US3738210A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of dilating a flattened tube to a desired cross-section and delivering a pre-determined length of dilated tube
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract The leading end of a film tube folded flat in the form of a roll is fitted over a guide element arranged to be movable in the axial direction thereby to cylindrically expand or distend the end portion, and then the external surface of this end portion is encircled by an annular hoop-like suction applying means arranged to be axially reciprocable at a constant stroke and so designed that it produces a suction force when it moves forward and that such force is eliminated when it moves back, thereby allowing the expanded tube end to project forwardly of the guide element portionwise at a constant rate.
Inventors
- 👤 M Fujio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:08
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67B; B67B5/00; B67B5/03; B29; B29C; B29C31/00; B29C31/002; B29C53/00; B29C53/16; B29C53/20; B65; B65B; B65B9/00; B65B9/10; B65B9/13; B65B9/14; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/001; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0405; Y10T83/0419; Y10T83/0424; Y10T83/0433; Y10T83/323; Y10T83/444; Y10T83/463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for expanding a flattened tube to a desired cross-section and delivering the flattened tube stepwise at a constant rate to a point of utilization, comprising a guide element of circular cross-section, the maximum diameter of the guide element being less than the internal diameter of the expanded tube to allow a clearance between the guide element and the tube, means cooperable with the guide element to hold the guide element in a fixed position, a suction applicator surrounding the guide element and tube thereon located below the holding means, means mounting said applicator for axial movement toward and away from the point of utilization, means operably connected to said applicator for imparting axial movement thereto, said applicator having a circular internal crosssection, the diameter of which is substantially the external diameter of the tube when the tube is expanded to circular form, a suction source, means providing communication between the suction applicator and the suction source, valve means provided for the communication means to connect and disconnect the applicator with the suction source, and valve control means operably related to the mounting means for the applicator and the valve means operative upon axial movement of the applicator towards the point of utilization to connect the applicator with the suction source whereby the applicator and expanded tube held thereby are delivered to the point of utilization and upon axial movement of the applicator away from the point of utilization to disconnect the applicator from the suction source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for expanding a flattened tube to a desired cross-section and delivering the flattened tube stepwise at a constant rate to a point of utilization, comprising a guide element of circular cross-section, the maximum diameter of the guide element being less than the internal diameter of the expanded tube to allow a clearance between the guide element and the tube, means cooperable with the guide element to hold the guide element in a fixed position, a suction applicator surrounding the guide element and tube thereon located below the holding means, means mounting said applicator for axial movement toward and away from the point of utilization, means operably connected to said applicator for imparting axial movement thereto, said applicator having a circular internal crosssection, the diameter of which is substantially the external diameter of the tube when the tube is expanded to circular form, a suction source, means providing communication between the suction applicator and the suction source, valve means provided for the communication means to connect and disconnect the applicator with the suction source, and valve control means operably related to the mounting means for the applicator and the valve means operative upon axial movement of the applicator towards the point of utilization to connect the applicator with the suction source whereby the applicator and expanded tube held thereby are delivered to the point of utilization and upon axial movement of the applicator away from the point of utilization to disconnect the applicator from the suction source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the applicator includes a plurality of arcuate segments having an inner space, apertures providing communication between the inner space and the inner periphery of the segments, first conduit means communicating with the inner space of each segment and maintaining the segments in circular form, second conduit means connected to the first conduit means, said first and second conduit means constituting said communication means between the applicator and the suction source, said mounting means including a fixed sleeve, and a rod connected to the first conduit means slidably positioned in said fixed sleeve, said valve control means including a pair of aligned axially spaced protuberances on said slidably positioned rod, and a limit switch located in the path of movement of said rod and actuable by the protuberances, and means connecting the limit switch to the valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for imparting axial movement to the applicator includes a driven crank, a connecting rod, and means connecting the connecting rod to the crank and rod connected to the first conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including cutter means for severing the delivered length of tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |