Abstract: An extruder device having improved flow distribution, reduced shear and reduced surface area on which material can accumulate, including a breaker plate having a plurality of symmetrically arranged tapered holes provided therein. The holes are disposed on a series of V-shaped concentric centering grooves the diameters of which progressively increase, albeit by diminishing increments, over the adjacent inner circles. Each of the holes disposed on a particular centering groove is of equal diameter; however, the diameters of the holes become progressively smaller as the diameters of the centering grooves on which they are disposed increase. The holes nearest the center of the plate have the largest diameters, while those nearest the periphery of the plate have the smallest diameters.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for simultaneously extruding a coating comprising a plurality of layers of dissimilar plastic compounds having substantially different melting points onto a moving electrical conductor wherein the plastic compounds are mechanically and thermally separated and the conductor is centered in the plastic jackets by a center trim guide, said trim guide having replacable guide tips. Separating the two plastics prevents thermal degradation of the two extrudates by causing their melt temperatures to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for simultaneously extruding a coating comprising a plurality of layers of dissimilar plastic compounds having substantially different melting points onto a moving electrical conductor wherein the plastic compounds are mechanically and thermally separated and the conductor is centered in the plastic jackets by a center trim guide, said trim guide having replacable guide tips. Separating the two plastics prevents thermal degradation of the two extrudates by causing their melt temperatures to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for simultaneously extruding a coating comprising a plurality of layers of dissimilar plastic compounds having substantially different melting points onto a moving electrical conductor wherein the plastic compounds are mechanically and thermally separated. Separating the two plastics prevents thermal degradation of the two extrudates by causing their melt temperatures to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of removing insulation from strands of multiplex cable in a single operation by unplexing multiplex cable, removing insulation and replexing bare multiplex cable in a single operation, and the uninsulated product thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system for annealing strand of the type comprising at least two sheaves across which the strand passes and becomes electrically annealed, the improvement comprising a first flange member, a second flange member concentric with the first flange member and adjacent thereto, and an annealing band positioned between the first and second flange members and forming the bottom of a sheave groove, further provided that the annealing band is adapted to center strand being annealed to prevent contact between the strand and either of the flange members thereby providing a renewable, strand centering annealer sheave adapted for long life.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the immersion treatment of discrete lengths of galvanized conduit to inhibit the formation of "white rust" on the conduit surfaces are disclosed. The conduit is continually conveyed successively through three treatment zones comprising a cleaning bath containing a cleaning agent which removes lubricating oils, greases, dirt and the like from the conduit interior and exterior surfaces, a rinse bath and a coating bath containing a coating agent including chromate ions and a polymeric coating composition. A rotary star wheel-type conveyor is arranged in each treatment zone for transporting the conduits in spaced, substantially parallel relation to each other about an arcuate path through each bath and for inclining the conduit above the bath for a time effective to drain excess liquid from the interior and exterior conduit surfaces. Effective draining of excess liquid prior to entry to another zone minimizes contamination of the various baths and yields a high quality product.