Inventors:
Clive D. Barnsbee - Webster NY
Assignee:
Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY
International Classification:
B29C 1704
B29C 1708
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for thermoforming articles from plastic sheet material and for forming holes in the thermoformed articles in a single operation involves heating the material and vacuum drawing the heated material into a mold cavity which has an aperture corresponding in shape to the desired hole. The underside of the mold cavity is tapered outwardly away from the aperture, and, as the sheet material is drawn into the cavity, it follows the taper, is thinned, and is trapped in the cavity. The hole in the article is created when the sheet material not drawn into the cavity is stripped from the mold.