Cryogenic cooling of extruded and compression molded materials
US6578368B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B9/002
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to cool the hollows found in many extrudates. Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight and/or processing time. A fluid below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit is released into the hollow so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Additionally, the exterior of the molded material may be subjected to the cooling fluid so as to cool the material and to assist in solidification. Cooling may be further augmented by conventional methods such as a water bath. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.