Film thermoforming equipment, in particular for labeled cup production, has an upper punch and a lower tool part comprising a block with cavities moving around a closed path past thermoforming and labeling stations

摘要

A thermoforming tool comprises an upper tool part(1) with punch(1a) and a lower tool part(2) with at least two spaced cavities(2a,2a").The lower tool part can be rotated around a closed path in steps so that one cavity(2a) moves under the punch while the other tool cavity(2a") remains free for other operations, e.g. label application. Tool cavities(2a-2a") are on a rotating block(2) which has three stations (I-III).An ejection station(II) lies between the thermoforming(I) and loading(II) stations. The rotation axis(2b) of the block runs perpendicular to the movement of the film strip(3). Several cavities on the block may be presented at each station. Connections feeding compressed air or vacuum to the rotating block connect with bores in the tool cavities. An independent claim is included for a thermoforming process, in particular for cup production from film, in which thermoforming cavities(2a,2a") moved in stages around a closed path. During a forming stage at one cavity(2a) another operation, such as placing of a label, occurs at the other station(2a"). A cavity with label then moves to the thermoforming station.