Extruded multiwall tubular structure

{
  "publication_number": "US9052039B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Extruded multiwall tubular structure",
  "abstract": "An extruded multiwall tubular structure formed from extrusion dies, the structure includes a core having a longitudinal axis and a first wall surrounding the core. At least one form extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the core and the outer wall in supporting relationship therewith. At least the first wall and the at least one form lack residual strains, as a result of stress created by the manufacturing process, subsequent the structure exiting the extrusion dies. The core is concentric with the first wall.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An extruded multiwall tubular structure formed from extrusion dies, the structure comprising: a thermoplastic material or a metal material; a core having a longitudinal axis and having an opening extending along its length; a first outer wall surrounding the core; and at least one form extending helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the core and the first outer wall in supporting relationship therewith; wherein at least the first outer wall and the at least one form lack residual strains, as a result of stress created by the manufacturing process, subsequent to the structure exiting the extrusion dies; wherein the core is concentric with the first outer wall; wherein the structure is rigid.",
    "2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is formed by a single pass through the extrusion dies.",
    "3. The structure of claim 1, further comprising: a second outer wall surrounding the first outer wall; and at least one second form extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the second outer wall and the first outer wall in supporting relationship therewith.",
    "4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the core and the first outer wall are cylindrical.",
    "5. The structure of claim 4, wherein the longitudinal axis is centered relative to the core and the first outer wall.",
    "6. The structure of claim 5, wherein a first surface of the first outer wall has nonslip features.",
    "7. The structure of claim 6, further comprising a pin inserted inside the opening of the core.",
    "8. The structure of claim 5, wherein a pin has a head having a plurality of opposed sides, at least two of the opposed sides are separated by a distance different from each other.",
    "9. The structure of claim 7, further comprising a sleeve that is rotatably received by the pin to form a pin assembly, the sleeve insertable in the core at opposed ends of the structure for rotatably carrying the structure about the longitudinal axis.",
    "10. The structure of claim 9, wherein the sleeve has an outer ribbed structure.",
    "11. An extruded multiwall tubular structure formed from extrusion dies, the structure comprising: a thermoplastic material or a metal material; a core having a longitudinal axis and having an opening extending along its length; a first outer wall surrounding the core; and at least one form extending helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the core and the first outer wall in supporting relationship therewith; wherein the first outer wall, the at least one form and the core are simultaneously directed into uniform rotational movement about the longitudinal axis as a result of material flowed through the extrusion dies; wherein at least the first outer wall and the at least one form lack residual strains, as a result of stress created by the manufacturing process, subsequent to the structure exiting the extrusion dies; wherein the core is concentric with the first outer wall; wherein the structure is rigid.",
    "12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the structure is formed by a single pass through the extrusion dies.",
    "13. The structure of claim 11, further comprising: a second outer wall surrounding the core and surrounded by the first outer wall such that the at least one form extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the core and the second outer wall in supporting relationship therewith; and at least one second form extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the second outer wall and the first outer wall in supporting relationship therewith.",
    "14. The structure of claim 11, wherein the core and the first outer wall are cylindrical and the longitudinal axis is centered relative to the core and the first outer wall.",
    "15. The structure of claim 14, wherein a first surface of the first outer wall has nonslip features.",
    "16. The structure of claim 15, further comprising a pin inserted inside the opening of the core.",
    "17. The structure of claim 14, wherein a pin has a head having a plurality of opposed sides, at least two of the opposed sides are separated by a distance different from each other.",
    "18. The structure of claim 16, further comprising a sleeve that is rotatably received by the pin to form a pin assembly, the sleeve insertable in the core at opposed ends of the structure for rotatably carrying the structure about the longitudinal axis.",
    "19. The structure of claim 18, wherein the sleeve has an outer ribbed structure.",
    "20. An extruded multiwall tubular structure formed from extrusion dies for a conveyor system, the structure comprising: a thermoplastic material or a metal material; a circular cylindrical core having a center longitudinal axis and having an opening extending along its length; a first outer wall concentrically surrounding the core; at least one form extending helically relative to the longitudinal axis and between the core and the first outer wall in supporting relationship therewith; wherein the first outer wall, the at least one form and the core are simultaneously directed into rotational movement about the longitudinal axis as a result of material flowed through the extrusion dies; wherein at least the first outer wall and the at least one form lack residual strains, as a result of stress created by the manufacturing process, subsequent to the structure exiting the extrusion dies; wherein the core is concentric with the first outer wall; wherein the structure is rigid."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention is directed to an extruded multiwall tubular structure having internal helical forms, and an apparatus and method for forming an extruded multiwall tubular structure having internal helical forms. Conveyor systems are widely used within industry to transport raw materials, components and/or finished products along an assembly line or otherwise within or between manufacturing facilities. One common conveyor system is a belt driven roller conveyor system. In belt-drive roller conveyor systems, a moving belt is raised or lowered beneath a set of elongated cylinders (i.e., rollers) to make or remove contact between the moving belt and the rollers. When the moving belt contacts the rollers, the rollers rotate in the opposite direction as the belt. As a result, a bale of goods or other article situated on top of the rollers is conveyed along the conveyor path as the rollers rotate in place. Other roller conveyor systems are known, including gravity and chain driven systems.\n\nUnfortunately, numerous drawbacks are associated with conventional roller conveyor systems. Among those disadvantages include that the systems are often labor-intensive to install and maintain. Because they are often used continuously in a manufacturing or warehouse environment, roller conveyor systems can be subjected to long and rigorous operating conditions, resulting in wear and tear of components that require frequent maintenance. Maintenance of roller conveyor systems is often expensive, due in large part to the procurement and installation of spare parts, many of which are heavy and cumbersome.",
  "cpc": [
    "B29C 48/11",
    "B29C 47/0028",
    "B29C 47/0057",
    "B29C 47/064",
    "B29C 47/065",
    "B29C 47/26",
    "B29C 48/0018",
    "B29C 48/19",
    "B29C 48/20",
    "B29C 48/21",
    "B29C 48/335",
    "B65G 13/071",
    "B65G 13/075",
    "B65G 39/02",
    "B65G 39/12",
    "B65H 2404/113",
    "B65H 2404/117",
    "B65H 27/00",
    "F16L 9/18"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B29C 48/11",
    "B29C 48/335",
    "B65G 13/071",
    "B65G 13/075",
    "B65G 39/02",
    "B65G 39/12",
    "B65H 27/00",
    "F16L 9/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GYRE INNOVATIONS LP"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "METTEE II STEPHEN",
    "TULLY CLAY",
    "TANSEY STEPHEN W"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-12-27",
  "publication_date": "2015-06-09",
  "grant_date": "2015-06-09",
  "priority_date": "2012-12-28",
  "application_number": "US-201314141936-A",
  "family_id": "49958740",
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}