Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a homogeneous and highly transparent sheet or film from a mixture of a plurality of components which comprises mixing the combined reaction components and depositing the reaction mixture on a molding substrate where the reaction is carried out in a layer thereon, wherein the combined reaction components are mixed, first, in a static mixer and, immediately thereafter, in a dynamic mixer.The invention can be advantageously applied to the manufacture of polyurethane sheets which can be employed in laminated glass sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed which greatly facilitate molding of plastic material in the form of structural foam. The invention contemplates the provision of a valve-like mixing nozzle assembly which is selectively operable to control the flow of plastic material into an injection mold. Significantly, the nozzle assembly includes a mixing turbine rotatably mounted in the flow path of the plastic material. Notably, the turbine is driven by the plastic material itself as the material is driven into the mold assembly, and thus desirably provides intense mixing of the material during injection. This mixing action can be advantageously employed for effecting dispersion and/or expansion of the blowing agent carried by the plastic material for greatly enhanced control and flexibility in molding structural foam articles.

Abstract: There is described herein a method of operating an extruder for thermoplastic material to automatically control the output of the extruder. The extruder includes a kneader screw, a hopper having a feed screw for feeding the thermoplastic material in dry particulate form to the kneader screw and an outlet feed screw for removing the plastic material in molten form from the kneader screw. Each of the screws is operated by a separate electric motor. The method includes monitoring the current of the motor for the kneader screw. Variations in the current indicate variations in the opertion of the kneader screw. Upon any variation in the current of the kneader screw motor, the speed of the hopper feed screw and/or the outlet feed screw is varied to compensate for the variation in the operation of the kneader feed screw and return the current to its original value.

Abstract: A mixing head for two reactive components has a mixing chamber provided with a control plunger enabling recirculation and opening at right angles into a quieting passage which is provided with a control plunger adapted to selectively obstruct the outlet of the mixing chamber into the quieting passage. According to the invention an adjustable abutment is provided for the latter plunger to enable the obstruction to be completely removed during one phase of each cycle of the actuation of the apparatus. This abutment can be an annular piston under the control of fluid pressure.

Abstract: A two-stage, screw-fed vertical mechanical separator for separating a low viscosity material from a high viscosity material, wherein the bulk of the low viscosity material is removed in the first stage and the high viscosity material is heated as a result of mechanical working through a restriction into a second stage and subjected to a vacuum to flash off residual low viscosity material.

Abstract: A continuous process for carrying out the process for preparing substantially dust-free thermoset plastic particles from soft plastic mixtures of reactive thermoset plastic-forming materials and volatile components. These soft mixtures which quickly harden after drying are extruded under low pressure and are granulated by cutting while soft. To eliminate excessive amounts of dust the invention uses a premixer and a worm conveyor in a special housing and the conveyor flights are at a low angle of inclination to the horizontal to extrude the soft mixture at low pressure. The soft material at the outlet of the special material is pushed out of the nozzle under a worm rotation which is less than 25 r.p.m. and a pressure is of the order of one pound after which the material is conveyed pneumatically to a cooling station to harden and after cooling is cut into uniform size particles by knives without the formation of dust.

Abstract: Pressurized colored liquids are inserted in the base mass, immediately upstream or in correspondence with the last homogenizing means; then a rotor arranged between the last perforated refining means and the extrusion hole, provides for a partial mixing of the paste. The speed of rotation of the rotor is adjustable from outside of the extrusion head, and independent of the speed of the extrusion screw.

Abstract: A mixing head for two reactive components forms a mixture in a mixing chamber when a control plunger is retracted, the mixture passing into a channel at right angles to the mixing chamber. A second plunger in the channel is partially retracted so that its free end is positioned in line with the opening to form a partial obstruction around which the mixture is formed. Then the second plunger is retracted to allow clearing of residues, and advanced to drive residues from the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing synthetic thermoplastic material comprises a receiver having a vertical axis, a disintegrating and mixing tool which is disposed in the receiver near the bottom thereof and rotatable about the axis of the receiver, and at least one screw extruder, which extends through an opening in the shell of the receiver into the latter adjacent to the disintegrating and mixing tool. To ensure that the screw extruder can be filled uniformly and that such filling will be independent in a high degree from the level to which the receiver is filled, the screw extruder extends at least approximately radially of the axis of the receiver and that end of the screw extruder which extends into the receiver is axially spaced above the disintegrating and mixing tool.

Abstract: A system and a method for the production of thermoformable plastic foam material from a mix of plastic foam selvage and a foamable virgin plastic resin. Accordingly, the present invention provides for a selvage formed during the production of thermoformed foam material articles from a plastic foam sheet stock is recycled and admixed with the virgin foamable plastic resin, in that the material components are admixed in a feed hopper and then conducted from the feed hopper into a twin-screw compressor which will impart a positive forward feed to the compressible plastic materials conveyed therethrough.

Abstract: An extruder for thermoplastic or elastomeric materials has a mastication stage with one or more feedscrews preceded by a preheating zone in which the incoming bulk material is circulated and possibly recirculated by two screw-type conveyor members or augers in a loop within a heated extension of the extruder housing. The augers may be counterrotatingly disposed in two juxtaposed cylindrical compartments or may be coaxially nested and corotating with opposite pitch.

Abstract: A machine for the production of home-made pasta and dough comprises a mixing bowl with a bladed shaft, an extrusion bowl and a feeding-measuring member rotatably supported between said mixing bowl and said extrusion bowl in order to feed said extrusion bowl with the mixture produced in said mixing bowl.

Abstract: A pasta making machine is provided with a body portion having a kneading chamber and an extrusion chamber therein with a passageway interconnecting the two chambers. The body portion is mounted on a base and is adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis whereby a conveyor member in the extrusion chamber is located above kneading means located in the kneading chamber during the kneading phase. During the extrusion phase, the conveyor member, by virtue of rotation of the body portion is located below the kneading chamber.

Abstract: An extruder for thermoplastics having a directly motor-driven high-speed feed screw which mechanically force-feeds raw plastic pellets, pushing them forward under high pressure into a heat-transfer zone for melting, and finally through a static mixer, to deliver a pressurized homogeneous melt to an extrusion die. Melt pressurization results entirely from the mechanical force-feeding action of the screw rather than through the viscous shear action found in conventional screw extruders.

Abstract: A molding apparatus for molding a pressurized plastic material of the nature of ground meat or other food such as ground fish and the like in which the apparatus comprises a movable mold having a mold opening for receiving a pressurized charge of the material, with the mold being movable between mold opening filling and article discharge positions, an entrance to the mold opening at the filling position, means for directing the pressurized charge through this entrance at the filling position and into the mold opening and vent means spaced from the mold opening entrance for venting from the mold opening air displaced by the pressurized charge entering the mold opening. The vent means comprises a plurality of elongated slots extending from the mold opening in the filling position on the side opposite to the mold entrance and exhausting to the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: An extruder for working rubber and other elastomeric compounds having an extruder screw with a feed section, metering section and a transition section. The transition section has a plurality of working sections in succession with each section having a pair of helical flights defining a pair of primary channels. One of such helical flights has a flight that leads off to define a secondary channel for leading off the portion of the compound subjected to a shearing action from the primary channels. The primary channels decrease in volume while their axial width remains the same. The secondary channel increases in axial width and depth to accommodate the worked rubber compound.

Abstract: In an apparatus for preparing fresh food paste of the type including a vessel having a bottom and forming a mixing and kneading chamber, the vessel having a closed side wall of circular cross section which is symmetrical about an axis passing centrally through the chamber, a rotatable member mounted within the chamber for rotation about the vertical axis, a drive for rotating the member in a given direction, blades located within the chamber and operatively connected to the rotatable member in a position extending away from the vertical axis, wherein the improvement comprises: the blades including a kneading blade extending into close confronting space relation with the vessel side wall and having a lower surface with leading and trailing edges defined by the given direction of rotation, the trailing edge having a normal position adjacent the vessel bottom and being moveable away from the bottom and the leading edge being positioned at a substantially greater distance from the bottom than the normal position

Abstract: A temperable screw extruder for the continuous extrusion of thermoplastics materials wherein to increase the working and cooling of the material in the extruder without excessively increasing the length of the extruder means are provided to convey the material in a direction transverse to the axis of a main screw away from said axis and then to convey it back theretowards. Preferably said means comprises, located between the main screw and an extrusion outlet orifice, a transverse screw disposed in a transverse cylinder chamber to direct the plastics melt outwardly transversely to the axis of the main screw, a connection passage at the end of the transverse chamber to a downstream further transverse chamber having a further transverse screw therein to convey the material back towards the axis of the main screw.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for the continuous extruding of a cohesive wire of a thermosetting elastomeric material at a temperature above the minimum curing temperature of said material from a particulate feed of said material in uncured form. The apparatus comprises a hollow generally horizontal cylinder, with a hole extending through an upper portion thereof and having a rotatingly powered screw longitudinally therewithin in close fitting relation to the inner wall thereof and adapted to force an elastomeric material towards one end of said cylinder. The apparatus includes means for controlling the temperature of said powered screw. A feed conduit is included extending generally upwardly from the hole. There is also provided a driven screw within the conduit in spaced apart relation from the inner wall thereof, the screw being driven in a direction to feed said elastomeric material generally upwardly away from said hole.

Abstract: A molding device for molding articles of plastic material such as ground raw meat to make hamburger patties and the like while at the same time limiting the maximum total pressure applied to the material. The device comprises a hopper for the material, a mold with a mold opening adapted to communicate with a pressure chamber for receiving pressurized material from this chamber and transfer means in the hopper for moving the material toward an exit portion of the hopper leading to this pressure chamber. In order to direct the material from the transfer means into the pressure chamber there is provided a pressure confining baffle in the hopper with sufficient clearance between the baffle and the transfer means to permit escape of material around the baffle back into the hopper.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared from a dough-like mixture of proteinaceous material and water. The proteinaceous material can comprise relatively low protein content blends or even single ingredients such as soy flour. The process comprises continuously extruding the protein dough in the form of a relatively thin sheet of semi-rigid protein material into a first confined treating zone while simultaneously subjecting the thin sheet in the extrusion die to externally applied heat to texturize both surfaces of the sheet before it enters into the first confined zone. A stream of heated gas and condensables is introduced into the first confined zone to buoy up, flex and help propel the sheet of surface - texturized protein through the confined zone where additional texturization takes place.

Abstract: Plastic articles are made wherein an additive is introduced downstream of an injector.

Abstract: A multi-stage extruder apparatus comprising at least two extruder units operatively joined together in series for the progressive sequential working of plastic molding material moving continuously therethrough. The apparatus comprises an improved extrusion screw for a succeeding extruder unit of the multi-stage apparatus which prevents adverse effects attributable to an imbalance of the rate or volume of molding material moving continuously through the multi-stage apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for making striped or variegated soap wherein soap of one predominant color is plodded and extruded as a continuous billet of predetermined cross section with fluid of another predominant color being injected into the soap stream through pressure responsive valves in downstream oriented fixed nozzles after it leaves the plodder worm and prior to extrusion.

Abstract: A commercially feasible, high-output extrusion apparatus and method is provided for producing vegetable protein based meat analogue products characterized by discrete, untwisted, manually separable meat-like layers and at relatively high production rates. The method involves passing hot, moist, pretreated vegetable protein material through an extruder barrel and causing formation of a first choke of the material intermediate the ends of the barrel, subdivision of the material downstream of the first choke point in the presence of steam for thorough cooking and moisturizing of the material, rechoking of the subdivided material adjacent the extrusion end of the barrel, and extrusion of the material as a dense, layered meat analogue product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a screw extruder apparatus, having passages to drain melt as formed into a central bore of the screw, which is physically separated by seal means into a first zone on the feed side advancing plastic toward said seal and a second zone on the opposite side of said seal means into which drained melt passes from the bore and is pumped back toward said seal and out a lateral exit orifice adjacent said seal means. The temperature of the melt in the second zone can be independently controlled. In one embodiment means are provided to maintain an essentially constant pressure in said second zone.

Abstract: Soft and moist vegetables are kneaded, severed and partially homogenized by a feed screw which rotates in a barrel and are admitted into a mincing unit wherein the partially homogenized material is severed by knives of a rotor which is surrounded by an apertured cylindrical stator. The comminuted material is thereupon caused to pass through the holes of an extruder and is severed behind the extruder to yield discrete crumbs which can be used as animal fodder or dried and ground to yield flour or farina, particularly flour or farina which can be used for the baking of tortillas. Vegetables which are admitted into the barrel are freshly harvested (such vegetables may include banana peels) or cooked. For example, dried grains of maize can be cooked in the presence of water and rinsed prior to admission into the barrel.

Abstract: Soap worked in a plodder with introduction of a color dye for color striation of the extruded column is extruded through a die plate that has a rectangular opening corresponding to the major face dimensions (length and width) of the product bar so that the extrusion grain is perpendicular to the major faces, and the extruded column is severed at distances equal to the product bar thickness to provide blanks that are pressed in a direction parallel to the extrusion grain to form the product bar. Special locations for color introduction are provided and a unique "carrara" marble effect is produced in the bar.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a foaming cylinder containing a foaming chamber into which a liquid foaming agent is discharged through a small orifice. The chamber is closed at one end by three, aligned discs having therethrough a plurality of axially extending openings which connect the foaming chamber to a venturi. Compressed air, which also enters the foaming chamber with the foaming agent, forces the liquid through the openings in the discs to the venturi section. The openings in the center disc are angularly offset from the openings in the two outer discs, so that the discs form a maze through which the foamed liquid passes from the foaming chamber to the venturi. The venturi feeds the foamed liquid to a mixing chamber into which a resin is introduced under pressure through a spinner and orifice so that the foamed liquid is completely mixed with the resin before being discharged as a foamed plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for making variegated soap bars or cakes. Said apparatus provides for co-plodding differently colored commingled sets of soap noodles having particular diameters.

Abstract: A scrap recovery and feed system wherein scrap plastic is recovered from a plastic manufacturing process, such as in the manufacture of sheet, film, formed or molded objects, and the scrap plastic is chopped up and fed back to the processing machine along with the base material, such as a virgin plastic material and various additives. The scrap is fed with an auger from an upper hopper toward the outlet opening of a lower hopper containing the base material. The materials are mixed just prior to entry in the extruder or other processing machine.

Abstract: A novel method and an improved combination of apparatus are provided for controlled feeding of dry friction and other high bulk materials along a closed path, whereby release of dust particles of the friction or other high bulk material is substantially eliminated. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to feeding the dry material from a remote storage container along a closed path and into contact with a rotatable screw for at least partially plasticizing the dry material in preparation for compression molding thereof. Also provided is apparatus for molding rigid structures from dry friction material, having as a portion thereof the improved apparatus for feeding friction material.

Abstract: A method of molding a synthetic resin which comprises: kneading a mixture obtained by dispersing a cross-linking agent in said synthetic resin, while melting said resin by applying such temperature and pressure as will not give rise to cross-linking reaction, introducing the thus kneaded mixture into plural reaction chambers to effect cross-linking therein by applying an appropriate temperature and high pressure, and extruding the thus cross-linked material continuously from said reaction chambers through a head die for molding purpose; and a molding apparatus relevant to said method.

Abstract: The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of fluids such as polymers are controlled by reducing the cross-sectional area of the conduit carrying the fluid to provide a flow channel communicating with the inner surface of the conduit whose cross-sectional area is less than that of the conduit. A valve housing is provided containing a chamber which communicates with the flow channel. The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of the fluid is controlled by adjusting the position of a valve member slideably disposed in the chamber. As the valve member slides within the chamber, it enlarges or reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel to change the flow resistance of the channel, thereby changing the pressure and temperature upstream of the channel and in some cases the flow rate through the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and mixing dry particulate additive with a dry particulate plastic material prior to heating the mixture and molding or injecting the same to form a finished article. The apparatus includes a vertically disposed feed throat tube through which the plastic material is adapted to be fed downwardly into the processing machine. A horizontally directed tubular member extends into the feed throat tube for delivering the additive, the tubular member including vertically aligned upper and lower openings and an open forward end positioned within the feed throat tube. By this arrangement, a portion of the plastic material enters the tubular member through the upper opening and is mixed with the additive therein, and the mixture falls through the lower opening and the open forward end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing composite thermoplastic extrusion products comprising first and second extruder barrels communicating with one another so that the output of the first extruder barrel is directed to the input of the second extruder barrel, the output of said second extruder barrel being greater than the output of said first extruder barrel. Motor means and heating means for rotating and heating extruder barrels and hoppers for introduction of plastic materials and fillers is also provided.