Improved separator film compositions, methods and systems for use in producing thermoformed dental appliances are disclosed.

The present invention related to an apparatus and method for the manufacturing of beverage capsules. The apparatus can preheat the material used to form the beverage material during the manufacturing process. The material and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in producing single serve beverage capsules from biodegradable materials.

A forming system includes a trim blade 7 for cutting off a sheet material 2 provided between a lower die 60 and an upper die 66, a first lower plate 81 provided outside a first lower die end 60a in a side view of the lower die 60, and a first upper plate 85 provided outside an upper die end 66a, configured to reciprocatively move together with the upper die 66 and extending toward the first lower plate 81. A cut plane of the blade 7 intersects a first excess edge portion 25 which is a portion of the sheet material 2 outside the lower die end 60a, and at least a portion of the excess edge portion 25 is sandwiched between the first lower plate 81 and the first upper plate 85 in a state in which the lower die 60 and the upper die 66 are clamped.

An apparatus for the production and filling of food containers includes at least one device for forming a sheet made of polymeric material to provide accommodation receptacles which have at least one access opening, at least one filling unit adapted to fill, through the access opening, the accommodation receptacles with at least one type of food, and at least one sealing unit to seal the access opening with a closure film. The apparatus includes at least one device for removing portions, and at least one laser emitter for providing a weakening portion at a respective connecting edge between adjacent accommodation receptacles. The polymeric material is chosen from: polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene and copolymers thereof.

The apparatus includes a first section which accommodates the filling unit, the sealing unit, and the device for removing portions, and a second section, separate from the first section, which accommodates the laser emitter.

A trim press receiver for receiving an array of products from a trim press comprises support elements, a strip away mechanism, and a pusher rake. The support elements are configured to receive arrays of products and support the arrays of products in rows of stacks. The strip away mechanism is configured to form gaps in the stacks of products. The pusher rake is configured to extend into the gaps and press portions of the stacks off the support elements.

A shell removal device includes a platform configured to secure a mold. An untrimmed shell is formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a drive mechanism configured to move the platform away from the untrimmed shell responsive to sensor data indicative that the untrimmed shell has begun to separate from the mold.

Embodiments relate to automating removal of an untrimmed shell from a mold. In one embodiment, a shell removal device includes a body and a platform disposed within the body. The platform is configured to secure a mold that has an untrimmed shell formed over the mold. The shell removal device further includes a cover configured to secure the untrimmed shell to an upper surface of one or more sidewalls of the body and provide a seal between a lower surface of the untrimmed shell and the upper surface of the one or more sidewalls of the body. The shell removal device may include a media inlet in the body to permit pressurized media into the interior of the body to cause a pressure differential between an upper surface of the untrimmed shell and the lower surface of the untrimmed shell to cause the untrimmed shell to release from the mold.

Disclosed are a three dimensional injection molding apparatus and an injection molding method which are capable of manufacturing an injection molded product having patterns, colors, and textures which are high quality by injection molding after completely removing a gas included in a melted resin, and transferring a surface layer for expressing the patterns, colors, and textures to the injection molded product.

A thermoformable sheet transfer system is provided having at least one frame, and upstream conveyor, a sheet cutter, and a downstream sheet manipulator. The upstream conveyor is configured to deliver a series of shots of formed articles in a thermoformed sheet from an exit end of an article forming station. The sheet cutter is carried by the at least one frame provided proximate the conveyor downstream of the article forming station and is configured to cut a leading edge of the formed articles and sheet sufficiently formed to index within dies of an article trim press. The downstream sheet manipulator is carried by the at least one frame and is configured to transport the leading edge and the sufficiently formed articles and sheet for delivery in sequential shots from downstream an article forming station to upstream an article trim station. A method is also provided.

Improved separator film compositions, methods and systems for use in producing thermoformed dental appliances are disclosed.