Patent ID: 6306235
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
A method for continuously manufacturing foam thermoplastic products comprising the steps of:A. continuously extruding a foam thermoplastic member in an elongated, longitudinally extending, substantially continuous length having a desired cross-sectional shape using a fixed, immovable extruder with the cross-sectional shape of the foam thermoplastic member comprising one selected from the group consisting of rectangles, squares, parallelograms, polygons, ellipses, circles, ovals, and combinations thereof;B. advancing the elongated, longitudinally extending foam thermoplastic member into association with a puller member constructed for continuously drawing the foam thermoplastic member from the extruder and feeding the foam thermoplastic member to forming means having a fixed base and a rotatable mandrel mounted thereto said mandrel comprising a single, longitudinally extending, substantially continuous surface having a substantially uniform cross section through its length;C. controllably winding the elongated, longitudinally extending, foam thermoplastic member directly on said rotatable mandrel of said forming means in a manner to cause opposed sides of the foam thermoplastic member to be positioned in juxtaposed, side-to-side, adjacent relationship when wound on the rotatable mandrel;D. continuously bonding the juxtaposed, adjacent side edges of the foam thermoplastic member to each other as the foam member is wound on the rotatable mandrel;E. continuously forming a substantially cylindrically-shaped foam thermoplastic member whicha. continuously advances longitudinally along the length of the rotatable mandrel, andb. continuously advances beyond a terminating end of the mandrel; andF. repeatedly cutting desired lengths of the cylindrically shaped foam thermoplastic member from the length thereof extending beyond the terminating end of the rotatable mandrelthereby providing hollow foam thermoplastic products having any desired size or shape.