Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming, shaping and surface finishing a foam extrudate as it expands and passes from an extrusion die to obtain, in particular, foam or cellular bodies having a substantial thickness in relation to their width. The apparatus comprises opposed extrudate shaping members located on opposite sides of the die orifice of the extrusion die and extending immediately downstream therefrom. The upstream end of each shaping member is hingedly supported adjacent and preferably slightly upstream from the die orifice, and the hinged supports at the upstream ends of the shaping members are uniformly adjustable towards and away from the central transversely extending plane of the extrusion die. The downstream end of each shaping member is hinged to a respective conveyor or surface finishing member of a conveyor or surface finishing assembly.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus using edge shaping and traction rolls is disclosed for shaping and forming plastic foams as a foamable extrudate is extruded through an arcuate orifice of an extrusion die. Immediately adjacent and downstream of the die orifice are opposed sets of curved rolls, each having substantially the same center of curvature as the die orifice and being positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of the extrudate pass line. Moreover, two pairs of traction shaping rolls downstream of the curved rolls engage edge portions of the extrudate further to assist in shaping the same especially in connection with the shaping and forming of relatively wide bodies of plastic foam material. Several parameters of the traction rolls may be adjusted to selected values affecting the force and direction applied by such rolls to the extrudate.

Abstract: A tire press unloader for use with a tire press of the standing bladder type which includes a vertically extensible elevator stanchion pivoted at its lower end at the back of the press and pivotally supporting a conveyor platform. When the press is opened and the cured tire has been elevated by the bladder mechanism, the conveyor platform is positioned beneath the cured tire on firm supports to provide an unyielding horizontal platform engaging and supporting the tire as the bladder is stripped therefrom. When the green tire is on the platform clear of the bladder, the platform elevates and then tilts backwardly to lift the cured tire over the top of the standing bladder mechanism. The tire then rolls down to a tire stop and the platform retracts. Cam stop means may be provided as the platform descends with the tire causing the platform to tilt at least partially to clear the motor housing or other parts of the press.