US3853522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus of calibrating drawn glass tubes
Assignee: Schott AG
•
Filing: 1973-06-15
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for calibrating tubes, such as glass tubes, whilst these tubes are being drawn and, hence, are still in plastic condition. The invention consists in moving forming elements around the continuously drawn tube length and about axes which extend parallel to the drawing axis of the tube, the adjustable elements being so arranged that they can be moved towards or away from the tube being calibrated.
Inventors
- 👤 F Guenthner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:20
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/04; C03B23/07; C03B23/073; C03B15/00; C03B15/14; C03B17/00; C03B17/04; C03B23/055
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of calibrating a length of tube comprising the steps of a. drawing a continuous length of tube along its axis, b. positioning forming elements around the length of tube with their axes parallel to the axis of the length of tube, c. revolving the forming elements together around the axis of the length of tube, d. adjusting the forming elements cooperatively, toward or away from the length of tube, e. arranging the forming elements to define the required outer diameter of the length of tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of calibrating a length of tube comprising the steps of a. drawing a continuous length of tube along its axis, b. positioning forming elements around the length of tube with their axes parallel to the axis of the length of tube, c. revolving the forming elements together around the axis of the length of tube, d. adjusting the forming elements cooperatively, toward or away from the length of tube, e. arranging the forming elements to define the required outer diameter of the length of tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method, according to claim 1, wherein a continuous length of glass tube is drawn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
a means for displacing the sleeve laterally along the rod comprising a. a threaded spindle laterally displaceable along an axis parallel to the axis of the rod, b. a flat, ring-shaped plate which attaches to and encircles the sleeve and c. a roller coupling disposed between the plate and the spindle, said coupling imparting the lateral motion of the spindle to the sleeve through the attached plate d. a means for laterally displacing the spindle
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
a means for displacing the sleeve laterally along the rod comprising a. a threaded spindle laterally displaceable along an axis parallel to the axis of the rod, b. a flat, ring-shaped plate which attaches to and encircles the sleeve and c. a roller coupling disposed between the plate and the spindle, said coupling imparting the lateral motion of the spindle to the sleeve through the attached plate d. a means for laterally displacing the spindle
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
a tunnel region, through which the length of tube is drawn and formed, circumscribed by the rolls, where the region has an axis parallel to the axes of the rolls,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
a tunnel region, through which the length of tube is drawn and formed, circumscribed by the rolls, where the region has an axis parallel to the axes of the rolls,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
swivelling the rolls toward or away from each other thereby diminishing or enlarging the opening of the formed tunnel region,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
swivelling the rolls toward or away from each other thereby diminishing or enlarging the opening of the formed tunnel region,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
sliding members which slidably and rotatably hold the sleeve to the rod, e. a roller member, affixed to the rod, the roller member fitting into the cut-out portion of the sleeve;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
sliding members which slidably and rotatably hold the sleeve to the rod, e. a roller member, affixed to the rod, the roller member fitting into the cut-out portion of the sleeve;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
a frame into which the rods are affixed parallel in a circular pattern having an axis parallel to that of the tunnel region
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
a frame into which the rods are affixed parallel in a circular pattern having an axis parallel to that of the tunnel region
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
9 words
a means for coupling the identical arrangements together, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
9 words
a means for coupling the identical arrangements together, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
drawing the lengths of tube through the tunnel region after the opening of the tunnel region has been formed in accordance with the diameter sought for the drawn length of tube, and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
drawing the lengths of tube through the tunnel region after the opening of the tunnel region has been formed in accordance with the diameter sought for the drawn length of tube, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
a means for coupling the identical arrangements together, thereby providing for the cooperative adjustment of the rolls such that all spindles are similarly displaced causing all sleeves to be similarly displaced thereby causing all rods to be similarly rotated about their axes, and finally causing all rolls to be adjusted with respect to each other to define the required diameter of the length of tube to be drawn, and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
a means for coupling the identical arrangements together, thereby providing for the cooperative adjustment of the rolls such that all spindles are similarly displaced causing all sleeves to be similarly displaced thereby causing all rods to be similarly rotated about their axes, and finally causing all rolls to be adjusted with respect to each other to define the required diameter of the length of tube to be drawn, and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
a swivelling means for bringing the rolls closer together or further apart, thereby diminishing or enlarging the diameter of the tunnel region through which the lengths of tube are drawn and formed, and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
a swivelling means for bringing the rolls closer together or further apart, thereby diminishing or enlarging the diameter of the tunnel region through which the lengths of tube are drawn and formed, and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method, according to claim 1, comprising the further step of allowing the forming elements to rotate about their respective axes as the length is being drawn.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method, according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of a. receiving a length of tube having a diameter smaller than the intended outer diameter and b. expanding the diameter of the length of tube by reducing the atmospheric pressure outside the length of tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
revolving the rolls simultaneously about the drawn length of tube, thereby calibrating the outer diameter of the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
revolving the rolls simultaneously about the drawn length of tube, thereby calibrating the outer diameter of the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
a frame into which the rods are affixed parallel in a circular pattern having an axis parallel to that of the tunnel region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
a frame into which the rods are affixed parallel in a circular pattern having an axis parallel to that of the tunnel region.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
a means for rotating the frame about its axis, thereby revolving the rods and the rolls which are attached thereto about the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
a means for rotating the frame about its axis, thereby revolving the rods and the rolls which are attached thereto about the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
a means for revolving the rolls simultaneously about the drawn length of tube, thereby calibrating the length of tube to the desired outer diameter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
a means for revolving the rolls simultaneously about the drawn length of tube, thereby calibrating the length of tube to the desired outer diameter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method, according to claim 1, wherein the length of tube is drawn through at least three forming elements.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
a means for rotating the frame about its axis, thereby revolving the rods and the rolls which are attached thereto about the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
a means for rotating the frame about its axis, thereby revolving the rods and the rolls which are attached thereto about the length of tube as it is being drawn.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, according to claim 1, comprising the further step of forming a gas cushion between the forming elements and the outer surface of the length of tube.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
16 words
A method of calibrating the outer diameter of a length of tube comprising the steps of:
Claim 37
Independent Claim
16 words
A method of calibrating the outer diameter of a length of tube comprising the steps of:
Claim 38
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus for calibrating the outer diameter of a continuously drawn length of tube comprising:
Claim 39
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus for calibrating the outer diameter of a continuously drawn length of tube comprising:
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
8 words
An apparatus, as in claim 8, further comprising:
Claim 41
Independent Claim
12 words
An apparatus for calibrating the outer diameter of lengths of tube comprising:
Claim 42
Independent Claim
12 words
An apparatus for calibrating the outer diameter of lengths of tube comprising:
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |