Process and apparatus for pumping gases in a film

摘要

The invention is an apparatus for producing a cross-linked, tubular film or "tape" (25) that uses a motor driven nip roll assembly (100) and a product driven idler roll (500) to pump gases contained within the film in a desired direction. The process eliminates the need to create slits to vent gases that are trapped within the film. The motor driven roll comprises a driven nip roll (120) and a driven peristaltic roll (140) that cooperate to drive the film forward and nip the film. The driven peristaltic roll includes a pumping section (145) that comprises a plurality of pumping rollers that pump gases contained within the film in a direction that is the reverse direction of film travel. The product driven roll comprises a spool roller (525) and a plurality of pumping rollers (520) that are circumferentially spaced around the spool roller. The pumping rollers trap and pump gases contained in the film in the reverse direction of film travel.