Patents Assigned to SICA S.P.A.
  • Patent number: 8591789
    Abstract: In a belling machine and in a method of forming a socket at the heated end of a pipe made of thermoplastic material, an end (20) of a pipe (2) made of thermoplastic material on which a socket is to be formed is heated until it is in a deformable state, inserted in a forming chamber (1) and formed into a socket shape. Process air, taken from a compressed air source (30), is conveyed by a process air feed line (3) into an evaporator (40) of a refrigerating machine (4) using a refrigerant recirculating in a closed circuit and passes through the evaporator (40), resulting in transfer of heat from the process air to the refrigerant inside the evaporator (40). The process air treated in this way in the evaporator (40) is then conveyed by the process air feed line (3) to the forming chamber (1) into which it is introduced through an inlet (10), at least to cool the material of the end (20) of the pipe (2) at least by means of a process air flow inside the forming chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Patent number: 8512027
    Abstract: A belling machine (1) forms end sockets equipped with an integrated seal on pipes (3) made of thermoplastic material using a forming mandrel (4) on which an annular seal (5) was previously placed, diametrically expanded, coaxially and in a predetermined position. A loader (8) for loading the annular seal (5) on the mandrel (4) is able to move between a arming position, in which the loader is spaced from the belling axis (b) and does not interfere with the mandrel (4) movement along the belling axis (b), and a loading position, in which the loader is coaxial with the belling axis (b) and is located between the mandrel (4) back position, disengaged from the pipe (3) and the mandrel (4) forward position, inserted in the end (30) of the pipe (3). An annular seal (5) is placed in a positioner (10) which holds it in an operating position for the action of an arming device (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Tabanelli, Patrik Altini
  • Publication number: 20120282365
    Abstract: In a belling machine and in a method of forming a socket at the heated end of a pipe, an end of a pipe made of thermoplastic material on which a socket is to be formed is heated until it is in a deformable state, inserted in a forming chamber and formed into a socket shape. Process air, taken from a compressed air source, is conveyed into an evaporator of a refrigerating machine using a refrigerant recirculating in a closed circuit and passes through the evaporator, resulting in transfer of heat from the process air to the refrigerant inside the evaporator. The process air is then conveyed to the forming chamber through an inlet, at least to cool the material of the end of the pipe at least by means of a process air flow inside the forming chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: GIORGIO TABANELLI
  • Patent number: 8211347
    Abstract: A method for socket-forming an end of a thermoplastic material tube, according to which the end is firstly widened without forming the socket and is then stabilized; the widened and stabilized end being finally socket-formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Publication number: 20110236520
    Abstract: A belling machine (1) forms end sockets equipped with an integrated seal on pipes (3) made of thermoplastic material using a forming mandrel (4) on which an annular seal (5) was previously placed, diametrically expanded, coaxially and in a predetermined position. A loader (8) for loading the annular seal (5) on the mandrel (4) is able to move between a arming position, in which the loader is spaced from the belling axis (b) and does not interfere with the mandrel (4) movement along the belling axis (b), and a loading position, in which the loader is coaxial with the belling axis (b) and is located between the mandrel (4) back position, disengaged from the pipe (3) and the mandrel (4) forward position, inserted in the end (30) of the pipe (3). An annular seal (5) is placed in a positioner (10) which holds it in an operating position for the action of an arming device (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio TABANELLI, Patrik ALTINI
  • Publication number: 20100264564
    Abstract: A method for socket-forming an end of a thermoplastic material tube, according to which the end is firstly widened without forming the socket and is then stabilised; the widened and stabilised end being finally socket-formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Publication number: 20100180736
    Abstract: A machine for cutting a continuously extruded tube into segments of lesser and predetermined length, comprising:—means (33) for actuating sliding means (3) that are movable along a guide (30) parallel to a direction (20) of advance; said sliding means (3) comprising a first and a second station (31, 32) for cutting the tube which in turn comprise respectively a first and a second shearing cutter (311, 312).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Publication number: 20100123272
    Abstract: In a belling machine and in a method of forming a socket at the heated end of a pipe made of thermoplastic material, an end (20) of a pipe (2) made of thermoplastic material on which a socket is to be formed is heated until it is in a deformable state, inserted in a forming chamber (1) and formed into a socket shape. Process air, taken from a compressed air source (30), is conveyed by a process air feed line (3) into an evaporator (40) of a refrigerating machine (4) using a refrigerant recirculating in a closed circuit and passes through the evaporator (40), resulting in transfer of heat from the process air to the refrigerant inside the evaporator (40). The process air treated in this way in the evaporator (40) is then conveyed by the process air feed line (3) to the forming chamber (1) into which it is introduced through an inlet (10), at least to cool the material of the end (20) of the pipe (2) at least by means of a process air flow inside the forming chamber (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventor: GIORGIO TABANELLI
  • Patent number: 6745676
    Abstract: A method for packaging skeins shaped as a circular ring of a flexible element of elongated shape, in particular a cable or a hose, wherein the turns are held unitarily to each other, comprises the following phases: sustaining the skein in overhang towards a binding station holding it by the clamping of opposite planar aces of the skein effected in correspondence with at least a first portion of the skein; binding the skein in correspondence with at least its second, free, portion which projects from the first held portion; rotating the skein around its own axis of symmetry by a predetermined angle with respect to the position of the skein in the previous binding phase; and binding the skein again in correspondence with its own rotated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Mazzoni, Marco Mazzanti
  • Publication number: 20030097940
    Abstract: A method for packaging skeins shaped as a circular ring of a flexible element of elongated shape, in particular a cable or a hose, wherein the turns are held unitarily to each other, comprises the following phases: sustaining the skein in overhang towards a binding station holding it by the clamping of opposite planar aces of the skein effected in correspondence with at least a first portion of the skein; binding the skein in correspondence with at least its second, free, portion which projects from the first held portion; rotating the skein around its own axis of symmetry by a predetermined angle with respect to the position of the skein in the previous binding phase; and binding the skein again in correspondence with its own rotated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Mazzoni, Marco Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 6546852
    Abstract: A method for packaging skeins shaped as a circular ring of a flexible element of elongated shape, in particular a cable or a hose, wherein the turns are held unitarily to each other, comprises the following phases: sustaining the skein in overhang towards a binding station holding it by the clamping of opposite planar faces of the skein effected in correspondence with at least a first portion of the skein; binding the skein in correspondence with at least its second, free, portion which projects from the first held portion; rotating the skein around its own axis of symmetry by a predetermined angle with respect to the position of the skein in the previous binding phase; and binding the skein again in correspondence with its own rotated position. The invention further relates to a machine that realizes the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Mazzoni, Marco Mazzanti
  • Patent number: 6457966
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a bell mouth on a pre-heated pipe includes a first portion with means for moving the first portion from a first position to an expanded position. Means for heating the first portion to a temperature at least equal to the pipe pre-heat temperature are provided. A second portion is geometrically fixed and includes an outer diameter that is equal to the final inner diameter of the bell mouth. The outer diameter of the second portion is less than the outer diameter of the expanded first portion. Means are provided for cooling the second portion. A third portion includes a hollow rubber element that is expandable, from a first diameter less than the starting inner diameter of the pipe to a second diameter between the first diameter and the outer diameter of the expanded first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Savioli
  • Patent number: 6383435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length of the pipe is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment, upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Sica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Leopoldo Savioli, Lauro Pezzi, Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Patent number: 6220846
    Abstract: An apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Leopoldo Savioli, Lauro Pezzi, Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Patent number: 6009780
    Abstract: A process carried out by an apparatus for cutting a tubular bar comprises a first cutting stage performed by a first disc-shaped rotary cutting tool, oriented so as to rotate about an axis parallel to a line of extension of the bar and also movable gradually along the contour of the bar, which is made to penetrate into the peripheral wall of the bar over a distance less than the thickness thereof, forming a groove therein. In a second and successive cutting stage, a second stationary cutting tool, oriented transversely with respect to the line of extension of the bar and movable along the contour of the bar inside the groove, is made to penetrate into the remaining thickness of the peripheral wall so as to cause gradual shearing of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sica S.P.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Savioli
  • Patent number: 4155694
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for forming the gasket housing in the socket joints of plastic material tubes, comprising a ring placed inside a housing made circumferentially in an expander that can be inserted in the end of the tube to be widened, the said ring comprising a first ring, that is to say, an inner ring, provided internally and circumferentially with a groove defining the chamber on which the expansion compressed air acts, the said first ring being made of an elastic material that "gives"; a second ring that can be coupled externally and coaxially to the said first ring, made of an elastic material of a hardness somewhat greater than that of the aforementioned first ring; and a number of metal pins, parallel with one another, placed over the outside circumference of the said first ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: SICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leopoldo Savioli