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US4239472A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Clamping ring for vacuum-forming apparatus

Assignee: Transamerica Business Credit Corp
•
Filing: 1979-05-22
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1999-05-22
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for use in the vacuum-forming of sheet material in a mould comprises a clamping ring formed by a plurality of rollers mounted close to each other on an annular support which will hold the sheet material on the rim of a mould yet permit some movement of the sheet material to reduce stretching as the material is drawn down into the mould. Support members attached to the annular support are clamped to the table on which the mould is mounted.

Inventors

  • 👤 Geoffrey R. Atkinson
  • 👤 Alan J. Edwards

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 13:32
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/26; B29C51/261; B29C51/262; B29C51/30; B29C51/36; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/048

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 50 words
In apparatus for use in the vacuum-forming of sheet material in a mould, a clamping ring for slidably engaging the sheet material and clamping it to the mould, the clamping ring comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted axially on a single annular support in close proximity to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 50 words
In apparatus for use in the vacuum-forming of sheet material in a mould, a clamping ring for slidably engaging the sheet material and clamping it to the mould, the clamping ring comprising a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted axially on a single annular support in close proximity to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 having support members attached to said annular support at spaced positions therearound and through which pressure can be applied to the rollers to press the sheet material against the mould.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a perforated mould, wherein the clamping ring is arranged to engage a rim of the mould located above and surrounding the perforated surface of the mould.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including a table for supporting said mould having clamping members mounted on said table and operable to engage the support members and apply pressure thereto to press the clamping ring towards the mould.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a mould lid having a peripheral land which, when in position on the mould fits within the clamping ring.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3193881A Cited
US3466706A Cited
US4001074A Cited
US4018551A Cited
US4083746A Cited
US4097035A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-12-16 1984-06-16 1984-12-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-12-16 1988-06-16 1988-12-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-12-16 1992-06-16 1992-12-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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