EP3233415A1

EP3233415A1 - Method for producing a thermoformed product, and installation and machine therefor

Info

Publication number: EP3233415A1
Application number: EP15841014.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erwin WABNIG; Gerhard Wieser; Thomas Halletz; Bernd Stein
Original assignee: Kiefel GmbH
Current assignee: Kiefel GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-10-25
Also published as: WO2016095892A1; CN107107452A; US20170348896A1; DE112015005674A5

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoformed product and an installation and a machine therefor. Thermoforming is a known and proven method for hot forming thin-walled plastic containers. The invention proposes a method for producing a thermoformed product on a single machine with several stations and with different tools, specifically according to a first aspect of the invention, comprising the following steps: (a) melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at a preform station; (b) producing a preform at the preform station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection stamping, compression molding; (c) transferring the preform by means of a transfer carrier to a thermoforming station at the same machine, the thermoforming station comprising a thermoforming tool having a thermoforming cavity; (d) preferably heating the preform during the transfer, in particular with a radiation heater; (e) thermoforming of the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity. Advantageously, the first aspect of the invention allows for producing the final thermoformed product directly from the plastic granules using only a single machine, and in particular without any waste, when the preform is dimensioned in such a way that it does not present any excess with respect to the final shape of the product to be produced.

Description

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A THERMOFORM PRODUCT AND ANNEX AND

MACHINE FOR THIS

The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoforming product and a system and a machine therefor. Thermoforming is a well-known and proven process for heat-forming thin-walled plastic containers. For example, DT 2 417 270 presents a multi-stage process in which a preform is produced in a first working stage. This is done in a spray-stamping machine. By injection-compression molding, the edge of the preform is driven into a circulating clamping gripper. This is designed as a transfer ring. The transferring lies in a transfer plate. The preform can thereby be removed with the transfer plate of the machine and fed to another machine in which the thermoforming takes place. For this purpose, a pre-stretching punch initially presses a positive shape in a central area of the preform. Thereafter, thermoforming, which was formerly referred to as "deep drawing", is carried out via the connection of overpressure and / or underpressure.

The clamps of the transfer ring still hold the edge and can now stack the molded thermoforming product, in the example a cup. For forming, the terminals are opened.

A similar process is known from US Pat. No. 3,995,763, where, however, the preform is not injection-embossed by itself, but is supplied as a plastic sheet.

A very similar procedure is known from US Pat. No. 7,481,640 B1, US Pat. No. 7,393,202 B1 or WO 2014/187994 A1.

The invention has for its object to provide the prior art an improvement or an alternative. According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on a single multi-station machine with different tools, comprising the steps of: (a) melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt to a preforming machine; Station; (b) producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection compression molding, compression molding; (c) transferring the preform by means of a transfer support to a thermoforming station on the same machine, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity; (d) preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; (e) thermoforming the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity.

Conceptually, the following is explained:

The term "thermoforming" product means that at least one thermoforming step has been carried out, in particular for bringing the hot plastic into its final form, but it is also intended that another type of deformation of the plastic be carried out beforehand First, making a preform, later performing the thermoforming step.

However, further steps may be provided. Naturally, however, every further step makes the system more complex and therefore more expensive. It has been found that with the at least two steps proposed here already excellent product qualities and good throughputs can be achieved, whereby the machine as such can be produced in an excellent cost-performance ratio.

In general, it should be noted that in the context of the present patent application indefinite articles and numbers such as "a ....", "two ...", etc. are to be understood as at least -specific, so as "at least one .. .","at least two ... ", etc., unless it is clear from the context or explicitly that about there only" exactly one ... "," exactly two ... ", etc. should be meant or can.

In the present case, for the first aspect of the invention, such an exception exists: The production should take place with the at least two steps on exactly one machine. The machine should have several stations, namely to carry out the at least two steps, namely first the production of the preform, later the production of the final form by thermoforming.

The "melting and homogenizing of plastic granules" will be carried out regularly by an extruder.The extruder itself need not be part of the local machine, but can only ensure that the plastic melt is provided at the preforming station.

The "preforming station" has a preform cavity, thus a concave shaped tool surface for receiving the plastic melt and for direct or indirect shaping of the plastic melt.

The molding processes of injection molding, injection compression molding or compression molding are known to the person skilled in the art.

For "transferring" a "transfer carrier" should be used. This can be more complex and have mutually movable parts that can clamp, for example, an edge of the preform; but this is not necessary. Rather, a simple support structure can be used, such as a plate, with or without centering.

The thermoforming station is to be arranged "on the same machine", which is characterized, for example, by the fact that, for example, a common safety emergency switch, a common power connection and / or a common controller for the machine control can be provided a common machine bed. Another machine would be if, by means of a transfer station, a transfer of the transfer carrier from one machine to a robot, an assembly line or something else with a separate installation would take place and thereafter a transfer from this means of transport to a new machine.

The "thermoforming tool" has a cavity which, by means of overpressure and / or underpressure in the workpiece or outside of the workpiece, gives the plastic the final deep-drawn shape.The thermoforming station also preferably has a station-internal clamping frame, which over the workpiece against the Cavity can be stretched to create a vacuum-tight or pressure-tight space for the workpiece.

Advantageously, the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to go directly from the plastic granules to the finished thermoforming product with only a single machine, and indeed waste-free, if the preform is correspondingly dimensioned such that it no longer has a surplus area compared to the product shape ultimately to be produced.

It will be useful to usually use the edge of the preform to grasp or hang up during the transfer. The edge is also the outer boundary of the preform as well as, finally, the manufactured thermoforming product in the thermoforming cavity.

In addition, the first aspect of the invention for the operator of such a machine is very inexpensive to implement: For it is not only - as in the prior art - the existing heat from the preform process used for the thermoforming process; rather, the heat from the extruder is already being used, and from this first heat both preforming and thermoforming can take place. Naturally, very high temperatures are required for the melting and homogenization of the plastic granules, so that an extruder in practice already operates at temperatures well above 100 ° C. to sometimes close to 300 ° C. and heats up. The invention has recognized that it is not only very precise to have the handovers in a single machine; but that it is also very energy efficient. In addition, the output of production without intermediate storage of semi-finished products can be easily scaled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the stated object solves a method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on one or more machines having a plurality of stations with different tools, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a quantity of plastic to a preforming station either by melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at the preforming station or by providing a solid plastic element, for example a foil section or a foil plate, at the preforming station; (b) producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection compression molding or compression molding; (c) transferring the preform by means of a transfer carrier to a thermoforming station, wherein the thermoforming station has a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity and wherein the transfer carrier holds the preform only on one side; (D) preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially by means of a radiant heater; (e) fixing the preform to the thermoforming cavity by means of a tentering frame of the thermoforming station; (f) Thermoforming of Thermoform Product in Thermoform Cavity.

Conceptually, the following should be explained with regard to the second aspect of the invention:

The second aspect of the invention does not only apply when only one machine is used. Rather, several machines can be used, wherein the semi-finished products are transferred during the production process from one to the next machine directly or indirectly.

As an alternative to melting the granules directly on the machine, it is now also considered to use prefabricated pieces of film or plastic sheet pieces as input semi-finished products in the process. For such a process is on the WO 2014/187994 AI hereby incorporated by reference and made the entire disclosure there by way of referencing here also to the disclosure.

Due to the fact that the thermoforming station has its own clamping frame, the transfer tool can be made considerably simpler than known in the prior art, specifically known from DT 2 417 270. Because the clamping in a waste-free manufacturing process must always be in the so-called good range. It is therefore quite expensive to provide a gripper, which - as in DT 2 417 270 - fixed the Gutbereich from above and below. Although it can be done without a clamping frame. For it is shown, for example, that the tool head can make the seal over the stamp.

The present aspect of the invention, however, finds it advantageous to go in the other direction and instead simplify the transfer, but instead provide a conventional tenter at the thermoforming station. The tenter will then close to the product area of the Thermoform product to be produced, especially the edge, when it becomes a cup-shaped product.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stated object solves a method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on one or more machines having multiple stations with different tools, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a quantity of plastic to a preforming station, either by melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at the preforming station or by providing a solid plastic element, for example a film section, at the preforming station; (b) forming a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by injection molding, injection compression or compression molding; (c) transferring the preform by means of a transfer support to a thermoforming station, the thermoforming station comprising a thermoforming tool with a thermoforming station; having mold cavity; (d) preferably heating the preform during the transfer, in particular by means of a radiant heater; (e) thermoforming the cup-shaped product in the thermoforming cavity; (F) and with a further step that changes the amount of plastic provided, the preform and / or the thermoforming product, in particular mechanically, optically or sensor technology.

In simple terms, the third aspect of the invention provides an additional treatment step which is of particular synergistic advantage. Concrete proposals for carrying out this additional step follow after the presentation of the fourth aspect of the invention, because the steps are generally not only related to the third aspect of the invention, but can also refer to the first, second or fourth aspect of the invention. For better clarity, therefore, the aspects of the invention which are independent of one another but preferably cumulated with one another are described first.

It should be expressly pointed out that the further step can be placed at various points in the presented method. In particular, however, it is intended to make the additional step on the amount of plastic in the preforming station, either before or after the manufacture or during the manufacture of the preform, and / or during the transfer of the preform to the thermoforming station and / or another station provided in addition to the preform station and the thermoforming station; and / or at the thermoforming station, there either at the preforming, ie before the thermoforming, and / or during the thermoforming or after the thermoforming. Again, it should be expressly understood that it may also be more than one additional step that may be provided in addition to the steps listed in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects of the invention. The third aspect of the invention solves in short words so the task of integrating a process step for an added benefit in the manufacturing process. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the stated object solves a method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on one or more machines having multiple stations and different tools, comprising the steps of: (a) fusing and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt a preforming station; (b) producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity by compression molding; (c) transferring the preform by means of a transfer support to a thermoforming station, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity; (d) preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; (e) thermoforming the thermoforming product in the thermoforming cavity.

In simple terms, the fourth aspect of the invention provides for the use of the compression-molding method for producing the preform. Prototypes of various kinds of the inventors common here have shown that this surprisingly results in the lowest-voltage states for the products produced. It should be expressly understood that the above four aspects of the invention can be combined with each other, in any number, ie combination of aspect 1 with aspect 2, of aspect 1 with aspect 3, of aspect 1 with aspect 4, of aspect 2 with aspect 3, aspect 2 with aspect 4, aspect 3 with aspect 4, any combinations of three of the aspects or the cumulation of all four aspects.

It may be advantageous if the preform is produced with a thickness profile deviating from a uniform thickness. When thermoforming can be influenced by a variety of parameters, the extent to which the material is transported into the cavity with the force. Thus, for example, in the case of a slow material, ie, for example, a slow depression of the pre-stretching punch and / or a slow application of underpressure and / or overpressure, a relatively good material redistribution can also be achieved towards the walls of the thermoformed product; On the other hand, more material can be taken to the thermoformed bottom when the movement is faster. Also with the pressure conditions, the printing speeds, the pressure sizes, the temperature and other parameters can be influenced on the final product.

Once it has been known how the material deforms during the thermoforming step, it is possible to exert a specific influence on how the wall thicknesses of the thermoformed product ultimately result, for example by providing more raw material in strongly flowing areas simple words so a thickening in the material is provided during the manufacture of the preform.

The preform can therefore be produced specifically with thicknesses deviating from a uniform thickness. In a particularly simple case of a circular product, this would therefore be an annular thick spot in the preform, it being understood that a corresponding thin spot can also be provided.

As one of the further steps, above all the "further step from the third aspect of the invention", but also cumulative with the other aspects of the invention, it can be imagined that the preform and / or the thermoforming product is printed On the one hand, technical prints may be involved, but on the other hand, optical prints that make the product prettier for the customer, using a printer preferably a 3D printer, a liquid jet printer such as an ink jet printer may also be used. Rotating the preform, the thermoforming product and / or the printer makes it particularly easy to print on circular surfaces or stripes on the jacket of the Thermoform product.

The 3D printing process can be used especially when the preform is printed. Again, it is important to incorporate the knowledge about the deformation conditions in the thermoforming step in the printing. Because when the preform is printed, a geometric deformation of the printed area will usually result during the thermoforming step. A cleverly placed 3D print can take this deformation into account.

Alternatively, it can be imagined that the already thermoformed product, thus a product with a pronounced three-dimensional body, can be printed particularly easily with a 3D printer. This results in excellent quality because no subsequent mechanical deformation step takes place on the product anymore.

It is considered advantageous if, as a further step, an element is positioned in the thermoforming cavity, for the purpose of connecting the element to the product. In a simple case, think of the so-called in-mold labeling process. In addition to a label, however, it is also possible to provide a smart tag, that is to say an intelligent component, or an RFID chip.

The bonding of the element to the product may be at the surface of the product such that the positioned and product-connected element ultimately forms the new surface of the combined product; Alternatively, it is conceivable that the element is completely embedded in the plastic, which is deformed by the preform in the thermoforming step. Another variant for a further step is to produce a multi-component preform in the preform cavity. Thus, for example, a two-component injection process may be provided, wherein one or two of the at least two components is or will be injected. For example, if only one component is injected, the second component may be inserted or otherwise applied.

In any case, the two-component injection leads to the fact that at least one component is introduced by means of a nozzle, while the other component is also introduced with the nozzle, with another nozzle or otherwise. This makes it possible to produce more complex products.

It is particularly preferred if a multilayer film for thermoforming is provided. For producing a multilayer film, a multilayer preform is preferably produced. This can be done particularly easily by spraying several layers of different plastic over one another. It can also be a combined Beibringen of plastic based on finished blanks and the injection from nozzles; or several blanks can be superimposed, with or without a connecting means.

A multilayer film can take on different functions of the resulting film through the individual layers: For example, in the food industry, it is often desirable to provide a flavor barrier.

If the method is used for producing a food capsule, in particular a coffee capsule, a tea capsule, a soup capsule, another brewing capsule or for producing a soft drink or a medicament preparation, then the method can preferably be carried out with the additional steps of filling and / or sealing. Especially when producing a food capsule, but also for other thermoforming products, it is proposed that the provision of the amount of plastic at the preforming station or the provision of the plastic granulate with at least partial use, preferably completely, of a biodegradable plastic according to the classification The brochure Wolfgang Beier: "Background: Biodegradable plastics" of the Federal Environment Agency, Germany, August 2009. Food capsules, especially coffee capsules, can be composted particularly well, because they generally have a fully compostable content.

Even if the composting of plastics usually can not be done in nature, but industrial composting must be carried out, it is possible to ensure that the capsules of industrial composting are provided, for example, by special recycling, waste separation or a deposit system can be supplied.

According to a similar idea, the provision of the amount of plastic at the preforming station or the plastic granules can be carried out using at least partially, preferably completely, the use of a polylactide (PLA). For polylactides, too, they generally do not decompose in nature, but within a very short time under industrial conditions complete decomposition can be brought about.

If, after a further alternative or cumulative process step, a barrier layer is applied, in particular having an oxide, in particular a silicon oxide or an aluminum oxide, then this can interact in particular synergy with the biodegradable plastic, the polylactide and the food contents of the food capsule ,

An exemplary constellation provides that a coffee capsule is produced. This is filled with coffee. As a barrier layer is on a simple plastic like before all polypropylene a silicon oxide (SiOLOx) applied. Together, the coffee, the biodegradable plastic or the polylactide and the silicon oxide can excellently react and decompose under suitable conditions even in nature, but in any case especially quickly under industrial composting conditions.

With regard to the edge of the preform, it is proposed that it has already assumed its final shape during the transfer, in which it is clamped by the clamping frame in the Gutbereich.

So there should be no more beading. For example, with yogurt cups or beverage cups it is conceivable that the otherwise quite sharp edge that results during preforming should be crimped once. However, since the pressing of the edge in the thermoforming station, namely between the clamping frame (generally above the workpiece) and the cavity tool (generally below the workpiece), a flattening takes place, this blurred, risk-free edge can be particularly by crimping be well fixed.

In other words, this step should ensure that no further reshaping is done.

Not to be understood as a transformation in the sense when a simple heating is done.

The edge can be treated according to a further independent idea in one process step, in particular by applying a second plastic, a chewing or other further material.

It is then conceivable, for example, that a coffee capsule is produced, and that a soft sealant is arranged on the sealing edge. This can also be done in the preform. During compression of the preform blank at the thermoforming station, the bond between the edge and the other becomes Material even better, especially because the tool naturally heats up in the thermoforming station especially from the first heat of the system.

The edge of the preform may be formed prior to thermoforming into an energy director in the sense of ultrasonic welding or friction welding. An energy sensor in ultrasonic welding is an edge that is so high in its quantity that a weld bead develops only slightly or even not at all, because exactly the amount of material that is too much measured on the preform changes during welding.

Using modern technology, especially with 3D printers, electrical circuits or circuits can be printed. You can also print a hologram on the Thermoform product.

According to a further innovative aspect for the possible further step, a combined In-Mold Labeling (IML) embossing tool can be used, using a label having a color edge, wherein an embossment has a mechanical edge the color edge is brought into contour matching with the mechanical edge.

It has already been pointed out that the process presented here preferably takes place without waste, so that the production process for the preform exactly uses the amount of plastic required for the thermoforming product.

It is understood that a system with several machines for carrying out a method as described above is directly advantageous.

However, a machine for carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the invention and preferably additionally one of the further presented aspects or features is particularly advantageous, the machine having a preforming station, in particular an injection molding station, an injection-compression molding station or a compression -Molding- Station, and a thermoforming station, as well as a machine control and a transport means for transporting a preform within the machine between the preforming station and the thermoforming station, wherein the transport means preferably comprises a turntable.

According to a prototype of the inventors, a particularly compact and precisely working machine with a turntable can be provided.

The turntable preferably has a vertical indexing axis for approaching the various stations.

Above all, the machine control is set up to always advance the turntable by 90 °, thus approaching a maximum of four stations, namely on the one hand the preforming station and then directly following or indirectly following the thermoforming station, and preferably an additional treatment station and a removal station.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing. There, the single figure shows schematically in a perspective view a machine with a turntable and four tray-shaped supports for workpieces and with several stations.

The machine 1 in the figure essentially consists of various stations, which are arranged on a common bed 2 and connected via a turntable 3 in a machine direction 4.

The turntable 3 has a vertical indexing axis 5.

The turntable 3 has four workpiece trays 6 (numbered as an example). (Not labeled in detail) comprises a machine control system drives the rotary table 3 with motors (not shown in detail), so that it can turn on the turntable 3 by 90 ⁰ Angle forward. Each workpiece tray 6 can thereby be switched to exactly four positions.

The machine 1 can thus approach exactly four stations with the workpiece trays 6.

It should be expressly pointed out that in other embodiments, other numbers of trays, other carriers or other numbers of stations or switching angles can be provided.

However, the machine 1 presented here is extremely compact, cost-effective and highly precise as well as fast in production.

At one of the approachable positions a preforming station 7 (only shown very rudimentary) is arranged. The preforming station 7 has a compression-molding tool and, at the rear, a plastic melt (not shown) from an extruder (not shown).

In the machine direction 4, the station following the preforming station 7 is a thermoforming station 8.

The thermoforming station 8 has a top table 10 which can be moved vertically with a toggle lever drive 9 and has an upper tool 11 arranged thereon, which essentially has a pre-punching punch (not visible) and a clamping frame 12.

The thermoforming station 8 also has a lower tool (not shown) which, as known in the art, has a molding cavity for the thermoforming products (not shown) to be made. In the present embodiment, the workpiece tablet 6 each have ten product support frames 13, 14 (numbered as an example). Each workpiece tray 6 may therefore have ten preforms and one station further ten thermoformed products wear. With each switching cycle thus ten products or semi-finished products are indexed, namely per workpiece tray 6. The clamping frame 12 is designed so large that it protrudes around ten times the benefit - workpiece tray 6, at least the ten product support frames 13, 14th

Within the outer clamping frame 12, even smaller clamping frames may be provided, each clamping one or more of the benefits, so that there are no slips through the product support frames 13, 14 in the thermoforming products during indentation of the forming die or during thermoforming.

In another station, for example in the third station, a removal station 15 may be provided. The forth in the embodiment presented here then remaining fourth station is here a free station 16, but can for example also be used for cleaning purposes or inspection purposes. In operation, the machine 1 manufactures thermoform products in the following manner:

In a first step, plastic provided on the preforming station 7 in the compression molding process, for example by an extruder, is deposited and a preform (not shown) is produced in the course of the process.

For example, a further step can already be carried out here, for example a loading of materials, printing, edging, tillage, a second component can be added, etc.

The preforms produced are then removed from the preforming cavities, for example simply by lowering the preforming cavities and indexing the turntable 3. The preforms are thereby switched into the thermoforming station 8. The preforms are still easily deformable from the first heat. The thermoforming station then performs the thermoforming in a manner known from the prior art, preferably by means of a pre-stretching punch.

For this purpose, the machine 1 will first fix the clamping frame 12 on the preforms and then act with the before the punches, but in any case only then with the under / over pressure.

Thereafter, the thermoforming station 8 reopens, the turntable 3 continues switching, and the finished thermoforming products can be removed.

As mentioned, other functions may be provided, and other stations may be provided.

It may be useful to apply barrier layers, sealing layers, layers of paint or printing.

For molding, compressed air forming, vacuum forming, pre-stretching punch and pressure can be used. Aftertreatment may for example provide a barrier layer, printing, filling or sealing.

In any case, the machine makes it possible to go directly from the granulate to the thermoformed product, with minimal space requirements and high work precision and high output. Despite the thin wall thickness, high stability can be achieved by orientation of the macromolecules. In addition, the preform molding can control the wall thickness distribution in the finished thermoformed product.

The preform geometry preferably corresponds to the vertical projection of the final product, so it can be driven without waste.

Functional elements, for example a sealing lip, an energy directing device, etc., can already be introduced during the production process of the preform. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 machine

2 bed

3 turntable

4 Machine direction 5 Switching axis 6 Workpiece tray 7 Preforming station 8 Thermoforming station 9 Knee lever drive 10 Top table

11 upper tool 12 clamping frame 13 product support frame 14 product support frame 15 removal station 16 free station

Claims

claims:

A method of making a thermoforming product on a single multi-station machine with different tools, comprising the steps of: a. Melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at a preforming station; b. Producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection compression molding or compression molding; c. Transferring the preform by means of a transfer support to a thermoforming station on the same machine, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity; d. preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; e. Thermoforming the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity.

2. A method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on one or more machines, having multiple stations with different tools, comprising the steps of: a. Providing a quantity of plastic at a preforming station, either by melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at the preforming station or by providing a solid plastic element, for example a film section, at the preforming station; b. Producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection compression molding or compression molding; c. Transferring the preform by means of a transfer carrier to a thermoforming station, wherein the thermoforming station comprises a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity and wherein the transfer carrier holds the preform only on one side; d. preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; e. Fixing the preform to the thermoforming cavity by means of a tentering frame of the thermoforming station; f. Thermoforming the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity.

A method of manufacturing a thermoforming product on one or more machines having multiple stations with different tools, comprising the steps of: a. Providing a quantity of plastic at a preforming station, either by melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at the preforming station or by providing a solid plastic element, for example a film section, at the preforming station; b. Producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity, preferably by means of injection molding, injection compression molding or compression molding; c. Transferring the preform by means of a transfer carrier to a thermoforming station, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity; d. preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; e. Thermoforming the cup-shaped product in the thermoforming cavity; f. and with a further step, which changes the amount of plastic provided, the preform and / or the thermoforming product, in particular mechanically, optically or sensor technology.

4. A method of making a thermoforming product on one or more machines, having multiple stations with different tools, comprising the steps of: a. Melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at a preforming station; b. Producing a preform at the preforming station in a preform cavity by means of compression molding; c. Transferring the preform by means of a transfer support to a thermoforming station on the same machine, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming mold with a thermoforming cavity; d. preferably heating the preform during the transfer, especially with radiant heating; e. Thermoforming the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims for producing a Thermof orm product.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the preform is made with a thickness deviating from a uniform thickness profile.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: printing of the preform and / or the thermoforming product, by means of a printer, especially by means of a 3D printing process, by means of a liquid jet printer such as an ink jet printer; in particular while rotating the preform, the product and / or the printer.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: positioning an element in the Thermoformkavität, especially a label, a smart tag or an RFED chip, and indeed for connecting the element with the product.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: producing a multi-component preform in the Preform- lingskavität, especially by means of a two-component injection process, wherein one or two of the at least two components is injected and / or in the case injecting only one component, a second component is inserted or otherwise attached.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a multilayer film for thermoforming is provided.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims for producing a food capsule, especially a coffee capsule, preferably with the additional steps: filling and / or sealing.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision of the amount of plastic at the preforming station or the plastic granules with at least partial use of a biodegradable plastic according to the classification of the brochure Wolfgang Beier: "Background: Biodegradable plastics" of the Federal Environmental Agency, August 2009.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision of the amount of plastic at the preforming station or the plastic granules with at least partial use of a polylactide (PLA) takes place.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: applying a barrier layer, in particular comprising an oxide, in particular a silicon (SiOx) or aluminum oxide.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge of the preforms has already assumed its shape during the transfer, in which it is clamped by the clamping frame.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: treating an edge of the preform, in particular by applying a second plastic or a rubber.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge is formed into an energy director prior to thermoforming.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: printing on an electrical oscillating or switching circuit.

The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of: printing the thermoformed product with a hologram.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further step: using a combined EVIL embossing tool, wherein a label is used, which has a color edge, and wherein an embossment has a mechanical edge, wherein the color edge is brought into contour coincidence with the mechanical edge.

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manufacturing process for the preform exactly the amount of plastic required for the thermoforming product used, so that the production takes place without waste.

22. Plant with several machines for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

23. A machine for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 18.