Abstract: There is provided a formed article characterized in that it includes a cylindrical coil member having spiral turns with a predetermined pitch thereof and a supporting member which extends along a direction parallel to an axis of the cylindrical coil member and which connects the spiral turns, and also provided a production process of the formed article characterized in that an extruder is used which includes a first die having a groove on its outer peripheral surface and a second die in the form of a ring which has a groove on its inner peripheral surface and into which the first die is fitted, and a forming material is extruded by the extruder while only one of the dies is rotated with respect to the other die.

Abstract: A mold for extrusion molding a medical application tube and the extrusion molding method thereof in which the medical application tube having a complex profile can be molded by using a soft thermoplastic resin. The mold for extrusion molding the medical application tube made of the soft thermoplastic resin provided with flow paths sandwiching the axial portion therein comprises the mold body and the pin including the land portion. The cylindrical rear side mold space for passing the molding material between the inner peripheral surface of the recesses of the mold body and the outer peripheral surface of the pin, and the tip end side mold space including the cross section for forming the medical application tube between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the land portion of the mold body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for producing co-extruded composite webs including a continuous layer of an extruded matrix material, and a multiplicity of included phases embedded in the continuous layer. The included phases are surrounded by the matrix material to form a single-layer composite web within a feed block having an internal die body. The included phases are separate from each other by being discontinuous in the cross-web direction, but the included phases may be substantially continuous in the down-web direction. In some exemplary embodiments, the co-extruded single-layer composite web may be used in a single-layer or multi-layer article. In other exemplary embodiments, the single-layer co-extruded composite web may be in the form of a sheet, a film, a blown film, a filament, a fiber, a tube, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is the apparatus and method for producing a plastic sheet having a pattern produced in a layer therein. The plastic sheet is a single layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. The pattern is produced by mixing two or more plastic extrudants together in a mixer. The pattern is visible in the layer containing the two or more plastic extrudants because an at least one of the plastic extrudants is at least partially transparent. The mixer used to produce the pattern includes a housing having an end configured to expel the mixture of the two or more extrudants through a plurality of outlets. The mixer further comprises a rotatable shaft and at least one projection coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, the at least one projection configured to orient the mixture of the two or more extrudants relative to the plurality of outlets in the housing. The mixer further comprising a thrust bearing configured to couple an end of the shaft to the housing.

Abstract: An extrusion method and apparatus (11) for producing a cable (1, 101) including at least one core (7) comprising at least one transmissive element (2, 40), and at least one pair of coating layers (8, 9) arranged at a radially outer position with the respect of the core (7) are described. The method of the invention includes the simultaneous steps of depositing by co-extrusion at least one coating layer (8) of polymeric material and one coating layer (9) of expanded polymeric material and of maintaining a residual pressure not greater than the external pressure in a substantially annular interspace (21) defined between the coating layers. With respect to the methods of the prior art, the present invention allows to avoid the formation of bubbles at the interface between said at least one coating layer (8) of polymeric material and the coating layer (9) of expanded polymeric material, attaining an optimal adhesion between said layers (8, 9).

Abstract: An electrical cable and a method for manufacturing the electrical cable are provided in which a plurality of insulated conductors have an inner protective layer extruded thereabout. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or fins or exterior ribbed or finned surfaces are formed outward of the inner protective layer between which exist a plurality of voids. An outer insulation layer and the self-sealing material can be formed sequentially or simultaneously in the same operation as the fins or ribbed surface and the inner layer or in a subsequent operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for forming composite extrudates including at least a base polymer, a plurality of fibers dispersed in the base polymer, and one or more colorants forming a visible, multi-color pattern, e.g., mimicking the appearance of natural wood.

Abstract: Disclosed is: (i) a component of a molding system, including a body configured to overlap and to seal, at least in part, a first conduit and a second conduit, (ii) a molding system, including, a body overlapping and sealing, at least in part, a first conduit and a second conduit, (iii) an extruder, including a body overlapping and sealing, at least in part, a barrel and a barrel head, (iv) a molding system, having, amongst other things a body overlapping and sealing, at least in part, a barrel and a barrel head, amongst other things.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded rail of ink. The extruded rail of ink is then roll formed to partially form a portion of a shape transverse to the extrusion direction as the rail of ink moves in the extrusion direction. A swaging process is then carried out to further form and divide the extruded rail of ink into ink sticks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The ink is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form at least one extruded ink filament having at least one cross-sectional dimension transverse to the extrusion direction that is less than approximately 12 mm. The at least one ink filament is then accumulated.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink stick for use in a phase change ink jet imaging device comprises heating phase change ink material to an extrusion temperature at which the phase change ink material is in a malleable state. The heated ink material is then extruded through an extrusion orifice to form an extruded element. A forging element is then pressed against the extruded element to form an ink stick.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding a multilayered article employs a shearing rod connected to the end of an extruder screw. The shearing rod is rotated along with the extruder screw and shears the polymer materials being advanced along an annular space between the shearing rod and the inner surface of a bore in a housing. A first melt stream of polymer material is advanced by the extruder screw into the annular space. A second melt stream of polymer material is fed (e.g., from a second extruder) through a passage in the housing into the annular space to join with the first melt stream therein. The rotation of the shearing rod shears the melt streams and swirls them together to produce a multiplicity of layers of the polymer materials.

Abstract: A crosshead assembly for forming extruded shapes from molten polymer. The assembly includes body sections, a mandrel, a choke ring, and a tip holder for admitting, turning, and accelerating molten polymer toward a novel rotatable die sub-assembly. The die sub-assembly includes a hub, axially-loaded duplex ball bearings, and a pulley for rotating the sub-assembly. The choke ring extends into the die sub-assembly, and a cylindrical seal element is disposed therebetween. A changeable extrusion tip is threaded onto the second cylindrical portion of the tip holder. A die in the sub-assembly is specific to the shape to be extruded. For forming a spiral ribbon and a skin layer on core material, the die opening is a circular central aperture and a radial slot. Multiple ribbons may be extruded simultaneously by using multiple slots.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for varying the color and/or flavor of an extruded food product during a single production run of a single extrusion device. The apparatus includes a multi-additive injection system, which is attached to a fluid supply line of an extrusion device. The injection system is comprised of a plurality of additive supply tanks, which are each in fluid communication with the fluid supply line via an injection manifold, and a metering mechanism which selectively controls the amount of additive injected into the supply line by each individual supply tank. The injection system may also include a central control mechanism for calibrating the amount of additive injected into the supply line and for maintaining a constant fluid volume added to the extrusion device. Each of the additive supply tanks may contain a different colorant and/or flavoring. Two variants of the injection manifold are provided as well as a novel injection sequence for use with the disclosed system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method as well as a system for extruding continuously molded bodies for producing filaments or staple fibers from an extrusion solution, such as a cellulose solution containing water, cellulose and tertiary amine oxide such as N-methylmorpholine N-oxide. In comparison with the methods known from the prior art, profitability can be increased in the production of continuously molded bodies (3) if the extrusion rate v is set to a value v=B·T0.33·10,000·(1/r2). In a system, profitability can be enhanced if the number r of rows is r=[(B/v)·10,000·T0.33]1/2. T is here the fiber titer in T dtex, v the extrusion rate in m/min, r the number of the rows of extrusion duct orifices (12), and B an operational parameter which is not more than 4 and at least 0.5.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an extruded part having an exterior shell and a core foam material. The method includes extruding the exterior shell from an extrusion die, and reaction injection molding the core foam material within an interior of the exterior shell using a distribution block having a plurality of orifices configured to inject the core foam material within the interior of the exterior shell. The orifices are configured to evenly distribute the core foam material throughout the interior of the exterior shell. the method can be used to form an exterior shell having a plurality of internal chambers, where the orifices of the distribution block are configured to inject core foam material within the plurality of internal chambers.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion crosshead assembly for forming a spirally-striped extrusion. The assembly includes conventional components for admitting, turning, and accelerating primary molten polymer toward a novel rotating die sub-assembly. A body element includes an axial counterbore for receiving a manifold supply block in communication with a source of secondary striping polymer. A wear plate is attached to the manifold block. The die sub-assembly includes a striping die having an annular passage for conveying the primary polymer to form an extruded tube or a core material coating. The die is loaded against the wear plate by a Belleville washer. The die includes one or more striping nozzles in communication with the manifold block for injecting secondary striping polymer into the annular stream of primary polymer flowing through the die, creating a longitudinal stripe of striping polymer. Rotating the die while extruding both polymers yields a helically striped (spiral) extrusion.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.

Abstract: A polymer extrusion head for forming continuous shapes having one or more lumens therein. The head includes an extrusion mandrel and die. At least one lumen pipe is disposed radially through a port in the die to intersect the polymer flow in the annular region between the tip and the die. The lumen pipe is a welded assembly having a 90° turn formed as a mitered joint with zero bend radius. The lumen pipe is held in a pin vise engaged in the die such that position of the lumen pipe may be readily adjusted. Axial and radial positions are established during assembly by means of a gauge block. A plurality of lumen pipes may be accommodated for a plurality of lumens by a manifold distribution system including individual lumen pipe assemblies.

Abstract: A system produces a multi-layer product by forming as many different ingredients as is required for the final product in steps that can be separate from each other and then combining these ingredients in an extrusion die that is formed to flow the separate ingredients in side-by-side flow paths and then combine them where necessary for the final product to be formed. Specifically, two of the flow paths are sandwiched by a third flow path whereby the final product is in the form of a sandwich with two ingredients in layers between two separate layers of a third ingredient. A specific example of the food product is an animal food treat in the form of a cheeseburger.

Abstract: A multi-nozzle assembly may include a first nozzle configured to extrude material through a first outlet; a second nozzle configured to extrude material through a second outlet; and a third nozzle configured to extrude material through a third outlet, the third outlet being between the first and second outlets. Related construction processes and wall structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A die tip adapted for extruding a plurality of meltblown multicomponent filaments that includes at least two series of conduits that extend and converge in to the interior of the die tip to convey a multicomponent thermoplastic structure in to the interior of the die tip to a series of capillaries that extend to a series of die opening for extruding multicomponent filaments is provided.

Abstract: A food product comprising a sugar wafer preferably cone-shaped having a filling of a substantially water-free fat-based confectionery material and a process for preparing it which comprises filling the sugar wafer with the substantially water-free fat-based confectionery in a molten, semi-liquid or semi-solid mass, and allowing the filling to harden.

Abstract: This specification describes an apparatus for carrying out a method of making a multi-walled pipe in the shape of a tube having a helical configuration. The apparatus is made up of an extruder with multiple dies. These multiple dies include at least two concentric arcuate dies that are radially spaced apart and a plurality of relatively straight dies that radially connect the concentric arcuate dies. The apparatus includes means for cooling the extrudate to solidify it into a usable condition. Means are provided to cause the multi-wall pipe to have a helical configuration, that is, apparatus is provided that arranges the pipe as a whole into a structure that has a circumferential component and a longitudinal component to its orientation; e.g. a helix. The longitudinal orientation is accomplished by providing apparatus that causes the pipe to proceed downstream in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment of this invention, the extrudate is pulled longitudinally down stream.

Abstract: Polymer processing systems are provided including an extrusion assembly, a specially configured decompression chamber assembly, and a die assembly. Such systems are effective to provide shaped polymer products having reduced extrusion markings.

Abstract: An extrusion head for the manufacture of tubes including at least one layer of expanded plastic by extruding a stream of molten plastic containing a blowing agent through an annular passage cross section made in the extrusion head. The stream of molten plastic containing the blowing agent spreads out circumferentially and welds itself to itself by the recombining of the two stream fronts. The extrusion head is equipped with a special-purpose thermal regulation device allowing the molten plastic containing the blowing agent to be heated or cooled after the stream fronts have recombined.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding two compatible polymeric materials, in which two or more plasticizing zones on a screw are used to simultaneously or sequentially plasticize the two materials into a common accumulation space through separate pathways. The charge comprising multiple layers of material is then injected into a closed mold by means of forward axial motion of the screw with respect to its enclosing barrel. Once inside the mold, the first material forms a skin layer, totally or partially surrounding the other material. In this way a part having a plurality of material properties may be produced in a single operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for coextruding two materials A and B, in which B is extruded on A through a port (3), in which the separating wall between the flows of A and B is formed as a flap closure (4) adapted to act as a non-return valve for the flow of B into A, and further means are provided for extruding B through the port in pulses. The pulses may be effected by opening and closing the closure, by mechanical transmission means or by the effect of imposing pressure difference on the flap (4) by the flows of A and/or B. The pulsing means preferably involves rams (1). The invention is particularly suitable for extruding a low viscosity material B onto a higher viscosity material A, or for making sheets or pipes with alternating segments of differential flexibility, or for coextruding a flow of solid particles with a flow of liquid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus for the coextrusion of rubber mixtures, comprising a main extruder (1) with an extrusion head (10) having at least two flow channels (14, 15), each for a rubber mixture (A, B), the channels opening into an extrusion orifice (18) through which the two rubber mixtures (A, B) are propelled. The extrusion orifice (18) is delimited by a first wall (111) and a second wall (161). The apparatus also comprises at least one micro-extruder (2) for a third rubber mixture (C), whose extrusion head (22) is provided at its end with a nozzle (23) passing through the two flow channels (14, 15) such that the third rubber mixture (C) is inserted into each rubber mixture (A, B) upstream from the extrusion orifice (18).

Abstract: The two belt parts (2a, 2b) of a belt (2) made of plasticatable material are produced with the aid of a first station (6) and a second station (8). The first station (6) includes a rotatable mold drum (14) and a continuous mold belt (18). The mold belt (18) is brought together with the mold drum (14) along a peripheral section via an upper pressure roller (20), a lower pressure roller (22) and a tensioning roller (24) in such a manner that a hollow mold space (26) is formed between the mold drum (14) and the mold belt (18). An extruder (10) is mounted forward of the hollow mold space (26). Furthermore, the first station (6) includes a filament feed (28) for forming a reinforcement layer (4) in the first belt part (2a). For a simplified manufacture of the belt (2), the second station (8) includes only a direction-changing roller (30) in addition to the extruder (12) and a mold drum (16).

Abstract: A tire having a tread composed of two non-conductive layers, each layer containing a circumferential insert of conductive mix, the inserts having a wider interface at the interface of the two layers. An apparatus for extruding a layer, provided with a conductive insert, including a main extruder for extruding a non-vulcanized, non-conductive layer, and a micro-extruder having an extrusion head, provided at its end with a nozzle, for extruding a conductive insert in the layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding plastic products having large cross sections, which require a correspondingly large die cross section, is described in which the cross section of the die is divided into regions of predetermined flow and separate flow streams are supplied to each region in proportion to the relative size of the flow region to the overall die cross section.

Abstract: The present invention is the apparatus and method for producing a plastic sheet having a pattern produced in a layer therein. The plastic sheet is a single layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. The pattern is produced by mixing two or more plastic extrudants together in a mixer. The pattern is visible in the layer containing the two or more plastic extrudants because an at least one of the plastic extrudants is at least partially transparent. The mixer used to produce the pattern includes a housing having an end configured to expel the mixture of the two or more extrudants through a plurality of outlets. The mixer further comprises a rotatable shaft and at least one projection coupled to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft, the at least one projection configured to orient the mixture of the two or more extrudants relative to the plurality of outlets in the housing. The mixer further comprising a thrust bearing configured to couple an end of the shaft to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extrusion of multilayered composite products, is provided. The inventive apparatus includes a coextrusion structure and a partition member. In accordance with the inventive method, the relative orientation of a first shaped flow stream and a second shaped flow stream to one another is changed, and the reoriented shaped streams are melt-laminated to produce a layered composite formed independent of division of a layered precursor stream. The reorientation occurs via a flow sequencer, which may be removably disposed. Beneficially, layered flow streams that differ from one another may be used. The coextrusion structure may advantageously include one or more removably disposed, flow-shaping inserts, and the partition member may be a removably disposed, partition plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding unvulcanized rubber in a tire production process, in which an unvulcanized rubber extruded member can be formed by extrusion. An extruded rubber member having a cross section in which a portion of a second unvulcanized rubber intrudes between portions of a first unvulcanized rubber is formed by extrusion. The apparatus includes a first passage for the first unvulcanized rubber, a second passage for the second unvulcanized rubber, and a flow dividing mechanism where the first and second passages are adjacent or connected, which separates a portion of the first unvulcanized rubber passing through the first passage such that the first unvulcanized rubber is disposed at both sides of the intruded second unvulcanized rubber. In the method, the first unvulcanized rubber is divided into two flows, and a portion of the second unvulcanized rubber is caused to intrude therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing tread bands for vehicle tires includes at least one primary extrusion head, a preforming device, at least one auxiliary extrusion head, an auxiliary feeding channel, and an extrusion die. The preforming device includes a primary preforming channel operatively connected to the at least one primary extrusion head. The auxiliary feeding channel is operatively connected to the at least one auxiliary extrusion head. The auxiliary feeding channel connects to the primary preforming channel. A direction of the auxiliary feeding channel forms an angle between approximately 30° and 160° relative to a direction of the primary preforming channel. The extrusion die is connected to the preforming device and includes an extrusion outlet. The auxiliary feeding channel connects to the primary preforming channel substantially near the extrusion outlet.

Abstract: In a road vehicle tire, a two-part layer (2) of elastomeric material is preassembled by co-extruding a first and a second strip (19, 16) through a preforming plate die (26), through which extends at least one pair (27) of tapered flow channels (25a, 25b) having offset, side by side inlets (28, 29) with respective superimposed adjacent lateral portions (30, 32), and substantially coplanar outlets (33, 34) with respective adjacent lateral portions (35, 38) interconnected to define, between the two strips (19, 16), an L-shaped joint (20) wherein a lateral portion (21) of the second strip (16) has an edge (17) substantially contacting a lateral shoulder (22) of the first strip (19), and is superimposed on a thin annular appendix (23) projecting from the shoulder (22) of the first strip (19).

Abstract: An extruder die assembly and method for using same is disclosed which is designed for adaptation to a wide variety of commercial-grade extrusion devices common in the food industry. The extruder die assembly is inserted into an appropriate compartment within an extrusion device such that a first extrudate is directed down a coaxially aligned passageway within the forming section and combined with a fluid additive in the injection section whereupon the resulting food mass is compressed through a converging nozzle bore in the nozzle section to produce an extruded food product. The forming section and injection section are fabricated as a matching set. A novel feature of the invention is an injection nozzle which supplies fluid additives from an exterior pressurized source to a supply port formed in the extruder die assembly. The subject injection nozzle exhibits superior sealing qualities in conjunction with simplicity and flexibility.

Abstract: A process for preparing a cleansing bar having well-defined platelet striations therein which comprises extruding a cleansing bar composition having platelets therein to form a cleansing bar using an extruder having a perforated barrier across the cross section of the extruder, wherein the perforated barrier is located at a sufficient distance downstream from the spider to allow well-defined platelet striations to be observed in the finished cleansing bar with the human eye. The perforated barrier is located at a distance from the spider equal to at least about 60%, preferably at least about 70%, of the distance from the spider to the extruder cone outlet of the extruder. Generally, a standard extruder cone length from spider to cone outlet is about 483 mm to about 560 mm.

Abstract: The invention is an extrusion device comprising an interleaving block portion. The interleaving block portion includes at least two first chambers, each first chamber including a width, a length, a height, and an input aperture. The length dimension of the first chambers are generally parallel. An output aperture is included in each first chamber, the output aperture is wider and shorter in height than the input aperture. A series of first distances are defined between the input aperture to points along the output aperture. A die portion is included in the extrusion device. The die portion has a laminate chamber having a height dimension. The height dimension of the laminate is disposed generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the first chambers. An output is disposed at one end of the height dimension. The laminate chamber is disposed so as to be in communication with the output apertures of the parallel first chambers.

Abstract: A tire having a tread consisting of two circumferential layers of non-conductive material, each layer containing a circumferential insert made of a conductive mix and having on the contact surface between the two layers a circumferential footprint, the first of these layers having on the said surface a circumferential footprint with a circular path of width e, the second layer having on the said surface a circumferential footprint of width e′ lying across and having crests on either side of the circular path of the first layer, such that circumferentially between the two paths there are numerous points of contact which ensure electrical connection between the two conductive elements. The second layer with its insert is extruded from a main extruder for the extrusion of the portion of a tread in the unvulcanized condition, and a micro-extruder whose extrusion nozzle is fitted with a cutting edge and whose extrusion orifice is directed against a conveyor associated with the main extruder.

Abstract: A method and system are described for continuously producing plastic optical fiber. The method involves melting a polymeric starting material in a continuous screw extruder and then extruding the melted polymer vertically upward (i.e., against the force of gravity) to form a plastic optical fiber with a uniform core cross section.

Abstract: A system for producing cables includes an extrusion apparatus with one or a plurality of extruders and a head through which the line or lines for the cable pass and after which an induction heating apparatus is arranged, whereby downstream of the head and the induction heating apparatus is a suspended vulcanization tube that extends horizontally in the manner of a catenary curve and that constitutes a plurality of tube pieces of which the tube piece adjacent to the head is a telescoping tube enabling access to the head. It is the object to increase the efficiency of a cable production system using measures that make possible earlier and more rapid heating of the insulating layers applied in the head and simpler operation of the system and concurrently permit simpler and more rapid access to the molding die when cleaning the head and when a tool is being exchanged.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing stiffness-taper tubing includes a die having an extrusion hole, a die holder for holding the die, and a mandrel mounted inside the die holder and that fits in the extrusion hole. The apparatus forms stiffness-taper tubing by switching between and supplying resins having different stiffnesses over the mandrel from a plurality of resin-supply ports formed in the die holder such that the stiffness gradually changes in the lengthwise direction. A mandrel insertion hole connecting to the extrusion hole is formed in the die holder and the mandrel is mounted in this mandrel insertion hole. The plurality of resin-supply ports open to a cylindrical space formed between the inner surface of the mandrel insertion hole and the outer surface of the mandrel at a position separated from the extrusion hole in the die, and the plurality of resins flow together in this space.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus end method for introducing various additives in solid form into a soap mass for the ultimate manufacture of soap bars. Specifically, the invention is directed to producing soap bars having a multicolored or marbleized appearance and made from a variety of different colored soap materials. Soap pellets having a color are introduced into a soap plodder as is customary. A second or alternate color of soap pellet is separately introduced into the interior of the plodder just before that point where the helical screw of the plodder enters the barrel of the extruder portion of the plodder.

Abstract: In a co-extrusion system, a primary extruder is connected to a primary flow director to direct the solid melt from the primary extruder to the co-extrusion assembly. A secondary extruder is connected to a secondary flow director to direct the melt from the secondary extruder to the co-extrusion assembly. A co-extrusion assembly produces simultaneous co-extruded melts without any significant pressure change in the melt. Dies shape the co-extruded melts to a desired shape.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved extruder die assembly and method for using same to improve the quality of dimensional design aspects of extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products. The improved system includes an improved extruder die assembly comprising an imprinting insert element having a first aperture defined therethrough and at least one prong extending into the first aperture, and a forming insert element having a second aperture defined therethrough and positioned downstream from the imprinting insert element, wherein the shape of the second aperture is defined by at least one projection extending into the second aperture, and wherein each of the at least one projection aligns with a prong when the first and second apertures are coaxially aligned. The improved extruder die assembly of the present invention is designed for adaptation to a wide variety of commercial-grade extrusion devices common in the food industry.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus for forming a product having an extrusion molding. The extrusion molding apparatus includes an extruder extruding the product through a die installed at an outlet of the extruder. A second inlet is formed at one side of the die to receive a second synthetic resin. A second extruder feeds the second synthetic resin into the second inlet and a passage in fluid communication with the second inlet. The passage transports the second synthetic resin to nozzle grooves formed in the die, thereby coating the second synthetic resin on a surface of the product extruded from the die having a first synthetic resin.

Abstract: A die apparatus, a method of using the die apparatus to produce co-extruded polymeric articles, and co-extruded polymeric articles produced using the die apparatus and method are disclosed. The die apparatus includes a hollow vane configured to extrude a material into a chamber within the die, thereby producing a co-extruded web. The co-extruded web has a plurality of distinct, discontinuous phases in the cross-web direction, the phases having a uniform width as shown by a coefficient of variation of less than 8 percent for any three consecutive phases. The phases are substantially continuous down-web and are surrounded by a matrix having two or more layers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-tip extrusion apparatus and design methodology whereby a single extrusion head having approximately co-planar, fixed-position dispensing tips is used in a three-dimensional modeling machine to deposit multiple types of materials from distinct material supply sources. The tips are spaced apart a distance great enough so that a road of material extruded by a leading one of the tips will cool and shrink from the plane of the tips so that it is not smeared by contact with a trailing one of the tips.