Provided are a container molding apparatus (1) and a container molding method in which, by displacing a preform (10) in a cavity (12) of a mold (11), engaging a filling nozzle (15) connected to a content liquid containing tank (18) with a mouth (10a) of the preform (10), and placing an inside of the cavity (12) under a negative pressure in a state where a sealing member (20), which is configured to open and close a flow path (16), is opened, the preform (10) is stretched into a container (30) having a predetermined shape conforming to an inner surface of the cavity (12) by the negative pressure, and a content liquid (L) is introduced from the content liquid containing tank (18) into the preform (10) through the filling nozzle (15) by a negative pressure generated inside the preform (10) at the time of stretching.

Provided are a container molding apparatus (1) and a container molding method in which, by displacing a preform (10) in a cavity (12) of a mold (11), engaging a filling nozzle (15) connected to a content liquid containing tank (18) with a mouth (10a) of the preform (10), and placing an inside of the cavity (12) under a negative pressure in a state where a sealing member (20), which is configured to open and close a flow path (16), is opened, the preform (10) is stretched into a container (30) having a predetermined shape conforming to an inner surface of the cavity (12) by the negative pressure, and a content liquid (L) is introduced from the content liquid containing tank (18) into the preform (10) through the filling nozzle (15) by a negative pressure generated inside the preform (10) at the time of stretching.

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a container with a closure-release mechanism. The process in particular relates to thermoforming a plastic sheet to form a container with a clam shell locking system in order to facilitate a secure closure and easy opening packaging container. The clam shell locking arrangement comprises a post which is secured in an aperture when the container is in closed state. The post is a projection or protrusion in a vertical or nearly vertical sidewall of the cover of the thermoformed package and fits securely into the aperture, which is a cut-out made in the outer, and optionally also the inner, wall segments of the vertical or nearly vertical surfaces of the base section of the thermoplastic containers.

A thermoforming apparatus is described herein. The apparatus may include a pressure mechanism, a thermal device, a plurality of individually actuatable pins, and/or a pin actuation mechanism. The pressure mechanism may create a force against a die surface. The thermal device may change a thermal state of a material forced by the pressure mechanism against the die surface. The plurality of individually actuatable pins may form the die surface. The pin actuation mechanism may be connected to the plurality of actuatable pins and/or may actuate the pins. This apparatus improves on prior solutions in many ways. For example, embodiments of the thermoforming apparatus may require significantly less time between different molds than previous thermoforming machines and 3D printers.

A thermoforming apparatus is described herein. The apparatus may include a pressure mechanism, a thermal device, a plurality of individually actuatable pins, and/or a pin actuation mechanism. The pressure mechanism may create a force against a die surface. The thermal device may change a thermal state of a material forced by the pressure mechanism against the die surface. The plurality of individually actuatable pins may form the die surface. The pin actuation mechanism may be connected to the plurality of actuatable pins and/or may actuate the pins. This apparatus improves on prior solutions in many ways. For example, embodiments of the thermoforming apparatus may require significantly less time between different molds than previous thermoforming machines and 3D printers.

A fluid-filled chamber may include a pair of polymer layers that define a plurality of subchambers and a web area. The subchambers are protruding portions of the polymer layers that enclose a fluid, and the web area is portions of the polymer layers that are located between the subchambers and lay adjacent to each other. The subchambers may have greater thickness than the web area. A perimeter bond joining the polymer layers and extends around a periphery of the chamber. In addition, a plurality of interior bonds join the polymer layers and extend around the subchambers, which may seal the fluid within the subchambers.

A belly pan includes a first sheet having at least one energy management feature and a second sheet having a smooth aerodynamic surface. The first sheet is bonded to the second sheet. The belly pan is produced utilizing a twin sheet vacuum forming process.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

An article of footwear includes a sole having a lower surface, and a reactive element disposed on the lower surface of the sole. The reactive element has an exposed surface, and the reactive element is configured to transition the exposed surface between a first state and a second state in response to a compression force applied to the reactive element by an external ground surface in a user activity, to prevent accumulation of ground surface material, such as mud, dirt, clay, sand, slush, etc., compacting on the sole of the article of footwear in the user activity. The reactive element may include an elastomeric dome shaped popper that compresses flat in response to a compression force and then pops back to a non-compressed state in response to release of the compression force.

Processes and systems for thermoforming articles of wear are disclosed. The process can include utilizing a negative pressure generation system to seal an article in a forming material thereby compressing the forming material onto the outer surface of the article. The process can also include exposing the sealed article to an increased temperature followed by exposure to a decrease temperature, while maintaining the compressive force of the forming material on the outer surface of the article. A positive pressure can also be applied to the sealed article while undergoing the heating and/or cooling steps, which can facilitate the removal of bubbles from the article during thermoforming as well as apply additional compressive force to the outer surface of the article.