The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 28, 2000
Yang T. Shieh, Wallingford, PA (US);
Jose J. A. Rodal, Davidson, NC (US);
Erik Vaaler, Redwood City, CA (US);
Advanced Materials Corporation, Lester, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for covering a roll core with a polymeric material, preferably a high performance thermoplastic material, is disclosed. The method includes first providing a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length, and an outer surface. A spacer assembly is attached proximate one end of the roll core, the spacer assembly having a circumference greater than that of the roll core. After preheating to a desired temperature, the roll core is then placed within an apparatus in a substantially vertical orientation and held therein by suitable fixtures, e.g., opposed universal chucks. A length of mold tape is helically wound over the length of the roll core in a spaced-apart relationship therewith to define an application zone between the mold tape and the roll core outer surface. A filament formed of the polymeric material is extruded within the application zone and helically wound over the roll core outer surface so that the roll core is covered with the material. Localized heating is applied to the roll core surface just prior to the application of the filament to improve bonding to the roll core surface. The mold tape acts as a supportive form to prevent sagging of the extruded material prior to solidifying. The wound extruded material is allowed to solidify in a temperature controlled manner to be hardened to form a continuous layer over the length of the roll core. Finally, the mold tape is removed. The resulting covered roll fabricated in accordance with this method has minimal residual stresses and a has a higher tensile strength, compression strength and impact strength. The resulting covered roll also has a glass transition temperature, greater durability, more suitable Young's modulus, and a longer lifespan than prior art covered rolls. The covered roll fabricated in accordance with this method also performs consistently under extremely high pressures, high heating conditions and high speed conditions.