Apparatus for differential pressure forming shells for hard sided luggage containers

摘要

The invention relates to an apparatus for making hard sided luggage shells and other containers by vacuum forming or pressure forming thermoplastics. An apparatus for making shells and containers with integrally molded frames is disclosed. An apparatus for manufacturing differential pressure formed containers with framed openings, without the need for later attachment of a separate frame element to the molded shell. An apparatus also is disclosed for reducing the undesirable stretching of shell material that occurs during differential pressure forming, particularly the thinning of corner portions of the shell or container. The apparatus of the invention more efficiently utilizes the thermoplastic material by moving material from otherwise offal portions into the molded product. An improved device for severing the offal material from the final product is disclosed.