Abstract: An apparatus for the extrusion of thermofusible materials which are applied while being heated comprises a prefusion and feeding chamber, a heating element for the prefusion and feeding chamber, a shaft capable of rotation at the base of the chamber, the shaft while in rotation mixing the thermofusible material and an extruder comprising an extrusion screw axially connected to said shaft. The extrusion screw is located in a cylindrical tubular structure which is provided with an exit for the thermofusible material. Preferably the shaft is located at a predetermined distance from the bottom wall of the prefusion chamber whereby a passageway is formed between the bottom wall and the shaft, the chamber and the shaft being so dimensioned that the shaft during rotation forces the entire mass of thermofusible material through the passageway.

Abstract: Apparatus for moulding articles of synthetic plastics. Plasticized plastics material is fed by a screw within a cylinder, along the cylinder to a nozzle from whence the material is injected into the mould cavity. The feeding of the material into the mould cavity is however effected by rotation of the screw almost in its forwardmost position instead of by longitudinal movement of the screw from its rearwardmost to its forwardmost position. The longitudinal position of the screw is adjusted during filling of the mould cavity by biasing apparatus acting axially on the screw and controlled by means sensing the position of the screw.The temperature distribution throughout the cylinder, the nozzle, the screw and the screw tip is controlled by separate cooling circuits for the various zones, the various cooling circuits coming into operation at various times during a moulding cycle, as determined by timing apparatus.

Abstract: The discharge opening from a silo is formed by two generally upwardly extending bottom plates placed in a V-shaped configuration. The bottom plates are reciprocatingly movable with the aid of hydraulic cylinders. At their lower ends the bottom plates form an aperture for the discharge of goods from the silo. The bottom plates are pivotally suspended at their top margins. Their lower margins are pivotally interconnected by means of connecting pieces. The hydraulic cylinders are pivotally connected to the connecting pieces and to the bottom plates and the pivotal connections of the connecting pieces to the bottom plates and hydraulic cylinders from a linkage quadrangle. The hydraulic cylinders are arranged to move the linkage quadrangle thus produced, in such a manner that the bottom plates will swing reciprocatingly about their top edges or margins.

Abstract: A cohesive, non-flowable, plastic mass which is difficult to handle in bulk form is subjected to removal from a container and guided flow into a screw conveyor, compression in the conveyor, and controlled heat input and withdrawal while transported by the conveyor to facilitate ultimate extrusion.

Abstract: A tobacco pouch having a built in framework including a discharge tube extending through one side of the pouch and a spiral type ejector mechanism having one end loosely disposed in the tube and its other end journaled for rotation in the framework portion opposite from the tube and a handle disposed outside of the pouch whereby as the handle is operated the spiral mechanism will rotate to move tobacco in the pouch out through the discharge tube into the bowl of a smoking pipe.

Abstract: A device for unloading silos of divided material such as flour includes a rotary shaft on which axially spaced, radial members are carried. The members support flexible elongate elements which have a length no greater than the distance between the outer edges of the radial members and the walls of the silo.Rotation of the shaft causes the material to be fluidized and to pass down and out the silo without preventing simultaneous filling of the silo. The outlet from the silo is at its bottom end and discharge is achieved by helical elements which may be driven by the same motor as the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A hopper device for mounting transversely across the material discharge end of a vehicle mounted dump bed adapted to contain particulate material to be spread over a roadway being travelled by the vehicle. This type of hopper includes fixed first and second spaced end walls, a fixed back wall between the end walls and an elongated auger extending between the end walls, and an arrangement for rotating the auger about an axis to move material through the hopper toward one end of the hopper. The hopper includes a cover member extending between the end walls and movable between a spreading position where the material can dump into the hopper and be spread from the hopper, a dumping position where the material can be dumped over the hopper and a cleaning position where access is possible to the auger for cleaning by a water hose.

Abstract: A high-capacity pumping apparatus for handling thermoplastic materials such as hot melt adhesives is provided which is capable of safely and efficiently pumping materials heretofore thought to be impractical because of the high flow and melting points thereof. The apparatus preferably includes a heated pressure plate, an elongated, tapered, material-conveying barrel connected thereto, a complementally tapered, axially shiftable auger with the barrel, and pressure-responsive means coupled to the auger for automatically shifting the auger relative to the barrel in order to temporarily decrease pumping efficiency during momentary slowdowns in material flow so that dangerous pressure buildups within the apparatus are avoided, and for returning the auger to its normal pumping position when adequate material flow resumes.

Abstract: A method and mechanism is disclosed for the conversion of ice chests of the type having a door to enable removal of unlimited quantities of ice as are in common use in hotels, motels, etc. The method involves a modification to the access door by the installation of an ice conveyor mechanism extending downwardly into a collector hopper placed within the ice chest bin. The ice lift conveyor mechanism is controlled by a token or coin-operated device to limit the quantity of ice dispensed from the ice chest. The ice lift conveyor mechanism is disclosed as a manually operated auger extending into the collector hopper with rotations of the auger controlled by a solenoid interlock gear mechanism, in turn controlled by a coin or token-operated control device.

Abstract: A housing for an elongated opening such as a cylindrical passage which has a portion subject to severe conditions such as abrasion, heat, pressure, wear or corrosion which tend to deteriorate the wall of said opening, has a replaceable sleeve in the opening only at the portion exposed to such severe conditions. The housing, illustrated as a metal barrel for a plastic injection molding apparatus, has an elongated aperture or bore having a cross section larger than the desired cross section of the passage. A metal tubular inner sleeve defining the passage is held in the bore of the housing by a tight fit. The sleeve has at least one groove extending longitudinally on the exterior of the sleeve which forms a cavity with the housing wall. The end of the groove at at least the exposed end of the sleeve is closed by a closure portion or ridge. The sleeve can be removed by drilling a hole through the closure portion to permit access to the groove cavity and permit introduction of explosive material into the cavity.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel track sanding device including a sand storage tank, a hopper mounted over a wheel of a motor vehicle, a pipe connecting the interior of the hopper to the storage chamber, an auger disposed within the pipe for transferring the sand from the storage tank to the hopper, and a motor for rotating the auger.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is an injection molding machine unit having a barrel, with an injection nozzle on one end of the barrel and a screw ram movable in the barrel, a valve member with axially extending grooves in the periphery thereof, supported on the ram shaft, a ring on the ram shaft adjacent the valve. The ring has axially extending grooves in its outer periphery and the ring moves out of alignment with the grooves in the valve. The grooves of the ring form a fluid flow passage for plastic material to the injection nozzle when the screw is rotated and the ram is retracted. The valve closes when the ram moves forward.

Abstract: A high-capacity pumping apparatus for handling thermoplastic materials such as hot melt adhesives is provided which is capable of safely and efficiently pumping materials heretofore thought to be impractical because of the high flow and melting points thereof. The apparatus preferably includes a heated pressure plate, an elongated, tapered, material-conveying barrel connected thereto, a complementally tapered, axially shiftable auger with the barrel, and pressure-responsive means coupled to the auger for automatically shifting the auger relative to the barrel in order to temporarily decrease pumping efficiency during momentary slowdowns in material flow so that dangerous pressure buildups within the apparatus are avoided, and for returning the auger to its normal pumping position when adequate material flow resumes.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing solid materials stored in bulk, which have poor flow characteristics, includes a container or hopper having two, opposite walls which are inclined, for example at angles in the range of from about 20 to about 70 degrees to the horizontal. The hopper has two walls which are vertical. The hopper is provided on its inside with at least two rotary screw conveyors with opposite directional material moving effects. For example, at least one extraction screw conveyor and at least one auxiliary screw conveyor is provided so as to simultaneously generate an upward and a downward movement in the mass of solid, bulk material in the hopper during the extraction operation. The apparatus is particularly useful in extracting, mixing and dispensing powdered, fibrous, aggregate, granular materials, miscellaneous pieces of bulk material scrap and the like without formation of gaps or bridges of material within the hopper.

Abstract: A cement batcher for use with a concrete plant and having a suspended, elongated, low profile, hopper secured to an inclined arcuate trough, a helical auger operably disposed in the trough for moving cement from the lower inlet end to the upper discharge end of the hopper, a discharge tube secured to the upper end of the trough for discharging the cement from the batcher, a valve in the discharge tube to control the flow, and a plurality of holding baffles mounted transversely of the tube in the hopper to prevent the excessive free flow of cement to the lower end of the hopper.

Abstract: An extruder having a screw rotatable in a chamber provided with an annularly perforated end wall through which plastic material is extruded, the end of the screw being provided with a collar urged against the central portion of the wall to exclude the material therebetween.

Abstract: A screw feeder comprising a pair of augers of different diameters, coaxially and co-extensively arranged, which are driven by separate motors, one of which drives a mixing drum and auger of larger diameter, and the other drives the auger of smaller diameter. By rotating the outer auger at the slower speed of the drum and the inner auger at a higher speed, the particles or granular material fed to the augers will be thoroughly and uniformly mixed as well as propelled outwardly of the feed bin by screw feed action.

Abstract: A power-retractable feeder for an injection molding machine in which an actuator is adapted to forcibly seal a button-type outlet nozzle of the feeder against a side inlet port of a charging cylinder without developing an unbalanced lateral load on the cylinder. As disclosed, the reaction force developed on the actuator is transmitted to the side of the cylinder opposite the inlet. The actuator is selectively operable to retract the feeder nozzle from the cylinder for inspection, removal, maintenance, or the like. The disclosed feeder is of the screw type driven by a rotary motor through a coupler which isolates an axial reaction force on the screw from the motor. Also disclosed is a remote actuator and associated linkage for operating a shut-off valve in the feeder nozzle at either the extended or retracted position of the nozzle.

Abstract: A low profile auger and hopper assembly for use in conveying and distributing a granular product such as animal feeds or the like is disclosed herein. The apparatus preferably comprises a hopper for receiving the product such as feed or the like and an associated auger assembly for distributing the hopper contents. The hopper preferably comprises a rigid, planar surface which is oriented substantially parallel with the ground or other surface for supporting the apparatus and a plurality of sidewalls which extend integrally upwardly from the planar surface and are rigid therewith. The auger assembly includes a tubular housing member having a rotatable auger disposed therewithin, and it is received by the hopper and oriented substantially obliquely with respect to the planar hopper surface. The lower end of the auger includes a tapered flighting portion positioned substantially adjacent to the planar surface of the hopper so that mechanical contact between the planar surface and the auger is obviated.

Abstract: A closing mechanism for the outlet of a concrete container and comprising a vertical shaft carrying a feed worm having at least three grooves defined by threads. Each thread extending at the outside as well as at the inside over an angle not below 360/n.degree. and not exceeding 720/n.degree., where n is the number of threads, and having over its whole width angles of inclination not below 8.degree. and not exceeding 15.degree.. Preferably the upper edge of each thread forms an upwards open angle of between 65.degree. and 90.degree. with the shaft, and the transition between said upper edge and the peripheral edge of the thread is rounded off with a radius of curvature of between 35 % and 55 % of the width of the thread.

Abstract: A wetting apparatus and method for mixing water with a powdery dust generated from a foundry or other operation. In order to prevent dust from becoming airborne, and thus an environmental nuisance, it must be wetted before disposal. The wetting apparatus includes an elongated housing, a mixing screw, and a spray system in addition to inlet and outlet gates for metering the dust. The mixing screw load may be used to control water, while the weight of the dust itself may be used to meter its input into the housing. Alternatively, a moisture sensor or indicator for automatically controlling the quantities of dust and water may be used.

Abstract: Granular material sample feed structure including a feed auger comprising an elongated rigid hollow cylinder having annular, exterior, axially spaced apart recesses, a plastic sleeve secured on the cylinder as by molding having annular interior portions spaced apart longitudinally thereof within the recesses in the cylinder whereby the plastic sleeve is locked onto the rigid cylinder again axial movement with respect thereto, a flexible, helical auger fin integral with the plastic sleeve progressing axially of the rigid cylinder and tapered toward the outer periphery of the fin, and a rigid trough closely surrounding a portion of the rigid cylinder, plastic sleeve and auger fin over approximately 180 degrees of the auger fin, and a device for rotating the cylinder, plastic sleeve and auger fin connected to the rigid cylinder.

Abstract: A paint applicator which is rotatably powered, which draws paint from a supply container and ejects it against a flat surface through the center of a rotating disc, with the surface of the disc serving to rotatably brush the ejected paint on the painted surface. The applicator incorporates a cylindrical housing that encloses a rotatable worm gear linked to a rotatable jaw attachable to an electric drill chuck. A paint supply tube is joined to a collar rotatably mounted about the housing, with openings in the housing wall connected to the interior of the collar for drawing paint from the supply tube, through the collar into the interior of the housing. The worm gear ejects the paint through a perforation in the center of a disc attached to the free end of the housing, with fiber projections along the periphery of the disc serving to brush the ejected paint onto the painted surface.

Abstract: A vacuum loader system and more particularly an improved means for metering a predetermined quantity of color concentrates and/or pelletized additives to a virgin or virgin-regrind mixture in a vacuum loader system of a type utilized in transporting materials used in plastic molding processes from the respective storage bins thereof to a plastic processing machine.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for injection molding of materials such, for example, as thermoplastic resinous material, utilizing a rotatable and reciprocal screw extruder for plasticizing and injecting the material into a mold cavity, and wherein an injection piston in a cylinder is operatively connected to the plasticizing screw to push the screw forward to effect injection into a mold of plasticized material in front of the screw. A supply of fluid pressure is positively applied to the injection piston to provide a back pressure to act against the reaction caused by the rotation of the plasticizing screw, and this back pressure may be regulated to correspond with the rearward displacement, of the screw.