MXPA96004636A - Best multiple calibration finger - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved manifold calibration finger for use with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic, the manifold calibration finger comprising a first member having a first and a second end, the first member tubular comprises a tubular outer cover having first and second ends, the outer cover has an outer surface with a first groove formed therein, the first radial groove has a plurality of openings formed therein, and the first tubular member it comprises an intermediate tube having first and second ends and an inner and outer surface, the intermediate tube having formed through the same channels that generally extend longitudinally for the passage of water in a first direction, the first tubular member also has a plurality of channels extending radially from the openings to the inner surface for the passage of through it, the tubular outer shell surrounds the intermediate tube, and a second tubular member comprising a curved member having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces with a plurality of openings extending from the outer surface of the curved member to the inner surface of the curved member, the second tubular member is connected to the first member

Description

IMPROVED MULTIPLE CALIBRATION FINGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates, in general terms, to a multi-gauge finger for use with a die head for the extrusion of a plastic, and more particularly to an improved structure capable of forming a tube wall with openings. in it when the tube is examined in cross section. A variety of uses have been found for plastic pipes especially related to drainage. One of the problems in the manufacture of plastic tubes is the amount of raw materials consumed and the weight resulting from the finished product. For example, a solid-walled plastic pipe with an inner diameter of 48 inches (121.92 centimeters) weighs approximately 200 pounds (90.72 kilograms) per foot (.3048 meters). It was recently discovered that plastic tubes having openings formed therein, when the tube is seen in cross section, weigh approximately 30 pounds (13,608 kilograms) per linear foot.

However, there is a problem in designing a machine capable of manufacturing tubes having the desired cross section. In general, the extruded plastic tube is formed on a production line that has a variety of specific machines incorporated into the manufacturing process.

One of the first machines is an extruder. Plastic powder, or more preferably granules, is fed through the extruder, where it is subjected to high temperature so that the plastic melts. The plasticized plastic then proceeds through a feed tube, at the end of which the plastic enters a die typically in the form of a drum. In front of the die is the profile in specific cross section that is going to be extruded. As the hot plastic exits the die, it passes over what is called calibration or calibration fingers that help maintain the desired cross-sectional shape that has been extruded. In addition to the extruder and the die, which is supported on a die post assembly, the plastic tube is manufactured using a former or forming head. The multi-gauge fingers of the prior art are apparently limited in their ability to manufacture a plastic product having a cross section that incorporates openings. Thus it is apparent that there is a need for a manifold set that makes a product having the desired cross section.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The problems associated with the calibration fingers of the above manifold are overcome according to the present invention by the presence of an improved manifold calibration finger which can be used together with a die head for the extrusion of a plastic with a multi-gauge finger comprising a first section comprising an elongated tubular member having an outer grooved surface and an elongated central channel extending through the first section from one end of the first section to the other. The manifold calibration finger also comprises a second section comprising a tubular member with an outer surface and an inner surface with a plurality of openings extending between the outer and inner surfaces. Additionally, a plurality of elongated channels extend along less than the total length of the first section. The first section also has a plurality of channels extending from the central channel to the grooved outer surface. An improved multi-gauge finger for use with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic is also described, the manifold gauging finger comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The first tubular member comprises a tubular outer cover and an intermediate tube. The outer tubular cover has a first and a second end, and an outer surface with a first radial groove formed therein. The first radial groove has a plurality of openings also formed therein. The intermediate tube has a first and a second end, and an interior and exterior surface. The intermediate tube is formed along the same channels that extend generally longitudinally for the passage of water through it in a first direction. The first tubular member also has a plurality of radially extending channels, extending from the openings to the inner surface for the passage of air therethrough. The outer tubular cover surrounds the curved member having a first end and a second end and inner and outer surfaces. A plurality of openings extend from the outer surface of the curved member to the interior surface of the curved member. The second tubular member is connected to the first tubular member. Additionally, the second end of the first tubular member is attached to the first end of the curved member. Also, the first tubular member has a first length and the second tubular member has a second length, the second length being longer than the first length. The outer surface of the outer cover is formed having two flat sections and two curved sections. A portion of the outer surface of the intermediate tube is directly adjacent to the inner surface of the outer shell. The outer cover comprises a first finger end and a finger cover secured to one another by a threaded connecting ring. The outer cover also comprises a second finger end. The outer surface of the outer cover has a second radial groove formed therein. The second radial groove also has a plurality of openings formed therein. The first tubular member thus also has a plurality of channels extending from the openings of the second radial groove to the inner surface. The intermediate tube of the first tubular member is attached to the first end of the curved member. The openings of the curved member have a diameter greater than that of the openings of the first tubular member. The outer surface of the outer shell has a spiral groove formed therein which intersects the first radial groove. In addition, the spiral groove in the preferred embodiment of the invention intersects both the first and the second radial grooves. Also described in combination are a plurality of manifold calibration fingers for use with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic, each of the manifold calibration fingers comprising a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The first tubular member comprises a tubular outer cover and an intermediate tube. The outer cover has a first and a second end and an outer surface with a first radial groove formed therein. The first radial groove has a plurality of openings also formed therein. The intermediate tube has a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface. The intermediate tube has formed therethrough channels that extend generally longitudinally for the passage of water through them in a first direction. The first tubular member also has a plurality of radially extending channels extending from the openings to the inner surface for the passage of air therethrough. The tubular outer cover surrounds the intermediate tube. The second tubular member comprises a curved member having a first end and a second end and inner and outer surfaces. A plurality of openings extend from the outer surface of the curved member to the interior surface of the curved member. The second tubular member is connected to the first tubular member, each of the outer surfaces of the outer cover having two flat sections and two curved sections with each of the calibration fingers adjacent to at least one other calibration finger so that the flat section on a calibration finger is parallel to a flat section on an adjacent calibration finger.

In addition, in this combination each of the outer surfaces of the outer covers has a spiral groove formed therein intersecting the spiral groove in the first radial groove. In addition, the outer surface of the outer cover preferably has a second radial groove formed therein, each of the second radial grooves having a plurality of openings formed therein so that each of the first tubular members have a plurality of openings. of channels extending from a second radial groove to the respective inner surface. The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved multiple gaging finger that can manufacture tubes having a plurality of openings formed therein when the wall of the tube is viewed in cross section. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side view of a die and a die post assembly with a manifold calibration finger formed in accordance with the present invention secured thereto in an operative position. FIGURE 2 is a front elevated view of a die and a die post assembly in which the die will extrude the wall of a plastic tube having openings formed therein, specifically 8 small openings, generally in triangular form as well as 3 larger openings generally in circular form. FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the tubular outer cover of the first tubular member of the improved manifold calibration finger. FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the intermediate tube which in the preferred embodiment of the invention is formed and then inserted into the outer cover shown in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on a scale very enlarged to the length of the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3, however, this particular view shows the first assembled tubular member by means of which it represents both the outer cover and the presence of the intermediate tube. FIGURE 5A is a vertical sectional view taken on a very enlarged scale and similar to FIGURE 5, however, this particular view shows one of the most extreme first section of the calibration finger as it is assembled. FIGURE 5B is a vertical sectional view taken on a very enlarged scale and similar to FIGURES 5 and 5A, however, this particular view shows the other first section of the most extreme calibration finger as it is assembled. FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the calibration finger taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 2. FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view on a greatly enlarged scale taken from FIG. along line 7-7 of FIGURE 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, attention is first directed to FIGURE 1 which shows the improved multi-gauge fingers associated with this present invention generally represented by numeral 10. The multi-gauge fingers are part of an improved manifold 12 contained within the die 15. The drum-shaped die 15 is supported on a die post assembly 20. The die and the die post are of the type found in the plastic extrusion manufacture. Similarly, improved manifold calibration fingers 10 are located where the calibration fingers of the prior art were located, that is, at the end of the die from where the plastic is extruded therefrom. This can be better seen by considering FIGURE 2, which represents the presence of a die head 17. The dice heads are well known in the conventional extrusion technique. However, this particular die head represents the presence of 8 small triangular sections and three larger circular sections that will allow the wall of the tube to have a plurality of openings formed therein. Extending through the die and the head of the die 17 is a portion of the die manifold assembly 12 to which this invention is physically secured. This portion of the multiple assembly of the die 12 is shown at the left lateral end of the head of the die 17 and extends some distance from the die in the form of a drum. ** At the right lateral end of die head 17 is the calibration finger associated with the present invention shown in its complete set, as can be seen from the comparison with FIGURE 1. The calibration finger of the improved manifold of this invention is formed having a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The first tubular member is shown itself secured to the die manifold assembly 12 in the middle portion of the die head 17 in FIGURE 2. The first tubular member 25 is formed in the preferred embodiment of the invention having an outer cover 27 As can be better appreciated from a comparison of FIGURE 2 with FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, the outer cover 27 has a first end as well as a second end, 28 and 29, respectively. Additionally, the outer cover 27 is formed having an outer surface 30 with its outer surface 30 having therein formed a first radial groove 33. Formed in the first radial groove there are a plurality of openings 35. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a second radial groove 37 is formed having a plurality of openings in the second section 39 formed therein. The tubular outer cover is preferably formed having a first finger end 40, a finger cover 42, and a second finger end 44. These three pieces are components of the tubular outer cover and are secured to one another by the respective ones Brass connecting rings 48. Each connecting ring 48, - is simply a ring with a threaded outer surface that engages a portion of the inner surface of the finger cover 42. A threaded portion of the inner surface of the first end of finger 40 is also fitted with the connecting ring 48, that first inner surface of the finger end 52. A threaded portion of the inner surface of the second finger end 44 is also fitted with the connecting ring 48, the second being inner surface of the end of the finger 53. In addition to the first radial groove 33 and the second radial groove 37 the surface 30 of the tubular outer cover 27 also of preferential ia has a spiral groove 55 formed therein. It should also be appreciated that the spiral groove is in intersection with both the first radial groove and the second radial groove in the preferred embodiment of the invention. It will also be appreciated from the comparison between FIGURES 3 and 5 that the outer cover of the first section 23 of the most central tube assembly is preferably formed having two relatively flat surface portions 60 and two curved surface portions 62. while that the two outer sets of tubes have a flat surface only with respect to their inner side wall as can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. An intermediate tube 64 shown in FIGURE 4 also has a first end 65 and a second end 66, and an inner surface 68 as can be seen from FIGURE 5 as well as the outer surface 69 as can be seen from FIG. 4 as of 5. A plurality of channels extending generally longitudinally 70 are formed on the outer surface 69 of the intermediate tube 64. In the preferred embodiment of the invention there are six of these longitudinally extending channels. As mentioned before, FIGURE 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view on a very enlarged scale where the intermediate tube is positioned so as to be surrounded by the tubular outer cover 27. As such, the various water receiving channels 70 are they can see that they come to close so that they allow the water to pass in a first direction through the die and into the second section. Additionally, the presence of cold water in the six channels helps to cool the outer tubular cover in the presence of hot plastic. As can also be seen in FIGURE 5, the first tubular member 25 also has a plurality of radially extending channels 72 that extend from the inner surface 68 of the intermediate tube 64 to the openings in either the radial groove 33 or 37 In the present assembly of the first tubular member the tubular outer cover has the intermediate tube placed therein in the appropriate holes and punched through both the tubular outer cover and the intermediate tube. First, the outer tubular casing and the intermediate tube are welded with the inner surface of the outer casing being welded to the outer surface 69. Once the two components are stabilized and a 3/32"(.238 centimeter) hole is drilled diameter, an outer 3/32"(.238 centimeter) diameter aluminum tube with a 1/16" (.158 centimeter) hole snaps into the 3/32"(.238 centimeter) hole which reaches the inner surface 68. The upper parts of the tubes can be filed and each respective radially extending channel 72 sealed in place with an appropriate sealant. Preferably the radial groove is placed on the outer cover after the aforementioned welding and drilling has occurred, but before the insertion of the tubes forming the radially extending channel 72. The cover of the finger 42 is approximately 18. "(45.72 centimeters) long in the preferred embodiment of the invention and has an outer diameter of approximately 2 1/2" (6.35 centimeters). Preferably the center of the first radial groove is 2.1 / 2"from the junction of the first end of the finger and the finger cover, while the second radial groove is approximately 1 9/16" (3,968 centimeters) from the joint. of the second end of the finger and the cover of the finger. The spiral groove is 3/32"(.238..centimeters) wide and has a height of 1" 2.54 centimeters of the front double over the total 18"(45.72 centimeters) .In addition, the various longitudinally extending channels 70 form having a radius of 5/16"(.79 centimeters). In addition, each of the slots is formed to be 1/4"(.635 centimeters) from the high point of the radius.The intermediate tube is approximately 16 1/2" (41.91 centimeters) long and has an outside diameter that fits the inside diameter of the outer cover. Preferably both the outer shell and the intermediate tube are made of aluminum. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8 the second tubular member 78, comprises a curved member having a first end 80 and a second end 82 as well as an inner surface 84 and an outer surface 86. The shape longitudinally of the second tubular member 78. Thus, it can be seen that the second end of the outer cover 27 of the first tubular member 25 is attached to the first end of the curved member 80. It should also be appreciated that the first tubular member is of a first length and the second tubular member is of a second length with its second length being longer than the first length. For example, in the embodiment of the invention described herein, the second tubular member measures 42"(106.68 centimeters) in length, with the first 3" (7.62 centimeters) being straight. Additionally, preferably the second tubular member is also formed of aluminum. Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that the openings of the diameter of the curved member are larger than the diameter of the openings of the first member, mainly because the openings of the curved member facilitate the flow of water therethrough while the openings of the first member are used to facilitate the pulling of a vacuum. In the present assembly, the first tubular member slides on. The first section 25 then slides on the secured die manifold assembly 12. The first ropes of the finger 90 are secured to the threaded terminal corresponding to the terminal end of the manifold tube. 12. Helping to maintain a good seal there is a first pair of 0-rings 92 placed within the appropriate grooves on the first inner surface of the end of the finger 52 as shown in FIGURE 6. The first tubular member is then placed as shown in FIG. shows in the center of the die head 17. The second tubular member at its first end 80 has a quick release female mechanism 94 of the type well known in the pipeline art. In the preferred embodiment of the machine associated with the process of this invention this quick release mechanism is a valve through the straight flow of brass, 1"(2.54 centimeters), manufactured by Parker-Hanifin, whose mechanism is coupled with the male quick-release mechanism 95 positioned at the second end 66 of the intermediate tube 64. Thus, when used in combination to form three circular openings through a tube wall when seen in transverse section, the flat sections 60 on each of the calibration fingers are parallel to a flat section on an adjacent calibration finger A second pair of rings -098 is in the appropriate grooves on the inner surface 68. In present use, the cooling water passes through the longitudinally extending channels within the manifold calibration finger while a vacuum is pulled through the radially extending channels In addition, water flows through the openings in the second tubular member on the outer surface of the calibration finger, easily apparent from the description. Prior detailed ion of the illustrative embodiment of the invention, which provides an extremely exclusive and particularly novel multiple calibration finger. Although the apparatus form described herein constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and that changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention being defined. in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. CLAIMS 1. An improved manifold calibration finger for use with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic, the manifold calibration finger comprising: a first tubular member having a first and a second end, the first tubular member comprising a tubular outer cover having first and second ends, said outer cover having an outer surface with a first radial groove formed therein, the first radial groove having a plurality of openings formed therein, and comprising the first tubular member an intermediate tube having a first and a second end and internal and external surfaces, the intermediate tube having formed along the same channels extending generally longitudinally for the passage of water in a first direction, the first tubular member also having a plurality of channels extending radially from the openings to the inner surface for the passage of air therethrough, the outer casing surrounding the intermediate tube, and a second tubular member comprising a curved member having a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface, with a plurality of openings that are extend from the outer surface of the curved member to the inner surface of the curved member, said second tubular member connected to the first tubular member. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first tubular member is attached to the first end of the curved member. 3. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first tubular member is attached to the first end of the curved member. 4. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the outer cover has two planar sections and two curved sections. 5. The gauging finger according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the intermediate tube is directly adjacent to the inner surface of the outer casing. 6. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover is composed of a first finger end and a finger cover secured to each other by a threaded connecting ring. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover is also composed of a second finger end. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer cover has a second radial groove formed therein, the second radial groove having a plurality of openings formed therein, the first tubular member also having a plurality of channels extending from the openings of the second radial groove to the inner surface. 9. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate tube of the first tubular member is attached to the first end of the curved member. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the openings of the curved member have a larger diameter than that of the openings of the first tubular member. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the outer cover has a spiral groove formed therein, the spiral groove intersecting the first radial groove. 12. The calibration finger according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the outer shell has a spiral groove formed therein, the spiral groove intersecting both the first radial groove and the second radial groove. 13. In combination, a plurality of improved multi-gauge fingers for use with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic, each of the gauging fingers comprising a first tubular member having a first and a second end, the first tubular member comprising a tubular outer cover having first and second ends, said outer cover having an outer surface with a first radial groove formed therein, the first radial groove having a plurality of openings formed therein, and the first tubular member comprising an intermediate tube having a first and a second end and internal and external surfaces, the intermediate tube having along said channels extending generally longitudinally for the passage of water in a first direction, having also the first tubular member a plurality of channels extending radially from the openings to the inner surface for the passage of air therethrough, the outer cover surrounding the intermediate tube, and a second tubular member comprising a curved member having a first and a second end and an inner and outer surface, with a plurality of openings extending from the outer surface of the curved member to the interior surface of the curved member, said second tubular member connected to the first tubular member, each of the outer surfaces of the outer cover having two flat sections and two curved sections , given one of the calibration fingers adjacent to at least one other calibration finger so that a flat section in a calibration finger is parallel to a flat section in an adjacent calibration finger. The combination according to claim 13 wherein each outer surface of the outer shell has a spiral groove formed therein, the spiral groove intersecting the first radial groove. 15. The combination according to the claim 13, wherein each outer surface of the outer shell has a second radial groove formed therein, each of the radial grooves having a plurality of openings formed therein, each of the first tubular members having a plurality of channels that they extend from a radial groove to the respective inner surface.