Method for making thin walled, closed-ended, tubular articles of thermoplastic elastomers
US5598850A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/918
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for drawing, with plug assist, thin walled, closed-ended, tubular articles of thermoplastic elastomer is disclosed as well as a thermoplastic elastomer and apparatus therefor. According to the process, a plug, extensible into the mold cavity, is employed concurrently with a varying air pressure differential across the faces of the preform to bias the flow of the drawn article axially along the length of the tubular mold and away from the mold walls. At a point where the article is drawn substantially the length of the tubular mold, the mold is evacuated and the article finally formed against the mold walls. Such articles are usefully employed as condoms or finger cots.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.