Steam sack vulcanizing method

Abstract

Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for vulcanizing rubber. One example of an environment wherein the teachings of the present invention is quite useful is the environment of the creation of endless rubber belts by vulcanizing the ends of the belt together so as to make the belt endless. The apparatus disclosed herein basically consists of a pair of opposed thin sacks made of a flexible material which may, at the desired thickness thereof, comprise for example stainless steel. The ends of the belt are placed between these sacks and the sacks are supplied with steam at controlled temperature and pressure so as to provide the proper pressure as well as temperature for the vulcanizing process simultaneously. The method of operation of the apparatus basically consists of properly aligning the belt ends between the sacks, reciprocating the sacks toward one another until they snugly surround the belt ends, and controllably pressurizing and heating the belt ends to thereby vulcanize them together through the use of steam supplied within the sacks at a controlled temperature and pressure, followed by the cooling thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.