Abstract: Multishafted, continuous mixing and kneading of plastifiable compounds using mutually engaging worm elements which rotate in the same sense, at a constant axial separation. Along the direction of advance, the worm elements have successive zones with different numbers of threads. Each zone with the smaller number of threads follows a zone with a larger number of threads. The worm elements mesh with one another in successive zones so that the worm element of one zone has a self-cleaning action upon one another, and the zone with the smaller number of threads has a housing with a larger interior bore and larger corresponding worms than the zone with the larger number of threads, so that, in the zone with the smaller number of threads, the free cross-section is larger than in the preceding zone. Both zones have fill openings that can be charged independently of one another.

Abstract: A device for the dehydration and drying of solids, especially granulated plastic materials, in the form of a mixture of granulate and water. Water passes through a curved sieve by an air current that flows in the direction in which the water passes through the sieve and also flows along the sieve. The mixture of granulate and water is delivered to the curved sieve through a delivery channel and whirled, by the energy of the air current, over the curved sieve and conveyed to an outlet duct, at the end of the curved sieve. On the curved sieve, an air jet that runs at an angle to the sieve, is directed for the admission of the air current. The mixture of granulate and water that is carried along by the air current, hits the curved sieve at an angle ranging, approximately between 25.degree. to 75.degree. in relation to the curved sieve. In the direction of flow, behind the air jet, is a cover which covers the curved sieve. The cover is adjacent to the rear wall of the air jet, and extends to the outlet passage.

Abstract: A processing shaft for screw machines for working materials of solid, liquid, plastic or highly viscous consistency, which processing shaft comprises a driving shaft with several sleeve-type work segments mounted thereon. Clamping means are associated with each two of adjacent end faces of said work segments for sealingly pressing said adjacent end faces against each other in axial direction, and a gas-filled O-ring received in grooves of the adjacent end faces for being compressed between said end faces. Each of the grooves has an annular zone against which said O-ring is pressed and in which any machining indentations having a peak-to-valley height of more than 2 .mu.m extend concentric to the driving shaft.

Abstract: The present apparatus cools and granulates thermoplastic strands. For this purpose two cooling chutes are arranged in mirror symmetric, back to back fashion between the strand ejecting nozzles and the input gap between two feeding rollers which supply the strands to a cutting roller. The upper ends of the chutes receive the strands from two sets of nozzles such as extruder nozzles. The nozzles in one set are arranged in a row staggered relative to the nozzles in the other set so that the strands emerging from one set of nozzles fit into the spaces between the strands emerging from the other set of nozzles when the strands enter into the cutter.

Abstract: A quenching system for extrudates e.g. extruded laces consists of an inclined open ended trough along which water flows at a rate greater than the rate of extrusion to the laces. The laces may be fed to a lace-cutter either before or after being dried. The system may be arranged as a self-threading system.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for solid materials such as granulated plastics materials comprise a plurality of conveying channels which are arranged in a stack in which the air travels from the bottom of the stack to the top of the stack. Each conveying channel is formed by air supply ducts in such a manner that the top of a duct simultaneously forms the bottom of the next above conveying channel portion whereas the bottom of a duct forms the top of the conveying channel portion. All channel portions are connected in a meandering shape, whereby the interconnecting elements are curved screens through which air may laterally escape.