Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, handling components for a sheet extrusion system including the steps of: obtaining a carriage configured to support different components each making up a part of a sheet extrusion system; placing a first of the different components in a supported staging position on the carriage; performing an operation on the first of the different components in the supported staging position to at least one of: a) transport the first of the different components; b) perform a maintenance step on the first of the different components; c) repair the first of the different components; or d) set the first of the different components up for installation; separating the first of the different components from the supported staging position on the carriage; and reconfiguring the carriage to maintain a second of the different components, that is different in configuration than the first of the different components, in a supported staging position on the carriage.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a heated flexible sheet, with oppositely facing surfaces, that is advanced in a processing path. A first cooling roll has a first peripheral surface for contacting one of the sheet surfaces. A second cooling roll has a second peripheral surface for contacting the other sheet surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a formable material having at least first and second relatively repositionable units. The first unit has a sheet die, with the second unit having a rotary drum with a peripheral forming surface for receiving flowable material from the sheet die. The first and second units can be selectively changed between an operating relationship and a setup relationship, with the latter causing at least one space to be defined/enlarged and within which an operator can maneuver to gain access to a region of at least one of the first and second units. With the first and second units in the operating relationship, moldable sheets can be processed by causing the moldable sheets to be applied, and conformed, to the peripheral forming surface on the rotary drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a formable material having at least first and second relatively repositionable units. The first unit has a sheet die, with the second unit having a rotary drum with a peripheral forming surface for receiving flowable material from the sheet die. The first and second units can be selectively changed between an operating relationship and a setup relationship, with the latter causing at least one space to be defined/enlarged and within which an operator can maneuver to gain access to a region of at least one of the first and second units. With the first and second units in the operating relationship, moldable sheets can be processed by causing the moldable sheets to be applied, and conformed, to the peripheral forming surface on the rotary drum.

Abstract: An extruder assembly has a frame with upstream and downstream ends. A barrel assembly on the frame has a passage. At least one material advancing component resides at least partially within the passage and is configured to be turned around an operating axis to thereby cause material to be conveyed from a passage inlet to a passage outlet. A drive assembly turns the at least one material advancing component around its operating axis and has a motor on the frame situated so that at least a part of the motor is in lengthwise overlapping relationship with the barrel assembly. The drive assembly is configured to turn the one material advancing component around its operating axis at a speed of at least 300 rpm.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a heated flexible sheet, with oppositely facing surfaces, that is advanced in a processing path. A first cooling roll has a first peripheral surface for contacting one of the sheet surfaces. A second cooling roll has a second peripheral surface for contacting the other sheet surface.

Abstract: An extruder assembly has a frame with upstream and downstream ends. A barrel assembly on the frame has a passage. At least one material advancing component resides at least partially within the passage and is configured to be turned around an operating axis to thereby cause material to be conveyed from a passage inlet to a passage outlet. A drive assembly turns the at least one material advancing component around its operating axis and has a motor on the frame situated so that at least a part of the motor is in lengthwise overlapping relationship with the barrel assembly. The drive assembly is configured to turn the one material advancing component around its operating axis at a speed of at least 300 rpm.

Abstract: A die assembly through which flowable material from a supply is controllably delivered to a processing assembly at which a sheet layer is formed. The die assembly has a main frame and a support assembly for the main frame. The support assembly includes components cooperating between the main frame and a base upon which the main frame is supported to allow controlled relative vertical movement between the main frame and base to thereby permit controlled alignment between the main frame and an upstream component that delivers flowable material from the supply to the die assembly.

Abstract: A barrel assembly through which flowable material is delivered to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The barrel assembly has: a conduit having a body with a length defining a lengthwise flow passage between upstream and downstream ends; and a support assembly for the conduit. The support assembly has: a) a conduit engaging assembly; and b) a guide assembly through which the conduit body and conduit engaging assembly are moved guidingly relative to a base, to which the guide assembly is mounted, in a path that is substantially parallel to the length of the conduit body.

Abstract: A diverter valve for extruded materials, including a split cylinder in the cylindrical opening of a base, each cylinder half being independently pivotable. The base includes first and second inlets for first and second extruded material, and first and second outlets for the material. Base first and second flow paths carry the first and second extruded materials from the inlets to the output openings, and third and fourth flow paths carry extruded material from the first and second first inlet openings to the first and second outlets. The first and second inlet openings and the first and second output openings are axially open to the central opening, and the cylinder halves are adjacent along a plane substantially radial to the central opening axis with each of the cylinder halves including a recess open along the radial plane.

Abstract: A polymer filter assembly through which flowable material from a supply is directed for processing before passing to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The polymer filter assembly has a polymer filter frame that supports processing components for the flowable material and a support assembly for the polymer filter frame. The support assembly includes components cooperating between the polymer filter frame and a base upon which the polymer filter frame is supported to allow controlled relative vertical movement between the polymer filter frame and base to thereby permit controlled alignment between the polymer filter frame and at least one of: a) an upstream component that delivers flowable material from the supply; and b) the die assembly.

Abstract: A diverter valve for extruded materials, including a split cylinder in the cylindrical opening of a base, each cylinder half being independently pivotable. The base includes first and second inlets for first and second extruded material, and first and second outlets for the material. Base first and second flow paths carry the first and second extruded materials from the inlets to the output openings, and third and fourth flow paths carry extruded material from the first and second first inlet openings to the first and second outlets. The first and second inlet openings and the first and second output openings are axially open to the central opening, and the cylinder halves are adjacent along a plane substantially radial to the central opening axis with each of the cylinder halves including a recess open along the radial plane.

Abstract: A polymer filter assembly through which flowable material from a supply is directed for processing before passing to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The polymer filter assembly has a polymer filter frame that supports processing components for the flowable material and a support assembly for the polymer filter frame. The support assembly includes components cooperating between the polymer filter frame and a base upon which the polymer filter frame is supported to allow controlled relative vertical movement between the polymer filter frame and base to thereby permit controlled alignment between the polymer filter frame and at least one of: a) an upstream component that delivers flowable material from the supply; and b) the die assembly.

Abstract: A die assembly through which flowable material from a supply is controllably delivered to a processing assembly at which a sheet layer is formed. The die assembly has a main frame and a support assembly for the main frame. The support assembly includes components cooperating between the main frame and a base upon which the main frame is supported to allow controlled relative vertical movement between the main frame and base to thereby permit controlled alignment between the main frame and an upstream component that delivers flowable material from the supply to the die assembly.

Abstract: A barrel assembly through which flowable material is delivered to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The barrel assembly has: a conduit having a body with a length defining a lengthwise flow passage between upstream and downstream ends; and a support assembly for the conduit. The support assembly has: a) a conduit engaging assembly; and b) a guide assembly through which the conduit body and conduit engaging assembly are moved guidingly relative to a base, to which the guide assembly is mounted, in a path that is substantially parallel to the length of the conduit body.

Abstract: A support system through which a first extrusion roll is operatively mounted upon a frame. The first extrusion roll has a shaft that has a first operating axis and axially spaced first and second ends. A first support assembly at the first shaft end has a first housing. A second support assembly acting between the frame and the first support assembly and has a second housing. The second housing is movable relative to the frame to selectively change a relationship between the first extrusion roll and a second extrusion roll on the frame that has a second operating axis and cooperates with the first extrusion roll during formation of a product. The first housing is movable guidingly relative to the second housing along a first path to thereby change an angular relationship between the first and second operating axes.

Abstract: A roll stand assembly for processing a sheet product with a plurality of rolls on a frame. A first roll has a first sheet engaging surface and a first shaft assembly. A second roll has a second sheet engaging surface and a second shaft assembly. The first and second rolls are relatively movable between: a) an operating relationship; and b) an open relationship. A safety assembly prevents inadvertent changing of the first and second rolls from the open relationship into the operating relationship. The safety assembly includes a first chuck component mounted for movement relative to the frame between: a) a running position wherein the safety assembly is in a disengaged state; and b) a lockout position.

Abstract: A roll stand assembly for processing a sheet product with a plurality of rolls on a frame. A first roll has a first sheet engaging surface and a first shaft assembly. A second roll has a second sheet engaging surface and a second shaft assembly. The first and second rolls are relatively movable between: a) an operating relationship; and b) an open relationship. A safety assembly prevents inadvertent changing of the first and second rolls from the open relationship into the operating relationship. The safety assembly includes a first chuck component mounted for movement relative to the frame between: a) a running position wherein the safety assembly is in a disengaged state; and b) a lockout position.

Abstract: A roll stand assembly for processing a sheet product and having a frame and a plurality of rolls operatively position on the frame so as to define a plurality of nip locations between cooperating pairs of the rolls. The roll axes are substantially parallel with the plurality of rolls operatively positioned on the frame. Two of the rolls are relatively repositionable by guided relative movement therebetween along a first path to vary a gap between the two rolls. The two rolls are relatively repositionable by guided relative movement therebetween along a second path that is different than the first path to vary the gap between the two rolls. A control system is provided through which the two rolls are relatively repositioned by causing guided relative movement between the two rolls in the first and second paths.

Abstract: A diverter valve controlling input of two different extruded materials has a valve body having an axially extending opening, and a valve piston axially movable in the opening between first and second positions. The body defines a first inlet for receiving a first material, and a second inlet for receiving a second material with first and second outlets opposite the inlets. The piston has first and second through channels and first and second cross-over channels, each with inlet side and outlet side ports. A first flushing channel communicates with the first inlet and end ports, a second flushing channel communicates with the second inlet and end ports, and a third flushing channel opposite the first two communicates with the second outlet and includes a plurality of ports, with all the ports, inlets and outlets open to the axial opening.