Patent ID: 7150614
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for the production of a continuous foam product comprising: a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber including an external liquid reservoir having a second liquid level; an orifice formed in the bulkhead, the orifice located completely below both the first liquid level and the second liquid level, the orifice providing a connection between the internal liquid reservoir and the external liquid reservoir; conveying means for guiding the extrudate from the extruder into the internal liquid reservoir, through the orifice and into the external liquid reservoir, the extrudate passing through the orifice with an orientation substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the bulkhead; a pair of side gate assemblies, the side gate assemblies arranged adjacent and external to the orifice, the side gate assemblies being operable for controlling the effective width and horizontal position of the orifice, wherein each side gate assembly includes a side gate, the side gate being moveable along a first axis inclined relative to a major surface of the foam product; and the vertical gate assembly includes a vertical gate, the vertical gate being moveable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the foam product, wherein each side gate assembly includes a roller assembly arranged adjacent and external to the side gate assemblies for defining a effective lower surface of the orifice; a vertical gate assembly arranged adjacent and external to the side gate assemblies, the vertical gate assembly being operable for controlling, in cooperation with the roller assembly, the effective height of the orifice.