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US 5,200,124 AGranted
Method and apparatus for shaping thermoplastic tubes
AssigneeMcKechnie Plastics Limited
InventorTrevor G. Bowkett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of and apparatus for shaping thermoplastic tube by external formers using pulsed emission of short wave infra-red radiation to soften the thermoplastic material with the tube held in the required configuration on the formers followed by air cooling to harden the thermoplastic material and retain the required configuration.
Claims20
A method of forming a bend in a tube of thermoplastic material comprising the steps of:
- providing a former and an associated infra-red radiation source spaced from said former;
- externally supporting the tube on said former prior to heating the tube to pre-form a bend corresponding to a required bend configuration;
- holding the tube stationary relative to said former and controlling the emission of infra-red radiation from said radiation source to heat the bend and soften the thermoplastic material for conformation to the required bend configuration;
- cooling the tube to set the thermoplastic material for retaining the required bend configuration while holding the tube stationary relative to said former;
- and
- removing the tube from said former with the bend formed therein.
3 more elements
Apparatus for forming a bend in a tube of thermoplastic material comprising:
- external former means for supporting the tube to preform a required bend configuration prior to heating the tube;
- means for holding the tube stationary relative to said former means;
- a source of infra-red radiation associated with said former means for heating the tube to soften the thermoplastic material for conformation to the required bend configuration, said infra-red radiation source being spaced from said former means and from an outer surface of the tube supported thereon;
- and
- a source of cooling fluid for cooling the tube to set the thermoplastic material to retain the required bend configuration.
2 more elements
A method of forming a bend in a tube of thermoplastic material comprising:
- providing a former having a guide surface corresponding substantially to a bend corresponding to a required bend configuration and an associated source of infra-red radiation spaced from said guide surface;
- positioning the tube on said former with an external surface of the tube located against said guide surface prior to heating the tube;
- holding the tube stationary relative to said former and heating the bend of the tube supported on said former by pulsed or intermittent emission of short wave infra-red radiation from said associated source to soften the thermoplastic material for conformation to the required bend configuration;
- cooling the tube to set the thermoplastic material and retain the required bend configuration while holding the tube stationary relative to said former;
- and
- removing the tube from said former with the bend formed therein.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.