Vulcanizing apparatus

• US 3,969,051 A
• Filed: 06/13/1975
• Issued: 07/13/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DG RUNG Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: DG RUNG Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Hovila, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Flint, Jr., J. Howard
• Application Number:
  US05/586,818
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 425/11, 425/28 B, 425/34 B, 425/39, 425/43, 425/384, 425/394, 425/411, 425/405 R, 425/406, 425/DIG. 9, 425/407, 425/174.4, 144/281, 100/204, 249/80
• US Class Current: 425/11
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/1616 using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/02 Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mouldcold vulcanisation B29C35/18 ; vulcanising tyres, presses therefor B29D30/0601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/26 Hot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/349 Cooling the welding zone on the welding spot
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/3494 while keeping the welding zone under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4322 by joining a single sheet to itself B29C66/4332 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4324 for making closed loops, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/45 Joining of substantially the whole surface of the articles methods or apparatus for laminating B32B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/49 Internally supporting the, e.g. tubular, article during joining B29C66/63 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7375 uncured, partially cured or fully cured
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8167 Quick change joining tools or surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81811 of the welding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81821 of the welding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8223 Worm or spindle mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/855 Belt splicing machines
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91212 involving measurement means being part of the welding jaws, e.g. integrated in the welding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91231 : of the joining tool
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91421 : of the joining tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/30 : for local pressing or local heating
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 29/00 : Producing belts or bands
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/00 : Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2029/00 : Belts or bands conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7092 : Conveyor belts
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 1/003 : by an elastic bag or diaphragm expanded by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 15/064 : with heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/019 : Flexible fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/818 : Belt

Abstract

The vulcanizing apparatus of the present invention can be used for vulcanizing spliced sections of rubber belting, sheeting or the like. The apparatus includes an upper platen assembly and a lower platen assembly. The upper platen assembly includes an upper frame member and a sheet-like platen member having a relatively rigid platen surface. The platen member is affixed to an upper frame member. A heat exchanger, a heating pad and a layer of insulation are sandwiched between the sheet-like platen member and the upper frame member. The lower platen assembly includes a lower frame member and a sheet-like platen member having a relatively rigid platen surface, below which are interposed in sandwiched relationship a heat exchanger, a heating pad, and a layer of insulation. The layer of insulation rests upon a flexible diaphragm that has a flexible surface substantially co-extensive with the lower platen surface. The peripheral portions of the diaphragm surrounding the platen surface co-extensive portion are affixed to a lower frame member in sealed relationship, forming a fluid pressure chamber between the lower surface of the diaphragm and the lower frame member. An inlet to the pressure chamber is provided for admitting a fluid under pressure into the chamber and for exhausting the fluid. Connecting members, in the form of bolts pivotally mounted to the lower frame member and removably secured in appropriately positioned slots in the upper frame member, position and hold the upper platen surface in mutually opposing spaced relationship to the lower platen surface when a belt or other material to be vulcanized is interposed between the two platen surfaces.

Claims

1. A vulcanizing apparatus comprising:

a. a first platen assembly including

1. a first frame member; and

2. first means forming a first platen surface, said first means being fixed to said first frame member,

b. a second platen assembly including

1. a second frame member,

2. second means forming a second platen surface, said second means being associated with said second platen assembly for movement toward and away from said second frame member in a direction generally transverse to said second platen surface,

3. a flexible diaphragm associated with said second frame member, said diaphragm being spaced therefrom and being substantially coextensive with said second platen surface, said diaphragm having a periphery,

4. third means affixing the periphery of said diaphragm to said second frame member, said diaphragm and said second frame member being so constructed as to form a fluid chamber between a first surface of said diaphragm and said second frame member,

5. heat exchange means for cooling said second platen surface, said heat exchange means having a heat transfer surface that is substantially coextensive with said second platen surface,

6. heating means forming a heat transfer surface substantially coextensive with said second platen surface,

7. insulating means forming a layer of insulation interposed between said diaphragm and said second means, said heating means and said heat exchange means being sandwiched between said insulating means and said second means,

c. fourth means removably coupling said first and second platen assemblies so as to orient said first and second platens surfaces in generally parallel, spaced, mutually opposing relationship, and

d. fifth means associated with said second platen assembly for admitting and exhausting fluid from said chamber for increasing and decreasing the fluid pressure in said chamber to move said diaphragm relative to said second frame member and to thereby move said second platen surface toward and away from said platen surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

guide means coupled to said first frame member and associated with said second means for restraining said second means from lateral movement relative to said platen surface while allowing said platen surface to move in a direction responsive.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second means comprises a rigid sheet having one surface that forms said second platen surface, said rigid sheet having flanges thereon extending transversely away from said sheet in a direction opposite to the direction in which second platen surfaces faces, said flanges being located about the periphery of said sheet, said flanges being positioned outwardly relative to said second platen surface from the peripheral edge portions of said heating means, said heat exchanger means, and said insulating means, and wherein

said guide means comprises flange member and extending transversely toward said second platen surface, said flange member being positioned outwardly from said flanges on said sheet, said flange members thereby restraining lateral movement of said sheet as said sheet is moved by admitting and exhausting a pressurized fluid from said chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said insulating means comprises a block of foamed synthetic polymer, said foamed polymer having high thermal resistance and sufficient compressive strength to withstand deformation when sandwiched under pressure between said diaphragm and said second means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said polymer comprises a polyurethane.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first platen assembly further comprises:

heat exchange means for cooling said first platen surface, said heat exchange means having a heat transfer surface that is substantially coextensive with and positioned in heat exchange relationship with said first platen surface, with said first means,

heating means forming a heat transfer surface in heat exchange relationship with said heat exchange means, and

insulating means forming a layer of insulation interposed between said first frame member and said first platen surface, said heating means and said heat exchange means being interposed in sandwiched relationship between said insulating means and said first platen surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first means comprises:

a rigid sheet having one surface thereof that forms said first platen surface, said rigid sheet having flanges thereon extending transversely away from said sheet in a direction opposite to the direction in which said first platen surface faces, said flanges being located about the periphery of said sheet and

means fixing said flanges to said first frame member.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said insulating means in said insulating means in said first platen assembly comprises a block of foamed synthetic polymer, said foamed polymer having high thermal resistance and sufficient compressive strength to withstand deformation when sandwiched under pressure between said first frame member and said first means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said polymer comprises a polyurethane.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said heating means comprises a relatively thin heating pad having electrical heating elements embedded therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said heat exchange means comprises:

a plurality of rectangular tubes composed of a material having a high heat transfer coefficient, said tubes being arranged in parallel relationship with adjacent ones of said tubes having their mutually opposing outer surfaces in faying contact, said tubes thereby forming a box-like structure having an upper and lower surface, a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension,

rectangular tubes positioned at each of the longitudinal ends of the box-like structure and oriented transversely to said plurality of tubes, said tube at each end having a plurality of bores therethrough placing the channels within the plurality of tubes in fluid communication with the interior channel of said tube at each end, coupling means associated with each one of said tubes at each end for placing one of said tubes in fluid communication with a source of heat exchange fluid and for exhausting heat exchange fluid from the other of said tubes.