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

Abstract: A trouble-shooting shut-off valve includes an inlet-tail-tube mountable directly into a compression-fitting outlet socket of a defective shut-off valve, thus positioning the trouble-shooting valve immediately downstream from the defective valve in line in series with the defective valve. An inlet-tail-tube fitting is mounted onto an upstream end of the valve housing as a component of the valve. This fitting has an axial bore forming an upstream extension of an inlet passage in the valve housing. The inlet-tail-tube projects axially from this fitting adapted for insertion directly into such a socket in the defective valve. The inlet-tail-tube has a diameter equal to the outside diameter of flexible plumbing tubing, referred to as flex tube, and is formed of material suitable for making a compression connection thereto. An inlet end termination of the inlet-tail-tube is flat for seating down squarely into the outlet socket of the defective valve.

Abstract: A two-handle collar for a baby bottle for helping a baby hold and support the bottle while drinking through a nipple, wherein the bottle has a neck with a mouth at one end and a bottom at the other end. An attachment on the neck is used for mounting a nipple on the mouth. The two-handle collar includes a ring removably mountable on the neck with two handles extending from the ring in first and second directions generally radially outwardly relative to a central longitudinal axis of the bottle. These handles are angularly spaced around the axis by an angular spacing B for convenient grasping by the baby's hands positioned comfortably near opposite sides of the baby's face. Oval-shaped handles provide grasping regions spaced outwardly away from the neck of the bottle for baby's hands to hold onto these grasping regions each of which is oriented at acute angle A relative to the bottle axis. In FIG.

Abstract: Continuous impression forming of three-dimensional products from heated, formable thermoplastic materials between top and bottom mold carriages each having a three-dimensional forming belt mold revolvable around the carriage. Each three-dimensional forming belt mold includes a flexible silicone rubber mold adhered to a multi-ply woven fabric belt. A surface of desired shape on one revolving rubber mold mates with the desired shape of an opposed revolving rubber mold forming a continuously moving mold channel between the mold belts into which is fed hot thermoplastic material at moldable temperature. After discharging molded plastic product from the exit of the moving mold channel, localized surface heat in the rubber molds resulting from contact with hot plastic is removed by air blown directly onto the rubber mold surfaces. Each carriage frame includes a back-up plate coated with low friction coefficient material over which slides a continuously moving belt mold.

Abstract: An all-electric web feeding, cutting and sheet dispensing machine includes a bi-directional cutting knife on a reversible carriage driven by a reversible-rotation knife-drive shaft. The carriage includes a ball-bearing-wheeled linear actuator riding on the knife-drive shaft propelling the carriage along this shaft in cutting strokes in one or the other direction as this shaft is rotated in one or the other sense of rotation for cutting sheets off from a web of resilient packaging material. A combined knife-guard and clamp jaw (guard/clamp) holds the web and protects the moving knife from contact with foreign objects while the knife is traveling during each cutting stroke. At the end of each cutting stroke a cam on the knife carriage lifts the guard/clamp in readiness for feeding another length of web.