US3663146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming a plastic container
Assignee: Molins Machine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-11-05
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1989-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A tool assembly is disclosed for forming a plastic container having a hinged lid which is produced from a single sheet of plastic material. The tool comprises two die members, one of which comprises two cavities over which a plastic sheet is laid and a second die member for cooperation therewith for vacuum forming the two container portions in the conventional manner with a connecting portion of plastic sheet material therebetween. At least one of the die members includes cutting members for separating the formed container from the remainder of the sheet material and also includes at least one elongated projection for compressing and causing local thinning in the connecting portion to form a hinge as the dies move together.
Inventors
- 👤 William Arthur Roffey
- 👤 Austin Leslie Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:58
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/02; B29C53/04; B29C53/06; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/30; B29C51/32; B29C37/00; B29C37/0053; B29C37/0057; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A tool assembly for use in forming from a single sheet of plastic material a container comprising at least two portions having a hinge therebetween, said tool assembly comprising a first die member containing at least two cavities in the face of said die such that portions of said plastic sheet covering said face may be made to conform to said cavities with a connection portion therebetween, a second die member arranged to cooperate with the face of said first die member, at least one of said die members including cutting members for separating the formed container from the remainder of the sheet material and at least one elongated raised surface portion, said die members being movable towards each other whereby said connecting portion of said sheet is compressed between said elongated raised surface portion and the other die member causing local thinning in said connection portion of said sheet to form a hinge therein as said formed container is cut and separated from the remainder of said sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A tool assembly for use in forming from a single sheet of plastic material a container comprising at least two portions having a hinge therebetween, said tool assembly comprising a first die member containing at least two cavities in the face of said die such that portions of said plastic sheet covering said face may be made to conform to said cavities with a connection portion therebetween, a second die member arranged to cooperate with the face of said first die member, at least one of said die members including cutting members for separating the formed container from the remainder of the sheet material and at least one elongated raised surface portion, said die members being movable towards each other whereby said connecting portion of said sheet is compressed between said elongated raised surface portion and the other die member causing local thinning in said connection portion of said sheet to form a hinge therein as said formed container is cut and separated from the remainder of said sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said elongated raised surface portion comprises a rib.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which said rib is provided on said second die member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said die members has a rib, said ribs being symmetrical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said die members has a rib, said ribs being asymmetrical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the edge of at least one of said cavities on the side adjacent another of said cavities in said first die member forms a sharp angle with the face of said first die member and each of said asymmetrical ribs comprises at least one substaNtially right-angled corner which produces a groove in the part of said connecting portion draped around said sharp angle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the edge of at least one of said cavities on the side adjacent another said cavity in said first die member is beveled and each of said asymmetrical ribs has a corresponding beveled portion, the clearance between the beveled edge of said cavity and the beveled portion of said asymmetrical rib when said die members are in cooperating position being such as to compress and cause local thinning of a part of said connecting portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tool assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second die member includes at least two plugs located to pass into said cavities pushing said sheet material into said cavities in advance thereof as said die members approach and cooperate with each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3350492A
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US3271816A
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US3343567A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |