Patent ID: 6602368
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B29C,G03G,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a fluorinated polymer coated core comprising the steps of(a) providing a core having a smooth surface free of protrusions and depressions defining a core outer perimeter, (b) providing a slightly expandable, fluorinated polymer sleeve having a sleeve inner circumference smaller than the core outer perimeter, the fluorinated polymer having a themoplastic softening temperature, (c) inserting the core into the fluorinated polymer sleeve to form an unbonded assembly, (d) while maintaining temperature below the thermoplastic softening temperature, subjecting the unbonded assembly to a subatmospheric pressure for a duration effective to remove substantially all gaseous components from between the core and sleeve, (e) while maintaining the unbonded assembly at the subatmospheric pressure, heating the unbonded assembly to an elevated temperature above the thermoplastic softening temperature for a duration effective to fuse the fluorinated polymer to the core, and (f) cooling the assembly to a temperature below the thermoplastic softening temperature, thereby affixing the fluorinated polymer to the core with a bond, in which the inserting step comprises (i) providing an installation apparatus having a rigid hollow body defining a pressure tight chamber adapted to slidably receive the core at one chamber end without contacting the surface of the core, (ii) inserting a core into the chamber through the one chamber end, (iii) mounting an end of the sleeve onto the one chamber end with a pressure tight seal between the sleeve and body, and (iv) introducing compressed gas into the chamber so as to push the core through the chamber end into the sleeve.