Robert Douglas Hooper

US Patent:

49138634, Apr 3, 1990

Filed:

Jan 30, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/303215

Inventors:

John F. Burrafato - Wayne NJ
Robert E. Hooper - Long Valley NJ

Assignee:

Hoechst Celanese Corporation - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4788
B29C 4792

US Classification:

264 406

Abstract:

A die spool for the extrusion of thermoplastic materials includes an axially split elongate spool body so as to be separable into first and second spool segments. The spool segments collectively establish the spool body and also define an axially oriented extrusion cavity through which thermoplastic material is conveyed. An alignment system ensures that only a single orientation of the extrusion axis is possible when the die spool is coupled to another similar die spool (or to an extrusion die associated with an extruder). A die spool assembly may therefore be provided which is comprised of a number of individual die spools. Preferably, a decreasing temperature gradient is established within the extrusion cavity of the die spool assembly (as may be accomplished by controllably operating electrical resistive heater elements) so as to at least partially solidify the thermoplastic extrudate therewithin. During extrusion start-up, a lower die spool segment is employed to support an initial length of thermoplastic extrudate, with the upper die spool segment being mated therewith (thereby collectively defining the extrusion cavity) once the extrudate extends beyond the downstream end of the lower segment. In such a manner, manual conveyance assistance along the extrusion axis may be imparted to the extrudate during start-up.