Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A press for moulding strip material, comprising a drum having an exterior circumferential moulding surface on which the strip material is to be applied, the drum moulding surface being formed with a contoured moulding profile for moulding the strip material with corresponding contours when it is pressed onto the drum, a stationary frame extending around the drum moulding surface, means rotatably mounting said drum on said frame for rotation about its axis, a plurality of press shoes being supported on said frame by means whereby they can be extended and retracted radially towards and away from the drum between an outer, inoperative position and an inner, closed position for pressing the strip material into conformity with the drum moulding surface, the shoes in their inner, closed position forming together an inwardly-facing arcuate press surface which extends circumferentially part way around the exterior of the drum and defines a gap between the ends thereof exposing a portion of the drum moulding surface, in which gap portions of continuous strip material to be moulded in the press can be accommodated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A press for moulding strip material, comprising a drum having an exterior circumferential moulding surface on which the strip material is to be applied, the drum moulding surface being formed with a contoured moulding profile for moulding the strip material with corresponding contours when it is pressed onto the drum, a stationary frame extending around the drum moulding surface, means rotatably mounting said drum on said frame for rotation about its axis, a plurality of press shoes being supported on said frame by means whereby they can be extended and retracted radially towards and away from the drum between an outer, inoperative position and an inner, closed position for pressing the strip material into conformity with the drum moulding surface, the shoes in their inner, closed position forming together an inwardly-facing arcuate press surface which extends circumferentially part way around the exterior of the drum and defines a gap between the ends thereof exposing a portion of the drum moulding surface, in which gap portions of continuous strip material to be moulded in the press can be accommodated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 including first and second sets of guide and support means which guide continuous strip material toward one edge of said gap and away from the opposite edge of said gap, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 wherein the press surface formed by the press shoes extends through a major arc around the drum moulding surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 including support means positioned radially outwardly from said gap for supporting portions of continuous strip material entering and leaving the press.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A press as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support means are movable towards and away from the drum moulding surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A press as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support means comprise a pair of spaced rollers extending parallel to the drum axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 including means whereby the drum may be held in a fixed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A press as claimed in claim 7 including a drive for the drum comprising a motor coupled to the drum through a worm and cooperating worm gear drive of zero reverse efficiency whereby when the motor is stopped, the drum is held in a fixed stationary position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A press as claimed in claim 7 including a detector mechanism responsive to rotation of the drum and being operated when the drum turns through a predetermined angle to hold the drum in a fixed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner sides of the press shoes at either side of the said gap are bevelled at the edges adjacent the gap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 including means for heating the drum and arranged in such manner that the portion of the drum moulding surface which becomes adjacent the said gap attains a lower temperature than the remainder of the drum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A press as claimed in claim 1 including means for heating the press shoes, with the press shoes at either side of the gap being provided with means whereby at least the portions thereof adjacent the gap attain a lower temperature than the other press shoes.