US 11,724,438 B2
Method and system for stretching a tubular material, over a mandrel
Michael J. Froncioni, St-Lazare (CA)
Assigned to Steer Medical Inc., Westmount (CA)
Filed by Steer Medical Inc., Westmount (CA)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/191,949.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/993,161, filed on Mar. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0291428 A1, Sep. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 55/26 (2006.01); B29C 55/22 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); B29K 27/18 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 55/26 (2013.01) [B29C 55/22 (2013.01); B29K 2027/18 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7542 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for stretching a length of tubing having a mandrel therewithin comprising:
a) a support stage;
b) first and second spaced holding members for securely and releasably holding the length of tubing along a longitudinal axis, wherein the holding members are relatively movable along the longitudinal axis for lightly tensioning the tubing by applying an initial force therebetween, keeping it taut, but not stretching it so as to permanently increase its length, wherein the first and second spaced holding members are coupled to the support stage, and wherein the holding members apply a force upon the tubing and relatively move to a second more spaced apart position as the tubing is permanently stretched by an applied force along the longitudinal axis while maintaining a light tension upon the tubing, wherein the light tension applied is such that slack is taken up as the tubing is lengthened and wherein the light tension is less than a stretching force upon the tubing that would result in a permanent stretch.