Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
An apparatus for extruding an extrudable polymeric material in generally annular continuous or discontinuous form which apparatus comprises (a) a rotatable hollow centered extrusion die; (b) means for supplying a flow of extrudable polymeric material to said die, said die having a feed passage therein for receiving at one of its ends said polymeric material flow from said supplying means and a generally annular exit orifice at the other end of said passage for discharging said polymeric material in continuous or discontinuous generally annular extending form; (c) means for rotating at least said die exit orifice bodily about its axis; and (d) collecting means defining a zone of collection extending through the hollow center of said die for receiving thereon the polymeric material emerging from said die orifice, said collecting means comprising a fixed support and a collecting surface having at least in said collecting zone a generally cylindrical configuration and upon which said discharged material is received as a generally tubular layer form, said collecting surface being adapted to be advanced continuously in said zone in a direction generally axially of said die; (e) means for advancing at least said collecting surface generally axially of said die while said die exit orifice is rotated at a sufficient rate relative to the rate of advance of the collecting surface to subject the polymeric material emerging from said die orifice to significant attenuation in a helical direction and impart to said generally tubular layer a helical grain relative to the direction of advance; and (f) means for separating the collected attenuated material from at least the fixed support of said collecting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
271 words
An apparatus for extruding an extrudable polymeric material in generally annular continuous or discontinuous form which apparatus comprises (a) a rotatable hollow centered extrusion die; (b) means for supplying a flow of extrudable polymeric material to said die, said die having a feed passage therein for receiving at one of its ends said polymeric material flow from said supplying means and a generally annular exit orifice at the other end of said passage for discharging said polymeric material in continuous or discontinuous generally annular extending form; (c) means for rotating at least said die exit orifice bodily about its axis; and (d) collecting means defining a zone of collection extending through the hollow center of said die for receiving thereon the polymeric material emerging from said die orifice, said collecting means comprising a fixed support and a collecting surface having at least in said collecting zone a generally cylindrical configuration and upon which said discharged material is received as a generally tubular layer form, said collecting surface being adapted to be advanced continuously in said zone in a direction generally axially of said die; (e) means for advancing at least said collecting surface generally axially of said die while said die exit orifice is rotated at a sufficient rate relative to the rate of advance of the collecting surface to subject the polymeric material emerging from said die orifice to significant attenuation in a helical direction and impart to said generally tubular layer a helical grain relative to the direction of advance; and (f) means for separating the collected attenuated material from at least the fixed support of said collecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said collecting surface is defined by a conveying belt separate from said fixed support and wound therearound for movement in a direction having at least a component generally axial of said die exit orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said belt extends generally axially of said fixed support and including guide means for folding said belt longitudinally around said support upstream of said collection zone and unfolding the belt therefrom downstream of said zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least the surface of said belt is formed of a material to which said discharged polymeric material is adherent when solidified whereby said belt is laminated with said collected layer of attenuated polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said belt is wound generally helically around said support within said collection zone and including belt guide means for delivering and removing said belt from said support upstream and downstream of said zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fixed support comprises a continuous generally cylindrical rigid member extending toroidally through said hollow die center, said member having a peripheral surface defining the collection surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feed passage includes at said one end a generally continuous inlet channel on the exterior of said die for receiving said polymeric material flow from said supplying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said channel is open to the atmosphere and said supplying means deposits said polymeric material in said channel in pressure free fashion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An extrusion apparatus according to claim 1 in which the inlet channel extends peripherally around the die exterior.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An extrusion apparatus according to claim 7 in which the inlet channel, feed passage and exit orifice form a continuous annular passageway passing from one end of the die to the other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The extrusion apparatus of claim 7 wherein the opposite sides of said channel are constituted by separate rotatable die parts and including means for rotating said separate parts relative to one another during rotation of said die.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The extrusion of claim 11 wherein at least that section of said feed passage adjacent said channel is defined by said separate relatively rotating die parts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The extrusion apparatus of claim 7 comprising vane means within said channel for advancing the material laid within said channel through said feed passage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The extrusion apparatus of claim 13 including means for holding said vane means against rotation with said die whereby said vane means continuously advances said material during rotation of said die.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The extrusion apparatus of claim 11 wherein vane means are carried on at least one side of said channel for advancing said material through said feed passage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The extrusion apparatus of claim 13 wherein said vane means are supported for independent movement relative to said channel.