Patent ID: 6250908
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
An apparatus for use with an extruder producing a strip of thermoplastic comprising:a plurality of rollers in a circular array centered on an axis and defining the diameter of a drum, each of said rollers having a first end and a second end;a first set of radial support columns engaging said rollers at said first ends and extending from said first ends toward said axis;a second set of radial support columns engaging said rollers at said second ends and extending from said second ends toward said axis;first and second tapered bases supported to move relative to each other simultaneously and equally in the same direction along said axis, said first tapered base engaging said first set of radial support columns and said second tapered base engaging said second set of radial support columns to respectively impart radial movement to said first and said second sets of radial support columns upon axial movement of said tapered bases; andan indexing mechanism operative to move said tapered bases relative to each other simultaneously and equally in the same direction along said axis to respectively impart said radial movement to said first and said second sets of radial support columns, thereby to vary the diameter of said drum.