Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigerator dispenser lever and a method for manufacturing the same. The lever is capable of reducing post-process activity required to assemble the components, enhancing a sense of unity between components and improving the quality and appearance of the lever by combining individual components during manufacturing using a single injection molding process.

Described are methods of two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally forming an article of wear using vacuum forming in an automated process. In the two-dimensional method, the article of wear comprises a generally flat shape with three-dimensional features molded into the first material layer.

Described are methods of two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally forming an article of wear using vacuum forming in an automated process. In the two-dimensional method, the article of wear comprises a generally flat shape with three-dimensional features molded into the first material layer.

A component with a customized exterior surface and a method and tool for manufacturing the same are provided. The component may be formed via a plastic forming process with a forming tool, such that it has a surface texture formed on its exterior surface. The forming tool has at least one tool surface, which defines a mold cavity. The tool surface has a textured layer coupled thereto, such that the textured layer directly contacts a moldable material supplied to the mold cavity. The textured layer has a surface texture formed thereon resulting in the surface texture present on the textured layer being transferred to and formed on the exterior surface of the component during forming. The textured layer may be changeable or replaceable with respect to the at least one tool surface, such that a single tool may form components with different surface textures formed on the exterior surface thereof.

A molding apparatus that adsorbs thermoplastic resin extruded in a sheet form from an extruding machine, onto a cavity of a mold, and shapes the thermoplastic resin into a shape according to the cavity is provided. The molding apparatus may include a frame that is positioned on a periphery of the mold and is movable relative to the mold, wherein a suction part for suctioning the thermoplastic resin is provided in a contact surface of the frame to contact the thermoplastic resin, and the suction part is provided in a linear shape along with a longitudinal direction of the frame positioned on the periphery of the mold.

A molding apparatus that adsorbs thermoplastic resin extruded in a sheet form from an extruding machine, onto a cavity of a mold, and shapes the thermoplastic resin into a shape according to the cavity is provided. The molding apparatus may include a frame that is positioned on a periphery of the mold and is movable relative to the mold, wherein a suction part for suctioning the thermoplastic resin is provided in a contact surface of the frame to contact the thermoplastic resin, and the suction part is provided in a linear shape along with a longitudinal direction of the frame positioned on the periphery of the mold.

A method for producing a half shell for a hollow body includes applying a preheated plastics sheet to a first tool half that forms a die, and then pre-stretching the plastics sheet, at least in certain regions thereof, by blowing or suctioning away, at least certain sections of the plastics sheet from the first tool half. The plastics sheet is then suctioned or pressed, via pressure or negative pressure, onto the first tool half, at least in certain regions.

A method for producing a half shell for a hollow body includes applying a preheated plastics sheet to a first tool half that forms a die, and then pre-stretching the plastics sheet, at least in certain regions thereof, by blowing or suctioning away, at least certain sections of the plastics sheet from the first tool half. The plastics sheet is then suctioned or pressed, via pressure or negative pressure, onto the first tool half, at least in certain regions.

The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material by using an at least three-part blow-molding tool with at least two blow-mold halves (1a, 1b), which define a mold impression, have part-cavities (5a, 5b) and can be displaced toward one another and away from one another in the sense of an opening and closing movement, and also with at least one central tool (2), which is displaceable transversely in relation to the opening and closing movement of the blow-mold halves (1a, 1b), the method comprising the extruding or providing and arranging of at least two molten performs (7) of thermoplastic material in web form between the blow-mold halves (1a, 1b) in an opened receiving position, the bringing to bear of the preforms (7) in the part-cavities (5a, 5b) of the blow-mold halves (1a, 1b) and molding of them into shells (10) using sealing elements which are provided on the central tool and are extended from the central tool for the purpose of sealing off the part-cavities before or while the part-cavities are subjected to differential pressure; the joining of at least one insert (9) in at least one shell (10) by using the central tool (2) arranged between the blow-mold halves (1a, 1b) and the joining of the shells (10) to form the closed hollow body by closing the blow-mold halves (1a, 1b) while applying clamping force and, if appropriate, the final blow molding of the hollow body.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Additional aspects of the present invention relate to customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.