Abstract: A web transfer device for a multiple turret winder on a continuous web process line includes a web delivery assembly having delivery rolls and a core transfer assembly having one or more core receiving structures. The transfer device includes a web transfer assembly configured to receive a web from the web delivery assembly and configured to communicate with the core transfer assembly. The web transfer assembly includes a frame and lay-on roll moveably positioned relative to the frame. The web transfer assembly includes a vacuum hood moveably positioned relative to the frame. The vacuum hood has a cutting device mounted therein and one or more suction holding surfaces that are configured to releasably hold a portion of the web. The suction holding surfaces are movable relative to the frame and the core receiving structures. The suction holding surfaces communicate with the core receiving structures to transfer the web thereto.

Abstract: A winder assembly includes a turret assembly rotatably mounted to a frame and a first core and at least one second core mounted for rotation on the turret assembly. The winder assembly includes a lay-on roll assembly pivotally mounted to the frame and including one or more lay-on rollers. The lay-on roll assembly is movable between a first retracted position and a first extended position. The winder assembly includes an enveloper assembly having one or more first pivot arms pivotally coupled to the frame. The winder assembly includes one or more pivot roll side plates pivotally coupled to the at least one first pivot arm. The pivot side roll plate is configured for curvilinear movement. The winding assembly includes biasing means coupled to the pivot roll side plate and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation. The flap is configured as a poppet valve.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation.

Abstract: A method for maximizing a width of a pre-stretch film includes providing polymer being suitable for producing the pre-stretch film. A pre-stretch film having strips of increased thickness is produced. The method includes coordinating a thickness of the strips of increased thickness with a formation of edge thickening caused by neck-in during stretching of the pre-stretch film.

Abstract: A feed throat for an extruder device includes a body having an inlet defined by a longitudinal opening along a side of the body and an outlet positioned at an end of the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical interior surface which has a plurality of raised surfaces which extend radially inward from and longitudinally along the interior surface. One or more hardened tiles are secured to one or more of the raised surfaces.

Abstract: A device for producing film includes a die defining a die outlet through which molten polymer is extruded. The polymer is suitable for producing one of a pre-stretch film and a conventional stretch film. The device includes a film producing device spaced apart from the die. One or more coolant supplies are positioned proximate the film producing device for directing a stream of coolant onto the molten polymer positioned on the film producing device and/or between the die and film producing device, for producing film having strips of increased thickness.

Abstract: In a winder assembly, a turret assembly indexes first and second cores between winding and removal positions. A lay-on roll assembly includes a roller and moves between a retracted position and an engaged position wherein the roller and the core, or the work material wound onto the core, cooperate to form a nip. A cutter is provided for cutting a web of sheet-type work material being wound onto the core. An enveloper assembly is provided and includes a nipping pivot roller that can engage a cut edge of the work material and feed the cut edge into the nip formed between the roller forming part of the lay-on roll assembly and a fresh core thereby allowing the work material to wind around the core.

Abstract: A winder assembly is provided and includes two or more cores mounted for rotation on a turret assembly and a web of sheet-type work material is wound around a core. A lay-on roll assembly roller and a core cooperate to define a first nip. A transfer roll assembly includes a roller coupled for rotation to a rail such that the roller and a core cooperate to define a second nip. A cutting means for cutting the work material includes a traverse assembly having a work material guide means. During operation, after cutting work material, the turret assembly indexes a core into a winding position and the work material guide means is moved to the operating position such that the roller coupled to the rail causes the work material to be fed into the second nip and begin winding around the core.

Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly includes a single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange having a generally cylindrical body portion, a frustoconical body portion and a bore extending through the cylindrical body portion and the frustoconical body portion. The bore defines a first bore section and a second bore section. A lip extends between the first and second bore sections. The first bore section, the second bore section and the lip are configured to receive a thrust shaft and axial thrust forces transmitted therefrom. The thrust bearing assembly also includes a bearing assembly in operable communication with the single-piece thrust plate and thrust shaft flange. The bearing assembly supports rotation of the thrust shaft and includes a plurality of first rolling elements. The bearing assembly includes a bearing cage to retain the first rolling elements and a plurality of second rolling elements disposed between the bearing cage and the thrust shaft.

Abstract: A feed section for an extruder machine including a housing having one or more walls defining an interior area within the housing. The feed section includes a shaft mounted to one or more of the walls and a feed roll assembly disposed at least partially in the interior area and pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the feed roll assembly relative to the housing. The feed roll assembly includes a seat portion releasably coupled to a cap portion. The cap portion is pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the cap portion relative to the housing and the seat portion. The feed roll assembly includes a feed roll rotatingly mounted between the seat and cap portions for conveying material to be extruded between an inlet and outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system for a barrel of an extruder is disclosed. The system includes a heater adapted to be in thermal communication with at least a portion of a barrel of an extruder. The system further includes a shroud assembly that defines a cavity. The shroud assembly encloses the heater. The shroud assembly has an intake port and an exhaust port. A valve is in fluid communication with the exhaust port. The valve is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the valve is in the closed position the exhaust port is substantially sealed. When the valve is moved between the closed position and the open position or is in the open position the cavity is in fluid communication an area outside of the cavity through the exhaust port.

Abstract: Co-extrusion apparatus for manufacturing a laminated plastic film or sheet comprises a plug-type layer sequencer including a plurality of channels for conducting a plurality of polymer flows; a transitional aspect ratio block for inducing the plurality of polymer flows to converge; and a flow velocity profiler cartridge for combining the plurality of polymer flows to form the film. In accordance with one embodiment, the layer sequencer includes a tapered selector pin which minimizes mechanical damage when the selector pin is removed. In accordance with another embodiment, the flow velocity profiler cartridge includes inserts fitting within cavities for controlling the polymer flows which form the layers of the film or sheet manufactured by the apparatus. At least one such insert defines lanes within an associated cavity so as to promote the formation of lanes of differing polymer composition within at least one layer of the laminated sheet or film.

Abstract: A rotating combination thrust plate and thrust shaft flange (10), and a thrust bearing assembly (40) incorporating the rotating flange plate combination (10), in which the rotating flange plate combination (10) has a generally cylindrical body portion (22) which has a rotating base surface (24) and a lateral surface (23), a frustoconical body portion (29) which has a frustoconical surface (28), and a bore (12) extending through the cylindrical and frustoconical body portions (22 and 29) and having a first bore section (14) and a second bore section (16) wherein the second bore section (16) is adjacent the rotating base surface (24) and has a smaller diameter then the first bore section (14). The first and second bore sections meet at a junction (18) defining a lip (21) which is designed to support a complimentary lip (42) of a bore shaft (20) thereby restricting the movement of the bore shaft (20) in the direction of thrust in an extruder.

Abstract: Co-extrusion apparatus for manufacturing a laminated plastic film or sheet comprises a plug-type layer sequencer including a plurality of channels for conducting a plurality of polymer flows; a transitional aspect ratio block for inducing the plurality of polymer flows to converge; and a flow velocity profiler cartridge for combining the plurality of polymer flows to form the film. In accordance with one embodiment, the layer sequencer includes a tapered selector pin which minimizes mechanical damage when the selector pin is removed. In accordance with another embodiment, the flow velocity profiler cartridge includes inserts fitting within cavities for controlling the polymer flows which form the layers of the film or sheet manufactured by the apparatus. At least one such insert defines lanes within an associated cavity so as to promote the formation of lanes of differing polymer composition within at least one layer of the laminated sheet or film.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of multiple layer plastic extrusion, and more particularly to assemblies in which thin or micro-layers of polymer material are formed which polymer material may be from two or more individual extruders, and delivered to a multilayer combining adapter in association with an extruder die or other utilizations. The combining adapter of this invention is referred to herein as a flow velocity profiler (FVP) and includes a cartridge assembly body that is formed with individual cavities that receive one of a plurality of individual precision layering inserts. Changing individual inserts is less time intensive than changing an entire body as required in prior art.

Abstract: The invention is a pressure reducing valve for reducing the pressure supplied to a head tooling hydraulic positioning valve and a controller for bypassing the pressure reducing valve in a blow-molding machine. A pressure-reducing valve and electrical controller are used to regulate the pressure of a cylinder that controls the position of a head tooling pin and die assembly in a blow-molding machine. The invention reduces pressure during all time intervals except during a “parison formation” interval of the cycle. The invention is also a process for regulating the pressure of a cylinder that controls the position of a head tooling pin and die assembly in a blow-molding machine and for bypassing the pressure reducing valve in a blow-molding machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed roll assembly for reducing leakage of an elastomeric material in a feed section of an extruder machine. A shell, feed roll seal plates, and feed roll end plates are used to reduce the leakage of elastomeric material. Elastomeric material is redirected back to the feed section through the use of a varying bore diameter of the shell and grooves contained in both the feed roll seal plates and the feed roll end plates. The shell, feed roll seal plates, feed roll end plates, and a feed roll scraper are each coated with a solid, dry lubricant coating to reduce friction. The invention provides desirable feedback of overflow elastomeric material and permits a retrofitting of the feed roll assembly to existing extruder machines.

Abstract: A uniform shear valve for an extruder machine includes a body having a generally annular wall that defines an interior area extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. The interior area extends between an inlet proximate a first end of the body and a second end of the body. The second end is opposite the first end. The body has a first bore extending through the wall along a traverse axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first position and second position. A flow control member is sealingly and slidingly positioned partially in the first bore at the first position and extends out of the body. The flow control member defines a first seat on an end thereof. An outlet is located in the first bore at the second position. A second seat is positioned proximate the outlet and is concentric with the first seat along the traverse axis. A uniform flow area is defined by a gap between the first seat and the second seat.