JP2001138390A - Apparatus and method for thermoforming - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable thermoforming a predetermined portion by decreasing an offset of a position of a heated sheet positioned by a clamp frame due to draw-down caused by being heated and softened with a heater. SOLUTION: When a heating mechanism 30 heats a cut sheet S, shielding plates M1 and M2 and a heat resistant sheet R are heated from upper and down sides to soften a portion S1 to be formed of the cut sheet S exposed from the opening M1a of the shielding plate M1 and the opening M2a of the shielding plate M2, the openings M1a and M2a of the shielding plates M1 and M2 prevent the portions other than the portion S1 to be formed from being heated and softened and the heat resistant sheet R prevents the softened formed portion from draw-down by supporting the softened formed portion from a down side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoforming apparatus and a thermoforming method, and more particularly, to heating and softening a sheet surface of a sheet to be heated positioned at a predetermined position, and forming a desired portion by molding. The present invention relates to a thermoforming apparatus and a thermoforming method for forming a molded product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional thermoforming apparatus includes a clamp frame for clamping a sheet to be heated having a printed portion, a heating heater for heating and softening the sheet to be heated clamped on the clamp frame, A mold forming mechanism for molding the heated sheet is provided.The heated sheet is clamped to a clamp frame while positioning the heated sheet, and the clamped heated sheet is heated to soften the entire sheet, and then softened. A molded part is formed on the heated sheet by molding a predetermined portion including the printed portion of the heated sheet.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional thermoforming apparatus, when the sheet to be heated clamped on the clamp frame is softened by being heated by the heater for heating, the softened portion is drawn down. In this case, even when the heating sheet is clamped on the clamp frame, the position of the printed portion is displaced by the drawdown, so that a desired portion cannot be formed in some cases. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoforming apparatus and a thermoforming method capable of reducing a positional shift of a heated sheet due to a drawdown at the time of heating and capable of performing molding at a desired portion. And

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a positioning means for positioning a sheet to be heated, and a means for shielding the periphery of a portion of the sheet to be heated which requires softening. It is configured to include a heat blocking means for performing a heat blocking, and a thermoforming means for heating a sheet surface of the heated sheet to form a softened portion. In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, the positioning means positions the sheet to be heated, and the heat shutoff means shields the periphery of a portion of the sheet to be heated which needs to be softened, thereby shutting off the heat. I do. Then, the thermoforming means heats the sheet surface of the heated sheet and molds the softened portion.

At this time, since the thermoforming means is not thermally softened around the portion of the sheet to be heated which needs to be softened, even if the thermoforming means is heated, the sheet is not softened by heating.
Only the necessary parts are heated and softened. In other words, the portions that do not require softening are prevented from softening and drawing down, and the displacement of the molded portions in the positioned heated sheet is reduced. Therefore, the thermoforming means molds a desired portion of the softened heated sheet to form a molded product. The heated sheet referred to here may be any sheet that can be molded by being softened by heating, and may be a cut sheet processed to a predetermined size or a roll sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction. There may be.

[0006] The heated sheet is useful, for example, in the case of a printed sheet having a molded portion printed thereon, in that misalignment in the molded portion, ie, the printed portion, can be reduced. If molding is performed using a mold, it is useful in that the positional relationship between molded products formed by each mold can be accurately determined. The positioning means may be any means for positioning the heated sheet, and may be a clamp frame that positions and clamps the peripheral portion of the heated sheet, or may be a predetermined frame without clamping the heated sheet. It may be a positioning table or the like placed at a position.

[0007] The thermoforming apparatus may be provided with an additional structure in order to prevent the heated portion from softening and drawing down when the portion of the heated sheet requiring softening is heated. It is. As an example of a configuration in this case, the invention according to claim 2 is the thermoforming device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet surface of the heated sheet is supported by the heat-resistant sheet from below.

[0008] In the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, when the sheet surface of the heated sheet is heated by the thermoforming means, the sheet surface is supported by the heat-resistant sheet from below. No drawdown occurs. Accordingly, it is possible to further reduce the displacement of the molded portion in the positioned heated sheet. Further, in order to smoothly perform the molding by the thermoforming means, it is possible to add an additional requirement to the heat resistant sheet. As an example of the configuration in this case, the invention according to claim 3 is the thermoforming device according to claim 2, wherein the heat-resistant sheet has a stretchability.

In the invention according to claim 3 configured as above, when the thermoforming means molds the heated sheet, when the heated sheet is pressed down by the mold surface, the thermoformed means is pressed by the lower sheet surface. The heat-resistant sheet is pressed downward. Then, the heat-resistant sheet is stretched downward by this pressing force, and is deformed together with the heated sheet. Therefore, as described above, the heat-resistant sheet can not only prevent the drawdown of the heated sheet by supporting the heated sheet from below, but also does not hinder the deformation of the heated sheet. In addition, it is possible to smoothly progress the molding.

[0010] The heat-resistant sheet is useful in supporting the softened heated sheet from below to prevent drawdown. Thus, it is possible to reduce the displacement in the sheet surface direction. In other words, when the degree of heating is different for each part of the heated sheet, for example, when tension is applied to the sheet surface by clamping and positioning the peripheral edge of the heated sheet, a portion where heating is advanced is However, the portion where the heating is delayed tends to be softened, and the portion where the heating is delayed tends to attract the portion which is softened and expanded due to the contraction force, so that the softened portion is displaced. Therefore, in order to reduce the displacement in the sheet surface direction, it is also possible to provide an additional configuration for making the heated sheet substantially adhere to the heat resistant sheet.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thermoforming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the sheet surface of the sheet to be heated and the heat-resistant sheet are provided. And a vacuum evacuation means for making a substantially vacuum state between them. In the invention according to claim 4 configured as described above, when the heated sheet is positioned by the positioning means, and the heat-resistant sheet is disposed on the lower sheet surface of the heated sheet, the evacuation is performed. The means makes a substantially vacuum state between the lower sheet surface of the heated sheet and the upper sheet surface of the heat resistant sheet.

Then, the lower sheet surface of the heated sheet is substantially in close contact with the upper sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet. The position of each part on the sheet surface of the heated sheet is fixed by the sheet surface of the conductive sheet,
This prevents the softened portion from being displaced in the sheet surface direction. At this time, if a tension is applied to the heat-resistant sheet in the sheet surface direction, the displacement of the heat-resistant sheet itself is suppressed, and the adhesion of the heated sheet is also improved, so that it is more effective. Thus, the displacement of the softened portion can be reduced. Here, the substantially vacuum state means that at least the softened portion is not displaced in the sheet surface direction, as long as the position of each portion in the heated sheet can be fixed by the heat-resistant sheet, It may be sufficient if a certain degree of vacuum is created, and does not necessarily mean only a complete vacuum. Similarly, the term “substantially close contact” is not limited to a state in which the close contact is complete.

The heat-shielding means may be any as long as it shields the area of the sheet to be heated which needs to be softened and performs heat-shielding, and does not limit the position where the heat-shielding is performed. That is, heat may be blocked at a position near the heat source in the thermoforming means, or may be blocked at a position near the heated sheet. As an example of the configuration in the latter case, the invention according to claim 5 is the thermoforming device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat cutoff means is provided on a sheet surface of the heated sheet. It is composed of a shielding plate that is overlaid.

In the invention according to claim 5 configured as described above, when the thermoforming means heats the sheet surface of the heated sheet, the shielding plate superimposed on the sheet surface of the heated sheet heat-shields. Therefore, the heating around the site where softening is required is prevented to prevent softening. here,
For example, if the shielding plate is to be arranged at a position distant from the heated sheet, it is necessary to adjust the position of the shielding plate in order to accurately shield only a portion that does not need to be softened.

However, the position adjustment of the shielding plate requires repeated fine adjustment while heating the sheet to be heated, or requires calculation for calculating an accurate position.
It causes the work efficiency to deteriorate. On the other hand, by using the method according to claim 5, it is possible to easily shield a portion that does not need to be softened simply by overlapping the shielding plate so that a desired position on the heated sheet is exposed. Therefore, it is useful in preventing deterioration of work efficiency.

The thermoforming means only needs to heat the sheet surface of the heated sheet to mold the softened portion, and heats one sheet surface of the heated sheet to mold the softened portion. Alternatively, the softened portion may be molded by heating the sheet surfaces on both sides of the heated sheet. As an example of the latter configuration, the invention according to claim 6 is the thermoforming device according to claim 5, wherein the shielding plates are arranged on both sheet surfaces of the heated sheet.

In the invention according to claim 6 configured as described above, when the thermoforming means heats both sheet surfaces of the sheet to be heated, the shielding plates superimposed on each sheet surface thermally shut off. Heat around the area where softening is required to prevent softening. The thermoforming means only needs to mold the softened portion of the sheet to be heated. As an example of the configuration, the invention according to claim 7 is the thermoforming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The forming means is composed of an upper casing and a lower casing, and while the opening edges of the same casing and the lower casing are respectively in contact with the shielding plate, the openings of the same casing and the lower casing are opposed to each other and sealed, A chamber for forming a molded product by differential pressure molding of a softened portion of the heated sheet by a mold structure disposed therein, and a contact between the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing and the shielding plate. The part has a configuration in which a seal structure is formed.

In the invention according to claim 7 configured as described above, the upper casing and the lower casing are connected to each other while the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing constituting the chamber abut against the shielding plate. When the openings are opposed to each other, a seal structure formed at a contact portion between the opening edges of the casing and the lower casing and the shielding plate seals between the opening edges and the shielding plate. Further, since the heated sheet is pressed from each shielding plate and comes into close contact therewith, the chamber is sealed. Then, the mold structure disposed inside the chamber forms a molded product by differential pressure molding of the softened portion of the heated sheet.

Here, for example, when both the chamber and the shielding plate are made of a rigid material such as metal, the contact surfaces of the shielding plate and the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing are brought into close contact with each other. I can't let it. Therefore, as described above, a simple sealing structure made of an elastic member or the like is interposed in the abutting surface, so that the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing and the shielding plate are in close contact with each other. Even if this does not occur, it is possible to ensure the airtightness of the chamber. In addition, the mold structure referred to herein may be a structure composed of a male and a female, or a plug and a female, or a structure composed of only a male or a female. good. Also, the differential pressure molding may be a molding performed by applying a pressurized air to the opposite side via the heated sheet while evacuating the mold surface side,
It is also possible to simply apply a vacuum to the mold surface side or to apply compressed air to the opposite side of the mold surface via the heated sheet.

Here, the chamber may be provided with a structure for supporting the heated sheet so that the softened portion positioned by the positioning means is not displaced. As an example of a configuration in this case, the invention according to claim 8 is the thermoforming device according to claim 7, wherein the first support structure protrudes downward from the inside of the upper casing in the chamber. And a second support structure protruding upward from the inside of the lower casing. The first support structure and the second support structure sandwich the periphery of the softened portion in the heated sheet. The configuration is such that a clamp structure for positioning is formed.

[0021] In the invention according to claim 8 configured as described above, when the openings of the upper casing and the lower casing are opposed to each other and sealed, the first support projecting downward from the inside of the same casing. A clamp structure including a structure and a second support structure projecting upward from the inside of the lower casing positions the periphery of a softened portion of the heated sheet with the periphery sandwiched therebetween. Then, when the softened portion is molded, the surrounding unsoftened portion is pulled toward the softened portion along with the softened portion, thereby preventing the formed portion of the molded product from being displaced. I do.

That is, when the heated sheet is pressed by the mold structure, the softened portion is deformed to a side substantially perpendicular to the sheet surface by the pressing force. At this time, even the surrounding non-softened part is prevented from being pulled with the deformation of the softened part, and the softened part is uniformly deformed, so that the formed part of the molded article is shifted from the normal position. To prevent. The displacement of the molded article formation position during the molding can be suppressed irrespective of the timing when the openings of the upper casing and the lower casing are opposed to each other and sealed. When the opening of the lower casing is opposed to and sealed, the edge of each opening is brought into contact with the shielding plate, and the shielding plate is displaced. It is also possible to prevent the softened part from being displaced.

In other words, before the upper casing and the lower casing are opposed to each other so that the openings thereof are opposed to each other and sealed, if the clamp structure is positioned by sandwiching the periphery of the softened portion, the opening of the upper casing and the lower casing can be opened. At the time of facing and sealing, even if the shielding plate is displaced, the dislocation of the softened portion is suppressed. Therefore, the clamp structure can prevent not only the positional deviation of the molded product forming position at the time of molding, but also the positional deviation of the softened portion due to the positional deviation of the shielding plate when the chamber is closed.

Further, the chamber may be provided with the temperature control function of the mold structure as an additional configuration. As an example of the configuration in this case, the invention according to claim 9 is the thermoforming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the chamber heats the mold structure to perform differential pressure molding. It is configured to include mold temperature control means for maintaining an appropriate temperature. In the invention according to claim 9 configured as described above, the mold temperature adjusting means provided in the chamber heats the mold structure to maintain the mold structure at a temperature suitable for differential pressure molding. Prevents the heated sheet from being rapidly cooled by the lower temperature mold structure.

That is, when the softened sheet to be heated is rapidly cooled during the molding, unevenness in cooling occurs in each portion of the softened portion, so that the cooling is slow and the soft portion tends to expand, while the cooling is fast and the contraction occurs. The part that starts the expansion promotes expansion in the soft part. For this reason, for example, when printing is performed on the above-mentioned heated sheet, the printing is displaced from a soft portion to a portion where shrinkage starts. Therefore, by applying the configuration according to claim 9, the displacement of the softened portion due to cooling unevenness is reduced, and a molded product can be formed in a regular softened portion positioned by molding.

Further, if the softened heated sheet is cooled and returns to a hard state before the molded article is formed, the heated sheet is deformed by being pressed by the mold surface of the mold structure. However, there is a possibility that the molding of the sheet to be heated is insufficient, and a desired molding along the mold surface cannot be performed. In particular, when the mold structure is complicated and fine, the heated sheet is not sufficiently deformed, so that it is expected that, for example, the shaping of the corners will be insufficient. Therefore, by providing the configuration according to the ninth aspect, not only the displacement of the softened portion due to the uneven cooling in the heated sheet described above, but also a sufficient shaping of the softened portion in the molding can be performed. It is possible to reliably form a molded product that is faithful to.

Normally, the heated and softened sheet to be heated is cooled to the release temperature by abutting on a low-temperature mold surface in the mold structure at the time of mold formation. In order to prevent cooling unevenness in the heating sheet and cooling until a molded article is formed, the mold surface is intentionally heated to maintain a predetermined temperature. For this reason, after the molded article is formed on the sheet to be heated, a configuration for cooling the molded article to a predetermined release temperature in order to release the molded article is useful.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, as a configuration example for cooling the mold structure, in the thermoforming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the chamber cools the mold structure to a temperature close to a mold release temperature. It is configured to include a cooling unit. In the invention according to claim 10 configured as described above, when the mold structure finishes forming the molded product, the cooling means provided in the chamber separates the mold structure whose temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature. Cool to near mold temperature. At this time, the formed molded article is cooled to the vicinity of the release temperature by the cooled mold structure, and is removed from the mold structure.

The structure for heating and softening the above-mentioned heated sheet may be provided separately from the chamber for molding, or may be integrated with the chamber. good. As an example of the configuration in the latter case, an invention according to claim 11 is the thermoforming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the thermoforming means is provided inside the chamber. The heating sheet is heated to be softened. In the invention according to claim 11 configured as described above, when the thermoforming means disposed inside the chamber heats and softens the heated sheet positioned by the positioning means,
Without moving the heated sheet, the mold is formed by the mold structure provided inside the chamber. Therefore, the heating and the molding are performed without moving the softened heated sheet, and the displacement of the positioned softened portion is further reduced.

In this case, in order to perform both the heating of the sheet to be heated and the molding in the chamber, a certain measure is required. That is, when heating both sheet surfaces of the heated sheet, the heating sheet is heated and softened, and then the heating heater disposed at a position facing the sheet surface of the heated sheet. For example, it is necessary to perform mold forming by retreating from the position facing the sheet surface, and instead disposing the mold structure at the position facing the sheet surface. Further, in the case where one side of the heated sheet is heated and the molding is performed from the other side, the heat-resistant sheet according to any one of claims 2 to 4 is a lower sheet of the heated sheet. When placed at the position facing the surface,
Heating is performed from the lower sheet surface of the heated sheet, and molding is performed from the upper sheet surface.
It is necessary to consider the heating temperature and the material of the heat-resistant sheet so that the heated sheet can be sufficiently softened even if the sheet surface of the heated sheet is heated via the heat-resistant sheet. However, even if these additional measures are required, if the position must be strictly restrained by design, avoid movement of the positioned heated sheet. This is useful in that the displacement of the softened portion in the sheet can be reduced.

As described above, the technique of performing thermoforming while reducing the displacement of the positioned softened portion is not limited to a substantial apparatus, but is also useful as a method. As an example, the invention according to claim 12 is
Heating the sheet surface of the heated sheet to soften the area that requires softening while shielding the area around the area of the positioned heated sheet that requires softening, and molding this softened area by molding. Is formed. That is,
The present invention is not necessarily limited to a substantial device, and is also effective as a method. It goes without saying that the device configuration described in any one of claims 2 to 11 can be adapted to the method.

In the case where the lower surface of the heated sheet is supported, the structure is further simplified, and the softened portion of the heated sheet is drawn down. It is also possible to prevent a displacement from occurring in the molded part. As an example of the configuration in this case, the invention according to claim 13 is a positioning means for positioning a heated sheet, a sheet supporting means for supporting a sheet surface of the heated sheet from below, and a sheet surface of the heated sheet. And a thermoforming means for molding a desired softened portion by heating the heat-cured portion.

In the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the positioning means positions the heated sheet, and the sheet supporting means supports the sheet surface of the heated sheet from below. Then, the thermoforming means heats the sheet surface of the heated sheet and molds the softened portion. At this time, even if the heated sheet softens, it does not draw down because it is supported from below by the sheet supporting means. Accordingly, the displacement of the molded part due to the drawdown is reduced, and the thermoforming means forms a molded part by molding a desired part in the softened heated sheet.

Here, the positioning means and the thermoforming means can be constructed in the same manner as in the first to eleventh aspects. In addition, the sheet support means only needs to support the sheet surface of the sheet to be heated from below, and as a configuration example, the invention according to claim 14 is based on the thermoforming apparatus according to claim 13. The sheet supporting means is a heat-resistant sheet superposed on the lower sheet surface of the heated sheet.

In the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, the heated sheet heated and softened by the thermoforming means is supported from below by the heat-resistant sheet superposed on the lower sheet surface. Therefore, it does not draw down and displace downward. Therefore, the thermoforming means performs the molding without shifting the position of the desired molding part. In addition, in the above-mentioned claim 15, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned claim 3, by giving the heat-resistant sheet extensibility and deforming the heat-resistant sheet while following the deformation of the heated sheet, In the sixteenth aspect, the heat-treated sheet is brought into close contact with the heated sheet in the same manner as in the fourth aspect, whereby the position of the softened portion in the sheet surface direction is improved. The shift is reduced.

Further, in the above-mentioned claims 17 to 21,
The configuration of the thermoforming means in the seventh to eleventh aspects is similarly applied. In this case, the seal structure is formed between the opening edge of the upper casing and the sheet to be heated and between the opening edge of the lower casing and the heat-resistant sheet. It is the same in that it is a configuration for hermetic sealing.
The above-mentioned heated sheet and the heat-resistant sheet are clamped together, but the same is true in that the heated sheet is clamped to reduce the displacement of the molded part.

As described above, the method of performing the thermoforming so as to simplify the structure and to prevent the softened portion of the heated sheet from being drawn down and causing the position to be displaced in the molded portion is a method for a substantial device. Without limitation, the present invention is also useful as a method. As an example, the invention according to claim 22 supports the sheet surface of the heated sheet positioned from below while supporting the sheet surface of the positioned heated sheet. Is heated to soften, and a desired softened portion is molded to form a molded product. That is, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a substantial device, and is also effective as a method, and it goes without saying that the device configurations described in claims 13 to 21 can be adapted to the method.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoforming apparatus capable of reducing the displacement of the sheet to be heated due to the drawdown at the time of heating and forming a desired portion. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the displacement of the heated sheet by preventing the drawdown of the softened portion. Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the heat-resistant sheet can smoothly perform the molding without obstructing the molding of the heated sheet.

Further, according to the invention according to claim 4,
Even if the heat-resistant sheet has uneven heating, the displacement of the softened portion in the sheet surface direction can be reduced. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, heat shielding can be performed efficiently. Further, according to the invention according to claim 6, the present invention can be applied to a case where the heated sheet is heated from both sheet surface sides.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7,
Even when a shielding plate is used, airtightness of a chamber for performing differential pressure molding can be ensured. Claim 8
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the displacement of the heated sheet during the molding. Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the softened heated sheet can be prevented from being rapidly cooled by the mold structure, and the molding can be smoothly performed.

Furthermore, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by efficiently lowering the temperature of the mold surface whose mold temperature is controlled,
The heated sheet can be efficiently cooled and released. Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 11, by eliminating the movement of the heated sheet that has been positioned and softened,
It is possible to prevent displacement during movement. Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a thermoforming method capable of reducing the displacement of the sheet to be heated due to the drawdown at the time of heating and performing the molding at a desired portion.

Further, according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoforming apparatus capable of simplifying the structure, reducing the displacement of the sheet to be heated due to the drawdown at the time of heating, and forming a desired portion. Can be provided.
Further, according to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent drawdown of the heated sheet with a simple configuration. Further, according to the invention of claim 15, similarly to the case of the above-described claim 3, it is possible to smoothly perform the molding without obstructing the molding of the sheet to be heated by the heat-resistant sheet. According to the invention of item 16,
As in the case of the fourth aspect, even if the heat-resistant sheet has uneven heating, the displacement of the softened portion in the sheet surface direction can be reduced.

Further, according to the seventeenth to twenty-first aspects, the configuration of the thermoforming means can be optimized as in the case of the seventh to eleventh aspects. Further, claim 2
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoforming method capable of simplifying the configuration, reducing the displacement of the sheet to be heated due to drawdown during heating, and forming a desired portion.

[0044]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main configuration of a thermoforming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the thermoforming device 10, as shown in FIG.
A clamp mechanism 20 for clamping the cut sheet S as the heated sheet according to the present invention, which is printed on the molded article forming site S1, a heating mechanism 30 for heating and softening the clamped cut sheet S, and Cut sheet S
And a molding mechanism 40 for molding the. The clamp mechanism 20 is provided with a transport mechanism (not shown). The transport mechanism moves the clamp mechanism 20 between the position where the cut sheet S is detached, the heating mechanism 30 and the molding mechanism 40. .

With this configuration, when the cut sheet S is clamped by the clamp mechanism 20, the transport mechanism moves the clamp mechanism 20 to the heating mechanism 30 as shown in FIG. Heat to soften. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the transport mechanism moves the clamp mechanism 20 to the mold forming mechanism 40, so that the mold forming mechanism 40 molds the softened cut sheet S.

In this embodiment, the clamp mechanism 2
Although the thermoforming apparatus 10 including only the heating mechanism 30 and the mold forming mechanism 40 is applied, such a configuration is only an example, and a trimming mechanism for cutting off a molded product from the cut sheet S that has been molded is used. May be added. Also,
As the transport mechanism, specifically, a chain mechanism, an actuator such as a hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder, a crank mechanism, or the like can be used. Furthermore, since the method of moving the clamp mechanism 20 by the transport mechanism is only an example, the position of the clamp mechanism 20 is fixed so that the positional deviation of the molded article forming portion S1 in the cut sheet S is reduced as much as possible. Heating mechanism 30 using mechanism
Alternatively, the side of the molding mechanism 40 may be moved.

The clamp mechanism 20, as shown in FIG.
A clamp frame 21 having a substantially rectangular opening and an aluminum shielding plate M1 attached thereto, and a heat-resistant silicon rubber made of an extensible aluminum rubber shielding plate M2 having a substantially rectangular opening. Clamp frame 2 with seat R attached
2 is provided. With such a configuration, the clamp frame 2
1 and 22, the upper surface of the cut sheet S printed on the lower surface near the center is brought into contact with the lower surface of the shielding plate M1, and the upper surface of the heat-resistant sheet R is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cut sheet S. The cut sheet S is sandwiched and clamped.

At this time, the reason why the heat-resistant sheet R is made of extensible silicone rubber is because the mold forming mechanism 40 is used.
This is because when the cut sheet S is formed in the mold, it is deformed together with the cut sheet S. That is, when the cut sheet S is pressed down by the mold surface of the male mold 42 described later, the heat-resistant sheet R is pressed downward by the lower sheet surface of the cut sheet S. Then, the heat-resistant sheet R is stretched downward by this pressing force, and is deformed together with the cut sheet S. For this reason, the cut sheet S can smoothly advance the molding without hindering the deformation of the cut sheet S.

Here, positioning pins 22a projecting upward are disposed on the opposing sides of the upper surface of the clamp frame 22, and the front ends of the positioning pins 22a can be accommodated in corresponding positions on the lower surface of the clamp frame 21. Pin receiving groove 21
a is arranged. The positioning pin 2 is located at a position facing the positioning pin 22a in the cut sheet S.
A positioning hole H1 through which 2a can be inserted is formed.

Incidentally, pin insertion holes H2 to H4 are formed at corresponding positions of the shield plates M1 and M2 and the heat-resistant sheet R, respectively. As shown in FIG. Are attached to the clamp frame 21 while communicating with the pin accommodating groove 21a. The shield plate M2 and the heat-resistant sheet R are provided with the pin insertion holes H3 and H4 in the positioning pins 22a.
And is attached to the clamp frame 22.
With this configuration, the clamp frames 21 and 22 allow the positioning pins 22a to be inserted into the positioning holes H1 and the ends of the positioning pins 22a to be housed in the pin housing grooves 21a.
As shown in FIG. 6, the cut sheet S is clamped while being positioned. In this sense, the clamp mechanism 20
Constitutes a positioning means according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heating mechanism 30 includes an upper heater 31 having a heater block mounted thereon.
And a lower heater 32, and each heater 31, 32
Heats the cut sheet S, the shield plates M1 and M2, and the heat-resistant sheet R clamped and transported by the clamp mechanism 20 from above and below. A plurality of quick response heaters are arranged in a heater block provided in the upper heater 31 and the lower heater 32, and each quick response heater is provided in each part by temperature control by an SSR connected to each heater. The appropriate sheet heating is performed. For example, since the peripheral portion of the cut sheet S is easier to cool than the vicinity of the center, uneven heating on the sheet surface of the cut sheet S is prevented by increasing the temperature setting. Further, each quick response heater uses the radiant heat to heat the sheet surface of the cut sheet S, thereby enabling a rapid change of the set temperature, thereby reliably preventing uneven heating.

Originally, when the entire cut sheet S is heated and softened, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cut sheet S is drawn down. The formation site S1 is displaced downward. For this reason, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, shielding plates M1 and M2 having openings M1a and M2a at positions facing the molded product forming portion S1 are clamped together with the cut sheet S, and are shown in FIG. As shown in (B), the surrounding area other than the molded article forming area S1 is prevented from being heated and softened. In this sense, the shielding plates M1 and M2 constitute the heat shielding means according to the present invention. Furthermore, since the lower surface of the cut sheet S is shielded, that is, the heat-resistant sheet R that supports the molded product forming portion S1 from the lower surface is clamped together with the cut sheet S and the shield plates M1 and M2, FIG.
(C), the heat-resistant sheet R prevents the draw-down of the softened molded product forming portion S1.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the molded article forming portion S1 on which printing has been performed is drawn down, the printing is performed even though the cut sheet S is positioned. Since the portion is displaced from the desired position, the heat-resistant sheet R is useful from the viewpoint of preventing drawdown of the printed portion and reducing displacement of the printed portion as shown in FIG. Becomes At this time, since an air layer is left between the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R, the cut sheet S can freely expand and contract in the sheet surface direction. Also, the clamp frames 21 and 22
Is applied to the cut sheet S clamped in the direction of the sheet surface. For this reason, when the tensioned cut sheet S is heated by the heating mechanism 30, the degree of heating differs depending on each part. Then, in the part where the heating progresses and softens, the part that expands toward the surroundings tends to expand, and in the part where the heating is delayed, the part that expands tends to be drawn by the contraction force, so that the part that expands from the part that expands to the part that contracts The printed part is misaligned.

In order to reduce the displacement of the printed portion, a vacuum structure having a vacuum path 23 connected to a vacuum pump as shown in FIG. Have been. With this configuration, when the cut sheet S is clamped by the clamp frames 21 and 22, the vacuum pump is operated, and air remaining between the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R is sucked through the vacuum path 23. Then, the lower sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the upper sheet surface of the heat resistant sheet R are brought into close contact with each other by setting the space between the cut sheet S and the heat resistant sheet R in a substantially vacuum state. Then, the positions of the respective portions of the cut sheet S are fixed because they are in close contact with the heat-resistant sheet R. Therefore, as described above, even if the cut sheet S has uneven heating, the portion that is going to expand is prevented from being expanded by the contact surface with the heat-resistant sheet R, while the portion that is going to contract is the heat-resistant sheet. Since the contraction is prevented by the contact surface with the R, the displacement of the printed portion is suppressed. In this sense, the evacuation structure including the vacuum pump and the evacuation path 23 constitutes evacuation means according to the present invention.

Conversely, by applying a slight pressure from the upper sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the lower sheet surface of the heat resistant sheet R, the lower sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the heat resistant sheet R It is also possible to drive out the air left between the sheet S and the upper sheet surface in the peripheral direction of each of the sheets S and R to bring the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R into close contact with each other. Specifically, instead of the vacuum path 23, a pneumatic path connected to a pneumatic pump is arranged above the cut sheet S and below the heat-resistant sheet R, and by operating this pneumatic pump, the pneumatic path is formed. And pressurized air is supplied to the upper sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the lower sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R to apply a slight pressure.

Then, since the sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R are pressed toward each other, air left between the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R is removed from each sheet S. , R, and the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R come into close contact with each other. Therefore, similarly to the case where the above-described vacuum path 23 is used, each part of the cut sheet S is fixed to the sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R, and the displacement of the printed portion due to expansion and contraction of the sheet surface due to uneven heating is reduced. Is suppressed. In this embodiment, the drawdown of the molded article forming portion S1 is prevented by using the heat-resistant sheet R. However, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 9, the shielding plates M1 and M2 are used. Is effective only in that the range in which the drawdown occurs is narrowed and the displacement of the print portion is reduced as compared with the case shown in FIG. In the case where a slight displacement is allowed, for example, FIG.
(B), only the shielding plates M1 and M2 may be clamped together with the cut sheet S.

As described above, the clamp frame 21 on which the cut sheet S heated and softened is clamped is conveyed from the heating mechanism 30 to the mold forming mechanism 40 by the conveying mechanism. As shown in FIG.
A casing-like upper casing 43 supported by the upper table 41 and having an opening below and having a male mold 42 on the inner upper surface.
And a lower casing 46 supported by the lower table 44 and having an upper opening and having a heater 45 on the inner bottom surface. The upper casing 43 and the lower casing 46 allow the openings to face each other. Thus, a chamber forming a compressed air chamber is formed. Here, the male mold 42 arranged on the inner upper surface of the upper casing 43 constitutes a mold structure according to the present invention in this sense. The upper table 41 and the lower table 44 are connected to the air cylinder 40 shown in FIGS.
a, 40b, each air cylinder 40
The vertical movement can be performed by a and 40b.

With this configuration, as shown in FIG.
When the clamp frame 21 on which the cut sheet S is clamped is transported from the heating mechanism 30 in a state where the upper casing 43 and the lower casing 46 are separated from each other, the air cylinders 40a and 40b are operated to operate the air cylinders 40a and 40b. As shown in FIG. 12, while moving the upper table 41 downward, the lower table 44 is
A pressurized chamber is formed with the openings of the lower casing 46 and the lower casing 46 facing each other, and a molded product is formed on the cut sheet S. Therefore, the heating mechanism 30 for heating and softening the cut sheet S and the mold forming mechanism 4 for forming a molded product on the softened cut sheet S
In this sense, 0 constitutes the thermoforming means according to the present invention.

Here, the heating heater 45 is arranged to heat the heat-resistant sheet R at the time of differential pressure molding described later. That is, when performing differential pressure molding, if air is blown to the lower sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R, the heat-resistant sheet R is formed despite the fact that a molded product is being formed.
Only cools first. If the cut sheet S softened by the cooled heat-resistant sheet R is cooled and starts to be hardened, the cut sheet S is not deformed when a molded product is formed on the cut sheet S by the mold surface of the male mold 42. It is expected that this will be sufficient, and the desired molding along the mold surface will not be possible, and molding of corners and the like will be insufficient. Therefore, the heating heater 45 prevents the cooling of the cut sheet S during the molding by performing the thermal support of the heat-resistant sheet R in order to surely form the molded product faithfully on the mold surface by the male mold 42. ing.

Although the lower casing 46 according to the present embodiment is provided with a heater 45 for thermally supporting the heat-resistant sheet R, such a configuration is merely an example. If a female mold is provided, a plug may be provided instead of the heater 45 for heating. In the chamber, the cut sheet S can be heated and softened instead of the heating mechanism 30. In this case, the upper casing 43
A heater unit for upper surface heating that can be replaced with
After the cut sheet S is heated by the upper surface heater unit, the upper surface heater unit and the upper casing 43 are heated.
May be replaced by molding. Then, since it is not necessary to move the clamp mechanism 20 by the transport mechanism, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the printed portion caused by moving the softened cut sheet S.

A mounting groove 43a for an O-ring 43a1 is provided on the lower surface of the side wall forming the opening periphery of the upper casing 43, and the O-ring 43a1 is mounted while projecting downward from the lower surface of the side wall. . A spring 43b is attached to the upper surface inside the side wall and is extendable in the vertical direction, and a lower end of the spring 43b projects below the lower surface of the side wall and the lowermost end of the male mold 42. Is mounted with a pressing member 43b1 that presses the upper surface of the cut sheet S with the peripheral edge of the opening of the shielding plate M2.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the side wall forming the opening periphery of the lower casing 46, the mounting groove 4 of the O-ring 46a1 is provided.
An O-ring 46a1 is attached while projecting upward from the upper surface of the side wall. In addition, a support surface 4 that supports the lower surface of the heat-resistant sheet R at a position protruding slightly above the upper end of the O-ring 46a1 at the periphery of the opening of the shielding plate M1 on the bottom surface inside the side wall.
A support wall 46b having 6b1 is provided.

With this configuration, when the upper table 41 is moved downward and the lower table 44 is moved upward, as shown in FIG. 11, the O-ring 46a1 presses the lower surface of the shielding plate M2 upward and supports the lower surface. Support surface 4 of wall 46b
6b1 supports the lower surface of the heat resistant sheet R from below. On the other hand, the pressing member 43b1 abuts on the upper surface of the cut sheet S, and holds the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R on the support surface 46.
The cut sheet S is clamped by pressing to the side of b1.

Then, when the upper table 41 moves further downward, as shown in FIG. 12, the male mold 42 presses the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R downward according to the shape of the mold surface, and at the same time, as shown in FIG. The O-ring 43a1 attached to the lower surface presses the upper surface of the shielding plate M1 toward the O-ring 46a1 to clamp the shielding plates M1, M2, the cut sheet S, and the heat-resistant sheet R. Here, the O-rings 46a1 and 43a1 are used because both the chambers and the shield plates M1 and M2 are made of metal having no elasticity, so that the shield plates M1 and M2 and the upper casing 43 and the lower casing 43 are used. This is because the contact surface with the opening edge of the opening 46 cannot be brought into close contact.

Therefore, as described above, when the O-rings 46a1 and 43a1 having elasticity are interposed on the contact surfaces,
When the opening edge of the lower casing 46 is pressed against the shielding plate M2, the O-ring 46a1 is crushed in the vertical direction,
It is in close contact with the lower surface of the shielding plate M2 and the opening edge of the lower casing 46. On the other hand, the opening edge of the upper casing 43 is
When pressed against the O.1, the O-ring 43a1 is crushed in the up-down direction, and closely contacts the upper surface of the shielding plate M1 and the opening edge of the upper casing 43. Therefore, the contact portions between the shielding plates M1 and M2 and the opening edges of the upper casing 43 and the lower casing 46 come into close contact with each other, and the airtightness of the chamber is ensured.

Therefore, the O-rings 43a1 and 46a1 arranged to keep the chamber airtight are, in this sense,
This constitutes a seal structure according to the present invention. Further, the spring 43b and the pressing member 43b1 provided on the upper casing 43 side constitute a first supporting structure of the clamp structure according to the present invention, and the supporting wall 46b and the supporting surface provided on the lower casing 46 side. 46b1 constitutes a second support structure of the clamp structure according to the present invention. Male type 42
A vacuum path 43c communicating with a vacuum pump (not shown) is formed at a predetermined position on the mold surface, and a compressed air path 46c communicating with a compressed air pump (not shown) is formed on the inner bottom surface of the lower casing 46. , Vacuum path 43
c, the mold surface side of the male mold 42 is evacuated, and the compressed air is supplied to the lower side of the heat-resistant sheet R through the compressed air path 46c, so that the heat-resistant sheet R is formed into the mold surface shape of the male mold 42. The mold is formed while deforming. As shown in FIG. 13, the upper casing 43 includes a cooling device 47 for cooling the mold surface to a release temperature when the molding is completed, and a heating heater 48 for heating the mold surface of the male mold 42. The cooling device 47 and the heating heater 48 are controlled by the mold temperature control device 49 together with the heating heater 45. In this sense, the heating heater 48 and the mold temperature control device 49 constitute a mold temperature control means according to the present invention, and the cooling device 47 and the mold temperature control device 49 constitute the cooling device according to the present invention. Means.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the mold temperature control performed by the mold temperature control device 49. When the mold temperature control is turned on by turning on the power to the thermoforming apparatus 10 (Step S100), the mold temperature is set to 100.
The temperature is set to ° C., and heating of the mold surface is started by the heating heater 48 (steps S105 and S110). Mold temperature is 10
When the temperature reaches 0 ° C. (step S115), the mold forming mechanism 4
At step S120, data indicating that preparation for molding is completed is output to a control device (not shown) of the clamp mechanism 20 or the transport mechanism (step S120).

The cut sheet S clamped by the clamp mechanism 20 and transported to the heating mechanism 30 by the transport mechanism is softened by the heating mechanism 30 and transported to the mold forming mechanism 40 by the transport mechanism. When the molding is completed (Step S125), the mold temperature control device 49 detects the completion of the molding. The mold temperature control device 49 ends the mold temperature control by the heater 48, switches the mold temperature to 50 ° C. (step S130), and cools the cooling device 47.
Is turned on to start cooling the mold surface (step S13).
5). When the mold temperature reaches 50 ° C. (step S14)
0), the upper table 41 is raised by operating the air cylinders 40a and 40b, and the lower table 44 is lowered to release the molded product (step S14).
5).

In the case where the molding is continuously performed as it is,
When the mold temperature is set to 100 ° C. again and the above-described procedure is repeated to finish the mold forming (step S150),
The mold temperature control is ended. Here, for example, the shielding plates M1,
(A) of FIG. 7 without using M2 or the heat-resistant sheet R.
As shown in FIG. 15, when the cut sheet S is clamped on the clamp frame 21, when the cut sheet S is drawn down, a print portion is shifted, and as shown in FIG. Although the printed portion P of the product is shifted, in the present embodiment, the shielding plates M1 and M2 and the heat-resistant sheet R are clamped together with the cut sheet S to reduce the positional shift of the printed portion. As shown, it is possible to form a molded article without causing a shift in the printed portion P.

As described above, the heater 48
The reason why the temperature of the male mold 42 is adjusted is to prevent the printing performed on the cut sheet S from being displaced during the molding. That is, when the softened cut sheet S is rapidly cooled, uneven cooling is caused by each portion in the softened portion, so that the soft portion that is slow to be cooled tends to expand, while the portion where cooling is fast and the shrinkage starts is caused by this shrinkage. Attracts soft parts that expand with force. For this reason, the printing performed on the cut sheet S is displaced from a soft part toward a part where contraction starts. Therefore,
The position of the softened portion due to uneven cooling is prevented, and a molded product can be formed at the positioned regular softened portion.

Further, if the softened cut sheet S is cooled and starts to harden before the molded article is formed, the cut sheet S is pressed by the mold surface of the male mold 42 and deformed. It is expected that the deformation will be insufficient and desired molding along the mold surface cannot be performed, and molding of corners and the like will be insufficient. Therefore, the heating heater 48
In order to reliably form a molded product faithful to the mold surface by the male mold 42, cooling of the cut sheet S during molding is prevented by performing mold temperature control.

In the above description, thermoforming is performed by clamping the printed cut sheet S. However, such a form is merely an example, and a roll sheet can be similarly applied. That is, it is also possible to employ a continuous thermoforming line by successively clamping and shaping the molded product forming portion of the roll sheet fed from the roll supply unit together with the shielding plate and the heat-resistant sheet.

Regardless of whether the roll sheet described above is employed or the cut sheet according to the present embodiment is employed, for example, a roll sheet (cut sheet) may be used.
The mark provided at the predetermined position is detected by a camera provided in the clamp mechanism, and the position of the mark is detected, and while the position of the clamp portion is being adjusted, the mark is conveyed to the heating mechanism 30 and the mold forming mechanism 40. Is also good. Further, the roll sheet and the cut sheet may be printed in advance, or may be printed after being clamped by the clamp mechanism 20.

By the way, in the clamp mechanism 20 according to the present embodiment, the clamp frame 2 to which the shielding plate M1 is attached is attached.
1 and the clamp frame 22 to which the shielding plate M2 is attached, the cut sheet S is clamped to prevent the peripheral portion other than the molded product forming portion S1 from being softened, as shown in FIG. The cut sheet S is formed by the clamp frame 22 to which at least the heat-resistant sheet R is attached.
Is clamped, the drawdown of the cut sheet S can be prevented, so that thermoforming can be performed without using the shielding plates M1 and M2. In this sense, the heat-resistant sheet R constitutes the sheet supporting means according to the present invention. The clamp mechanism 20 to which the cut sheet S is clamped by the clamp frame 21 and the clamp frame 22 to which the heat-resistant sheet R is attached is moved by the transport mechanism to the heating mechanism 3.
When the sheet is conveyed to 0 and heated, the entire cut sheet S is softened. However, since the heat-resistant sheet R supports the lower surface of the cut sheet S as shown in FIG. Such drawdown can be prevented.

Therefore, the cut sheet S is
If they are positioned when they are mounted on the components 1 and 22, the printed product forming site S1 will not be displaced. Further, similarly to the case of the present embodiment, if the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R are brought into a substantially vacuum state so that the sheet surfaces are in close contact with each other, the displacement of the printed portion in the sheet surface direction can be reduced. Can be suppressed. Then, similarly to the case of the present embodiment, when the clamp mechanism 20 on which the softened cut sheet S is clamped is conveyed to the mold forming mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. The cut sheet S is formed by the support surface 46b1 of the support wall 46b.
And the heat-resistant sheet R are clamped, and the O-rings 43a1 and 46a1 form a pressurized chamber as shown in FIG. 21, so that the molded product is molded.
As in the case of FIG. 16, no displacement of the printed portion P occurs.

Next, the thermoforming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment
Will be described. When the operator turns on the power of the thermoforming apparatus 10, the mold temperature control in the mold forming mechanism 40 is turned on. Therefore, the mold temperature control controller 49 sets the mold temperature to 100 ° C. Start heating the mold surface. When the mold temperature reaches 100 ° C., the mold forming mechanism 40
The data that the mold is ready to be formed is stored in the clamping mechanism 2
0 or output to the control device of the transport mechanism.

On the other hand, in the clamp frames 21 and 22, the positioning pins 22a are inserted through the positioning holes H1, and the ends of the positioning pins 22a are received in the pin receiving grooves 21a.
The upper surface of the cut sheet S is brought into contact with the lower surface of the shielding plate M1,
The cut sheet S is sandwiched and clamped so that the lower surface of the cut sheet S is brought into contact with the upper surface of the heat-resistant sheet R. Then, the vacuum pump is operated to make the space between the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R substantially vacuum via the vacuum path 23, and the lower sheet surface of the cut sheet S and the upper sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R are moved. Adhere. When the conveying mechanism conveys the clamped cut sheet S to the heating mechanism 30, the heating mechanism 30 heats the conveyed cut sheet S, the shielding plates M1, M2, and the heat-resistant sheet R from the upper and lower surfaces to form the shielding plate M1. Opening M1a and opening M of shielding plate M2
Formed product forming portion S1 of cut sheet S exposed from 2a
Softens.

At this time, the openings M1 of the shielding plates M1, M2
a and M2a prevent the peripheral parts other than the molded article formation site S1 from being heated and softened, and the heat-resistant sheet R supports the softened molded article formation site S1 from below to prevent drawdown. Then, when the transport mechanism transports the clamp mechanism 20 that clamps the softened cut sheet S to the mold forming mechanism 40, the clamp frames 21 and 22 are disposed between the upper table 41 and the lower table 44 that are separated from each other. . Here, each of the air cylinders 40a and 40b moves the upper table 41 downward, and
To the upper casing 43 and the lower casing 4
The opening with 6 is made to face.

Then, first, the support surface 46 of the support wall 46b is
b1 presses the lower sheet surface of the heat-resistant sheet R upward,
Since the pressing member 43b1 presses the upper sheet surface of the cut sheet S downward, the cut sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R are clamped, and the position of the molded article formation site S1 in the cut sheet S is fixed. At this time, the lower casing 4
6, because the opening edge of the abutment 6 abuts against the lower surface of the shielding plate M2.
The ring 46a1 comes into close contact with the opening edge of the lower casing 46 and the lower surface of the shielding plate M2 while being crushed in the vertical direction. The opening edge of the upper casing 43 is the shielding plate M1.
O-ring 43a1 is tightly contacted with the opening edge of upper casing 43 and the upper surface of shielding plate M1 while being crushed in the vertical direction, thereby sealing the chamber.

Here, the male mold 42 pushes down the molded article forming portion S1 and the heat-resistant sheet R in the cut sheet S. On the other hand, the vacuum pump puts the mold surface side of the male mold 42 into a vacuum state via the vacuum path 43c, and the compressed air pump supplies compressed air to the lower side of the heat-resistant sheet R via the compressed air path 46c, thereby cutting. The molded article is formed by deforming the sheet S and the heat-resistant sheet R along the shape of the mold surface. In addition, the mold temperature control device 49 uses the heater 45 to heat the heat resistant sheet R.
Do thermal support. When detecting the completion of the molding, the mold temperature control controller 49 terminates the heat support of the heat-resistant sheet R by the heater 45 and the mold temperature regulation by the heater 48, and sets the mold temperature to 50 ° C. Switching is performed to start cooling of the mold surface by the cooling device 47.

When the mold temperature reaches 50 ° C., each of the air cylinders 40a and 40b raises the upper table 41 and lowers the lower table 44 to release the molded product in which the print portion P is not displaced. . As described above, the heating mechanism 30 heats the cut sheet S, the shielding plates M1, M2, and the heat-resistant sheet R from the upper and lower surfaces, and the opening M1a of the shielding plate M1.
When softening the molded product forming portion S1 of the cut sheet S exposed from the opening M2a of the shielding plate M2, the shielding plate M
The openings M1a and M2a of the molded products 1 and M2 are formed in
The heat-resistant sheet R supports the softened molded product forming portion S1 from below to prevent drawdown, and the position of the sheet S to be heated by this drawdown is prevented. The displacement is reduced, and molding at a desired portion is enabled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of a thermoforming apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a clamp mechanism is transported to a heating mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a clamp mechanism is transported to a molding mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a clamp mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state before a cut sheet is clamped on a clamp frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a situation when a cut sheet is clamped on a clamp frame.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for comparing the state of a heated cut sheet.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the clamp frame showing the arrangement of the vacuum path.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration of a clamp mechanism when a heat-resistant sheet is not used.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the mold forming mechanism at the time when the clamp frame is transported.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the mold forming mechanism when the cut sheet is clamped by the pressing member.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a molding mechanism at the time of molding a cut sheet.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mold temperature control mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of mold temperature control.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a molded product in a case where a print portion is displaced.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a molded product when no deviation occurs in a printed portion.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state before a cut sheet is mounted on the clamp frame when only the heat-resistant sheet is mounted on the clamp frame.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a cut sheet heated.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mold forming mechanism at the time when the clamp frame is transported.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the mold forming mechanism when the cut sheet is clamped by the pressing member.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a molding mechanism at the time of molding the cut sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Thermoforming apparatus 20 ... Clamp mechanism 21 ... Clamp frame 21a ... Pin accommodating groove 22 ... Clamp frame 22a ... Positioning pin 23 ... Vacuum path 30 ... Heating mechanism 31 ... Upper heater 32 ... Lower heater 40 ... Mold forming mechanism 40a, 40b ... air cylinder 41 ... upper table 42 ... male mold 43 ... upper casing 43a ... mounting groove 43a1 ... O-ring 43b ... spring 43b1 ... pressing member 43c ... vacuum path 44 ... lower table 45 ... heating heater 46 ... lower casing 46a ... mounting Groove 46a1 O-ring 46b Support wall 46b1 Support surface 46c Compressed air path 47 Cooling device 48 Heating heater 49 Mold temperature control device S Cut sheet S1 Molded product formation site M1, M2 Shield plate M1a , M2a ... opening R ... heat-resistant sheet H1 ... positioning hole H2-H4 ... Insertion hole P: Printed part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4F202 AC03 CA17 CB01 CK86 CN01 CN05 4F208 AC03 MA03 MB01 MC02 MH06 MJ05

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A positioning means for positioning a sheet to be heated, a heat cutoff means for blocking the periphery of a portion of the sheet to be heated which needs to be softened to cut off heat, and heating a sheet surface of the sheet to be heated. A thermoforming means for forming a softened portion by molding. 2. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sheet surface of the heated sheet is supported by a heat-resistant sheet from below. 3. The thermoforming device according to claim 2, wherein the heat-resistant sheet has stretchability. 4. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a vacuuming means for bringing a space between the sheet surface of the heated sheet and the heat-resistant sheet into a substantially vacuum state. A thermoforming device, characterized in that: 5. The thermoforming device according to claim 1, wherein the heat shielding means is a shielding plate superimposed on a sheet surface of the sheet to be heated. Thermoforming equipment. 6. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the shielding plates are arranged on both sheet surfaces of the sheet to be heated. 7. The thermoforming device according to claim 6, wherein the thermoforming means is composed of an upper casing and a lower casing, and the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing respectively contact the shielding plate. A chamber for forming a molded product by differential pressure molding of a softened portion of the heated sheet by a mold structure disposed inside, with the openings of the casing and the lower casing facing each other while being in contact with each other, is provided. A thermoforming device, wherein a sealing structure is formed at a contact portion between the opening edges of the upper casing and the lower casing and the shielding plate. 8. The thermoforming device according to claim 7, wherein the chamber has a first support structure projecting downward from the inside of the upper casing, and a first support structure projecting upward from the inside of the lower casing. A second support structure provided, wherein the first support structure and the second support structure form a clamp structure for sandwiching and positioning the periphery of the softened portion of the heated sheet. Thermoforming equipment. 9. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the chamber includes a mold temperature adjusting means for heating the mold structure to maintain the mold structure at a temperature suitable for differential pressure molding. A thermoforming device, comprising: 10. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the chamber includes cooling means for cooling the mold structure to a temperature close to a mold release temperature. 11. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the thermoforming means heats and softens the heated sheet inside the chamber. Thermoforming equipment. 12. Heating the sheet surface of the heated sheet while softening the area of the positioned heated sheet, which needs to be softened, while shielding the area around the area of the heated sheet that requires softening;
A thermoforming method characterized by forming a molded product by molding the softened portion. 13. A positioning means for positioning a sheet to be heated, a sheet supporting means for supporting a sheet surface of the sheet to be heated from below, and forming a desired softened portion by heating the sheet surface of the sheet to be heated. And a thermoforming means. 14. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said sheet supporting means is a heat-resistant sheet superposed on a lower sheet surface of said heated sheet. 15. The thermoforming device according to claim 14, wherein the heat-resistant sheet has stretchability. 16. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a vacuuming means for making a vacuum between the sheet surface of the heated sheet and the heat-resistant sheet. A thermoforming device, characterized in that: 17. The thermoforming device according to claim 14, wherein the thermoforming means includes an upper casing and a lower casing, and the opening edge of the same casing is heated by the heated casing. While being in contact with the sheet, the opening edge of the lower casing is brought into contact with the heat-resistant sheet, and the openings of the same casing and the lower casing are sealed by facing each other. A chamber for forming a molded product by differential pressure molding of a softened portion of the heated sheet; a contact portion between the opening edge of the upper casing and the heated sheet; an opening edge of the lower casing; A thermoforming device, wherein a seal structure is formed at a contact portion with a conductive sheet. 18. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the chamber has a first support structure projecting downward from the inside of the upper casing, and a projecting upward projecting from the inside of the lower casing. A second support structure is provided, and the first support structure and the second support structure form a clamp structure that sandwiches and positions the periphery of the softened portion in the heated sheet and the heat-resistant sheet. A thermoforming device characterized by being formed. 19. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the chamber includes a mold temperature adjusting means for heating the mold structure to maintain the mold structure at a temperature suitable for differential pressure molding. A thermoforming device, comprising: 20. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said chamber is provided with cooling means for cooling said mold structure to a temperature near a mold release temperature. 21. The thermoforming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the thermoforming means heats and softens the heated sheet inside the chamber. Thermoforming equipment. 22. Heating the sheet surface of the heated sheet to be softened while supporting the positioned sheet surface of the heated sheet from below, and molding a desired softened portion to form a molded article. A thermoforming method characterized by the following.