Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously vulcanizing unsheathed and unvulcanized elastomeric or plastomeric material by passing the material through an enclosure, within which it is subjected to vulcanizing conditions, in the form of a helix, the helix convolutions in part contacting a drive member and idler member and in part being freely suspended. A resilient elastomeric diaphragm is disposed on the surface of one of the said members.

Abstract: Apparatus for vulcanizing a continuous length of flexible material comprising a closed chamber having material receiving input and exit ports while maintaining vulcanization pressure and temperature within the chamber, and a pair of rolls mounted on parallel spaced-apart horizontal axes within the chamber such that a portion of the material passing into the chamber and carried by the rolls is self-supporting and free of any contact with either roll surface, the surface of at least one of the rolls being contoured such as to position helical convolutions of the material thereon and cause the material to move in a substantially helical path from the entry port to the exit port while it is being vulcanized within the chamber. A drive motor is connected to one of the rolls to effect rotation of the roll and movement of the material through the chamber.

Abstract: A vulcanized reinforced elastomeric hose and a method for its production wherein a layer of uncured rubber supported on a mandrel is surrounded by reinforcement filaments and thereafter vulcanized. In the same method of the invention recesses are provided in the surface of the uncured rubber beneath the reinforcement filaments to accommodate expansion of the mandrel and/or expansion of the uncured rubber and/or shrinkage of the filaments and thereby prevent rubber from being exuded above the reinforcement filaments on curing.

Abstract: A method of vulcanizing continuous lengths of elastomeric or plastomeric material which comprises driving the material through an enclosure, within which it is subjected to vulcanizing conditions, in the form of a helix, the helix convolutions in part contacting a drive mechanism and in part being freely suspended. Also an apparatus for vulcanizing continuous lengths of flexible material, comprising an enclosure, means for providing therein an atmosphere at an elevated temperature and pressure, spaced pressure-retaining inlet and outlet means for the continuous flexible material, and drive and support means for feeding the material through the enclosure in the form of a helix comprising partially unsupported convolutions. The invention is particularly useful in the vulcanization of hosing formed for example by extrusion or by helical winding or both.