Mandrel and a method of making a rigid tubular article.

摘要

A mandrel for making a rigid tubular article that has integrally-formed straight and arcuate portions. The mandrel (18) has a plurality of shape-providing elements (20) slidably disposed on interconnected straight and arcuate rods (52,48). After a rigid tubular article has been formed about the mandrel, the shape-providing elements can be slid off the straight and arcuate rods so that the mandrel can be removed from the rigid tubular article's interior. This provides for easy separation of the mandrel from the tubular article. <IMAGE>