Patent ID: 7963020
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: B26D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A machine for manufacturing a plurality of similar foam parts from a supply of foam sheet material, the machine comprising: a support member configured to support a base sheet of the foam sheet material, with the base sheet extending in a longitudinal direction and defining a width in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a cutting device configured to cut the base sheet on the support member into a plurality of sections defined across the width of the base sheet and cut each section into at least first and second portions for manufacturing a respective one of the foam parts, the cutting device configured to cut the first and second portions of each section while the portions are disposed in a first configuration; a plurality of engagement tools disposed across the width of the base sheet, each tool configured to engage the second portion of a respective one of the sections in the first configuration; a plurality of actuator mechanisms, each actuator mechanism configured to adjust a respective one of the engagement tools with the second portion of each section engaged by the respective engagement tool to thereby reorient the second portion of each section relative to the first portion such that the portions of each section are supported in a desired configuration different from the first configuration; and a joining device configured to join the first and second portions of each section in the desired configuration to thereby form the plurality of parts.