Sheet forming device

Claim 2

Continuous sheet material forming apparatus comprising: a a plurality of first die elements; b a plurality of complementary die elements; c means for moving the first die elements in an endless path; d means for connecting the complementary die elements for motion in an endless path at least a portion of which is parallel and opposed to the endless path of the first die elements; e means carried by the first die elements and the complementary die elements for interlocking said elements during opposed parallel portions of their endless paths of travel whereby the first die elements impart motion to the complementary die elements; and f including additional sheet material forming means cooperating with said first die elements, wherein said additional forming means comprise a drum mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to and transverse of the endless path, a plurality of slats slidably and radially mounted on said drum, resilient means urging the slats radially outwardly and means for rotating the drum in synchronism with the movement of the first die means.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein each of the first die elements and each of the complementary die elements is supported by a tray.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the trays are secured to endless kinematic chains.

Claim 5

The invention defined in claim 2 including cooperating latching means between successive trays, and means for maintaining said latching means in the latched position during the said at least a portion of their endless paths.

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the cooperating latching means comprises a hook mounted on one end of each tray and a hook receiver carried at the opposite end.

Claim 7

The invention defined in claim 5 wherein the hook receivers comprise rollers.

Claim 8

The invention defined in claim 4 further including sets of front and back guiding elements carried by each tray and cooperating with guide ways therefor.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the guiding elements and guide ways maintain the trays for the first die elements horizontal along the said at least a portion of their endless path.

Claim 10

The invEntion defined in claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the drum in synchronism with the movement of the first die means includes a rack integral with each of the first die elements and a cogwheel secured to the drum and adapted to engage with the first die element carried racks.

Claim 11

Continuous sheet material forming apparatus comprising: a a plurality of first die elements; b a plurality of complementary die elements; c means for moving the first die elements in an endless path; d means for connecting the complementary die elements for motion in an endless path at least a portion of which is parallel and opposed to the endless path of the first die elements; e means carried by the first die elements and the complementary die elements for interlocking said elements during opposed parallel portions of their endless paths of travel whereby the first die elements impart motion to the complementary die elements; f including additional sheet material forming means cooperating with said first die elements, wherein said additional forming means comprise a drum mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to and transverse of the endless path, a plurality of slats slidably and radially mounted on said drum, resilient means urging the slats radially outwardly and means for rotating the drum in synchronism with the movement of the first die means; and g plugs mounted on the periphery of said drum between the radial slats adapted to apply holding pressure on the sheet material to be formed.

Claim 12

Continuous sheet material forming apparatus comprising: a a plurality of first die elements; b a plurality of complementary die elements; c means for moving the first die elements in an endless path; d means for connecting the complementary die elements for motion in an endless path at least a portion of which is parallel and opposed to the endless path of the first die elements; e means carried by the first die elements and the complementary die elements for interlocking said elements during opposed parallel portions of their endless paths of travel whereby the first die elements impart motion to the complementary die elements; f including additional sheet material forming means cooperating with said first die elements, wherein said additional forming means comprise a drum mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to and transverse of the endless path, a plurality of slats slidably and radially mounted on said drum, resilient means urging the slats radially outwardly and means for rotating the drum in synchronism with the movement of the first die means; and g plugs mounted on the periphery of said drum between the radial slats adapted to apply holding pressure on the sheet material to be formed.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the means carried by the first die elements and the complementary die elements comprise forks secured to each of one of said elements and a cooperating roller carried by each of the other of said elements.

Claim 14

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said continuous sheet material forming apparatus comprises the sheet forming stage of an installation including at least one sheet material feeding stage and at least one sheet material heating stage.

Claim 15

The invention defined in claim 12 wherein the installation also includes a preheating stage for the sheet material and a preforming stage preceding the heating stage and the forming stage.