Patent ID: 6135748
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: B26D,B29C,B29K,B29L,E03F,F05C,F16L,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for manufacturing a length of substantially rigid thermoplastic plastic pipe in a flattened and folded form suitable for installation in an existing conduit, comprising:extruder means for extruding a thermoplastic material into a hollow tubular shaped pipe,calibrator means comprising a series of calibrator plates having aligned openings for reshaping the pipe into a desired flattened and folded form having dimensions less than when in the tubular form,vacuum means for holding the pipe against the walls of the openings of said calibrator plates to maintain the pipe in the desired flattened and folded shape as determined by the calibrator means;pulling means for pulling the reshaped pipe from the calibrator means,cooling means for cooling the flattened and folded pipe as it is pulled from the calibrator means to harden the pipe in its flattened and folded form,reheating means for reheating the cooled flattened and folded pipe to render it pliable; andcoiling means for coiling the pliable flattened and folded pipe for storage.