Disclosed is a manufacturing method of a sheet molded article, including the steps of: thermoforming a molding sheet with a first mold, thereby molding a molded article including a body portion provided with a shape transferred from the first mold, and a peripheral edge portion surrounding the body portion; and removing the molded article from the first mold, and inverting the body portion front-to-back.

An automated wrapping system for wrapping a substrate with a material includes a support and a nest mounted to the support that is configured to position the material between an outer portion of the substrate and the nest. The automated wrapping system also includes a material folding assembly positioned adjacent to the nest configured for movement between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the movement of the material folding system to the actuated position engages and folds the free end portion of the material over the edge of the substrate and onto a part of the inner portion of the substrate while retaining the material against the edge of the substrate. An actuator connected to the material folding assembly moves the material folding assembly between the rest position and the actuated position.

An automated wrapping system for wrapping a substrate with a material includes a support and a nest mounted to the support that is configured to position the material between an outer portion of the substrate and the nest. The automated wrapping system also includes a material folding assembly positioned adjacent to the nest configured for movement between a rest position and an actuated position, wherein the movement of the material folding system to the actuated position engages and folds the free end portion of the material over the edge of the substrate and onto a part of the inner portion of the substrate while retaining the material against the edge of the substrate. An actuator connected to the material folding assembly moves the material folding assembly between the rest position and the actuated position.

A frame device for retaining and positioning sheet materials and possible reinforcing materials intended to be thermoformed to obtain objects made of composite material, comprises: a first tubular element defining internally a first vacuum chamber for grasping by aspiration a first sheet material, a second tubular element defining internally a second vacuum chamber, separate from, and independent of the first vacuum chamber and configured for grasping by aspiration a second sheet material, wherein said first tubular element and said second tubular element are fixed together permanently so as to define a grasping frame-structure configured as a single piece; in said grasping frame-structure a third vacuum chamber being defined, separate and independent of said first and second vacuum chambers, and configured for removing air from the zone that is interposed between said first and second sheet materials and which is intended for being possibly occupied by the reinforcing material/s.

A corresponding method is also disclosed.

A forming tool is used, which has a tool trough arranged in a stationary manner and a pressure bell, which can be lowered onto and lifted away from the tool trough. An arrangement is created in which a single- or multi-layer, initially flat, flexible laminate separates the trough interior from the pressure-bell interior in a pressure tight manner. A table, on which the 3-D substrate to be coated is located, assumes a lowered position within the trough interior; there is a considerable, free intermediate space (between the laminate and the 3-D substrate. A radiant-heater assembly is inserted into said intermediate space. The radiant-heater assembly has a carrier, on the top side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached and on the bottom side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached.

A forming tool is used, which has a tool trough arranged in a stationary manner and a pressure bell, which can be lowered onto and lifted away from the tool trough. An arrangement is created in which a single- or multi-layer, initially flat, flexible laminate separates the trough interior from the pressure-bell interior in a pressure tight manner. A table, on which the 3-D substrate to be coated is located, assumes a lowered position within the trough interior; there is a considerable, free intermediate space (between the laminate and the 3-D substrate. A radiant-heater assembly is inserted into said intermediate space. The radiant-heater assembly has a carrier, on the top side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached and on the bottom side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached.

A hardtop gazebo and a process used in the making of the hardtop gazebo are disclosed herein. The hardtop gazebo includes a plurality of corner support members; a plurality of crossbeam members, at least some of the crossbeam members configured to be connected between a pair of the plurality of corner support members; a plurality of roof frame members, at least some of the roof frame members configured to be circumferentially spaced apart from one another so as to form a supporting structure for a roof of the hardtop gazebo; and a plurality of connecting members. The process used in the making of the hardtop gazebo includes applying a heat transfer paper with a particular print pattern to primed outer surfaces of one or more components of the hardtop gazebo.

A hardtop gazebo and a process used in the making of the hardtop gazebo are disclosed herein. The hardtop gazebo includes a plurality of corner support members; a plurality of crossbeam members, at least some of the crossbeam members configured to be connected between a pair of the plurality of corner support members; a plurality of roof frame members, at least some of the roof frame members configured to be circumferentially spaced apart from one another so as to form a supporting structure for a roof of the hardtop gazebo; and a plurality of connecting members. The process used in the making of the hardtop gazebo includes applying a heat transfer paper with a particular print pattern to primed outer surfaces of one or more components of the hardtop gazebo.

An apparatus for making dental splints has a model plate forming a plurality of model-placement areas each having an upper face adapted to support a respective dental model and a lower face. Each area is formed with an opening between the respective faces, and respective conduits are connected to the lower faces of the areas at the openings. A rack for holding a thermoshapable film is movable between a position spaced from the plate and a position over the plate with the film engaging an outer edge of the plate all around the placement areas atop the plate over the models thereon. A pump or the like generates a subatmospheric pressure and applies it via the conduits to the placement areas to draw the film down over the models.

An apparatus for making dental splints has a model plate forming a plurality of model-placement areas each having an upper face adapted to support a respective dental model and a lower face. Each area is formed with an opening between the respective faces, and respective conduits are connected to the lower faces of the areas at the openings. A rack for holding a thermoshapable film is movable between a position spaced from the plate and a position over the plate with the film engaging an outer edge of the plate all around the placement areas atop the plate over the models thereon. A pump or the like generates a subatmospheric pressure and applies it via the conduits to the placement areas to draw the film down over the models.