Method of severing a flexible reinforced elastomeric conduit supported on a plurality of elongated end-to-end rigid mandrels

Claim 2

In a method of producing a continuous flexible reinforced elastomeric conduit which employs a plurality of elongated rigid mandrels interconnected in aligned end-to-end relation for supporting said conduit during continuous production thereof the improvement comprising an improved method of severing said conduit adjacent a joint between adjacent mandrels said method comprising the steps of, weakening said conduit with weakening means at a location adjacent each joint, disconnecting said mandrels and pulling the weakened conduit apart at each of said locations with pulling means so that each mandrel has a length of conduit therearound which is approximately equal to the length of the mandrel.

Claim 3

In a method as set forth in claim 1 the further improvement wherein said pulling step comprises pulling said conduit substantially axially.

Claim 4

In a method as set forth in claim 2 the further improvement wherein said weakening step comprises weakening said conduit by heating it at each of said locations to a temperature approaching the plastic flow temperature of the elastomeric material used to make said conduit.

Claim 5

In a method of producing a continuous flexible elastomeric conduit which is reinforced by a plurality of axially extending helical wires and which employs a plurality of elongated rigid mandrels interconnected in aligned end-to-end relation for supporting said conduit adjacent associated ends of each pair of associated mandrels, said method comprising the steps of, moving each conduit covered mandrel using first moving means at a particular speed as it exits a fabrication area, weakening said conduit with weakening means at a location adjacent a joint between a pair of associated mandrels, said weakening means being at a weakening station downstream of said fabrication area, and moving the forward one of said pair of mandrels as it exits said weakening station using second moving means at a speed faster than said particular speed, disconnecting said mandrels and causing said conduit to be severed apart at said location and causing said forward mandrel with a length of conduit therearound to be moved rapidly from said weakening station.

Claim 6

In a method of producing a continuous flexible elastomeric conduit which is reinforced by a plurality of axially extending helical wires and which employs a plurality of elongated rigid mandrels interconnected in aligned end-to-end relation for supporting said conduit adjacent associated ends of each pair of associated mandrels, said method comprising the steps of, moving each conduit covered mandrel using first moving means at a particular speed as it exits a fabrication area, weakening said conduit with weakening means at a location adjacent a joint between a pair of associated mandrels, said weakening means being at a weakening station downstream of said fabrication area, and moving the forward one of said pair of mandrels as it exits said weakening station using second moving means at a speed faster than said particular speed, disconnecting said mandrels and causing said conduit to be severed apart at said location and causing said forward mandrel with a length of conduit therearound to be moved rapidly from said weakening station.

Claim 7

In a method as set forth in claim 4 the further improvement wherein said method comprises cutting each of said plurality of wires adjacent said location with a cutting knife.

Claim 8

In a method as set forth in claim 5 the further improvement wherein said weakening step comprises heating said conduit at said location with a heater, said heater heating said conduit at said location to a temperature approaching the plastic flow temperature of the elastomeric material used to make said conduit.

Claim 9

In a method as set forth in claim 6 the further improvement wherein said steps of moving said conduit covered mandrel with first and second moving means comprises using a pair of belt-type pullers.