Abstract: A dispersion or solution of a polymer or a coaguable protein (such as blood) and a coagulating or desolventizing agent for the dispersion or solution (such as an electrolyte or steam) are introduced into a localized turbulent zone of liquid, preferably formed at the tip of a high shear agitator blade operating at a tip speed of 1500 feet per minute or above, where they mix under conditions of highly efficient heat and mass transfer to produce a flowable slurry of polymer or protein particles. When the dispersion is a polymeric latex, anionic surfactant beyond that normally present in the latex is also introduced to the turbulent zone.

Abstract: A polymer latex is coagulated by passing the polymer latex and a coagulant through a screw-type extruder in which the latex and coagulant are mixed and mechanically worked under pressure by a rotating interrupted worm flight in cooperation with a plurality of stationary breaker members. At the downstream end of the extruder, the coagulated polymer is compacted and extruded. The extruded polymer is characterized by relatively low moisture content, and the excess process liquid which drains from the compacted polymer is relatively free of uncoagulated polymer.

Abstract: The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of fluids such as polymers are controlled by reducing the cross-sectional area of the conduit carrying the fluid to provide a flow channel communicating with the inner surface of the conduit whose cross-sectional area is less than that of the conduit. A valve housing is provided containing a chamber which communicates with the flow channel. The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of the fluid is controlled by adjusting the position of a valve member slideably disposed in the chamber. As the valve member slides within the chamber, it enlarges or reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel to change the flow resistance of the channel, thereby changing the pressure and temperature upstream of the channel and in some cases the flow rate through the channel.

Abstract: Vulcanization cycle times are substantially reduced in the injection molding of rubber compounds by forcing uncured, substantially unheated highly viscous rubber compounds through a thin flow channel upstream of the mold without supplying heat to the compound by conduction from an external source at any point prior to the mold. The compound is autogenously and quickly heated by the energy generated from the mechanical working of the compound under conditions of shear in the channel. The shearing action substantially reduces the compound's viscosity and increases its temperature above the critical residual scorch range as it passes through the channel. The downstream product is a rubber compound of significantly reduced viscosity having a substantially uniform temperature throughout, which is injected into a mold in a continuous flow and vulcanized.

Abstract: The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of fluids such as polymers are controlled by reducing the cross-sectional area of the conduit carrying the fluid to provide a flow channel communicating with the inner surface of the conduit whose cross-sectional area is less than that of the conduit. A valve housing is provided containing a chamber which communicates with the flow channel. The pressure and temperature and in some cases the flow rate of the fluid is controlled by adjusting the position of a valve member slideably disposed in the chamber. As the valve member slides within the chamber, it enlarges or reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel to change the flow resistance of the channel, thereby changing the pressure and temperature upstream of the channel and in some cases the flow rate through the channel.

Abstract: A fluid valve apparatus particularly for pneumatic service (air or other gases) in a filter/separator for opening and closing a valve in response to the level of liquid in a container. The apparatus includes a valve having a magnetically attractable portion and a float having a magnet therein adjacent but physically separated from the valve for opening and closing the valve magnetically in response to changes in the liquid level within the container. In the preferred embodiment, the valve apparatus is used with a filter/separator in an air pressure supply line to automatically dump water and other liquids condensed from the air supply and collected in the filter reservoir.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor control apparatus comprising a plurality of standard multiple function modules adapted to be selectively programmed in various arrays to effect substantially any required hydraulic control function.

Abstract: A fluid valve especially adapted for manually controlling pilot valves and other fluid valves. The manual override valve includes an axially slideably movable plunger which is contained and recessed within a fluid passageway in the valve. Slide bar positioning means are included for holding the plunger in a predetermined axial position to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The slide bar and plunger are color coded for visual determination of the plunger position. For safety considerations, the override valve requires two-hand operation using a probe smaller than the override valve passageway in which the plunger is mounted.