A thermoformable sheet transfer system is provided having at least one frame, and upstream conveyor, a sheet cutter, and a downstream sheet manipulator. The upstream conveyor is configured to deliver a series of shots of formed articles in a thermoformed sheet from an exit end of an article forming station. The sheet cutter is carried by the at least one frame provided proximate the conveyor downstream of the article forming station and is configured to cut a leading edge of the formed articles and sheet sufficiently formed to index within dies of an article trim press. The downstream sheet manipulator is carried by the at least one frame and is configured to transport the leading edge and the sufficiently formed articles and sheet for delivery in sequential shots from downstream an article forming station to upstream an article trim station. A method is also provided.

A pallet having excellent thermal insulation performance and cushioning property with respect to goods-conveyed while ensuring the strength of the outer surface of the pallet. The pallet includes a plate-like pallet body made of foamed resin, the plurality of legs provided on the bottom surface of the pallet body, and the resin sheet integrated from the bottom surface side of the pallet body by vacuum-forming. Further, the top surface of the pallet body includes the loading surface on which goods-conveyed are placed, and the step portion formed in a shape down-step from the outer peripheral edge of the loading surface to the side surface of the pallet body. The resin sheet covers the bottom surface of the pallet body, the legs, the side surface and the step portion of the pallet body, and the loading surface is not covered with the resin sheet.

A pallet having excellent thermal insulation performance and cushioning property with respect to goods-conveyed while ensuring the strength of the outer surface of the pallet. The pallet includes a plate-like pallet body made of foamed resin, the plurality of legs provided on the bottom surface of the pallet body, and the resin sheet integrated from the bottom surface side of the pallet body by vacuum-forming. Further, the top surface of the pallet body includes the loading surface on which goods-conveyed are placed, and the step portion formed in a shape down-step from the outer peripheral edge of the loading surface to the side surface of the pallet body. The resin sheet covers the bottom surface of the pallet body, the legs, the side surface and the step portion of the pallet body, and the loading surface is not covered with the resin sheet.

A thermoforming system for forming a cushioning pod structure that includes a first and a second thermoforming station with each comprised of a film holder and a thermoforming mold holder. The system implements a thermal source that is moveable between the first thermoforming station and the second thermoforming station such that the film holders are between the thermal source and the respective thermoforming mold holder. The system also relies on intentional application of a vacuum source fluidly coupled to thermoforming stations and a movement mechanism configured to move the thermal source between the first thermoforming station and the second thermoforming station. Additional aspects contemplate the implementation of a positive pressure source to aid in the dislodgment of the formed portion, a cooling system to adjust mold temperatures, and/or a fan to efficiently thermoform the component.

A thermoforming system for forming a cushioning pod structure that includes a first and a second thermoforming station with each comprised of a film holder and a thermoforming mold holder. The system implements a thermal source that is moveable between the first thermoforming station and the second thermoforming station such that the film holders are between the thermal source and the respective thermoforming mold holder. The system also relies on intentional application of a vacuum source fluidly coupled to thermoforming stations and a movement mechanism configured to move the thermal source between the first thermoforming station and the second thermoforming station. Additional aspects contemplate the implementation of a positive pressure source to aid in the dislodgment of the formed portion, a cooling system to adjust mold temperatures, and/or a fan to efficiently thermoform the component.

The invention is directed to a process for producing a cured 3D product comprising the following steps: (a) providing a form negative mould of the 3D product comprising of one or two formed plastic sheets as obtained by thermoforming corresponding with the shape of the 3D product; (b) adding a liquid curable composition to the mould such that the inner surface of the mould is covered by the curable composition; and (c) solidifying the curable composition wherein a solidified layer or body is formed having the shape of the 3D product; wherein the cured 3D product is a radiation cured 3D product; and wherein the step (c) a radiation curable composition is solidified by radiation through the plastic sheet of the mould to form a solidified layer having the shape of the 3D product.

The invention relates to a method for encoding a dimensionally stable packaging container or an associated constituent made of plastics material, wherein the packaging container is suitable for storing consumer goods such as food, detergents, etc., wherein a film-shaped, flat plastics material for forming the three-dimensional packaging container or the associated constituent is deep-drawn using a tool mold while, at a plurality of positions, the outer sides or the inner sides thereof undergo a first shape-changing treatment acting on the first surface thereof for producing a plurality of three-dimensional codes.

The invention relates to a method for coding a dimensionally stable packaging container or an associated component made of a plastics-based and/or paper-based material composition, the packaging container being suitable for storing consumer goods such as food, washing agents, etc., wherein, during a shape-forming process for forming the three-dimensional packaging container or the associated component by means of a shaping tool mold, at least one outer and/or inner side undergoes, in at least one position, a shape-changing treatment acting on its first surface in order to produce at least one three-dimensional code.

A flat laminate element made of thermoplastic is hot-formed in a two-stage method. In a first stage, the flat laminate which includes film(s) and/or panels(n) is placed on a flat frame-shaped pallet and is heated to a forming temperature in a heating zone between two flat heat screens in a contactless manner. The edge zone of the hot flat laminate element lies on the pallet such that the laminate piece cannot be clamped in a first laminate direction but rather can be slide on the pallet in this direction. Two non-flat rigid contours which are identical or largely identical act on two opposing parallel laminate edge sections uniaxially and perpendicularly to the laminate plane and only in the first laminate direction, i.e. monodirectionally, and shape the entire heated laminate element into a monodirectionally molded blank.

A flat laminate element made of thermoplastic is hot-formed in a two-stage method. In a first stage, the flat laminate which includes film(s) and/or panels(n) is placed on a flat frame-shaped pallet and is heated to a forming temperature in a heating zone between two flat heat screens in a contactless manner. The edge zone of the hot flat laminate element lies on the pallet such that the laminate piece cannot be clamped in a first laminate direction but rather can be slide on the pallet in this direction. Two non-flat rigid contours which are identical or largely identical act on two opposing parallel laminate edge sections uniaxially and perpendicularly to the laminate plane and only in the first laminate direction, i.e. monodirectionally, and shape the entire heated laminate element into a monodirectionally molded blank.