Abstract: A rotary extruder having an integral auger feed assembly operatively connected to the extruder barrel, the auger feed assembly being adapted to introduce feed material directly into the annular space between the rotor and barrel of the rotor extruder. The apparatus is particularly useful for feeding low bulk density feed materials to a rotary extruder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the operation of a rotary extruder, including using a pressure transducer (38, 40, 42) communicating with the annular space (50) between the barrel (12) and rotor (14) to monitor the hydraulic pressure of the melted polymer, using a microprocessor-based controller (62) to compare the measured pressure with a predetermined set point, and thereafter selectively controlling the speed of a feed drive motor (56) or melt drive motor (60) to maintain the melt pressure within a desired range while holding the extruder rotor speed constant.

Abstract: A method for retarding non-corrosive mineral build-up and plugging in check valves utilized with downhole reciprocating rod pumps, comprising ion implanting or ion plating the interior facing metal surfaces of the check valve with a nonferrous metal or metal oxide.

Abstract: A method for use in drying particulate matter employing a drier comprising a cylindrical upper section, a frustoconical lower section, a rotatable shaft extending substantially the entire length of the interior of the drier, a plurality of axially spaced arrays of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stirring arms appended to the shaft, and at least two perforated frustoconical separators mounted within the drier in fixed, inverse and spaced apart relation to each other, and means for introducing a heated gas into the drier for contacting and drying the particulate matter, the stirring arms and separators cooperating to retard agglomeration of the particulate matter.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for use in a rotary extruder, comprising a rotor rotatably mounted inside a barrel by means of drive and free end bearing assemblies; a coaxial longitudinal bore extending into the rotor from its free end; a sleeve within the bore defining a thermally insulated central zone disposed radially inward from the plasticizing surface of the rotor, and cooling zones disposed at each end of the sleeve radially inward from the drive and free end bearing assemblies; a conduit disposed within the sleeve defining a longitudinally extending annulus therebetween; and rotatable means providing fluid communication between a coolant inlet and the interior of the conduit, and between the longitudinally extending annulus and a coolant outlet.

Abstract: A moldable and foamable thermoplastic composition comprising a major portion of moldable polypropylene resin; from about 1.25 to about 6 parts per hundred of resin (pphr) foam concentrate; from about 0.15 to about 1 pphr calcium carbonate; from about 0.03 to about 0.15 pphr amorphous silicon dioxide; from about 0.1 to about 0.4 pphr lubricant selected from the group consisting of synthetic waxes and distilled monoglycerides; from about 0.1 to about 0.4 pphr lubricant selected from the group consisting of N,N'-dioleoylethylenediamine and calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate; from about 0.15 to about 0.3 pphr unsaturated fatty monoamide; and from about 0.5 to about 2 pphr titanium dioxide concentrate.

Abstract: A moldable plastic closure comprising a selectively foamed, unitarily molded layer and at least one layer of barrier resin adapted to retard the migration of oxygen-containing gasses through the closure.

Abstract: A moldable and foamable thermoplastic composition comprising a major portion of moldable polypropylene resin; from about 1.25 to about 6 parts per hundred of resin (pphr) foam concentrate; from about 0.15 to about 1 pphr calcium carbonate; from about 0.03 to about 0.15 pphr amorphous silicon dioxide; from about 0.1 to about 0.4 pphr lubricant selected from the group consisting of synthetic waxes and distilled monoglycerides; from about 0.1 to about 0.4 pphr lubricant selected from the group consisting of N,N'-dioleoylethylenediamine and calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate; from about 0.15 to about 0.3 pphr unsaturated fatty monoamide; and from about 0.5 to about 2 pphr titanium dioxide concentrate.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for use in drying particulate matter employing a drier comprising a cylindrical upper section, a frustoconical lower section, a rotatable shaft extending substantially the entire length of the interior of the drier, a plurality of axially spaced arrays of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stirring arms appended to the shaft, and at least two perforated frustoconical separators mounted within the drier in fixed, inverse and spaced apart relation to each other, and means for introducing a heated gas into the drier for contacting and drying the particulate matter, the stirring arms and separators cooperating to retard agglomeration of the particulate matter.

Abstract: Rotary extruder apparatus is provided comprising housing (22), recess (29) within housing (22), cylindrical rotor (30) rotatably mounted within recess (29) in housing (22), feed inlet (25), discharge outlet (52) providing fluid communication between recess (29) and diehead (26), in combination with gear pump (160) adapted to increase the pressure of material received from discharge outlet (52). Knurled rotor (30), undercut feed inlet (25), segmented rotor shafts (18, 18'), thrust rings (109, 109') made of dissimilar metals, and circumferentially spaced cartridge heaters (63) in housing (22) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded polymeric container closure comprising at least one substantially unfoamed polymer layer and an integrally molded foamed layer of the same polymer.