Abstract: To extract a liquid from a workable mass of material a first force is applied to the material in a first direction. A second opposed force is applied to the material within or slightly downstream of a liquid-extraction location. These opposed forces tend to compact the material to extract the liquid. The extracted liquid moves out of the liquid-extraction location along a path which extends generally transverse to the direction of the first and second forces. Third forces are applied to the material along the path in a direction generally opposite to that taken by the exiting liquid to prevent the material from traversing the path but to permit the liquid to exit. The first, second and third forces form a pinch point on the material within or slightly downstream of the liquid-extraction location to substantially obviate liquid flow countercurrent to the direction of the first force.

Abstract: A process for separating low molecular weight compounds from a crude polycaproamide melt comprises heat treating the melt in vacuo with superheated steam, in an extruder having a plurality of degassing zones, under precise conditions of temperature, pressure and configuration, such that the occurrence of side reactions and dehydration of the melt are substantially eliminated, the molecular weight of the polymer during the heat treatment in vacuo, during transport and subsequent processing remains substantially unchanged, a residual content of low molecular weight compounds of .ltoreq.1.8% is achieved, and the operating flexibility of the process is increased.

Abstract: A co-rotating twin-screw kneader has a casing which has two axially parallel bores, defined by the casing wall and which intersect with one another in a region to form gussets in said casing wall adjacent the intersecting region. Two axially parallel shafts which are arranged to be driven in the same direction of rotation are each arranged in a respective one of the bores and multi-flight kneading disks having crests associated with the casing wall are mounted in non-rotary manner on at least part of the length of each shaft. Each kneading disk on one shaft is associated with another disk on the other shaft in a plane perpendicular to the axes of the shafts and the disks are arranged to be moved past one another in a virtually clearance-free manner in the intersecting region of the bores.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dosing and mixing solids and liquids to form a low viscosity suspension comprises at least one continuously operating mixing device and a supply device for supplying the components to the mixing device, in order to obtain a desired initial pressure. The supply device is constructed as a drag flow pump (1) which is connected to the mixing device (6) by a pressure pipe (13), at least one solids and liquid introduction device (15, 16 or 17, 18) is provided along the drag flow pump (1) and the latter is followed by at least one liquid introduction device (27), a shut-off device being provided in the pressure pipe (13).

Abstract: A process for preparing highly viscous polyhexamethyleneadipamide by postpolycondensing the melt of a polymer having a relative viscosity of 2.5-2.7 (measured in a 1% strength solution in 96% strength sulfuric acid) in a twin-screw extruder having degassing zones and closely meshing screws which turn in the same direction. The polymer melt is polycondensed in the extruder by treatment in a plurality of serially arranged zones of alternatingly elevated and reduced pressure, wherein in the zones of elevated pressure, steam superheated to the temperature of the melt is supplied to the melt in an amount of 0.05-0.7 kg/kg of polymer, whereas in the zones of reduced pressure, the input vapor phase and water of condensation are drawn off. The temperature of the melt is raised at a uniform rate over the length of the extruder from 260.degree.-280.degree. C. in the first zone to 280.degree.-310.degree. C. in the last zone.

Abstract: In a process for producing extruded foods from a starch carrier and water as the basic mass and at least one flavor-determining component, in which the individual components are mixed and extruded by means of a screw arrangement in a casing with an extrusion nozzle, in order to ensure a complete continuity of the process and to permit the process of components with a very high water content, the starch carrier and the flavor-determining component are successively supplied to the screw arrangement in the feed direction, the components being mixed in the screw arrangement. For performing this process, an apparatus is provided, which comprises a screw arrangement in a casing with an extrusion nozzle and product feed devices which are successively arranged in the feed direction and which comprises a feed device for a starch carrier and a feed device for a flavor-determining component.

Abstract: A method for acid-catalyzed hydrolytic splitting of cellulose to give a high yield in sugar with a minimal expenditure in energy, in particular, with the smallest possible charge of live steam. Admission of steam is performed in a plurality of successive, discrete reaction stages having in each case defined temperature and pressure values in such a manner that the temperature rises from one stage to the next while the reaction time decreases and a rapid expansion takes place subsequently to the last reaction stage. A high pressure poured bed reactor is used for performing this method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the drive of dosaging devices for the controlled feeding of plastic particles, color concentrates and additives into a supply hopper of a screw extruder for producing a mixed plastic product of determined coloration, comprising periodically measuring the coloration of the mixed product at an outlet of the extruder by a spectrometer connected to a measurement probe, comparing the measured coloration of the mixed product with the coloration of the desired product, and adjusting the supply of the plastic product, concentrates and additives, as necessary, so that the measured coloration of the product at the outlet of the extruder is the same as the coloration of the desired product.

Abstract: A baking oven comprising a hot-air circulating heating system by which hot air is heated and circulated through a baking chamber from a heating and circulating device arranged above the baking chamber. The heated air contacts the articles to be baked which are present in a multi-tier rack in the baking chamber. The baking chamber is defined by a housing which is formed of several sections and includes a cover, a floor and vertical walls. The walls are provided with insulation which is covered by a cowling. In the front wall is an opening which extends from the floor to the cover for the introduction and removal of the rack. The opening can be closed by a door. The housing is composed of a plurality of segments of the same outer contour which are stacked on one another, the uppermost segment containing the cover and the heating and circulating device, the lowermost segment containing the floor, the vertical walls being formed by at least two segments.

Abstract: A baking oven heated by circulation of hot-air comprising a baking compartment with a turntable at the bottom thereof adapted for receiving a multiple rack cart which carries the material to be baked and which is rotated around a vertical axis. The turntable is provided with a drive gear therebelow coupled to a chain which in turn is coupled to a pinion on a vertical shaft extending outside the baking compartment and driven by a drive motor. A chain box surrounds the chain and includes a portion extending outside the baking compartment which is air-tight to prevent escape of vapor thereat from the baking compartment. The vertical shaft extends into the air-tight portion of the chain box via a seal.

Abstract: Apparatus for granulating plastic materials which comprises a housing adapted for connection to a granulating hood and including a knife shaft supporting a knife head having cutting knives proximate a perforated plate of an extruder. The knife shaft is mounted for axial displacement by a bearing sleeve which can be actuated by a hydraulic cylinder unit. In order to operate the cutting knives at an adjustable distance from the perforated plate or with constant pressing force, the bearing sleeve is displaceably supported in the housing in a bore which receives the knife shaft, and one end of the bearing sleeve bears against a compression spring which in turn bears against the housing to oppose advance of the knife shaft towards the perforated plate.

Abstract: In a process for preparing caseinates comprising the introduction of a mixture of casein, lyes and/or basic salts and water into a baking extruding device, in order to achieve a uniform product flow discharge and an end product with good water solubility, following on from a product feed zone of the baking extruding device, the mixture is supplied to a plasticizing zone with return elements and accompanied by pressure and temperature increases, and then to a discharge zone, it being expanded after discharge from the nozzle.

Abstract: A filter device for a screw extruder for the handling of molten plastic comprising a filter housing having inlet and outlet bores and a slide displaceable in the housing transverse to the direction of the flow of the melt. At least one recess in the slide forms a portion of a melt channel and receives a screen member. In order to obtain uniform distribution of the flow of melt in the filter device and of the pressure forces acting on the filter surface, the recess is formed by an annular milling which is surrounded by a replaceable cylindrical screen member. A flow passage in the slide extends from the melt channel to the outlet bore.

Abstract: Apparatus for dewatering and drying plastic granulate comprising a multistage dewatering rotor having conveyor and aerating blades and surrounded by a screening member located within a housing between a product inlet and a product outlet. In order to simplify the handling of a wide variety of plastic granulate with only a small amount of space being required, a collection container which is open at its top coaxially surrounds the first stage of the dewatering rotor and accumulates separated water in a reservoir region for discharge by a suction pump. The product inlet discharges into a feed vessel secured in the collection container. The first stage of the dewatering rotor is provided on its circumference with worm segments of increasing pitch in the direction of granulate conveyance.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing paint mist from exhaust air from a spray-painting operation draws the exhaust air, paint mist, and a washing liquid down a funnel inlet into an open ended cylindrical mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber, they turbulently spiral outwardly to exit said chamber through the open ends thereof. An elongated blocking structure is centrally disposed in said mixing chamber to block access of exhaust air to the central portion of the mixing chamber which has low spiral turbulence and thus low mixing efficiency. The inlet to the mixing chamber and the open end outlets therefrom preferably form venturies to further increase the mixing efficiency.

Abstract: A wear-protected workpiece of metal, particularly a perforated granulation plate for plastic extruders, comprising shaped members of wear-resistant material inserted in recesses in the work surface of the workpiece, the spaces between the walls of the recesses and the shaped pieces being filled with a binder. In order to minimize the expenses of manufacture and repair of the wear-protected workpiece and make it possible to use non-metallic wear-resistant material for the insert member, the recesses and the shaped members have walls which widen at least in two opposed regions, the largest dimension of the widened wall of the shaped member being equal to or smaller than the dimension of the opening of the corresponding recess so that the insert member is freely inserted into the recess and forms a space therewith in which a binder can be filled to form a locking means for the insert member in the workpiece.

Abstract: Method for drying of moisture-containing powder-like products, particularly starches and flours, in a flow tube passed-through by conveying gas, in the interior of which--distributed over the entire length of a central and rotary arranged tube--there are provided helically extending guide members for the production of a helical path of the feeding gas stream and for the distribution of the product stream is characterized by the product stream which is fed into the feeding gas stream prior to its entry into the flow tube is guided via a tube length and thereafter is immediately admitted into the flow tube together with the feeding gas.

Abstract: A cassette filter for molten plastic comprising a filter screen movable transversely of the melt flow and enclosed between plates in a filter casing of an extruder. The superimposed plates are engaged in a guide passage and the inlet and outlet of the filter casing is sealed by cooling of the melt. The surface of the filter screen is clamped between a tooth-shaped surface of a plate and a cover member which interfits in the profile.

Abstract: In a process for mixing and proportioning a plurality of mixing components, the latter are supplied in individually weighed manner to a continuous mixing process and the mixture is subsequently continuously removed in a proportioned manner. For this purpose, a mixer, metering feed means positioned upstream of the mixer and a continuously proportioning removal device positioned downstream of the mixer are provided. In order to ensure a troublefree addition and an accurately proportioned removal, the individual mixing components are in each case successively supplied in timed continuous manner to the mixing process, accompanied by the weighing of the total mixing material. During the feed pauses, the mixture is gravimetrically controlled and during addition is removed in volumetrically controlled manner.

Abstract: A process for providing abrasion and corrosion resistance in the borehole of a steel body comprising placing an alloying material of solid form within the borehole of the steel body, the alloying material having abrasion and corrosion resistance, and thereafter melting the alloying material in a gas heated protective gas oven to effect diffusion bonding of the alloying material with the steel body and the formation of an abrasion and corrosion resistant lining on the steel body. The borehole is of non-circular shape in cross-section and, particularly, of figure 8 shape as shown in FIG. 2.