Abstract: Systems and methods for producing colored plastic compound using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics include a plurality of material feeders, each feeding a single component material of either PCR particles or mono-pigment masterbatch in accord with a pigment recipe formulated for producing a pelletized PCR compound with a target color. A control unit controls the material feeders in accord with the pigment recipe, while making real-time adjustments to the pigment recipe, and the corresponding control of the material feeders, based on spectral signals received from an inline spectrometer and a calculated color-deviation between coloration of PCR pellets output during an active production run and the intended target color.

Abstract: A system for processing material feeds for use by a plurality of processing machines includes an upstream batch blender, a downstream manifold, and a system controller. The batch blender prepares blended batches of material feeds from multiple batch components according to material feed formulations stored at the system controller. The manifold distributes materials feeds made by the batch blender to a plurality of buffer chambers for temporary storage and subsequent delivery to the plurality of processing machines. The system is configured to form dust-tight seals between separate system components that handle the material feeds, and to execute a self-cleansing process to remove residual material feed elements between separate processing runs of differently formulated material feeds, thereby avoiding cross-contamination of the separately formulated material feeds.

Abstract: A self-cleaning dosing apparatus includes a material hopper for containing pellets of material, a feed screw, a first material outlet through which pellets of material fall by gravity onto a first end of the feed screw for the feeding of pellets to a process machine. A second material outlet is located beneath the first end of the feed screw, with a slide gate blocking the second material outlet. A pneumatic piston is provided for pulling the slide gate to unblock the second material outlet, and a Venturi pump is located under the second material outlet for pulling pellets through the second material outlet when the slide gate is opened.

Abstract: A homogenizer for homogenously blending a feedstock includes a separator, an agitator and a hopper integrated as a single unit in a common housing. The separator receives a material feed, in the form of a fluid medium carrying a composite feedstock, and separates the composite feedstock from the fluid medium. The agitator receives the separated composite feedstock from the separator, and mixes the composite feedstock to yield the homogenously blended feedstock. The hopper receives the homogenously blended feedstock from the agitator and holds the homogenously blended feedstock for release to either a processing machine or a storage container. The homogenizer is controlled by one or more control units that use signals received from a sensor in the hopper to control the delivery of a material feed to the homogenizer, and the flow of feedstock therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a color masterbatch feed rate in production of a manufactured part to match a color of the manufactured part to a target color by adjusting a concentration of masterbatch that is mixed with a raw material and fed into a processing machine for producing the manufactured part. Control of the color masterbatch feed rate is based on optical spectral properties of an in-line manufactured part, a known reference part having the target color, and an algorithm for calculating and adjusting the color masterbatch feed rate.

Abstract: A self-cleaning dosing apparatus includes a material hopper for containing pellets of material, a feed screw, a first material outlet through which pellets of material fall by gravity onto a first end of the feed screw for the feeding of pellets to a process machine. A second material outlet is located beneath the first end of the feed screw, with a slide gate blocking the second material outlet. A pneumatic piston is provided for pulling the slide gate to unblock the second material outlet, and a Venturi pump is located under the second material outlet for pulling pellets through the second material outlet when the slide gate is opened.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a color masterbatch feed rate in production of a manufactured part to match a color of the manufactured part to a target color by adjusting a concentration of masterbatch that is mixed with a raw material and fed into a processing machine for producing the manufactured part. Control of the color masterbatch feed rate is based on optical spectral properties of an in-line manufactured part, a known reference part having the target color, and an algorithm for calculating and adjusting the color masterbatch feed rate.

Abstract: The invention is a weigh ng and mixing system for the preparation of mixtures of components required by processing machines for the manufacture of plastic products. In particular the invention is suitable for the preparation of weighed mixtures comprised of at least two different masterbatches in order to obtain the color shade desired for a specific plastic product.

Abstract: The invention is a weighing and mixing system for the preparation of mixtures of components required by processing machines for the manufacture of plastic products. In particular the invention is suitable for the preparation of weighed mixtures comprised of at least two different masterbatches in order to obtain the color shade desired for a specific plastic product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for optimizing a match between the color of an in-line part manufactured by a plastic product production machine and the color of a reference part by adjusting the concentration of masterbatch in the mixture of raw material fed to the plastic product production machine. The optimization of the color is based on interlaced spectra of the in-line part and reference part obtained using the same spectrometer, thereby eliminating the requirement for high accuracy spectrometer calibration and allowing a controller of the system to determine the rates at which the base masterbatches are added to the raw material in real time on the manufacturing floor while the plastic product production machine is being operated to manufacture in-line parts.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a match between the color of an in-line part manufactured by a plastic product production machine and the color of a reference part by adjusting the concentration of masterbatch in the mixture of raw material fed to the plastic product production machine. The optimization of the color is based on spectra of the in-line part and reference part obtained within a short time interval using the same spectrometer, thereby eliminating the requirement for high accuracy spectrometer calibration and allowing the method, which determines the rates at which the base masterbatches are added to the raw material, to be carried out in real time on the manufacturing floor while the plastic product production machine is being operated to manufacture in-line parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for optimizing a match between the color of an in-line part manufactured by a plastic product production machine and the color of a reference part by adjusting the concentration of masterbatch in the mixture of raw material fed to the plastic product production machine. The optimization of the color is based on interlaced spectra of the in-line part and reference part obtained using the same spectrometer, thereby eliminating the requirement for high accuracy spectrometer calibration and allowing a controller of the system to determine the rates at which the base masterbatches are added to the raw material in real time on the manufacturing floor while the plastic product production machine is being operated to manufacture in-line parts.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus for the preparation of a mixture of granular components that comprise batches of material required by a plurality of processing machines in a plant for the manufacture of plastic products is described. The apparatus comprises a Multi-Channel Gravimetric Batch Blender (MCGBB) configured to weigh predetermined weights of the raw materials and to combine the weighed portions of raw materials into batches according to a predetermined recipe for each processing machine and a computer that controls the operation of all components of the MCGBB. The MCGBB comprises several weighing units arranged in a way that allows material weighed in each of the weighing units to fall through individual chutes via a common funnel into a manifold that distributes the weighed batches to several processing machines via a system of delivery pipes.

Abstract: The invention is a weighing and feeding system for accurate weighing of small quantities of material in pelletized form and feeding the weighed material to processing machines. In particular the invention, is suitable for the preparation of weighed quantities of masterbatch to be added with resin directly into injection molding or extrusion machines for the manufacture of plastic products.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus for the preparation of a mixture of granular components that comprise batches of material required by a plurality of processing machines in a plant for the manufacture of plastic products is described. The apparatus comprises a Multi-Channel Gravimetric Batch Blender (MCGBB) configured to weigh predetermined weights of the raw materials and to combine the weighed portions of raw materials into batches according to a predetermined recipe for each processing machine and a computer that controls the operation of all components of the MCGBB. The MCGBB comprises several weighing units arranged in a way that allows material weighed in each of the weighing units to fall through individual chutes via a common funnel into a manifold that distributes the weighed batches to several processing machines via a system of delivery pipes.

Abstract: The invention is a weighing and feeding system for accurate weighing of small quantities of material in pelletized form and feeding the weighed material to processing machines. In particular the invention, is suitable for the preparation of weighed quantities of masterbatch to be added with resin directly into injection molding or extrusion machines for the manufacture of plastic products.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a match between the color of an in-line part manufactured by a plastic product production machine and the color of a reference part by adjusting the concentration of masterbatch in the mixture of raw material fed to the plastic product production machine. The optimization of the color is based on spectra of the in-line part and reference part obtained within a short time interval using the same spectrometer, thereby eliminating the requirement for high accuracy spectrometer calibration and allowing the method, which determines the rates at which the base masterbatches are added to the raw material, to be carried out in real time on the manufacturing floor while the plastic product production machine is being operated to manufacture in-line parts.

Abstract: The invention is a weighing and mixing system for the preparation of mixtures of components required by processing machines for the manufacture of plastic products. In particular the invention is suitable for the preparation of weighed mixtures comprised of at least two different master-batches in order to obtain the color shade desired for a specific plastic product.

Abstract: A vehicular adapter (100) provides an interface to accommodate a variety of contacts located on different surfaces of a portable radio (200). The vehicular adapter includes a rotating pocket (116), pivot arms (136, 150, 152) and a locking mechanism (126). The rotating pocket (116) provides a first set of contacts (124). One pivot arm (136) provides an antenna probe (120) on one surface of the vehicular adapter while another pivot arm (152) provides connector side contacts (122) to a side surface of the vehicular adapter. The pivot arms (136, 150, 152) pivot in response to the rotating pocket (116) being rotated thereby moving their respective contacts into position for mating with the portable radio (200).

Abstract: A vehicular adapter (100) provides an interface to accommodate a variety of contacts located on different surfaces of a portable radio (200). The vehicular adapter includes a rotating pocket (116), pivot arms (136, 150, 152) and a locking mechanism (126). The rotating pocket (116) provides a first set of contacts (124). One pivot arm (136) provides an antenna probe (120) on one surface of the vehicular adapter while another pivot arm (152) provides connector side contacts (122) to a side surface of the vehicular adapter. The pivot arms (136, 150, 152) pivot in response to the rotating pocket (116) being rotated thereby moving their respective contacts into position for mating with the portable radio (200).