Plural Orifices Patents (Class 425/382R)
  • Patent number: 6126878
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extrudate (e.g., water-dispersable extruded rod-shaped granules) from an extrudable powder-based material (e.g., a finely-divided water-insoluble powder) includes a hopper for the extrudable material having at least one extrusion aperture at its lower end, a rotatable extruder tool at or near the lower end of a first drive shaft for forcing the extrudable material through the aperture(s) and a rotatable feeder at or near a lower end of a second drive shaft for feeding the extrudable material to the extruder tool. The first drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the second drive shaft by axially displaced bearings, the second drive shaft being mounted within a fixed bearing housing by further axially displaced bearings. Drive motors are connected by respective drive trains to the upper ends of the first and second drive shafts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Collag Limited
    Inventor: John Misselbrook
  • Patent number: 6112794
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for applying an edgeband to a planar edge and an apparatus for performing the process. In the process, one or more gluing edge(s) of the structure and/or edgeband is/are heated to a temperature of greater than 25.degree. C., a heated reactive adhesive is then applied to the gluing edge(s), the structure and edgeband are then brought together to form a composite structure, with the reactive adhesive forming the bond. In the apparatus, the reactive adhesive is provided from a sealed adhesive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John L. Hannon, Jeffrey A. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6099282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a die for use in textile processes involving nonwoven melt blown fabrics. In a melt blown process, molten polymer resin is injected into a melt blown die and ejected from the die in the form of filaments. The present invention is directed to an improved die nosepiece comprising a multiplicity of adjacent holes offset with respect to each other at an angle greater than or equal to 5.degree. and less than 90.degree., through which resin filaments are ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventor: Mancil W. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6016742
    Abstract: An improved short-length, high-speed extrusion device (10) is provided with having increased capacities and the capability of producing high quality extrudates with improved density and pellet integrity properties. The device (10) includes an extruder (14) equipped with a peripheral die (20,118), the latter having die outlet openings (100,120) oriented generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the extruder barrel (16). The die (20) has a plurality of axially spaced series (92-98) of openings (100), wherein each series (92-98) has a different number of openings (100). Alternately, the die (118) is of radially enlarged design relative to the extruder barrel (16) and has only a single series of openings (120). In both instances, an internal flow-directing bullet (108,140) is positioned within the corresponding die (20,118) in order to smoothly direct flow of product from the outlet (21) of the barrel (16) to the transversely oriented die outlet openings (100,120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobbie W. Hauck, Marc Wenger
  • Patent number: 5993711
    Abstract: For manufacturing tape or yarns, plastic polymer material is extruded into a film (20, 21) having a pattern of parallel, longitudinal, alternating ribs (31, 32) and deep, narrow grooves (33, 34) on each of its two opposite sides, at least a plurality of the grooves (33, 34) in one side each being located diametrically opposite one of the grooves (34, 33) in the other, opposite side. Yarns and tapes obtained in the form of or from such a film typically have a substantially improved tensile strength and are more supple and smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lankhorst Indutech B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Grunstra
  • Patent number: 5974958
    Abstract: A cream depositing machine including a rotatable stencil drum (2) having first and second stencil ports (3, 4), a device (5) for rotating the drum (2), a first and second cream supply device (12, 13) for supplying first and second cream material separately to the ports (3, 4), a cream control device (10, 16) within the drum (2) and operable, in time sequence, to initially cause the first cream material to issue from the first stencil port (3) and thereafter, after angular movement of the drum (2), to cause the second cream material to issue from the second stencil port (4) whereby deposits of the first and second cream material co-exist on the drum (2), and a device (15) for simultaneously removing the co-existing deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: APV UK Limited
    Inventors: Ian Peter Lilley, Edmund Smith, Thomas Moyses
  • Patent number: 5948449
    Abstract: The invention herein relates to a kind of slug production device for brick-making machines, specifically referring to a kind of slug production device that is mainly comprised of a raw brick mixture filler trough and a vacuum trough, below which are the the parallel and horizontal members of two pressure tubes and two forming tubes, and positioned at the rear of the two pressure tubes and the two forming tubes are a pair of pressure mechanisms and, furthermore, at the bottom section of the raw brick mixture filler trough and the vacuum trough is a swing-type aggregate crushing mechanism such that after the raw brick mixture is loaded into the filler trough, the raw brick mixture is conveyed precisely into the pressure tubes and the pressure mechanism pistons at the rear of the two pressure tubes operate in a reciprocal movement to convey the raw brick material slugs into the vacuum trough then the raw brick material aggregate conveyed into the vacuum trough are guided into the forming tubes by the pressure me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Yu-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 5919509
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder (12) having screw augers (15) in a main passageway (14) for advancing a plastic food mass, a head or manifold (18) for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams such as a branching passageway section in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head (30) having a plurality of die ports (40) for each subpassageway. Each subpassage is separately supplied an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements (59) to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports (40). In a preferred form, a portion of the food mass is bled from a first substream and fed to the exit ports (40) of a second substeam to create an extrudate including zones of distinct food mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cremers, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5853770
    Abstract: Multiple die components are constructed to provide separate flow paths for multiple layers of extruded plastic until the exit of the die assembly. The multiple layers are then allowed to join at ambient temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur Roger Guillemette
  • Patent number: 5849340
    Abstract: A device for the manufacture of extruded bodies from a plastic material or a damp pulp, comprising, arranged at an outlet end of a container for the material or the pulp, an output device (18) with a number of output wings (19) driven by a rotatably driven shaft and at an axial distance from the output device a rotatably driven extrusion device (20) with a number of extrusion wings, of which the outer ends during rotation of the extrusion device sweep closely around the inside of a surrounding cylindrical and perforated wall in order to press out to the space surrounding the wall the fed-out material through perforations in the wall. A stationary guide rail arrangement (16) is provided between the output device (18) and the extrusion device (20) and the output device and extrusion device are driven in the same direction of rotation. The output wings (19) have inclined surfaces (30) which, seen in the direction of rotation, form an acute angle (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hermex AB
    Inventors: Leif Hermansson, Nemo Ivarson
  • Patent number: 5840346
    Abstract: Apparatus for positive displacement metering of viscous material. Positive displacement and non-positive pumping of material to be metered is provided. The positive displacement pumping includes pressure release apparatus to avoid excessive pressure build-up. One pressure release apparatus includes an expansion chamber to moderate pressure changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Christopher S. Hannaford
  • Patent number: 5820911
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a foodstuff processing assembly for the continuous, uniform flow per unit time discharge of a foodstuff onto a moveable conveyor belt, the assembly comprising a support frame for supportively holding the pump assembly. A plurality of split pump housings are disposed transversely with respect to the conveyor belt. An upper drive shaft rotates a plurality of gears within each of the spilt pump housing portions. A lower support shaft rotatably supports corresponding lower array of gear teeth within those split pump housings. The input chambers are arranged in communication with a common manifold, and a plurality of nozzles are disposed in a forward portion of each of the split pump housing sections. A pressurized foodstuff containment vessel is in communication through a manifold into each of the input chambers feeding the split pump housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Pearce Processing Sustems
    Inventors: Charles H. Morse, Robert Reed Harrison
  • Patent number: 5820892
    Abstract: A food extrusion assembly and particularly an ice cream extrusion assembly for providing a stream of elongated strands of ice cream or other foods of a predetermined cross-sectional configuration. The extrusion assembly includes a housing structure having a base portion and an upright support structure. A plunger assembly is mounted to the housing and has an activatable shaft and separable plunger head. A container mounting structure is provided to receive an extrusion container in alignment with the movement of the plunger head. The extrusion container has a predetermined pattern of extrusion apertures through its bottom surface. The extrusion container locks into the container mounting structure to permit the activation of a switch and to thereby cause the plunger head to penetrate the extrusion container for ice cream extrusion processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: James D. Lauer, Margaret T. Lauer
  • Patent number: 5795641
    Abstract: A method is provided for triple extrusion of a foam material, a coating and one or more flexible flanges attached to the coating or foam material. All three materials are coextruded through a common die and are useful for forming window sashes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Marley Mouldings Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pauley, Noel E. King, Douglas H. Chin
  • Patent number: 5776534
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a single extrudable food stream such as a cooked cereal dough into a plurality of differently colored and/or flavored dough streams is disclosed including an extruder having screw augers in a main passageway for advancing a plastic food mass, a device for dividing the plastic food mass into a plurality of substreams such as a branching passageway section in fluid communication with a plurality of sub-divided dough passageways, and a die head having a plurality of die ports for each subpassageway. Each subpassageway has a separate conduit for supplying an additive and has disposed therein a multiplicity of in-line static mixer elements to admix the additive into the substreams of the plastic food mass before passage through the die ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Christensen, Thomas G. Cremers, James L. Stinson, Philip K. Zietlow
  • Patent number: 5770235
    Abstract: A hollow drum is rotatable about a horizontal axis and includes openings around its circumference for discharging drops of a free-flowing substance onto a cooling belt in the manufacture of pastilles. A stationary body disposed inside the drum is spaced from the interior surface of a front side of the drum to form therewith a sickle-shaped gap leading to the drop-forming zone. A channeling member rests against an external surface of the front side of the drum to form therewith an upwardly open channel. The supply passage which delivers the freely flowable substance to the drum can be defined by the channel, whereby the substance would be fed into the upwardly open end thereof and would flow into the gap through the drum openings. Alternatively, the supply passage could be defined by a space within the stationary body which communicates with the gap at a location disposed above the drop-forming zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Santrade Ltd.
    Inventors: Warnfried Baumann, Reinhard Froeschke
  • Patent number: 5759288
    Abstract: It is known to wash dispersion noodles in a `batchwise` fashion in which the noodles are retained in a kettle or kettle and water is sprayed onto the surface of the noodles. Agitation is achieved by bubbling air into the kettle from the bottom. Described herein is a method and apparatus for continuously washing dispersion noodles. The apparatus includes continuous pipe work in which the noodles are washed, the pipe work including at least one separating device (10) for separating the noodles from the water in which they have been washed. The device (10) comprises a housing (12) having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16). A separating element (22) is located in the housing (12) between the inlet (14) and the outlet (16) and is surrounded by a collection chamber (24), the element (22) comprising a tube of mesh material through which water passes into the collection chamber (24) and which is then drained off through drain (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David John Young, Edward Charles Glover
  • Patent number: 5750159
    Abstract: A die for use in extrusion or coating processes includes an insert that is releasably received in a chamber of a die housing, and the insert has one or more flow-controlling peripheral surfaces that extend in an arc about its central axis. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert has ribs that separate the chamber into distinct parts for passage of two or more different fluid streams. In another embodiment, the insert is movable in an arc about its central axis from a first position wherein fluid is discharged through an outlet passageway, and to a second position wherein the flow of fluid through the outlet passageway is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Delmore, Gary W. Maier
  • Patent number: 5723082
    Abstract: A method of granulating synthetic resin by extrusion and an apparatus thereof by which a large quantity of pellets can be effectively produced is provided. A plurality of sets of granulating sections are connected with an end of an extruder in parallel. The plurality of sets of granulating sections are simultaneously and independently operated for granulation in a normal operation. When one of the sets of granulating sections is stopped, the other set may still operate for granulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Mizuguchi, Minoru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5723153
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Berndorf Belt Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jules Schwager
  • Patent number: 5698237
    Abstract: An apparatus for granulating thermally unstable synthetic plastic material includes a tip-driven plasticizing screw positioned in a housing. The screw conveys the synthetic plastic material through exit openings in the housing, wherein granulating knives slidably engaged with the housing exit openings cut-off pellets of synthetic plastic material. The drive mechanism for the plasticizing screw is disposed at the exit opening side of the screw with the orbit of the granulating knives disposed between the exit openings and the drive mechanism. The drive shaft of the plasticizing screw is detachably coupled to the front, or exit, end of the screw. A conveyor blower cools the pellets as they are severed from the exit openings, and further operates to convey the pellets to a storage bin for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Helmut Bacher, Helmuth Schulz, Georg Wendelin
  • Patent number: 5688540
    Abstract: This apparatus provides positive displacement synchronized metering of pressurized food material to a plurality of dies using several positive displacement metering apparatus. The metering is provided by the energy of pressurized material itself, or, for more viscous material, it can be supplemented by a motor. Supplemental material can also be introduced along with the food material to modify the characteristics of the food material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher S. Hannaford
  • Patent number: 5665403
    Abstract: The double tapered die mount defines a channel to support the die shoulder. No contact occurs between the die and die housing. The die shoulder is machined to be in generally congruent relationship with the channel shape of the die mount of the invention. In the prior art, the die shoulder is perpendicular to both the inner radial surface and the outer radial surface of the die mount. In the preferred embodiment, the die shoulder is tapered from the inner radial surface toward the die edge to define an inner die taper. The die shoulder also tapers from the outer radial surface to the die edge to define an outer die taper. The side walls of the channel defined by the die mount of the invention taper inwardly to be congruent with tapered surfaces of the die shoulder. The inner channel wall, i.e., the channel wall closer to the axis of rotation of the die, contacts the inner die taper. The outer channel wall, i.e., the channel wall farther from the axis of rotation of the die, contacts the outer die taper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Andritz Sprout-Bauer, Inc.
    Inventor: Oszkar Bittner
  • Patent number: 5650179
    Abstract: An apparatus for pelletizing a polymer melt, in which the polymer melt to be pelletized is divided in a housing of a pelletizing device into at least two part-streams, which are deflected and fed to at least two die plates which are spatially separate from one another and are heatable, whereupon the polymer melt streams are transformed into pellets by the cutting devices downstream of the die plates and are post-treated by means of a cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: PCD Polymere Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helge Schier
  • Patent number: 5643618
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder (12) and is mixed with a food color to form a complexly patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die (20). The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end (34) to an outlet end (36) by a factor of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned dough, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate. In the preferred form, multiple extrudates are simultaneously formed with the flow rates for each extrudate being adjustable by an adjuster plug (16) including a smooth cylindrical portion (86) extendable into a passageway (14) having a circular cross section of a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion (86).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Huberg, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5643773
    Abstract: Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biological material, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through an inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through an outer bore. Extrusion of the coagulant is initiated subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time. This procedure can be modified to form in the capsule a coaxial rod that is connected to one end but not the other end of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Brown University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Patrick Aebischer, John F. Mills, Lars Wahlberg, Edward J. Doherty, Patrick A. Tresco
  • Patent number: 5637341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a braided baked product from dough by feeding the dough through a die head having at least three relatively-moving die members each formed with an orifice feeding a strip of the dough, moving the die members relative to each other during the feeding of the dough to cause the strips to interweave, and baking the interwoven strips to produce the braided baked product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Ram Rivlin
  • Patent number: 5633018
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming a polyester polymer into particles. More particularly, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming crystalline, uniform pellets from an amorphous polyester melt. The polyester pellets have utility, for example, as feedstock for a process for producing higher molecular weight polyesters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jan M. Stouffer, Elwood N. Blanchard, Kenneth W. Leffew
  • Patent number: 5629034
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for molding a fibrous material mainly containing waste paper, in which a fibrous material mainly containing waste paper is thrown into a cylindrical cylinder from a raw material throwing port, being fed to the leading edge of the cylindrical casing by the feeding action of a rotary screw provided in the cylindrical casing, and discharged from the leading edge, the apparatus comprising: a molding/discharging member provided at the leading edge of the cylindrical casing for compressing the fibrous material fed to the leading edge of the casing into a specified shape and discharging the compressed fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Mitsuo Terada, Tetsuro Matsumoto, Kiyofumi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5626889
    Abstract: The single tapered die mount employs a radially inner surface at an angle to the axis of rotation of the die mount, die and die holder. The radially inner surface of the die mount acts on an annular shoulder of the die to support and position the die in the die holder. The die mount of the invention is located between the radially outer surface of the die and the extended lip of the die housing. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the radially inner surface of the die mount in contact with the radially outer surface of the die shoulder has an angle of a modified Morse taper. The radially outer surface of the die shoulder is machined to a matching angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Andritz Sprout-Bauer, Inc.
    Inventor: Oszkar Bittner
  • Patent number: 5624740
    Abstract: A doormat manufacturing apparatus contains a spinning pack having a plane rectangular shape for spinning a large number of monofilaments, a plurality of extruders disposed at symmetrical positions in the longitudinal direction of the spinning pack for supplying a plurality of molten synthetic resins to the spinning pack, and a collecting mechanism for collecting monofilaments discharged from the spinning pack. The spinning pack contains a resin flowpath changeover unit arranged over a multihole nozzle plate, and the resin flowpath changeover unit is connected to each extruder by a respective communicating pipeline. The communicating pipelines are arranged at symmetrical positions in the longitudinal direction of the spinning pack. The resin flowpath changeover unit has a plurality of longitudinally extending main flowpaths, each of which communicates with a respective communicating pipeline via a respective zone flowpath and with a respective branch flowpath extending crosswise from the main flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Yugengaisya Towa
    Inventor: Akira Nakata
  • Patent number: 5603965
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing an article of ice confectionery has two tube assemblies which each have a mobile portion positioned coaxially one to the other. Each mobile portion has a distribution channel which extends to a nozzle delivery end configured in a fishtail shape for depositing material, the mobile portions being positioned and configured so that at least a portion of the distribution channels are separated for thermally isolating the channels and so that upon axial rotation of the mobile portions, material deposited from one nozzle is integrated with material deposited from the other nozzle. The mobile portions may be driven for rotation separately, or one mobile portion may be driven and connected with the other mobile portion for driving the rotation of the other mobile portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Daouse
  • Patent number: 5591472
    Abstract: Bakery dough continuously emergent from a dough-handling machine is cut into successive pieces of uniform weight by apparatus which involves a nozzle containing a downwardly directed extrusion orifice having a shape that is oblong about a line of elongation. A taut cutting wire aligned in a direction parallel to the line of elongation is caused to move in a reciprocating manner across the orifice in a path that is transverse to the line of elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Cummins Eagle, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Cummins, deceased
  • Patent number: 5567493
    Abstract: A multi-hole tube extrusion die comprises a female mold die having a flat opening and a mandrel having comb-teeth-like molding portions arranged in the opening. A heated material is extruded between the female mold die opening and the comb-teeth-like molding portions of the mandrel to form a tube having a multi-plicity of holes. An interval between each of the comb-teeth-like molding portions at the opposite ends of the mandrel and the comb-teeth-like molding portion adjacent to the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portion is set to be smaller than an intervals between the female mold die opening and each of the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions and to be larger than an interval between adjacent ones of the other comb-teeth-like molding portions. Additionally, the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions are larger in width than the other comb-teeth-like molding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imai, Tokuo Shirai, Ken Yamamoto, Shingoro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 5536517
    Abstract: This apparatus provides positive displacement synchronized metering of pressurized food material to a plurality of dies using several positive displacement metering apparatus. The metering is provided by the energy of pressurized material itself, or, for more viscous material, it can be supplemented by a motor. Supplemental material can also be introduced along with the food material to modify the characteristics of the food material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Christopher S. Hannaford
  • Patent number: 5531587
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closable extrusion nozzle for thermoplastic materials, with a nozzle plate (4) containing nozzles permitting the extrusion of the thermoplastic material from a hopper (1) and with a perforated plate (7), disposed upstream of the nozzle plate, whose apertures (8) can be brought in and out of alignment with the nozzles by displacing the perforated plate (7) with respect to the nozzle plate (4). The nozzle plate (4), which is U-shaped in cross-section, with the arms of the U at right angles to the direction of displacement of the perforated plate, is designed as a housing for the perforated plate (7) enclosed within it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Rieter Automatik GmbH
    Inventor: Helmuth Meidhof
  • Patent number: 5516472
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for combining an organic fibrous material with a thermoplastic material forming a wood-imitating composite. The mixed material is extruded into a die system comprising a transition die, a stranding die and a molding die. The flow rate of the material through the die system is equalized by preforming the mixed material with the transition die to a shape approaching the end product, stranding the material with the stranding die to form individual strands, and compressing the individual strands with the molding die after it exits the stranding die. The die system may also include an adapter die positioned between the extruder and the transition die which functions to control the amount of mixed material which enters the die system. A product comprised of recyclables shredded and mixed to form a wood-imitating composite from a low-temperature extruder is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Strandex Corporation
    Inventor: Terry C. Laver
  • Patent number: 5516272
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of dough in a machine for advancing bakery dough through a single manifold that feeds parallel conduits includes a stem disposed upon the center axis of each conduit and adjustment means for axially positioning the stem. A moveable abutment plug of streamlined shape is positioned upon the stem adjacent its lowermost extremity. A stationary abutment shoulder is disposed within the conduit above the moveable abutment plug, and is adapted to make close-fitting contact with the upper portion of the moveable abutment plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Cummins Eagle, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Cummins, deceased
  • Patent number: 5499913
    Abstract: A device for producing honeycomb structural bodies, including an a extruding die, and a porous plate provided on a side of an inlet of the extruding die for the molding material, The passage resistance of the molding material through the porous plate is varied in a direction orthogonal to an extruding direction of the molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomiaki Hagino, Mamoru Furuta, Kaname Fukao
  • Patent number: 5492463
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Berndorf Belt Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jules Schwager
  • Patent number: 5486102
    Abstract: A pellet mill for pelleting feed product, has a pelleting die with a plurality of extrusion holes for extruding the feed product; rollers, rotatable relative to the pelleting die, for forcing feed product through the extrusion holes; provision for intensively mixing and shearing the feed product before introducing the feed product to the pelleting die; and a device for positively conveying the feed product into the provision for intensively mixing and shearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Gordon E. Ettie, Donald M. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 5458836
    Abstract: An improved die, containing one or more orifices, for the extrusion of polymers is disclosed wherein the orifices are flared at the polymer discharge end, and the orifices have certain relative dimensions and configurations. The dies are useful for producing items such as films, shaped profiles, sheets, fibers, strands, etc. Also disclosed are a process for using the die, and an extrusion apparatus containing such a die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Julie A. Rakestraw, Marion G. Waggoner
  • Patent number: 5443092
    Abstract: A valve device for restricting fluid flow has a hollowed piston member having a closed piston end wall and an open piston seat end. The piston end wall is integral with a second piston wall which extends to the piston seat open end which, in turn, opens into a chamber defined by the piston end wall and second wall. The piston second wall is positioned in slidable contact with a housing interior wall surface and has at least one aperture positioned therethrough for a fluid to flow in or out of the piston from the chamber so that upon the piston being reciprocated in the housing, when the piston seat end is seated in a seat integral with the housing, the at least one second wall aperture is confined by the housing interior wall surface to close the valve to fluid flow and so that when the piston is at a position displaced away from the seat, the at least one aperture is unconfined by the housing so that the valve is open to flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: John T. Farnsworth, Roger D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5431555
    Abstract: An extrusion head (14) for producing yarn from a heat-plasticized material, including at least one body (16) defining a chamber (15) for distributing plasticized material over a plate (38) having extrusion openings formed therein. The chamber is supplied by an upper side channel (19) and comprises a downwardly decreasing cross-section of downward flow over at least a portion (24) of the vertical length of the chamber. This decrease is arranged to generate compressive and shear stresses over time in the plasticized material between the side supply channel (19) and the bottom of the chamber (27), said stresses being respectively substantially the same regardless of the path taken by said plasticized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Vetrotex France
    Inventors: Philippe Boissonnat, Robert Fedorowsky, Giordano Roncato
  • Patent number: 5418154
    Abstract: Elongated seamless capsules containing biological material are prepared by a method in which a coagulant, which includes a cell suspension or other biologically active factor, and a polymeric casting solution are extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the coagulant is extruded through the inner bore and the polymeric casting solution is extruded through the outer bore. The method involves initiating extrusion of the coagulant subsequent to initiating delivery of the casting solution through the respective bores to form a capsule having a curved and smooth leading edge shape. Delivery of the coagulant is then shut off, and extrusion of the casting solution is terminated either immediately or after some predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Brown University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Patrick Aebischer, John F. Mills, Lars Wahlberg, Edward J. Doherty, Patrick A. Tresco
  • Patent number: 5389535
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for encapsulating viable cells which produce biologically-active factors. The cells are encapsulated within a semipermeable, polymeric membrane by co-extruding an aqueous cell suspension and a polymeric solution through a common port to form a tubular extrudate having a polymeric outer coating which encapsulates the cell suspension. For example, the cell suspension and the polymeric solution can be extruded through a common extrusion port having at least two concentric bores, such that the cell suspension is extruded through the inner bore and the polymeric solution is extruded through the outer bore. The polymeric solution coagulates to form an outer coating. As the outer coating is formed, the ends of the tubular extrudate can be sealed to form a cell capsule. In one embodiment, the tubular extrudate is sealed at intervals to define separate cell compartments connected by polymeric links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Brown University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Patrick Aebischer, Lars Wahlberg
  • Patent number: 5382145
    Abstract: Apparatus for the apportioned release or metered dosing of flowable substances, including a distributor having a movable endless sleeve with a plurality of continuous openings for the passage of the substances, with the distributor having a distribution channel that is fed with these substances and has an inlet with a plurality of bores connected with an outwardly open recess that extends transversely to the direction of movement of the sleeve with the substances being deposited in portions or doses, via the recess, downwardly through openings in the sleeve, upon means for transporting, wherein within and along the distribution channel, a distribution conduit is arranged which includes an exit remote from the recess, with a flow of the substances occurring through the exit transversely to the distribution conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Berndorf Band Gesmbh
    Inventor: Rupert Harreither
  • Patent number: 5350290
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dividing a mass of dough into a plurality of smaller volumes for buns and the like of uniform weight which includes a manifold having internal dividers and monolithic conduits for dividing the dough into a plurality of streams. The manifold has a large volume to surface area and divides the dough under relatively low pressure of preferably 40 to 45 pounds per square inch gauge pressure. The apparatus also utilizes restrictors to fine tune the flow rates of the separate streams. The restrictors are flexible tube conduits that pass through a valve assembly having adjustable pressure bars that pinch the flexible tubes to vary their opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: AMF Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Honings
  • Patent number: 5286181
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a mass onto a moving support mechanism. A first cylinder for receiving the mass within its interior has an exit channel through which the mass is forced. A second cylinder is disposed about the first cylinder for relative rotation with respect to the first cylinder. The second cylinder includes a plurality of forming channels which repeatedly aligned with the exit channel of the first cylinder during relative rotation of the cylinders and through which the mass is forced. A plurality of nozzles are formed in the outer surface of the second cylinder and are shaped and arranged for guiding the excess mass away from the exit ends of the forming channels during at least a portion of the rotational movement of said second cylinder and for guiding the excess mass into the extruded mass at the extruding position of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Berndorf Belt Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jules Schwager
  • Patent number: RE36232
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for molding a fibrous material .?.mainly containing waste paper.!., in which a fibrous material .?.mainly containing waste paper.!. is thrown into a cylindrical cylinder from a raw material throwing port, being fed to the leading edge of the cylindrical casing by the feeding action of a rotary screw provided in the cylindrical casing, and discharged from the leading edge, the apparatus comprising: a molding/discharging member provided at the leading edge of the cylindrical casing for compressing the fibrous material fed to the leading edge of the casing into a specified shape and discharging the compressed fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Mitsuo Terada, Tetsuro Matsumoto, Kiyofumi Hashimoto