US4271107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Foam extrusion apparatus and method
Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1979-11-05
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Granted: 1981-06-02
•
Expires: 1999-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An extrusion system for the production of foam boards, billets and the like products includes an extruder (20) at a first higher elevation (22) extruding foamable resin through a die in the upper end of an elongated vacuum chamber in the form of an inclined barometric leg (26) which extends at its lower end into a shallow but large surface area pool (39) of liquid such as water. An elongated shroud or hood (44) on the lower end of the leg reduces the pressure head of water above the foam product as it exits the leg and moves out of the pool for processing at a lower second elevation. The large area of the pool reduces its depth for a given volume and minimizes fluctuations in the level of the pool and the pressure head above the product when the vacuum changes. In one embodiment the pool extends beneath substantially the entire floor of the building (30) enclosing the second lower elevation (31) in which the subsequent processing occurs. In another embodiment the pool (165) extends beneath the leg with the pool also serving as structural footings for the support of the leg and the platform forming the first higher elevation.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L. Phipps
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/3403; B29C44/3407; B29C44/36; B29C44/46; B29C44/50; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/25; B29C48/88; B29C48/885; B29C48/90; B29C48/911; B29C48/9135; B29C48/915; B29C48/916; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B29C48/905; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S425/00; Y10S425/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
In a method of extruding foam products through an inclined barometric leg with the foam product exiting a pool of water at the lower end of such leg, the step of minimizing the pressure head of water on the product as it exits the leg to reduce the density of the product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a method of extruding foam products through an inclined barometric leg with the foam product exiting a pool of water at the lower end of such leg, the step of minimizing the pressure head of water on the product as it exits the leg to reduce the density of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of minimizing the depth of the pool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 including the step of maximizing the surface area of the pool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the steps of minimizing the depth and maximizing the surface area of the pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 including the step of minimizing changes in the pressure head upon variations in vacuum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said last mentioned step is accomplished by maximizing the surface area of the pool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a method of extruding foam products through an inclined barometric leg with the foam product exiting a pool of water at the lower end of such leg, the step of minimizing the depth and maximizing the surface area of the pool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a method of extruding foam products through an inclined barometric leg with the foam product exiting a pool of water at the lower end of such leg, the step of minimizing the depth and maximizing the surface area of the pool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as set forth in claim 7 including the step of minimizing the pressure head of water on the product as it exits the leg to reduce the density of the product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes extending from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a pool of water, and a hood extending from the lower end of said leg through which the extrudate passes reducing the pressure head of water above the extrudate as it exits said leg through the hood into the pool of water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes extending from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a pool of water, and a hood extending from the lower end of said leg through which the extrudate passes reducing the pressure head of water above the extrudate as it exits said leg through the hood into the pool of water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hood is generally wedge shape and abuts at its larger end against the lower end of said leg.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said hood is fabricated and is sealed to the lower end of said leg.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pool of water is shallow and said hood is partially submerged in said shallow pool of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said hood includes a vertically narrow horizontal opening at its end opposite the leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 13 including a conveyor extending through said leg and said hood exiting the latter through such narrow opening.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said conveyor includes a large radius upwardly extending curve with such narrow opening being substantially adjacent the bottom of the curve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 15 wherein the hood is elongated and the uper surface thereof is curved at substantially the same radius as the large radius curvature of the conveyor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 9 including a seal plate on the lower end of said leg to which said hood is removably connected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said hood is elongated axially of the leg and the upper surface thereof extends normal to the seal plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vacuum extrusion systemas set forth in claim 9 wherein said hood includes an inclined top wall extending from above the level of the pool to below the level of the pool and terminating in a narrow horizontal opening below the level of the pool.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said hood includes sidewalls extending from the top wall to below the level of the hood.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the bottom of the pool of water is horizontal, and the lower edge of the sidewalls of the hood are also horizontal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 9 including a structure enclosing the second lower elevation, said shallow pool of water extending substantially beneath at least the entire structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said pool is confined in an elongated structure which extends beneath the barometric leg and serves as a support for said leg.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising an elongated hood on the lower end of said chamber having a vertically narrow horizontal opening into said pool of water near the bottom of such pool.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising an elongated hood on the lower end of said chamber having a vertically narrow horizontal opening into said pool of water near the bottom of such pool.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said elongation hood comprises a removable shroud partially submerged in such pool.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said shroud is substantially wedge shape and with the extrudate exiting from the chamber at its narrow end.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said elongated hood is fabricated and is sealed to the lower end of said chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 24 including a conveyor extending through said vacuum chamber, said conveyor including a large radius curve to convey the extrudate from the chamber to above the pool of water, the exit end of said hood being substantially at the lowest most point of said curve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 28 wherein the top surface of the hood is curved to conform to the conveyor curve.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined elongated vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, said pool having a first higher liquid level when the chamber is not under vacuum and a second lower liquid level when the chamber is under vacuum, said chamber including an exit opening subjacent said second liquid level, and conveyor means for such extrudate to convey such extrudate upwardly from said exit opening out of said pool of liquid whereby the maximum pressure head on such extrudate is substantially at such exit opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined elongated vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, said pool having a first higher liquid level when the chamber is not under vacuum and a second lower liquid level when the chamber is under vacuum, said chamber including an exit opening subjacent said second liquid level, and conveyor means for such extrudate to convey such extrudate upwardly from said exit opening out of said pool of liquid whereby the maximum pressure head on such extrudate is substantially at such exit opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said exit opening is formed in the narrow end of a wedge-shape hood secured to the lower end of said vacuum chamber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 31 including a conveyor extending though said vacuum chamber and exiting through said pool of liquid in a large radius upwardly extending curve, said hood forming said exit opening near the lowermost point of said curve.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 30 wherein said pool is shallow and of substantially uniform depth.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 33 wherein said elongated vacuum chamber is in the form of a large diameter pipe.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 34 wherein the depth of said pool is less than the diameter of said pipe.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 30 including a building for processing said extrudate at said second lower elevation, said pool being relatively shallow and extending substantially entirely beneath said building.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 36 wherein said pool extends beneath the floor of said building, said floor including an opening in which said exit opening is situated and from which said extrudate passes for processing in said building.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined barometric leg extending from a first higher elevation to a shallow pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, a building enclosing the lower end of said barometric leg with the structure forming such pool being the foundation of said building.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined barometric leg extending from a first higher elevation to a shallow pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, a building enclosing the lower end of said barometric leg with the structure forming such pool being the foundation of said building.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 38 wherein said pool is shallow and of uniform depth extending substantially throughout said building and beneath the working floor thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined elongated vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, said first higher elevation and said elongated vacuum chamber being supported on a trestle-like structure above grade.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined elongated vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of liquid at a second lower elevation through which the extrudate passes, said first higher elevation and said elongated vacuum chamber being supported on a trestle-like structure above grade.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 40 wherein said pool is elongated and extends beneath the vacuum chamber, the structure forming such pool also serving as the foundation for said trestle-like structure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vacuum extrusion system as set forth in claim 41 wherein said pool extends beneath said first higher elevation supporting the same in like fashion.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a shallow pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising the pool extending substantially beneath the entire lower elevation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a shallow pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising the pool extending substantially beneath the entire lower elevation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising the structure forming such pool extending beneath the inclined vacuum chamber and the first higher elevation substantially to support the same.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a vacuum extrusion system comprising an inclined vacuum chamber extending from a first higher elevation to a pool of water at a second lower elevation, the improvement comprising the structure forming such pool extending beneath the inclined vacuum chamber and the first higher elevation substantially to support the same.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize the change of level of the pool when the leg is placed under vacuum.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize the change of level of the pool when the leg is placed under vacuum.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize the change in the pressure head on the extrudate exiting the leg when the leg is under variations in vacuum.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize the change in the pressure head on the extrudate exiting the leg when the leg is under variations in vacuum.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize changes in the pressure head on the extrudate exiting the leg upon variations in the vacuum.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a vacuum extrusion system, a barometric leg through which the extrudate passes from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation into a shallow pool of water, such pool having a large surface area to minimize changes in the pressure head on the extrudate exiting the leg upon variations in the vacuum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-01 | 1984-12-01 | 1985-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-01 | 1988-12-01 | 1989-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-01 | 1992-12-01 | 1993-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |