Patent ID: 6409496
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
A thermoformer machine for forming blisters with a flange, and which thermoformer machine comprises:a) a supply station comprising at least one precut, zero-scrap roll of thermoplastic material, which roll comprises: a plurality of generally longitudinally-aligned connected webs, the webs connected by a cut area at each end of the web, the webs having a selected width (W) and a length (L) to define a blister area and a blister flange area to be subsequently formed, with a cut depth (D1) at each end of the web which is less than the width (W), and with the web having corners with a radius (R), the cut area adapted for transverse cutting to separate a formed blister, with flange, from each web; b) a heating station to apply heat to the blister area of the web without heat deforming the flange area; c) a forming station to form a blister from the heated blister area; d) a cutting station to cut the cut areas of the web to form an individual blister with a flange; and e) a material transport means to index the precut roll through the heating, forming, and cutting stations.