# US 11,077,599 B2 · Calibrating device and method for calibrating a film tube > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,599 B2 - Document ID: US11077599B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/580,530 - Filed: 2016-06-08 - Published: 2018-06-28 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-08 - Assignees: Windmoller & Holscher - Applicants: Windmöller & Hölscher KG - Inventors: Jens Goldenstein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077599B2 ## CPC - B29C 48/907: {using adjustable calibrators, e.g. the dimensions of the calibrator being changeable} - B29C 48/10: flexible, e.g. blown foils - B29C 48/885: External treatment, e.g. by using air rings for cooling tubular films - B29C 48/903: {externally} - B29C 48/908: {characterised by calibrator surface, e.g. structure or holes for lubrication, cooling or venting} - B29C 48/912: {of tubular films} - B29C 48/92: Measuring, controlling or regulating - B29C 55/28: of blown tubular films, e.g. by inflation {(extrusion moulding of tubular films B29C48/03)} - B29C 2948/92619: Diameter or circumference - B29C 2948/92923: Calibration, after-treatment or cooling zone - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract The invention relates to a calibrating device and to a method for calibrating a film tube. An elastically deformable element (704) is secured to the sleeve (703) such that a fluid, in particular a gas, preferably air, can be introduced or discharged via a fluid connection such that a specific pressure P1 and/or a specific volume V1 is set in an area (708) enclosed by the sleeve and the elastically deformable element at a given temperature. Annular bodies (706) and (707) are arranged within the area (708), and a surface section of each annular body (706), (707) supports a respective region of the elastically deformable element (704). The elastically deformable element (704) regions which are supported by the annular bodies are located in the inlet region (711) and the outlet region (712) of the calibrating device for the film tube (713). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A calibrating device for calibration of a film tube, which has an outer diameter, which is adjustable by an excess gas pressure in the interior of the film tube, comprising at least one guidance element and at least one guidance surface, wherein the at least one guidance element comprises an inlet element and an outlet element, wherein each of the inlet and outlet element comprises a plurality of encircling elements connected among each other by one or more elastic elements and is connected to one or more support elements is provided, to which the at least one guidance surface is assigned, which the outer surface of the film tube faces, and which limits the exterior diameter of the film tube and guides the film tube in a region which has a guidance length, wherein each encircling element is made from a solid material possessing a thickness that prevents the cross-sectional shape of the inlet and outlet elements from changing under an application of force that does not lead to the inlet and outlet elements being destroyed, wherein the film tube defines an axis of symmetry, wherein the distance of the at least one guidance surface and/or of the at least one guidance element to the axis of symmetry is alterable by the one or more support elements, wherein the film tube is guidable by the calibrating device in the direction of gravity, wherein above, or in an inlet region of the at least one guidance element, a liquid reservoir is situated, wherein the liquid is able to be directed out of the liquid reservoir to the outer periphery of the film tube, wherein the film tube is surrounded by a closed liquid film, and wherein the guidance length is adjusted or constant, independent of the distance of the guidance surface and/or of the guidance element to the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one guidance element makes available a cylindrical, barrel-shaped or conical area for the film tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the distance of the at least one guidance element to the axis of symmetry in the radial direction is adjustable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one guidance element includes a plurality of guidance elements which are adjustable in their distance to the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one guidance element extends essentially parallel to the transport direction of the film tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the one or more elastic elements consists of elastic material and surrounds a closed space that can be filled with a fluid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The calibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of springs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The calibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of sliding bearings. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The calibrating device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of levers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one guidance element and the at least one guidance surface, when viewed in the transport direction, at the start of the calibration device, form an inlet region with a cross section that diminishes in the transport direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The calibrating device of claim 10, wherein the inlet region in cross section has at least in part a circular arc shaped cross section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The calibrating device of claim 10, wherein the cross section is adjustable or constant, independent of the distance of the at least one guidance surface and/or of the at least one guidance element to the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The calibrating device of claim 12, wherein a static liquid ring is provided in the inlet region for formation of the liquid reservoir. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The calibrating device of claim 1, wherein the at least one guidance surface is made available via at least one elastically deformable element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The calibrating device of claim 14, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element extends over multiple guidance elements. ### Claim 16 A method for calibrating a film tube, wherein the outer diameter of the film tube is adjusted by an excess gas pressure in the interior of the film tube, wherein the film tube is calibrated using at least one guidance element and at least one guidance surface, wherein with the at least one guidance element comprising an inlet element and an outlet element, wherein each of the inlet and outlet elements comprises a plurality of encircling elements connected among each other by one or more elastic elements and is connected to one or more support elements, to which the at least one guidance surface is assigned, which the outer surface of the film tube faces, the exterior diameter of the film tube is limited and the film tube is guided in a region which has a guidance length, wherein the each encircling element is made from a solid material possessing a thickness that prevents the cross-sectional shape of the inlet and outlet elements from changing under an application of force that does not lead to the inlet and outlet elements being destroyed, wherein the film tube defines an axis of symmetry, wherein the distance of the at least one guidance surface and/or of the at least one guidance element to the axis of symmetry is alterable by the one or more support elements, wherein the film tube is guided by the calibrating device in the direction of gravity, wherein above, or in an inlet region of the at least one guidance element, a liquid reservoir is situated, from which the liquid is directed out of the liquid reservoir to the outer periphery of the film tube, wherein the film tube is surrounded by a closed liquid film, and wherein the guidance length is adjusted or constant, independent of the distance of the guidance surface and/or of the guidance element to the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of springs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of sliding bearings. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more support elements are comprised of levers.