Abstract: A rotatable screw for moving material in a plasticating process along an axis through a conduit from an inlet to an outlet. The screw having a feed section, barrier melting section, reorientation section and metering section disposed sequentially downstream. The screw includes an axial core, and a helical main flight that extends radially from the core and is formed with recesses located at the first periphery and extending through the thickness of the main flight and radially toward the core. A helical secondary flight extends radially from the core between successive helical passes of the main flight, and is formed with recesses extending through the secondary flight and toward the core. Materials conveyed along the metering section can cross through the main flight at the recesses and recirculate, in addition to passing over the periphery of the secondary flight, for still further enhanced and homogenous mixing, before reaching the outlet.

Abstract: A heat transfer roll for producing sheet material, particularly material having a cross-section whose thickness varies across the width of a sheet being formed, includes a journal on which the roll is rotatably supported, and at least two cooling channels at the surface of the roll that can be supplied with various fluids at various flow rates and temperatures. Fluid in the first and second channels flows at predetermined longitudinal positions at the roll surface. The first channel includes cylindrical spiral portions and the second channel includes a circular cylindrical channel located between the spiral portions. A diverter provides hydraulic flow continuity across the second flow channel to first and second portions of the first flow channel. Risers carry fluid radially outward to the flow channels at the outer surface of the roll.

Abstract: A rotatable screw for moving material in a plasticating process along an axis through a conduit from an inlet to an outlet. The screw having a feed section, barrier melting section, reorientation section and metering section disposed sequentially downstream. The screw includes an axial core, and a helical main flight that extends radially from the core and is formed with recesses located at the first periphery and extending through the thickness of the main flight and radially toward the core. A helical secondary flight extends radially from the core between successive helical passes of the main flight, and is formed with recesses extending through the secondary flight and toward the core. Materials conveyed along the metering section can cross through the main flight at the recesses and recirculate, in addition to passing over the periphery of the secondary flight, for still further enhanced and homogenous mixing, before reaching the outlet.

Abstract: A plasticating screw having a feed section, barrier melting section, reorientation section and metering section disposed sequentially downstream wherein solid material is moved from a trail side of a main flight to a push side of the main flight in the reorientation section. The reorientation of solids is accomplished by discontinuing a barrier flight at a terminal end of said barrier melting section. The main flight decreases its pitch and continues into the reorientation section, which has a longitudinal length at least 360° about the screw axis. A melt channel and solids channel in said barrier melting section merge into a substantially uniform reorientation channel in the reorientation section so that solid plastic material conveyed along the reorientation section moves toward the push side of the main flight.

Abstract: A cylindrical apparatus or module to be included in a screw of a plasticating device. The screw has a helical flight disposed within and cooperating with the inner-wall of a heated barrel to form an upstream where material is fed into and a downstream where material exits the device. The cylindrical module has a helical channel traversing in a reverse helical direction compared with the direction of the flight. Input grooves extend in the surface of the module with input groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel upstream. Output grooves, being adjacent to the input grooves, extend in the surface of the module with output groove openings beginning within the helical channel and terminating in a dead end before intersecting the channel downstream. A barrier is between the pair of adjacent input and output grooves to prevent direct communication therebetween.

Abstract: A deflection dampening apparatus for a process roll. The dampening apparatus having C-shaped first and second portions with both portions pivotally interlocking to form a ring. The C-shaped portions have an inner base and a notched outer surface comprising a pair of fined side walls. A plurality of screws are attached through a threaded opening in the inner base with a wedge shaped washer secured therebetween. The screws and wedge shaped washer communicate with the finned side walls, whereby tightening each screw causes the fins to extend outwardly to wedge between a cantilevered inner shell assembly and a cylindrical core of the process roll. When securely wedged therebetween, the dampening apparatus modifies the cantilever effect of the inner shell assembly of the process roll.

Abstract: A roll with an axially extending core having a central portion and two end portions. A shell member that has a central portion and two distal end portions surrounds the core and is attached to the core at their respective central portions such that the distal end portions of the shell member are unsupported to enable them to deflect in relation to the adjacent end portions of the core. The core has a duct therein that communicates with at least one substantially annular passageway provided in the shell member for permitting a temperature controlling fluid medium to flow to the passageway from a source that is attached to the duct.

Abstract: An extruder of the variety including a body having a cylindrical bore therethrough, and a shaft rotatably supported within the bore. The shaft includes at least a first helical flight means defining a main channel. The shaft is divided along its length into a feed section, an intermediate melt section, and at least one metering section. A portion is included in one of the sections which has a plurality of discrete grooves arranged in a discontinuous helix cut into the main channel. There is preferably a plurality of staggered rows of grooves within the main channel, the axis of each row being substantially parallel to the helical axis of the adjacent first helical flight means. The grooves are adapted to so receive the material forced through the extruder that the average shear force exerted against the material, and thus, the average temperature of the material, is reduced while the output of the material is maintained at a predetermined level.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for use in processing heat sensitive polymeric materials and a process for plasticating such materials. The screw has an inlet end, a discharge end, means for mounting a backflow valve on the discharge end, and at least one section which applies high shear and high compression to the polymeric material and controls the material flow rate. A flighted screw section is disposed between the high shear and high compression section and the discharge end; that screw section includes means for decompressing the polymeric material and pumping it to the discharge end of the screw in the decompressed state at a rate at least equal to the pumping rate of the zone of high shear and high compression.

Abstract: An injection molding screw for use in processing heat sensitive polymeric materials and a process for plasticating such materials. The screw has an inlet end, a discharge end, means for mounting a backflow valve on the discharge end, and at least one section which applies high shear and high compression to the polymeric material and controls the material flow rate. A flighted screw section is disposed between the high shear and high compression section and the discharge end; that screw section includes means for decompressing the polymeric material and pumping it to the discharge end of the screw in the decompressed state at a rate at least equal to the pumping rate of the zone of high shear and high compression.