Abstract: A flexible screw of the invention comprises a flexible rod and a cord helically set on the rod, and can be installed along straight and curved paths of transport. It ensures smooth transport of containers and provides container transport apparatus with a simplified construction at a reduced cost. Moreover, the abrasion of pipe during transport of powder and granular material can be reduced. The container transport apparatus of the present invention is equipped with the screw mentioned above and a guide, or two screws, the members of each pair being positioned in parallel at a given distance, and transfers containers held by the screw and the guide, or the two screws by rotating the screw(s). The container transport apparatus of the present invention enables smooth transport of containers even through a curved path, reduces maintenance cost of the screw(s) during operation, and inhibits abrasion of the rail to a considerable degree.

Abstract: A flexible screw for conveyors, which is made of a flexible rod and a polymer-coated cord helically wound on the rod, the cord being made of a core and a polymer layer formed on the core, and the core being a fiber bundle having a specific amount of buckling of not more than 0.3%. When the screw is used for transporting containers, it can adapt itself to a drastic change in the surrounding temperature and can endure a great tension caused by the transport of heavy containers, since winding pitch of the cord is not easily widened and the disturbance of the pitch can be prevented.

Abstract: A tubular guide body provided with a longitudinal slit portion has a flexible screw rotatably incorporated. A guiding portion of an object to be transported is brought into contact with the flexible screw through the slit portion. The flexible screw is rotated to exert forcing pressure upon the guiding portion of the object which is in contact with the flexible screw, thereby achieving the conveyance of the object in the longitudinal direction of the tubular guide body.

Abstract: The flexible screw of the invention comprises a flexible rod and a cord helically set on the rod, and can be installed along straight and curved paths of transport. It ensures smooth transport of containers and provides container transport apparatus of simplified construction at reduced cost. Moreover, abrasion of pipe during transport of powder and granular material can be reduced. The container transport apparatus of the present invention is equipped with the screw mentioned above and a guide, or two screws, the members of each pair being positioned in parallel at a given distance, and transfers containers held by the screw and the guide, or the two screws by rotating the screw(s). The container transport apparatus of the present invention enables smooth transport of containers even through a curved path, reduces maintenance cost of the screw(s) during operation, and inhibits abrasion of the rail to a considerable degree.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing an elongated body changing in elastic modulus longitudinally thereof with use of polymers without resulting in variations in the outside and inside diameters of the body even when the polymers are different in extrusion characteristics or swelling characteristics. The apparatus may include a feeder 1 for extruding a first polymer in a molten state and a feeder 2 for extruding a second polymer, which is different from the first polymer in elastic modulus and similarly in a molten state. The feeders alternately discharge the respective polymers, which are continuously fed to a long-land die 5 along with a lubricant supplied from a lubricant applicator 4. The polymers are formed into the desired shape and cooled in the die 5, and thereafter extruded.