Abstract: A kneader-mixer performs mechanical, thermal and/or chemical processes with products which are in the liquid, viscous-pasty and/or free flowing state and includes an elongated hollow casing having an axis of elongation and having axially separated product inlet and product outlet ports. The casing has an inner wall. A kneading shaft in the casing is aligned with the axis and is rotatable thereabout. A plurality of kneading arms secured to the shaft extend radially outward therefrom in the casing. The arms are spaced axially along the shaft. A plurality of flat disc elements are disposed in the casing and lie in spaced parallel planes disposed at right angles to the shaft. Each element defines a circular sector spaced from the shaft and is secured to the inner wall of the casing. Each element is disposed adjacent a kneading arm which cleans the adjacent surface of the element as the shaft rotates.

Abstract: Kneader-mixers for mechanical and thermal treatment of products in different state forms, comprising a heatable cylindrical casing and a kneader shaft with heatable disk elements revolving therein and on which are arranged kneading blades scraping the inner wall of the casing. During mixing, these stirring elements cooperate with the hook-like kneading counterelments cleaning the stirrer surfaces and fixed in the casing. In each counterelement an arm forms a kneading gap with the casing wall, while second and third arms clean the disks and shaft. Each radial scraper for each disk element has at least two separate scraping edges, which subdivide the product into two product flows and through the inclined position of the kneading counterelements the scraped product acquires a powerful axial and radial transport component.

Abstract: Rotary extruder apparatus is provided comprising housing (22), recess (29) within housing (22), cylindrical rotor (30) rotatably mounted within recess (29) in housing (22), feed inlet (25), discharge outlet (52) providing fluid communication between recess (29) and diehead (26), in combination with gear pump (160) adapted to increase the pressure of material received from discharge outlet (52). Knurled rotor (30), undercut feed inlet (25), segmented rotor shafts (18, 18'), thrust rings (109, 109') made of dissimilar metals, and circumferentially spaced cartridge heaters (63) in housing (22) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Material to be colored is fed from an extruder to a positive displacement means such as a gear pump. The output from which is split into at least two streams one of which is fed to a mixer which is preferably a cavity transfer mixer. Colorant is injected into one of the streams either before or at the mixer and the two streams are recombined downstream of the mixer preferably in a diehead. The arrangement provides for reliable coloration whilst premitting flexibility in production.

Abstract: An improved agitator structure for use in mixers for baking dough and other such food products and the like providing for improved mixing performance and speed, and useable in single-agitator or multiple-agitator embodiments, comprises an open, "shaftless" structure which incorporates straight and flat (i.e. planar) mixing blades as opposed to twisted or other complexly-curved blades, and incorporates a pair of mutually-spaced hubs aligned with one another along an axis of rotation, a pair of mutually-spaced mixer blades located generally on opposite sides of the rotational axis and extending generally longitudinally thereof along a different portion of such axis, with each such mixer blade disposed at a longitudinal angle with respect to such axis and each being connected to at least one of the hubs for rotation therewith about said axis.

Abstract: A kneader includes a vessel having an upper cover, at least one mixing blade provided in the vessel for mixing or kneading a powder material supplied in the vessel, sealing means for sealing between the vessel and ends of a shaft of the mixing blade extending through the vessel, bearings for supporting the shaft of the mixing blade on both the sides, blade driving means provided at one end of the shaft of the mixing blade. Each of the sealing means is provided on a side of the vessel with at least one air purge opening through which air is caused to flow toward the shaft of the mixing blade or into an interior of the vessel to form the sealing means as an air sealing construction, thereby completely preventing the powder material to be mixed from leaking through clearances between the vessel and the shaft by jetting air from the air sealing construction into the vessel.

Abstract: A plasticating unit having a channeled rotor rotating in an annular housing for processing plastic or polymeric material. The processed material is fed by a screw to a chamber which expands to receive a predetermined charge of material for injection into a mold.

Abstract: A rotary processor has enclosed processing passages defined by channels in the rotor and a stationary coaxial closure. At least one processing passage is used as a stabilizing passage and another as a metering passage, whose volume and cross section are less than the stabilizing passage. A feed of plastic or polymeric material enters the stabilizing passage and may be subject to fluctuations or disturbances arising in external upstream equipment or within upstream stages of the processor itself. Substantially all material in the stabilizing passage is diverted through a first transfer passage to an entrance into the metering passage. An adjustable metering (throttling) element allows a controlled first flow of material to be carried downstream through an adjustable gap between this metering element and the bottom of the metering passage. This controlled first flow is discharged for providing material having uniform flow or at least a marked reduction in such fluctuations and disturbances.

Abstract: Grittiness in soap-containing formulations, one source of which is the reworking of previously processed soap, is reduced in an efficient manner by passing the formulation through a cavity transfer mixer.

Abstract: Apparatus for pumping/pressurizing fluid materials such as viscous liquid polymers in which a shaft is provided with one or more blades which extend into and rotate in one or more annular channels. Inlet grooves conduct the liquid material through grooves in the shaft into the channel behind each blade. The walls of the channel apply a drag force to the material and the advancing blade pressurizes the material which is forced through axial grooves in the shaft to another pumping channel, or to an outlet. Close running fits or dynamic seals between the shaft and its bearings provide seals at opposite sides of each channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly dispersing particles of dry, water soluble polymer into water wherein air, water and said polymer particles are introduced to a chamber for thorough contact of the polymer with the water to form a mixture of aqueous polymer dispersion and entrained air. The mixture is immediately subjected to shear forces to separate any agglomerated particles into individual particles, and to prevent further agglomeration.

Abstract: A dough batch mixing process and apparatus where the ingredients are mixed first at a high rate of speed and then transferred for developing in a separate chamber. The blending of ingredients is performed by a helical shaped agitator without a central shaft which rotates to force the mix toward one end of the chamber. A common hatchway between the chambers is opened and the agitator spirals to force the mix through the opening into the second chamber for further development of the mix. After completion of the developing cycle, the fully prepared dough is exhausted from the chamber by two rotating roller bars which substantially pulls the entire mass from the chamber leaving limited waste behind. Each segment of the cycle is performed continuously so that a new fully developed dough batch is readied every one-half cycle time.

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 purifying a viscous liquid material by liquid-liquid extraction. Material is introduced to an extracting apparatus including 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 from the passage inlet past a blocking member. Solvent introduced to the passage, such as by spray means, is carried downstream with the material and dispersed in material collected at a passage end wall. In one embodiment the blocking member comprises a spreader which spreads the material as films on the channel walls. In another embodiment, sparging means sparges solvent into a pool of the material collected upstream of the blocking member. Separation of the solvent from the material may involve rotary devolatilizing or phase separating processors, which may be arranged with the mixing processor for cocurrent or countercurrent, multi-stage series operation.

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: 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: Novel rotary processors including sealing means to control leakage of pressure and/or material between processing passages which are maintained at significantly different pressure levels. The processors comprise 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 includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that viscous 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 transfer grooves formed in the closure surface.

Abstract: A soap-containing formulation capable of becoming transparent on working is subjected to shear between two mutually displaceable surfaces. A shear zone is formed in the formulation as the latter is entrained in the surfaces.

Abstract: An improved dual action mixer is provided of the type having simultaneously counterrotatable mixing elements mounted within a mixer drum, wherein the mixing elements are relatively easily removable for cleaning purposes. One mixing element comprises an array of paddles carried by a driven shaft having one end threaded to a motor drive shaft at one end wall of the drum and an opposite end rotatably support with axial clearance within a bearing block movably mounted on the opposite drum end wall. The other mixing element comprises a pair of support hubs carried rotatably about the driven shaft and secured to radiating scraper arms having their outer ends joined to mixer blades extending with arcuate contour generally between the drum end walls, wherein one support hub is held axially by a shoulder on the driven shaft in engagement with a drive collar disposed about the drive shaft for opposite rotation thereto.

Abstract: A rotary extruder contains pump rings positioned at opposite ends of the rotor shaft to collect excess thermoplastic melt forced outwardly to the housing ends and to redirect this excess melt to the feed section of the extruder. Redirection of the melt is accomplished by helical grooves located on the inside surfaces of the pump rings having an axial component directed toward the center of the extruder to provide a conduit for the melt. The melt is also directed by a series of angular grooves positioned circumferentially about the rotor opposite the pump rings which rotationally and axially propel the melt as the extruder rotor rotates. The rotor shaft is supported by bearings at opposite ends of the shaft which are offset from the axial center of the bearing housing.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors and methods which provide extremely efficient devolatilization of particulate materials which contain substantial amounts of volatiles and in which the boiling point of the volatiles presents separation problems. The processors and methods involve 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 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 transfer grooves formed in the closure surface and are arranged to provide at least a melting stage and a devolatilizing stage which operationally communicates with a vacuum source.

Abstract: The phases present in a shear sensitive soap-containing formulation are controlled and may be changed by passing the formulation through shear zones formed by mutually displaceable surfaces. The shear zones are formed within the formulation by entraining it in the surfaces during passage between the surfaces.

Abstract: Novel rotary processors including sealing means to control leakage of pressure and/or material between processing passages which are maintained at significantly different pressure levels. The processors comprise 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 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 transfer grooves formed in the closure surface.

Abstract: The mush and/or lather properties of soap-containing material including free fatty acids can be improved by subjecting the material to working. The material is passed through the shear zone(s) formed between two mutually displaceable surfaces between which the material passes.

Abstract: A plasticating extruder screw conveyor includes multiple primary flights and corresponding multiple secondary flights defining multiple channels on the screw conveyor arranged about the longitudinal axis of the screw conveyor such that radial components of forces between the screw conveyor and unplasticated material located in the channels are substantially balanced so as to reduce to a minimum any resultant radial force upon the screw conveyor and any concomitant lateral deflection of the screw conveyor, thereby reducing or eliminating excessive vibration, wear or galling of the screw conveyor.

Abstract: An extruder, including a rotor and a barrel, having mixing or working zones therein in which the material being mixed or worked is transferred layer by layer from upstream grooves in the rotor to input grooves in the barrel, and from output grooves in the barrel, which grooves are interleaved with the input grooves, layer by layer back to downstream grooves in the rotor. The input and output grooves of the barrel are intercommunicated by means of corresponding channels each of which has a selectively radially movable throttling member positioned therein for varying the cross-sectional opening of the channel in which it is positioned and, thus, the amount of shearing action and work performed on the material passing through such channel.

Abstract: Novel and improved processes and apparatus for processing particulate materials which can be converted to the liquid state. Essentially, the process and apparatus involve feeding a particulate material to an annular processing passage for melting and controlled processing. The annular processing passage is provided by a rotatable element carrying at least one processing channel, and a stationary element which 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, a material collecting end wall surface for the passage and a member or members extending into the processing channel providing a material restraining surface between the inlet and outlet and occupying a predetermined portion of the melt pool space between the end wall and the restraining surface.

Abstract: An extruder mixer for the extrusion of molten plastics and rubbers. The apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical stator member and a cylindrical rotor member rotatable within the stator. The facing cylindrical surfaces carry rows of hemispherical cavities extending peripherally around the members so that the rows of one member are axially offset from rows of the other member whereby there is an axial overlap of the cavities and rotor. The cavities in adjacent rows on the rotor and stator are also circumferentially offset.

Abstract: A mixer having a mixing trough rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a charging and discharging opening and rotatable mixing and kneading blades within the trough is provided. A mixing shaft is connected to the blade and is driven by at least one hydraulic motor coupled directly to the mixing shaft. The motor is reversibly drivable by means of a displacement-controllable pressure pump. A driving clutch is provided between the mixing shaft and the mixing trough so that the mixing trough can be rotated and locked into different pivotal positions by an indexing fixing device.

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 sealing device adapted for use in mixing equipment includes a cylindrical packing mantling an end portion of the rotating shaft of the mixing blade with a clearance interposed therebetween, the mixing blade including a shoulder from which the rotating shaft thrusts into a side wall of the bowl, the shoulder having a ring-shaped gasket filled in its surface, the cylindrical packing being extended sufficiently to emerge from the side wall of the bowl, and means for pressing the cylindrical packing against the side wall of the bowl so as to enable the cylindrical packing to come into constant abutment with the ring-shaped gasket, thereby allowing no gap to occur therebetween.

Abstract: A novel, improved rotary processor comprising a rotatable element carrying a plurality of processing channels and a stationary element having a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide a plurality of enclosed processing passages. The plurality of passages provide interconnected processing stages including a first processing stage and a second processing stage having inboard and outboard sections separated by a third processing stage.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor particularly useful for processing plastic and polymeric materials. The multi-stage rotary processor includes a rotatable element carrying a plurality of processing channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface cooperatively arranged with the channels to provide a plurality of enclosed processing passages. Also associated with the stationary element are inlets, outlets and blocking members for each passage and arranged so that material fed to the passage can be dragged forward by the channel walls, and collected at the blocking member for discharge from a passage(s) of one stage to a passage of another. The geometry of the passage receiving material is selected to provide optimum processing efficiency, resulting in a processing rate capability for that passage greater than the rate at which material is supplied to the passage.

Abstract: Novel, improved rotary processors which include 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. The so-formed plurality of processing passages provide a highly efficient processing stage particularly for melting polymer material. Each processing passage of the processing stage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel member 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.In rotary processors of this invention the clearance between the rotary surface carrying the channels and the stationary coaxial closure surface is relatively wide and permits substantial amounts of material to be interchanged between passages of the processing stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process is disclosed for controlled mixing of a mixable material in a high intensity mixer. The system enables instantaneous, precise and continual monitoring of a batch in a high intensity mixer which heretofore could not be achieved. The process comprises the steps of feeding a batch of material into a high intensity mixer, agitating the batch in the mixer, monitoring batch temperature separately from mixer temperature and discharging the batch from the mixer when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level. The apparatus includes means for monitoring batch temperature in a high intensity mixer separately from mixer temperature, and means responsive to the batch temperature to discharge the batch when the batch temperature reaches a final predetermined level.

Abstract: A mixing device having a flow path therethrough for material to be mixed includes a first plurality of radially extending, tapered rollers disposed between a first pair of relatively rotating raceways for subjecting the material to a milling action, a plurality of sets of alternately encountered stationary and moving teeth disposed in adjacent parallel planes for subjecting the material to a shearing action, and a second plurality of radially extending, tapered rollers disposed between a second pair of relatively rotating raceways for subjecting the material to a further milling action. The arrangement is such that a predetermined axial spacing between adjacent sets of the teeth is continuously maintained by means of the rollers and raceways.

Abstract: A combination clay mixing and extruding apparatus for mixing dry powders and water to form a moist clay which can alternately be held in the mixing chamber, or, as desired, can be automatically extruded into cylindrically shaped logs. Due to the unique design of the apparatus, the extrusion operation is commenced by merely reversing the direction of rotation of the drive means of the device. For more compactness, the unit embodies in-line mixing and extrusion chambers. A unitary shaft drives both the mixing blades of the mixing chamber and the extruding auger of the extrusion chamber. The shaft is cantilevered within the chambers and is journaled in bearings located exteriorly of the chambers so as to protect them from the abrasive and corrosive effects of the powder and water.

Abstract: Sealing means for controlling leakage of material between closely spaced apart, relatively moving coaxial annular surfaces. Essentially, leakage is controlled by providing a plurality of helical sealing channels on one of the relatively moving surfaces to resist flow of leakage liquid between the surfaces. The sealing means are particularly adaptable for controlling leakage from processing passages of rotary processing apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor for plastic and polymeric materials which are, or become in the course of processing, viscous liquids, including an annular housing, a rotor coaxial with and rotatable with respect to the housing and having a cylindrical surface in slidable sealing relation with the interior of the housing, a plurality of annular channels formed in the cylindrical surface and cooperating with the housing to form annular processing passages, transfer passages, which are preferably channels in the surface of the housing for cooperation with the cylindrical portions of the rotor, to provide passage for transfer of material between processing passages and blocking members extending into the channels to hold material in the processing passages for relative movement with respect to the channel walls for processing.

Abstract: A multi-stage rotary processor particularly useful as a pump for viscous materials. The multi-stage rotary processor includes a rotatable element having a surface carrying at least one primary processing channel connected to at least one further processing channel and a stationary element providing a complementary coaxial surface arranged with the channels to form enclosed primary and further processing passages. The stationary element also has associated with it an inlet for at least the primary processing passage, outlets for the passages and members extending into each channel for blocking material fed to the processing passages so that liquid material in contact with the rotating channel walls can be dragged forward in each channel. In the primary processing passage the dragged forward material is transferred to the further processing passage for discharge at a uniform pressure and rate.

Abstract: This invention provides in a continuously operating device having a mixing section comprising opposite-handed helical threads in each of the two relatively rotatable components which threads vary in cross-sectional area in complementary fashion so as to produce a layer-by-layer material transfer and shear working between the said components, that the said opposite handed helical threads in said mixing section complement one another substantially also in respect to their helix-angles to the extent that if one helix angle is between 0.degree.and 45.degree. the other is between 45.degree. and 90.degree., to bring about, viewed with respect to the shear-plane-area, a subdivision sufficient for the mixing and compounding requirement.

Abstract: A dough mixing and kneading device which comprises a horizontally disposed container including an elongate cylindrical space closed by walls at the ends of the container and three blades within the space extending lengthwise therein. The blades are secured to and driven by drive shafts protruding through the end walls of the container. The blades when driven rotate along circular paths radially spaced from each other, one of the blades rotating closely adjacent to the inside wall surface of the container thereby acting as a scraper. A lengthwise opening at the top of the container is provided for loading the container with dough and discharging the dough after mixing and kneading by rotating the container about its center axis. A fixedly mounted cover closes the opening when the opening is turned into its upwardly facing position.

Abstract: A household appliance, to be used in the production of spaghetti, noodles and other farinaceous products, has a housing which contains a generally semicylindrical mixing vessel axially traversed by a horizontal shaft fitted with a set of axially spaced and angularly offset radially extending rods for beating a mass of dough. The rods, inserted into bores of the shaft, can be extracted to facilitate an axial withdrawal of the shaft from the housing whereupon the vessel can also be removed. The dough may be flattened and/or sliced by ancillary attachments powered by the shaft drive. One such attachment, designed to produce maccaroni, comprises an extruder screw at the bottom of the housing into which the dough can be discharged through a normally obstructed bottom slot in the mixing vessel.

Abstract: A plasticizing and melting apparatus for granular synthetic plastic material has a heatable cylinder one end of which has an inlet opening for reception of granular material from an adjustable feeding unit which includes a shaker. The cylinder surrounds a rotary feed screw having a material advancing section in the region of the inlet opening, a first material densifying section immediately downstream of the advancing section, a collar which defines with the cylinder a narrow annular shearing gap immediately downstream of the first densifying section, a pressure relaxing section immediately downstream of the collar, and a second densifying section immediately downstream of the pressure relaxing section. The cylinder has one or more gas evacuating apertures which connect the interior of the cylinder with the atmosphere in the region surrounding the pressure relaxing section.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluxing a mixable thermoplastic material is disclosed. In the process a blend of thermoplastic material is agitated in a mixer; at the same time vibrations of the mixer is monitored during this agitation step and when it reaches a predetermined level, a signal is generated so the mixer may be stopped or the material discharged. The apparatus includes a high intensity mixer, a means for monitoring vibrations of the mixer, together with a means for comparing these vibrations with a preset level to produce a signal to indicate the material in the mixer has reached the required degree of fluxing.

Abstract: A continuous mixer comprising at least one mixing zone formed by a Transfermix geometry in which the number of starts of the helical thread changes for each of the components along the length of said Transfermix zone in the opposite sense to the change of the cross-sectional area of helical grooves on said component, whereby when in operation a medium moves along said Transfermix zone, portions thereof are successively transferred between the grooves of facing helical threads as giver and taker and whereby grooves of larger cross-sectional area are of greater widths than grooves of small cross-sectional area; in a preferred embodiment the mixer has a driven rotor and stationary barrel, the helical threads thereon being of opposite hand and the number of starts facing one another at any cross-section of the Transfermix zone is such as to make a substantially constant product.

Abstract: A new extruder screw design incorporating an optimal flight helix angle and flight height in the feed section and metering section and a constantly varying helix angle with a constantly decreasing flight height in the transition section is disclosed; the screw being efficiently fed by use of a grooved section of extruder barrel in the area of the feed section.

Abstract: An apparatus for the mixing of materials such as synthetic polymers and their additives. The apparatus comprises a casing which surrounds a cylindrical rotor. A series of groove rings and spacer rings are axially arranged on the rotor and in the casing. The grooves formed on the peripheral surface of the groove rings are circumferentially separated by shearing lands and are bound along their longitudinal side faces by the side faces of the alternately arranged spacer rings. In assembly, the grooves formed in the rotor groove rings are arranged in a partially overlapping, axially displaced relationship with respect to the radially opposed grooves formed on casing groove rings.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of no-bake foundry sands for preparation of metal casting molds. A settable binder is introduced into the sand and thoroughly and uniformly mixed therewith and then discharged around a pattern. The resulting mold then sets up and hardens rapidly without baking. After use to produce a metal casting, the mold is broken up and the sand recycled for further use. The present system is characterized by ease of feed rate variation, coordinated feeding of components, short residence time, efficient mixing and reduced clean-up problems. It comprises a horizontal axis paddle-type rotary mixer, coordinated means for feeding the mixture components to the mixer housing and discharge of the mixture upon demand including at least one gas assisted injection port or nozzle for the binder system and control means for regulating the rates of flow. The apparatus is desirably movably supported to facilitate distribution of the discharge.