Abstract: An apparatus for mixing thermoplastic materials is provided. The apparatus includes a barrel and a screw rotatably mounted in the barrel. The screw has a screw shaft with a thread spirally extending around the screw shaft so as to form a plurality of flights, and the screw has a zone through which melted polymer conveyed. The screw has a portion that is without a screw thread where the screw shaft forms a mixing element with a drum-shaped surface extending above the screw shaft that is coaxial with the screw shaft. This drum-shaped surface has a plurality of alternating input grooves output grooves extending in a generally axial direction. Lands extend between the input grooves and output grooves so as to separate the input grooves from the output grooves, with the length of each land being substantially equal to the length of the contiguous portion of the adjacent input and output grooves.

Abstract: A mixing section (10,50,60) for mixing material in an extruder (8) having a barrel (32), The mixing section (10,50,60) includes a screw (14) having a central shaft (16), and a floating annular sleeve (12) located between the screw (14) and the barrel (32), and surrounding a portion of the screw (14). The sleeve (12) has mixing elements (28) protruding radially inward toward the screw (14). A portion of the central shaft (16) has mixing elements (18) protruding radially outward toward the sleeve (12). The mixing elements (18) on the screw (14) and the sleeve (12) create multiple regions of reorientation (2) in the material to be mixed which produce improved dispersive mixing.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel thermokinetic mixer. In one form of the invention, the mixing chamber shaft projections are removable at least in part and replaceable without cutting the projections from the shaft. In another form of the invention, only a tip portion of such projections are removable and replaceable without such cutting. In yet another form of the invention, shaft projections into the mixing chamber comprise a tooth having a substantially reticulated face forming a deflecting surface such that substantially all mixing chamber particles encountering the tooth strike and are deflected at an incident substantially lateral angle from the deflecting surface.

Abstract: A twin-screw continuous kneading apparatus is provided which can stably supply an additive without reducing the production capability and greatly increase the throughput of a high-quality compound. The kneading apparatus includes a second supply unit connected to an upstream end or a midstream portion of a barrel and supplying an additive into kneading chambers, and has a kneading zone provided by a part of each of kneading screws downstream of the second supply unit for mixing the additive into a kneaded material.

Abstract: A plasticating screw including a grating mixing section provided to enhance mixing of incompatible materials. The screw includes a mixing section including an inlet groove having a closed distal end, a discharge groove circumferentially spaced from the inlet groove, the discharge groove having a closed proximal end. Located between the inlet groove and the discharge groove is a land region is including at least one grating element that includes a plurality of grooves extending between the inlet groove and the discharge groove.

Abstract: A tip for an extruder screw includes a body having a first end for attachment to a screw, a second end, and an outer surface. A wiper extends outwardly from an outer surface of the body. In one embodiment, the wiper is a substantially helical conveying flight. In another embodiment the tip includes at least two substantially helical conveying flights on the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An aromatic polycarbonate extruder which is a twin screw extruder for kneading components into a molten aromatic polycarbonate, the extruder having at least one module consisting of a kneading unit, a material seal unit, a back kneading unit and full-flight unit which are arranged from an upstream side to a downstream side and a method of kneading components into an aromatic polycarbonate by using the above extruder. The present invention also provides a kneading apparatus and method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate which has an extremely small content of foreign matter and is free from residence deterioration such as coloration, crosslinking or gelation when the aromatic polycarbonate is to be kneaded with various components.

Abstract: A foam extrusion assembly having a melt region wherein a plurality of material pellets are melted and mixed by a mixing assembly with a blowing agent introduced via an agent addition assembly. The foam extrusion assembly further includes a heat extraction region structured to extract excess heat from the mixture of melted material pellets and blowing agent such that the mixture achieves an extrudable temperature. The heat extraction region includes an elongate barrel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being structured to receive the extrusion mixture therethrough for passage into the barrel wherein a heat extraction structure cooperatively disposed with the barrel draws heat therefrom. An extrusion screw is disposed in the barrel and includes at least one screw flight structured to rotate within the barrel and urge the extrusion mixture towards the outlet of the barrel where a die is disposed in order to form the finished product.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing thermoplastic materials is provided. The apparatus includes a barrel and a screw rotatably mounted in the barrel. The screw has a screw shaft with a thread spirally extending around the screw shaft so as to form a plurality of flights, and the screw has a zone through which melted polymer conveyed. The screw has a portion that is without a screw thread where the screw shaft forms a mixing element with a drum-shaped surface extending above the screw shaft that is coaxial with the screw shaft. This drum-shaped surface has a plurality of alternating input grooves output grooves extending in a generally axial direction. Lands extend between the input grooves and output grooves so as to separate the input grooves from the output grooves, with the length of each land being substantially equal to the length of the contiguous portion of the adjacent input and output grooves.

Abstract: A mixing section for a feed screw includes a body portion defined along a longitudinal axis. The mixing section further includes a primary flight defining a helical channel, wherein the primary flight is helically wound in a first direction about the longitudinal axis. The primary flight forms a first acute angle with respect to a first plane including the longitudinal axis and defines a cross channel to allow fluid communication between adjacent portions of the helical channel. The cross channel is defined along a second plane such that the second plane forms a second acute angle with respect to the first plane. The first and second acute angles are located in the same quadrant and the second angle is less than the first angle.

Abstract: A cylindrical apparatus or module to be included in a screw of a plasticating device. The screw has a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner-wall of a heated barrel to form an upstream where material is fed into and a downstream where material exits the device. The cylindrical module has a helical channel traversing in a reverse helical direction compared with the direction of the flight. Input grooves extend in the surface of the module with input groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel upstream. Output grooves, being adjacent to the input grooves, extend in the surface of the module with output groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel downstream. A barrier is between the pair of adjacent input and output grooves to prevent direct communication therebetween.

Abstract: A plasticating screw having a main channel defined by a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with an inner-wall of a heated barrel. The screw has a longitudinal portion with a plurality of staggered rows of noncontinuous advancing grooves arranged in the main channel thereof. The axis of each row of advancing grooves being substantially parallel to the helical axis of the adjacent helical flight of the longitudinal portion. A noncontinuous helical channel is formed therein traversing in a reverse direction, compared with the direction of the helical flight, the channel having a plurality of retracting grooves. Each retracting groove cuts through at least one pass of the main channel of the longitudinal portion, including the advancing grooves therein, and intersects and passes through the helical flight at least once, so that molten resin can back flow and re-circulate therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and advancing a polymer melt, which includes a mixer and a conveying device. The mixer comprises a tubular mixing shaft (outer shaft) and an inner mixing shaft (inner shaft). The tubular outer shaft is arranged in surrounding relationship with the inner mixing shaft. Both mixing shafts extend in cantilever fashion into a mixing chamber, and a passageway is formed at the front end between the mixing chamber wall and the free end of the outer shaft, so that the mixing chamber is divided into an inner mixing chamber (inner chamber) and an outer mixing chamber (outer chamber), which are interconnected via the passageway. A melt inlet and a melt outlet are arranged in such a manner that the melt flow advances through the inner chamber and the outer chamber in opposite directions.

Abstract: A mixing device for compounding polymers by elongational deformation is described. The device has a casing (1) with an inlet (2) and an outlet (3). The casing has inner walls (4) defining an enclosure (5) which communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A core (6) is arranged in the enclosure and defines a mixing space (7) between the core (6) and the enclosure wall (4). The mixing space (7) is divided into several slits (9) and chambers (10) by protrusions (8). The device is characterised in that the enclosure (5) and the core (6) are concentrically arranged around a common axis (A) and are conically tapered towards the outlet (3), and that the protrusions (8) are circumferentially arranged on at least one of the core (6) and the enclosure wall (4) with a slit gap in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm and a width of the slit gap in the range of 0 to about 5 mm. Preferably, the enclosure wall (4) and the core (6) are adjustable relative to each other for adjustment of the slit gap.

Abstract: A mixing device for compounding polymers by elongational deformation is described. The device has a casing (1) with an inlet (2) and an outlet (3). The casing has inner walls (4) defining an enclosure (5) which communicates with the inlet and the outlet. A core (6) is arranged in the enclosure and defines a mixing space (7) between the core (6) and the enclosure wall (4). The mixing space (7) is divided into several slits (9) and chambers (10) by protrusions (8). The device is characterised in that the enclosure (5) and the core (6) are concentrically arranged around a common axis (A) and are conically tapered towards the outlet (3), and that the protrusions (8) are circumferentially arranged on at least one of the core (6) and the enclosure wall (4) with a slit gap in the range from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm and a width of the slit gap in the range of 0 to about 5 mm. Preferably, the enclosure wall (4) and the core (6) are adjustable relative to each other for adjustment of the slit gap.

Abstract: A plasticating screw having improved mixing capability for polymer blends comprises a feed zone having a helical flight defining a solid material feed path, a compression zone for converting the solid material into molten material having a helical channel of variable depth, a waved melting zone for breaking up solid agglomerations and distributing them equally in the liquid melt, a spiral mixing zone that traps large agglomerations and contaminants, and a second melting zone for completing melting the material and for creating a substantially homogeneous melt. A method for mixing plastic material that has been at least partially plasticized and contains inhomogeneities is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously reducing the viscosity of molten moldable polymeric material uses shear vibration under extensional flow to cause disentanglement. One or more station treatment cavities are defined by a gap composed of two closely separated surfaces in relative motion with each other at given speed and/or submitted to relative oscillations, with given frequency and amplitude to produce a shear deformation on the molten moldable material and a controlled variation of the gap dimension. The surface have a contour profile of ribs and/or bumps and/or grooves over which the molten moldable material can flow and/or can be dragged and/or is being pushed through and/or pumped through. The treatment cavities have an inlet through which the molten moldable material can pass into, and an outlet through which it can exit each treatment cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plasticating screw suitable for use in an injection molding machine or an extruder. In the plasticating screw which is rotatable within a cylinder and has a mixing head (7) with plural groove portions (7a,7b) formed therein, recesses (2,3) in the shape of steps or slopes are formed on an outer peripheral surface (7d) of the mixing head (7) other than the groove portions (7a,7b) so that the recesses are in communication with the groove portions (7a,7b) located forward thereof as viewed in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: A mixing device is placed in a stream of material flowing in a longitudinal direction for mixing constituents in the stream, the mixing device including a plurality of mixing elements spaced apart from one another and projecting transversely into the oncoming stream of material. The mixing elements are spaced laterally from one another and each mixing element has a cup-shaped upstream face for confronting the oncoming stream of material while allowing the stream of material to flow in the longitudinal direction, between the laterally spaced apart mixing elements, to effect enhanced mixing with lower shear. The mixing elements are arrayed in a field in lateral rows spaced longitudinally along the stream of material, the longitudinal spacing between the lateral rows being such that the mixing elements of adjacent rows are interleaved.

Abstract: A mixing device is placed in a stream of material flowing in a longitudinal direction for mixing constituents in the stream, the mixing device including a plurality of mixing elements spaced apart from one another and projecting transversely into the oncoming stream of material. The mixing elements are spaced laterally from one another and each mixing element has a cup-shaped upstream face for confronting the oncoming stream of material while allowing the stream of material to flow in the longitudinal direction, between the laterally spaced apart mixing elements, to effect enhanced mixing with lower shear.

Abstract: A screw extruder (10) having a barrel (18) which has a bore (26) defining an inner surface (44) and one or more extruder screws (28), positioned within the bore (26). The extruder screw or screws (28) include a central shaft (34) and one or more screw flights (30). The extruder screw or screws (28) farther including one or more dispersive mixing elements (204), (234), (308), (406), (508), (558), which interact with the inner surface of the barrel (44) to form one or more progressively narrowing passages (46) through which material is forced into multiple regions of high elongational and shear stress (480, (120), (214), (310), (410), (510), (564).A second preferred embodiment is a screw extruder (10) having a barrel (18) having a bore (26) defining an inner surface (44) and one or more extruder screws (600), (701), positioned within the bore (26).

Abstract: A single extruder screw is presented which includes a plurality of equidistant undercut barriers disposed in a preselected pattern within the channel of an extrusion screw. The undercut barriers are disposed in the first metering stage and second metering stage and provide increased dispersive and distributed mixing for highly viscous difficult to blend materials. In another embodiment the single extruder includes a slotted blister ring, having slots and lands disposed thereon, positioned between the first metering stage and the vent zone to further increase the amount of mixing.

Abstract: A thermoplastic extrusion assembly having a melt region wherein a plurality of material pellets are melted and mixed by a mixing assembly with a foaming agent, in the case of a thermoplastic foam extrusion assembly, introduced via an agent addition assembly. The thermoplastic extrusion assembly further includes a heat extraction region structured to extract excess heat from the mixture of melted material pellets such that the mixture achieves an extrudable temperature. The heat extraction region includes an elongate barrel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being structured to receive the extrusion mixture therethrough for passage into the barrel wherein a heat extraction structure cooperatively disposed with the barrel draws heat therefrom.

Abstract: An extruder screw for use in a barrel of an extruder for forwarding thermoplastic polymer from a first end to a second end of the extruder. The extruder comprises a transition section and at least one flight extending substantially along the length of the screw. A dam is positioned at the point where the rapid melting of the solids starts to slow down and the rate of solid bed width decrease approaches zero. The dam provides the screw with a high output of extrudate and close control of the residence time of polymer particles as they are transported through the screw, resulting in an extrudate which is uniformly melted and which is substantially free of degradation products and/or entrapped air.

Abstract: A foam extrusion assembly having a melt region wherein a plurality of material pellets are melted and mixed by a mixing assembly with a blowing agent introduced via an agent addition assembly. The foam extrusion assembly further includes a heat extraction region structured to extract excess heat from the mixture of melted material pellets and blowing agent such that the mixture achieves an extrudable temperature. The heat extraction region includes an elongate barrel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being structured to receive the extrusion mixture therethrough for passage into the barrel wherein a heat extraction structure cooperatively disposed with the barrel draws heat therefrom. An extrusion screw is disposed in the barrel and includes at least one screw flight structured to rotate within the barrel and urge the extrusion mixture towards the outlet of the barrel where a die is disposed in order to form the finished product.

Abstract: Plasticating apparatus includes a barrel having an inlet for the introduction of resinous material and an outlet for the discharge of plasticated molten extrudate, along with a screw rotatably mounted within the barrel and in communication with the inlet and outlet for receiving resinous material, plasticating the resinous material, and discharging plasticated molten extrudate. The screw includes a helical flight with an outside diameter sized rotatably engaging an inside surface of the barrel and further, a helical valley disposed between flight lands of the helical flight within a transition section includes two root diameters, namely a rear root diameter and a forward root diameter, with the rear root diameter being larger than the forward root diameter proximate the inlet. In addition, a metering section is provided with special infeed and outfeed passages.

Abstract: A screw for an in-line screw type thermosetting resin injection molding machine comprises a resin kneading portion in a front end portion of a full-flighted screw. In the resin kneading portion, a groove having a crest portion and a trough portion formed spirally in a circumferential direction, and a step portion. A difference between a radial dimension of the step portion and an outermost radial dimension of the crest portion is 10% to 60% of a difference between the outermost radial dimension of the crest portion and an innermost radial dimension of the trough portion. The axial length of the resin kneading portion is 0.5 to 2 times as long as the outer diameter of the full-flighted screw, or 0.5 to 2 times as long as the pitch of the full-flighted screw.

Abstract: A screw extruder (10), including a barrel (18) having a bore (26) which defines an inner surface (24). At least one extruder screw (28) is positioned within the bore (26), each screw (28) further including a central shaft (34) and at least one screw flight (30). Each screw flight (30) further includes a front pushing face (36) and a rear face (38). The profile (40) of each front pushing face (36) acts with the inner surface (24) of the barrel (18) to form a progressively narrowing passage (46) through which material is forced into multiple regions of high elongational and shear stress (48) which act to break down agglomerates of material and thus dispersively mix the material.Also presented is a screw extruder (100) having a single screw (28) which includes dispersion disks (102) which are rotationally offset from one another and whose design is not constrained by interaction with a second disk, which provides improved distributive and dispersive mixing.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus for processing, mixing and extruding thermoplastic and rubber materials includes a feed hopper feeding two barrier type extruders. Extrusion rotors include diagonal grooves with a barrier that has a restrictive clearance or gap relative to the extruder barrel bore. Fine material can pass through this gap, but larger material is led to a downstream end of the grooves. An abrasive barrel surface opposite the downstream end of the grooves grinds this larger material until it can pass or lead off through the smaller gap. Stationary knives located downstream of the abrasive section cut the exiting material into flakes. The barrel and barrier sections are conical and the size of the gap can be changed by relative movement between the barrel and the barriers. The extruders can operate adiabatically so that there is no change in extrusion temperature with speed and the volume of process flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for shearing and straining polymeric process material, such a scrap tires includes a rotor and barrel. Large material pieces are feed into a hopper and the material is warmed, pressurized and transported to a rotor--barrel transfer section to initially chop the material to reduce its size. The material then passes to a rotor barrier or refining section where the material must pass over wide top barriers that extend across extrusion grooves. The barriers included multiple ridges and the barrier to bore clearance is progressively reduced as the material passes downstream. Ramp like grooves, where rejected material can be worked further, precede the barrier ridges. A rotor to barrel transfer section, having a conical barrel that can be longitudinally shifted, follows the wide top barriers, so the size to the discharged material can be regulated.

Abstract: Angled scraper blades provided on the end of a screw shaft of an extruder provide thrust for propelling polymer toward the die opening of the extruder. The scraper blades help prevent trapping of polymer between the shaft and the die plate of the extruder, which trapping can lead to scorching, burning or break down of the polymer.

Abstract: A plasticating apparatus including a rotating screw having a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner wall of a heated barrel. Solid resinous material is introduced to a helical valley extending between said flight to be heated and plasticized by said apparatus while being advanced towards an outlet opening by the rotation of said screw. The screw has a meter section for working, melting and mixing said resinous material at high temperatures. The bottom surface of the helical valley in said metering section is divided into side by side relatively shallow and relatively deep levels. Within the metering section is a transit channel having a reverse helical direction as compared with the helical direction of the flight. Because of the reverse helical direction of the transit channel, the transit channel intersects the helical flight and helical valley with the transit channel cutting therethrough.

Abstract: An extrusion screw (13) for an extruder (11) includes a screw shaft (24 ) which is rotatably arranged in a cylinder barrel (12). A main flight (25) and an auxiliary flight (26) are helically provided on the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft (24). The trailing ends (25a, 26a) of these flights (25, 26) are spaced from each other by a half turn in the circumferential direction (A) of the screw shaft (24). A main flight groove (32) is formed between the front wall surface (27) of the main flight (25) and the rear wall surface (29) of the auxiliary flight (26). An auxiliary flight groove (31) is formed between the front wall surface (28) of the auxiliary flight (26) and the rear wall surface (30) of the main flight (25) to have a second cross-sectional area. The cross-sectional area of the auxiliary flight groove (31) decreases in a direction from the leading end (26b) to the trailing end (26a) of the auxiliary flight (26).

Abstract: An extruder screw having a plurality of plasticating sections sufficient for plasticating polymeric materials of different bulk density.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus having a tank with an inlet and an outlet, a liquid bath received therein, a rotary auger having a plurality of spaced apart flights for urging food product toward the outlet, and a baffle between a pair of adjacent auger flights for lifting and/or agitating (1) food product and (2) the liquid for increasing heat transfer between the liquid and food product, with the baffle being of substantially non-straight construction for minimizing the force of impact between food product and the baffle. Each baffle has a leading portion and a trailing portion with at least one of the portions being of non-straight construction. Preferably, each baffle has at least one bend or curve for minimizing impact force. The bend or curve is adjacent the leading portion of the baffle, which is that portion of the baffle that typically first comes into contact with food product during operation.

Abstract: A loose admixture of polymer pellets and carbon black primary aggregate (together with any other desired fillers) is subjected to a first shear and smear action to incorporate the filler(s) into the polymer and subsequently to additional shear and smear actions to deagglomerate and blend the mixture, all of these actions being carried out at temperatures well below the plasticizing temperature of the polymer so that smearing of the filler(s) into the polymer is facilitated. Each shear and smear assembly is made of similar hammer and anvil components comprising a milling tool acting as a hammer by rotating adjacent an array of stationary pegs acting as anvils. The end face of a milling tool presented to the pegs has oblique surfaces at the downstream ends of its channels and these smear the mixture against the confronting corners of the pegs.

Abstract: A multiple-stage extruder for mixing and extruding plastic. A central area of the screw includes a first blending area that has several obliquely positioned grooves. A second blending area includes a plurality of round protrusions. Both ends of the screw are supported in a main body to prevent vibration of the unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to extruders of the type which employ single screws that use chaotic mixing to generate substantially better distributive mixing. Such structures of this type, generally, stretch and fold material lines repeatedly such that interfacial areas between material elements increase exponentially and heat/mass transfers are greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A screw head for an injection molding machine is mounted to a distal end portion of a screw, and includes a trunk portion and a screw portion, and an undercut portion formed between the trunk portion and the screw portion, wherein a relationship between a shaft diameter e of the undercut portion and a nominal diameter f of the screw portion is defined as:0.74f.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.0.85fand a relationship between the nominal diameter f of the screw portion and a radius r of curvature of the undercut portion is defined as:0.5f.ltoreq.r.

Abstract: Multi-screw, extrusion-compounding machines having co-rotating screw assemblies incorporating sets of modular mixing elements of non-symmetrical geometries with relatively large wing tip clearances. These sets of non-symmetrical modular mixing elements are removably mountable at any suitable axial locations along their respective rotationally-driven screw shafts for optimizing performance in relationship to particular plastic material and particular additives being compounded. The non-symmetrical geometries provide dynamic wedging pressurization for repeatedly propelling relatively large circumferential flows of the plastic material through large shear clearances. Due to the relatively large shear clearances, the plastic material is mixed at less elevated and more uniform temperatures than usually occurs with use of prior symmetrical kneading blocks or kneading discs. At less elevated temperatures most plastic materials exhibit increased viscosities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling thermoplastic mixing in a plastic extrusion machines used for injection molding, blow molding or other reciprocating molding process. The plastic extruder having a rotating helical screw within a cylindrical shell with an automatic shut-off and mixing valve secured to the helical screw at the downstream end of the screw. The automatic shut-off and mixing valve includes a unitary valve body with a poppet. A plurality of mixing groove pairs are arranged extending substantially longitudinally on the surface of the valve body. Select angular bores extend from the groove pairs to the poppet. The poppet is axially movable within and rotatable relative the valve body. The poppet has an axial stem extending into a longitudinal axial bore within the valve body. An elastic means is positioned on the rearward end of the poppet maintaining the valve in a normally closed position against a seating surface of the valve body when there is no rotation of the helical screw.

Abstract: Extraction, especially of firm fruit such as cranberries, with improved yields of high quality, low tannin juices by using an improved countercurrent extractor employing longitudinal members positioned between adjacent flights and reinfusion of decharacterized, extracted fruit pieces with infusion syrups, such as juices from fruits other than that extracted, to produce a fruit food product of various flavors having a desired level of inherent soluble fruit component, without the need to bleed off spent syrup as a byproduct.

Abstract: A noodle machine has a housing with an upper opening, a receptacle deposited in the housing for receiving flour and water for making dough for noodles by stirring them by rotation of a stirring shaft positioned horizontally in the receptacle and rotated by a motor. A front cap with a center cylindrical portion for a screw portion of the stirring shaft fits therein to squeeze out dough to go out through a sieve with holes fixed at the front of the cylindrical portion to become noodles. And a shutter hangs at a notch at an upper side edge of the receptacle for closing an opening of a U-shaped plate of the front cap for hampering dough from moving into the screw portion and removed to let dough move through the opening of the U-shaped plate to be squeezed out of the sieve to become noodles by rotation of the screw portion.

Abstract: A screw-type resin injection apparatus for injection molding which includes a cylinder element having a cylinder chamber for receiving resin therein, and having, at an end portion, a nozzle for injecting the resin. A screw element is arranged within the cylinder chamber in a manner allowing rotation and axial movement. A rotary drive shaft is connected to the screw element telescopically so as to be capable of transmitting a torque. The rotary drive shaft is rotatively driven by a motor. A fluid pressure cylinder unit is arranged laterally of the cylinder element in parallel relation thereto. The fluid pressure cylinder unit is rotatably engaged with the screw element to drive the screw axially. Preferably, the screw element is provided with a mixing screw portion which has a screw groove small in pitch and large in lead angle and an axial groove extending axially.

Abstract: A discharge chute extends between an auger and the discharge end plate of a perforated cylinder which rotates within a water-filled tank in a food processing apparatus such as a blancher or a cooler. The chute is fixed to the cylinder to rotate with the cylinder and has an inlet within the cylinder and an outlet which communicates with the exterior of the apparatus. A lifting flight extends between the perforated side wall of the cylinder and the discharge chute and is fixed to the discharge chute, such that food product advanced to the discharge end of the tank by an auger fixed to the cylinder, is engaged by the lifting flight and elevated to discharge into the chute discharge opening and then along an inclined surface within the chute to be discharged from the apparatus. The discharge assembly thus avoids any pinching of food product between rotating and nonrotating parts of the apparatus. Food product contained in pouches is protected from rupture at the discharge.

Abstract: A water tank is divided into a heated compartment and a cooled compartment by an insulated baffle. A perforated cylinder is mounted within the tank and has a first segment which extends within the heated tank compartment and a second segment which extends within the cooled tank compartment. Portions of a helical auger extend within each cylinder segment. Heated water is supplied to the heated compartment by a heated water manifold, and cooled water is supplied to the cooled compartment by a cooled water manifold. Mixing of the heated and cooled water is prevented by the insulating baffle. Food product is caused to traverse the length of the heated compartment by the auger, and is transferred over the baffle into the cooled compartment by a lifting flight which elevates food product from the water into a chute which discharges into the cooled compartment. A single, self-contained apparatus thus blanches and cools food product in a continuous process.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus such as a cooler, blancher, or cooker, has a water tank with a perforated wall drum cylinder mounted to rotate within the tank. Loose or pouch-packaged food product is introduced into the rotating cylinder and is advanced by the generally helical auger to the discharge end of the tank. The auger has radially extending folds or depressions which project axially from the auger helical surface, such that food product conveyed by the rotating auger is engaged by the projecting portions and is thereby agitated in an axial direction as it is conveyed from the tank inlet to the tank outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the depressions are disposed at 90 degrees from one another along the entire length of the auger, alternately projecting toward the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A screw for use in an plasticating injection apparatus includes a plurality of interrupted primary flights. An outer surface of a primary valley is formed by the primary flights and features a plurality of plateaus. The plateaus span adjacent sections of the primary flights and define shallow levels between deeper levels of the primary valleys. This depth differential contributes to a turbulent mixing action which, along with the primary and secondary valleys, contributes to improve mixing action within a metering section of the screw. The primary flights are interrupted by secondary valleys which are of opposite hand to the primary valleys.

Abstract: Apparatus for extruding plastic and/or rubber material has a screw extruder, which plasticizes the material and delivers it to a gear pump which develops sufficient pressure for extrusion of the material through an extrusion head. The apparatus is characterized by the fact that the axes of gears of the gear pump and the axis of the screw of the extruder are parallel to one another. The housing of the gear pump has a side opening into which a cylindrical bushing and the screw of the extruder extend so that the material is delivered by the extruder directly to the gear pump as a non-oriented plasticized mass. The extrusion head may be a transverse extrusion head with an axis parallel to the axes of the gear wheels of the gear pump and the axis of the screw of the extruder. A second like extrusion apparatus including a screw extruder and a gear pump may be connected to an opposite side of the extrusion head.

Abstract: Multi-screw, continuous mixing and kneading machine for plasticizable compounds with screws, which rotate in a housing and which penetrate the cylindrical housing section, enclosing the screw concerned, and exhibit feed and discharge zones and intermediate melting, mixing and kneading zones, where the feed and discharge zones are formed by intermeshing screws that rotate in the same direction, and kneading elements are disposed in the melting, mixing and kneading zones. The kneading elements comprise axially extended polygons, whose surfaces are approximately flat and whose edges travel by one another with small clearance relative to the envelopes of the respective other polygon so as not to intermesh while rotating, where the edges of the housing section enveloping them maintain a distance that is significantly greater than the clearance.