Patent ID: 8647549
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A process for producing a thermoformed part, comprising the steps of: providing a mould comprising a lower half-mould, an upper half-mould, and an abutment surface on one of said lower half-mould and said upper-half mould; providing a heated sheet made of thermoplastic material, on said lower half-mould; coupling said upper half-mould to said lower half-mould in such a manner to deform said sheet, then cooling said sheet inside the mould until complete consolidation is achieved; during said cooling, cutting the sheet along at least one edge portion thereof, said cutting operation causing a simultaneous bending of the edge portion of the sheet against said abutment surface; and removing said upper half-mould from the lower half-mould once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained; subsequent to the cutting operation and during the cooling of the sheet inside the mould, performing a folding operation inside the mould, said folding operation comprising the steps of: moving said abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet; and mechanically bending the edge portion of the sheet to resume bending towards a support surface for supporting the sheet on one of said lower and upper half-moulds.