APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS VACUUM FORMING

摘要

An apparatus for continuous vacuum forming a material having a flexible patterned belt (14) continuously rotatable with a flat support belt (16) over a vacuum manifold (24). The flexible patterned belt (14) includes apertures (34) therein and the support belt (16) includes perforations (46) therein for drawing air therethrough. The material is draw n onto the flexible patterned belt (14) for vacuum forming the material. The flat support belt (16) provides improved stability of the flexible patterned belt (14) and improved vacuum characteristics between the belts.