US4606879A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High stalk blown film extrusion apparatus and method
Assignee: CM ACQUIRING CORP
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Filing: 1985-02-28
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Granted: 1986-08-19
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Expires: 2005-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A high stalk blown film extrusion apparatus and method is described which produces a stabilized high stalk for increasing the production rate of blown, low to high molecular weight polymers, while increasing the film's physical and mechanical properties. The high stalk is stabilized by application of high velocity, low volume flow rate of air over the interior and exterior surfaces of the extruded film.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank D. Cerisano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/88; B29C48/885; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/10; B29C48/89; B29C48/911; B29C48/9115; B29C48/912; B29C48/92; B29C2948/00; B29C2948/92; B29C2948/92009; B29C2948/92114; B29C2948/92323; B29C2948/92428; B29C2948/92504; B29C2948/9258; B29C2948/926; B29C2948/92609; B29C2948/92647; B29C2948/92704; B29C2948/92819; B29C2948/92923; B29C2948/92961
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for forming a film of plastic material, said apparatus comprising supplying means for supplying plastic material in a flowable state, a die arranged in advance of said supplying means for forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, a primary air ring arranged adjacent said die and exteriorly of said film, said primary air ring supplying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, means for supplying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film, a cylinder arranged interiorly of said film and extending from said die along said longitudinal axis over said predetermined distance, said cylinder and the interior surface of said film defining an annular region therebetween for receiving said second gas stream, controlling means for controlling said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film to stabilize said film over said predetermined distance by preventing the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and a secondary air ring arranged spaced from said primary air ring and exteriorly of said film having said first diameter, the distance between said primary and said secondary air rings defining said predetermined distance over which said film is stabilized, said secondary air ring supplying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for forming a film of plastic material, said apparatus comprising supplying means for supplying plastic material in a flowable state, a die arranged in advance of said supplying means for forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, a primary air ring arranged adjacent said die and exteriorly of said film, said primary air ring supplying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, means for supplying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film, a cylinder arranged interiorly of said film and extending from said die along said longitudinal axis over said predetermined distance, said cylinder and the interior surface of said film defining an annular region therebetween for receiving said second gas stream, controlling means for controlling said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film to stabilize said film over said predetermined distance by preventing the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and a secondary air ring arranged spaced from said primary air ring and exteriorly of said film having said first diameter, the distance between said primary and said secondary air rings defining said predetermined distance over which said film is stabilized, said secondary air ring supplying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controlling means controls the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas streams to prevent the oscillation of said film about said cylinder by controlling said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the exterior surface of said film over said predetermined distance and by controlling said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the interior surface of said film within said annular region and over said predetermined distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for controlling the temperature of said first and second gas streams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylinder includes a passageway communicating between the interior of said film and the surrounding atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further including means for exhausting at a controlled rate at least a portion of said second gas stream from the interior of said film through said passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, is in the range of 0.125 to 1.4 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of said cylinder over said predetermined distance is substantially uninterrupted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further including guide means arranged about said cylinder within said predetermined distance and extending into said annular region for guiding said film thereover.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
314 words
An apparatus for forming a film of plastic material, said apparatus comprising an extruder for supplying plastic material in a flowable state, a die arranged in advance of said extruder for forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, a primary air ring arranged adjacent said die and exteriorly of said film, said primary air ring supplying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, means for supplying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film, a cylinder arranged interiorly of said film and extending from said die along said longitudinal axis over said predetermined distance, said cylinder and the interior surface of said film defining an annular region therebetween for receiving said second gas stream, controlling means for controlling said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film to stabilize said film over said predetermined distance, said controlling means controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas streams to prevent oscillation of said film about said cylinder by controlling said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate along the exterior surface of said film over said predetermined distance and by controlling said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate along the interior surface of said film within said annular region and over said predetermined distance, and a secondary air ring arranged spaced from said primary air ring and exteriorly of said film having said first diameter, the distance between said primary and said secondary air rings defining said predetermined distance over which said film is stabilized, said secondary air ring supplying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to said second diameter thereat.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
314 words
An apparatus for forming a film of plastic material, said apparatus comprising an extruder for supplying plastic material in a flowable state, a die arranged in advance of said extruder for forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, a primary air ring arranged adjacent said die and exteriorly of said film, said primary air ring supplying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, means for supplying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film, a cylinder arranged interiorly of said film and extending from said die along said longitudinal axis over said predetermined distance, said cylinder and the interior surface of said film defining an annular region therebetween for receiving said second gas stream, controlling means for controlling said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film to stabilize said film over said predetermined distance, said controlling means controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas streams to prevent oscillation of said film about said cylinder by controlling said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate along the exterior surface of said film over said predetermined distance and by controlling said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate along the interior surface of said film within said annular region and over said predetermined distance, and a secondary air ring arranged spaced from said primary air ring and exteriorly of said film having said first diameter, the distance between said primary and said secondary air rings defining said predetermined distance over which said film is stabilized, said secondary air ring supplying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to said second diameter thereat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said controlling means controls said second gas stream through said annular region in a direction parallel to said interior surface of said film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including means for controlling the temperature of said first, second and third gas streams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including means for exhausting at a controlled rate at least a portion of said second gas stream from the interior of said film through a passageway provided in said cylinder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including means for changing the distance between said primary and secondary air rings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, is in the range of 0.125 to 1.4 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the exterior surface of said cylinder over said predetermined distance is substantially uninterrupted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further including means arranged about the exterior of said cylinder within said predetermined distance and extending into said annular region for guiding said film thereover.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for forming a film of plastic material, said method comprising the steps of forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter about a cylinder arranged along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, applying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, applying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film within an annular region formed between said cylinder and the interior surface of said film, controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas stream over said unexpanded tubular film over said predetermined distance for stabilizing said film by preventing the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and applying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film having said first diameter adjacent the extent of said predetermined distance for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for forming a film of plastic material, said method comprising the steps of forming a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter about a cylinder arranged along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, applying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, applying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film within an annular region formed between said cylinder and the interior surface of said film, controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas stream over said unexpanded tubular film over said predetermined distance for stabilizing said film by preventing the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and applying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film having said first diameter adjacent the extent of said predetermined distance for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said stabilizing includes applying within said predetermined distance said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the exterior surface of said film and said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the interior surface of said film to prevent the oscillation thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said first gas stream has a flow rate in the range of 5 to 200 CFM/inch of die diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said first gas stream has a velocity in the range of 1,000 to 24,000 FPM.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said second gas stream has a flow rate in the range of from 5 to 150 CFM/inch of die diameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said second gas stream has a velocity in the range of 1,000 to 24,000 FPM.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 further including controlling the temperature of said first and second gas streams.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said first and second gas streams have a temperature in the range of -20° to 300° F.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 further including exhausting at a controlled rate at least a portion of said second gas stream from the interior of said film through a passageway provided within said cylinder.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 further including controlling the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, in the range of 0.125 to 1.4 inches.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 further including controlling the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, in the range of 0.125 to 0.5 inches.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 further including maintaining the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, less than about one-quarter inch.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said stabilizing includes applying said gas stream over the interior surface of said film in a direction parallel thereto.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said stabilizing includes applying said gas stream over the exterior surface of said film in a direction parallel thereto.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
200 words
A method for forming a film of plastic material, said method comprising the steps of extruding a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter about a cylinder arranged along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, applying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, applying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film within an annular region formed between said cylinder and the interior surface of said film, controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film over said predetermined distance for stabilizing said film, said stabilizing including applying said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the exterior surface of said film and said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the interior surface of said film to prevent the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and applying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film having said first diameter adjacent the extent of said predetermined distance for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
200 words
A method for forming a film of plastic material, said method comprising the steps of extruding a progressively advancing unexpanded tubular film having a substantially uniform first diameter about a cylinder arranged along a longitudinal axis over a predetermined distance, applying a first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film, applying a second gas stream over the interior surface of said film within an annular region formed between said cylinder and the interior surface of said film, controlling the velocity and volume flow rate of said first and second gas streams over said unexpanded tubular film over said predetermined distance for stabilizing said film, said stabilizing including applying said first gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the exterior surface of said film and said second gas stream at a sufficiently high velocity, low volume flow rate over the interior surface of said film to prevent the oscillation of said film about said cylinder, and applying a third gas stream over the exterior surface of said film having said first diameter adjacent the extent of said predetermined distance for stabilizing and expanding said film from said first diameter to a second diameter thereat.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said first gas stream has a flow rate in the range of 5 to 200 CFM/inch of die diameter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said first gas stream has a velocity in the range of 1,000 to 24,000 FPM.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said second gas stream has a flow rate in the range of from 5 to 150 CFM/inch of die diameter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said second gas stream has a velocity in the range of 1,000 to 24,000 FPM.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said stabilizing includes exhausting at a controlled rate at least a portion of said second gas stream from the interior of said film through a passageway provided within said cylinder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said stabilizing includes controlling the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, in the range of 0.125 to 1.4 inches.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said stabilizing includes controlling the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, in the range of 0.125 to 0.5 inches.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said stabilizing includes controlling the width of said annular region, in a radial direction, less than about one-quarter inch.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said stabilizing includes applying said second gas stream over the interior surface of said film in a direction parallel to said interior surface and within said annular region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said stabilizing includes applying said first gas stream over the exterior surface of said film in a direction parallel thereto.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 further including controlling the temperature of said first, second and third gas streams.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said first and second gas streams have a temperature in the range of -20° to 300° F. and said third gas stream has a temperature in the range of -20° to 150° F.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said third gas stream has a velocity in the range of 2,000 to 24,000 FPM and a flow rate in the range of 5 to 500 CFM/inch of die diameter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 36 further including recirculating said at least said portion of said second gas stream into said annular region and over the interior surface of said film.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 31 further including maintaining the diameter of said film substantially constant over said predetermined distance.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said predetermined distance is in the range of 1 to 20 times the diameter of said film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-18 | 1990-02-17 | 1990-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-18 | 1994-02-17 | 1994-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-18 | 1998-02-17 | 1998-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |