Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is described for controlling an average dimensional characteristic of an article being extruded. This dimensional characteristic is determined from a predetermined volume of material supplied, from a measured dimensional characteristic and from a known cross sectional configuration. When the measured dimensional characteristic varies from a predetermined value, the volume of the stock material supplied is altered to restore the measured dimensional characteristic to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for extrusion of a highly viscous thermosetting or a thermoplastic material comprising extrusion of said material in the presence of substances diminishing external friction of the melt, at a ratio between internal and external friction values of the material melt within the range of from 1.5 to 4.0; the thermosetting material melt viscosity being ranged from 50.times.10.sup.6 to 300.times.10.sup.6 poises, while the thermoplastic material melt index being varied from 0.01 to 0.1 g/10 min.The ratio between internal and external friction values of the material melt is maintained within the above-specified range by way of incorporation, into the starting thermosetting or thermoplastic material, of certain compounds. For thermosetting materials, use is made of, e.g. zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, and for thermoplastic materials barium sulphonate is used as such a compound.

Abstract: A method of producing laminar structures, preferably consisting of fibreglass-reinforced polyester, which are free of air-pockets and pores, by spraying layers of the plastics and reinforcement fibres at a partial vacuum. The method may be carried out by an industrial robot. An airtight surface layer may be sprayed onto the laminate, whereby any pores or air-pockets collapse when the laminate is exposed to air at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forming a cushion from foam plastic material by first depositing separate masses of foam material, each having a predetermined configuration, onto a moving transfer surface at a depositing station. While the masses of material are being transferred to a forming station, they rise to a tack-free state and reach substantially full expansion during a predetermined time period which is less than the time which it takes the foam material to set. Then, before the foam material does set, each mass of foam material is individually shaped at the forming station into a predetermined configuration by employing force-applying elements to press each of the masses of foam material into the predetermined configuration while on the transfer surface. Once the mass of foam material has been shaped and set, the force-applying elements are released.

Abstract: A rheometer which is especially useful for measuring the viscosity of a heated coal-type material which undergoes phase changes at elevated temperatures, and which is of the type that includes a cylinder with a narrow exit and a piston for applying pressure to a sample in the cylinder to force the sample out through the exit. The piston includes a seal formed of a sheet of compressed carbon material which extends between the body of the piston and the walls of the cylinder, to form a substantially gas-tight fit that keeps in gases produced at elevated temperatures of a coal sample. The end walls of the cylinder and piston are tapered into a conical shape, and the sample is formed with conical surfaces to mate therewith, to provide a smooth outflow of material and high heat transfer to the sample from the cylinder and piston walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting tubular polymeric membranes for reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration which includes a plurality of upwardly extending casting tubes, a manifold with branch outlets for mounting the casting tubes to extend upwardly therefrom, a casting bob assembly comprising a centering sleeve with a screw threaded bore and cylindrical extension, a casting bob screwed into the centering sleeve and having casting solution outlet ports to an annular gap between the casting bob and the casting sleeve, the annular gap being adjustable by screwing the casting bob into and out of the centering sleeve, and a transport sleeve which is pressed on to the casting bob and the cylindrical extension of the centering sleeve for transporting the assembly from one casting tube to another between casting operations and a flexible sleeve and a hose clamp for releasably securing the transport sleeve in a lower end of each casting and sealing the lower ends of each casting tube to a branch outlet.

Abstract: A foreign material removing device in a synthetic resin reclaiming machine including an extruder having a screw shaft, a filter cylinder connected to the extruder, a resin filter mounted within the filter cylinder so as to form a resin chamber therebetween, a scraper shaft positioned within the filter cylinder and including projected strips as scraper which protrude aslant to the axis of the scraper shaft such that the strips contact the inner surface of the filter and interconnect with the screw shaft, a body fixed to the filter cylinder which includes a first guide hole, one end thereof being connected to the inside of the filter cylinder, an ejecting port, and a second guide hole disposed in an orthogonal direction with respect to the axis of the scraper so as to connect the first guide hole to the foreign material ejecting port further including a plurality of resin passages communicating with the resin chamber, a plurality of dies fixed to the body which include connecting passages for ejecting resin and

Abstract: A polyisocyanate foam having isotropic cells is manufactured by a foaming operation in an apparatus comprising a mold composed of side walls capable of extending and returning, or folding and unfolding, in directions perpendicular to the free rising direction. Mold extending means are provided to spread out the side walls of the mold perpendicular to the free rising direction. While the foamable composition is in a creamy state, it is allowed to rise freely in one direction (the free rising direction), while the side walls of the mold are in their folded condition, until a height detecting means is actuated.

Abstract: A method of controlling the bulk or pour density of carbon black without altering its rubber reinforcing properties, by wet micropulverizing prior to pin mixing.

Abstract: The thickness of a cut length of a continuously extruded elastomer is controlled by sampling the weight of a section of the continuous extrusion at a running-weigh-scale each second; computing one-minute averages of the running-weigh-scale samples and storing "A" to "n" of the averages where "A" is the newest and "n" is the oldest stored average; sampling the extruder motor power draw each second; computing one-minute averages of the power draw and storing "B" to "m" of the averages where "B" is the newest and "m" is the oldest stored average; comparing the newest to the oldest power draw average to obtain a difference between the two and multiplying the difference by a constant indicative of the type of elastomeric material being processed through the extruder to obtain a power-draw deviation signal; sampling the weight of a cut length of material extrusion at a check-weigh-scale; comparing the check-weigh-scale value to the oldest "n" stored running-weigh-scale one-minute average and to the power draw devia

Abstract: An improved method or process for the continuous manufacture of mats to be processed into composition boards is disclosed, the board-forming process being a dry process involving hot-pressing of the mats and curing of the binder. The mats comprise a fibrous or particulate material or materials, and a binder, the mats being dry. The mat material is laid onto a conveyor by formers or felters. In order to ensure that the resulting composition board has a uniform strength distribution and uniform specific gravity or density, a beta ray density measuring device measures successively the weight of air-borne material passing through a conduit or conduits to the forming apparatus, and the measured value is used to regulate the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for forming rigid friction material structures from dry friction material having as major constituent elements substantial quantities of both asbestos fiber and thermosetting resin, whereby release of asbestos fibers to the atmosphere is substantially eliminated. The improved method builds upon known molding and charge preforming techniques which have been practiced using apparatus available heretofore.

Abstract: An improved "pre-autoclaving" process for the formation of fiber-reinforced calcium silicate hydrate bodies (such as thermal insulation) is disclosed. The improvement comprises first cooling the crystal slurry from the reactor in a heat exchanger and then metering the cooled slurry through a venturi to reduce the pressure and control the flow rate.

Abstract: A method for controlling an iron ore pelletizing and pellet processing operation by evaluating the results of the on-stream analysis of the apparent specific gravity or apparent density distributions of the dry and fired pellet samples which permits the operator of the process to determine if any changes in the process control factors are required in order to impart into the fired pellets an apparent specific gravity or apparent density distribution optimized therefor as the fired pellets are used as a blast furnace charge composition. The method includes the use of an apparent specific gravity measuring step wherein a pellet process stream is periodically sampled and the pellet samples are presented in sequence to a weight measurement unit capable of producing an electric signal proportional to the weight of each sample, from which it proceeds into a volume measurement unit photoelectrically responsive thereto to produce an electric signal proportional to the volume of the sample.

Abstract: In a method of making a cross-linked extruded product from polyethylene or other suitable polymer, the polymer is metered into a screw extrusion machine together with compounding ingredients comprising a hydrolysable unsaturated silane, a free-radical generator and a silanol condensation catalyst. The compounding ingredients are blended with the polymer in the barrel of the extruder and the mixture is heated sufficiently to effect grafting of silane groups to the polymer, the amount of free-radical generator being sufficiently low to limit direct free-radical cross-linking to a level that will not prevent extrusion of the material. The reaction mixture is extruded directly from the same extruder through an extrusion die to form an elongate shaped product and cross-linking is effected by subjecting the shaped product to the action of moisture.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for forming rigid friction material structures from dry friction material having as major constituent elements substantial quantities of both asbestos fiber and thermosetting resin, whereby release of asbestos fibers to the atmosphere is substantially eliminated. The improved method builds upon known molding and charge preforming techniques which have been practiced using apparatus available heretofore.

Abstract: The dimension across an extrudable material is monitored during an extrusion period and during a stationary period.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of and apparatus for use in the production of shaped, high polymeric articles, particularly yarns, in which natural, thermo-plastic high polymeric material and a coloring agent are mixed together and the delivery of the coloring agent for mixing is controlled in dependence upon the rate at which the mixture is processed.

Abstract: There is disclosed instrumentation for use in connection with one or more tablet presses of various types, and in particular rotary tablet presses, for virtually any reasonable combination and number of such tablet presses. Tablet formation information, in particular compression and ejection force information, tablet capping information and information related to punch withdrawal is provided and processed by such instrumentation. This information is selectively applied to converting means which renders the selected information in a convenient data form for processing. Selection of the information may be made for example based on the need or desire to monitor a particular tablet press, tablet press station and/or individual tablet die/punch set combination.

Abstract: A method is provided to make substantially flat-topped blocks of plastics foam, e.g. polyurethane, by a batch process. The foam-forming reaction mixture is dispensed into a cavity defined by a support and shaping members for the sides of the block. As the foaming commences the support is lowered so that the zone of contact between the shaping members and the foam remains constant. By this means the dome-shaped effect of free-foaming is avoided.

Abstract: The thickness of a cut length of a continuously extruded elastomer is controlled by sampling the weight of a section of the continuous extrusion at a running-weigh-scale each second; computing and storing one-minute averages of the running-weigh-scale samples; sampling the weight of a cut length of the extrusion at a check-weigh-scale; comparing the check-weigh-scale value to the oldest stored running-weigh-scale one-minute average to obtain a targeted average; comparing the targeted running-weigh-scale average to the newest stored running-weigh-scale one-minute average to obtain a deviation from the targeted value if one exists; and converting the deviation from the targeted running-weigh-scale value to a control signal for increasing or decreasing the speed of a take-away belt positioned at the extruder exit orifice to vary the thickness of the extrusion in accordance with the deviation control signal and the speed of the belt.

Abstract: Uniformity in weight per unit length of continuously extruded tire tread stock is improved by measuring a dimension thereof such as thickness in the tread stock between the extruder die face and the conveyor and controlling the speed of the conveyor in response to deviations from an arbitrary norm of the dimension. A laser beam measuring device for measuring thickness variations in the tread stock before it reaches the conveyor and while the tread stock remains dimensionally unstable following its extrusion.

Abstract: A process for recovering mixed plastic material including polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride wherein the material is ground, ballistically sorted and recovered while employing a regenerating master mix including rongalite and chlorinated polyethylene.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically constructing prefabricated wall sections of brick wall panels with a tile lining. A prefabricated brick wall panel has columns of mortar disposed in parallel strips thereon, a lining panel of unconnected tile members is assembled, proper spacing being introduced between each of the tile members, and the tile members are transferred in groups or en masse to a position over the wall panel. The lining panel members are then firmly pressed into engagement with the wall panel with mortar columns therealong, thereby forming a completed wall section. Preferred specific apparatus includes vacuum grippers, scissor-connected link spacing means, and flatbed cars movable on tracks to a position below automatic mortar applying means.

Abstract: Hydraulic cement or the like is poured into a closed mould under a reduced pressure condition to a level slightly higher than a predetermined level. Coarse aggregate and steel rods are prepacked in the mould. After pouring the pressure in the mould is increased to atmospheric pressure or a higher pressure to force the hydraulic cement above the predetermined level back into the space below the level thus compacting the poured in hydraulic cement. A cushion device is provided for the pouring device. An overflow tank is connected to the mould to observe the level of the poured cement. The pressure in the overflow tank is also decreased during pouring and increased after pouring.

Abstract: There is disclosed instrumentation for use in connection with one or more tablet presses of various types, and in particular rotary tablet presses, for virtually any reasonable combination and number of such tablet presses. Tablet formation information, in particular compression and ejection force information, tablet capping information and force information related to the time of occurrence of punch withdrawal is provided and processed by such instrumentation. This information is selectively applied to converting means which renders the selected information in a convenient data form for processing. Selection of the information may be made for example based on the need or desire to monitor a particular tablet press, tablet press station and/or individual tablet die/punch set combination.

Abstract: A screw extruder-calender assemblage consists of a screw extruder and a pair of calender rolls disposed adjacent to the discharge end of the extruder and normal to the lengthwise axis thereof. An equalization chamber between the extruder discharge end and the input side of the calender rolls is formed by the discharge crosswise end of the extruder, peripheral positions of the calender rolls and two side walls; the crosswise width of the chamber adjacent to the calender being equal to the length of the working gap. The quantity of material in this chamber during operation varies with variations in the output of the extruder but always provides a quantity of material sufficient to assure uniform output from the calender rolls.

Abstract: A process for extruding a film having small variations in thickness by regulating the quantities fed to a worm press and by regulating the extrusion process. Marginal strips and waste products of extruded film are re-processed by returning these materials, slicing them and directly weighing them before being fed to the filling bin of the screw press. In order to regulate the quantities fed to the screw press, the weighed material per unit of time is continually subtracted from a nominal value set by a volume regulator associated with the raw material seeder devices. The filling degree of the screw press is measured as the mass pressure between the screw press and a constant volume pump such that the filling degree is maintained constant during the extrusion process.