Abstract: A glass-ceramic component is provided that has a low average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a high CTE homogeneity. The use of such a component and a process for producing such a component are also provided.

Abstract: A dispersive mixing element for co-rotating twin screw extruder is disclosed. The element for co-rotating twin screw extruder comprises of a continuous flight helically formed thereon having a lead ‘L’, wherein either the flight transforms at least once from an integer lobe flight into a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead ‘L’ and transforms back to an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead ‘L’ or the flight transforms at least once from a non-integer lobe flight into an integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead ‘L’ and transforms back to a non-integer lobe flight in a fraction of the lead ‘L’.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously mixing and applying paste to battery grids for use in lead-acid battery systems, in which particulate lead oxide, water and sulphuric acid are reacted in an elongated mixer having a mixing to conveying ratio of about 65:35 to 80:20 with controlled reaction temperature for an exit product temperature in the range of above 60° C. to about 80° C. Additives including reinforcing fibers can be added in an amount up to 0.6 wt % of the lead oxide and carbon and graphite powder can be added in an amount up to 6 wt % of the lead oxide.

Abstract: A mixing section for an extrusion screw comprises a shaft having at least one set of spaced-apart cuspidate shaft teeth, with the shaft teeth extending radially outwardly from a root of the shaft. Each of the shaft teeth comprises a flank face and a rake face opposite the flank face, with the tooth transitioning between the flank face and the rake face at an outermost cusp. Some embodiments have one or more longitudinally extending, longitudinally spaced series of annular sets of circumferentially spaced shaft teeth. Some embodiments have one or more helically extending series of spaced-apart cuspidate shaft teeth. The mixing section may be received in a mixing section barrel to form a mixing portion of a screw extruder.

Abstract: A paste kneading device includes an oblong barrel, two shafts arranged parallel within the barrel, being held and driven at their first ends, defining an upstream end, by a drive device, two screws each formed by threads carried by the shafts, each screw having a transport section carrying a main thread to cause the paste to advance along the two screws, and an outlet orifice formed in the wall of the barrel to discharge the kneaded paste, the kneading device further including a holder device to hold each shaft at its second end, defining a downstream end, and enabling the shaft to rotate freely, the holder device including, for each shaft, a first portion secured to the shaft and a second portion secured to a cap end portion of the barrel, the cap end portion being removable and the first and second portions being configured to engage and disengage freely.

Abstract: A self-cleaning plasticizing venting and extruding apparatus by co-rotating non-twin multi-screws and a method thereof are provided, said apparatus comprises a screw mechanism, barrel, feeding port, venting port, discharging port, and driving mechanism. Said screw mechanism comprises non-uniform central screw and lateral screws, the axis of the central screw coincides with the barrel, and the lateral screws are provided on both sides of the central screw and engaged with the central screw; the contour lines of the threads of said central screw and said lateral screws are tangent to the inner wall of the barrel; and said driving mechanism is connected to the central screw and lateral screws. Each screw-uses an asymmetrical flow channel shape, so the flow space is asymmetric, and the compounding intensity and effectiveness enhanced. The dispersion and mixing effects are excellent, generating a self-cleaning effect. The system is suitable for high yield nano-material processing.

Abstract: An improved dual-shaft preconditioner (10) of simplified design is provided giving increased moisturization and partial cooking of food or feed ingredients. The preconditioner (10) includes an elongated, tapered housing (12) presenting a pair of side-by-side, communicating housing sections (58, 60), with a corresponding pair of converging shafts (20, 22) within the sections (58, 60) and having a series of elongated, outwardly extending mixing elements (24, 26) secured to the shafts (20, 22). The preconditioner (10) is designed for use in a system including a downstream processing device, such as an extruder (146).

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for injection of fluid into extrusion system components such as a preconditioner (24) or extruder (100) is provided, preferably as a composite assembly including a fluid injection valve (52) and an interconnected static mixer section (54). Alternately, use may be made of the fluid injection valve (52) or static mixer section (54) alone. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used in extrusion systems, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extrusion systems.

Abstract: A method of extruding a dry mixture includes providing mixing materials to a twin screw extruder. The mixing materials are substantially dry and may include a substantially unfibrillated binder and a carbon material. The method includes extruding the mixing materials via a twin screw extruder to form an extruded mixture that is substantially dry. In one embodiment, the substantially dry mixture exiting the extruder may be further processed to form an electrode material, such as by a calendaring step.

Abstract: A kneading apparatus has a pair of rotary shafts mounted to undergo rotation in different directions of rotation and at different rotational speeds from one another. Stirring members are helically arranged on outer peripheries of the rotary shafts at predetermined helical and angular pitches for kneading an object during rotation of the rotary shafts. The helical pitch of the stirring members of one of the rotary shafts has an inverse helix from that of the stirring members of the other rotary shaft. The stirring members have surfaces with a first phase configured to move the kneaded object in a feed direction or a second phase symmetrical to the first phase and configured to move the kneaded object in a direction reverse to the feed direction. The stirring members are arranged so that the first and second phases cyclically repeat in a predetermined sequence in axial directions of the rotary shafts.

Abstract: A continuous granulator comprises a longitudinal granulation chamber having a first end with an inlet for powder material and a binder feed port and a second end with an outlet for granulated product. The granulation chamber comprises at least two parallel rotary shafts provided with granulating elements and forming an angle of from 0 to 70 degrees with the vertical. Each granulating element on a shaft comprises at least one lobe having limited extent in the circumferential direction of the shaft and interleaving with a lobe of a granulating element on another shaft. A plurality of such separate granulating elements are distributed from the inlet to the outlet, and successive granulating elements on a shaft are mutually angled.

Abstract: An extruder is disclosed, and more particularly, to an integrated single screw extruder and a twin screw extruder for mixing, compounding, kneading and/or extruding of materials. The integrated extruder includes a first barrel assembly and a second barrel assembly. The integrated extruder further includes a first screw having a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion. The first threaded portion is housed within the first barrel assembly and is configured to provide upstream material processing. The second threaded portion is housed within the second barrel assembly and is configured to provide downstream material processing. The integrated extruder further includes a second screw having a non-threaded shaft portion and a threaded portion. The threaded portion of the second screw is housed within the second barrel assembly and is configured to provide the downstream material processing with the second threaded portion of the first screw.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus, which is capable of delivering precise quantities of a liquid product less than one mm3 in size, includes a drive mechanism, a housing made up of at least two input channels coupled to a chamber made up of a first portion and a second portion. First and second component liquids are delivered via the first and second input channels respectively to the chamber and the first and second input channels are disposed so that interaction is hindered between the first component liquid and the second component liquid in either input channel. At least one feed screw with a helical thread is disposed in the chamber such that when the at least one feed screw is rotated by the drive mechanism the first and second component liquids are mixed to form a liquid product and the feed screw rotation also discharges the liquid product from the chamber.

Abstract: A stand mixer and heating means combination apparatus includes a stand mixer that has a base. A top side of the base includes a container mating member. An outer container includes a mixer mating member that is engageable with the container mating member. The outer container includes a bottom wall. A heating assembly is mounted on the base and is in thermal communication with the outer container. An inner container has a lower wall. The inner container has a size to be positioned in the outer container. A first mating member is attached to an outer surface of the inner container and is engageable with a second mating member attached to an inner surface of the outer container such that the lower and bottom walls are retained in a spaced relationship with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing material by mixing and/or plasticating, comprising at least two conical screws (2, 3) which are arranged next to each other in a common screw casing (1) and the flights of which engage with one another and are driven to rotate in the same direction of rotation about the respective screw axis (4, 5) by at least one motor, with the material that is to be processed being fed to the screws (2, 3) through at least one feed opening (6) in the screw casing (1) which is arranged in the feed zone (E) of one end face of the screws (2, 3), and with the material that has been processed by the screws (2, 3) leaving the screw casing (1) through at least one outlet opening (7) in the screw casing (1) that is arranged in the discharge zone (A) of the other end face of the screws (2, 3). In order to provide advantageous plasticating conditions it is proposed that the ratio of the numerical values of the screw outside diameter (c, d) to the profile overlap, i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material, such as a biomass or fodder for cattle, comprises a container having a bottom and an upright wall, and at least one mixing element comprising an upright column and a mixing blade attached to the column. A front edge of the mixing element at least is proximate to the bottom of the container. The mixing element with its column is rotatably mounted in the container and can be coupled to a drive unit. The mixing blade comprises an element which is rotatably supported on a carrier that is fixed to the column. A part of the circumferential edge of the rotatable element may form the front edge and the part of the outer edge of the mixing blade that joins said front edge.

Abstract: Screw assemblies are provided for cooking extruders characterized by operation using significantly reduced specific mechanical energy inputs, wherein the screw assemblies include first and second elongated, axially rotatable screws which are substantially coextensive in length, with the screw flighting presenting a pair of axially spaced apart sections of short pitch length and an intermediate section of greater pitch length. The intermediate section has an axial length greater than about four times the length of the axially spaced apart sections. The screw assemblies permit incorporation of significantly greater amounts of steam into comestible products during cooking thereof, as compared with prior art designs.

Abstract: A mixer includes a housing having one or more augers therein. The augers are turned so that they lift the material being mixed upwardly. Fixed on the side walls, which include baffles, are one or more deflectors which impart a downward motion on the mixture being mixed so that the mixture is tumbled upwardly by the augers and downwardly by the deflectors.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus comprising a pair of counter rotating beater blades operating in a rotating bowl for the mixing of food ingredients, in which at least one of the beater blades is provided with inserts which urge small quantities of the food ingredients from a thin distributed layer into a mixable concentration of the ingredients.

Abstract: An improved screw feeder assembly is provided for interconnection between the outlet of a preconditioner and the inlet of an extruder barrel. The assembly includes an upright housing with a pair of elongated shafts equipped with auger flighting within the housing and driven by means of motor. Preferably, the housing is mechanically coupled to the outlet and inlet with the shafts extending through the preconditioner vessel and downwardly to a point within the inlet and closely adjacent the screw(s) within the extruder barrel; the flighting is provided along the length of the housing, from a point closely adjacent the outlet and into the extruder inlet. This provides a positive conveyance of preconditioned material from the outlet to the inlet. Use of the assembly allows maintenance of superatmospheric pressures and temperatures above 212° F. within the preconditioner, which permits more efficient processing.

Abstract: Improved extruders and methods for the extrusion cooking of comestible products such as human foods or animal feeds are provided wherein the products may be produced with very low specific mechanical energy (SME) inputs as compared with conventional processing. The methods preferably involve introduction of very high levels of steam into the extruder barrel during processing, which concomitantly reduces necessary SME inputs required to achieve desired cook and expansion levels in the products. In accordance with the invention, fully-cooked pet foods can be fabricated with SME inputs of up to about 18 kWhr/T, whereas aquatic feeds can be fabricated with SME inputs of up to about 16 kWhr/T.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat exchange with radial mixing comprises a trough with two rotatably arranged shafts extending alongside each other, which shafts are each provided with paddles spaced apart in an axial direction with an intermediate distance. The paddles extend substantially in a radial plane with respect to the shafts, and extend in a circumferential direction over at least a part of the circumference. In the circumferential direction, the paddles are at least partly wedge-shaped. Upon opposite rotation of the shafts, successive paddles mesh alternately, thereby forming a gap narrowing again and again. Per shaft, successive paddles in an axial direction are staggered relative to each other in circumferential direction through an angle.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a kneader which can diminish wear of screws and a barrel while preventing the manufacturing process for the screws and barrel from becoming complicated. In this kneader, a pair of screws are rotated about respective axes thereof to knead a material to be kneaded which is introduced into a kneading space formed within a barrel. Each screw has such a shape generating deflection in a predetermined direction perpendicular to an arranged direction of the axes of the pair of screws during kneading of the material to be kneaded, and the kneading space has a shape such that a pair of accommodating spaces which accommodate each of the screws respectively are connected together so as to overlap each other partially in the radial direction, each accommodating space being formed in such a manner that the diameter thereof in the predetermined direction in which there occurs deflection of each screw is larger than in any other direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing kneader comprising at least two shafts (2,3) configured as hollow shafts, on whose surfaces kneading bars (4) are disposed on elements (5). The construction of the shafts is selected in such a way that the resonant frequencies of the shafts have a separation of at least 5% from the excitation frequencies. At least one of the shafts is preferably flowed through by a temperature-control medium, the inlet being disposed on one side and the outlet on the other side of the shaft. The mixing kneader preferably comprises at least one orifice above the shafts which is configured as a dome, the dome being closed by a displacer (22). In addition, at least one orifice for product withdrawal is provided, whose orifice cross section is adjustable during operation.

Abstract: A device for carrying out mechanical, chemical and/or thermal processes in a housing (3) having mixing and cleaning elements (5) on shafts (1, 2), wherein the mixing and cleaning elements (5) of the shafts (1, 2) engage into each other when rotating about the axes thereof and two mixing and cleaning elements (5) are arranged at least one shaft (1, 2) consecutively in the axial direction in a 180° rotation-symmetrical manner about the axis (A) of the shaft (1, 2). Each mixing and cleaning element (5) comprises a disc element (6) and the disc element (6) has an outer edge (7) running in a radius (r) in an arch segment of approximately 90° or slightly bigger about the axis (A) of the shaft (1, 2) and wherein side edges (8.1, 8.2) abut on both sides toward the shaft (1, 2), wherein one or more bars (9.1, 9.2) sit on the edge (7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to new screw elements for multi-screw extruders with pairs of co-rotating and fully wiping screws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to screw elements for multiscrew extruders with pairs of co-rotating and fully wiping screws, to the use of these screw elements in multiscrew extruders and to a method of generating screw elements according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating tightly intermeshing, self-cleaning, co-rotating screw profiles, the use of the screw profiles in screw and transition elements, novel screw profiles which have been generated by the method and a computer program product for executing the method in a computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and atomizing gases and liquids are described. The liquid is atomized by the combs of rollers that rotate in the chamber. The rollers are configured to neutralize centrifugal forces, thus preventing the liquid fluid from bordering the sides of the chamber, thus mixing the gas with the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of constructing elements which wipe each other during corotation about two parallel axes in such a manner that they constantly touch each other at at least one point.

Abstract: A mixer having improved axial and radial mixing which retains good mixing time even during large viscosity changes, comprising a housing with at least one helical or anchor agitator located centrally in the housing in combination with at least one eccentrically arranged screw or blade agitator, preferably in mutual engagement, the combination of a helical agitator and a screw agitator enabling a much shorter mixing time as compared to a mixer having only a helical agitator without a screw agitator.

Abstract: A system and method for making processed meat products without the need for a vacuum system is disclosed. Meats and other meat product constituents are forced into a mixer having rotating elements for directing the constituents through a housing. The system limits the amount of air that is in contact with the constituents while resident within the housing, and provides high shear force to reduce the necessary mixing time.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve an existing mixing device in such a manner that for a predetermined reactor length, retention time is increased and the material which is to be processed is transported at essentially the same speed irrespective of the radial distance thereof from the rotational axis. As a result, at least one row of blades is arranged on each shaft and each row of blades comprises at least two individual blades and the blades are fixed to the shaft at an incidence angle ? in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The blades are curved in themselves, such that the blades form an angle of incidence ? at the fixing point on the shaft and an angle of incidence ? on the outer diameter DA.

Abstract: An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner (10, 70, 102) is provided having independent drive mechanism (18, 20, 78, 80) operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft (14, 16, 74, 76, 106, 108) and permitting selective rotation of the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76, 106, 108) at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. Preferably, the speed differential between the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76, 106, 108) is at least about 5:1. The mechanisms (18, 20, 78, 80) are operatively coupled with a digital control device (60) to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner (10, 70, 102) is supported on load cells (62, 100) also coupled with control device (60) to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (10, 70, 102).

Abstract: Device for processing material by mixing and/or plasticization or agglomeration A device for processing material by mixing and/or plasticization or agglomeration has a screw housing (6), in which at least two screws (1, 2) are situated adjacent to one another. The screw channels (7) are engaged with one another. The screws are driven to rotate by at least one motor (3). The screws (1, 2) are supplied with the material through an intake opening (39) of the screw housing (6) and the processed material leaves the screw housing through at least one outlet opening (51). An apparatus (19) is provided, which in operation of the device provides the gap (8) which exists between adjacent screw channels (7) of the screws (1, 2) alternately with a periodic enlargement or reduction, which is superimposed on the rotational movements of the two screws (1, 2).

Abstract: An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner (10, 70) is provided having independent drive mechanism (18, 20, 78, 80) operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft (14, 16, 74, 76) and permitting selective rotation of the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76) at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. The mechanisms (18, 20, 78, 80) are operatively coupled with a digital controller (60) to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner (10, 70) is supported on load cells (62, 100) also coupled with controller (60) to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (10, 70). The preconditioner (10, 70) is particularly useful for the preconditioning and partial gelatinization of starch-bearing feed or food materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a non-Newtonian fluid product including a non-Newtonian fluid base product including at least one second phase is disclosed. A second phase dispersion apparatus is disclosed which receives the at least one second phase and the non-Newtonian fluid base product and disperses the at least one second phase within the non-Newtonian fluid base product to produce the non-Newtonian fluid product.

Abstract: A continuous granulator comprises a longitudinal granulation chamber having a first end with an inlet for powder material and a binder feed port and a second end with an outlet for granulated product. The granulation chamber comprises at least two parallel rotary shafts provided with granulating elements and forming an angle of from 0 to 70 degrees with the vertical. Each granulating element on a shaft comprises at least one lobe having limited extent in the circumferential direction of the shaft and interleaving with a lobe of a granulating element on another shaft. A plurality of such separate granulating elements are distributed from the inlet to the outlet, and successive granulating elements on a shaft are mutually angled.

Abstract: An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner (10, 70) is provided having independent drive mechanism (18, 20, 78, 80) operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft (14, 16, 74, 76) and permitting selective rotation of the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76) at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. The mechanisms (18, 20, 78, 80) are operatively coupled with a digital controller (60) to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner (10, 70) is supported on load cells (62, 100) also coupled with controller (60) to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (10, 70). The preconditioner (10, 70) is particularly useful for the preconditioning and partial gelatinization of starch-bearing feed or food materials.

Abstract: A concrete batch mixing system and method are disclosed that enable the batch master to measure and control both the water and cementitious ingredient feeds in relation to each other so as to be able to blend the two ingredients in a known, selected, adjustable and repeatable manner, and to agglomerate these ingredients in a counter-rotating twin screw mixing apparatus for use in the preparation of batches of mixed concrete in a concrete batching process.

Abstract: A system is provided with a solid-liquid separator which can transport sludge and other material for treatment without clogging and can efficiently separator liquid from such material for treatment. The system includes movable plates and fixed plates alternatingly disposed and two screws disposed in holes formed in the movable plates and fixed plates. The screws have blades that partially overlap. As the two screws rotate, the material for treatment is transported and the effluent is discharged through the gaps between the movable plates and fixed plates.

Abstract: An extruder drive has a housing, at least two extrusion worms each having a drive shaft extending into the housing, and at least one drive motor including at least one cylindrical stator fixed in the housing and a cylindrical rotor cooperating with the stator so as to be rotatably driven by the stator. The rotor surrounds the drive shafts, and each of the drive shafts is independently connected to the rotor for driving thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for treating a fluid mass or stock, particularly couch stock in paper making. Stock material is fed into a vessel having a mixing arrangement comprising rotatably arranged processing means. At lest two processing means are caused to rotate mutually adjacent in opposite direction and essentially horizontally. The stock at the upper surface of the means is conveyed towards a wall portion of the vessel, whereby spirals arranged in an inclined manner at a core of the processing means bring stock into channels defined by the core, by the spirals, and by the wall portion of the vessel, and further towards a constriction formed by the respective spiral elements running in an intermeshed manner, while a part of the stock is forced in a direction away from a discharge of the vessel.

Abstract: Mixer comprising a housing having filling and emptying openings, two corotating stirrers and drivers for the stirrers, one of the stirrers being arranged centrally in the housing and having at least a drive shaft and at least one transverse beam fitted to the drive shaft and at least one stirring arm fitted at their ends to the transverse beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous stirring comprising a horizontal elongated cylindrical vessel and two rotating blade assemblies rotatable in the direction opposite to each other provided in parallel to each other in the vessel, where a liquid feed is moved from one end to another therethrough by rotation of the two rotating blade assemblies in the direction opposite to each other, while stirring and mixing the liquid feed, the two rotating blade assemblies each comprising rotor shafts (3a-3b or 3c-3d) supported at both ends of the rotating blade assemblies, support members (4) each fixed to the rotor shafts, connecting members (5) span between the support members (4) and in positions far from the substantial rotating shaft center and a plurality of plate-shaped stirring blades (6) arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the substantial rotating shaft center and fixed to the connecting members (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer-kneading device for carrying out mechanical, chemical and/or thermal processes, consisting of mixing elements (A, R) disposed on a shaft (2, 3), extending approximately in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (2, 3) or being somewhat inclined and comprising at least one scraping edge (14, 18, 21). Said mixer-kneading device is characterised in that clearance angles (w1-w6) are formed, respectively, in a direction leading away from the scraping edge (14, 18, 21) and which is opposite to the direction of movement of the mixer element.

Abstract: A continuous mixer (32) is disclosed which can be used for mixing of incoming product streams (22, 24) of different characteristics respectively to yield a final product stream (26) of predetermined, consistent characteristics. The mixer (32) includes an elongated housing (42) having a pair of product input ports (50, 52) and an output (64), with a pair of elongated, axially rotatable, mixing screws (44, 46) located within the housing (42). The screws (44, 46) include a series of outwardly projecting mixing elements (114) preferably of pyramidal design and arrayed in a helical pattern along the length of the screws (44,46). The mixer (32) may be used in a processing system (20,200) having individual product lines (28,30,204,206) coupled to the mixer (32), and is especially useful for processing of incoming meat streams (22,24) of different fat/lean ratios, to give a final comminuted output stream (26) of an intermediate and essentially constant fat/lean ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mixing products, particularly viscous pasty products, in a mixing container (1) by means of at least two exchangeable mixers (7, 8) protruding therein, respectively comprising a mixing shaft (9) on which mixing elements (10, 12, 13) extend radially therefrom and which touch each other. According to the inventive method, the mixing elements (10, 12, 13) are used to perform mutual cleaning, clean the surface of the mixing shafts (7, 8) and/or a clean the inner surface of the container, removing products sticking thereto. At least one mixer (7, 8) performs an orbital movement in the container (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous stirring comprising a horizontal elongated cylindrical vessel and two rotating blade assemblies rotatable in the direction opposite to each other provided in parallel to each other in the vessel, where a liquid feed is moved from one end to another therethrough by rotation of the two rotating blade assemblies in the direction opposite to each other, while stirring and mixing the liquid feed, the two rotating blade assemblies each comprising rotor shafts (3a-3b or 3c-3d) supported at both ends of the rotating blade assemblies, support members (4) each fixed to the rotor shafts, connecting members (5) span between the support members (4) and in positions far from the substantial rotating shaft center and a plurality of plate-shaped stirring blades (6) arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the substantial rotating shaft center and fixed to the connecting members (5).

Abstract: A continuous mixer (32) is disclosed which can be used for mixing of incoming product streams (22, 24) of different characteristics respectively to yield a final product stream (26) of predetermined, consistent characteristics. The mixer (32) includes an elongated housing (42) having a pair of product input ports (50,52) and an output (64), with a pair of elongated, axially rotatable, mixing screws (44,46) located within the housing (42). The screws (44, 46) include a series of outwardly projecting mixing elements (114) preferably of pyramidal design and arrayed in a helical pattern along the length of the screws (44,46). The mixer (32) may be used in a processing system (20,200) having individual product lines (28, 30, 204, 206) coupled to the mixer (32), and is especially useful for processing of incoming meat streams (22,24) of different fat/lean ratios, to give a final comminuted output stream (26) of an intermediate and essentially constant fat/lean ratio.