Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for producing an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe having a smooth inner face, the apparatus comprising: a core comprising a spindle, a mandrel having one end on one end of the spindle and conically enlarging away from the spindle, in a production direction, to an opposite end, and a kernel of substantially constant diameter at the opposite end of the mandrel with the diameter thereof, the kernel having an initial zone closest to the mandrel at least a second portion of which enlarges in diameter in the production direction only slightly, substantially less than the mandrel, and an end zone farthest from the mandrel; heating means for heating at least the second portion of the initial zone of the kernel; an extrusion sleeve surrounding substantially only the spindle of the core for forming a nozzle about the spindle, whereby to extrude plastic material in the production direction about the spindle for forming a pipe; and chill moulds surrounding the extrusion sleeve and core along runs of at least two endless paths and transportable along the runs of the endless paths in the production direction, the inner surface of each chill mould having grooves for forming outward ribs on the pipe in cooperation with the mandrel and initial zone of the kernel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for producing an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe having a smooth inner face, the apparatus comprising: a core comprising a spindle, a mandrel having one end on one end of the spindle and conically enlarging away from the spindle, in a production direction, to an opposite end, and a kernel of substantially constant diameter at the opposite end of the mandrel with the diameter thereof, the kernel having an initial zone closest to the mandrel at least a second portion of which enlarges in diameter in the production direction only slightly, substantially less than the mandrel, and an end zone farthest from the mandrel; heating means for heating at least the second portion of the initial zone of the kernel; an extrusion sleeve surrounding substantially only the spindle of the core for forming a nozzle about the spindle, whereby to extrude plastic material in the production direction about the spindle for forming a pipe; and chill moulds surrounding the extrusion sleeve and core along runs of at least two endless paths and transportable along the runs of the endless paths in the production direction, the inner surface of each chill mould having grooves for forming outward ribs on the pipe in cooperation with the mandrel and initial zone of the kernel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating means of the initial zone extend over the whole length of the initial zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the initial zone increases substantially evenly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the initial zone increases from 0.2 to 2.0 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the initial zone in the production direction is from 10 to 100 percent of the diameter of the inner surfaces of the chill moulds surrounding the extrusion sleeve and core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising stick prevention means on an outer surface of the kernel selected from the group consisting of a boric treatment, a lubricant, and a groove or grooves extending around the kernel for preventing the plastic pipe material form sticking thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the initial zone increases from 0.2 to 2.0 percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the initial zone increases about 1.0 percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the diameter of the initial zone increases about 1.0 percent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according claim 5, wherein the length of the initial zone in the production direction is about 50 percent of the diameter of the inner surfaces of the chill moulds surrounding the extrusion sleeve and core.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
270 words
A method of producing an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe having a smooth inner face, the method comprising: providing a core comprising a spindle, a mandrel having one end of one end of the spindle and conically enlarging away from the spindle, in a production direction, to an opposite end, and a kernel of substantially constant diameter at the opposite end of the mandrel with the diameter thereof, the kernel having an initial zone closest to the mandrel at least a second portion of which enlarges in diameter in the production direction only slightly, substantially less than the mandrel, and an end zone farthest from the mandrel; heating at least the second portion of the initial zone of the kernel; surrounding substantially only the spindle of the core with an extrusion sleeve for forming a nozzle about the spindle; substantially the extrusion sleeve and core with chill moulds along runs of at least two endless paths, inner surfaces of the chill moulds having grooves therein; transporting the chill moulds along the runs of the endless paths in the production direction; extruding plastic material from the nozzle in the production direction about the core and into the chill moulds for forming an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe; pressing the plastic material into the chill moulds and grooves thereof with the conical enlargement of the mandrel as the chill moulds transport the same therealong; allowing the plastic material to start to cool in the chill moulds; and heating and again pressing the plastic material into the chill moulds and grooves thereof with the heating and slight enlargement of at least the second portion of the kernel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
270 words
A method of producing an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe having a smooth inner face, the method comprising: providing a core comprising a spindle, a mandrel having one end of one end of the spindle and conically enlarging away from the spindle, in a production direction, to an opposite end, and a kernel of substantially constant diameter at the opposite end of the mandrel with the diameter thereof, the kernel having an initial zone closest to the mandrel at least a second portion of which enlarges in diameter in the production direction only slightly, substantially less than the mandrel, and an end zone farthest from the mandrel; heating at least the second portion of the initial zone of the kernel; surrounding substantially only the spindle of the core with an extrusion sleeve for forming a nozzle about the spindle; substantially the extrusion sleeve and core with chill moulds along runs of at least two endless paths, inner surfaces of the chill moulds having grooves therein; transporting the chill moulds along the runs of the endless paths in the production direction; extruding plastic material from the nozzle in the production direction about the core and into the chill moulds for forming an outwardly-ribbed, plastic pipe; pressing the plastic material into the chill moulds and grooves thereof with the conical enlargement of the mandrel as the chill moulds transport the same therealong; allowing the plastic material to start to cool in the chill moulds; and heating and again pressing the plastic material into the chill moulds and grooves thereof with the heating and slight enlargement of at least the second portion of the kernel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the diameter of the inner face is increased from 0.2 to 2.0 percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the diameter of the inner face is increased about 1.0 percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a first, cylindrical, unheated portion of the kernel between the mandrel and the second portion of the kernel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein allowing the plastic material to start to cool in the chill moulds comprises transporting the plastic material with the chill moulds along a first, cylindrical, unheated portion of the kernel between the mandrel and the second portion of the kernel.