An apparatus for thermoforming plastic containers comprising a thermoforming device (3) in turn comprising a shaped mould (4) and a closing element (5) movable relative to one another at least between a home position and a forming position, and an extracting device (9) for extracting the thermoformed container (2) from the shaped mould (4), the extracting device comprising at least one gripper element (68) shiftable between a pickup position and a releasing position; in which when the shaped mould (4) and the closing element (5) are in an extracting position, the gripper element (68) in the pickup position can grip a projecting edge (66) of a projecting flange (71) of the container (2) for retaining it, whilst when the gripper element (68) is in the releasing position it can release a thermoformed container (2), retained by it, onto a conveying device (69); and in which the gripper element (68) and the shaped mould (4) are also movable relative to each other, starting from the position in which the gripper element (68) has gripped the edge (66) of the container (2), along an extracting line, for causing the container (2) to come out of the shaped mould (4).

An apparatus for thermoforming plastic containers comprising a thermoforming device (3) in turn comprising a shaped mould (4) and a closing element (5) movable relative to one another at least between a home position and a forming position, and an extracting device (9) for extracting the thermoformed container (2) from the shaped mould (4), the extracting device comprising at least one gripper element (68) shiftable between a pickup position and a releasing position; in which when the shaped mould (4) and the closing element (5) are in an extracting position, the gripper element (68) in the pickup position can grip a projecting edge (66) of a projecting flange (71) of the container (2) for retaining it, whilst when the gripper element (68) is in the releasing position it can release a thermoformed container (2), retained by it, onto a conveying device (69); and in which the gripper element (68) and the shaped mould (4) are also movable relative to each other, starting from the position in which the gripper element (68) has gripped the edge (66) of the container (2), along an extracting line, for causing the container (2) to come out of the shaped mould (4).

A gripper is disclosed for a draping frame having a gripper chassis and at least two opposing mutually movable gripper jaw elements for gripping a film element. The gripper jaw elements are provided on a gripper head part of the gripper. The gripper head part of the gripper is movably mounted, at least with one degree of freedom, relative to the gripper chassis.

A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic container may include locally heating a middle zone of a thermoplastic tube; gripping the tube on either side by using retaining members; pulling the tube apart, causing a middle zone to narrow; pushing the inner wall of the middle zone against each other to obtain a closure; and cutting through the closed-off middle zone to obtain two separate tubular parts. Further is provided a system for pulling apart a tube, the system may include a first retaining member which is provided for insertion into the first zone via the first end and a second retaining member provided for insertion into the second zone via the second end, each retaining member being adjustable between a first position in which the retaining member fits inside the tube and a second position in which, in use, the retaining member exerts a pressure on the inner wall of the tube.

A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic container may include locally heating a middle zone of a thermoplastic tube; gripping the tube on either side by using retaining members; pulling the tube apart, causing a middle zone to narrow; pushing the inner wall of the middle zone against each other to obtain a closure; and cutting through the closed-off middle zone to obtain two separate tubular parts. Further is provided a system for pulling apart a tube, the system may include a first retaining member which is provided for insertion into the first zone via the first end and a second retaining member provided for insertion into the second zone via the second end, each retaining member being adjustable between a first position in which the retaining member fits inside the tube and a second position in which, in use, the retaining member exerts a pressure on the inner wall of the tube.

A vacuum plastic molding machine includes a heating device, a plurality of upright posts, a carrier assembly, and a demolding mechanism. The carrier assembly includes an upper carrier and a lower carrier. The upper carrier includes an upper frame, multiple upper movement structures, at least one rotation plate, at least one driving member, and at least one linking mechanism. An adjusting space is defined between the at least one rotation plate and the at least one linking mechanism. The lower carrier includes a lower frame, multiple lower movement structures, and at least one locking tenon. The locking tenon is placed into the adjusting space. The at least one driving member is rotated to change the position of the at least one locking tenon in the adjusting space, and to adjust the distance between the upper carrier and the lower carrier.

A vacuum plastic molding machine includes a heating device, a plurality of upright posts, a carrier assembly, and a demolding mechanism. The carrier assembly includes an upper carrier and a lower carrier. The upper carrier includes an upper frame, multiple upper movement structures, at least one rotation plate, at least one driving member, and at least one linking mechanism. An adjusting space is defined between the at least one rotation plate and the at least one linking mechanism. The lower carrier includes a lower frame, multiple lower movement structures, and at least one locking tenon. The locking tenon is placed into the adjusting space. The at least one driving member is rotated to change the position of the at least one locking tenon in the adjusting space, and to adjust the distance between the upper carrier and the lower carrier.

A hot stamping apparatus and a hot stamping method are for collectively decorating a plurality of decoration objects using a decorative sheet. In a hot stamping apparatus, an upper chamber and a lower chamber are partitioned by a partition sheet and pressing bodies, so that decorative sheet pieces can be used instead of a decorative sheet having a large area. Then, by using the decorative sheet pieces, local thermal deformation can be prevented. A usage amount of the decorative sheet can be reduced, and three-dimensional decoration can be implemented as needed on a portion requiring decoration.

A hot stamping apparatus and a hot stamping method are for collectively decorating a plurality of decoration objects using a decorative sheet. In a hot stamping apparatus, an upper chamber and a lower chamber are partitioned by a partition sheet and pressing bodies, so that decorative sheet pieces can be used instead of a decorative sheet having a large area. Then, by using the decorative sheet pieces, local thermal deformation can be prevented. A usage amount of the decorative sheet can be reduced, and three-dimensional decoration can be implemented as needed on a portion requiring decoration.

A molding device may comprise a mold, a plate, and a ring. The mold may comprise: a lower surface; an upper surface parallel to the lower surface; a hole defined in a part of the upper surface; and a through hole extending from a bottom surface of the hole to the lower surface of the mold. The plate may comprise a surface with a gas outlet defined therein. The ring may be arranged between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate and connecting the mold and the plate. The ring may surround the through hole exposed on the lower surface of the mold and the gas outlet exposed on the surface of the plate. In a region where the ring is not arranged, a space may be defined between the lower surface of the mold and the surface of the plate.