Device and method for preparation of a profiled element from an elastomeric thermoplastic gel

Abstract

A device for preparing a flat profiled element from an elastomeric thermoplastic gel includes: an extruder with at least one feed and a discharge; an extruder die having section configured to be suitable for a profile of the flat profiled element; a liquid cooling bath with a free surface for receiving and cooling the flat profiled element as the flat profiled element is discharged from the extruder die; and a flat moving support for receiving the flat profiled element. The free surface of the liquid cooling bath is arranged in an immediate vicinity of an outlet of the extruder die. Additionally, an angle of inclination of a plane of the extruder die to a horizontal plane is between 20 and 70 degrees.

1 . A device for producing a flat profiled element from an elastomeric thermoplastic gel, the device comprising:
 an extruder with at least one feed and a discharge;   an extruder die with a section configured to be suitable for a profile of the flat profiled element;   a liquid cooling bath with a free surface for receiving and cooling the flat profiled element as the flat profiled element is discharged from the extruder die; and   a flat moving support for receiving the flat profiled element,   
     wherein the free surface is arranged in an immediate vicinity of an outlet of the extruder die, and wherein an angle of inclination of a plane of the extruder die to a horizontal plane is between 20 and 70 degrees. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein a free distance between an end of the extruder die and the free surface of the liquid cooling bath is less than 50 mm. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the free distance between the end of the extruder die and the free surface of the liquid cooling bath is less than 10 mm. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle of inclination of the plane of the extruder die to the horizontal plane is between 30 and 60 degrees. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling bath includes a stirrer for stirring a liquid in the cooling bath to create a surface current oriented in a direction of movement of the flat profiled element on the surface of the liquid of the cooling bath. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid of the cooling bath is cooled. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the liquid of the cooling bath is cooled by passing a cooled fluid through a coil arranged in the liquid of the cooling bath near a surface of the liquid of the cooling bath. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid of the cooling bath includes water. 
   
   
       9 . A method of producing a flat profiled element of an elastomeric gel, which includes constituents of at least a thermoplastic styrene elastomer and more than 200 pce of an extender oil, using an extruder with at least one feed and a discharge, the method comprising steps of:
 introducing the constituents of the flat profiled element into the at least one feed of the extruder;   plasticating and mixing the constituents to obtain a homogeneous plastic material;   distributing the plastic material at an outlet of the extruder with an extruder die having a section configured to be suitable for a profile of the flat profiled element;   cooling the plastic material to obtain the flat profiled element; and   receiving the flat profiled element on a flat moving support,   
     wherein the cooling step includes:
 extruding the plastic material in air; and 
 receiving and conveying the plastic material on a surface of a liquid of a cooling bath. 
 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the extruder includes at least one feed for solid components and a feed for liquid components, the components introduced into the feeds being elementary components of the profiled element. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the flat profiled element is received on a non-stick backing material arranged on the flat moving support. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein a non-stick backing material is applied on an external surface of the flat profiled element. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the non-stick backing material is siliconized or sulphurized paper. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-stick backing material is siliconized or sulphurized paper. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein an amount of the extender oil is greater than 500 pce. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the amount of the extender oil is between 500 and 1000 pce. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the extender oil is composed at least partly of polyisobutylene. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising a step of incorporating the flat profiled element in a structure or on a surface of a pneumatic tire.