| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus comprising first fluid supplying means (15) for supplying inflating fluid to between opposite portions (1) of thermoformable material, first and second parts (2a; 3a; 4a) for receiving said portions (1) between them, one of the parts (2a; 3a; 4a) being in the form of a shell defining a recess (2b; 3b; 4b) having a surface (5a) against which said inflating fluid presses one of said opposite portions (1), driving means (11, 13) operable to bring the shell into a closed condition relative to the other part and to maintain the shell in said closed condition, and second fluid supplying means (14) arranged to supply operating fluid to said driving means (11, 13), wherein the driving means (11, 13) and the second fluid supplying means are pneumatic. A method comprising providing first and second parts (2a; 3a; 4a) one of which is in the form of a shell, supplying operating fluid to driving means (11, 14) to translate the shell towards the other part, with opposite portions (1) of thermoformable material being received between the first and second parts (2a; 3a; 4a), to bring the shell into a closed condition relative to the other part, and supplying an inflating fluid to between said opposite portions (1) to inflate said opposite portions (1) while said driving means (11, 14) maintains said shell in said closed condition, wherein the operating of said driving means (11, 14) to bring the shell into said closed condition and to maintain the shell in said closed condition is pneumatic.</p> |
