Patent ID: 7785095

Claim:
A molding apparatus, comprising: a frame; a first cylindrical roll having a first axis of rotation, a first peripheral surface, and first and second end portions, the first cylindrical roll defining a plurality of molding cavities extending radially inward from the first peripheral surface, the first cylindrical roll being rotatably coupled to the frame by at least one of the first and second end portions; and a second cylindrical roll having a second axis of rotation, a second peripheral surface, and third and fourth end portions, the second cylindrical roll being rotatably coupled to the frame by at least one of the third and fourth end portions, wherein the first and second cylindrical rolls are arranged such that a nip capable of receiving a substrate is formed between the first and second peripheral surfaces, the first and second end portions of the first cylindrical roll and the third and fourth end portions of the second cylindrical roll are rotatably coupled to the frame, and the frame forms a slot through which the substrate can extend when the substrate is passed through the nip such that the substrate can pass through the nip while a portion of the substrate extends beyond the frame and the first and second cylindrical rolls in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second axes of rotation.