WO1996018491A1 - On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion - Google Patents

On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996018491A1
WO1996018491A1 PCT/AU1995/000837 AU9500837W WO9618491A1 WO 1996018491 A1 WO1996018491 A1 WO 1996018491A1 AU 9500837 W AU9500837 W AU 9500837W WO 9618491 A1 WO9618491 A1 WO 9618491A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
forming block
belt
cavity
extruded product
embossed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1995/000837
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leslie John Skinner
Original Assignee
Garmond Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Garmond Australia Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Garmond Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU42498/96A priority Critical patent/AU4249896A/en
Publication of WO1996018491A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996018491A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C43/00—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C43/22—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of indefinite length
    • B29C43/224—Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor of articles of indefinite length having a profiled section, e.g. tubes, rods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C59/00—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C59/02—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by mechanical means, e.g. pressing
    • B29C59/04—Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor by mechanical means, e.g. pressing using rollers or endless belts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an on-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion, and more particularly to a profile forming tool for extruding decorative trim from an extrusion machine, especially decorative trim formed of plastics material and having an embossed surface.
  • the invention also relates to a method of extruding continuous strip material having an embossed surface.
  • dies for plastics extruders are well known and take many different forms.
  • many different dies are used to extrude many different cross-sectional shapes of trim which are used for many different purposes.
  • extruded decorative trim is used in the construction of picture frames and for this purpose it is manufactured in many different cross-sectional shapes and sizes.
  • a high relief embossed surface is required on the moulding it has been necessary to perform a further process after the extrusion process. This involves the depositing of additional material on the surface of the extrusion and rolling or pressing the additional material (which becomes bonded to the extrusion) with the required embossing pattern.
  • One broad form of the invention provides a forming block to facilitate the production of embossed extruded product, said forming block including a continuous moveable surface which is adapted to move in contact with extruded product passing through the forming block, said moveable surface having a pattern thereon which is complementary to the pattern which is thereby embossed onto said extruded product.
  • said continuous movable surface is a belt which passes through said forming block.
  • said belt enters a cavity of said forming block at an inlet end together with said extruded product and passes through at least a first portion of the cavity together with said extruded product, said belt being a continuous loop having said pattern on the outwardly directed surface of said loop.
  • the invention provides a method of extruding decorative strip material having an embossed surface, said method comprising passing strip material from an extruder through a forming block having a surface which moves through the forming block in contact with said strip material to form said embossed surface.
  • said surface is a continuous surface formed on a belt which pass through the cavity of said die.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of an extrusion machine including a die according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.
  • the apparatus comprises an extruder 10 having a die head 11 from which continuous plastics strip material 12 is extruded.
  • the strip material 12 in pliable form enters a profile forming tool in the form of a forming block 13 at an inlet end thereof which is closely adjacent the die head 11.
  • the inlet end of the forming block 13 abuts an end 14 of cooling bath 15 in which the forming block 13 is located.
  • the forming block 13 is in the form of a two-part cavity die wherein the cavity extends entirely through the forming block to an outlet end 16.
  • the cavity is open at 17 partway along the length thereof between the inlet end and outlet end 16. This opening allows further cooling of the strip material 12 which then enters a second portion of the cavity which has a cross sectional shape in the form of the finished strip section.
  • the forming block 13 is supported on a base 18 within the cooling bath 15 and the base extends out of the cooling bath at the end 14.
  • the base 18 supports posts 19 which in turn support cross member 20 to form a rigid frame structure.
  • the frame structure supports a series of pulleys 21 which are arranged to accommodate a continuous belt 22 which passes over the pulleys and through the cavity as can be seen clearly in the drawings. The belt passes only through the first portion of the cavity.
  • a vacuum hose 23 is connected to the top of the forming block 13 for the purpose of applying a vacuum to the first portion of the cavity.
  • the belt 22 is a moulded belt and the outer surface or face of the belt is moulded with any particular pattern which is to be embossed onto the strip material 12 as it passes through the forming block. Alternatively, the outer surface or face may be carried on a metal link chain belt or a rubber belt.
  • the belt is joined to form a continuous belt.
  • the pulleys 21, or at least one of the pulleys, is adjustable to allow the correct tensioning of the belt 22.
  • the belt enters the cavity at the inlet end and exits the cavity at the opening 17.
  • the cavity also defines a dedicated recess for receiving the belt 22, the cross-section of the recess being complementary to the cross-section of the belt.
  • the plastics material used to form the strip material 12 includes a foaming agent such that upon entering the cavity the strip material expands to fill the cavity and form the shape defined by the cavity and belt 22 of the forming block 13.
  • the belt 22 is caused to move through the cavity together with the strip material 12 and in so doing creates embossing on the surface of the strip material which is in contact with the belt 22. Because the belt 22 moves at the same speed as the strip material 12, any form of embossed surface may be readily formed on the strip material.
  • the strip material then continues for some distance in the cooling bath 15 whereby it solidifies and forms the completed continuous strip.

Abstract

The production of continuous embossed extruded product (12) is facilitated by a forming block (13) including a continuous moveable surface (22). The moveable surface (22), preferably in the form of a belt (22), moves in contact with extruded product (12) as it passes through the forming block (13). The moveable surface (22) has a pattern thereon which thereby creates a complementary embossed pattern on the extruded product (12).

Description

ON-LINE EMBOSSING SYSTEM FOR PLASTIC PROFILE EXTRUSION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an on-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion, and more particularly to a profile forming tool for extruding decorative trim from an extrusion machine, especially decorative trim formed of plastics material and having an embossed surface. The invention also relates to a method of extruding continuous strip material having an embossed surface.
Background Art
In the plastics industry, dies for plastics extruders are well known and take many different forms. In the field of decorative trims, many different dies are used to extrude many different cross-sectional shapes of trim which are used for many different purposes. For example, extruded decorative trim is used in the construction of picture frames and for this purpose it is manufactured in many different cross-sectional shapes and sizes. In the event that a high relief embossed surface is required on the moulding it has been necessary to perform a further process after the extrusion process. This involves the depositing of additional material on the surface of the extrusion and rolling or pressing the additional material (which becomes bonded to the extrusion) with the required embossing pattern.
It will be appreciated that in the manufacture of decorative trim the additional steps involved in providing an embossed surface on the trim considerably adds to the costs of production. In the case of extrusions used for manufacturing high volume low cost items such as picture frames, the additional costs involved in providing an embossed surface on the extrusion are significantly detrimental to the overall production cost. Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a forming block which facilitates the continuous production of extruded strip having an embossed surface.
It is a further object to provide a method of extruding strip material having an embossed surface.
Disclosure of Invention
One broad form of the invention provides a forming block to facilitate the production of embossed extruded product, said forming block including a continuous moveable surface which is adapted to move in contact with extruded product passing through the forming block, said moveable surface having a pattern thereon which is complementary to the pattern which is thereby embossed onto said extruded product.
Preferably said continuous movable surface is a belt which passes through said forming block.
Preferably said belt enters a cavity of said forming block at an inlet end together with said extruded product and passes through at least a first portion of the cavity together with said extruded product, said belt being a continuous loop having said pattern on the outwardly directed surface of said loop.
According to a further broad form of the invention, the invention provides a method of extruding decorative strip material having an embossed surface, said method comprising passing strip material from an extruder through a forming block having a surface which moves through the forming block in contact with said strip material to form said embossed surface. Preferably said surface is a continuous surface formed on a belt which pass through the cavity of said die.
Brief Description of Drawings
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, one particular embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an extrusion machine including a die according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Best Mode for Carry Out the Invention
Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus comprises an extruder 10 having a die head 11 from which continuous plastics strip material 12 is extruded. The strip material 12 in pliable form enters a profile forming tool in the form of a forming block 13 at an inlet end thereof which is closely adjacent the die head 11. The inlet end of the forming block 13 abuts an end 14 of cooling bath 15 in which the forming block 13 is located.
The forming block 13 is in the form of a two-part cavity die wherein the cavity extends entirely through the forming block to an outlet end 16. In the present embodiment the cavity is open at 17 partway along the length thereof between the inlet end and outlet end 16. This opening allows further cooling of the strip material 12 which then enters a second portion of the cavity which has a cross sectional shape in the form of the finished strip section.
The forming block 13 is supported on a base 18 within the cooling bath 15 and the base extends out of the cooling bath at the end 14. The base 18 supports posts 19 which in turn support cross member 20 to form a rigid frame structure. The frame structure supports a series of pulleys 21 which are arranged to accommodate a continuous belt 22 which passes over the pulleys and through the cavity as can be seen clearly in the drawings. The belt passes only through the first portion of the cavity. A vacuum hose 23 is connected to the top of the forming block 13 for the purpose of applying a vacuum to the first portion of the cavity.
The belt 22 is a moulded belt and the outer surface or face of the belt is moulded with any particular pattern which is to be embossed onto the strip material 12 as it passes through the forming block. Alternatively, the outer surface or face may be carried on a metal link chain belt or a rubber belt. Once it is moulded, the belt is joined to form a continuous belt. The pulleys 21, or at least one of the pulleys, is adjustable to allow the correct tensioning of the belt 22. As can be seen in Figure 2, the belt enters the cavity at the inlet end and exits the cavity at the opening 17. As shown in Fig. 3, the cavity also defines a dedicated recess for receiving the belt 22, the cross-section of the recess being complementary to the cross-section of the belt. The plastics material used to form the strip material 12 includes a foaming agent such that upon entering the cavity the strip material expands to fill the cavity and form the shape defined by the cavity and belt 22 of the forming block 13. The belt 22 is caused to move through the cavity together with the strip material 12 and in so doing creates embossing on the surface of the strip material which is in contact with the belt 22. Because the belt 22 moves at the same speed as the strip material 12, any form of embossed surface may be readily formed on the strip material. The strip material then continues for some distance in the cooling bath 15 whereby it solidifies and forms the completed continuous strip.
Whilst a particular embodiment of the invention has been described hereinabove, it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications may be readily effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, whilst the above described embodiment uses a continuous belt to provide the embossing, it is conceivable that in some situations a wheel may be adapted to rotate in register with the die cavity to provide the moving surface which creates 6/18491 PC17AU95/00837
5 the embossing. Furthermore, the arrangement and construction of the apparatus may vary considerably from that shown in the attached drawings.
Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may be readily effected by persons skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described, by way of example, hereinabove.

Claims

Claims:
1. A forming block to facilitate the production of embossed extruded product, said forming block including a continuous moveable surface which is adapted to move in contact with extruded product passing through the forming block, said moveable surface having a pattern thereon which is complementary to the pattern which is thereby embossed onto said extruded product.
2. The forming block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moveable surface is a continuous belt.
3. The forming block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the forming block includes a cavity extending therethrough, the belt and the extruded product passing together through at least a first portion of the cavity.
4. The forming block as claimed in claim 3 wherein the forming block includes said first portion, a second portion and an opening provided in the forming block between the first portion and the second portion, the belt extending out of the cavity through said opening.
5. The forming block as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the first portion of the cavity also defines a recess for receiving the moving belt, the recess being complementary to the shape of the belt.
6. The forming block as claimed in claim 2 wherein the belt includes an outer moulded face defining the pattern.
7. The forming block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming block receives the extruded product from an outlet of an extruding machine.
8. The forming block as claimed in claim 1 wherein the forming block is located in a cooling bath.
9. A method of extruding decorative strip material having an embossed surface, said method comprising passing strip material from an extruder through a forming block, providing a moveable surface having a pattern thereon, and moving the moveable surface through the forming block in contact with said strip material to form said embossed surface.
PCT/AU1995/000837 1994-12-12 1995-12-12 On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion WO1996018491A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU42498/96A AU4249896A (en) 1994-12-12 1995-12-12 On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPN0015 1994-12-12
AUPN0015A AUPN001594A0 (en) 1994-12-12 1994-12-12 On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996018491A1 true WO1996018491A1 (en) 1996-06-20

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1995/000837 WO1996018491A1 (en) 1994-12-12 1995-12-12 On-line embossing system for plastic profile extrusion

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AUPN001594A0 (en)
WO (1) WO1996018491A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19804434A1 (en) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-19 Home Fertigelemente Gmbh Continuous production equipment used in production of profiled thermoplastic plastic strip, e.g. ridge strip for roof
US11760426B2 (en) 2020-10-22 2023-09-19 Transtex Inc. Ribbed aerodynamic skirt panel and assembly thereof

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4128369A (en) * 1975-12-10 1978-12-05 Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation Continuous apparatus for forming products from thermoplastic polymeric material having three-dimensional patterns and surface textures
US4230649A (en) * 1978-06-12 1980-10-28 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Apparatus and method for continuous tread production
US4290248A (en) * 1975-01-06 1981-09-22 William James Kemerer Continuous process for forming products from thermoplastic polymeric material having three-dimensional patterns and surface textures
EP0283284A2 (en) * 1987-03-17 1988-09-21 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Forming thermoplastic web materials
EP0315012A2 (en) * 1987-11-05 1989-05-10 UNICOR GmbH Rahn Plastmaschinen Method for manufacturing a tube with a smooth inside and a ribbed outside from an extrudable material and apparatus for carrying out this method
DE4034254C2 (en) * 1989-10-27 1993-03-04 Uponor N.V., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Niederlaendische Antillen, An

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4290248A (en) * 1975-01-06 1981-09-22 William James Kemerer Continuous process for forming products from thermoplastic polymeric material having three-dimensional patterns and surface textures
US4128369A (en) * 1975-12-10 1978-12-05 Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation Continuous apparatus for forming products from thermoplastic polymeric material having three-dimensional patterns and surface textures
US4230649A (en) * 1978-06-12 1980-10-28 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company Apparatus and method for continuous tread production
EP0283284A2 (en) * 1987-03-17 1988-09-21 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Forming thermoplastic web materials
EP0315012A2 (en) * 1987-11-05 1989-05-10 UNICOR GmbH Rahn Plastmaschinen Method for manufacturing a tube with a smooth inside and a ribbed outside from an extrudable material and apparatus for carrying out this method
DE4034254C2 (en) * 1989-10-27 1993-03-04 Uponor N.V., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Niederlaendische Antillen, An

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19804434A1 (en) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-19 Home Fertigelemente Gmbh Continuous production equipment used in production of profiled thermoplastic plastic strip, e.g. ridge strip for roof
DE19804434C2 (en) * 1998-02-05 2000-11-30 Home Fertigelemente Gmbh Device for the continuous production of a profiled strip from thermoplastic material
US11760426B2 (en) 2020-10-22 2023-09-19 Transtex Inc. Ribbed aerodynamic skirt panel and assembly thereof

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Publication number Publication date
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