US4025275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the production of containers and objects made of thermoplastic materials, carrying printed motifs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-07-29
•
Granted: 1977-05-24
•
Expires: 1995-07-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for molding a sheet of thermoplastic material in which the sheet is forced into an open chamber formed in a die member by means of a punch member adapted to engage the sheet in a substantially line contact to stretch the sheet into the chamber and against the inner wall of the die member.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Paul Gournelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:08
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/08; B29C51/082; B29C51/087; B29C2795/00; B29C2795/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus for molding a heated sheet of thermoplastic material having a predistorted motif printed thereon, comprising a die member defining a chamber with a bottom and walls extending from said bottom, means for securing said sheet to the die member in a position extending over the mouth of the chamber, a punch member having a leading face and outer surface adapted for reciprocal movement into and out of the chamber, the leading outermost edge of the punch member defining a leading contact edge for contacting said sheet when the punch is moving into the chamber, the leading outermost edge being formed of two converging surfaces formed by said leading face and a space located around the outer surface of the punch member tapering inwardly and away from said leading outermost edge, a plurality of openings in said two converging surfaces for communicating said surfaces, said leading face and outer surface being shaped and dimensioned to mate with the bottom and walls, respectively, of the chamber, said outer surface being machined with interconnected surface depressions for providing minimum engagement points with said sheet, blowholes in said punch member communicating with said space in the outer walls and said leading outermost edge, and means for selectively providing gas under pressure to said blowholes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
212 words
An apparatus for molding a heated sheet of thermoplastic material having a predistorted motif printed thereon, comprising a die member defining a chamber with a bottom and walls extending from said bottom, means for securing said sheet to the die member in a position extending over the mouth of the chamber, a punch member having a leading face and outer surface adapted for reciprocal movement into and out of the chamber, the leading outermost edge of the punch member defining a leading contact edge for contacting said sheet when the punch is moving into the chamber, the leading outermost edge being formed of two converging surfaces formed by said leading face and a space located around the outer surface of the punch member tapering inwardly and away from said leading outermost edge, a plurality of openings in said two converging surfaces for communicating said surfaces, said leading face and outer surface being shaped and dimensioned to mate with the bottom and walls, respectively, of the chamber, said outer surface being machined with interconnected surface depressions for providing minimum engagement points with said sheet, blowholes in said punch member communicating with said space in the outer walls and said leading outermost edge, and means for selectively providing gas under pressure to said blowholes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus in claim 1 and further including a precessor finger projecting from said leading face for first engaging said sheet, said finger being mounted in said punch member to enable it to retract into said punch member upon engagement with the bottom of the die member so that the punch member can continue to move into said chamber thereafter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the leading contact edge is rounded and milled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein said leading edge is sharp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the leading face is flat and milled over its entire surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the leading face includes said converging surface thereon tapering inwardly from said leading edge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein said surface depressions are formed of diamond-point milling with a pitch of 0.5 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus in claim 2, wherein the leading end of the finger is machined with interconnected surface irregularities.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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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) | 1980-05-23 | 1980-11-22 | 1981-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-23 | 1984-11-22 | 1985-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-23 | 1988-11-22 | 1989-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |