Patent ID: 7101168

Claim:
Device for forming a number of thin-walled objects by means of a thermoforming process from a layer of material which is deformable when heated, comprising: a mold with cavities arranged therein, wherein an internal shape of each of the cavities corresponds with an external shape of an object to be formed in each cavity; and means for carrying the layer of material to be molded onto the mold; wherein the cavities are each enclosed by a cavity wall which is divided into wall segments; wherein the wall segments are movable in a linear direction between a first position, in which they enclose the cavity and a second position in which an object formed in the cavity is released; and wherein the wall segments of each cavity are coupled to a linear drive member, wherein the linear drive member executes a linear movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the wall segments, wherein the linear drive member is connected to the segments by means of a coupling converting said linear direction of movement of the drive member to the movement of the wall segment in a substantially perpendicular direction, wherein the drive member extends substantially in a space underneath the cavity, and wherein the coupling comprises prismatic pins, each pin extending at the same angle relative to the direction of movement of the linear drive member, and wherein the segments each comprise a channel receiving one of the prismatic pins, a longitudinal axis of the channel extending in substantially a same direction as a longitudinal axis of the pin,.