Patent ID: 8661632
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: D06C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for pliabilizing tubular materials comprising: a frame; a ring holder assembly mounted to the frame, wherein the ring holder assembly includes a circumferential ring, and a plurality of pairs of non-mechanically driven, rotatable wheels spaced circumferentially around said ring and mounted thereto, each wheel having a recess extending circumferentially around an outer edge thereof; and a mandrel assembly including a mandrel having proximal and distal ends and a maximum outer circumference, and a plurality of non-mechanically driven, rotatable wheels spaced apart about a circumference of the mandrel at a location spaced apart from the proximal end and mounted thereto so as to extend radially beyond said maximum outer circumference; wherein the wheels of the mandrel assembly are positioned between and so as to mate with respective pairs of the wheels of the ring holder assembly, and wherein the wheels of the mandrel assembly are sized and shaped so that an outer edge thereof fits within the recesses of the respective pairs of wheels of the ring holder assembly.