A thermoforming apparatus is provided having a pair of coacting platens, a load bearing structural member, a force applicator, and a deformation sensor. The pair of coacting platens and respective dies are configured to mate on opposed surfaces of a heated sheet of thermoformable material to form articles. The load bearing structural member is configured to carry the coacting platens and the dies in complementary closed relationship about the sheet during an article forming operation. The force applicator is carried by the structural member and configured to impart a forming load between the pair of opposed dies and platens and across the structural member during a forming operation. The deformation sensor is configured to span a first location and a second location on the structural member to detect deformation indicative of separation between the dies resulting from deformation. A method is also provided.

The present invention relates to a 3D-formable sheet material, a process for the preparation of a 3D-formed article, the use of a cellulose material and at least one particulate inorganic filler material for the preparation of a 3D-formable sheet material and for increasing the stretchability of a 3D-formable sheet material, the use of a 3D-formable sheet material in 3D-forming processes as well as a 3D-formed article comprising the 3D-formable sheet material according.

The present invention relates to a 3D-formable sheet material, a process for the preparation of a 3D-formed article, the use of a cellulose material and at least one particulate inorganic filler material for the preparation of a 3D-formable sheet material and for increasing the stretchability of a 3D-formable sheet material, the use of a 3D-formable sheet material in 3D-forming processes as well as a 3D-formed article comprising the 3D-formable sheet material according.

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.

A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

A shower pan and method of manufacture are described. Embodiments of the shower pan can include, but are not limited to, a solid surface top layer and a PET second layer that can be thermoformed, molded, and laminated in a single step. The solid surface top layer can be approximately ⅛″ to ¼″ thick and the PET second layer can be approximately ⅞″ to 1⅛″ thick. The shower pan may further include a third layer being fiberglass.

A shower pan and method of manufacture are described. Embodiments of the shower pan can include, but are not limited to, a solid surface top layer and a PET second layer that can be thermoformed, molded, and laminated in a single step. The solid surface top layer can be approximately ⅛″ to ¼″ thick and the PET second layer can be approximately ⅞″ to 1⅛″ thick. The shower pan may further include a third layer being fiberglass.

A vehicle outer plate panel includes: a transparent resin plate that is formed into a prescribed shape through pressure molding and is attached to a vehicle so as to constitute an outer wall of a body; and a decorative layer that is formed on at least a part of the transparent resin plate through screen printing such that the transparent resin plate is decorated therewith. A method of producing an vehicle outer plate panel is also disclosed.

A composite molded cargo body panel including a core, an interior skin secured to a first side of the core having a thickness, and exterior skin secured to a second side of the core, and a recess. The core thickness at the recess is reduced compared to a maximum core thickness, and the recess defines a support surface. A pocket is formed in the recess, with the core thickness at the pocket being less than the core thickness at the recess. A logistics insert is attached to the support surface of recess so that, at the recess, the logistics insert extends across the pocket.