The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 09, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1997
Jeffrey K. Christensen, Caledonia, MI (US);
Dale Moore, Plymouth, MI (US);
Zinoviy Chernyak, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus of trimming a thermoformed film comprising the following steps. A Thermoplastic flexible film is placed within a frame. The film and frame are heated sufficiently to make the film pliable. The film and frame are moved to a position adjacent a forming mandrel. The forming mandrel is moved against the film and causes the film to conform to the shape of the mandrel. After the film has fully conformed to the shape of the mandrel, the mandrel and film are moved to a trimming station. Knives on the trimming station contact and cut the film. It is also desirable that the knives be mounted on actuators to move them from extended to retracted positions. A plurality of knives are used to trim around a three-dimensional article.