Method of preparing a molded article

Details Method of preparing a molded article Method of preparing a molded article

2011-06-07

2011-06-07

Lee, Edmund H. (Department: 1744)

Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes

Direct application of fluid pressure differential to...

Starting material is nonhollow planar finite length preform...

C264S554000, C264S322000, C264S294000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07955550

ABSTRACT:
The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one tubular sheet retainer (35) having an exterior surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each tubular sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35). Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations (41) of the tubular sheet retainers (35) thereby retaining a portion of the heated thermoplastic sheet (95) thereon. The tubular sheet retainers (35) are rotated and/or moved along the x-, y- and/or z-axes with the sheet retained thereon, relative to the perimeter edge (17). Reduced pressure is drawn through the perforations (26) of the interior mold surface (14), thereby drawing the heated thermoplastic sheet (95) into intimate contour matching contact there-with.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2199455 (1940-05-01), Berry
patent: 2929450 (1960-03-01), Kurz
patent: 2995186 (1961-08-01), De Montigny
patent: 3676537 (1972-07-01), Winstead
patent: 3902960 (1975-09-01), Zentner et al.
patent: 3931383 (1976-01-01), Erlewine et al.
patent: 4039609 (1977-08-01), Thiel et al.
patent: 4061706 (1977-12-01), Duffield et al.
patent: 4123320 (1978-10-01), Stone
patent: 4139412 (1979-02-01), Printz
patent: 4284396 (1981-08-01), Thissen et al.
patent: 4421712 (1983-12-01), Winstead
patent: 4508670 (1985-04-01), Janke
patent: 4542596 (1985-09-01), Bryand et al.
patent: 4693784 (1987-09-01), Aula et al.
patent: 4722820 (1988-02-01), Flecknoe-Brown
patent: 4994229 (1991-02-01), Flecknoe-Brown
patent: 5106567 (1992-04-01), Demerest
patent: 5162124 (1992-11-01), Hausler et al.
patent: 5314325 (1994-05-01), Bosler
patent: 5783229 (1998-07-01), Manlove
patent: 5829980 (1998-11-01), Sheridan et al.
patent: 6086800 (2000-07-01), Manlove
patent: 6294114 (2001-09-01), Muirhead
patent: 6328194 (2001-12-01), Meschenmoser
patent: 6394783 (2002-05-01), Dalgewicz, III et al.
patent: 6585139 (2003-07-01), Holtmann et al.
patent: 6719551 (2004-04-01), Polk, Jr.
patent: 6814905 (2004-11-01), Dalgewicz et al.
patent: 6869558 (2005-03-01), Polk, Jr. et al.
patent: 6900547 (2005-05-01), Polk, Jr. et al.
patent: 7008213 (2006-03-01), King
patent: 7040038 (2006-05-01), Beaumont
patent: 2004/0253429 (2004-12-01), Polk, Jr. et al.
patent: 2004/0253430 (2004-12-01), Polk, Jr. et al.
patent: 2005/0040569 (2005-02-01), Fitzell, Jr.
patent: 2006/0008967 (2006-01-01), Polk, Jr. et al.
patent: 2101927 (1983-01-01), None
patent: 61104821 (1986-05-01), None
patent: 61104822 (1986-05-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method of preparing a molded article does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method of preparing a molded article, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of preparing a molded article will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2638397