Tool for forming a three dimensional article or container

摘要

A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.

主权项

1. A tool for forming a cooking element from an annular cutout having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edge defining a center opening, the tool comprising:
a first tool assembly; and a second tool assembly, at least one of the first tool assembly and the second tool assembly being moveable between an open position wherein the annular cutout is received between the first and the second tool assembly and a closed position wherein the cutout is formed into the cooking element, the first and the second tool assembly having a cooperating clamping feature that holds an inner portion of the annular cutout comprising the inner edge in a fixed position during formation of cooking element, wherein: the first tool assembly comprises a nose having an external surface shaped to generally correspond to at least a portion of the cooking element; the second tool assembly comprises a knockout slidingly received in a cavity block and axially movable with respect to the cavity block, the cooperating clamping feature comprises a groove on the external surface of the nose adjacent a first curved radial surface and a lip forming an outer radial edge of an external surface of the knockout, and the lip projects from the external surface of the knockout, the lip is at least partially received in the groove at the closed position of the first and second tool assemblies, and the inner portion of the annular cutout is gripped by the lip and the groove so that the annular cutout stays in a fixed position.