Abstract: Process for producing from a rubber mixture blanks for finished parts in the rubber industry is composed of an extruder having a cylinder and a screw rotatable in the cylinder to plasticize a rubber mixture fed into the cylinder, an extrusion head and a gear pump between the extruder and the extrusion head for producing extrusion pressure and forcing the mixture through the extrusion head at a predetermined rate per unit time to form a uniform strand of predetermined shape which is cut into uniform lengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing plural flowable materials, for example liquids, is disclosed having a disk-shaped rotor connected to a rotating drive shaft and housed in a cylindrical chamber. The rotor has engraved on one or both faces a spiral-shaped groove to provide sufficient mixing turbulence and prevent unmixed solute from exiting the chamber. The chamber is defined by walls of two stationary end plates separated by an outer cylindrical barrel. When configured in multiple stages having a plurality of rotors connected with a single rotating drive shaft and housed in a plurality of axially arranged such chambers, a centrally-drilled passage intervening between chambers connects adjacent chambers. Additional solvent liquid is introduced at each mixing stage through a radially drilled passage. The materials to be mixed are confined to a narrow interstice between the rotor, adjacent walls and barrel, and pass in sequence from one chamber to the next.

Abstract: An extruder having a reduced nip ratio and a process employing the same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for continuously producing a rubber base compound and a rubber end compound in a single stage for vehicle tires, drive belts, conveyor belts as well as for industrial rubber products. The rubber base compound and the rubber end compound are produced continuously in one and the same mixing arrangement which includes a twin-screw extruder.

Abstract: A batch mixer includes a mixing chamber in which polymeric material such as plastics and rubber is heated and mixed. The material is fed to the mixing chamber through a hopper. The hopper has a door which is swung open and closed by a fluid-actuated cylinder. A locking mechanism is provided to enable the door to be swung only slightly open by excessive pressure build-ups in order to vent the pressure without permitting an appreciable amount of molten material to escape through the door.

Abstract: In the preparation and production of plastic materials by a continuously operating double shaft screw-type extruder, the efficiency of production often depends on good delivery of material to the extruder. In accordance with the invention for processing various types of plastic materials, a primary stage is mounted in a pressure-tight sealed manner on the housing of the extruder, the primary stage being formed by a vertical double conical container in which a pair of screw-type helices are rotatably supported and driven from above. The helices are connected to two replaceable feed elements at their lower ends so that delivery of material to the extruder is achieved without any intermediate dead spaces.

Abstract: A screw extruder having a barrel with a longitudinal bore for receiving a rotatable screw, a transverse bore disposed in the barrel tangential to the longitudinal bore for receiving and supporting a pin wherein the pin extends partially into the longitudinal bore. The tangential arrangement of the pin substantially decreases the susceptability of the pin to bending or breaking. The pin may also be adjustably positioned in the transverse bore and further may be subject to thermal heating and cooling.

Abstract: A process and a degassing unit for the degassing of plastic melt in a screw extruder in which a surface of the degassing unit facing the screws of the extruder are heated to prevent deposition of entrained plastic particles, particularly at the corners or edges of the degassing unit. Prior to the commencement of the treatment process, the degassing unit is heated to a temperature which is at least as high as the melting point of the plastic to be treated. Heating can be effected by conveying a heating medium through a channel in the degassing unit located in proximity to the surface facing the extrusion screws and especially the corner or edge regions.

Abstract: A continuous, self-wiping, multiple parallel shaft processing and/or extruding system wherein material is charged to a barrel in which the shafts extend at one end and discharged at another. The barrel has an interior chamber defined by parallel intersecting cylinders providing generally V-shaped saddles at their confluence, and parallel shaft rotate within the cylinders at the same speed of rotation and in the same direction of rotation Radially co-wiping helical processing elements are fixed respectively on the shafts and are configured to also wipe the walls of said cylinders. A vent for egressing volatiles leads from the chamber, and a vent bypass passage has a first section leading from the chamber upstream from the vent, a midsection extending coextensively with the chamber within the barrel, and a return section returning to the chamber.

Abstract: A twin screw extruder for processing plastic material having a housing provided with a plurality of juxtaposed housing segments arranged axially in succession and defining two longitudinal, overlapping bores respectively containing two coaxially arranged extruder screws, rotatable about respective longitudinal axes, and having intermeshing threads. One of the housing segments serves as a degassing housing segment for degassing the plastic material and it is connected to a degassing chamber. The degassing housing segment has a transverse, radial opening in which an insert member is fitted, the insert member having a degassing opening providing communication between the degassing chamber and the bores in the housing. The degassing opening tapers in widening fashion in the direction from the longitudinal bores to the degassing chamber, and the degassing opening has a longitudinal axis disposed in a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the screws.

Abstract: In the production of foamed plastic articles using a screw extruder, it is known to introduce a gaseous foaming agent into the plastic while the latter is passing through the extruder. It has been found that a foamed thermoplastic with pores or cells of uniform size and distribution can be produced by passing a gaseous foaming agent, e.g. nitrogen gas through a central passage extending substantially the entire length of the extruder screw, discharging the agent into the thermoplastic proximate the discharge end of the extruder, and mixing the foaming agent with the plastic immediately prior to discharge of the mixture into a mold.

Abstract: The process is used to remove the solvent from an elastomeric polymer solution containing at least 8% by weight of elastomeric polymer. The elastomeric polymer solution undergoes a preprocessing step in order to remove a large part of the solvent. Thereafter, the elastomeric polymer solution is fed into a main extruder in order to remove the remaining solvent. The preprocessing step includes: (a) introducing a heating fluid and the elastomeric polymer solution into a static mixer in order to mix the heating fluid and the elastomeric polymer solution and heat rapidly the elastomeric polymer solution to a temperature of 60.degree.-250.degree. C.

Abstract: The specification is concerned with a process and apparatus for continuous manufacture of moisture curable silicone compositions.

Abstract: An extruder for elastomeric material has an axial screw in an extruder chamber defined by a cylindrical housing. Two radial planes of vented kneading pins are provided upstream of the extruder housing succeeded by spaced-apart planes of non-vented kneading pins. Each vented kneading pin includes small apertures at the inlet end of the pin which communicate with a stepped bore of gradually increasing crosssectional area from the inlet to the outlet thereof whereby gases within the elastomeric material can be vented through the apertures communicating with the stepped bore to the exterior of the extruder housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing rubber mixtures, comprising: as a master batcher, a ram kneader than operates in a batch-type process; a ram-less final mixer that is disposed below the ram kneader, also operates in a batch-type process, and has a greater volume capacity than does the ram kneader, with the final mixer having a mixing chamber that is provided with rotors; an essentially vertically disposed transfer channel for the transfer of a master batch from the ram kneader to the mixing chamber of the final mixer; and one or more withdrawal or exhaust openings disposed above the mixing chamber of the final mixer in walls of at least one of the transfer channel and the mixing chamber of the final mixer.

Abstract: A resin extruder in which the degree-of-kneading of the resin can be effectively controlled. The invention can be applied to both a single-screw extruder and a twin-screw extruder. In either case, blocking walls are formed around a cylindrical portion of the screw or screws just upstream of the kneading section. A valve structure is provided in the walls to control the kneading of resin at the kneading section.

Abstract: A method for reverse degassing a melt of thermoplastic plastics material and an extrusion device therefor. Thermoplastic plastics materials are fed into the extrusion device either in the form a melt or as a granulated, which latter is fused to form a melt. A portion of the melt is separated from the main melt stream. The extrusion device includes, in a downstream direction, a return-blocking zone, a degassing zone, a feed zone and a conveying zone. The separated portion is removed from the feed zone, the conveying zone or even a feed conduit leading into the feed zone if the material is already molten. The extrusion device also includes screw means rotating in a barrel. The screw has at least two different flight portions, one in the returning-blocking zone and the other in at least the degassing zone.

Abstract: A method of degassing a molten mass of thermoplastic, plastics material containing residual monomers and a twin-screw extruder capable of effecting such degassing. A molten mass of plastics material and a stripping agent are intermixed at a pressure which prevents the stripping agent from changing from liquid to gas at the temperature of the molten mass. The pressure necessary is achieved by the use of a pressure restrictor, which is yoke-shaped and is connected to the extruder housing in a force-fitting manner using centering means but which effectively blocks the processing chamber of the extruder downstream thereof to the molten material with the exception of a maximum of two throughbores for such material.

Abstract: A vent housing for use with an extruder having a rotatable screw positioned within a tubular barrel. The vent housing includes a vent passageway that provides communication between the interior surface of the extruder barrel and a source of reduced pressure in order to draw from within the barrel any gasses and vapors that might be generated or liberated during plastication. The inlet portion of the vent housing is spherically recessed to provide a gap or recess between the barrel inner surface and the vent passageway inlet. The longitudinal axis of the vent passageway is offset from the longitudinal axis of the vent housing axis, and the vent passageway inlet is positioned on the upstream side of the vent housing, relative to the direction of flow of plasticated material.

Abstract: A multi-shaft thin-layer reactor for treating fluid materials in which gaseous material is present during such treatment. The treatment involves the addition of gas to the fluid material or the removal of gas therefrom. The reactor includes a housing in which a plurality of axis-parallel conveying shafts are disposed. The housing is cylindrical and the shafts are disposed around the inner periphery thereof in such a manner that each shaft meshes with the two shafts adjacent thereto. The meshing shafts jointly define the outer periphery of a treatment chamber within the housing. At least one sun-and-planet roller extrusion assembly rotates the shafts and is adjacent at least one end of the shafts in a form-locking manner. The conveying shafts also scrape against the internal wall of the housing so that thin layers of the fluid materials fed into the reactor are formed and these thin layers become disposed on the conveyor shafts.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating molten material wherein a gas is present during such treatment either by being removed from the molten material or by being added thereto. The apparatus comprises a housing having a continuous spindle or a pair of spindles disposed therein. The continuous spindle is externally threaded at least in its end regions, and the pair of spindles is externally threaded. A plurality of planet spindles are dispoed circumferentially around the spindle are spindles. The planet spindles are also threaded and intermesh with one another as well as with the spindle or spindles. Furthermore, the internal wall of the housing is threaded and intermeshes with the threaded planet spindles. A treatment chamber is defined within the housing and the planet spindles define a wall surface of such chamber. The intermeshing components produce thin layers of the molten material which is carried, by the planet spindles, into the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A device for continuous degassing of a mix of liquids and solids, such as, polymer binding agents and filler materials and/or fibers is disclosed. In this invention, an inlet housing (1), which is to contain the mix, and a vacuum chamber (6) in direction of transport in a distance from the inlet housing are directly connected with a conveying unit (2). A part of the conveying unit (2) itself is designed as a metering unit (11).Mixes of liquids and solids, such as polymer binding agents and filler materials and/or fibers are degassed in the device and the complete mix is placed in an inlet housing, open to the atmosphere, and the unitary, multi-zoned conveying screw carries the mix from the inlet housing. The mix in the inlet housing, and in the conveying screw creates a pressure-seal at vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An extrusion head for processing rubber or thermoplastic plastics material including a housing flange-mountable on a screw extrusion device. The head further including an inlet region for receiving material from the extrusion device and for receiving the downstream end of the screw, the inlet leading into a flow channel portion and a nozzle outlet which receives the material from the flow channel for extrusion in the form of a shaped profile. A sealable air discharge device is disposed in the flow channel portion to remove air bubbles, particularly that which is formed during the start up phase of the extrusion downstream of the downstream end of the screw.

Abstract: In an extruder for processing material to form an extruded product, the extruder including an elongated extruder barrel having a material inlet end and an outlet end remote from the inlet end, and a pair of elongated, axially co-rotatable, flighted extrusion screws within the barrel for moving materials from the inlet end towards and through the outlet end, the barrel is provided with a pair of parallel bores which are formed with spiral grooved surfaces along at least a portion of their lengths. An inlet opening is provided adjacent the inlet end of the barrel such that one of the co-rotating screws of the extruder rotates in a direction outward and downward from the inlet opening and the other screw rotates upward and toward the inlet opening. The bore receiving the upturning screw is provided with a smooth surface region adjacent the opening which prevents material entering the inlet opening from being delivered back into the opening by the upturning screw.

Abstract: The mass which is made flowable (rendered plastic) must be degassed on its way to the outlet. In order to make the degassing section free of pressure a diaphragm, through which the mass flows, is provided further upstream. The extruding helix is provided with at least one helical flute, the free flow passage of which is blocked, and the diaphragm is provided with an adjustable throughput area. The diaphragm can simply consist of two perforated disks, which are rotatable with respect to each other around their axes. Each perforated disk has a fixed throughput area. The holes of both perforated disks overlap more or less, or not at all. The throughput rate of the mass through the extruding device can therefore, according to the state or the kind of mass, be regulated independently of the rotation speed of the extruding helix. Different masses can be extruded with one and the same helix, in a way hitherto not possible. One can also use an extruding helix which is shorter than was hitherto possible.

Abstract: A novel process and apparatus for discharging, on a batch basis, cement and water as a slurry or in the form of separate discharges of slurry and cement, where the materials so discharged contain a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined amount of cement, is disclosed. A major quantity of water and all or a major quantity of the cement is mixed in a slurry mixer to produce a primary slurry. A major portion of the primary slurry is then discharged, and the remaining slurry mixed with the remaining quantity of water for discharge as a second slurry. A minor portion of the cement can optionally be added to a dry chamber for discharge therefrom. The slurry mixer and dry chamber, which are substantially closed systems, can be vented together, and then vented to atmosphere, so that air in the slurry mixer which is displaced during water and cement charging flows through the dry chamber.

Abstract: In the case of the extruder, the thread of the screw, or that of the screws, is partly left-handed and partly right-handed, so that one part of the material to be processed is conveyed in direction A, while the other part is conveyed in the opposite direction B. The process is a degasifying-extrusion-process and the extruder is a degasifying extruder. The apparatus includes a reverse-degasifying assembly (7,22) at the end (8,19) of the screw (1,16), or screws (1,16), if the material to be processed is carried away from this end, and/or a reverse-degasifying assembly (41,52) at the location between the threaded sections of the screw (1,16) or screws (1,16), so that the material to be processed is carried away in opposite directions B and A.

Abstract: A devolatilizer, especially suitable for high viscosity polymers, comprising a vacuum chamber into the top of which the polymer is introduced after having passed through a tubular or equivalent heat exchanger, with a low shear mixer located in the vacuum chamber and a pumping device for removing the devolatilized polymer from the bottom of the vacuum chamber. Devolatilization of high viscosity polymers is achieved in this apparatus and method without severe degradation.

Abstract: An extruder for degassing a thermoplastic plastics material melt comprises at least one screw mounted for rotation in a barrel. The barrel includes a first feed aperture for the introduction of the melt and a degassing port downstream thereof connectable to means for degassing the melt. The at least one screw is mounted on a shaft and has a helical flight. In the region of the port, the flight is replaced by alternating disc members and spacer members mounted on the shaft. The diameter or major dimension of the disc members corresponds substantially to the combined diameter of the screw core and its flight whilst the diameter of the spacer members corresponds to that of the screw core. The disc members have profiled downstream faces and the thickness of each disc member and each spacer member lies in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 times the diameter of the screw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cofeeding additive concentrates in the form of pellets with a polymer flake stream flowing in a supply chute to a melt extruder. The pellets are introduced through an opening in the chute which is covered by an umbrella-like housing that has an opening facing the melt extruder. The flake flows around the umbrella-like housing creating a pocket to provide unimpeded entry of the pellets into the polymer stream.

Abstract: A method of degassing thermoplastic plastic melts over a wide range of viscosities in a degassing extruder including a plurality of sequential degassing sections. Each degassing section includes at least one screw section having flights formed thereon. Each section includes a degassing region and a metering section downstream thereof. The height and length with which the flights are filled in the degassing regions in the individual degassing sections is controlled by the comparison of a pressure gradient measured in the metering region of that section with a desired pressure gradient and on the basis of this, the melt is conveyed with substantially the same throughput capacity in each degassing section. As a result of these measures, the degassing is effected in all of the degassing sections with optimally partially filled screw threads and with an optimum filling length of the worm threads, which is independent of the viscosity of the melt.

Abstract: An apparatus including a single screw extruder for extruding a fused molten mass of thermoplastic material and for reverse degassing the melt. The device includes an extrusion screw rotatable in a hollow cylindrial barrel, and a hopper for introducing the melt into the barrel. The screw has at least one flight for conveying the introduced melt and a return delivery flight disposed upstream, in the direction of extrusion, of the hopper. Reverse degassing of the melt is effected by a vacuum source disposed upstream of the hopper in communication with the return delivery section, and provided with a degassing dome generating a reduced pressure or vacuum. At least one radially adjustable separating member for effecting mechanical separation of fused mass from the gas is provided in at least one location in the return delivery section. The method includes degassing of the melt by producing a reduced pressure in the return delivery section. The gas extracted from the melt is discharged.

Abstract: For bonding particularly radioactive wastes into a binder, a transporting and mixing device is used which transports the mixture to a storage tank prior to the hardening. The wastes are transported into the mixing zone by gravity and aided by the conveyor helix which also imparts additional wall cleaning action through the dry conveyor zone. A single or multi-component binder is concurrently transported in a direction lateral to the mixing tool to the mixing zone. The mixture is conducted in a straight-line extension of the transport and mixing direction to an outlet to which the storage tank is connected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for extracting fat from an animal material in which according to the invention, the fat is continuously melted and then extracted by passing the animal material through two successive zones, namely a melting zone (B) and an extraction zone (C), of a single housing in the form of an elongate sleeve (1) equipped, in the melting zone (B), with heating means (13) and, in the extraction zone (C), with filtering walls (16) for the passage of the melted fat, the sleeve (1) encasing two overlapping conveyor screws (2) driven in rotation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a highly electrically conductive plastic material from thermoplastic resin and carbon fill through a two-screw mixer having a screw length of more than twenty times the screw diameter involves continuously inserting a thermoplastic resin into a first zone of the two-screw mixer and compacting and preheating the thermoplastic resin. The resin is then passed into a second zone where it is kneaded and plastified. A particulate carbon fill is continuously inserted into a third zone with the fill constituting 30 to 50% by weight of the mixture and being dispersed in said resin within the third zone. The speed of rotation of the two screw mixer lies in the range between 150 to 250 RPM and the temperatures of the zones lie within the range of 165.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. After passage through the various zones, the mixture is removed via an outlet of an extrusion head.

Abstract: Batch and continuous fluid processing devices including means for generating toroidal flow in a fluid to be processed, disposed in a container whose internal surface conformation corresponds to and is substantially defined by the external surface of the fluid when it is undergoing toroidal flow. In preferred forms, processing apparatus includes a blade mounted for axial rotation within a vessel having bowl shaped interior. The vessel is provided with a lid whose interior surface is shaped to conform to the upper surface of a fluid undergoing toroidal flow.

Abstract: In a vent type injection molding machine of the type comprising a heating cylinder, injection nozzle means having a vent port and connected to the front end of the heating cylinder and a reciprocatable screw for metering a predetermined quantity of resin to be injected, the injection nozzle means comprises a first injection nozzle connected to the heating cylinder, a second injection nozzle coaxial with the first injection nozzle, a spring for urging the second injection nozzle against a stationary metal mold and a housing surrounding the first and second injection nozzles. The vent port is provided through the housing at a point communicating with a space in the housing between the first and second injection nozzles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for degassing and pelletizing polyolefin particles produced by a gas phase polymerization. The polyolefin particles are submitted to a primary degassing, preferably at the outlet of a reactor for catalytic polymerization in the gas phase. Then the polyolefin particles are subjected to a secondary degassing step comprising agitating the particles by a mechanical stirrer and converting the mechanical energy therefrom into heat such that the temperature of the particles is brought to between 80.degree. and 120.degree. C. which is close to minimum sintering temperature Ts so that the polyolefin particles are substantially freed from the gases accompanying them. The heated degassed polyolefin particles are then pelletized in an extruder of a pelleting unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a thermoplastic resin is made up of a feed barrel supplied with the thermoplastic resin, a slit barrel for discharging a liquid component of the resin, a press-in barrel into which a polymer is admitted under pressure, and a vent barrel having a vent opening for discharging vaporized substance generated by the thermoplastic resin and the polymer. These barrels are serially interconnected to from a cylinder which contains a screw for kneading a mixture of the resin and the polymer. The kneaded mixture is extruded as a strand.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing thermoplastic compounds wherein the mixing body has a pair of parallel chambers with a pair of rotors rotatably journaled therein. Such mixer has at least one bore communicating the parallel chambers with atmosphere to vent gases from the central bore. A rotatable screw is mounted in the bore which upon rotation continuously feeds the mixed thermoplastic material back into the chambers but allows the gases generated to be vented out of such bore.

Abstract: Quick cooking pasta products are extruded in a low temperature process by advancing a partially pre-cooked mixture of pasta flour and water prepared in a preconditioner along the length of a screw extruder through a cooking zone, then through a venting zone and a forming zone, and finally through an extrusion die to yield an extruded product. The mixture has a maximum temperature of 215.degree. F. in the cooking zone in order to substantially eliminate the formation of darkened specks in the final extruded product which would otherwise represent portions of the mixture that are burned during cooking. Limiting the maximum temperature of the mixture in the extruder also greatly enhances the extruded pasta quality by increasing product resistance to overcooking and improving the retention characteristics of the original product integrity.

Abstract: A mixer having an elongate barrel with an interior wall defining a mixing chamber, at least a pair of shafts extending axially within the barrel driven in the same direction of rotation and at the same speed of rotation, and mixing elements on each of the shafts. Radially opposite paddles are on each of the shafts, each comprising hub portions and wing portions radially spaced from the hub portions. The wing portions extend axially to overlie the hub portions and each wing portion has a radially inner surface generating the configuration of the radially inner surface of a wing portion on the radially adjacent paddle and further has a radially outer surface generating hub portions of the radially adjacent paddle, and the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing volatile materials from a molten oxymethylene polymer, according to which the molten polymer is passed through a rotating disk polymer processor having at least three stages; a first devolatilization stage, then a stabilization stage and then a second devolatilization stage. The molten polymer in the first devolatilization stage is maintained at a temperature above its melting point in the temperature range of from about 160.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C. and at a vapor space pressure of from about 0.1 to about 300 Torr. The polymer in the stabilization stage is maintained in the molten state at a temperature of from 160.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C. The polymer in the second devolatilization stage is maintained in the molten state at a temperature of from about 160.degree. C. to about 190.degree. C. and at a vapor space pressure of from about 0.1 to about 100 Torr.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing a chocolate paste in which the various ingredients comprising at least cocoa and powdered sugar are subject to operations of grinding to a predetermined degree of particle size, of fluidification by dispersion of the particles of sugar and of cocoa into a continuous fatty phase and of degasification for the removal of water and undesirable volatile compounds. At least part of the treatment is carried out in a conveyor with several screws and an arrangement for regulating the temperature of the entrained material. After preliminary grinding of the ingredients to obtain a refined paste having the desired degree of particle size in the screw conveyor, dry-conching of the refined paste is carried out and then the liquefaction of the paste is obtained by the incorporation of additives in accordance with the receipe.

Abstract: Plasticating extruders in which increased melting effectiveness is attained through multiple stages including at least one inner screw conveyor within an outer screw conveyor in a barrel for receiving unmelted solid material from the channel of the outer screw conveyor and conveying the received unmelted solid material in the channel of the inner conveyor in a direction parallel to and axially coextensive with the direction of travel of the material in the channel of the outer screw conveyor and melting the received unmelted solid material to bring melted material to a downstream location where the melted material from both channels merges to deliver a flow of fully melted material to a downstream discharge outlet. A vent may be located in the barrel in the vicinity where material enters the channel of the inner screw conveyor for improved venting as a result of the diversion of material away from the vent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing hot volatiles and moisture from particulate plastic material being fed for injection or extrusion molding by a plasticizing screw which rotates in a heated barrel. Flow control means, such as a conveying screw or rotary valve, drop the particulate material downward through a vertical feed passage extending to an opening in the barrel. At the same time, suction is applied to remove hot volatiles which are released through the opening in the barrel as the particulate plastic material is gradually melted as it is compressed by the screw. The rate of feed of the particulate material is restricted so that the barrel of the plasticizing screw is only partially filled near the opening, thereby improving the withdrawal of the gases from the barrel. The incoming particulate material is preheated by a continuous flow of hot air through it as it passes through a tubular guide member.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors and devolatilizing methods which provide extremely efficient devolatilization of materials, including viscous and visco-elastic materials and which involve a devolatilizing stage including a rotatable element carrying a plurality of annular channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide enclosed processing passages. Each passage of the devolatilizing stage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that material fed to the inlet can be carried forward by the rotatable channel walls to the blocking member for discharge from the passage. The passages are interconnected by material to transfer grooves formed in the closure surface and operationally communicate with a vacuum source to provide a highly efficient devolatilizing stage.

Abstract: Rotary processors and methods for mixing a low viscosity liquid with a viscous material while controlling plugging of the means for introducing low viscosity liquid to the processor. Viscous material is introduced to a mixing rotary processor comprising at least one annular channel carried by a rotor and enclosed by a housing to form a mixing passage. The material is dragged forward by the rotating channel walls from the passage inlet past a spreader as films on the channel walls, forming a void downstream of the spreader between the films. Low viscosity liquid is sprayed from a point within the void to be deposited on and carried downstream with the films of material and to be mixed with material collected at a passage end wall.In one embodiment, pressure sealing means permits spraying into a saturated vapor zone in the void so that liquid vaporizes and is condensed onto the films as well distributed fine droplets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for physically separating a heterogeneous mixture of immiscible liquids utilizing the difference in the viscosities of the components. At least one moveable surface is enclosed by at least one stationary surface to form a processing passage. Viscous-drag-induced momentum is transferred preferentially from the moving surface(s) to the more viscous component of the mixture, moving it downstream toward a collecting and pressurizing obstructing member. The resulting pressure "squeezes" the less viscous droplets upstream to separate from the collected material and drain from the passage through a drainage opening.In a preferred embodiment, an annular channel rotates within a housing, dragging the mixture from an inlet to an obstructing member extending into the passage near an outlet. The separated less viscous component drains from a drainage opening in the housing, while the more viscous component is discharged through the outlet.

Abstract: A screw extruder for mixing, homogenizing, and degassing highly viscous rubber mixtures and similarly acting thermoplastics. The extruder has mixing pins associated with the housing in the mixing and homogenizing zone, and degassing pins associated with the housing in the degassing zone. The degassing pins have passages or channels through which gases and vapors are withdrawn. The retaining or damming structure at the entrance to the degassing zone can also be formed of pins associated with the housing. The conveyed material is mechanically and thermally satisfactorily made uniform by the inventive pin arrangement without material shearing forces, and can also be effectively and favorably degassed. High flow-through rates of the material can be achieved with high product quality.