Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding and shaping the end portion of a section of thermoplastic pipe to form a so-called "bell" thereon with a raised annular rib defining a sealing groove. The end portion to be belled is differentially heated to provide an intermediate zone of high temperature and plasticity for the rib, between two zones of lower plasticity for a lip and a barrel, the lip zone preferably being of higher plasticity than the barrel zone, and is forced onto a mandrel with radially expandable internal die sections and closable external die sections for shaping the rib. When the pipe is on the mandrel, the bell is thickened by axial compression, and then die-shaped so that the wall thickness increases progressively with the diameter of the rib. Two alternative differential heating methods are disclosed, one heating the different zones in steps, and one using heating chambers of different intensities in a one-step process.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming internally grooved bells on plastic tubes, having a mandrel comprising coaxial front and rear mandrel sections spaced apart to form a gap, angularly spaced supporting pins joining internal flanges on the elements across the gap, two sets of alternating core sections in the gap, one set having inwardly converging sides and the other having inwardly diverging sides, and an expanding mechanism comprising an actuator shaft rotatably supported in the mandrel, two rotary actuating plates mounted on the shaft on opposite sides of the core sections, and two guide plates mounted in the mandrel in fixed positions. The guide plates have a plurality of spaced radial guide slots, and the actuating plates have a plurality of inclined cam slots that extend radially outwardly across the guide slots. Follower pins on the core sections project into the cam slots and guide slots to be cammed and guided thereby as the actuating plates are rotated back and forth.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming internally grooved bells on plastic tubes having a mandrel comprising coaxial front and rear mandrel elements spaced apart to form a gap, angularly spaced supporting pins joining internal flanges on the elements across the gap, two sets of alternating core sections in the gap, one set having inwardly converging sides and the other having inwardly diverging sides and convex inner ends with concave central dwell areas, and an expanding spider supported in the gap on a shaft journaled in a rear end wall of the rear mandrel element. The spider has angularly spaced arms on which rollers are rotatably mounted to roll along the convex inner ends of the core sections of one set as the shaft is rotated back and forth by an actuator, and arcuate recesses are formed in the central portions of the ends to stabilize the rollers in the expanded position.