A thermoforming platen is provided having a tooling support plate and a plurality of discrete load paths. The tooling support plate has a top tooling surface, a bottom surface, and an outer periphery. The plurality of discrete load paths interconnect the bottom surface with one or more external load sources operative to distribute and centralize load deformation of the top plate from forming loads. The load paths are provided laterally inboard of the top tooling surface at one of a plurality of inboard locations to impart minimized tooling surface deformation along the top plate tooling surface. A method is also provided.

A thermoforming platen is provided having a tooling support plate and a plurality of discrete load paths. The tooling support plate has a top tooling surface, a bottom surface, and an outer periphery. The plurality of discrete load paths interconnect the bottom surface with one or more external load sources operative to distribute and centralize load deformation of the top plate from forming loads. The load paths are provided laterally inboard of the top tooling surface at one of a plurality of inboard locations to impart minimized tooling surface deformation along the top plate tooling surface. A method is also provided.

A rubber sole thermos-molding machine includes a lower mold seat disposed on a hydraulic actuator of the machine seat. The lower mold seat ascends and descends with respect to the upper mold seat according to the hydraulic actuator, allowing the lower upper molds to close and open. The upper mold seat moves between a normal and a tilt positions according to the turning mechanism. The middle plate horizontally moves between the upper and the lower mold seats, and has a push mechanism connected with the middle frame. When the pin of the middle frame and the fasten unit on the push mechanism are separated, the middle frame is stacked on the middle plate or the lower mold to move, facilitating the cleansing and material-feeding operations. The user can cleanse the upper mold without being hindered by the middle frame, assuring the safe and smooth process.

A rubber sole thermos-molding machine includes a lower mold seat disposed on a hydraulic actuator of the machine seat. The lower mold seat ascends and descends with respect to the upper mold seat according to the hydraulic actuator, allowing the lower upper molds to close and open. The upper mold seat moves between a normal and a tilt positions according to the turning mechanism. The middle plate horizontally moves between the upper and the lower mold seats, and has a push mechanism connected with the middle frame. When the pin of the middle frame and the fasten unit on the push mechanism are separated, the middle frame is stacked on the middle plate or the lower mold to move, facilitating the cleansing and material-feeding operations. The user can cleanse the upper mold without being hindered by the middle frame, assuring the safe and smooth process.

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 forming tool is used, which has a tool trough arranged in a stationary manner and a pressure bell, which can be lowered onto and lifted away from the tool trough. An arrangement is created in which a single- or multi-layer, initially flat, flexible laminate separates the trough interior from the pressure-bell interior in a pressure tight manner. A table, on which the 3-D substrate to be coated is located, assumes a lowered position within the trough interior; there is a considerable, free intermediate space (between the laminate and the 3-D substrate. A radiant-heater assembly is inserted into said intermediate space. The radiant-heater assembly has a carrier, on the top side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached and on the bottom side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached.

A forming tool is used, which has a tool trough arranged in a stationary manner and a pressure bell, which can be lowered onto and lifted away from the tool trough. An arrangement is created in which a single- or multi-layer, initially flat, flexible laminate separates the trough interior from the pressure-bell interior in a pressure tight manner. A table, on which the 3-D substrate to be coated is located, assumes a lowered position within the trough interior; there is a considerable, free intermediate space (between the laminate and the 3-D substrate. A radiant-heater assembly is inserted into said intermediate space. The radiant-heater assembly has a carrier, on the top side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached and on the bottom side of which radiant heaters that can be activated are attached.

A thermoforming apparatus is provided having a frame, a pair of platens, and a platen drive assembly. The platens are carried by the frame on opposite sides of a sheet line each configured to carry a respective die. One platen has a proximal die surface adjacent the sheet line and a rear surface distal the sheet line. The platen drive assembly is interposed between the frame and the one platen and has at least one reciprocating kinematic linkage and a drive motor configured to reciprocate the one platen to and fro relative to another platen. The kinematic linkage has a plurality of links interconnected pivotally together with respective rotation joints and interposed between the frame and the one platen. An outboard-most rotation joint is provided proximate one end of the frame and an inboard-most rotation joint intermediate the rear surface and the proximal die surface. A method is also provided.

A thermoforming apparatus is provided having a frame, a pair of platens, and a platen drive assembly. The platens are carried by the frame on opposite sides of a sheet line each configured to carry a respective die. One platen has a proximal die surface adjacent the sheet line and a rear surface distal the sheet line. The platen drive assembly is interposed between the frame and the one platen and has at least one reciprocating kinematic linkage and a drive motor configured to reciprocate the one platen to and fro relative to another platen. The kinematic linkage has a plurality of links interconnected pivotally together with respective rotation joints and interposed between the frame and the one platen. An outboard-most rotation joint is provided proximate one end of the frame and an inboard-most rotation joint intermediate the rear surface and the proximal die surface. A method is also provided.