Shaping Orifice And Either A Downstream Preform Reshaping Means Or Vulcanizing Means Including Conforming Preform Support Patents (Class 425/325)
  • Patent number: 11020891
    Abstract: A device for producing plastic pipes may include an extruder with a die head and a corrugator, into which a molten plastic tube is introduced by means of the die head to mold the plastic pipe, wherein the corrugator has a molding section, in which molding jaws are guided in pairs in the production direction. In an inlet section of the corrugator, the molding jaws are brought together to form molding jaw pairs towards the start of the molding section, and in an outlet section of the corrugator, the molding jaw pairs are moved apart from each other from the end of the molding section. The guiding apparatus has a guide and/or temperature-control element apparatus having a temperature-control medium channel apparatus through which temperature-control medium can flow, and a guide and/or temperature-control surface apparatus, which faces the outer side of the molding jaws passing through, transferring heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Günther Hofmann, Gerhard Neubauer
  • Patent number: 10987845
    Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-material extruder and extrusion method for 3D printing, and more particularly to an apparatus and method that is adapted to extrude a wide range of materials for printing 3D structures. In an aspect, the apparatus comprises a frame adapted to receive a removable syringe or cartridge with a depressible piston in an extended position, the syringe or cartridge containing material to be extruded. An extrusion motor is under the control of an extruder logic module to determine how quickly the piston of the syringe or cartridge is to be depressed to achieve a desired rate of extrusion of the material. A flexible length of tubing connects the tip of the syringe or cartridge to an extruder nozzle, which nozzle is mounted to a stylus which may be hand-held or mounted to a chassis of a 3D printing device. A feedback signal is used to provide a feedback signal to the extruder logic module to determine the rate of extrusion of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: STRUCTUR3D PRINTING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Charles Mire, Andrew Finkle, Marc Castel
  • Patent number: 10889045
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing draw resonance of plastic material in the molten state, so-called melt, leaving an extrusion group of a plant for the production of plastic film, includes at least one thermostatically-controlled cylinder, having an embracement angle, of the melt on the cylinder, adjustable on the basis of the process rate, i.e. the linear movement speed of the plastic film, and/or on the basis of the temperature measured in the proximity of or in correspondence with the clamping area of the melt in a thermoforming, calibration and cooling group included in the plant and positioned downstream of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Nicola Lombardini
  • Patent number: 10406739
    Abstract: There is provided a parison guide which improves a flatness of parison with a simple configuration. A parison guide (1) guides a parison (P) which has an arc shape in horizontal cross section and is discharged from an extrusion apparatus (2). The parison guide is fixed to a discharge-side end portion of the extrusion apparatus (2). The parison guide includes a contact face (17) configured to come into contact with and guide an edge portion of the parison to flatten the parison. Preferably, the contact face (17) includes a curved surface, and the contact face (17) has a curvature of a horizontal cross section which gets smaller in a discharge direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: YACHIYO INDUSTRY CO., LTD., THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kondo, Kazuhiro Ohtaki, Yuji Minowa, Toshinari Takeyama, Toshio Kagitani
  • Patent number: 10279536
    Abstract: Pipe corrugators having opposed series of pushed mold blocks forming a moving mold tunnel are subject to significant thermal expansion and are designed with a thermal expansion gap. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring changes in this expansion gap and preferably recognizing potential thermal issues before serious problems occur. A sensor is provided adjacent a mold block drive that preferably detects a time duration between sensing a trailing portion of a lead mold block and a leading edge of a following mold block separated from the lead mold block by the thermal expansion gap. This time duration in combination with a speed of the pushed mold blocks is used to calculate the size of the thermal expansion gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Manfred A. A. Lupke, Stefan A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 8974214
    Abstract: Provided is a device for manufacturing an optical film having satisfactorily reduced thickness unevenness, by using a melt-casting film forming method, which device includes a casting die for discharging a molten film-forming material including a thermoplastic resin into a film-like shape; a pair of a first rotation roll and a second rotation roll between which the discharged film-shaped molten article is pinched to be cooled and solidified to make the film-shaped molten article; and two pairs of wind shield plates each of which pairs are arranged between the shaft-direction ends of the first and second rotation rolls and an end part in the width-direction of the film-shaped molten article, wherein the wind shield plates are placed approximately perpendicular to the surface of the film-shaped molten article, and wherein each pair of the wind shield plates are placed approximately in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Advanced Layers, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kazama
  • Publication number: 20140220187
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming an edible animal chew comprising the steps of (a) extruding an edible composition; followed by (b) contacting the extrudate with a plurality of post-form rollers, at least one of said post-form rollers exhibits an undulated surface and contacts the extrudate with said undulated surface, the undulated surface comprising a plurality of nodules for imparting undulations onto the extrudate surface, wherein at least some of the nodules have an elongate shape and are offset at an angle to the rotation direction of the post-form roller, said elongate shapes being oriented in two or more different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MARS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Alicia Essler
  • Publication number: 20140193559
    Abstract: A method for forming and cooling an initially hot and therefore flowable melted cheese (1), which is applied via a supply nozzle onto a moving metallic cooling belt (3?), wherein individual shaped bodies (6) are formed out of the melted cheese (1) in that a shaping roller (5), which comprises molding cavities (7) located in the surface, impinges upon the cooling belt (3?), wherein a pressure of the shaping roller (5) against the cooling belt (3?) is provided during forming that induces full displacement of the still-hot melted cheese (1) from the region of the separating webs (8) delimiting the individual molding cavities (7) and bearing against the cooling belt (3?), wherein the formed bodies (6) are released from the molding cavities (7) and are cooled by remaining on the moving cooling belt (3?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HOCHLAND SE
    Inventors: Roland Zeuschner, Walter Hartmann, Franz Stadelmann
  • Patent number: 8580175
    Abstract: A method of continuous curing and post-curing of a plurality of extruded strands is provided. A plurality of extruded strands is wrapped through a plurality of spindle units rotatably connected to a rigid frame structure. A plurality of dual spindles are provided in a plurality of upper and lower spindle units, wherein each dual spindle comprises a free spinning roller and a driven roller. A chamber that comprises a dual function chamber configured for heating and cooling is supported on the rigid frame structure. The plurality of extruded strands is continuously transferred between the upper spindle units and the lower spindle units such that the plurality of extruded strands runs in a vertical fashion that continuously alternates between the lower spindle units and the upper spindle units. Each of the plurality of strands is transferred independently of each other and continuously passed through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120313287
    Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently manufacturing a raw rubber strip comprises a screw extruder, an extruder head having a preforming nozzle, a gear pump therebetween, a pair of calender rolls, a roll-gap changer for switching between a close state and an open state of calender rolls, and a controller for controlling the gear pump, the calender rolls and the roll-gap changer to let the calender rolls in the open state prior to the stopping of the rotation of the calender rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Yoshinobu NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20120100339
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for forming polymer(s) including heating of a polymer to be formed to a temperature above its glass transition temperature, continuously depositing (preferably by flowing or laying) the polymer onto a moulding surface (herein the “lower moulding surface”) of a first mould, (preferably in a manner that reduces, eliminates or minimises shear stress or other stress in the polymer so deposited), the polymer remaining above the glass transition temperature, applying a moulding surface (herein the “upper surface”) of the polymer while the polymer remains at a temperature above the glass transition temperature, and allowing the polymer to transition to below the glass transition temperature while within or between the upper and lower moulding surfaces, wherein the polymer is removed from the moulding surfaces. Apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Leo Haynes, Christopher John Nicholls
  • Patent number: 8157556
    Abstract: A system for controlling the dimensions of an extrudate exiting an extruder and for compensating for the variations in the extrusion rate of the extruder, expansion rate and rate of travel of the extrudate through sizing devices by changing the speed of an extrudate puller device, includes an extruder which extrudes the extrudate; a conveyor system comprising rollers and a series of sizing devices; a puller device for pulling the extrudate through the sizing devices; and a laser proximity measuring device to assist the system in keeping the desired shape of the extrudate. The laser proximity measuring device includes at least one pair of optical non-contact displacement transducers, a real time processor, and an interactive touch screen display unit. The transducers emit a laser beam which provides a laser point on the side of the extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Strandex Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Dostal
  • Patent number: 7874826
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded rail of ink. The extruded rail of ink is then roll formed to partially form a portion of a shape transverse to the extrusion direction as the rail of ink moves in the extrusion direction. A swaging process is then carried out to further form and divide the extruded rail of ink into ink sticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Rodney Jones, Gustavo J. Yusem, Edward F. Burress, Dan Leo Massopust
  • Patent number: 7841850
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing elongate variably shaped bodies at least partially comprising thermoplastic material a profile is extruded from an extrusion system head and engaged in a flexible conduit created by cavities formed inside a series of calibration plates attached flexibly together. The calibration plates slide freely over a rotating mold to adopt the shape of the mold's outer contour. The profile is driven through the flexible conduit and winded around the rotating mould like coils. In an embodiment of the apparatus and method, the profile is winded around a size-variable mould creating three-dimensional objects in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Soheyl Mottahedeh
  • Patent number: 7815830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extruding curved extruded profiles. The extruded profile is formed in a matrix mounted upstream in a counter beam of an extruder system and is subsequently curved or bent due to the effect of external forces and separated, supported and arranged into partial lengths in the extrusion flow by means of a separating robot connected to a higher control mechanism and is discharged to a storage area with the aid of a handling robot. The handling robot is coupled to the separating robot by means of the control mechanism and, like the separating robot, is moved into a starting position in front of the extrusion press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Ohlberg, Markus König, James Camp, Wilfried Geven, Uwe Muschalik
  • Patent number: 7758331
    Abstract: Supporting device for a plastic profile (2), in particular for a plastic pipe, in a calibration device which has a supporting region (1), in which it supports the plastic profile (2), wherein the contour (3) in the supporting region (1) is adapted to the contour of the plastic profile (2). According to the invention, provision is made in that the contour (3) in the supporting region (1), in particular the radius (4), can be changed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for changing a supporting region of a supporting device, in which the position of one or more series-arranged supporting devices with continuously changeable supporting region are changed as a function of a predetermined theoretical diameter such that the predetermined diameter is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: American Maplan Corporation
    Inventors: Heinrich Dohmann, Reinhard Witt, Ralf Mickley, Norbert Kreth
  • Patent number: 7740469
    Abstract: Thermoplastic films and laminates are made by extrusion and stretching using differential speed rollers employing a short stretching gap of no more than one inch immediately after the extruded film product is formed. The method and apparatus control the thickness of the stretched film and impart desirable mechanical properties thereto such as film products with a high modulus for handling and suitable tensile for softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Clopay Plastic Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Leopoldo V. Cancio, Thomas G. Mushaben, Robert M. Mortellite, Pai-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7740470
    Abstract: A stretcher for substantially uniaxially orienting a film includes a plurality of gripping members to hold opposing edge portions of the film, paths along which the gripping members travel to stretch the film in a stretching region, and a drive mechanism to convey the film and gripping members along a machine direction. At least a portion of the paths in the stretching region define diverging, curvilinear courses disposed in-plane. The paths are configured such that during the stretching an extent of uniaxial character, U, is between zero and unity and a minimum value of an extent of uniaxial character, U, is at least 0.70 over a final portion of the stretching after achieving a TDDR of 2.5. U is defined as U=(1/MDDR?1)/(TDDR1/2?1), wherein TDDR is greater than 4 at an end of the stretching region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
  • Patent number: 7625194
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus is provided for manufacturing a tubular resin film of high quality and little thickness variations, which is stretched and given an orientation, and suitable as retardation film or the like. It comprises a stretching section (6) for stretching the tubular resin film (20), and a maintaining section (7) for maintaining a shape of said tubular resin film (20) stretched. Further, said stretching section (6) is arranged to apply a stretching force to said tubular resin film for longitudinally and/or circumferentially stretching said tubular resin film (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshida, Seigou Akazawa, Keiko Akazawa, legal representative, Toyotaro Maruyama, Takeshi Takeuchi, Shigeyoshi Furuhara, Masanori Ikenaga, Toshio Nakao
  • Patent number: 7556487
    Abstract: A dual-filled gum piece is provided having a first cavity filled with a liquid filling and a second cavity filled with a powder filling. The gum pieces are produced by extruding a gum rope having two separate channels respectively filled with liquid and powder, sizing and shaping the gum rope, cooling the gum rope, cutting the rope into discrete gum pieces, and finally cooling the gum pieces. The gum pieces optionally can be coated with a hard coating. In other aspects for single- and dual-filled gums, a process for making the gum pieces employs a rope sizer that reduces the diameter of the gum rope and shapes it to have a non-round cross-section, and a multi-story cooling tunnel having individually motor-driven conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Intergum Gida Sinayi ve Ticaret A.S.
    Inventors: Nesim Acar, Albert Levi
  • Publication number: 20090039542
    Abstract: Packing tape is made by predrying polyethylene terephthalate and supplying it to an intake end of a chamber of an extruder where the polyethylene terephthalate is agglomerated and melted while being moved through the chamber in a travel direction. Negative pressure is applied to the chamber of the extruder and to degas the PET and thereby draw low-molecular-weight impurities from the polyethylene terephthalate therein, and extruding the melted polyethylene terephthalate as a strip from the extruder through a spinneret.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Jurgen Morton-Finger
  • Publication number: 20090029114
    Abstract: Thermoplastic films and laminates are made by extrusion and stretching using differential speed rollers employing a short stretching gap of no more than one inch immediately after the extruded film product is formed. The method and apparatus control the thickness of the stretched film and impart desirable mechanical properties thereto such as film products with a high modulus for handling and suitable tensile for softness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Leopoldo V. Cancio, Thomas G. Mushaben, Robert M. Mortellite, Pai-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7481638
    Abstract: A method may include the steps of: (a) providing a tire mold; (b) providing an extruder operatively connected to a head with a die assembly; (c) inserting at least a first compound into the first extruder; (d) forming an extrudate from the die assembly; (e) applying the extrudate directly from the die assembly into the tire mold to form a tire tread component; and, (f) controlling movement of the tire mold to correspond to the extrudate delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Gary Robert Burg
  • Patent number: 7452319
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing double-walled composite tubes, which have an outer wall with wave peaks and wave valleys and a smooth inner wall, includes two of rows first and second shaping-jaw halves which, along a common shaping section, form a shaping tunnel. The first shaping-jaw halves are located opposite each other in the shaping section and have an inner contour forming a tube socket portion. The second shaping-jaw halves, also located opposite each other, include transverse grooves alternating with transverse fins. A sizing mandrel, which defines narrow vacuum grooves spaced apart from one another in the axial direction on its outer lateral surface, projects into the shaping tunnel and forms the smooth inner wall of the composite tube. A vacuum control valve device provides for defined closure and reopening of the vacuum grooves when positioned in correspondence with the tube socket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unicor GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Neubauer
  • Patent number: 7445443
    Abstract: A turning bar draw-off device for a tubular film extrusion installation, with a plurality of turning bars which can be rotatingly driven around a common axis of rotation or in reverse by rotary drive mechanisms. For the rotating or reversing guidance of the turning bars around the axis of rotation, the ends of each turning bar are connected with guide carriages, which are guided on guide rails arranged in a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Helmut Meyer
  • Patent number: 7426843
    Abstract: A roll assembly and a pipe extrusion plant for producing pipes with a variable diameter, includes an extruder, an adjustable calibration device, and a cooling device, whereby a pipe to be produced is guided at least in part during the production process. In order to be able to provide a guide that is suited to different pipe diameters, a roll assembly is provided to include a row of rolls which are placed one behind the other in a take-off direction, with each roll mounted in a bracket and supported to allow vertical positioning thereof in dependence on the pipe diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20080224346
    Abstract: A film (5) is extruded from plastic material by means of an extruder. Material is mixed into the plastic (5a) of the plastic film (5) before the extrusion so that cavitation bubbles are formed in the material particles mixed into the plastic (5a) when the plastic film is stretched. The film (5) is orientated by stretching. After the extrusion the plastic film (5) is cooled slowly below the crystallization point of the plastic material before the orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CONENOR OY
    Inventors: Kari Kirjavainen, Teuvo Arpiainen, Markku Vilkki, Hannu Lehtola
  • Publication number: 20080099949
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface. A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takeuchi, Shingo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7357630
    Abstract: A calibration device for calibrating extruded continuous profiles, in particular tubes, includes a housing and a plurality of segment bodies which are received in the housing in a substantially in circular manner, with axially neighboring segment bodies partially overlapping in a circumferential direction. Each segment body is made from a single-piece workpiece and has a contoured inner surface, wherein the inner surfaces of the segment bodies jointly define a calibration opening for passage of a tube. An operating device retains the segment bodies in the housing and allow adjustment of each segment body in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Henning Stieglitz, Aron Altmann
  • Patent number: 7322814
    Abstract: To form a film or sheet relatively thin and needing a high degree of precision in thickness, such as for an optical use, while suppressing temperature fluctuations at one side opposite to the other side in contact with an outer peripheral surface of a roll (11), an outer peripheral surface of the roll is covered, with a necessary gap (t) left, by a windshield (20) of a double-layered structure having a thermally insulating property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nozawa, Takayoshi Sano
  • Patent number: 7316558
    Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7270532
    Abstract: Systems for leaching liquid waste, particularly waste water. More particularly, a cylindrical conduit or pipe for use in leaching systems. Even more particularly, a cylindrical conduit which has apertures/skimmer tabs created either during the manufacture/forming/extrusion of the conduit or by punching after the forming of the conduit. Most particularly, is an apparatus and method for perforating corrugated plastic pipe or smooth walled plastic pipe while the pipe is in the process of extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: David W. Presby
  • Patent number: 7229271
    Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, John A. Wheatley, Dennis L. Krueger
  • Patent number: 7214051
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a double-walled thermoplastic pipe with a connecting sleeve has a molding tunnel with a succession of molds for forming a corrugated molding wall and a connecting sleeve, respectively. An extrusion device extrudes a first flexible tube into said molding tunnel and a second flexible tube into said first flexible tube. A first gas channel is arranged for generating a pressure between said first and second flexible tubes. A compressed-gas control device is connected to said first gas channel for generating a pressure p1 or a pressure p2 in said space between said first and second flexible tubes by compressed air emerging from said first gas channel. A second compressed-gas control device is connected to a second gas channel for guiding compressed gas onto an inner side of said second flexible tube. Said first pressure controller is connected to said first gas channel via a compressed-gas line that is connected to an additional compressed-gas reservoir for gas exchange therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Manfred Arno Alfred Lupke, Stefan A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 7201571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extrusion, in particular for the production of bent extruded products, in which the extruded product (8) is formed in a die mounted before a support yoke (2) of an extrusion machine and then bent or curved by means of the effects of an external force, whereby at least one bending radius is formed, within the support yoke, on the extruded product (8) which enters the support yoke (2) with a straight extrusion direction (4). An extrusion unit further comprises a support yoke (2) formed with a lateral yoke opening (3), running transverse to the straight extrusion direction (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Graefe, Uwe Muschalik
  • Patent number: 7198476
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuously and endlessly vulcanizing a hose is disclosed and claimed. Pressurized air or other gas is intermittently supplied through a woven jacket, a mandrel, a check valve and into the interior of an extruded rubber hose. The hose is sealed as it is pulled over the mandrel. Pinch rollers seal the other end of the hose. One or more non-contact heaters vulcanize the hose from outside-in. Pressurizing the inside of the hose maintains proper diametrical dimensions of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Harcourt, John Edward Meadowcroft
  • Patent number: 7175415
    Abstract: The invention relates to a moulding system (3), in particular a calibration die (17), for an extrusion plant, with preferably parallel inlet and outlet faces (28, 29) spaced at a distance apart and with side faces (30, 31, 32, 33) extending between them. A longitudinal axis for the object to be fed through a calibration orifice (24) is disposed substantially perpendicular to the inlet and outlet face (28, 29). Provided between a shaping surface (25, 26) and a side face (30, 31, 32, 33) is a gap (37, 38) extending at least across a part of the distance between the inlet and outlet face (28, 29). The gap (37, 38) is disposed between several immediately adjacent parts of several shaping surfaces (26) of the calibration orifice (24) and at least one of the side faces (30, 31, 32, 33). At least the parts of the shaping surfaces (26) co-operating with the gap (37, 38) are displaceable relative to the other shaping surfaces (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Greiner Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Kössl
  • Patent number: 7172402
    Abstract: Described is a mold jaw half for an apparatus for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw half (16) has end faces and a base face and in its interior a cooling passage with a coolant feed and a coolant discharge, which open at a spacing from each other at the base face of the mold jaw halves. In order to provide a reduced flow resistance for the coolant through the cooling passage and consequently an increased coolant through-put, resulting in an improved cooling action, it is proposed that the coolant feed and the coolant discharge cross, as seen in a direction viewing on to the end faces of the mold jaw halves, and are oriented in opposite relationship with respect to the advance direction of the mold jaw half. That mutually opposite orientation provides that the coolant is virtually shovelled into the cooling passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Unicor GmbH Rahn Plastmaschinen
    Inventor: Gunther Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7153123
    Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Take-away systems can be used to receive the film after stretching. The configuration of the take-away system can, in at least some instances, influence final film properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7153122
    Abstract: A process for stretching films is described. The process preferably stretches films in a uniaxial fashion. Preferably, optical films are stretched including multilayer optical films. Other aspects of the invention include a roll of stretched film and an apparatus for stretching films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffery N. Jackson, William Ward Merrill, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, Dennis L. Krueger
  • Patent number: 7150614
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a corresponding method for producing a continuous foamed extrudate product in which the extrusion and initial expansion of the foamed extrudate is conducted within a chamber under a partial vacuum. The foamed extrudate is then removed from the chamber through an orifice submerged within a liquid baffle. The dimensions of the foamed extrudate are monitored as it approaches the orifice and, if necessary, the effective sizing of the orifice is adjusted through the movement of a pair of side gates and a single vertical gate arranged external the orifice to match opening to the foamed extrudate and impede the flow of liquid into the chamber through the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Sadinski
  • Patent number: 7140865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a corrugation-free polystyrene foam with 100% carbon dioxide as the blowing agent by extruding the extrudate through an annular die opening so that it contacts a choke ring inner surface. A foam made with the apparatus according to the invention will have no visible corrugations and an average cell size of less than 0.35 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dart Container Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne J. Myer, Blaine M. Kelley
  • Patent number: 7104776
    Abstract: Stretched polymeric films can be used in a variety of applications, including optical applications. The stretching conditions and shape of the stretching tracks in a stretching apparatus can determine or influence film properties. Methods and stretching apparatuses can include adjustable or zone-defined stretching regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William W. Merrill, Jeffery N. Jackson, Andrew T. Ruff, Desiree L. Thompson, John A. Wheatley, Jeffrey D. Amundson, Curtis A Harvey
  • Patent number: 6979189
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to adjust the dimensions of thermoplastic components following passage of the component through final processing in a fixture. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus for maintaining product tolerances on thermoplastic components that have undergone post-form extrusion. In addition, the invention relates to a method for maintaining product tolerances on post-form extruded thermoplastic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Rex Baxter, Ade Adebo
  • Patent number: 6952942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a discharge device of an extruding installation (1), particularly provided for producing curved extruded products, that comprises, on a table-like support (8), a channel (7) which accommodates the extruded product. Said channel (7) is provided in the form of a flexible component that can be swung outward from the straight extruding direction (4) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Graefe, Uwe Muschalik
  • Patent number: 6946094
    Abstract: There is provided a plastic extrusion sizing tube having a cylinder with a split along its length to allow for radial expansion and reduction of the sizing tube. The cylinder has holes to allow an extrusion within the cylinder to be drawn to the cylinder by a vacuum outside the cylinder. The cylinder also has extensions on opposite sides of the split with an adjustment screw connecting the extensions. The diameter of the cylinder can be expanded or reduced when the adjustment screw is turned in respective directions. A set screw can be connected to one of the extensions. The diameter of the cylinder can be expanded or reduced when the set screw is turned in respective directions. The diameter of the cylinder can be locked in a desired position when the adjustment screw and the set screw are turned in the same direction. The adjustment screw and the set screw can be located in a flange at one end of the cylinder. The holes in the cylinder can be slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: American Maplan Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney L. Shober
  • Patent number: 6905325
    Abstract: Pipe molding apparatus having a molding mold tunnel includes an upstream (3) and at least one downstream mold block (7). Each mold block (3, 5, 7) comprises mold block sections which close with one another to form the pipe and which open relative to one another to release the pipe. The mold blocks (3, 5, 7) move downstream of the apparatus together with one another when forming the pipe and move upstream separately from one another when releasing the pipe which cools and shrinks in both diameter and length in the mold tunnel. Each mold block (3, 5, 7) has a hollow pipe forming region with the pipe forming region of the downstream mold block being decreased in both diameter and length relative to the pipe forming region of the upstream mold block (3) to compensate for the plastic shrinkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred A. A. Lupke, Stefan A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 6877976
    Abstract: A ribbed pipe molding apparatus has a die with a plastic flow passage which carries molten plastic from an extruder to a mold for making the ribbed pipe. The plastic flow passage has a downstream flow region which exits at an acute angle through the external surface of the die. The inner wall of the end region which locates downstream of the outer wall of the flow passage in the downstream flow region of the passage has a transition wall part which is also inclined relative to the exterior surface of the die but which is sloped at a angle less than the main part of the downstream flow region of the passage. The transition wall part of the inner wall shapes the mouth of the passage so as to produce a wedging of the plastic flowing through the passage into the mold for extremely efficient production of the ribs on the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Manfred A. A. Lupke, Stefan A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 6840748
    Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for cooling and calibrating an extruded plastic profile (2) with a cooling tank (4) receiving a cooling liquid, with calibrating elements (5) disposed within the cooling tank (4) for the plastic profile (2) subjected to the cooling liquid, and with a draw-off device (7) which is disposed downstream of the cooling tank (4) in the draw-off direction of the plastic profile (2). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that at least one damping device (9) is provided between the inlet-sided calibrating element (5) of the cooling tank (4) and the draw-off device (7), which damping device rests at least in sections in the zone of one circumference on the plastic profile (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: a + g extrusion technology GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Gasselseder, Erwin Krumböck, Siegfried Pramberger
  • Patent number: RE42424
    Abstract: In the extrusion of feed-stuff pellets and relevant consumer products, the extruded products are subject to expansion as a result of the boiling of their water content when the products, after being exposed to high extrusion pressure and a correspondingly high temperature, are discharged to the atmosphere through the extrusion nozzles. Such an expansion is directly aimed at, but it is desirable to be able to control it, which is difficult by adjustment of the ordinary process parameters. With the invention it has been found that the expansion which arises can be controlled in a highly constant manner, i.e. by carrying out the extrusion into a closed chamber in which an over-pressure of a few bar is established in relation to the atmospheric pressure, and which can be regulated. The extrusion products can be continuously discharged from this chamber, or they can be discharged intermittently in portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Andritz Feed & Biofuel A/S
    Inventor: Anders Flarup-Knudsen