Apparatus for cleaning cured sponge rubber extrusion

{
  "publication_number": "US3750229A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Apparatus for cleaning cured sponge rubber extrusion",
  "abstract": "This invention concerns a method and apparatus for cleaning cured sponge rubber extrusions of varying cross sections and geometry especially having undercuts therein while not upsetting the normal shrink characteristics of the extrusion. The method is practiced by opening the undercut under near frictionless conditions and passing the exposed surface thereof over a low friction, air lubricated surface so that the lubricating air film impinges the surface to remove the adhered particles.",
  "claims": [
    "1. Apparatus for removing adhered matter from the surface of undercuts in cured rubber sponge extrusions comprising in combination: a. a platform having a low-friction surface to continuously receive an extrusion containing an undercut; b. the leading edge of said platform shaped to partially open said undercut during passage of said extrusion thereacross; c. the leading end of said platform forming a substantially smooth work surface of a shape and working dimension, transverse to the axis of extrusion travel, substantially equal to the shape and cross-sectional dimension of said partially opened undercut for receiving the exposed surface of said undercut in spaced apart relationship; d. means, acting in cooperation with said extrusion, for forming a film of rapidly moving compressible fluid over said work surface and said leading edge to maintain said extrusion therefrom in spaced apart relationship and to impinge said surface of said undercut to dislodge and remove adhered matter therefrom, said means including a longitudinal bore under said platform and a porous mass in communication therewith forming said work surface; e. means for urging said opened undercut against said platform.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said low-friction surface comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said work surface is substantially flat.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid is air.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for forming said film over said work surface comprises an elongated bore under said platform and a system of manifold leads connectong said bore with said work surface.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for urging said open undercut against said platform comprises an idler roller positioned opposite said work surface anD in contact with said moving extrusion.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for urging said open undercut against said platform includes means for adjusting the position of said urging means with respect to said moving extrusion.",
    "8. Apparatus for removing adhered matter from the surface of undercuts in cured rubber sponge extrusions comprising in combination: a. a platform having a low-friction surface to continuously receive an extrusion containing an undercut; b. the leading edge of said platform shaped to partially open said undercut during passage of said extrusion thereacross; c. the leading end of said platform forming a substantially smooth work surface of a shape and working dimension, transverse to the axis of extrusion travel, substantially equal to the shape and cross-sectional dimension of said partially opened undercut for receiving the exposed surface of said undercut in spaced apart relationship; d. means, acting in cooperation with said extrusion, for forming a film of rapidly moving compressible fluid over said work surface and said leading edge to maintain said extrusion therefrom, said means forming a work surface comprising a generally horizontal surface and at least one generally vertical surface, said means including a longitudinal bore under said platform, a plurality of air passages in open communication from said bore to said horizontal and vertical surfaces; and e. means for urging said opened undercut against said platform."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B08B 5/02",
    "B08B 5/023"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GEN TIRE & RUBBER CO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1971-03-29",
  "publication_date": "1973-08-07",
  "grant_date": "1973-08-07",
  "priority_date": "1971-03-29",
  "application_number": "US-3750229D-A",
  "family_id": "22438122",
  "citations": [
    "US2724907A",
    "US2729536A",
    "US2956300A",
    "US2962747A",
    "US2984398A"
  ]
}