Abstract: Rotor zone cooling method for channeling liquid coolant flow in rotors in continuous mixers provides for predetermined zones along the lengths of the rotors to be cooled as may be desired and provides for other predetermined zones to remain neutral. A sequence of alternating cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral zones can be provided, including zones of various possible lengths, locations and numbers of such zones for tailoring or customizing these zones to optimize temperature conditions along a rotor depending upon mixing requirements and characteristics of plastic materials being mixed. A central coolant feed tube conveys coolant from an entrance into the bore to a discharge end of the feed tube positioned near the bore terminus in a first cooling zone. Coolant flow is diverted into isolation channels within isolation tubing sections spaced inwardly from the rotor bore wall for creating a neutral zone.

Abstract: Quick-disconnect couplings for three-piece rotors in a two-rotor continuous mixer for plastic materials enable a main rotor section (or "main rotor body") of each rotor to be uncoupled from a drive journal located at one end of the main rotor section and a driven journal located at the other end of the main rotor section.

Abstract: Rotor zone cooling apparatus channels liquid coolant flow in rotors in continuous mixers of plastic materials for causing predetermined zones along the lengths of the rotors to be cooled as may be desired and for other predetermined zones to remain neutral, i.e. without significant cooling. A sequence of alternating cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral/cooling/neutral zones can be arranged, including zones of various possible length, various possible locations and various possible numbers of such zones. These zones are tailored or customized for optimizing temperature conditions along a rotor depending upon the mixing requirements and characteristics of plastic materials being mixed. Within an axial bore in a rotor is inserted a novel elongated cooling tubing assembly which rotates with the rotor. For creating a neutral zone, coolant flow is diverted inwardly into an isolation channel within an isolation tubing section spaced inwardly from the rotor bore wall.