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: An extruder including a devolatilizing section having helical channels formed in the barrel and having a cylindrical rotor closing the inner sides of the channels. Material is fed onto the rotor surface which rotates and forms the material into one or more rolling banks engaging only the upstream flank of the channels and the rotor surface. Helical vent slots pass through the barrel into each channel at the downstream flanks not occupied by the rolling bank.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the filling level of the degassing space in an extruder used for processing thermoplastic materials comprises a level detection orifice located in the degassing dome or jacket of the extruder which opening is connected to a conduit. The conduit leads through a regulator device to a gas source. Connected to the conduit, between the regulator device and the orifice, is a pressure sensor such as a pressure difference switch. If the level of molten material in the dome rises above a preselected level, it blocks the opening and produces a back-pressure in the conduit. The switch is automatically actuated by this back-pressure and produces a signal. Appropriate action can then be taken to prevent the further rise of the molten material in the dome and to prevent blockage of the degassing device.

Abstract: Pigment dispersion is manufactured by continuously flushing pigment press-cake. First and second troughs supply hydrophobic liquid organic media and the pigment wet-cake respectively at a constant rate to a twin screw co-rotating extruder having a L/D (length/diameter) value of 25 or more. The twin screw co-rotating extruder includes a feeding part where the hydrophobic liquid organic media and the pigment wet-cake are fed from the first and second troughs, a flushing part for flushing the pigment particles from water phase to form an organic medium phase, and a dehydrating part for removing water from the flushed mixture. The hydrophobic liquid organic media and the pigment wet-cake are fed to the twin screw co-rotating extruder, and the pigment press-cake is flushed and dehydrated continuously in the extruder to obtain the pigment dispersion.

Abstract: A screw-type hydro-extracting extruder comprising a raw material supply zone, a hydro-extracting zone and a heat-melting zone, said hydro-extracting zone is comprised of a plurality of doughnut-shaped plates and a slit is formed between every two adjacent plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting water from rubber is provided. The rubber is screw conveyed in a twin screw extruder and alternately compressed between the forward side of the screw conveying threads, the inner extruder chamber wall and the wedge-shaped screw shaft. Water is squeezed out of the compressed rubber particles and drained off. The extruder chamber wall preferably has longitudinal grooves to impede the revolving movement of the rubber particles and to further squeeze the water from the rubber particles.

Abstract: The advantages of a twin-screw extruder, especially the good plasticizing and homogenizing effect, are to be retained in the present invention with a simultaneous, above-average degassing output of the extruder. This object is achieved by dividing the twin-screw extruder into two stages (a) the plasticizing and homogenizing stage with a high screw torque and (b) the degassing and discharging stage in which a large, free degassing volume is achieved by a reduction in the screw core, by an enlargement of the screw housing and by adapting the screw diameter to the respective housing diameters in the degassing and discharging stage.

Abstract: Novel and improved methods and apparatus for processing liquid or viscous materials. Essentially, the methods and apparatus involve feeding liquid materials to an annular processing passage for controlled processing. The annular processing passage is provided by two elements. One is a rotatable element carrying at least one processing channel. The other element is stationary and provides a complementary coaxial surface arranged with the channel to provide the enclosed processing passage. Also associated with the stationary element are an inlet for feeding material to the passage, an outlet for discharging material from the passage, an element near the outlet providing a material collecting end wall surface and an element positioned between the inlet and outlet providing a liquid material spreading surface.

Abstract: A continuous kneader comprising a rotary screw shaft and rotatable within a cylinder for transporting a fluid axially thereof, rotary disks mounted on the shaft and each formed on each side surface thereof with radial projections and recesses arranged alternately, and fixed disks provided on the cylinder and arranged on the opposite sides of each rotary disk coaxially therewith as opposed thereto. Each of the fixed disks is formed on each side surface thereof with radial projections and recesses arranged alternately. The boundary between and defining each projection and the recess adjacent thereto on at least one of the rotary disk and the fixed disk is inclined from the radial direction so that the material supplied from a space between the shaft and the inner surface of the cylinder to the space between the rotary disk and the fixed disk is passed over the rotary disk outer periphery toward the axis of the shaft into the space between the rotary disk and the fixed disk immediately adjacent thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous extrusion of a material including a hollow barrel with inner liner having a cylindrical chamber portion and an outwardly divergent, coaxial frusto-conical outlet chamber portion adjacent thereto so that reverse pressure developed by extrusion of the material results in sealing engagement of the frusto-conical screw and barrel portions thereby effectively preventing regurgitation of the material. A fluted screw is rotatably positioned coaxially within the barrel and liner, and has both cylindrical and outwardly divergent outer thread surface portions conforming to the inner surface of the cylindrical and the frusto-conical chamber portions, respectively, of the barrel and liner. Rotation of the screw forces the material to flow axially through the barrel along the threads of the screw toward the outlet chamber portion and through an extrusion die.

Abstract: A two-stage extruder having a first, vertical stage and a second, separately driven, horizontal stage, the two stages being off-set from one another and lying at tangents to one another in the region of a connecting passage. The first stage has a rotatable plasticizing member with kneading blades off-set from one another and located between conveying screw components of said member and cylindrical pins projecting into the working chamber of said first stage. A bearing is provided for the member at its upper end and a cylindrical sleeve surrounds the lower end of the member and can be turned to control the effective size of the connecting passage or to eject material through a second outlet.

Abstract: In a melting and conveying device for a plastic injection molding machine, having a melting cylinder with a cylindrical bore therein and a worm member in said cylindrical bore, a degasser, comprising, a vent pin extending into the melting cylinder in a degassing zone of the cylinder bore. The vent pin defines a widened charging pocket which communicates with the cylindrical bore and has a vent opening therethrough communicating the pocket to the atmosphere. A pair of heating elements extend into suitably provided openings in the vent pin to selectively heat the vent opening and pocket independently of any heating elements of the plastic injection molding machine to prevent clogging of the pocket and vent opening by solidified plastic material.

Abstract: In venting means for a screw extruder, particularly for thermo-plastics material, which venting means comprises a substantially vertical venting shaft communicating with the bore of a cylinder of the extruder and coupled to a low pressure source by a pipe, a pivotable flap which is moved from its normal position shown, when acted upon by plastics melt being extruded and rising in the shaft due to malfunction of the extruder, to cover the end of the pipe and prevent the melt passing into the pipe.

Abstract: Liquid-containing radioactive wastes are bound into thermoplastic material by introducing particles of thermoplastic material at a non-sticking temperature into a kneading machine, heating the thermoplastic material in the absence of radioactive wastes to at least 100.degree. C., adding the liquid-containing wastes to the heated thermoplastic material, mixing and concurrently increasing the temperature of the mixture to a temperature of about 200.degree. C. or more to vaporize liquid in the mixture, maintaining the mixture at a vaporization temperature to dry to the mixture, releasing evolved vapors and discharging the dried mixture from the kneading machine. Difficulties due to clogging of the kneading machine and fluctuations in the consistency of the dried end product are minimized.

Abstract: Method of removing radiant, pulverulent synthetic wastes which are mixed dry with a thermoplastic mass in a kneader and then delivered from a discharge opening of the kneader into a container capable of providing a final storage therefor, while gases and/or vapors are withdrawn from degassing domes of the kneader, which includes delivering fluidic dried wastes by mechanical movement through a metering tube into a degassing dome in the kneader disposed next to the discharge opening, and admitting scavenging gas into the metering tube at least temporarily in direction toward the kneader; and device for carrying out the foregoing method.

Abstract: A screw extruder for processing thermoplastic materials wherein a vacuum is applied to the feed opening for the material and/or to a filling section of the cylinder for the purpose of reverse degasification, said extruder having a simultaneously rotating pressure piece between a screw and a back pressure bearing and having a stationary end piece disposed on the screw side in front of the rotating pressure piece and sealing means comprising at least two axially spaced radial sealing rings and a vacuum source to apply vacuum to an annular interspace formed between the sealing rings.

Abstract: A biaxial vent extruder for processing of slurry-like waste fluids or radioactive waste fluids having a hopper cylinder having a solidifying substance port and a solidified substance port. A plurality of vent cylinders each having a vent port are provided with a plunger type scraper. An extruding cylinder having a single opening for a main screw is connected to the assembled vent cylinders. The main screw extends to the upstream end of the extruding cylinder and a sub-screw extends to the extruding cylinder. The screws each having a full flight engaging the other and a set of rings are mounted on the screws near the respective vent port inlets. The screws are rotated in different directions and inwardly with respect to the vent ports. Rotors may be mounted on the screws to break down solid particles.

Abstract: Improved means for aligning processing members at various positions in processing passages of rotary processors. Essentially, the alignment means (or alignment elements) comprise a non-rotatable member positioned in the processing passage and shaped to at least partially interfere with flow of material in the passage. The shaped member is designed to perform certain processing functions on material in the passage such as blocking, collecting, mixing, spreading, restraining etc. The member is positioned so as to be non-rotative with the passage but is flexibly supported so as to "float" axially in the passage and is self-centering in the passage by hydrodynamic action.

Abstract: Worm extruder assembly includes an extruder worm, a steam dome formed as a cylindrical tube disposed transversely to the worm axis, a condenser surrounding the cylindrical tube, a steam outlet line extending from the steam dome to the condenser, and means defining an annular gap connecting the condenser to the cylindrical tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing solid and viscous plastic material or polymeric material and the like in which plastic or polymeric material is fed through an inlet into an enclosed passage of which opposed side walls are moving simultaneously toward an outlet and the material is processed and dragged forward by the moving side wall against a channel block and with progressive build up of pressure along said passage for discharging the processed material through the outlet from the enclosed passage. Rotary apparatus for practicing the method includes one or more annular channels having opposed side walls and carried by a drive rotor member for movement relative to a housing of which an annular surface coaxial with the rotor cooperates with the walls of the channel or channels to form an enclosed annular passage or enclosed annular passages.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying granular and pulverous thermoplastic materials, duroplastic materials, rubber, or similar materials to processing machines, such as extruders. The apparatus includes a charging hopper with conduit-like devices for withdrawing gases which are released from the material. A plurality of vacuum connections arranged one above another respectively degas pertaining layers of the material which is in the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for devolatilizing materials such as solvent containing polymers includes a cylindrical housing having inlet and discharge ends and a screw member rotatably mounted in the housing, operative to work material so as to release contained vaporizable substances from the material. An inlet fitting at the inlet end of the chamber is located opposite a part of the screw member. The housing includes a venting section extending therefrom at the inlet end and the screw member has a screw vent control section extending within the venting section, arranged to convey material toward the discharge end of the housing.

Abstract: A vent adapted for use with a devolatilizer having a mechanical press includes a closed vent chamber extending generally vertically above the mechanical press and having a horizontal cross-sectional area which increases from the bottom to the top of the vent chamber. An input opening at the bottom of the chamber communicates with the mechanical press and an extraction port adjacent the upper portion of the chamber removes the vapors from the chamber and transports them to volatile recovery apparatus or disposal apparatus. A tamping means, including one or more actuatable tamping rods in the vent chamber, is provided for forcing the material being processed back into the mechanical press. The vent is maintained free of particle build-up and the processed material is returned to the mechanical press.

Abstract: A screw extruder for continuously processing and degasing elastomers and polymers having a viscosity of more than 1,000 poise comprising a casing with an input zone at one end and a discharge zone at the other, several degasing zones within the casing along the length thereof and a pressure zone upstream of each degasing zone. The inside wall portions juxtaposed to the degasing zones include spiral grooves having at the most the same depth as the flights of the extruder screws.

Abstract: Direct cooling of melted thermoplastic resins, while in a continuous extruding operation, can be achieved, by pouring into them a coolant such as pure water, liquid nitrogen or the like in the cooling region of the continuous extruder so that the resins are directly cooled by the latent heat of the coolant or the temperature difference between the resins and the coolant.

Abstract: An extruder for synthetic material is disclosed which includes an extruder housing provided with at least two worm conveyer shafts, each having one or more helices thereon. An inlet opening is provided in the housing at the extruder input for introducing the synthetic material and a degassing outlet is provided in the housing downstream of the inlet. Intermediately of the material inlet and degassing outlet, distributing members are arranged on the worm shaft peripheries, the distributing members comprising intermeshing tooth-shaped heightened parts of generally hemispherical configuration.

Abstract: A process for admixing additives to plastics and simultaneously removing volatile constituents in a horizontal devolatilizing extruder. Taken in sequence in the direction of flow, the additives are first introduced into the devolatilizing extruder from above, and the plastic melt, solution or dispersion is then introduced from below, while the bulk of the volatile constituents are withdrawn from the devolatilizing extruder at an orifice located vertically above the point at which the plastic is fed in. The process permits the removal of volatile constituents with simultaneous admixture of additives during aftertreatment of plastics, in a single step and at very high throughputs.

Abstract: A gaseous phase disengaging apparatus for a liquid phase process material contaminated with a substance of lower boiling point comprising a twin screw extruder through which the raw feed is passed and within which the feed is repetitively spread over the apparatus inside surfaces and thereafter recombined, which apparatus is provided with paired raw material supply inlets and gaseous phase vent ports maintained in continuous communication therebetween during screw rotation.

Abstract: Extruding apparatus comprises a first screw extruder feeding into the inlet of a second screw extruder, such inlet being located at an intermediate position between the driving means and the discharge of the second extruder. Degassing means which applies a vacuum to the material fed into the second extruder tends to draw off particles of material entrained in the gas which is drawn off. The screw of the second extruder has a first screw portion which acts in a direction to propel the main mass of material from the inlet to the discharge of the second extruder and a second screw portion which acts in the opposite direction to propel the drawn off material from the inlet to an outlet which is located between the inlet and the driving means and which opens into a vacuum chamber. A third screw portion located between the outlet and the driving means acts in the same direction as the first portion and hence toward the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the production of injection molded products from synthetic resinous materials, such as nylon, which tend to be degraded when exposed to oxygen while they are heated to the temperatures required for injection molding. The apparatus includes a barrel having a discharge opening, a screw receiving bore and a vent opening between the feed opening and the discharge opening. A two stage rotatable reciprocable screw is mounted in the bore and includes a vented portion in registry with the vent opening. Water vapor and volatiles are generated during plasticization in the first stage of the screw, and evolve as the material enters the vent section of the second stage. The vapors are exhausted through the vent opening. The vent opening is provided with a check valve which readily permits the exhaust products to pass from the screw receiving bore. However, the check valve effectively prohibits the entrance of atmospheric air through the vent opening to the vent section.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a continuous process for the hydrolytic degradation of plastics wherein a hydrolyzable material is introduced with water into a screw machine, and is subjected therein to a temperature of 100 to 300.degree. C, and a pressure of 5 to 100 bars for 2 to 100 minutes. The invention also relates to an apparatus useful in conducting the process.