Abstract: A polymer filtration apparatus for sealing a slide plate translatable across a bore of an extrusion or mold machine, includes an annular seal having a sealing surface which is biased against the slide plate by a spring mechanism. The annular seal has a thrust surface which is angled relative to the sealing surface and the thrust surface is located at an opposite axial end of the annular seal from the sealing surface. The spring mechanism can be a single spring with overlapping tangs or a multiple spring assembly in overlapping relationship, with or without tangs, to form a continuous barrier. The spring assembly is used to exert a radial force against the thrust surface of the annular seal to bias the seal in an axial direction against the downstream slide plate. In operation, pressurized polymer melt in the extrusion bore further biases the spring against the annular seal which is then transferred to the seal and the slide plate.

Abstract: A polymer filtration apparatus for sealing a slide plate translatable across a bore of an extrusion or mold machine, includes an annular seal having a sealing surface which is biased against the slide plate by a spring mechanism. The annular seal has a thrust surface which is angled relative to the sealing surface and the thrust surface is located at an opposite axial end of the annular seal from the sealing surface. The spring mechanism can be a single spring with overlapping tangs or a multiple spring assembly in overlapping relationship, with or without tangs, to form a continuous barrier. The spring assembly is used to exert a radial force against the thrust surface of the annular seal to bias the seal in an axial direction against the downstream slide plate. In operation, pressurized polymer melt in the extrusion bore further biases the spring against the annular seal which is then transferred to the seal and the slide plate.

Abstract: A journal bearing comprises a body having a central longitudinal axis, a cylindrical inner surface coaxially disposed around the longitudinal axis and defining an axial bore, and an outer surface including a peripheral planar section. A lateral face is disposed on an end of the body, and extends between the outer and inner surfaces of the body. A feed channel is formed in the lateral face at an acute angle with respect to the planar section and in an inward direction with respect to the axial bore. A first end of the feed channel communicates with the outer surface of the bearing at a location proximate to the planar section, and a second end of the feed channel communicates with the axial bore. A pocket is formed in the inner surface of the bearing in communication with the second end of the feed channel and extends along a substantially helical path from the lateral face of the bearing. At least a portion of the pocket has a width of greater magnitude than a corresponding depth of the portion.