Provided is a method for producing a packing sheet with improved insulation and storage properties, which can greatly reduce logistics costs by minimizing a volume during storage and transportation and also greatly increase insulation.

A sheet is used for a disposable wearable article. The sheet is such that a plurality of projections are formed on a single nonwoven fabric. A hole is formed in the apex of the projection. The projection includes a holding portion, in a periphery of the hole and at a position adjacent to the hole, for holding the projection and holding an open state of the hole.

A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.

A mold configuration for forming a pocket in a film comprising: a film support surface; a perimeter edge at said film support surface; wall surfaces inward of the perimeter edge defining a mold cavity; the wall surfaces including transition wall surfaces extending to a bottom wall surface; and a plateau surface inward of the perimeter edge. In one form, the perimeter edge includes sharp corner profile perimeter edge portions defining at least one sharp corner profile. A method of forming a pouch, includes using the disclosed mold configuration.

A method and apparatus for processing a formable material having at least first and second relatively repositionable units. The first unit has a sheet die, with the second unit having a rotary drum with a peripheral forming surface for receiving flowable material from the sheet die. The first and second units can be selectively changed between an operating relationship and a setup relationship, with the latter causing at least one space to be defined/enlarged and within which an operator can maneuver to gain access to a region of at least one of the first and second units. With the first and second units in the operating relationship, moldable sheets can be processed by causing the moldable sheets to be applied, and conformed, to the peripheral forming surface on the rotary drum.

A mold configuration for forming a pocket in a film comprising: a film support surface; a perimeter edge at said film support surface; wall surfaces inward of the perimeter edge defining a mold cavity; the wall surfaces including transition wall surfaces extending to a bottom wall surface; and a plateau surface inward of the perimeter edge. In one form, the perimeter edge includes sharp corner profile perimeter edge portions defining at least one sharp corner profile. A method of forming a pouch, includes using the disclosed mold configuration.

An insulating element for thermally insulating spaces, including closed cells, in which a first and a second group of closed cells are formed by first or second recesses in a first or second flat element and the first and the second flat elements form first or second connection regions between recesses adjacent to the edges of the openings, to which respectively a flat covering element closing the openings of a plurality of first recesses is bonded on a front side of the flat element. The second recesses are arranged between the first recesses on a rear side of the first flat element and the first recesses are arranged between the second recesses on a rear side of the second flat element such that the space remaining of the first and second recesses between the first and the second flat elements amounts to less than 50% of the space enclosed by the first and second recesses.

A method for forming an article includes providing a sheet of material, optionally conditioning the sheet with a surface of a roller, forming the sheet to provide a web, and separating an article from the web to provide the article. An apparatus adapted to form the article from a sheet is provided.

A mold configuration for forming a pocket in a film comprising: a film support surface; a perimeter edge at said film support surface; wall surfaces inward of the perimeter edge defining a mold cavity; the wall surfaces including transition wall surfaces extending to a bottom wall surface; and a plateau surface inward of the perimeter edge. In one form, the perimeter edge includes sharp corner profile perimeter edge portions defining at least one sharp corner profile. A method of forming a pouch, includes using the disclosed mold configuration. A resultant pouch has a perimeter seal seam having at least one sharp corner profile.

A thermoforming system and related methods for manufacturing thermoplastic parts, such as interior panels for aircraft, may include a roll-to-roll operation and a forming press having at least one selectively rotatable tool. The rotatable tool, which may include a mold and/or a die, may be multifaceted, such that different faces of the tool have different mold arrangements for different forming characteristics.