Title:
A METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCING EXPANDED THERMOFORMABLE MATERIALS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001034361
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
A method for continuously producing expanded thermoformable materials comprising the steps of: conveying a thermoformable assembly (38) by means of a conveyor (22) through a plurality of heating zones (26), whereby the thermoformable assembly (38) is heated to a temperature at which the thermoformable material (48) adhesively bonds to the first and second mold plates (40, 42): disposing the thermoformable assembly (38) between an upper press plate (44) and a lower press plate (46), and heating the thermoformable material (48) to a temperature in the range between about 50 DEG to 300 DEG C while moving the upper and lower press plates (44, 46) so as to effect an expansion of the cross-section of the thermoformable material (48); and conveying the expanded thermoformable material (48) through a cooling zone (34), wherein the expanded thermoformable material is cooled to a temperature sufficient for maintaining its structural integrity.
Inventors:
PHELPS EDWIN F JR
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/030490
Publication Date:
September 07, 2001
Filing Date:
November 06, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
PHELPS ENGINEERED PLASTICS INC (US)
International Classes:
B29C43/20; B32B3/00; (IPC1-7): B29C33/02; B29C33/10; B29C51/00; B29C67/20; B31D3/02; B32B31/20
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