A molding tool and a method for producing molded parts from a moldable material with a first tool component and a second tool component are described. The first tool component has a cavity with a first molding surface and the second tool component has a second molding surface and a flexible material forming at least one portion of the second molding surface. In a first step, a moldable material is introduced into the cavity and then the second tool component is moved into the cavity. A second molding surface of the second tool component moves the moldable material in regions against the first molding surface. Thereafter, overpressing of the second tool component takes place after reaching a bottom dead center within the cavity, whereby the flexible material is deformed and presses the moldable material against a corresponding portion of the first molding surface.

A vacuum molding roll sleeve (100, 700, 800)comprises a body (119, 818, 819) comprising a mold wall portion (120, 820) disposed between a molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) and at least one vacuum surface (130, 830). The molding surface (110, 1210, 710, 810) has shaped depressed features and has first openings (112, 812) disposed therein at first predetermined positions (134). Each first opening (112, 812) is spaced apart from the at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) by a respective minimum thickness (135, 835). The at least one vacuum surface (130, 830) has second openings (132, 832) disposed therein at second predetermined positions (134). The first openings (112, 812) are fluidly connected to the second openings (132, 832) by conduits (140, 840) wherein, on a respective basis, at least some of the conduits (140, 840) are longer than the minimum thickness (135, 835) between the first openings (112, 812) and the vacuum surface (130, 830). The vacuum molding roll sleeve (100, 700, 800) is configured such that at least partial vacuum can be applied to the first openings (112, 812) through the conduits (140, 840) fluidly connected thereto. The vacuum molding roll sleeve (100, 700, 800) is mountable on a backup roll (737). Methods of making and using the vacuum molding sleeve are also disclosed.

A method of vacuum forming an object includes heating a plastic sheet. After heating the plastic sheet, a vacuum is applied to pull the sheet against an outer surface of a flexible mold so that the plastic sheet has a formed shape that conforms to a contoured shape of the outer surface of the flexible mold. A rigid core is withdrawn from a cavity in the flexible mold. The flexible mold is then withdrawn from the plastic sheet by applying force to the flexible mold in a single direction, thereby causing flexing of the flexible mold past the undercut. An apparatus for vacuum forming a plastic sheet includes the flexible mold.

A method of vacuum forming an object includes heating a plastic sheet. After heating the plastic sheet, a vacuum is applied to pull the sheet against an outer surface of a flexible mold so that the plastic sheet has a formed shape that conforms to a contoured shape of the outer surface of the flexible mold. A rigid core is withdrawn from a cavity in the flexible mold. The flexible mold is then withdrawn from the plastic sheet by applying force to the flexible mold in a single direction, thereby causing flexing of the flexible mold past the undercut. An apparatus for vacuum forming a plastic sheet includes the flexible mold.

A mold includes a first section, a second section, and a weakened region that joins the first section to the second section. The weakened region is breakable, deflectable, or deformable in response to a first threshold force to enable the first section to be removed from a shell independently of the second section after the shell is formed over the mold. The first threshold force is less than a second threshold force that would damage or permanently deform the shell. The first section is a first mold of at least a portion of one or more first teeth of a dental arch and the second section is a second mold of at least a portion of one or more second teeth of the dental arch.

A mold includes a main body and a separable feature. One or more first weakened regions join the separable feature to the main body. The one or more first weakened regions are breakable to enable the main body to be removed from a shell independently of the separable feature after the shell is formed over the mold. The main body includes a first section and a second section that are at least partially separable at one or more second weakened regions to enable the first section to be removed from the shell independently of the second section after the shell is formed over the mold.

A mold includes a main body and a separable feature. One or more first weakened regions join the separable feature to the main body. The one or more first weakened regions are breakable to enable the main body to be removed from a shell independently of the separable feature after the shell is formed over the mold. The main body includes a first section and a second section that are at least partially separable at one or more second weakened regions to enable the first section to be removed from the shell independently of the second section after the shell is formed over the mold.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, such as a container or container lid, and to a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, e.g. in form of a container or container lid. At least one threaded or catch segment projecting in a radial direction is formed on such an article in order to provide a thread-like or bayonet-coupling-like structure and thus a possibility for closing the article.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, such as a container or container lid, and to a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, e.g. in form of a container or container lid. At least one threaded or catch segment projecting in a radial direction is formed on such an article in order to provide a thread-like or bayonet-coupling-like structure and thus a possibility for closing the article.

Thermoformed locking assembly comprising a first web portion including locking lug having lug undercut defining a cantilevered lug ledge having lug engaging surface, second web portion including locking recess having recess undercut defining an opposing recess ledge having recess engaging surface and a lug stop opposite the recess undercut. Locking recess configured to receive locking lug and lug stop configured to position locking lug in locking recess with the lug engaging surface in engagement with the recess engaging surface when first web portion is moved towards second web portion.