Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation. The flap is configured as a poppet valve.

Abstract: A winder assembly includes a turret assembly rotatably mounted to a frame and a first core and at least one second core mounted for rotation on the turret assembly. The winder assembly includes a lay-on roll assembly pivotally mounted to the frame and including one or more lay-on rollers. The lay-on roll assembly is movable between a first retracted position and a first extended position. The winder assembly includes an enveloper assembly having one or more first pivot arms pivotally coupled to the frame. The winder assembly includes one or more pivot roll side plates pivotally coupled to the at least one first pivot arm. The pivot side roll plate is configured for curvilinear movement. The winding assembly includes biasing means coupled to the pivot roll side plate and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation. The flap is configured as a poppet valve.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation.

Abstract: A feed throat for an extruder device includes a body having an inlet defined by a longitudinal opening along a side of the body and an outlet positioned at an end of the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical interior surface which has a plurality of raised surfaces which extend radially inward from and longitudinally along the interior surface. One or more hardened tiles are secured to one or more of the raised surfaces.

Abstract: A clamp for removably securing flanges to one another includes a first clamp member having a first pivot connection positioned proximate one end thereof and an abutment portion positioned proximate an opposing end thereof, the first clamp member being configured to extend partially around the flanges. The clamp includes a second clamp member having a second pivot connection positioned proximate one end thereof and a locking assembly positioned proximate an opposing end thereof, the second clamp member being configured to extend partially around the flanges. The clamp includes a linkage pivotally connected to the first pivot connection and to the second pivot connection, such that the first clamp member is movable relative to the second clamp member and the linkage. The locking assembly includes an actuator secured to the second clamp member and having a shaft which has a locking arm secured thereto.

Abstract: A winder assembly includes a turret assembly rotatably mounted to a frame and a first core and at least one second core mounted for rotation on the turret assembly. The winder assembly includes a lay-on roll assembly pivotally mounted to the frame and including one or more lay-on rollers. The lay-on roll assembly is movable between a first retracted position and a first extended position. The winder assembly includes an enveloper assembly having one or more first pivot arms pivotally coupled to the frame. The winder assembly includes one or more pivot roll side plates pivotally coupled to the at least one first pivot arm. The pivot side roll plate is configured for curvilinear movement. The winding assembly includes biasing means coupled to the pivot roll side plate and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: In a winder assembly, a turret assembly indexes first and second cores between winding and removal positions. A lay-on roll assembly includes a roller and moves between a retracted position and an engaged position wherein the roller and the core, or the work material wound onto the core, cooperate to form a nip. A cutter is provided for cutting a web of sheet-type work material being wound onto the core. An enveloper assembly is provided and includes a nipping pivot roller that can engage a cut edge of the work material and feed the cut edge into the nip formed between the roller forming part of the lay-on roll assembly and a fresh core thereby allowing the work material to wind around the core.

Abstract: A winder assembly is provided and includes two or more cores mounted for rotation on a turret assembly and a web of sheet-type work material is wound around a core. A lay-on roll assembly roller and a core cooperate to define a first nip. A transfer roll assembly includes a roller coupled for rotation to a rail such that the roller and a core cooperate to define a second nip. A cutting means for cutting the work material includes a traverse assembly having a work material guide means. During operation, after cutting work material, the turret assembly indexes a core into a winding position and the work material guide means is moved to the operating position such that the roller coupled to the rail causes the work material to be fed into the second nip and begin winding around the core.

Abstract: A feed throat for an extruder device includes a body having an inlet defined by a longitudinal opening along a side of the body and an outlet positioned at an end of the body. The body has a substantially cylindrical interior surface which has a plurality of raised surfaces which extend radially inward from and longitudinally along the interior surface. One or more hardened tiles are secured to one or more of the raised surfaces.

Abstract: A winder assembly is provided and includes two or more cores mounted for rotation on a turret assembly and a web of sheet-type work material is wound around a core. A lay-on roll assembly roller and a core cooperate to define a first nip. A transfer roll assembly includes a roller coupled for rotation to a rail such that the roller and a core cooperate to define a second nip. A cutting means for cutting the work material includes a traverse assembly having a work material guide means. During operation, after cutting work material, the turret assembly indexes a core into a winding position and the work material guide means is moved to the operating position such that the roller coupled to the rail causes the work material to be fed into the second nip and begin winding around the core.

Abstract: In a winder assembly, a turret assembly indexes first and second cores between winding and removal positions. A lay-on roll assembly includes a roller and moves between a retracted position and an engaged position wherein the roller and the core, or the work material wound onto the core, cooperate to form a nip. A cutter is provided for cutting a web of sheet-type work material being wound onto the core. An enveloper assembly is provided and includes a nipping pivot roller that can engage a cut edge of the work material and feed the cut edge into the nip formed between the roller forming part of the lay-on roll assembly and a fresh core thereby allowing the work material to wind around the core.

Abstract: A feed section for an extruder machine including a housing having one or more walls defining an interior area within the housing. The feed section includes a shaft mounted to one or more of the walls and a feed roll assembly disposed at least partially in the interior area and pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the feed roll assembly relative to the housing. The feed roll assembly includes a seat portion releasably coupled to a cap portion. The cap portion is pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the cap portion relative to the housing and the seat portion. The feed roll assembly includes a feed roll rotatingly mounted between the seat and cap portions for conveying material to be extruded between an inlet and outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system for a barrel of an extruder is disclosed. The system includes a heater adapted to be in thermal communication with at least a portion of a barrel of an extruder. The system further includes a shroud assembly that defines a cavity. The shroud assembly encloses the heater. The shroud assembly has an intake port and an exhaust port. A valve is in fluid communication with the exhaust port. The valve is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When the valve is in the closed position the exhaust port is substantially sealed. When the valve is moved between the closed position and the open position or is in the open position the cavity is in fluid communication an area outside of the cavity through the exhaust port.

Abstract: A feed section for an extruder machine including a housing having one or more walls defining an interior area within the housing. The feed section includes a shaft mounted to one or more of the walls and a feed roll assembly disposed at least partially in the interior area and pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the feed roll assembly relative to the housing. The feed roll assembly includes a seat portion releasably coupled to a cap portion. The cap portion is pivotally coupled to the shaft for pivotal movement of the cap portion relative to the housing and the seat portion. The feed roll assembly includes a feed roll rotatingly mounted between the seat and cap portions for conveying material to be extruded between an inlet and outlet of the housing.