Apparatus for the production of shaped plastic workpieces

Claim 1

IN APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF SHAPED WORKPIECES FROM A BAND OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, MEANS PROVIDING IN SUCCESSION A HEATING STATION AND A SEPARATE SHAPING STATION SPACED FROM SAID HEATING STATION, MEANS AT SAID HEATING STATION FOR HEATING THE SECTION OF SAID BAND THEREIN UNTIL SAID SECTION OF THE BAND SAGS, MEANS FOR MOVING THE BAND AWAY FROM SAID HEATING STATION TO DISPOSE SAID HEATED SECTION IN THE SHAPING STATION, A SHAPING TOOL HAVING A PLURALITY OF FORMING CAVITIES OPENING TOWARD SAID BAND AND A RIM SURROUNDING SAID CAVITIES, SAID SHAPING TOOL BEING MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID SHAPING STATION FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN UPPER POSITION OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE BAND AND A LOWER POSITION IN CONTACT WITH SAID HEATED BAND SECTION, SAID TOOL HAVING ONLY ITS OUTER RIM IN FLUID PRESSURE TIGHT ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BAND SECTION IN THE LOWER POSITION, MEANS FOR APPLYING VACUUM THROUGH SAID TOOL TO DRAW SAID HEATED SAGGING BAND SECTION TOWARD THE TOOL, AND MEANS DISPOSED BELOW THE BAND FOR PRESSING THE HEATED BAND SECTION UPWARDLY TOWARD SAID TOOL FOR AIDING SAID TIGHT CONTACT BETWEEN THE TOOL RIM AND THE HEATED SECTION OF SAID BAND.