface for pressing a center region of said sheet against a bottom central surface of said recess, wherein said first mold further comprises a groove therein surrounding said bottom central surface for receiving a tip end of said serrated trimming blade after said trimming blade has trimmed said sheet.