Patent US3608018A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3608018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Collapsing inflated tubing
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1968-04-18
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1988-04-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for collapsing an extruded inflated tubular material so that damage to the tubular material upon collapse is minimized and substantially reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:27
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C13/00; A22C13/0003; B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/02; B29C53/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the width of the flow of fluid impinged onto the surface of the inflated tubular material is about at least as wide as the width of the tubular material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the flow of fluid is directed at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inflated tubular material as the inflated tubular material contacts the support surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 which includes wetting the surface of the support surface with a nonsticking agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the fluid is air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a neutralizing solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the inflated tubular material is collagen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the inflated tubular material is predried before it is advanced toward and over the support surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the predried inflated tubular collagen has a collagen solids content of up to about 16 percent.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for collapsing continuous lengths of tacky, fragile tubular materials without distortion thereof comprising in combination: a. a rotatably mounted support surface b. means for advancing a continuous length of inflated tacky, fragile tubular material to and over said support surface at an angle of approach of from 15* to 45*; c. fluid ejection means adjacent said support surface for directing a flow of fluid downwardly to impinge onto the inflated tacky, fragile tubular material at the point where it is first trained over said support surface, said fluid ejection means having an orifice defined therein through which the flow of fluid is directed that is at least about as wide as the width of the tubular material, whereby the fluid downwardly impinges onto at least the full width of the advancing inflated tubular material at the point where it is first trained over said support surface such that the advancing inflated tubular material is collapsed and substantially deflated without distortion thereof; and, d. means for conveying a continuous length of collapsed tacky, fragile tubular material from said support surface without distortion thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fluid is air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the support surface is a driven roll.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the tubular material is a collagen food casing and the fluid is a neutralizing solution.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus for collapsing continuous lengths of inflated tacky, fragile tubular food casing materials without distortion thereof comprising, in combination; a. a predryer unit through which a continuous length of inflated tacky, fragile tubular food casing matErial is conveyed, b. a driven roll associated with the outlet end of said predryer unit; c. means for advancing a continuous length of inflated tacky, fragile tubular food casing material from said predryer unit to and over said driven roll at an angle of approach of from 15* to 45*; d. a fluid ejection means adjacent to said driven roll for directing a flow of fluid to impinge downwardly onto the inflated tubular material when the tubular material is first trained over said driven roll such that the advancing continuous length of inflated tubular material is collapsed, flattened and substantially deflated without distortion thereof by the flow of fluid, said fluid ejection means having an orifice defined therein through which the flow of fluid is directed which orifice is about at least as wide as the width of the tubular material, e. means for conveying a continuous length of collapsed, deflated tubular material from said driven roll.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the surface of the driven roll is covered with a wettable material capable of being wetted with a nonsticking agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the fluid ejection means is disposed so as to direct a flow of fluid downwardly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the advancing tubular material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |