Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sheets of plastic having precisely controlled thickness. Two endless steel belts are positioned to provide coextensive runs between which there is a press-gap of uniform thickness. Each of the belts is provided throughout the treatment zone with a back-up pressure structure formed by a continuous array of rollers positioned along each of the belts and a back-up plate structure which is positioned to provide a precisely controlled gap for the rollers. The rollers are turned by the contact with the belt and roll along a path throughout the length of the treatment zone. Heated liquid is passed through the plates to control the temperature of the product being treated. Each of the plate structures is held against its array of rollers by a plurality of steel bearing strips, the transverse dimension of each of which is controlled by passing a heated liquid through it.

Abstract: A system for producing droplets of a liquid, particularly for pelletizing the material. The liquid is delivered under a controlled pressure to a relatively shallow horizontal chamber, the lower wall of which is a plate having nozzles therein and the top wall of which is formed by a flexible diaphragm. There is a chamber above the flexible diaphragm which contains oil and connects through its top wall to a chamber of variable volume having a bellows side wall construction and a movable top wall. The oil also fills that chamber so that when the movable top wall is pushed downwardly, a uniform pressure is exerted on the diaphragm so as to press it downwardly and to cause a drop of the liquid to be discharged from each of the nozzle. The movable top wall is vibrated or oscillated vertically so as to produce a continuous series of droplets from each nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing sheets of bitumen in which a layer of liquid bitumen is deposited on a steel belt conveyor and is solidified to form a continuous web. The web is stripped from the conveyor and passes downwardly by the action of gravity to a cutting assembly which cuts the web into lengths to form sheets. The sheets are then stacked upon a discharge conveyor and are adapted for packaging.

Abstract: A dual-belt system for solidifying products such as hot-melt resins by passing a product layer through a treatment zone formed by two endless steel belts. The product layer is precooled so that the product strip has substantially the desired cross-sectional shape prior to entering the treatment zone. During the precooling step the product spreads by the action of gravity, and the rates of precooling and movement are such as to insure that the product strip has dimensions within acceptable tolerances.