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US 6,485,666 B1Granted
Post extrusion profile processing
OwnerWilliam W. Rowleyinventor
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OwnerWilliam W. Rowleyinventor
Estimating the term…
This invention relates to the post-extrusion processing of extruded profiles in an economic manner. The first process step involves heating at least a portion of the extruded profile in a preheated profile heating means to a first temperature at which the essentially linear profile becomes formable or pliable or bendable, yet which still has at least some degree of structural integrity at this point which permits it to be physically manipulated without compressing the profile by the application of external pressure or by the weight of gravity itself. This first temperature is less than a subsequent second temperature, at which the profile becomes melt processable effecting radial expansion under pressure or melt fusion under pressure. At least one end of the profile remains unheated, and preferably, two ends remain unheated. The profile is then transferred into a heated die having a cavity therein, the cavity having at least one region where an internal cross-sectional dimension of the cavity is larger than an external cross-sectional dimension of said profile. The cavity temperature of the die is sufficient to heat the profile from the first temperature to the second temperature. At least one end of the profile is sealed and a pressurized medium is injected into an opposed end of the profile to conform the formable portions of the profile with the internal diameter of the cavity, thereby creating the profile. The first temperature is greater than or equal to approximately 40° C., preferably 65° C. which is less than or equal to approximately 95% of said second temperature. Alternatively, a temperature difference between the first and second temperatures is between approximately 5 and 30% inclusive when compared to the second temperature. More preferably, this difference will be between approximately 8 and 15% inclusive.
A process for manufacturing a polymeric profile, comprising the steps of:
A process for manufacturing a polymeric profile, comprising the steps of:
A process comprising the steps of:
A process comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.