Abstract: A mold for synthetic resin products which are to be shaped while soft, includes a pair of elongated mold parts each having opposed complementary faces with contours at least partially conforming to at least parts of the product to be shaped. A support means on which the mold parts are mounted provide for moving at least one of the mold parts relative to the other mold part to effect removal therefrom of a finished product. The mold parts are constructed and arranged so as to be bendable along their longitudinal axes to effect a change in arcuate configuration, the mold parts being made of a material which facilitates sliding of the synthetic resin product through the mold, the support means supporting the mold parts in fixed spaced apart disposition as the product is moved longitudinally between the mold parts to thereby impart to the product an arcuate configuration corresponding to the arcuate configuration of the mold parts.

Abstract: A bubbler stabilizer for a blown film extrusion apparatus has a shaft mounted on an extrusion die of the apparatus, a pair of supporting members mounted on the shaft and spaced a predetermined distance from each other, and a plurality of lengths of coil spring extending between the peripheral portions of the supporting members with the lengths being spaced peripherally at intervals of a predetermined size around the supporting members. The coil spring lengths extend in a skew position relative to the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously and rapidly forming petal-like segments at the tip of a tampon inserter into a hemispherically curved shape. Sets of molds are mounted on a support table on a rotary table turned about a shaft. Each set comprises a heating mold to heat and soften the tip of the tampon inserter and a cooling mold to shape while being cooled the heated and softened tip. The heating and cooling molds are moved by a cam so that either of the two molds is placed above the tampon inserter held in position by a gripper. The gripper comprises a pair of gripper segments that are opened and closed by a cam on the shaft and raised and lowered by another cam on the same shaft. The cams are adapted to release the tampon inserter from the gripper after the tampon inserter has been put first in the heating mold and then in the cooling mold. The tip of the tampon inserter held by the gripper first enters the heating mold to get heated.

Abstract: During blow molding of curved plastic hollow bodies, the parison is first extruded as a whole in a substantially straight line and vertically from top to bottom. The parison is then severed from the extrusion die and the severed parison precurved. Finally, the precurved parison is inserted as a whole into the blow mold and blown. An apparatus for carrying out this method comprises releasable support means for accommodating and holding the parison, curving means for preliminary curving of the parison, tilting means for tilting the support means into the horizontal position and a blow mold, the precurved parison being placed as a whole in one mold half of this blow mold.

Abstract: An extrusion die for two-ply seamless plastic tubing, includes an extrusion head with a first nozzle provided with a first centering means; a first hollow mandrel placed within said nozzle; an elongate carrier bearing a second mandrel, a second nozzle and a spider in turn supporting a distributor splitting an extrudate. The first nozzle and the distributor define a first annular extrusion orifice for an outer parison of the tubing while the second nozzle and the second mandrel define a second annular extrusion orifice for the inner parison of the tubing. A threaded member longitudinally adjusts said carrier to vary the size of the first extrusion orifice. A coupling means interconnects the carrier and the first mandrel and allows only the axial, without rotation, movement of the carrier. A second centering means mounts the distributor uniformly spaced around the spider.

Abstract: A vacuum forming apparatus for fixing and shaping animal tissue into the shape of a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a tapered form, with elongated through apertures, suspended in a reservoir of fixative and vacuum means for producing a reduced pressure within the tapered form.

Abstract: A system for molding elongated ribbon-like products from thermoplastic materials utilizing a plurality of molds which are moved in tandem along a production line. As the molds are moved along the line at successive stations they are, while open, thermally adjusted to a temperature suitable for forming the product to be molded and then a ribbon of plastic is deposited in them. They are then closed and cooled and reopened and the molded product removed. The system utilizes only enough molding pressure to assure distribution of the plastic to all parts of the mold cavity and shaping of the molded product to the geometric design of the mold. The system includes a transfer means for the molds which returns the emptied molds for recycling through the molding process.

Abstract: In order to manufacture shaped tubular articles of plastics material, a semi-finished tube of softened plastics which is substantially straight and has a diameter about equal to the diameter of the article to be formed is introduced into a mould defining a cavity which is substantially straight. Subsequently, the mould is operated so as to deform the cavity and give it a shape corresponding to the shape of the article to be formed.

Abstract: An apparatus performing a filter from a material for a filter element automatically and quickly. The filter made by the present apparatus has a plurality of wavy portions which are provided in such a manner that a plurality of wavy portions forms a circle.The apparatus employs a contracting apparatus for contracting a continuously corrugated strip of material for a filter element in such a manner that a distance between adjacent ridges of the corrugated strip is reduced so that the corrugated strip becomes the wavy portion of the filter. The apparatus also employs a rounding apparatus for rounding the continuously corrugated strip in such a manner that both ends of the strip are connected to each other so that the wavy portions made from the corrugated strip form a circle. The apparatus further employs a shaping apparatus for shaping the rounded continuously corrugated strip so that the rounded strip becomes the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cable. In the cable, the conductors are surrounded entirely or partly by synthetic resin supporting elements. In order to avoid shrinkage of the supporting elements, and hence extra loads on cable at high temperatures, the supporting elements are preshrunk before assembly of the cable. The elements are preshrunk by heating a temperature just below the softening temperature of the synthetic resin in question, maintaining them at this temperature, and then cooling them. During the heating process, the strength elements are mounted in such a way that their contraction will not put them into tension.

Abstract: Apparatus for seating a gasket in a plastic pipe bell is disclosed which includes providing a peripheral groove in a belling mandrel and seating a specially designed hard plastic ring in the groove. The hard plastic ring is molded to provide exterior ramps for forming an annular pocket in the pipe bell and is inwardly configured to provide a secure seating surface to receive and retain a resilient gasket thereon. The mandrel is urged into a preheated end of the pipe and vacuum forces are employed to pull the end of the pipe about the periphery of the mandrel and tightly against the exterior ramps of the hard plastic ring for forming the bell shape. Upon sufficient cooling of the pipe end, the mandrel is withdrawn and the plastic ring remains encapsulated within the bell shape. Upon removal of the mandrel, a resilient gasket is then seated within the bell in intimate overall contact with the seating surface of the plastic ring.

Abstract: A pipe plug apparatus and method for its use are described herein. A pipe plug is provided which includes a first portion, and second and third portions which radially extend from the exterior surface of the first portion so as to surround the first portion. When the plug is positioned in a pipe, liquid is introduced into the space as defined between the second and third portions, and as defined between the pipe interior surface and first portion exterior surface, so as to at least partially fill the space with the liquid.

Abstract: In order to improve the bonding strength between a synthetic resin-coated steel pipe and concrete applied around the synthetic resin-coated steel pipe for weight coating or protection, unevenness formed of groove portions and ridge portions arranged alternately is formed on the outer surface of the synthetic resin-coated steel pipe by pressing the synthetic resin coating layer with a working tool having an uneven inner surface under a condition where at least one member of the working tool and the synthetic resin coating layer is kept at a temperature at which the synthetic resin is melted.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are presented for forming couplings from blanks made from lengths of extruded plastic pipe, to join pipe together. The blank is cut from the length of extruded pipe and heated to the thermoplastic point. The heated blank is mounted between two mandrels which have a slight taper toward the ends, which are beveled. The ends of the mandrels are brought together inside the blank at a uniform rate and force. The pressure between the ends of the mandrels causes a bulge in the blank. A split die clamps around the blank at about the bulge, causing the bulge to collapse and forming a ridge in the inside surface of the blank. Coolant circulates in the mandrels and cools the inside surface of the blank. The mandrels are then withdrawn, leaving the formed blank in the split die.

Abstract: Apparatus for extruding and reshaping plastic tubes including cooperating circulating molds attached to continuous belts or chains. The molds circuits at generally constant level. A wheeled carriage is provided to support the molds and to permit axial adjustment of the molds relative the extruder nozzle. Means also is provided for vertical adjustment of mold support means.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a tubular plastic sheath having one or more imperforate panels around the periphery of the sheath with intervening plastic net connecting the imperforate panels, the apparatus including an extruder, perforating means and stretching means, the improvement being extrusion means to form bands of different thickness asbout the sheath the perforation means being positioned such as to perforate only bands of one thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus for slitting and folding dough for cross-panning of the dough piece. One or more incisions are made in the dough piece so that it can be folded, and according to the method of the invention, after the incisions have been formed, the dough piece travels to the dough folding station between a moving element and a stationary control member (which may be a spring loaded control plate) so that the dough piece is forced to turn about its longitudinal axis. The length of this control movement is so arranged that the angular displacement of the dough piece causes the dough hinge or hinges to be in a desired orientation when the dough piece arrives at the folding station. In W-folding the center dough hinge is displaced from the side dough hinges by 180.degree., and the method and apparatus ensures that the dough piece is presented to the dough folding arrangement with the side dough hinges on the leading side of the dough piece.

Abstract: Apparatus for flattening and withdrawing blown continuous plastic tubular film issuing from a stationary film-blowing head. At least two deflecting rollers are provided for deflecting the tubular film through about 180.degree., and at least two turning rods are also provided for deflecting the tubular film through about 180.degree. and for effecting a simultaneous change in direction. The deflecting rollers and turning rods are disposed in alternation behind each other between squeeze rolls and a pair of rotatable feed rolls, and are mounted on supports which are pivotally movable relative to each other in side arms that include track grooves to permit the deflecting rollers and turning rods to be movable in inward and outward directions, relative to the axis of rotation of the flattening plates, and are adapted to be retained in their inner and outer positions. The deflecting rollers and turning rods are initially at opposite ends of their respective track grooves for start up purposes.

Abstract: A blown-foil tube is flattened between a pair of frames having ladder arrays of flattening elements in respective assemblies spaced along the path of the tube. Each assembly has a wood bar element and a roller element on a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the frame so that one or the other element can be selectively presented to the tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for grooving a plastic drinking straw in which a straw is moved to an axially movable, rotatable, circumferentially grooved, pointed mandrel or pin then opposed grooved bars mating with grooves of the pin are pressed against the straw and moved in opposite directions lengthwise of the grooves of the bars.

Abstract: A mandrel device which guides the end of a pipe or tube to a position outwardly of the path of an expander body, with a camming mechanism to force the expander body from an inward position to an outward position, and holding that outward position so as to achieve the desired gasket-receiving enlargement of the tubular work object. In a subsequent stage, another camming feature forces the expander body radially inwardly, to permit the tubular work object, now carrying the sealing ring in a position which would mean interference by the expander body, to be released over the end of the mandrel. The two camming components are carried by sub-assemblies axially movable with respect to stationary parts of the mandrel; and they are interrelated to have both movement together and movement with respect to one another, achieving the outward and inward camming effects in a plural-stage motion sequence and nature.

Abstract: An extruder assembly (1) for extruding round, cylindrical plastic pipe having a smooth inner pipe wall and a ribbed or ridged outer pipe wall, comprising a feed screw (2) for transporting and softening the plastic material (4), and an annular nozzle having a central mandrel (6). The mandrel constitutes a cylindrical, coaxial extension of the feed screw. The mold part (8) of the nozzle is provided with one or more parallel, helical grooves (14) with the spiral extending in the direction of rotation of the screw and mandrel, and the mold part (8) is provided with a lubricating device (17) for lubricating the molding surface of the mold part. A calibrating device (27) with helical grooves (28) is provided downstream of the annular nozzle.

Abstract: A tube closure apparatus for sealing the open end of a plastic tube, such as the tip of a pipette, comprising a sealing element constructed of a fluoroplastic material and a heating element for controllably heating the sealing element to a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the plastic tube. Unlike a metal sealing element, the fluoroplastic sealing element resists any tendency of the molten plastic tube to stick to the sealing element. Accordingly, a uniform sealing bead can be efficiently and reproducibly formed at the open end of the plastic tube. The heating element can be heated by resistance, induction, conduction or other suitable means.

Abstract: A method for providing a fibre with an additional length in secondary mantling of an optical fibre, according to which an optical fibre is coated by means of extrusion (3) with a secondary mantle allowing an axial movement between the fibre and the mantle, the mantled fibre (6) is drawn (10) axially forwards after the coating, the mantle is stretched (11) axially with respect to the fibre, and the elongation of the mantle is allowed to relax (12) together with the fibre so that the fibre is longer than the mantle in the relaxed mantled fibre, after which the relaxed mantled fibre is winded on a coil (13). The fibre and mantle are locked (11) axially stationary to each other during the advancing of the mantled fibre (6) before the relaxation of the elongation of the mantle, and the mantle is subjected to a retardation (10) during the advancing of the mantled fibre for stretching the mantle with respect to the fibre before locking of the fibre and mantle.

Abstract: A method of sizing thermoplastic foamed cigarette filter rods and apparatus therefore. The apparatus comprises a rotating drum member having a plurality of stationary heated block members mounted about the periphery thereof. The block members are positioned such that a specific gap is created through which the thermoplastic polymeric filter rods are rolled and compressed to a uniform circumference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for flanging a tubular article of a crystallizable thermoplastic polymer, particularly of a saturated linear polyester material such as polyethylene terephthalate, which has been heat-set to an elevated temperature, e.g. for producing bodies for processable food and beverage containers. The open end of the tubular body is applied to a flanging die and heated to a flanging temperature above the glass transition temperature but below the heat-set temperature of the polymer. The tubular body and the die are forced together so that the softened end of the tubular article is forced to move outwards until it abuts against a stop ring to form the flange. The residual shrinkage in the polymer material helps it to take up the precise contours of the die and to form a well-defined flange. The flanged end is then cooled, preferably to a temperature at least 20.degree. C. below the flanging temperature, before releasing the tubular body 10 from the die.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an optical cable element comprising a tube of plastics material loosely housing at least one optical fibre, a water-impermeable medium in a liquid or semi-liquid state is applied to an advancing optical fibre immediately upstream of an extruder in such a way and under such a pressure that the advancing optical fibre with water-impermeable medium therearound passes into the extruder. After a tube of polymeric material has been extruded around the advancing optical fibre and the surrounding water-impermeable medium in such a way that the internal diameter of the tube is greater than the overall diameter of the optical fibre and the extruded tube has been drawn down and so treated that the molecules are longitudinally oriented, the space in the tube not occupied by the optical fibre is filled with water-impermeable medium of a jelly-like nature.

Abstract: A device for concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod includes at least one pair of groove forming rollers located in a common plane, with their axes of rotation generally parallel and with their peripheries spaced apart. A plurality of elongated, generally arcuately shaped groove forming projections are spaced apart from each other around the circumference of each of the rollers. Each groove forming projections of one roller is in opposed facing, coextensive, aligned relationship with a different one of the groove forming projections of the other roller across the space separating the peripheries of the rollers. As a filter rod to be grooved passes through the space between the peripheries of the rollers, the rollers are rotated and the groove forming projections embed into the peripheral surface of the filter rod thusly forming grooves into the peripheral filter rod surface.

Abstract: Vaulted intraocular lens including a method and apparatus for vaulting universally an intraocular lens incorporating any geometrical configuration of closed or open loops attached to a lens such as a plano-convex or the like. The vaulted intraocular lens includes a base for each loop with either flat feet or flipped feet. The method of vaulting includes a fixture assembly including a base, a retainer, and a cap, the base and retainer screwing together and encompassing the lens including the plurality of loops, and the cap fitting down through a hole in the retainer providing gravity pressure against the lens and creating the vault. The vaulted lens, as well as the fixture and method of vaulting the lens, lends itself universally to any type of lens using any predetermined geometrically shaped loops, whether the loops be closed loops or open loops.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes an endless conveyor device having a generally horizontal top conveyor flight which intermittently moves the filter rods through the apparatus. The endless conveyor device has a plurality of filter rod receiving pockets at spaced apart intervals along its length. The pockets in the horizontal top conveyor flight hold cigarette filters to be grooved at predetermined spaced apart intervals as the endless conveyor device moves the filter rods through the apparatus. A plurality of pairs of articulated grooving fingers are located generally below the horizontal top conveyor flight at predetermined spaced intervals along the top flight, and a plurality of pairs of articulated grooving fingers are located generally above the horizontal top flight at predetermined spaced intervals along the top flight. A groove forming blade is attached to the tip of each finger of each pair of fingers.

Abstract: Thermoplastic multiple channel tubing, which includes at least a pair of channels separated by a partition, is bent into a desired shape or configuration by softening the tubing and then bending it into the desired shape or configuration. The tubing is pegged and clamped so as to maintain the shape of the clamped portion of the tubing, as well as the shape of the partition and its proper orientation with respect to the rest of the tubing, during the bending operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming grooves in a reinforced, thermoplastic filament and for inserting optical fibers in the grooves. The reinforced filament is pulled longitudinally through a die having rollers corresponding to the number of grooves, and the rollers are pressed against the thermoplastic material to form the grooves. The rollers may be at room temperature or may be heated to temperature above room temperature and below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic material. The fibers are inserted in the grooves as the filament leaves the die and preferably, the filament is wrapped with a binding, e.g. a tape, after the fibers are inserted in the grooves so as to seal the grooves.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for lubricating and beading the edge or rim of a cup having a seamed annular sidewall and a polygonal base. A 360.degree. spray means sprays the inside top margin of the cup wall with water to lubricate and a spinning head having a plurality of radially moveable forming members for contact with the rim subsequently produces the bead. The lubricator has a deflector which moves by means of an air cylinder axially into contact with the top annular wall end to close the end and to direct and combine a water mist created by a 360.degree. spray set up which atomizes the water to a mist by means pressurized air. For the bead forming operation, a base plate together with relatively moveable socket forming wall members provides a seat for the cup on a cam operated elevator device which moves the cup upwardly. The socket is complementary to the polygonal base to prevent rotation of the seated and supported cup relative to the socket.

Abstract: Plastic tubing of extruded polybutylene and the like has an end reformed into a structural bulb sealing surface which includes a stop flange permitting the tube to be drawn into sealing engagement with a mating part. The tube end is reformed in a press or jig which includes two molds, with the tube end projecting through one mold and toward the other. The other mold is normally chilled or cooled but includes an I.D. mandrel or pin projecting therefrom. The pin is insulated from the other mold. The pin may be heated and/or cooled during the reforming cycle of the process to enable uniform heating of the projecting tube end from both the inside (I.D.) and outside (O.D.) of the tube end. The process and apparatus of the invention provides a more uniform and integral reformed tube end. The cycle time of the process may also be reduced resulting in greater productivity with less energy consumption.

Abstract: There is described a process and apparatus for flaring the end of a thermoplastic tube to form a flange thereon to provide a flanged adapter for joining sections of plastic pipes. An end portion of a tube of suitable thermoplastic resin is heated to soften it and is then placed in a flanged sleeve with the heated tube end projecting from the sleeve. A flanged male plug is inserted into the heated end of the tube and the plug is pushed by means of a press into the tube to cause the flanged plug to flare the heated end of the tube outwardly through an obtuse angle against the flange of the sleeve so that a flange is formed on the tube. A cylindrical member embraces the flanges of plug and sleeve and limits outer flow of the formed tube flange. The tube is then cooled in situ in the press, is removed from the press after cooling and placed in a cold water tank for further cooling. After cooling, the flanged tube is constrained between top and bottom clamping disks and is reheated to about 160.degree. F.

Abstract: Long lengths of a heat-shrinkable sleeve for use in splicing electrical cables and the like are made in a continuous process. The sleeve is formed around a permeable core, and the core and sleeve are advanced together in an axial direction, the leading end of the advancing sleeve being hermetically sealed. The core and sleeve pass through a heating station, thereby heating a portion of at least the sleeve, and a fluid is introduced under pressure into the core, thereby internally pressurizing the sleeve to effect a radial expansion of the heated portion thereof. The core and sleeve then pass through a cooling station, thereby cooling the expanded sleeve to stabilize it. A stress graded compound also for use in splicing electrical cables and the like is made by heating a dimethyl silicone liquid to remove entrapped gas and mixing the liquid with a silicone carbide powder having a particle size capable of passing through a 400 mesh screen.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a tubular premoulding of a thermoplastic material, suitable for subsequent shaping to form containers by a rolling process. The material in a part of a tube is axially oriented as a result of reducing the wall thickness by applying an external pressure which causes the material to flow. The oriented material is moulded by a blow-moulding process into future mouth parts and parts of adjacent neck sections, preferably from two blank parts, joined to one another, of pre-mouldings, the blank parts in the transition between the two mouth parts being severed in order to form two separate blank parts, so that, after closing one end and, if necessary, reworking in order to obtain the requisite closing faces at the other end, the two blank parts each form a tubular pre-moulding.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of filter rod receiving channels formed in its outer peripheral surface for receiving filter rods to be grooved. The device includes filter rod indexing devices which engage the filter rods in the receiving channels. As the drum rotates about its central axis, the filter rod indexing devices are individually and selectively activated to incrementally rotate selected filter rods about their longitudinal axes through an angle corresponding to the angular spacing between adjacent grooves to be formed in the peripheral surface of the filter rod. A plurality of groove forming rollers are located at selected positions at the periphery of the drum. The rollers each have a plurality of groove forming blades projecting radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tube including a base, a pair of legs secured to the ends of the base, and a holder base attached to the base. A tube holder for holding the tube is connected to the holder base. The tube holder has a structure defining a pair of diametrically opposed openings. A pair of soldering irons is oppositely secured with respect to each other in proximity to the top of the pair of legs. Each soldering iron has a hot end that generally registers with one of the opposed openings such as to be in close proximity to the tube being held by the tube holder in order to soften the material of the tube in the area contiguous to the openings. Power is conducted and supplied to each of the soldering irons. Vacuum is drawn on top of the tube to suck or pull inward the tube in the spots being softened from the heat of the pair of soldering irons.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming grooves in the peripheral surface of a filter rod includes two endless conveyor devices located such that one conveyor flight of a first one of the endless conveyor devices is generally parallel to and spaced from one conveyor flight of the second one of the endless conveyor devices. The first and second conveyor devices each have a plurality of filter rod receiving pockets at spaced apart intervals along their lengths. The pockets in the first and second conveyor devices cooperate across the space between their facing flights to hold cigarette filters to be grooved at predetermined spaced apart intervals as the endless conveyor devices move the filter rods through the apparatus. A grooving roller is located between the ends of each of first and second endless conveyor devices.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber is urged against the highly polished surface of a disk as a laser beam is directed toward the disk to heat the end face above its softening temperature and cause it to conform to the contour and finish of the highly polished surface. A termination ferrule may be simultaneously mounted on the fiber optic cable with a heat bonding agent, using as a heat source either the laser beam or an auxiliary heat source. A hand-held, gun-type unit with a built-in disk and triggered laser can be used to polish and terminate optical fibers in the field.

Abstract: A differential pressure calibrating tank for sizing and cooling just-extruded duct having electrical cable extending through it includes a duct inlet opening and a calibrator head adjacent to that opening for sizing the just-extruded duct. Differential pressure across the walls of the duct tends to keep the duct in a round cross-sectional shape. Flexible conduit in the duct and fixed relative to an adjacent extrusion die but movable in the tank precludes contact between the duct and cable within it while the duct is still molten. The flexible conduit precludes sticking or adherence between the insulation of the electrical conductors and the duct inner walls. In addition, an improved means is provided for restraining the duct submersed in the water as it traverses through the differential pressure calibrating tank. The means for restraining the duct includes, in part, a perforated tube situated within the tank having an inverted V-shaped channel traversing the length of the tube.

Abstract: An extrusion system is provided for covering a conductor (14) with a crystalline thermoplastic elastomer insulating material. The plastic material is tubed onto the conductor by apparatus which includes a core tube (61) that is mounted in an extruder crosshead (41) such that its free end is positioned within the interior of a die (81, 101) and is spaced from an orifice of the die a predetermined percentage of the land length of the die. A flow passage between the core tube (61) and a wall which defines the die cavity is controlled in accordance with the relative value of the thermal energy which is released by the insulating material at the onset of crystallization. In one arrangement, which has been found to be suitable for a crystalline thermoplastic elastomer having a relatively high value of released thermal energy, the die cavity and the core tube are arranged to provide a gradually converging path toward the die opening.

Abstract: A method is disclosed according to which a cylindrical object, such as a rod of smoke filter material, is pressed against a heated former element to form a permanent impression in one portion of the object as the former element and the object are simultaneously moved along a predetermined path. The object is then disengaged from the first former element, and pressed against a second heated former element to form a permanent impression in another portion thereof as the second former element and the object are moved along a second predetermined path, which may be an extension of the first, or not. Apparatus is disclosed, in one preferred embodiment of which the first and second former elements are disposed on the periphery of respective drums in such a manner that as the drums rotate in opposite directions, the object is transferred from the first to the second former element as the two former elements pass each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for manufacturing large-diameter, large-length hoses. The process is characterized by applying the elements required for building the hoses onto a flexible foundation lead through an advancing or through an advancing and rotating movement of same while conveying the hose along a curved course, the track of the course having the shape of a preferably closed curve, and by vulcanizing the built up hose preferably by applying electric energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a round end on a small plastic filament which includes a die having a channel extending into one side with a hemispherical interior end and a bore extending into the other side and coaxially aligned with the channel and having a conic interior end. The tip of the conic section communicates with the hemispherical section. A relief recess is spaced from the periphery of the hemispherical section by a land portion. The peripheral edge of the land portion, which also forms the edge of the channel, may be formed into a knife edge. In the die the filament is cold-formed to provide a hemispherical section spaced apart from the distal end of the filament. Material displaced during the cold-forming process is deposited in a relief section extending peripherally about the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing bent pipes of a composite material composed of resin and filling materials such as reinforcing materials and aggregates by employing a cylindrical molding tool which is deformable between straight-axis form and bent-axis form. Materials are supplied into the molding tool held in horizontally straight condition while the tool is rotated about a horizontal axis, and are molded into a pipe by centrifugal molding. Rotation of the tool is stopped when the pipe molded therein is in uncured state, then the tool is subjected to bending. The resulting bent pipe is removed after it is cured. Before the tool is bent, a bag made of a flexible sheet material is inserted into the pipe and inflated to straighten out the inner periphery of the pipe so as to protect the pipe from any possibility of deformation during bending operation.

Abstract: Elastomeric hoses are vulcanized by a process wherein the outer surface layer (sheath) is completely vulcanized while the remainder remains unvulcanized. The surface layer and part of the resistant structure are maintained in an elastic elongated state while vulcanizing the remainder of the hose. An apparatus for vulcanizing the hose in accordance with the process is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for, in one advantageous embodiment, concurrently forming a plurality of generally longitudinally extending grooves in a filter rod, and in another advantageous embodiment, for making small apertures in the grooves as the grooves are being formed in the filter rod. The apparatus includes a reciprocating die having an upper die block and a lower die block. Each die block includes protruding, elongated projections which are adapted to be imbedded into the filter rod upon closing of the die to impress grooves in the filter rod located in the die. In the embodiment wherein apertures are to be formed in the grooves, aperture forming punches are associated with each of the groove forming projections for punching apertures in the grooves as they are being formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of plastic film by the extrusion of a tube thereof includes a first air ring disposed at the die exit and delivering an annular stream of cooling air to the surface of the emerging tube, which is in a stable expansion phase as it escapes the die internal pressure. Preferably the stream is directed axially of the tube path. The apparatus includes the combination of a sizing cage and a second air ring that is mounted for longitudinal movement along the tube. The tube is established with the air rings close together and they are moved as soon as possible as far apart as possible. The second air ring is located just below where the tube begins to expand and delivers an annular stream of air, preferably in a known manner away from the tube to form a vacuum which stabilizes the tube. The cooling air stream from the second ring can be high since the tube is again in a stable expansion phase with the material at an appropriate temperature.