Patent ID: 6142763
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A thermal press for forming a finished article from a web of thermoplastic material, comprising:a primary frame;a drive shaft rotatably attached to the frame, the drive shaft having a longitudinal axis and a load area spaced apart from the primary frame in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the drive shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal axis;a first arm projecting from the drive shaft at the load area, the first arm being connected to the drive shaft to rotate with the drive shaft, and the first arm having a connecting point configured to pivotally attach the first arm to a second link that is rotatably attached to a first forming assembly such that rotation of the drive shaft and the first arm moves the first forming assembly along a travel path between an engaged position in which the first forming assembly presses the web against a second forming assembly to shape a portion of the web and a disengaged position in which the first and second forming assemblies are spaced apart from the web, wherein a load force is exerted at the load area when the first forming assembly is in the engaged position; anda counter-force assembly including a counteracting element and a support surface, the counteracting element being configured to engage the support surface when the first forming assembly is in the engaged position such that the counteracting element exerts a counteracting force at the load area that opposes the load force.