Patent ID: 6367361
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B29C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of thermoforming a film and trimming the thermoformed film comprising the steps of:heating a thermoplastic flexible film to make said film pliable; then moving said heated, pliable film adjacent to a forming mandrel having a three-dimensional shape; then forming said heated, pliable film into the three-dimensional shape by moving said mandrel against said film to cause said film to conform to the shape of said mandrel, said film being unsupported on a side of said film opposite said mandrel during said forming step; then moving said three-dimensional formed film on said mandrel into a trimming station having trimming means; and then trimming excess material from said three-dimensional formed film while said film is on said mandrel by urging said film against said mandrel with said trimming means.