A system for thermoforming an object is provided. The system includes a mold and a pressure-box. The mold has a surface that defines a shape of the object and includes two or more portions of differing porosities. The pressure-box is operative to generate a pressure differential across the surface. The two or more portions apply the pressure differential at different loads, based at least in part on the differing porosities, to a material disposed onto the surface so as to form the object by deforming the material into the shape.

A system for thermoforming an object is provided. The system includes a mold and a pressure-box. The mold has a surface that defines a shape of the object and includes two or more portions of differing porosities. The pressure-box is operative to generate a pressure differential across the surface. The two or more portions apply the pressure differential at different loads, based at least in part on the differing porosities, to a material disposed onto the surface so as to form the object by deforming the material into the shape.

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.

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.

A vacuum thermoforming apparatus including: a molding machine on which a window base material is mounted; and a pressure supply machine coupled to the molding machine and configured to supply a pneumatic pressure toward the molding machine. The molding machine includes a mounting part having a curved surface-shaped mounting surface, and a coupling part having a structure for coupling with the pressure supply machine and a curved portion along the shape of the mounting part. The pressure supply machine includes: a cover part facing the mounting surface; and a side wall extending from the cover part to define an inner space in the pressure supply machine, the side wall having a curved upper surface so as to engage with the coupling part.

A vacuum thermoforming apparatus including: a molding machine on which a window base material is mounted; and a pressure supply machine coupled to the molding machine and configured to supply a pneumatic pressure toward the molding machine. The molding machine includes a mounting part having a curved surface-shaped mounting surface, and a coupling part having a structure for coupling with the pressure supply machine and a curved portion along the shape of the mounting part. The pressure supply machine includes: a cover part facing the mounting surface; and a side wall extending from the cover part to define an inner space in the pressure supply machine, the side wall having a curved upper surface so as to engage with the coupling part.

In a the vacuum forming machine having a pre-blowing lower chamber, a lower space located at the lower side of a raw material which is thermally expanded in a heating process for vacuum forming is sealed and the preset amount of air is introduced into the lower space of the raw material by a blowing device installed to communicate with the sealed lower space of the raw material such that the sagging of the raw material is prevented, whereby the vacuum forming of the raw material whose entire portion is uniformly heated is performed, thereby securing even thickness of the raw material.

A method of forming an automatic dishwashing pouch comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material (10); identifying one or more regions of the material; heating the material with a heating device having a non-uniform heating profile, the non-uniform heating profile arranged to heat the identified region(s) to a greater temperature than other regions of the material; and forming the material in a mould to form the automatic dishwashing pouch, the automatic dishwashing pouch including a plurality of cavities (12).

A method of forming an automatic dishwashing pouch comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material (10); identifying one or more regions of the material; heating the material with a heating device having a non-uniform heating profile, the non-uniform heating profile arranged to heat the identified region(s) to a greater temperature than other regions of the material; and forming the material in a mould to form the automatic dishwashing pouch, the automatic dishwashing pouch including a plurality of cavities (12).

The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying a semi-finished product to a thermoforming machine as a starting material for thermoforming. The arrangement has a deposition device on which cuttings of the starting material which are to be processed in succession can be provided, in each case in an at least partially automated manner, and a movable loading unit. This loading unit is set up for at least one of the cuttings to be received on the loading unit. The loading unit can be positioned to receive the cutting from the deposition device, and the loading unit can subsequently be positioned to deposit the cutting received from the deposition device in a working region of the thermoforming machine. The invention further relates to a thermoforming arrangement and to a method for supplying a semi-finished product to a thermoforming machine as a starting material for thermoforming.