The method of the present invention for producing a shaped film includes a step of arranging a thermoplastic resin film to divide a space into a first space located on one surface side of the film, and a second space located on the other surface side, a step of heating the thermoplastic resin film, a step of curving the thermoplastic resin film in one space by using a difference in pressure between the first space and the second space, a step of stopping the curving step of the thermoplastic resin film in a state where at least a convex curved surface of both surfaces of the film is exposed into the space, and a step of cooling the curved film.

This thermoforming machine includes a thermoforming chamber having at least one heated air inlet through which heated air flows into the thermoforming chamber at a controlled pressure. The air inlet cooperates with a heated air flow distribution regulator located in the thermoforming chamber and through which the heated air flows out of the thermoforming chamber at a predetermined temperature. The regulator includes a heated air flow regulating mask receiving heated air flow, having a plurality of flow restricting elements providing different air flow restrictions.

A manufacturing procedure for ceiling trims for vehicles, the structure of which comprises at least one first coating sheet and at least one second coating sheet that extend along one of the sides of the first sheet, joined via a layer of heat-stable polyurethane adhesive, comprising a step of applying a gas-phase catalyst on such sheets through a thermoforming mould that starts before the mould is completely closed and ends before the mould is completely opened. As a result of said application of a gas-phase catalyst we prevent the use of demoulding agents to facilitate extraction of the ceiling trim formed inside the mould.

A system and method for thermoforming of non-woven fabric is presented. The system includes an air supply, a heating system in fluid communication with the air supply, a pressure and flow equalization element in fluid communication with the heating system, electrical controls in communication with the heating system and the pressure and flow equalization element, a pneumatic element in fluid communication with the pressure and flow equalization element, and a forming head for receiving a thermoformable non-woven fabric and for thermoforming said thermoformable non-woven fabric into a desired shape. The thermoforming process is a two-stage process, a first stage comprises a pre-heat stage wherein a heated flow of air is directed onto the thermoformable non-woven fabric and the second stage comprises flowing a continuous amount of air to increase an amount of heat available to the thermoformable non-woven fabric during thermoforming.

A method for the production and filling of an application package for a liquid pharmaceutical product. A thermoforming film of thermoplastics laminated together is heated in order to plasticize the film at least in partial areas. Plasticized areas are thermoformed in a mold in order to form a chamber for the liquid pharmaceutical product and a tube-shaped application duct opening into this chamber, with the chamber and duct being enclosed by a non-thermoformed, essentially flat bonding area of the film. The liquid pharmaceutical product is filled into the chamber. The chamber and the application duct are sealed by covering the thermoformed and filled thermoforming film with an essentially flat covering film that is bonded to the bonding area of the thermoforming film enclosing the chamber and the application duct. The thermoforming film is pressed by a forming die during thermoforming into the mold in at least a partial area of the application duct.

In an example method, a NWM molding blank, including a non-woven material held in compression by a binder, is placed in a separable mold, and heated to a melting temperature of the binder. The molding blank expands, forming as an intermediate NWM object a NWM molded object with a 3D geometric form. The intermediate NWM object is cooled through a temperature band with an upper boundary and a lower boundary, and further cooled to a solidifying temperature of the binder. The upper boundary is above the solidifying temperature and the upper boundary is lower than the binder melting temperature. While in the temperature band, the mold is separated, rendering accessible an exposed surface of the intermediate NWM object. The object is then transported to a contoured forming surface of a forming base, by an actuatable arm having an end effector gripping the exposed surface via vacuum suction, lifting the object from the mold and placing the object on the contoured forming surface. Optionally, the end effector contact surface includes a final forming feature. The actuatable arm compresses the intermediate NWM object against the contoured forming surface, and the optional end effector final forming feature and continues compressing until cooling to the solidifying temperature.

Systems and processes for thermoforming an article and for preparing an article for thermoforming are disclosed. The system for thermoforming can include one or more heating stations and a cooling station. The system for thermoforming can further include an article movement mechanism that can couple to an article and rotate the article inside a heating chamber, inside a cooling chamber, or both. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can include a vessel that comprises a port, and a negative pressure generation system coupled to the port. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can further include a compression material that forms an interior portion for receiving an article. The negative pressure generation system can cause the compression material to expand to allow for insertion of the article into the interior portion of the compression material.

A method for producing a vehicle interior component includes placing a polymeric cushion blank in a mold having a plurality of apertures and a mold cavity. The method may include the step of passing a first fluid having a first predetermined temperature through at least some of the apertures and through the cushion blank to heat the cushion blank to a compliant, non-liquid state. The method may also include passing a second fluid having a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature through the mold and through the cushion blank to cool cushion blank to a non-compliant state.

Systems and processes for thermoforming an article and for preparing an article for thermoforming are disclosed. The system for thermoforming can include one or more heating stations and a cooling station. The system for thermoforming can further include an article movement mechanism that can couple to an article and rotate the article inside a heating chamber, inside a cooling chamber, or both. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can include a vessel that comprises a port, and a negative pressure generation system coupled to the port. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can further include a compression material that forms an interior portion for receiving an article. The negative pressure generation system can cause the compression material to expand to allow for insertion of the article into the interior portion of the compression material.

Systems and processes for thermoforming an article and for preparing an article for thermoforming are disclosed. The system for thermoforming can include one or more heating stations and a cooling station. The system for thermoforming can further include an article movement mechanism that can couple to an article and rotate the article inside a heating chamber, inside a cooling chamber, or both. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can include a vessel that comprises a port, and a negative pressure generation system coupled to the port. The system for preparing an article for thermoforming can further include a compression material that forms an interior portion for receiving an article. The negative pressure generation system can cause the compression material to expand to allow for insertion of the article into the interior portion of the compression material.