Method and apparatus for vulcanizing hose

Claim 1

A process for vulcanizing a continuous length of reinforced rubber hose which comprises the steps of advancing a continuous length of hose to a pair of endless moving belt molds that are cooperative on merging to encompass such hose and with said belt molds being made of material transparent to microwave energy, advancing said hose while captively held by said moving belt molds between pressure applying guides that are transparent to microwave energy, applying pressure to said hose through the cooperative action of said guides applying pressure on said belt molds, exposing said encompassed hose to microwave energy to effect vulcanization of said hose, advancing said belt molds out of contact with said guides to remove pressure on said hose, and parting said moving belt molds from said hose while directing said vulcanized hose therefrom for windup.

Claim 7

An apparatus for vulcanizing elastomeric articles comprising, an elongated chamber, said chamber having an entrance end and an exit end, a pair of endless conveyor belts having a pair of merging conveying runs operative in said chamber for movement along a longitudinally extending pass line, said conveyor belts being transparent to microwave energy, microwave energy transmitting devices mounted in said chamber on opposite sides of said pass line, each of said conveyor belts having a continuous recess which is operative to receive an elastomeric uncured article at said entrance end to confine said elastomeric article as said article moves through said chamber drive means connected to said belts for moving said conveyor belts in their endless path, (and) means for energizing said microwave devices to transmit microwave energy towards said conveying runs to effect vulcanization of elastomeric articles confined in said recesses as it moves through said chamber, and said chamber has guide means therein operative to exert pressure on said pair of merging conveying runs along said pass line to maintain pressure on said elastomeric article confined therein during vulcanization thereof.

Claim 8

An apparatus for vulcanizing elastomeric articles comprising, an elongated chamber, said chamber having an entrance end and an exit end, a pair of endless conveyor belts having a pair of merging conveying runs operative in said chamber for movement along a longitudinally extending pass line, said conveyor belts being transparent to microwave energy, microwave energy transmitting devices mounted in said chamber on opposite sides of said pass line, each of said conveyor belts having a continuous recess which is operative to receive an elastomeric uncured article at said entrance end to confine said elastomeric article as said article moves through said chamber drive means connected to said belts for moving said conveyor belts in their endless path, (and) means for energizing said microwave devices to transmit microwave energy towards said conveying runs to effect vulcanization of elastomeric articles confined in said recesses as it moves through said chamber, and said chamber has guide means therein operative to exert pressure on said pair of merging conveying runs along said pass line to maintain pressure on said elastomeric article confined therein during vulcanization thereof.