Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for melting and conveying plasticated materials by independently developing an initial melt film which is necessary for proper conveying of the material. The apparatus includes a barrel having a cylindrical bore therethrough, a shaft rotatable in said bore which has a substantially circular cross-section, the shaft and bore defining a feed section, a metering section and a transition section between the feed and metering sections. The shaft is provided with a helical first channel means integral with the shaft for conveying said plasticated material in a downstream direction through the feed section, the transition section, and the metering section when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for continuously varying the pressure within a screw channel of a plasticating machine by way of a variable restriction in the screw channel. The apparatus includes a cylindrical barrel, a shaft rotatable within said barrel having a substantially circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis for rotation concentric with the barrel. The shaft is provided with a helical screw channel which is defined between successive turns of at least one helical flight integrally formed with the shaft. At least one radially movable first member is disposed at a right angle to said axis within the channel at a location along the axis and is located within the channel at a location along the axis at which the material being processed is substantially melted.