Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for the curing of a continuous length of curable material, the length of material is passed through a curing chamber defined by a tubular body 47. This body 47 is disposed in the upper part of another heated tubular body 2 which contains a heat exchange liquid. This liquid is fed to one or more injectors disposed at one or both ends of the body 47, injected along the chamber and then allowed to drain back therefrom into the body 2. The body 2 contains a further tubular body 58 downstream of and partitioned from the tubular body 47. Body 58 also has an injector 60 through which water is injected to cool the length of material. With this relatively compact arrangement curing may be achieved while thermal stresses in the apparatus are reduced.

Abstract: A plant for carrying out a process of continuous vulcanization of articles of elastomeric material comprises a vulcanization apparatus comprising a circuit for a heat exchange liquid. The circuit comprises a vulcanization chamber arranged to receive the heat exchange liquid, means for heating the liquid to a predetermined temperature, and means for generating a predetermined pressure in the circuit. The circuit has at least one inlet and one outlet to allow passage of articles through the chamber, seals disposed at the inlet and outlet to ensure tightness of the passage of articles through the inlet and outlet and means to prevent contact between the seals and the high temperature liquid contained under pressure within the circuit.