MXPA97001981A - Thermoformation apparatus for thermoformable materials in the form of tape or h - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermoforming apparatus, comprising: a thermoforming machine assembled with at least one female die and a male counter-die approaching and reciprocating for the operations of closing, thermoforming and opening; a feeder suitable for feeding thermoforming material in the form of a tape or plate between each female and counter-die cutting, cutting means associated with the die and counter-die to cut the tape or plate material, immediately after the die and counter closure - at least one work station or treatment for thermoformed articles in the or each die or counter-die, extraction grip means designed to remove a thermoformed article molded from the female die and either to transport the same to the die at least one work station or treatment or to transfer it to a receiving transport template, which has the same seat configuration than that of the female die and is willing to move the thermoformed articles so that they pass through at least one work station or treatment

Description

THERMOFORMATION APPARATUS FOR THERMOFORMABLE MATERIALS IN THE FORM OF TAPE OR LEAF. D E S C R I P C I O N This invention relates to a thermoforming apparatus for thermoformable materials in the form of a tape or sheet. As is known in the art, see for example the patents of the applicant nos. 1'175,178 and 1'218,634 - it has already been suggested to extract molded or hot-formed objects from a female die using suction plates which are inserted between the male die and the female die of a thermoforming machine and then move successively in the direction opposite of the molding area to deposit the articles on an extraction or removal means for a series of intervention operations on the articles, such as stacking, labeling, etc.

A thermoforming machine with a double female die arranged to be driven in reciprocating transverse motion in relation to a male die has already been proposed, in which two suction caps alternately extract a hot formed article which is molded from a respective female die, to transfer it in sequence to a perforated pattern that is part of a step conveyor having a plurality of patterns, each of which has holes dimensioned and arranged as the female cavities of the female molds wherein the articles were thermoformed.

The conveyor is operatively connected to the thermoforming machine and moves at the rate of operation of the thermoforming machine and is intended to receive the articles immediately after the thermoforming process, to support them in the same reciprocal set that is occupied in the female die, in order to prolong the time for the stabilization of the precisely thermoformed material and allow the regular feeding of the thermoformed articles to a series of operation stations for intervention on the articles.

Reference is made to the Italian patent application of the applicant no. 92A000012 filed on February 3, 1992 and entitled: "Process and apparatus for thermoforming and sharpening hollow articles provided with a bottom obtained from a material in thermoplastic tape".

The patent of the U.S.A. 4 '464, 329 of Hiteside et al., Discloses a thermoforming machine in which the plates of a plate conveyor pass between a male die and a female die and are pressed between the two dies during the closing phase of the die and they cooperate with an intermediate auxiliary die, which is movable relative to the female die. Each plate or pattern is mounted with a receiving seat for a molded article and around the peripheral contour of that seat is provided with a ring packing of flexible material which serves to elastically couple and keep the thermoformed article restricted in its position either during the removing the article from the female die or during its transfer to a conveyor discharge or removal station.

The solutions proposed so far, although satisfactory from many points of view, have not provided the thermoformed article or articles to keep fast to a receiving or pattern template that is part of the step conveyor operatively connected to the thermoforming machine, in which case the thermoformed and still unstabilized articles may suffer inertial shift or removal of their reception seats, which may lose the required precision of their positioning for successive operations or interventions on them.

It can be seen, in fact, in figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings a conical truncated container with a protruding fence such as a peak 1, deposited in two different seats (through holes) 2 and 3 (which is then assembled) with a peripheral recess 3a against which the enclosure of the container can bump provided on a respective transfer plate or pattern 4 and 5. As each plate or template moves with speed to the rhythm of the operating regime of the thermoforming machine that produces the articles, items in the pattern are repeatedly subjected to acceleration both while moving forward and when they stop. Since the center of gravity G of each article 1 is outside the plane of the positioning position of the patterns 4 and 5, provided that the article is subjected to an acceleration, it will also suffer an upward turning momentum that tends to balance the article in relation to the vertical in proportion to the arm bG, figures 1 and 4). In view of the conicity (angle a - figures 2 and 5), that momentum can also result in a damaging blow either on the side wall of container 1 in the stabilization process or on its enclosure (figures 3 and 6) as also to an undesirable out-of-axis repose, which almost always compromises the good result of operations and successive interventions on the container that must maintain a correct and unchanging placement, either during the transfer step by step or while it is parked in the various stations of job.

In the case of the solution suggested in US Pat. No. 4,464,329, the operations of extracting the punch are not kept separate from the positioning operation of the transfer plate or pattern, the reason why it will be seen recursing to a plaque. Three pieces (male, female and auxiliary intermediate die) are extremely complicated and expensive to make and move. Furthermore, in the solution of Whiteside et al., During the molding phase, the ring gasket is kept in contact with the hot edges of the thermoforming die and therefore the gasket undergoes repeated thermal cycles undergoing rapid aging and loss of flexibility and after a limited number of thermoforming cycles, it may harden until it causes abrasions or other forms of damage to an article that just comes out of the thermoforming die and is not yet fully stabilized and as a result the number of rejections (unless a special material is used and consequently very expensive).

THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to eliminate or drastically reduce the drawbacks frequently contemplated in the thermoforming apparatus, thereby allowing either a rapid extraction of the "*" "thermoformed articles of the die or are placed in a stable manner on templates or patterns for successive removal and transfer to one or more treatment and / or work stations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoforming apparatus mounted with a stepper conveyor with templates or patterns for receiving the articles just extracted from the thermoforming dies and in the stabilization process, allowing them to be transferred to a plurality of work stations, while keeping your seat intact.

These and other objects will become more apparent afterwards and are achieved with a thermoforming apparatus comprising a thermoforming machine assembled with at least one female die and a counter-die or male die reciprocally approximatable and removable for closing operations, thermotransformation and opening, a feeder suitable for feeding thermoformable material in the form of tape or plate between each die and counter-die, cutting means associated with the die and counter-die to cut the material on tape or plate immediately after die closing and counter-die, at least one work station or treatment for the thermoformed articles in the or each die and counter-die, a plurality of extraction means for removing a thermoformed article molded with the female die and moving it in the opposite direction of the die to transport the extracted items successively to the or to each of the work stations garlic or treatment, or otherwise transfer it to a reception template to transport it to the or each of the work or treatment stations, appropriate retention means to attach each thermoformed article to the respective extraction head or also to its template respective reception, thus ensuring its placement in the correct seat during transportation through the station or work or treatment stations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of some of its embodiments -, normally preferred, given by way of indication, although not exclusive examples only with reference to figures 7 to 53 of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of a thermoforming machine provided with an extraction plate for the thermoformed articles and with an alternating moving conveyor having two co-planar templates.

Fig. 8 is a partial top view of the female die of the thermoforming machine, the conveyor and the extraction ladle of Fig. 7.

Figure 9 is a top view illustrating a variant of carousel with four arms.

Figure 10 shows a schematic section and side elevation of a thermoforming machine assembled with an extraction plate for thermoformed articles and with a chain conveyor (with dispatch and return tracks, parallel but moving in opposite directions) assembled with templates of reception of articles, which move in sequence, first in one direction (forward track) and ~ "~ then in the other direction (return track).

Figure 11 illustrates a partial top view of the female die of the thermoforming machine, the conveyor and the extraction plate of Figure 10.

Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively, a side elevation view and a top section similar to those of Figures 10 and 11, but with a protractor with template mounted and carried along two circular, coaxial and co-planar tracks .

Figures 14 and 15 are, respectively, a side elevation view and a top section similar to those of Figures 10 and 11, but with a carousel conveyor with three plates or templates that act as either extraction plates for the die or as a transporter.

Figure 16 shows a detail of a reception seat for a thermoformed article, provided in a template.

Fig. 17 is a schematic front elevation view illustrating a thermoforming machine with '"5- conveyor with templates mounted on chains, where the conveyor templates also act as extraction plates for articles thermoformed by the die.

Figure 18 shows a detail on an enlarged scale of the conveyor template of Figure 17.

Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view of a conveyor template with seat provided with a retaining collar and container seat.

Figure 20 illustrates a detail of the template of Figure 19 at an enlarged scale.

Figure 21 illustrates a partial sectional view of another conveyor template similar to that of Figure 19, but also formed with an annular recess for receiving the enclosure of the container.

Figure 22 illustrates a detail in section and on an enlarged scale of Figure 21.

Figures 23 and 24 are top views illustrating possible circular, rectangular or square shapes seen above the container of Figures 19 and 21.

Figure 25 is a local sectional view showing another embodiment of a template seat for thermoformed articles.

Figure 26 shows a sectional detail of figure 25.

The fiction 27 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a seat for a reception template for thermoformed articles.

Figure 28 illustrates a detail of figure 27.

Figure 29 is a sectional view showing a template with a receiving seat provided with an adapter collar for retaining the container.

Figure 30 shows a detail of figure 29.

Figures 31 and 33 and the respective details of Figures 32 and 34, illustrate two embodiments of a conveyor jig mounted with resilient restraining means for thermoformed articles.

Figure 35 illustrates a partial sectional view of a reception seat for a thermoformed article in a conveyor template with vacuum retention means.

Figure 36 shows a variant of Figure 35.

Figure 37 is a sectional view showing a thermoformed article receiving seat mounted with resilient retaining means.

Figure 38 shows a modification of figure 37.

Figures 39 and 40 are top views illustrating a circular shape and a rectangular shape of thermoformed articles according to Figures 37 and 38.

Figure 41 shows a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a reception seat for thermoformed articles of a conveyor template provided with mechanical retention means.

Figures 42 and 43 show details and variants of ~~ - the plate or template of Figure 41.

Figures 44 and 45 are top views illustrating a circular shape and a rectangular shape of thermoformed articles installable in the plates of Figures 41 to 43.

Figures 46 and 47 show two pattern seats for a template conveyor board for thermoformed articles with pneumatic means for retaining in position.

Figures 48 and 49 show two partial sectional views of two different embodiments of a receiving seat for a thermoformed cover in a conveyor template.

Figure 50 shows a receiving seat of a conveyor jig comprising a raised push bar.

Figure 51 shows a partial sectional view of a reception seat with support recesses for the frame of a thermoformed article.

Figure 52 illustrates a partial sectional view of a reception seat in a transformer template for thermoformed articles; Y Figure 53 shows a variant of figure 52.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings the same or similar parts or components have been marked with the same reference numerals.

With reference first to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, schematically indicated by the numeral 10 is a thermoforming apparatus comprising a base 11 on which a vertically movable female die 12 is mounted. Above the female die 12 is provided, as is usual in thermoforming technology, with a male or counter-die 13, which in turn can be lowered and raised in relation to the die-female and synchronously therewith, to allow the implementation of the operations required to close and open the die, as well as to cut the thermoformable material into tape or plate 14 which is supplied by any suitable means between the dies 12 and 13 when in the open position.

The article 15 (usually container, cups, cups, lids and the like) obtained by thermoforming inside the female die 12, after opening or reciprocal removal of the dies 12 and 13, will be removed from the female die, which operation will be it facilitates by the provision of the extraction members E (one for each thermoformed article) that rise from the base of the female die during the opening phase of the dies. The articles are separated from the die 12 using an extraction plate 16, for example, a suction plate as described in Italian patents no. I1175, 178 and 1 '218,634 referred to above, which is driven in phase with the speed of removal of the dies 12 and 13 and removes all the molding articles present in the female die 1, 2 and transfers them to a pattern or template 17 mounted with many holes receiving seats 18 which are equivalent in number to the articles 15 that constitute a molding.

The templates 17 belong to a conveyor 19 with two alternately mobile templates, one on one side of the die 12 and the other on the other side, so that one template moves laterally in relation to the female die, while the other is opposite list. to receive an article molded from the extraction plate 16. In its lateral position, the jig 17 supplies the articles 15 to a handling and / or treatment station, for example, a station for sterilization and stacking of the articles.

The embodiment of Figure 9 relates to a carousel conveyor 20 comprising 4 jigs 17 positioned at 90 ° angles, for rotating in a predetermined rotation direction for sequential placement under the extraction plate 16 and for receiving a molding of Articles 15 to transfer them.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an embodiment in which the jigs 17 are placed under a conveyor 24 of steps comprising two chains 25 rotating around respective chain crowns 26 at the ends of the conveyor and rotating, which mount a plurality of templates 17 which are then arranged in a top track 27 immediately below the operating path of the extraction plate 16 and a lower one 28, moving in the opposite direction to the upper one. A multiplicity of work and / or handling stations may be provided for the articles 15 arranged on the templates along the conveyor 25 both along its upper track 27 and its lower track as well as on the end crowns 26.

The variant shown in figures 12 and 13 refers to a conveyor 29 comprising a single level track but of circular shape, suitable for moving a plurality of templates 17 in sequence making them turn in stages, all in the same direction, under the extraction plate 16.

If desired, each jig 17 can be easily mounted on a pair of fixed, circular, lateral rails 30 and 31, for example, by means of two trolleys or slides, respectively, 32 and 33 and which is typically restricted by cable or chain a suitable articulation means 34, either to the preceding or the following template on the circular conveyor 29. The template train is stretched, of course in rotation by a stepper motor at a rate that will cause the various templates to be parked under the extraction plate 16.

The embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16 relates to a carousel conveyor 25 with 3 arms 36, spaced at 120 °, each of which supports an extraction plate 16 at its end. Therefore, each extraction plate 16 moves in sequence in three different operating positions, that is, one for extraction between the open dies 12 and 13, an intermediate one where, for example, the articles 15 are labeled or perforated or processed or otherwise machined in a particular work station (not shown in the drawings) and a terminal (all placed along the path of the extraction plate 16) where the same items 15 are, for example, stacked in a stack unit SA similar to that of figure 7.

As can be seen in Figure 16, the extraction plates 16 can also be of a different type from the suction plates and can have receiving holes 16a machined along their thickness in order to present two annular surfaces of inclined plane 16a, 16b delimiting therebetween an equatorial flange 16d with a slightly cut-off inner angle so as to be able to engage and firmly hold in position the free fence of a respective article.

The latter, while being lifted by the extractor members E, is urged to slide with its rim along the conical surface 16b and to slam into position engaged with the rim 16d and then transported along the operating path. comprising the intermediate station and the final one for the respective extraction plate 16. When it is in the final station, a slight push is produced on the base of the container by means of a suitable push device SP. (Figure 14) The container will be free of its reception seat and then moved to the stacking unit SA.

A similar structure is that illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, in which a plurality of extraction plates such as those of Figs. 14 to 16 are mounted on a chain conveyor 37 of the conveyor type 24, in which it runs, for example, the upper track, extend between the dies 12 and 13 when they are in the open position and carry in sequence of stages the various plates 16, to be loaded with articles which are then carried in sequence to a predetermined number of stations. management or work.

Figures 19 to 24 illustrate a template 17 which, in each reception hole 18, has on its far surface away from the extraction bale 16 a conical collar 38, in which the articles 15 can fall precisely in the seated position and this way they can thus meet their fence either directly against the other surface of the jig (Figures 19 and 29) or with a suitable annular recess 39, which helps to provide greater stability and accuracy to retain the items 15 of configuration in plan Top circular and square or rectangular in the correct position.

As a matter of fact, the turning moment upwards due to the arm bG can be seen and the force of inertia at the center of gravity G of the articles 15 is completely neutralized by the coupling of the shape provided by the collar 38 and the thickness of the template that has a height Total H In turn, the height h is determined as a function ^ - both the shape of article 15 and the space of separation g between the wall of the article and the internal diameter of the respective reception 16a.

The embodiment shown in Figures 25 and 26 relates to an adapter collar 39 installable in each receiving orifice 18 of two diameters, a jig 17 and having an inner diameter bounded by a more conical section 40 by an intermediate section 41 cut out with a negative angle, e.g., from 3 to 10 °, preferably, approximately 5o, by an annular beading 42 in the cutout section, followed by a cylindrical end section 41. The articles 15 released by an extraction plate 16 are placed between a respective collar 39 and in its frame, and slide along the conical section 40 until they engage with the conical section 40, where they remain "elastically restrained". in the correct position.

The templates 17 of figures 27 to 30 have holes 18 mounted with a conical upper receiving portion 44 and lower portion 45 connected, but with an internal diameter slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the article 15 in the vicinity of its enclosure. also, in this case, article 15 is "elastically restrained" and therefore remains stably within the respective receiving orifice, from which it can rotate upwardly only by the exercise of a sufficient push from the bottom to the top.

As there is no gap g between the internal diameter of the receiving seat 18 in the jig 17 and the walls of the article 15, it is not necessary to provide any collar means to increase the thickness of the jig 17.

The embodiment of Figures 31 to 34 is similar to that of Figures 19 to 22, except that the lower part 46 of the collar 38 consists of a deformable elastic material, properly anchored to the collar and designed to exert moderate pressure on the external surface of the article.

Figures 35 and 36 show holes for a pneumatic vacuum circuit (not shown and communicating with a suitable suction means) formed in the collar 38 and having the function of keeping the thermoformed articles 15 in a stable position.

Figures 37 and 38 illustrate suitably configured ratchets 48 installed in a collar 38 mounted at a preset distance from the jig 17, in order to be able to move radially or otherwise along a transverse plane (preferably perpendicular) with respect to to e: e of the respective article 15 to be secured in position. The pawls 48 are elastically loaded, for example, by one or more springs 49.

Figures 39 to 45 show eccentric mechanical seals 50 each of which is mounted in a respective receiving hole 18 on a jig 17 and is moved, for example, by rotation about a normal axis to the jig 17 to which it belongs , between an operating position in which it engages with the frame of an article 15 and an inoperative released position. The actuation of the retainers 50 can be effected by means of a rack operated by a suitable movement source, such as a pneumatic jack and a pinion 52 integral in rotation with a respective retainer 50.

The embodiments of FIGS. 46 and 47 relate to retaining means, which generate jets 53 of air through a distributor CL, which exerts a pushing pressure on the article 15 in correct fixing in the respective receiving seat 18 and with its fence supporting against the template 17.

Retention means in position for covers 15 are illustrated in Figures 48 and 49 and comprise a shoulder flange 57 on each receiving seat 18, having two diameters or otherwise an annular protrusion 59 which engages with the internal diameter of the tab 60 of the cover (figure 49).

Figures 50 and 51 show retaining means for articles 15 held inverted during the transference to the various work or treatment stations. Fig. 50 illustrates a kind of push bar 61 that rises from a surface of the jig 17 to a false receiving seat 8a, while in Fig. 51 annular slots 62 of false reception holes 18 are provided, with which the free fence of the inverted article 15 will be supported. The removal is effected, for example by means of a push bar 56.

Figures 52 and 53 illustrate the cup retention means 54 with a hole 55 in the base. The cup 54 is applied in a similar manner to a collar 38, to correspond with each receiving hole 18 of a jig 17 for receiving and completely matching an article 15 (even if it is not provided with a flange or rim flange). thus avoiding any lateral displacement but with the possibility of being easily ejected from the cup 54 by driving with a push bar 56 through the hole 55.

As can be seen with the technical solution, according to the present invention, secure, stationary and uniform positioning of the articles is ensured for an indefinite series of moldings, so that on the same articles while they are in the stabilization process, a certain number of finishing and / or detailed operations will be carried out with great precision and without rejection.

The invention described above is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations and within the protective scope defined by the clauses that follow.

Claims (24)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. - A thermoforming apparatus, comprising: - a thermoforming machine mounted with at least one female die and a counter-die or male die approaching and reciprocating for closing, thermoforming and opening operations, - a feeder suitable for feeding terry-forming material in the form of tape or plate between each female and counter-die, - cutting means associated with the die and counter-die for cutting the tape or plate material, immediately after closing the die and counter-die, at least one work station or treatment for thermoformed articles in the or each die or counter-die, - extraction grip means designed to remove a thermoformed article molded from the female die and either transport the same at least one work station or treatment or to transfer it to a receiving transport template that has the same configuration that the female deltroquel and disposed to move the thermoformed articles to pass at least one work station or treatment, characterized in that retention means are provided in the extraction grip and / or in the pan of receiving transport to hold them in position against undesirable movement.

- * ~ 2. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 1, characterized in that the gripping etch means comprise a head in the form of a plate arranged to be inserted in frequency between the or each female die and contratroquel concomitantly with each opening thereof.

3. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 2, characterized in that it comprises a carousel conveyor with a plurality of support arms, each of which supports a head in the form of a respective plate mounted with the retention means for the retention of articles thermoformed in the correct fixation while they are transported, in stages and synchronously with the speed of opening-closing of the dies, through the station or work or treatment stations placed around the carrousel conveyor.

4. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 3, characterized in that the retaining means for each extraction flap in the form of a plate comprises an orifice or seat through the extraction head in the form of a plate for each thermoformed article that goes away to be extracted, each hole is machined along its thickness to obtain two enlarged annular surfaces in opposite directions and that delimit an equatorial flange with an internal angle of incidence slightly trimmed, in order to allow the insertion by pushing a thermoformed article with fence and that allows to restrain elastically and hold firmly in position in your fence.

5. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 2, characterized in that it comprises a chain or chain conveyor each wound by a pair of chain crowns and having a track that extends along the respective die or counter-die but without impediment, a plurality of extraction plates brought to predetermined interfaces one on the other on the conveyor and each mounted with the retaining means for retaining the thermoformed articles in the aporpiated placement during their trabsportation.

6. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a template conveyor that extends around the station or work or treatment stations and moves in steps at the speed of closing-closing of the dies to receive molded or thermoformed articles from an extraction plate and transortarlos them in sequence to the station or work stations or treatment along the template conveyor.

1. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 6, characterized in that the template conveyor comprises two alternatively mobile templates, one on each side of the mold, so that a template moves laterally in relation with the female mold in a working station. or treatment, while the other is opposite to receive a molded article from the extraction plate.

8. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 6, characterized in that the template conveyor is a chain or chain conveyor comprising a pair of chain crowns around which are wound or a respective chain, a plurality of templates in the form of plates carried spaced at a predetermined distance from one another on the conveyor and each mounted with the retaining means for retaining the thermoformed articles in the proper placement during their transportation.

9. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 5, characterized in that the template conveyor comprises a train of articulated slide or support trolleys with a respective template that moves through the workstation or treatment stations.

10. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means in each template comprise a truncated conical collar seated in each reception hole for the precise location of a respective thermoformed article on the surface of each template in front of the plate or the extraction plates.

11. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 10, characterized in that the collar is constituted by deformable elastic material suitable to exert a moderate retentive pressure on the external surface of a thermoformed article.

12. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 10, characterized in that the collar comprises a plurality of elastically loaded ratchets, installed in the collar and moving towards its internal diameter to engage with the external surface of a thermoformed article in a seat of respective reception.

13. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 10, characterized in that the collar comprises suction holes that exert on the thermoformed article a suction action to retain it in the appropriate position in its respective receiver seat and with its frame resting against the template.

14. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 10 to 13, characterized in that each template in each receiver set with flange for articles with thermoformed frame has a peripheral recess formed on the surface of the template in front of the plate or plates extraction to fit the fence of a respective article installed there.

15. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means for each template comprise an adapter collar of two diameters installable in each receiver seat and having an internal diameter limited by a lower conical section and an intermediate section cut with a negative angle, an annular rim downstream of the cutout section to be able to receive from above a thermoformed article with flange and to snap the frame when it is trimmed.

16. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retention means for each template comprise receiving orifices for the lower portion of the thermoformed articles, but with an internal diameter slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the thermoforming articles. the thermoformed articles to be received close to their frame, so that the thermoformed article is elastically restrained and then stationary embedded in the respective receiving orifice.

17. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise eccentric mechanical retentions, each of which is mounted in a respective receiving orifice of a template and moves between an operative position in which it engages the enclosure of a thermoformed article with flange and an inoperative release position.

18. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 17, characterized in that the retentions are controlled by a rack operated by a suitable source of movement.

19. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retention means comprise jets of air for submerging each of the articles within the reception holes on each template.

20. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise a cup-shaped receiving component for a thermoformed article having at least one hole in its base.

21. - Thermoforming apparatus according to clause 20, characterized in that it comprises a push bar for expelling the thermoformed article from the cup-shaped component by actuating through at least one hole in the bottom of the cup-shaped component .

22. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise a support flange for shallow thermoformed articles disposed between each receiving seat of the template, this flange has two diameters or includes one ring projection that couples with the internal diameter of the article's frame.

23. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise a push bar that rises from one surface of each temple to a respective false reception seat.

24. - Thermoforming apparatus according to any of clauses 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining means comprise at least one annular recess, in which the free frame of an upturned hollow article supports and a mobile push rod for removal of the article. SUMMARY A thermoforming apparatus comprising a thermoforming machine (10) having a female die (12) and a counter-die or male die (13) that approach and reciprocate each other for the operations of closing, thermoforming and opening, a feeder of thermoforming material between female die (12) and counter-die (13), cutting means for cutting the material of thermoforming immediately after closing of the female die and the counter-die, one or more work stations or treatment for articles (15) hot formed in the die (12), extraction heads (16) arranged to be operated concomitantly with each opening thereof for extracting a hot formed article (15) that is molded from the die female and to transport the article thus extracted to one or more work or treatment stations or also to transfer them to a reception template (17), retention means for storage with each article (15) formed in hot with the respective extraction head or also with its respective receiving template to ensure the correct placement of the article during its transportation through the work or treatment stations.