An apparatus for thermoforming plastic containers (2) comprising at least one thermoforming device (3) suitable for thermoforming a flat sheet (4) for making a container (2) equipped with an upper flange (5) projecting outward and at least one extracting device (6) associable with the thermoforming device (3) for extracting the thermoformed container (2) from it; when the extracting device (6) is associated with the thermoforming device (3) for extracting the already thermoformed container (2), the extracting device (6) and the thermoforming device (3) define a perimetric mould (7) suitable for hot bending the annular flange (5) of the already thermoformed container (2) before it is extracted from the thermoforming device (3).

A resin molding system 1 comprises a gripping device 3 provided with a gripping frame 30 for gripping a resin sheet material 2, a heating device for heating the resin sheet material 2 and a molding device for clamping a lower die 61 and an upper die and affixing the resin sheet material 2 to a substrate 63. The molding device is provided with: a lowering device for lowering the gripping device 3 and causing the resin sheet material 2 gripped by the gripping frame 30 to approach the lower die 61; and a pair of bent posts 67, 68 which are provided on both Y-direction sides of the lower die 61, and which come in contact with portions of the gripping frame 30 when the gripping device 3 is lowered, and which convexly bend the gripping frame 30 upward as viewed from the side along the Y-direction.

A resin molding system 1 comprises a gripping device 3 provided with a gripping frame 30 for gripping a resin sheet material 2, a heating device for heating the resin sheet material 2 and a molding device for clamping a lower die 61 and an upper die and affixing the resin sheet material 2 to a substrate 63. The molding device is provided with: a lowering device for lowering the gripping device 3 and causing the resin sheet material 2 gripped by the gripping frame 30 to approach the lower die 61; and a pair of bent posts 67, 68 which are provided on both Y-direction sides of the lower die 61, and which come in contact with portions of the gripping frame 30 when the gripping device 3 is lowered, and which convexly bend the gripping frame 30 upward as viewed from the side along the Y-direction.

A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

A stretching and bending mechanism 3, fixes a resin sheet material 2 by a first fixed clamp and a second fixed clamp at both sides of a center of a transverse direction of the resin sheet material 2 at each end in a longitudinal direction of the resin sheet material 2, and when transverse guides 13 are bent between the first and second fixed clamps 9a, 9b, at least one of the longitudinal guides 15 is guided by the bending guide 16 so as to move toward the center side in the transverse direction.

A warpage reduction device the present disclosure includes a jig having a warped shape capable of distributing stress of a workpiece, a light source heating the workpiece so as to be flat, a pressurizer applying pressure to the heated workpiece to be pressed against the jig so as to be deformed, a cooler cooling the deformed workpiece, and a controller controlling operations of the light source, the pressurizer, and the cooler.

A warpage reduction device the present disclosure includes a jig having a warped shape capable of distributing stress of a workpiece, a light source heating the workpiece so as to be flat, a pressurizer applying pressure to the heated workpiece to be pressed against the jig so as to be deformed, a cooler cooling the deformed workpiece, and a controller controlling operations of the light source, the pressurizer, and the cooler.

A system is configured to manufacture an aligner. The system includes a heating section configured to heat a sheet of plastic to generate a heated sheet of plastic. The system further includes a plate configured to secure a mold associated with a dental arch of a patient. The plate includes a keyway and a pin. The mold includes a first feature configured to interface with the keyway and a second feature configured to interface with the pin. The system further includes a thermoforming chamber configured to thermoform the heated sheet of plastic to the mold that is secured to the plate via a first interface of the keyway with the first feature and a second interface of the pin with the second feature to generate a thermoformed sheet of plastic. The system further includes a cutting tool configured to trim the aligner from the thermoformed sheet of plastic.

A method for manufacturing an object is disclosed. The method includes the step of obtaining a preform of the object, with the preform having a first panel having a planar portion and at least one second panel. The second panel has an orientation which is different from that of the first panel. The planar portion of the first panel of the preform is thermoformed so as to have a protruding element. The thermoforming is done in a selective manner such that the at least one second panel is not thermoformed. The invention is also directed to a thermoforming device for performing the thermoforming.