Patent ID: 6063326
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A method of thermoforming a thin flexible film comprising the steps of:providing a flexible film. heating said film to make said film pliable;providing a mold having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface located on a different plane to form a thermoformed article having a contoured shape;moving said mold relative to said pliable film and thereby contacting a first portion of said pliable film and said first surface;applying a first vacuum through said first surface to draw said first portion of said film against said first surface;after said first portion of said film is drawn against said first surface, further moving said mold relative to said pliable film, thereby contacting a second portion of said film with said second surface; andthen applying a second vacuum through said second surface to draw said second portion of said film against said second surface, whereby air trapped between said mold and said film is first removed between said first surface and said first portion of said film and then from between said second surface and said second portion of said film so that said thermoformed article is substantially defect-free.