Coating apparatus – Solid member or material acting on coating after application – Running length work
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2003-02-04
Lamb, Brenda A. (Department: 1734)
Coating apparatus
Solid member or material acting on coating after application
Running length work
C118S410000, C425S113000, C425S19200R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514341
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to an extruder head for coating communications media. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an extruder head for evenly applying coatings, such as electrical insulation, over conductors such as copper wire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Communication media such as metal wires and optical fibers typically are coated with polymeric materials to provide insulation and/or mechanical protection to the media. Normally, these coatings are applied with extruder heads through which the communication medium passes during manufacturing. The extruder head receives a flow of molten polymeric material and directs it to an internal core tube and die through which the communication medium travels. These elements are provided with central apertures which are sized and configured so as to be slightly larger than the diameter of the communications medium such that, as the communications medium passes through the core tube and die, it is coated with the desired amount of polymeric material.
Conventional extruder heads support the core tube and die with an inner support tube or barrel arranged longitudinally within the head in the direction of travel of the communications medium. This tube is typically provided with a flange at its first end with which it can be bolted inside the extruder head adjacent its entrance end. Adjacent the exit end of the extruder head is a plurality of set screws which are threaded through the extruder head housing and abut a second end of the support tube. With these set screws, the attitude of the support tube, as well as the communications medium, can be adjusted.
Unfortunately, conventional extruder heads present several manufacturing disadvantages. First and foremost, adjustment of the head, in an effort to obtain even application of coatings, is difficult. To make such an adjustment in a conventional extruder head, the manufacturing line first must be shut down, wasting valuable production time. Once the line has been shut down, the set screws are adjusted. Since the support tube is bolted to the extruder head at its first end, adjustment of the set screws causes the support tube to pivot, albeit to a small degree, about its first end instead of the point at which the coating is applied to the communications medium. In addition, due to this configuration, the support tube makes physical contact with the communications medium to align it with the core tube and die instead of just aligning the core tube and die with the medium. Because of this, it is difficult to achieve even coating of the communications medium. Moreover, due to the contact made between the support tube and the communications medium, unwanted stresses are imparted to the medium, resulting in an inferior product.
In addition to the aforementioned disadvantages, the configuration of conventional extruder heads makes it difficult to obtain even heating of the head. This results in the formation of cold spots at various places in the head which, in turn, can create other manufacturing difficulties. Furthermore, the configuration of conventional extruder heads raises the manufacturing costs of the extruder heads, therefore, raising the purchase price of such extruder heads.
From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have an extruder head which can consistently apply even coatings of polymeric material to a communications medium without making unnecessary contact with the communications medium. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have such an extruder head which allows for adjustment “on the fly” and which also provides for even heating thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to an extruder head for applying a coating of material on a communications medium. The extruder head comprises an extruder head housing having an entrance end, an exit end, and an interior passage that extends from the entrance end to the exit end. A capsule is disposed within the extruder head housing in its interior passage and is pivotally mounted therein at a central portion of the capsule. Like the extruder head housing, the capsule has an entrance end, an exit end, and an interior passage that extends from the capsule entrance end to the capsule exit end. The capsule further includes a die disposed within its interior passage that has an aperture through which the communications medium can pass which is substantially axially aligned with the central portion of the capsule. In addition, the extruder head includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the capsule within the extruder head housing.
In a preferred arrangement, a socket portion is formed within the interior passage of the extruder head housing that is adapted to receive a ball portion of the capsule. With this configuration, a ball and socket arrangement is formed such that the capsule can be pivoted about its ball portion. With this arrangement, particularly advantageous results can be obtained.
The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3856448 (1974-12-01), Iijima et al.
patent: 4111630 (1978-09-01), Shiomi et al.
patent: 4770620 (1988-09-01), Steinecke et al.
Alberhasky Craig Alan
Karstens Scott Lyn
Avaya Technology Corp.
Lamb Brenda A.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley LLP
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