US 3,969,051 AGranted

Vulcanizing apparatus

AssigneeD.G. Rung Industries, Inc.

InventorHarry Hovila

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Abstract

The vulcanizing apparatus of the present invention can be used for vulcanizing spliced sections of rubber belting, sheeting or the like. The apparatus includes an upper platen assembly and a lower platen assembly. The upper platen assembly includes an upper frame member and a sheet-like platen member having a relatively rigid platen surface. The platen member is affixed to an upper frame member. A heat exchanger, a heating pad and a layer of insulation are sandwiched between the sheet-like platen member and the upper frame member. The lower platen assembly includes a lower frame member and a sheet-like platen member having a relatively rigid platen surface, below which are interposed in sandwiched relationship a heat exchanger, a heating pad, and a layer of insulation. The layer of insulation rests upon a flexible diaphragm that has a flexible surface substantially co-extensive with the lower platen surface. The peripheral portions of the diaphragm surrounding the platen surface co-extensive portion are affixed to a lower frame member in sealed relationship, forming a fluid pressure chamber between the lower surface of the diaphragm and the lower frame member. An inlet to the pressure chamber is provided for admitting a fluid under pressure into the chamber and for exhausting the fluid. Connecting members, in the form of bolts pivotally mounted to the lower frame member and removably secured in appropriately positioned slots in the upper frame member, position and hold the upper platen surface in mutually opposing spaced relationship to the lower platen surface when a belt or other material to be vulcanized is interposed between the two platen surfaces.

A vulcanizing apparatus comprising:

a. a first platen assembly including
1. a first frame member;
and
2. first means forming a first platen surface, said first means being fixed to said first frame member,
b. a second platen assembly including
1. a second frame member,
2. second means forming a second platen surface, said second means being associated with said second platen assembly for movement toward and away from said second frame member in a direction generally transverse to said second platen surface,
3. a flexible diaphragm associated with said second frame member, said diaphragm being spaced therefrom and being substantially coextensive with said second platen surface, said diaphragm having a periphery,
4. third means affixing the periphery of said diaphragm to said second frame member, said diaphragm and said second frame member being so constructed as to form a fluid chamber between a first surface of said diaphragm and said second frame member,
5. heat exchange means for cooling said second platen surface, said heat exchange means having a heat transfer surface that is substantially coextensive with said second platen surface,
6. heating means forming a heat transfer surface substantially coextensive with said second platen surface,
7. insulating means forming a layer of insulation interposed between said diaphragm and said second means, said heating means and said heat exchange means being sandwiched between said insulating means and said second means,
c. fourth means removably coupling said first and second platen assemblies so as to orient said first and second platens surfaces in generally parallel, spaced, mutually opposing relationship, and
d. fifth means associated with said second platen assembly for admitting and exhausting fluid from said chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure in said chamber to move said diaphragm relative to said second frame member and to thereby move said second platen surface toward and away from said platen surface.

11 more elements

Abstract

Claims11