A method of forming a corrugated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet includes preheating a thermoplastic matrix composite sheet including a thermoplastic matrix and a reinforcement material to at least about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix; preheating at least one of a pair of complementary corrugating tools to at least about a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic matrix; compressing the preheated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet between the pair of complementary corrugating tools to form a corrugation in the thermoplastic matrix composite sheet; and holding the corrugation between the pair of complementary corrugating tools until a portion of the thermoplastic matrix composite sheet having the corrugation is below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix to form the corrugated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet.

A method of forming a corrugated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet includes preheating a thermoplastic matrix composite sheet including a thermoplastic matrix and a reinforcement material to at least about a melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix; preheating at least one of a pair of complementary corrugating tools to at least about a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic matrix; compressing the preheated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet between the pair of complementary corrugating tools to form a corrugation in the thermoplastic matrix composite sheet; and holding the corrugation between the pair of complementary corrugating tools until a portion of the thermoplastic matrix composite sheet having the corrugation is below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix to form the corrugated thermoplastic matrix composite sheet.

An apparatus and method for producing a vacuum formed extruded polymer product employing a plurality of continuously advancing upper and lower mold portions each mounted upon their own track mounted carriage. The adjacent carriages secured to one another by at least one link pin and advanced about the track by at least one drive pin extending outwardly from each carriage for engagement with the flutes of a scroll drive. A lift member is mounted to each lower mold portion for engagement with a closure member wherein as the lift member advances against the closure member on-ramp the lower mold portion elevates until the lift member engages a constant elevation segment wherein the extruded sheet is disposed between the operable vacuum of the upper mold portion and the lower mold portion until the lift member descends the exit ramp of the closure member at the end of the vacuum forming process.

An apparatus and method for producing a vacuum formed extruded polymer product employing a plurality of continuously advancing upper and lower mold portions each mounted upon their own track mounted carriage. The adjacent carriages secured to one another by at least one link pin and advanced about the track by at least one drive pin extending outwardly from each carriage for engagement with the flutes of a scroll drive. A lift member is mounted to each lower mold portion for engagement with a closure member wherein as the lift member advances against the closure member on-ramp the lower mold portion elevates until the lift member engages a constant elevation segment wherein the extruded sheet is disposed between the operable vacuum of the upper mold portion and the lower mold portion until the lift member descends the exit ramp of the closure member at the end of the vacuum forming process.

A deep-drawing arrangement is for deep-drawing a continuously supplied film strip. The deep-drawing arrangement includes a transporter which revolves continuously around a fixed machine frame and which has plate elements and mold cavities and a cyclically timed deep-drawing apparatus, wherein the mold cavities can be acted on with a pressure reduction. The plate elements are permanently connected to each other via connection lines. A plate element is in the form of a connection element having at least one pressure reduction connection. The pressure reduction connection is connected to a pressure reduction source. The plate elements are permanently acted on with the pressure reduction during operation via the connection lines and the pressure reduction connection. Each plate element has at least one switching valve for connecting the pressure reduction which is permanently applied in the plate element to the associated mold cavities as required.

A deep-drawing arrangement is for deep-drawing a continuously supplied film strip. The deep-drawing arrangement includes a transporter which revolves continuously around a fixed machine frame and which has plate elements and mold cavities and a cyclically timed deep-drawing apparatus, wherein the mold cavities can be acted on with a pressure reduction. The plate elements are permanently connected to each other via connection lines. A plate element is in the form of a connection element having at least one pressure reduction connection. The pressure reduction connection is connected to a pressure reduction source. The plate elements are permanently acted on with the pressure reduction during operation via the connection lines and the pressure reduction connection. Each plate element has at least one switching valve for connecting the pressure reduction which is permanently applied in the plate element to the associated mold cavities as required.

An article having an inner article layer and an outer article layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating layer of a reflective metalized polymeric insulation material having moisture vapour transference properties adjacent to at least one of the inner and outer article layers. An apparatus and method for producing a reflective metalized polymeric thermally insulating assembly having moisture vapour transference properties suitable for use in the article is also provided. The insulation material provides enhanced thermal retention.