Patent Abstract:
A half-mold for a corrugator for making pipes with transverse ribs. The half-mold comprises two sides located spaced apart from each other and a semi-cylindrical base surface linking the two sides. Directly mounted forming elements bent in the shape of a semicircle which define the outer surface of the pipe with transverse ribs are removably fixed on the base surface. The directly mounted forming elements bent in the shape of a semicircle are removably fixed with fixing elements on the half-mold.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns a mold jaw half for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, as are used for example as installation tubes. 
   DE 200 09 030 U1 discloses a mold jaw half for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw half has two mutually spaced end faces which are arranged in a common plane, and a semicylindrical base surface connecting the two end faces. The semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half is provided with ridges and troughs or channels, which alternate in the axial direction. Releasably mounted to the ridges and in the channels are molding insert elements in the form of a semicircular arc and which each have two diametrally oppositely disposed molding element end faces which are in planar alignment with the end faces of the mold jaw halves if they are arranged precisely correctly. In the case of that known mold jaw half the molding insert elements of a semicircular arcuate configuration are guided movably in their peripheral direction so that they can undesirably project from the respective end face of the mold jaw half. 
   EP 0 544 680 B1 discloses an apparatus, that is to say a corrugator for the extrusion of tubes of thermoplastic plastic with smooth inner and outer walls which are free from any projecting ribs, the height of which is greater than the thickness of the tube. That apparatus has molding blocks which provide a forwardly moving molding tunnel for molding the tube. The molding tunnel has an upstream end and a downstream end and a cylindrical longitudinal tunnel passage extending between those ends. The molding blocks of that known apparatus are formed by co-operating molding block portions which close at the upstream end of the molding tunnel in order to provide a closed molding block with a molding block bore forming a part of the longitudinal tunnel passage. The molding block portions open at the downstream end of the molding tunnel to release the tube which has been shaped within the longitudinal molding tunnel. The cylindrical bore walls of the molding blocks and thus the wall of the tunnel bore are provided with shallow corrugations for assisting with the transportation movement of the shaped tube. The depth of the corrugations is small in comparison with the thickness of the tube and the width thereof is greater than the depth. The corrugations have alternately shallow grooves and crests, the width of the grooves being at least as great as that of the crests. The grooves and the crests are of a rectangular cross-sectional profile. The corners of the grooves and crests can be rounded off or may involve a curved contour. 
   A corrugator for the production of tubes, in particular corrugated, that is to say transversely ribbed, tubes, with at least two successions of circulating molding jaws which form a molding passage along a predetermined portion is known from DE 199 14 974 A1. The successions of molding jaws are guided in associated circulatory guide means. The apparatus has at least one change-over molding jaw with a different tube molding configuration, wherein the apparatus has at least one change device along at least one of the circulating guide means. 
   EP 0 435 446 A2 describes molding jaw halves for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes having a plurality of sub-blocks which are fixedly connected together. Each sub-block has an arcuate molding surface which has not more than one corrugation length of ribs and channels. Each sub-block also has two end faces spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction. A vacuum passage is provided at an end face of each sub-block. In the assembled condition of the sub-blocks the vacuum passages form vacuum ducts, leading to mold channels which can be brought into flow communication with an external vacuum source. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,346 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,446 disclose corrugators or mold jaw halves for corrugators, wherein the respective mold jaw half has two mutually spaced end faces arranged in a common plane and a semicylindrical base surface which connects the two end faces and to which are mounted molding insert elements determining the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. Those molding insert elements involve relatively short elements so that the ribs of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced can be formed with correspondingly short recesses. 
   DE 199 46 571 C1 describes an apparatus for the production of transversely ribbed tubes. The apparatus has mold jaw halves which move along two paths which are closed in themselves and they form a common mold section and two return sections. Provided at each of the two return sections is a respective turning device at which two mold jaw halves are disposed, by means of a holding and release device. One of those mold jaw halves has a socket contour so that this apparatus can be used to produce transversely ribbed tubes with sockets. 
   WO 93/25373 discloses a corrugator having mold jaw halves forming a common molding tunnel, wherein the tunnel has a number of mold cavities which are provided in mutually parallel relationship. The mold cavities are connected to a vacuum source, wherein the vacuum can be independently controlled in each mold cavity. 
   Apparatuses, that is to say corrugators, for the production of transversely ribbed tubes with mold jaw halves which have two mutually spaced end faces arranged in a common plane and a semicylindrical base surface connecting the two end faces are also known for example from DE 197 02 637 C1, DE 197 02 645 C1 and DE 197 02 547 C1. 
   An apparatus, that is to say a corrugator, for the production of a transversely ribbed tube which can be opened in its longitudinal direction and closed again is described in DE 199 16 641 A1. For that purpose, the transversely ribbed tube produced with that known apparatus has a hook profile and a counterpart hook profile which extend in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube. The corrugator of that known apparatus has first and second mold jaw halves, wherein the first mold jaw halves each have a respective radially stepped longitudinal recess which has a first recess to provide the hook profile and a second recess to receive an insert. The insert is provided with a longitudinal channel at its inward side to form the counterpart hook profile. 
   DE 199 22 726 A1 discloses an apparatus for the production of transversely ribbed tubes. That known apparatus has chill mold halves. The chilled mold halves each have a main body comprising a metal with a higher level of thermal conductivity and of lower specific weight than steel. The respective main body is provided to receive a core, that is to say a mold jaw half. The respective mold jaw half has two mutually spaced end faces arranged in a common plane and a semicylindrical base surface connecting the two end faces. The semicylindrical base surfaces form along a common molding passage a mold recess in which the transversely ribbed tubes are shaped. The mold jaw halves have vacuum passages. Specific respective mold jaw halves are required for the production of transversely ribbed tubes of respectively different configurations. 
   The object of the invention is to provide a mold jaw half for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw halves are combined or can be combined with molding insert elements which can be easily very reliably positioned and fixed on the respective mold jaw half. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The foregoing object is achieved by way of the present invention by providing a mold jaw half for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw half has two mutually spaced end faces arranged in a common plane and a semicylindrical base surface which connects the two end faces and to which there are releasably mounted molding insert elements which are in the shape of a semicircular arc and which determine the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube and which each have two diametrally oppositely disposed molding element end faces which are in planar alignment with the end faces of the mold jaw half, wherein each of the two end faces of the mold jaw half, adjoining the semicylindrical base surface, have a number of first recesses, which corresponds to the number of molding insert elements, and the two molding element end faces of the respective molding insert element, adjoining the two end faces of the mold jaw half, are each provided with a respective second recess, wherein a fixing element extends between the respective first recess and the associated second recess for fixing the respective molding insert element to the mold jaw half. 
   In general, in mold jaw halves for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, the semicylindrical base surface connecting the two end faces of the mold jaw half is itself directly and immediately formed with transverse ribs and transverse channels which alternate in the axial direction of the mold jaw half, in a fashion corresponding to the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. Mold jaw halves of that configuration are therefore only suitable for the production of transversely ribbed tubes of a given tube diameter and a given lengthwise corrugation configuration. In comparison for example first-mentioned DE 200 09 030 U1 discloses a mold jaw half with molding insert elements in order to be able to produce transversely ribbed tubes of various tube diameters and/or with various longitudinal profile configurations, by a choice of the respectively appropriate molding insert elements in combination with the respectively associated mold jaw half. In the case of that known mold jaw half the molding insert elements however are only secured to prevent unwanted movement in the radial direction, that is to say radially centrally into the mold passage, when the mold jaw half and the associated molding insert elements are temporarily connected together in positively locking relationship for example by dovetail connections or the like. That positively locking connection however means that it is not possible to prevent mobility of the respective molding insert element in its peripheral direction, which means that, along the common molding path section of the corrugator, or in particular along its entry or initial portion, damage can occur to molding insert elements which project from the respective molding jaw half. It is here that the invention provides a remedy, with a molding jaw half for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw half has two mutually spaced end faces arranged in a common plane and a semicylindrical base surface which connects the two end faces and to which there are releasably mounted molding insert elements which are in the shape of a semicircular arc and which determine the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube and which each have two diametrally oppositely disposed molding element end faces which are in planar alignment with the end faces of the mold jaw half, wherein each of the two end faces of the mold jaw half, adjoining the semicylindrical base surface, have a number of first recesses, which corresponds to the number of molding insert elements, and the two molding element end faces of the respective molding insert element, adjoining the two end faces of the mold jaw half, are each provided with a respective second recess, wherein a fixing element extends between the respective first recess and the associated second recess for fixing the respective molding insert element to the mold jaw half. By means of the respective fixing element, the associated molding insert element is releasably secured to the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half so that the molding insert elements are reliably prevented from undesirably projecting from an end face of the corresponding mold jaw half. The mold jaw half of such a configuration also affords the advantage that individual molding insert elements can be easily replaced by other molding insert elements, without taking up a great deal of time, in order to be able to convert the mold jaw halves of a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes of a given tube diameter and a given lengthwise corrugation configuration, while involving relatively short conversion times. 
   In the case of the mold jaw half according to the invention, the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half can have crests and channels which alternate in the axial direction, wherein first molding insert elements having a convex cross-sectional edge contour can be releasably mounted to the crests and second molding insert elements having a concave cross-sectional edge contour can be releasably mounted in the channels. In that case the first and the second cross-sectional edge contours can adjoin each other directly, while another option is that the first and the second cross-sectional edge contours of the first and second molding insert elements are each at a respective given spacing from each other, which spacing is bridged over by a corresponding portion of the respective mold jaw half. While in the first-mentioned case therefore the first and second molding insert elements alone determine the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced, the last-described configuration provides that the first and second molding insert elements, jointly with the portions bridging same of the respective mold jaw half, determine the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. 
   In the case of the mold jaw half according to the invention, another option provides that the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half is simply semicylindrical with mutually axially spaced channels of small depth, wherein a molding insert element is associated with each channel. In that case each molding insert element axially centrally has a convex cross-sectional rib edge contour and adjoining same at both sides a respective half concave cross-sectional channel edge contour. In that way it is possible to produce for example transversely ribbed tubes with transverse ribs and transverse channels which are at least approximately equidistantly spaced from each other, of at least approximately identical axial dimensions. It is however also possible that arranged between molding insert elements which have a convex cross-sectional rib edge contour and adjoining same on both sides thereof a respective half concave cross-sectional rib edge contour is at least one half-annular molding element, wherein the at least one half-annular molding element steplessly adjoins the adjacent molding insert element with a convex cross-sectional rib edge contour. A mold jaw half of such a configuration makes it possible to produce ribbed tubes with transverse channels which are at a large axial spacing from each other, in comparison with the internal channel width. 
   It is advantageous if each molding insert element is provided at the rear side with a securing member which is fitted into a securing channel, adapted thereto in respect of cross-section, in the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half. It is particularly advantageous in that respect if the securing member and the securing channel adapted thereto in respect of shape are of a simply rectangular configuration, because it is then possible for the respective molding insert element to be easily fitted into the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half from the side, without the need for the molding insert element in the form of a semicircular arc to be introduced in its peripheral direction into the associated securing channel in the mold jaw half. The amount of time and work involved in combining the mold jaw half with molding insert elements is consequently correspondingly slight. It will be appreciated that it is also possible for the securing member of the respective molding insert element and the respective securing channel, which is adapted thereto in respect of shape, in the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half to be provided with undercut configurations, for example in the form of dovetail guides. 
   Desirably the molding insert elements have vacuum slots and the respective mold jaw half desirably has a vacuum passage system. The vacuum passage system is in flow communication with the vacuum slots. In this case the vacuum passage system can have at least one first passage portion which opens out of one of the end faces of the mold jaw half and which can be connected to a vacuum source and at least one second passage portion which is connected to the first passage portion and which opens out into the vacuum slots. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further details, features and advantages will be apparent from the description hereinafter of embodiments illustrated in the drawing of the mold jaw half according to the invention for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes. In the drawing: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a first embodiment of the mold jaw half for the production of a transversely ribbed tube, 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section through the portion of the mold jaw half shown in  FIG. 1 , 
       FIG. 3  shows the detail III in  FIG. 2  on a larger scale, 
       FIG. 4  shows a front view of the mold jaw half of  FIG. 1  viewing in the direction of the arrow IV, without the fixing elements immovably fixing the molding insert elements to the mold jaw half, 
       FIG. 5  shows a front view corresponding to  FIG. 4  with the fixing elements for fixing the molding insert elements to the mold jaw half, 
       FIG. 6  is a front view similar in principle to  FIG. 4  of another embodiment of the mold jaw half with molding insert elements for producing a transversely ribbed tube with transverse channels which are of a small axial internal width in comparison with the axial spacing of adjacent transverse channels, 
       FIG. 7  shows the mold jaw half of  FIG. 6 , similarly to the mold jaw half of  FIG. 5 , also showing the fixing elements for fixing the molding insert elements to the mold jaw half, 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the mold jaw half with molding insert elements, wherein the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half is of a simple semicircular-cylindrical configuration with axially mutually spaced channels, 
       FIG. 9  shows the mold jaw half of  FIG. 8 , illustrating a molding insert element spatially spaced from the mold jaw half, that is to say in an exploded view, 
       FIG. 10  shows an exploded perspective view similar in principle to  FIG. 9  of an embodiment of the mold jaw half, wherein provided between two axially outer molding insert elements with a rib edge contour is a molding insert element which is in the form of a semi-annular molding element, without a rib contour, 
       FIG. 11  shows a mold jaw half for the production of a transversely ribbed tube—similar to the mold jaw half of which part is shown in  FIG. 7 , wherein however the semicylindrical base surface of the mold jaw half—as in the structures shown in FIGS.  8  through  10 —is of a simple semicircular-cylindrical configuration with axially mutually spaced channels, 
       FIG. 12  shows the detail of  FIG. 11  on a larger scale, 
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a mold jaw half similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , the molding insert elements having vacuum slots, 
       FIG. 14  shows a view of the detail XIV in  FIG. 13  on a larger scale, 
       FIG. 15  shows a front view of a mold jaw half similar to those shown in  FIGS. 8 through 10 , the molding insert element having vacuum slots, 
       FIG. 16  showing a section along line XVI-XVI in  FIG. 15  through the mold jaw half with its molding insert elements and the fixing elements fixing the molding insert elements in the mold jaw half, 
       FIG. 17  shows the detail XVII of  FIG. 16  on a larger scale, 
       FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 15  of an embodiment of the mold jaw half, wherein however the vacuum slots extend along the entire peripheral extent of the molding insert elements, 
       FIG. 19  is a section taken along line XIX-XIX in  FIG. 18 , and 
       FIG. 20  is a section taken along line XX-XX in  FIG. 18 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a portion of a configuration of the mold jaw half  10  for a corrugator for the production of transversely ribbed tubes. The mold jaw half  10  has two mutually spaced end faces  12  which are provided in a common plane. Only one of those end faces  12  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The mold jaw half  10  also has a semicylindrical base surface  14  which extends between the two end faces  12 , that is to say it connects them together. The semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10  has crests  16  and channels  18  which alternate in the axial direction of the mold jaw half  10 . Molding insert elements  20  are fitted to the crests  16 . Second molding insert elements  22  are mounted in the channels  18 . The molding insert elements  20  have a convex cross-sectional edge contour  24  and the molding insert elements  22  have a concave cross-sectional edge contour  26 . The crests  16  and the channels  18  of the semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10  and the convex cross-sectional edge contour  24  of the molding insert elements  20  and the concave cross-sectional edge contour  26  of the molding insert elements  22  are of such configurations that the cross-sectional edge contours  24  and  26  directly and immediately steplessly adjoin each other. The edge contours  24  and  26  of the molding insert elements  20  and  22  determine the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. 
   As can also be seen in particular from  FIGS. 2 and 3  the molding insert elements  20  and  22  have end faces  28  which are in diametrally opposite relationship and which are disposed in a common plane. The end faces  28  of the molding insert elements  20  and  22  are in planar alignment with the end faces  12  of the mold jaw half  10 , that is to say they define a common plane with the end faces  12 . 
   Each of the two end faces  12  of the mold jaw half  10  is provided with a number of first recesses  30  which adjoin the semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10 , the number of first recesses  30  corresponding to the number of molding insert elements  20  and  22 . The two end faces  28  of the respective molding insert element  20 ,  22  have second recesses  32  provided in adjoining relationship with the corresponding end face  12  of the mold jaw half  10 , so that the first and the second recesses  30  and  32  respectively form a common recess which serves to receive a fixing element  34 . The fixing elements  34  are for example in the form of a small plate member with a stepped hole  36  therethrough. A screw  40  is screwed through the respective through hole  36  into an associated blind screwthreaded hole  38  in the mold jaw half  10  in order to fix the respective fixing element  34  in the first recess  30  and to fixedly connect the associated molding insert element  20  or  22  to the mold jaw half  10  in such a way that the end faces  12  of the mold jaw half  10  and the end faces  28  of the molding insert elements  20 ,  22  are in mutually planar alignment, as can be clearly seen from  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The fixing elements  34  are of such dimensions that the face  42  thereof is also in planar alignment with the end faces  12  and  28 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a portion of a mold jaw half  10  having a semicylindrical base surface  14  which—as in the structure shown in FIG.  1 —has crests  16  and channels  18 , wherein provided on the crests  16  are molding insert elements  20  and provided in the channels  18  are molding insert elements  22 —corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG.  1 —, the cross-sectional edge contours  24  and  26  of which directly and immediately adjoin each other.  FIG. 4  shows in particular vacuum slots  44  which are provided in the molding insert elements  22   50  that, in the production of the respective transversely ribbed tube, the extruded tube material is caused to bear closely against the concave cross-sectional edge contour  26  of the molding insert elements  22 . In that case, as will be appreciated, the tube material automatically bears closely against the convex cross-sectional edge contour  24  of the molding insert elements  20 . The vacuum slots  44  are in flow communication with a vacuum passage system (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the associated mold jaw half  10 . That vacuum passage system is further described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 20  where it is identified by reference numeral  46 . 
     FIG. 4  also shows that the molding insert elements  20  and  22  are each provided at their rear side, that is to say at their side which is radially remote from the cross-sectional edge contour  24 ,  26 , with a securing member  48 . In this embodiment the securing members  48  have a trapezoidal cross-section in the manner of a dovetail guide. The semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10 , which has crests  16  and channels  18 , is provided with securing channels  50  which correspond in cross-section to the securing members  48 . 
   The same details are identified in each of  FIGS. 1 through 3  and in  FIG. 4  by the same reference numerals. 
     FIG. 5  only differs from  FIG. 4  in that the molding insert elements  20  and  22  are immovably secured, that is to say fixed, to the semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10 , by means of the fixing elements  34 . Identical features are identified in  FIG. 5  by the same reference numerals as in  FIGS. 1 through 4  so that there is no need for all those features to be described in detail once again with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  show an embodiment of the mold jaw half  10  without fixing elements (see  FIG. 6 ) and with fixing elements  34  (see  FIG. 7 ), wherein the semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10 —like the structures shown in FIGS.  1  through  5 —has axially alternate crests  16  and channels  18 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  however a molding insert element  20  with a convex cross-sectional edge contour  28  is only mounted to one crest  16  while the remaining crests  16  and channels  18  are combined with molding insert elements  52  and  54  which provide for a smooth surface  56  for the mold jaw half  10  and thus a correspondingly smooth outside surface for the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. In other respects the design of the mold jaw half  10  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  so that there is no need for all features which are identified in  FIGS. 6 and 7  by the same reference numerals as in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to be described once again in detail in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  and  FIGS. 6 and 7  are intended to serve in particular to make it clear that the mold jaw half  10  can be combined as desired with any molding insert elements  20 ,  22 ,  52 ,  54  in order to produce transversely ribbed tubes having the respectively desired outside surface. The respective molding insert elements  20 ,  22 ,  52 ,  54  can also be replaced as desired by other corresponding molding elements. For that purpose, it is only necessary to release the corresponding fixing elements  34 , replace the molding elements and fix the new molding elements in place again on the mold jaw half  10  by means of the fixing elements  34 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  show a perspective view of a mold jaw half  10  in which the semicylindrical base surface  14  does not have crests and channels but is of a simply semicircular-cylindrical configuration with axially mutually spaced channels  58 , with a molding insert element  60  being associated with each channel  58 . The respective molding insert element  60  axially centrally has a convex cross-sectional edge contour  62 , which is adjoined at each of its two sides by a respective half concave cross-sectional edge contour  64 . In the assembled condition the molding insert elements  60  adjoin each other closely and steplessly in order to form an inside surface corresponding to the outside surface of the transversely ribbed tube to be produced. The molding insert elements  60  are again fixed in the mold jaw half  10  by means of fixing elements  34  or by means of screws  40  for securing the fixing elements  34  in the recesses  30  in the end faces  12  of the mold jaw half  10 . 
   This design configuration also provides that each molding insert element  60  is provided on its rear side with a securing member  48  which extends in the peripheral direction along the associated molding insert element  60  and which is provided adjoining the respective end face  28  with a second recess  32  (see for example  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
     FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a mold jaw half  10  which differs from the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  in particular in that a semi-annular molding element  66  is provided between molding insert elements  60  of which that shown at the right is spaced from the mold jaw half  10 , that is to say as an exploded view. While mold jaw halves  10  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in a per se known corrugator, are used to produce transversely ribbed tubes with corrugation troughs and corrugation crests in which the corrugation crests and the corrugation troughs are of at least approximately equal dimensions in the axial direction, mold jaw halves  10  as shown in  FIG. 10  produce a transversely ribbed tube in which the corrugation crests are long axially in comparison with the axial length of the corrugation troughs. 
   Identical features are identified in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  by the same references as in  FIGS. 1 through 7  so that there is no need for all those features to be described in detail once again with reference to  FIGS. 8 through 10 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  are intended to show a design configuration for the mold jaw half  10 , wherein the semicylindrical base surface  14  between the two end faces  12  is of a semicircular-cylindrical configuration with axially mutually spaced channels  58 —similarly to the structures shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . Fixed to the semicylindrical base surface  14  by means of fixing elements  34  or screws  40  are molding insert elements  68 ,  70  which are suitable and intended for the production of a transversely ribbed tube—similarly to the structure shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  show a mold jaw half  10  which is of a similar configuration to the mold jaw half shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the second molding insert elements  22  fixed in the channels  18  of the semicylindrical base surface  14  of the mold jaw half  10  have vacuum slots  44 . 
   Identical features are denoted in  FIGS. 13 and 14  by the same references as in  FIGS. 1 through 12  so that there is no need for all features to be described in detail once again with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     FIG. 15  is an end view of a mold jaw half  10 —similar to the embodiments of the mold jaw half  10  which are shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11  and  12  respectively—wherein the semicylindrical base surface  14  is of a semicircular-cylindrical configuration with axially mutually spaced channels  58 . As can be seen in particular from  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the securing members  48  provided at the rear side of the molding insert elements  60  are of a simple configuration of rectangular cross-section. The securing channels  50  are of a corresponding configuration with a rectangular internal cross-section so that it is easily possible, without involving a great deal of time, for the molding insert elements  60  not to have to be threaded into the mold jaw half  10  in the peripheral direction, but rather it is possible for the molding insert elements  60  to be easily fitted from the side into the mold jaw half  10 . Thereafter the molding insert elements  60  are fixed by means of fixing elements  34  in the mold jaw half  10 , using screws  40 . The molding insert elements  60  have vacuum slots  44 . 
     FIG. 16  shows a section taken along line XVI-XVI in  FIG. 15  through the mold jaw half  10  and through a molding insert element  60  fixedly connected thereto and through the two fixing elements  34  fixing the corresponding molding insert element  60 .  FIG. 17  shows the detail XVII in  FIG. 16 . Identical features are also denoted in  FIGS. 15 through 17  by the same reference numerals as in  FIGS. 1 through 14 . 
     FIG. 18  shows a mold jaw half  10  similar to that diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 15 , but in this case the molding insert elements  60  have vacuum slots  44  extending along the entire peripheral extent of the respective molding insert element  60 , as can also be seen in particular from  FIG. 20 . The vacuum slots  44  are in flow communication with the vacuum passage system  46  which is provided in the mold jaw half  10  and which has already been mentioned hereinbefore. The vacuum passage system  46  has a first passage portion  72  which can be connected to a vacuum source (not shown) and which opens out of one of the end faces  12  of the mold jaw half  10  in order to communicate the associated molding jaw halves  10  with the vacuum source. The first passage portion  72  is in flow communication with at least one second passage portion  74  which opens out into the vacuum slots  44 . If the vacuum slots  44  extend over the entire peripheral length of the respective molding insert element  60 , then a single second passage portion  74  can be sufficient. If the molding insert elements  60 —as shown for example in FIG.  15 —have short and mutually spaced vacuum slots  44 , it will be appreciated that it is then necessary for the respective vacuum slot groups to be associated with a respective associated second passage portion  74 . 
   The Figures of the drawings show various configurations of the mold jaw half  10  with different molding insert elements for producing corresponding transversely ribbed tubes, in which respect it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings but is defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1