Patent ID: 6010323
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B29C,B29K,Y10S

Abstract:
A vacuum pressure forming apparatus comprising:an endless belt having a plurality of air holes extending between an outer surface of said endless belt and an inner surface of said endless belt;a heating device for heating said endless belt;a device for delivering a sheet member into contact with said outer surface of said endless belt;a metal pattern disposed adjacent to said endless belt and being movable toward and away from said endless belt, said metal pattern having a plurality of cavities formed therein; anda pressurized air supply device disposed adjacent said inner surface of said endless belt at a location opposite said metal pattern, wherein said pressurized air supply device is operable to supply pressurized air to a belt-side surface of the sheet member, via said air holes, so that the pressure on the belt-side surface of the sheet member is greater than the pressure on a metal pattern side surface of the sheet member.