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Patent US3677675A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3677675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Plastics thermoforming machine
Assignee: Leesona Corp
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Filing: 1970-01-27
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A synthetic plastics thermoforming machine including relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism with platens and molds releasably supported thereon and advancing sheet assemblies for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be molded upon closing movement of the mold mechanism. A fluid pressure operated ram for moving one of the molds toward the other is mounted on a frame member which is movable relative to the platen and mold. Half bearing members carried by the platen and supporting it for movement on frame structure guide rods is also included and mechanism is provided for moving the bearing members outwardly from the platen. A plastic sheet preheating oven is incorporated and is movable to a position in which operating shocks are prevented from being transferred to it.
Inventors
- 👤 Gaylord W Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:26
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/30; B29C51/38; B29C51/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing axial movement on said frame structure relative to an axially opposite second mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed between said mold parts in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one axially extending fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold mechanism, and operable for effecting said movement; said frame structure incorporating an axially movable sub-frame member; the ram being supported by said member and operably connecting to said first mold part to move said first mold part to and from a closing position in which it substantially engages the plastic sheet; means for rigidly supporting said sub-frame member on said frame structure in a given axial position while permitting it to be moved axially to another such support position; said latter means supporting the sub-frame member for movement in an axial range form a removed position, in which the ram stroke will move the first mold part to said closing position, to a position axially closer to said second mold part; and drive transmission means operably connected with said latter means operable to move said member further axially when the first mold part is in said closing position following operation of said ram to force the first mold part toward the second mold part and adjust the effective axial stroke of said ram.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing axial movement on said frame structure relative to an axially opposite second mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed between said mold parts in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one axially extending fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold mechanism, and operable for effecting said movement; said frame structure incorporating an axially movable sub-frame member; the ram being supported by said member and operably connecting to said first mold part to move said first mold part to and from a closing position in which it substantially engages the plastic sheet; means for rigidly supporting said sub-frame member on said frame structure in a given axial position while permitting it to be moved axially to another such support position; said latter means supporting the sub-frame member for movement in an axial range form a removed position, in which the ram stroke will move the first mold part to said closing position, to a position axially closer to said second mold part; and drive transmission means operably connected with said latter means operable to move said member further axially when the first mold part is in said closing position following operation of said ram to force the first mold part toward the second mold part and adjust the effective axial stroke of said ram.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which the means for radially supporting the sub-frame member includes at least one rotatable nut; said frame structure includes an axially extending frame support post at least partly helically threaded to receive said nut; and said drive transmission means includes means for rotating said nut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination defined in claim 2 in which said frame member has at least a pair of said nuts and the frame structure has at least a pair of said posts, the posts being spaced apart so that said first mold part is received between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination defined in claim 3 in which said mold mechanism includes a platen for said first mold part incorporating slide bearings receiving said posts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination defined in claim 1 in which an axially extending fluid pressure operated cylinder assembly connects between said frame structure and second mold part to move it to and from a closing position in which it substantially engages the opposite side of said plastic sheet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination defined in claim 4 in which said mold mechanism includes a platen for said second mold part incorporating slide bearings receiving said posts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram, including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold mechanism, operable for effecting said movement; said frame structure incorporating an axially movable sub-frame member and frame guide rods having threaded ends on which said sub-frame member is mounted; said mold mechanism including a platen, mounting said mold, mounted for axial travel on said guide rods; the ram being carried by said sub-frame member and operably connecting to said platen to move said mold part to and from a position in which it lies adjacent the plastic sheet; and nuts on said Threaded ends mounting said sub-frame member and mold mechanism for relative movement independently of the operation of said ram; said nuts being rotatable relative to said sub-frame member but prevented from moving axially relative thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram, including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold mechanism, operable for effecting said movement; said frame structure incorporating an axially movable sub-frame member and frame guide rods having threaded ends on which said sub-frame member is mounted; said mold mechanism including a platen, mounting said mold, mounted for axial travel on said guide rods; the ram being carried by said sub-frame member and operably connecting to said platen to move said mold part to and from a position in which it lies adjacent the plastic sheet; and nuts on said Threaded ends mounting said sub-frame member and mold mechanism for relative movement independently of the operation of said ram; said nuts being rotatable relative to said sub-frame member but prevented from moving axially relative thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined in claim 7 in which gears are connected to rotate said nuts and raise and lower said sub-frame member relative to said platen; and hand wheel mechanism is connected for simultaneously actuating said gears.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination defined in claim 7 in which guide members on said member and platen maintain axial alignment during movement of said member relative to said platen, and ram operated toggle linkage is connected between said frame structure and mold mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination defined in claim 7 in which drive transmission means is operably connected with said nuts for rotating them to move said sub-frame member axially.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination defined in claim 7 in which said platen incorporates semi-cylindrical slide bearings received on said posts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination defined in claim 7 in which crosswisely disposed key and keyway means are provided to mount said mold part on said platen in aligned position; and means is provided for releasably securing said mold part to said platen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold and operable for effecting said movement; crosswisely disposed key and keyway means provided to mount said mold part on said platen in aligned position; and means provided for releasably securing said mold part to said platen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston connected between said frame structure and mold and operable for effecting said movement; crosswisely disposed key and keyway means provided to mount said mold part on said platen in aligned position; and means provided for releasably securing said mold part to said platen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination defined in claim 13 in which said latter means comprises hanger straps.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure and a platen for said mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston operably connected between said frame structure and platen for effecting said movement; said frame structure including axially extending platen guide rods; semi-cylindrical slide bearings carried on said platen in bearing engagement with said rods; and means mounting at least one of said bearings for movement outwardly from said platen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
127 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a first mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure and a platen for said mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston operably connected between said frame structure and platen for effecting said movement; said frame structure including axially extending platen guide rods; semi-cylindrical slide bearings carried on said platen in bearing engagement with said rods; and means mounting at least one of said bearings for movement outwardly from said platen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination defined in claim 11 in which said bearings each include a housing; said bearings being mounted for lateral movement in said housings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination defined in claim 16 in which said bearings comprise semi-cylindrical members with back-up holders fixed thereto; and disengageable means is provided for releasably securing said back-up holders to said housings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination defined in claim 17 in which positioning screw means on one of said housings is movable into engagement with one of said back-up plates and is actuatable to move a bearing outwardly from said platen when the means releasably securing said back-up holder to the housing is disengaged.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination defined in claim 17 in which a lubricant supplying tube extends axially through said back-up holders and passages therein and through said bearings connect with the guide rod engaging surfaces of said bearings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a firSt mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure and a platen for said mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston operably connected between said frame structure and platen for effecting said movement; said frame structure including axially extending platen guide rods; semicylindrical slide bearings carried on said platen in bearing engagement with said rods; and means for securing at least one of said bearings in multiple positions laterally outwardly displaced from said platen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a firSt mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure and a platen for said mold part; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be formed in position to be formed to the shape of said cavity; at least one fluid pressure operated ram including a cylinder and piston operably connected between said frame structure and platen for effecting said movement; said frame structure including axially extending platen guide rods; semicylindrical slide bearings carried on said platen in bearing engagement with said rods; and means for securing at least one of said bearings in multiple positions laterally outwardly displaced from said platen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; spaced apart, longitudinal sheet gripping and advancing member assemblies for supporting opposite edges of a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position to be molded upon closing movement of said mold mechanism; means operable for effecting separating and closing movement of said mold mechanism; means mounting said sheet advancing member assemblies for relative spreading and closing of said assemblies on said frame structure; and actuating means operable for moving each sheet advancing member assembly simultaneously in opposing directions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism having at least one mold cavity and including a mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure; spaced apart, longitudinal sheet gripping and advancing member assemblies for supporting opposite edges of a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position to be molded upon closing movement of said mold mechanism; means operable for effecting separating and closing movement of said mold mechanism; means mounting said sheet advancing member assemblies for relative spreading and closing of said assemblies on said frame structure; and actuating means operable for moving each sheet advancing member assembly simultaneously in opposing directions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination defined in claim 21 in which said actuating means comprises a rotatable shaft having threads of opposite hand on opposite ends thereof, and each of said sheet advancing member assemblies includes a support rail having a nut threaded on one end of said shaft and prevented from rotating with said shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination defined in claim 21 in which scale means and an indicator are provided on said sheet advancing member assemblies and frame structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closable mold mechanism including axially opposite mold members, at least one of which is mounted for axial movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position between said molds, to be molded upon closing of said mold mechanism; and oven structure leading to said molds and comprising an oven housing with heating elements through which said sheet is moved; means connecting said oven housing with the frame structure; and means for selectively supporting said oven housing on said frame structure and independently thereof in a manner to preclude operating shocks from being transmitted to said oven housing and heating elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closable mold mechanism including axially opposite mold members, at least one of which is mounted for axial movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position between said molds, to be molded upon closing of said mold mechanism; and oven structure leading to said molds and comprising an oven housing with heating elements through which said sheet is moved; means connecting said oven housing with the frame structure; and means for selectively supporting said oven housing on said frame structure and independently thereof in a manner to preclude operating shocks from being transmitted to said oven housing and heating elements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination defined in claim 24 in which support rails are provided on said frame structure and positioning pins are releasably secured thereon and are selectively positionable therealong; said pins extending up through enlarged openings in a plate forming part of said housing; and means is provided for jacking said oven housing up so that it does not rest on said support rails.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination defined in claim 25 in which said oven housing has support legs, with vertically movable support wheel members thereon, mounted on tracks which do not connect to said frame structure; disengageable means is provided for releasably connecting support wheel members to said legs, and actuating means is provided for moving said wheel members relative to said legs to jack up said oven housing when said disengageable means is disengaged.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine for forming articles in plastic sheet material: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism including a mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure, a sheet edge-gripping and sheet-advancing system comprising transversely spaced apart, longitudinally disposed sheet gripping and advancing member assemblies, for supporting opPosite edges of a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position to be molded, mounted to move the sheet to position to be thermoformed in the mold mechanism, the assemblies comprising longitudinally extending and traveling members having sheet-gripping elements for gripping the sides of the sheet, and supports therefore; means operable for effecting separating and closing movement of said mold mechanism; and means, including transversely extending guide means, mounting said sheet edge-gripping and sheet advancing system for relative transverse spreading and closing movement on said frame structure and holding it in such relative positions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine for forming articles in plastic sheet material: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism including a mold part mounted for opening and closing movement on said frame structure, a sheet edge-gripping and sheet-advancing system comprising transversely spaced apart, longitudinally disposed sheet gripping and advancing member assemblies, for supporting opPosite edges of a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position to be molded, mounted to move the sheet to position to be thermoformed in the mold mechanism, the assemblies comprising longitudinally extending and traveling members having sheet-gripping elements for gripping the sides of the sheet, and supports therefore; means operable for effecting separating and closing movement of said mold mechanism; and means, including transversely extending guide means, mounting said sheet edge-gripping and sheet advancing system for relative transverse spreading and closing movement on said frame structure and holding it in such relative positions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
118 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism including axially opposite mold members, at least one of which is mounted for axial movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position between said molds, to be molded upon closing of said mold mechanism; and oven structure leading to said molds and comprising an oven housing with heating elements through which said sheet is moved; means connecting said oven housing with the frame structure; and means for supporting said oven housing independently of said frame structure in a manner to preclude operating shocks from being transmitted to said oven housing and heating elements.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
118 words
In an improved synthetic plastics thermoforming machine: a frame structure; relatively axially separable and closeable mold mechanism including axially opposite mold members, at least one of which is mounted for axial movement on said frame structure; means for supporting a plastic sheet to be thermoformed in position between said molds, to be molded upon closing of said mold mechanism; and oven structure leading to said molds and comprising an oven housing with heating elements through which said sheet is moved; means connecting said oven housing with the frame structure; and means for supporting said oven housing independently of said frame structure in a manner to preclude operating shocks from being transmitted to said oven housing and heating elements.
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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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |