Extrusion head for extruding plastomeric or elastomeric material on filaments

An extrusion head for extruding plastomeric or elastomeric material on at least two filaments of relatively high modulus of elasticity comprising a mandrel having a surface provided with a plurality of guiding means, one for each filament for engaging each of said filaments and maintaining them in spaced relation while they are drawn across said mandrel and having material directing means intermediate said guiding means for receiving said material and directing it between said guiding means, said mandrel having a forward end at one end of said guiding means and a rearward end at the other end of said guiding means and said surface of said mandrel has a first cylindrical portion extending from said rearward end toward said forward end and a second portion intermediate said first portion and said forward end, said second portion tapering and decreasing from said first portion to said forward end and from the transverse dimensions of said first portion to smaller transverse dimensions, said guiding means following said surface and thereby guiding each of said filaments along a first path parallel to said first portion of said surface and then along a second path parallel to said second portion of said surface, said extrusion head further comprising a die at said forward end of said mandrel, said die having a central duct and an opening extending from said duct to said second portion of said mandrel, said opening being defined by a conical wall co-axial with said second portion and spaced, at least in part, from said second portion to define a space between sid conical wall and said second portion for the passage of said material between said conical wall and said second portion into said central duct, said central duct being in communication with said guiding means.