Abstract: A mixing and kneading machine comprises a rotating shaft with four circumferentially juxtaposed kneading members, which have an angle of inclination bringing about an axial feed action. Another shaft rotates four times faster. The faster rotating shaft has kneading members with a four times greater slope than the kneading members on the slower shaft. A faster axial product feed in the casing part surrounding the more rapidly rotating shaft is prevented by baffle plates provided in said casing part, so that a narrower residence time distribution for the product is obtained.

Abstract: The stirrer vessel and stirrer shaft of a stirring apparatus are heated and carry an enamel coating on the surfaces coming into contact with the product. In order to prevent destruction of this enamel coating when the stirrer shaft is severely stressed, elastic intermediate members are arranged between a rigid support shaft and a shaft casing. The stuffing box is also held on the stirrer vessel by a further elastic intermediate member. An elastic packing between the fixed part of the stirrer vessel and the vessel cover fixed to the drive casing balances forces which are transferred from the vessel wall to the drive casing.