Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a machine for manufacturing a tubular piece from at least one web of supple material, the machine comprising a mandrel around which the or each web is capable of being helically wound, and means for driving by friction the or each web wound around the mandrel, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. According to the invention, the or each web being constituted by a resistant reinforcement bonded at least on the surface to a polymerizable product, heat regulation means are provided in the zone of said drive means.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a paper tube or like tube at a constant speed by helically winding tape on a mandrel tightly with a great torsional force without creating any tape-to-tape clearance and delivering the tube formed from the mandrel axially thereof with a great force while rotating the tube without warping the mandrel. The apparatus comprises tape feeders, the mandrel and a tube rotating-drawing device for delivering the tube from the mandrel axially thereof while rotating the tube. When required, other devices can be provided for the apparatus which include a tape winding device and a tube press which are interposed between the tape feeders and the tube rotating-drawing device, and a resin-coated tape feeder, resin applicator stand, drying oven, grinding stand and tube cutter which are arranged downstream from the tube rotating-drawing device.

Abstract: Apparatus whereby a filament web impregnated with resin in the unpolymerized state is fed to a pole (1) at a predetermined angle (.alpha.) with respect to a plane perpendicular to this latter. The pole (1) is drawn in rotation about its axis (X-X') and the filament web is displaced along the pole from the bottom end to the top end thereof in a direction parallel to the axis of the pole while this latter is being driven in rotation. A plurality of parallel fiber slivers (8, 9, 10) spaced a distance apart are fed simultaneously to the pole (1) in a plurality of layers. The spacing between the slivers is progressively increased during displacement of the slivers between the bottom end and the top end of the pole and progressively decreased in the opposite direction. Similarly, the angle of the slivers to a plane perpendicular to that axis is progressively increased and decreased in the same directions that the spacing is increased and decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a resin tube comprising: (a) a support means; (b) a central support by the support means and extending therefrom; (c) a pair of operating means supported by the central shaft at two separate positions; (d) a plurality of rotatable forming rolls each supported by the operating means at both ends thereof in such a manner that the rotatable forming rolls are arranged circularly around the central shaft and that a cylindrical envelope formed by the rotatable forming rolls has a radius changeable by operation of the operating means; and (e) a plurality of flexible link means each connected between one end of each rotatable forming roll and a driving means for simultaneously rotating the rotatable forming rolls in the same direction at any radius of the envelope. Because of this structure, the apparatus can manufacture a resin tube of any size simply by operating the operating means.

Abstract: This invention relates to industrial manufacture of composite tubes in a continuous fashion. The invention utilizes a segmented mandrel which proceeds as a train of endwise joined segments through a composite tube forming machine. Segments are added to and subtracted from the mandrel during manufacture of the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a rotationally symmetrical body formed of crisscross-wound layers, comprises a rotatable winding mandrel, a carriage arranged for travel back and forth along the mandrel; and a thread laying mechanism for receiving simultaneously a plurality of threads from a thread supply and for depositing the threads on the mandrel during rotation thereof and during the back-and-forth travel of the carriage. The thread laying mechanism has a laying roller having a peripheral surface void of grooves. The threads are trained about the peripheral surface of the laying roller and deposited therefrom onto the winding mandrel. The thread laying mechanism further has a guide element for receiving the threads and advancing them to the peripheral surface of the laying roller in predetermined distances from one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved apparatus for making flexible hoses comprising a means for storing and unwinding reinforcing threads needed for hose building, said means comprising a set of joinable drum storing platforms as a thread applying means capable of simultaneously applying reinforcing threads in the order of magnitude of a thousand to the flexible hose to be manufactured; at least one driving mechanism being capable of positively gripping any part of the hose and being capable of advancing or advancing and rotating the hose; optional input means for supplying heat, e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for longitudinally reinforcing continuously generated, resin-impregnated fiber pipe includes deposition longitudinal reinforcing fiber elements directly onto the surface of the pipe into the nip formed between the surface of the pipe being generated and fiber elements being wound circumferentially onto the pipe. Rollers contacting the pipe at the nip guide the longitudinal deposition of fiber elements supplied from a swinging supply tube.

Abstract: A device and method for producing a tube comprises a rotatable mandrel over which the tube is formed and an extruder alongside the mandrel having a nozzle which extrudes a supporting material having a hollow portion onto the mandrel at a selected angle in a manner to form a continuously helically wound strip on the mandrel as the mandrel is rotated and the mandrel and the extruder are moved relatively in respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. A supply of a profiled material such as a tubular reinforcement is provided alongside the mandrel and advantageously comprises a reel supply over which the tube is wound and which is connected through a feeder in the form of upper and lower rollers which engage the profiled material and feed it through the extruder into association with the supporting material and into the hollow portion thereof.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing reinforced hoses, a reinforced layer forming device is arranged concentric with material efflux port of an outer tube extruder and an inner tube extruder so that inner tube formation, the reinforcing layer formation and the outer tube extruding can be performed continuously and nearly at the same time on a torpedo projected beyond the top end of an inner die (2) of the inner tube extruder (1). In order to obtain the reinforcing layer of uniform spiral structure stably, a spiral device (21) as a reinforcing layer forming device has an inner spinner (25) and an outer spinner (26), each having conical frustum form, and top end portions of the inner and outer spinners are provided with a plurality of thread holes (G1, G2) and inserted in a gap between the intermediate die (12) and the inner die (2), and the inner and outer spinners can be rotated integrally with inner and outer bobbin carriers respectively.

Abstract: A device for producing a helically wound tube comprises a rotating mandrel around which the tube is wound and an extruding device having an extruder head oriented to direct a continuous strip of plastic through a profile pressure mandrel which defines a calibrating guide channel which in turn is oriented to deposit the desired width of extruded plastic strip onto the mandrel. The guide channel advantageously includes walls defining a cooling passage for a coolant for example on the wall over which the extruded plastic is directed. The extruder and the guide channel are mounted on a carriage so that they may be shifted longitudinally if the axis of the mandrel apply a continuous strip of material thereover at a selected pitch angle. The extruder advantageously includes means for directing a reinforcing rod member into the extruder head so that the extruded strip includes a central tubular reinforcement with a base flange on each side of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic pipe tee is wound around a mandrel according to this method and apparatus. Fiber rovings are delivered to the mandrel by way of a delivery ring translated in an X-Y plane. The mandrel can be rotated around an A axis parallel to the X direction or a B axis parallel to the Y direction. By switching between either rotation around the A axis or around the B axis, a three axis numerical control system can be employed. Means are provided for alternately rotating the mandrel around the A and B axes. Means are provided for independently translating the delivery ring in the X and Y directions as the mandrel rotates. The delivery ring comprises a curved bar around which a band of resin impregnated rovings makes a turn enroute to the mandrel for maintaining a reasonably constant width of the band of rovings.

Abstract: Apparatus for making tubular articles formed of a length of material wound in helical form with contiguous edges of successive convolutions of the material joined with one another comprises a forming section made up of a plurality of guide rollers supported by a vertical arch-type frame so as to define a generally cylindrical configuration. Feed rollers propel a strip of material in a lengthwise direction through the arch of the frame and around the support provided by the guide rollers in a helical path with edges of successive convolutions of the helix abutting one another. As the material is thus in effect coiled into helical form, a sewing machine joins contiguous edges of successive convolutions to form a continuous tubular article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making toothed belts and toothed belt made using such method and apparatus are provided wherein the belt is made primarily of polymeric material and is comprised of at least parts of a plurality of successive turns of a single helically wound toothed strip wherein the turns are bonded together in adjoining side-by-side relation and the toothed belt has improved teeth comprised of teeth initially provided in the single toothed strip by compressed, displaced, and reshaped portions of hot strip means of substantially self-supporting quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration employed to define such single strip.

Abstract: A system for applying insulating tape to a three-dimensionally curved conductor, particularly of the type used in high voltage applications. A wrapping ring having an axis of rotation is oriented with respect to the conductor such that the axis of rotation is always placed on the spinning point of the insulating tape, the spinning point being at the location where the tape tangentially contacts the conductor during wrapping. Such an orientation of the wrapping ring avoids the formation of pockets at the curved places of the conductor.

Abstract: An overhead electric conductor with optical fibres loosely housed in the bore of a central core, which bore also contains a greasy water-impermeable medium 4, is manufactured by causing a preformed elongate metal member of U-shaped transverse cross-section and the optical fibres to advance in the direction of their lengths, the rate of advance of the fibres being restrained. As the U-shaped elongate member is transversely folded around the optical fibres greasy water-impermeable medium is injected into the bore of the elongate metal member under a controlled pressure. The consistency of the greasy water-impermeable medium the pressure and rate at which it is injected into the bore and the degree of restraint imparted to the optical fibres 3 is such that, in a predetermined length of the conductor, the length of the optical fibres exceeds the length of the bore by a controlled extent, preferably 1 to 3%.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method is provided for holding and tacking an elongate material (12) onto a body (14), which body (14) may be toroidal in shape. The material (12) is applied to the body (14) by means of a shuttle (22) rotating about the body (14) in a plane transverse to a plane containing the body (14). The apparatus (30) includes a tacker arm (76) having a clamping means (104) for clamping and unclamping the end of the material (12), extending from the shuttle (22), to the arm (76). The arm (76) is pivotally mounted on a carriage (58) for movement between a first position, wherein the material (12) clamped to the arm (76) is held against the body (14), and a second position, spaced from the body (14). In the first position of the arm (76), the body (14) will move the arm (76) until the clamping means ( 104) unclamps the material (12) whereupon the arm (76) is pivoted to the second position.

Abstract: A machine for winding of fibres, especially as a circumferential reinforcement to a pipe extrudate in an extrusion channel, which comprises an open ended hollow rotating fibre carrier and guide around the object, the carrier being adapted for the accumulation of turns of fibre on its outside, the guide being adapted to lead the fibre from the turns accumulated on the outside of the hollow carrier inwardly to the object and, means adapted to rotate the carrier with the guide wherein the outside of the carrier comprises fibre support means adapted for the easy rotation of the accumulated turns of fibre relative to the carrier, and further comprising a stationary fibre bank for supplying the carrier with fibre, means adapted to reverse the direction of rotation of the carrier and buffer means intermediate between the carrier and the fibre bank adapted to temporarily take up turns from the carrier during reverse rotation.

Abstract: A molding system for molding large diameter chimney liners of fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) utilizes a vertically oriented cylindrical mold for use in combination with a working platform mounted on a vertical ram. The mold is of modular construction, having a plurality of axially spaced-apart spiders, each spider being segmented into a plurality of adjoining tri-angulated segments to form a polygon, to the outer sides of which are attached chordal segments to complete the circular form of the spider. Vertically axially extending ribs interconnect the spiders, with a flexible skin being applied thereabout. The provision of expansion means on the spiders increases the diameter of the mold to its working diameter, so that, upon completion of molding a liner, the action of the spider expansion means is reversed, causing contraction of the mold sufficient to facilitate ready axial separation of the mold and liner.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced pressure hose comprises a spiral winder which includes a mandrel of a truncated conical shape tapering one end towards the other end thereof at a predetermined angle of convergence and having its outer peripheral surface formed with a plurality of guide grooves lengthwise thereof. Longitudinal reinforcing strands are guided along the guide grooves on the mandrel while at least two circumferential reinforcing strands are spirally wound on the longitudinal reinforcing strands in the opposed direction with each other to form a tubular reinforcing layer. This reinforcing layer is, while being drawn in a direction away from the mandrel, positioned substantially intermediately of the wall of the subsequently formed tubular product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously manufacturing thin-walled flexible hoses having helical reinforcement members which are relatively strong in relation to the hose walls wherein an internal pressure is applied to the hose core to obviate the need for a manufacturing mandrel, and a plurality of turns of the reinforcement member are coiled onto a fixed tube through which the hose core passes and the successive comparatively unstressed turns of the reinforcement member are applied to the slightly expanding hose core at the tube exit by the application of an intermittent pressure in an axial direction against the respective last turn of the plurality of turns on the tube.

Abstract: In apparatus for applying fluid adhesive to strips to be wound helically to form a tube, the strips are led over a tank in step-wise configuration with successive strips laterally and vertically offset relative to one another but overlapping so that an upper strip partially overlaps the next lower strip. Liquid adhesive pumped from the tank is delivered onto the uppermost strip which then passes through scrapers which scrape surplus adhesive off the strips so that at least part of the surplus flows off a lateral edge of the uppermost strip onto the next lower strip. If there are more than two strips, the process is repeated so that surplus adhesive is flowed at least in part from each strip to the next lower strip. Any surplus not retained by the strips flows back to the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing poles of reinforced plastics material by advancing a prefabricated hollow core of plastics material coaxially with a plurality of resin impregnated reinforcing threads, the threads being held tight and radially distributed around the core and being caused to adhere thereto, spirally winding at least one impregnated reinforcing thread around to at least partially cover the core and impregnated reinforcing threads during their advance, and leaving the core and the impregnated reinforcing threads to harden to obtain the union of the threads with the core.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing tubes by helically winding strips of thermoplastics synthetic sheet material, comprising a double-shell coolable draw-off mandrel onto which, immediately after its extrusion through a slit nozzle or after being heated to a workable state, the sheet material is wound spirally in overlapping manner in such a way that it is formed into a tube with an obliquely extending winding seam, pull-off apparatus to cause and permit axial and rotational movement of the tube relative to the draw-off mandrel and cooling means to act directly on the sheet material wound into a tube on the draw-off mandrel. The double-shell draw-off mandrel can be cooled by liquid coolants circulating through a closed cooling system and between inner and outer shells of the mandrel. Conveyors extending longitudinally of the mandrel and laterally overlapping with one another can be provided to reduce friction between the tube and the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making a flexible duct of wire-reinforced construction made from a plurality of adhesive-coated polymeric tapes. The tapes are simultaneously applied from angularly oppositely disposed directions in conjunction with application of a reinforcement wire to provide a helix construction with overlapping convoluted edges to provide a duct of predetermined length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to FRP members, the apparatus and process for making same. The FRP members are reinforced with helical strands of reinforcing material disposed in expanded helices of opposite hand, the helices of each hand being contained in discrete layers. The lead angle of each helix may be constant or varied along the length of the member independently of whether the member is cylindrical or tapered in order to provide the desired structural characteristics. The process comprises impregnating the reinforcing strands with resin and wrapping those strands onto a mandrel by apparatus in which relative rotational as well as relative translatory movement between the mandrel and a winding head may be effected to wrap the strands onto the mandrel. At least one relative movement may be selectively varied to effect the desired lead angle to the helically disposed reinforcing strands along the length of the mandrel.

Abstract: In a method for feeding reinforcing strand when making a tubular product of plastic or other synthetic material, comprising supplying helically a supporting strand during rotation of a tube blank and applying a longitudinal reinforcing strand to the blank, the longitudinal reinforcement strand is in form of pieces cut off from a continuous strand after abutment thereof against the supporting strand. The continuous strand gradually displaces the cut off lengths of strand during the rotation of the tube blank. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises means for feeding support helically around a rotating tube blank, means for feeding portions of additional reinforcing strand oriented in the direction of the tube blank to place the portions between the supporting strands and the tube blank, and means for cutting off said axially orientated reinforcing strands. The cutting is carried out when the strand portion is held by at least one supporting strand.

Abstract: Pipe coating apparatus which incorporates means for rotating and advancing a pipe along a specified path and an applicator means for placing cementicious materials thereon. The slurry is applied by a mechanism having a top opening which receives cement therein, the opening directing cement to a reinforcing ply which is applied to the pipe. The reinforcing material is delivered through the applicator mechanism. The cement falls on the reinforcing material which normally has a mesh construction. The pipe is advanced and rotated simultaneously. The helical movement of the pipe draws the reinforcing mesh into a gap at the lower side of the pipe above a free rotating parallel roller. A ply of weatherproofing material such as plastic film is placed on the pipe.

Abstract: An improved process, and the apparatus for carrying out the process, of forming an elongated hollow body from fibre-reinforced synthetic resins. A plurality of resin impregnated support fibres are positioned over and extend longitudinally along a rotating mandrel, which support fibres are fed from a feed station having a plurality of spools thereon, which feed station rotates synchronously with the mandrel. The longitudinal support fibres form a fibrous substructure which rotates with the mandrel. A plurality of fibrous elements, also resin impregnated, are wrapped around the fibrous substructure to form the hollow body. The hollow body is gripped by a clamping device disposed at the discharge end of the rotating mandrel for pulling the hollow body and thereby displacing same longitudinally along the mandrel, which clamping structure simultaneously permits rotation of the hollow body with the mandrel.

Abstract: A pile weatherstripping has a continuous length of a resin anchorage base with even lengths of filaments secured to opposite sides of the base along the length of the base and extending away from the base in the same general direction on each side of the base. The filaments are long enough and dense enough to form insulating pile rows extending out of a retainer slot in which the anchorage base has an interference fit. A sheet resin fin preferably extends continuously outward from the base between the filaments on the opposite sides of the base, and such a weatherstripping is preferably made by wrapping a multifilament yarn around a plurality of bases, securing the yarn to opposite sides of the bases, and then slitting to separate each individual weatherstrip.

Abstract: The assembly is composed of a framework having a longitudinal passage for receipt of a pipe to be wrapped and a number of crawler wheels which contact the outer wall of the pipe and which cause the framework to move longitudinally relative to the pipe. The assembly also includes brushes and wrapping assemblies mounted to rings which circumscribe the pipe. Rotation of the rings causes the brushes to scour the pipe outer wall and tape to unwind from the wrapping assembly onto the pipe. Hydraulic motors are provided on the assembly for powering the crawler wheels, brushes and wrapping assemblies. The hydraulic motors are activated by hydraulic fluid pressurized by pumps located remote from the assembly.

Abstract: A rigid electromagnetic waveguide is manufactured in a continuous series of operations by causing an elongate mandrel, supported vertically, to travel along a predetermined path successively to a wire-winding station where a layer of closely wound helical turns of wire is applied; a station or stations where a layer or layers of resin-impregnated reinforcing elements to form a reinforcing wall is or are applied; a curing station where the resin is cured; and an extraction station where the waveguide is removed from the mandrel. Between the last of the stations where a layer of the reinforcing wall is formed and the curing station, the mandrel may pass through stations where a moisture barrier and an outer protective covering are applied. Risk of change in tension in the wires or reinforcing elements about the neutral axis of the waveguide is reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for reinforcing extruded elastomeric or plastic tubing in which two sets of reinforcing filaments are helically wound around the tubing in opposite directions and the filaments are introduced into the tubing through an annular opening.

Abstract: A method of forming a slubby glass fiber strand is disclosed which involves passing a plurality of glass fibers as they are drawn from a bushing in parallel over a working surface at a first velocity and directing a second plurality of glass fibers drawn from the same bushing or an adjacent bushing at a second velocity higher than the first into the first plurality of glass fibers while they are passing over the working surface. Both of the groups of glass fibers are wet at the point of contact with each other and the subsequent entanglement of the fibers causes a substantial bulking of the yarn. Further, binder may be added as the bulked yarn is gathered into a single strand. The resulting strand is passed through a gathering shoe to allow strip back at the surface of the bulked yarn so that a plurality of slubs are produced on the surface of the yarn.

Abstract: The invention is a process for building a lamination of a fiberglass reinforced polyester resin on a rotating continuous belt forming a spirally rotating mandrel consisting of pouring resin on the top of the mandrel from a substantially horizontal surface, depositing chopped strands of fiberglass onto the surface of the resin and impressing the chopped fiberglass into the resin with parallel strands of a suitable material. The specific method of pouring the resin onto the mandrel surface and the application of chopped fiberglass and parallel strands are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The semi-continuous manufacturing of wave-guides of great length formed by an insulated wire wound in a helicoidal way with its turns contacting one another, involves forming a first length of the guide on a cylindrical mandrel with the mandrel and the length being pushed longitudinally over a distance virtually equal to the length of the latter, the length is stopped in this position, and the mandrel is brought back to its original position to enable a new length of guide to be formed on it, and so on.

Abstract: A pile weatherstripping has a continuous length of a resin anchorage base with even lengths of filaments secured to opposite sides of the base along the length of the base and extending away from the base in the same general direction on each side of the base. The filaments are long enough and dense enough to form insulating pile rows extending out of a retainer slot in which the anchorage base has an interference fit. A sheet resin fin preferably extends continuously outward from the base between the filaments on the opposite sides of the base, and such a weatherstripping is preferably made by wrapping a multifilament yarn around a plurality of bases, securing the yarn to opposite sides of the bases, and then slitting to separate each individual weatherstrip.

Abstract: Pipe wrapping apparatus, having one or more pipe wrapping tape spindles with each of which is associated a take up spindle onto which tape backing is wound after the backing has been stripped from the tape as the tape is wound onto the pipe.