Methods have been discovered that make it possible to continuously extrude tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof. These methods allow tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof to be produced without radial deformation of the tubes despite the slow crystallization of the polymer and copolymers. The methods can produce tubes of P4HB and copolymers thereof with tightly defined outside and inside diameters which are required for medical application. These tubes are produced by radial expansion at temperatures above the melting temperature of P4HB and copolymers thereof, and using low tube cooling temperatures and prolonged cooling times. The tubes made from P4HB and copolymers thereof are flexible, and can be prepared with high elongation to break values.

The invention relates to a method for the extrusion and labelling of a packaging tube (14), comprising the following successive steps performed on an extrusion-labelling line, namely: a) forming a partially or fully tubular label (17) from a film (12); b) introducing the label (17) into a calibration element (22); c) extruding a tubular body (13) on the side of the concave surface of the label (17); d) bringing the external surface of the tubular body (13) into contact with the concave surface of the label (17), step (c) being performed in the calibration element (22). The invention also relates to an extrusion-labelling device and a packaging tube.

A calibration and cooling tank of an extrusion line, which connects to an extrusion tool, wherein a vacuum can be applied to the calibration and cooling tank for calibrating the plastic melt emerging from the extrusion tool, wherein the calibration and cooling tank extends along an extrusion axis. The calibration and cooling tank is modularly structured, wherein at least one module forms a calibration and cooling section and the module has a connection region on both sides to which an additional module can be attached. The connection region includes a flange that extends from the base element of the calibration and cooling tank to the outside.

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

A method and apparatus for extrusion of an article is provided. A die assembly can apply flows of thermoplastic material to an array of reinforcing cables to form a composite extrusion. A slider fabric can be bonded to one side of the composite extrusion. After exiting the die assembly, the slider fabric can act to support the extrudate as it passes along an elongate mandrel, which can cause the base of the slider fabric to change shape from a flat profile to the final internal profile of the article. The extruded article can then be cooled to solidify the material. The die can include cooling for the slider fabric and means for promoting penetration of the thermoplastic into reinforcing cables.

A method of and apparatus for extruding an article of uniform cross-section, the article including a thermoplastic material and at least one cable for inhibiting stretch of the article. The cable is supplied to a respective tube and is conveyed between upstream and downstream ends. The thermoplastic material may be supplied to the downstream end of the tube. The thermoplastic material is brought together with the cable to embed the cable within the thermoplastic material, thereby forming a composite extrudate. The tube is configured to at least hinder movement of loose windings of the cable from the downstream end towards the upstream end, which may prevent or at least reduce incidence of birdcaging.

A molded resin strand includes a first layer containing thermoplastic resin, and a second layer covering the first layer and containing thermoplastic resin exhibiting physical properties different from those of the first layer. For example, the second layer is melt-extruded with the second layer covering the first layer. A three-dimensional object is modeled by lamination deposition by fusion between adjacent second layers. In a molded resin strand manufacturing method, a melt-kneaded resin material is continuously extruded from a ferrule of an extruder. The extruded molded resin strand is vacuum-sucked while passing through a sizing device. Subsequently, the molded resin strand is wound up after cooling solidification. The sizing device is provided with a space having a circular cross section, and a surface of the sizing device facing the space is provided with a plurality of vacuum suction grooves.

Method for making multiple durometer bulb seals and any other types of multiple durometer seals and moldings includes cooling separately at least one structural member and at least one sealing portion, which have different durometers and shapes. At least a first extrusion is drawn through an extruder, forming a structural member profile and the extruded material is pulled along a longitudinal axis to a first calibrator device and first cooling tank to cool the structural member profile to a predetermined temperature. Cooling medium directly contacts the outer and inner surfaces of the first profile. Downstream, the sealing portion is extruded and affixed onto the cooled structural member and pulled further downstream to a second calibrator device and through a second cooling tank to cool the final profile a predetermined amount. Disparity in cooling expansion and cooling differential between the multiple durometers and shapes is avoided or overcome.

An extrusion system for the production of polymeric tubes and a method of extruding polymeric tubes which reduce or obviate deformation or collapse of the polymeric tube upon egress from a die of an extruder.

A weather seal includes an elongated micro-cellular foam bulb, and an elongated micro-cellular foam fin element attached to an extending along the length of the foam bulb. The fin elements includes a spine having opposed planar surfaces and at least one microcellular foam barb extending outwardly and at a downward angle from each surface and along the length of the spine. As an alternative to barbs, another option is to use a higher durometer foamed thermoplastic elastomer in a hollow circle shape that would push into a retention pocket. A t-slot version that has a foamed bulb and a polypropylene base is another option.