Abstract: The output of a plastic or polymeric material processor is fed through a three-way valve to an expandable chamber in a barrel having a ram therein. When the chamber has a predetermined charge the valve is shifted to direct the output of the plasticator to an accumulator. Operation of the ram injects the material into a mold cavity and thereafter the valve shifts to direct the combined output of the plasticator and the accumulator to recharge the chamber.

Abstract: An extruder is controlled in response to the thickness measurement of the extruded strand. The thickness measuring head is initially given a displacement transverse to the extrusion direction, preferably around the extruded strand and the output signals from the head are integrated to form a mean value around the periphery. A comparison of this mean value with the set point wall thickness value is then utilized to provide continuous correction of the output of the head which is utilized to regulate the extruder operation.

Abstract: Cheese curd is fed into the top of a hollow perforated column in a tower at a sub-atmospheric pressure so as to form in the column a pillar of curd supported on a guillotine blade which closes off an opening in the bottom of the tower. A former unit below the tower has an upright open-ended cylinder sealed against the bottom of the tower, and an elevator within the cylinder. The guillotine blade is withdrawn, the pillar of curd lowered into the cylinder by the elevator, and the guillotine blade returned to its closed position so as to cut off a block of curd from the bottom end of the pillar of curd. The elevator is then forced upwards to compress the block of curd within the cylinder. The former unit is subsequently lowered, pivoted into a horizontal position, and the elevator driven along the cylinder to eject the block of curd.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming hollow articles from plasticized materials are disclosed. A preform is partially formed under substantially no pressure on a preform core by introducing the core into a void-free charge of plasticized material that is placed in a preform cavity from a source of the plasticized material. After the preform core and preform cavity have moved together to define a preform mold space, the charge of plasticized material is subjected to a pressure forming step to form a completely packed preform on the core. The preform is then blow-molded in a blow cavity by introducing blowing gas into the preform through the preform core. Neck mold structure that strips and releases the formed article from the core is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a rigid container by injection molding a parison having plural layers of polymers. The parison is blow molded to the final shape of the container. Control during injection is exercised over each of the plural polymers so as to produce uninterrupted layers extending throughout the walls of the parison and to insure that the interior layers are completely encapsulated within the outer layers.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for filling a cavity with a flowable reaction mixture through an inlet opening located at the bottom of the cavity. The process broadly comprises injecting a relatively small amount of reaction mixture into the cavity to cover the inlet opening with reaction mixture. The injection process is then briefly interrupted. Thereafter, the remaining amount of reaction mixture is injected into the cavity. The invention also relates to apparatus useful in performing the above-described process.

Abstract: A vent-type plastication molding machine has a material supply rate control system. The reciprocal sliding motion speed of the screw in an axial direction of the heating cylinder is detected by a detector comprising a rack fixed to the reciprocally sliding portion of the machine, a pinion engaging with said rack and rotatably mounted on the stationary portion of the machine, and an electric generator connected with said pinion.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying foam from the outlet of a continuously operated foam generator to a consumer which applies the liquid fraction of the foam to a substrate has a conduit which receives foam from the outlet and contains a storing device serving to take up the surplus of foam when the requirements of the consumer are less than the output of the foam generator and to satisfy the requirements of the consumer when such requirements exceed the output of the foam generator. The storing device contains a compensating device which ensures that the pressure of foam in the interior of the storing device is substantially constant, and such compensating device (which may consist of a reciprocable piston and a hollow piston rod receiving foam from the foam generator) can actuate a monitoring device which regulates the operation of the foam generator, of a pump which is installed between the foam generator and the storing device and/or a valve which can divert foam into a collecting receptacle.

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: Pressing device for producing compacts from source material in powder form, in particular pulverized nuclear reactor fuel having a die-plate contained in platen and a bore associated with a ram, for receiving source material powder, a filling shoe, and a reservoir for powder connected by a hose to the filling shoe. The device is characterized by a passing wheel in the filling shoe as filling aid means; a tube containing a feedscrew disposed between the reservoir and hose as metering means; the reservoir having a bottom part with a can type place-on part with an opening eccentric to the axis; a coupling part and a cover part are placed on the open part of the can, these parts are also provided with a passageway to the feedscrew eccentric to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A low-pressure screw in-line type injection molding method and apparatus for use with materials such as urea mixed resin powder are disclosed. The initial injection is performed at a converted injection pressure in the range of 250-700 Kg/cm.sup.2 and at an injection velocity in the range of 30-50 mm/sec. When the mold cavity has become nearly completely filled, the converted injection pressure is lowered to 50-200 Kg/cm.sup.2 for the completion of the injection cycle under low pressure conditions.

Abstract: Screw feeder and ram injector units for injection molding presses are disclosed. The feeder and injector units incorporate several novel features including power extension and retraction of the feeder unit by the drive ram of the injector unit. The screw feeder unit is supported directly on the ram unit without the necessity of separate supports on the press frame. A ram drive piston and injector plunger are laterally supported by means supporting the drive assembly on the injector assembly. Temperature control of molding compound is afforded by fluid circulation in a block carried on the inlet area of the screw feeder and a jacketed outlet nozzle on the ram injector.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tablets in a press having a rotary die plate cooperating with a filling device including a rotary filling wheel and a rotary dosing wheel arranged on top of the die plate, and a plurality of die plungers each projecting into an assigned die in the plate, and further including means for adjusting the vertical position of the plunger; the method comprising the steps of adjusting the rotational speeds of the filling and dosing wheels to a value at which minimum variations of compressing forces take place, comparing a predetermined range of variations of the compressing forces with the measured actual values and adjusting the weight of the tablets in process by readjusting the vertical position of the plunger in response to the ascertained difference, and thereafter readjusting the rotational speeds of the wheels to minimize the variations of the readjusted compressing forces.

Abstract: The apparatus molds during each cycle homogeneous plastic material and foam plastic material. It includes a barrel member, a main passageway therein in which is located the screw member. A pair of injecting means for filling molds are provided, one having a homogeneous plastic injection chamber and the other having a foam plastic injection chamber. The first injection means is connected to the screw and barrel member upstream of the place where the inert fluid is introduced into the main passageway whereby homogeneous plastic material is discharged from the main passageway into the first injection means. The apparatus includes means for introducing an inert fluid into the main passageway whereby the rotating screw member mixes the gas with the molten plastic as it moves towards the discharge port which is connected to the second injection means whereby foam plastic material is injected into the foam plastic injection chamber. Each injection means has one or more nozzles connected to a mold located in a press.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a concrete pipe in which a belt conveyor runs parallel to the axis of a molding flask and is adapted to longitudinally move in the molding flask within the range between both ends of the molding flask. The belt conveyor is subjected to intermittent longitudinal movement at a fixed traveling distance in response to a prescribed degree of compactedness of concrete attained in each position where the belt conveyor stops.

Abstract: A hopper-feeder (10) especially suited for, but not limited to, continuously feeding self adhering powders to a subsequent processing step is disclosed. In particular, the apparatus includes a first hopper (12), an intermediate passageway (16), a second hopper (18) and a feed guide (20). A wiper (32), a bottle brush auger (34) and an associated auger cleaning rod (36) expedite powder flow. Shear blades (40), disposed within the second hopper (18), further break up any undesirable particles before exiting the apparatus (10).

Abstract: An improved pelletizing apparatus comprising a pellet forming means having a slanted rotatable member, means for supplying particulate batch material to the pellet forming means, means for supplying liquid to the pellet forming means, means for rotating the rotatable member in a given direction, the pellet forming means being so arranged and constructed that the liquid and particulate batch material supplied to the pellet forming means combine to form pelletized batch material, wherein the improvement comprises paddle means for sensing the depth of material on the slanted rotatable member and transducer means connected to the paddle means and responsive to the depth sensed thereby for providing an output signal that is indicative of the depth sensed by the paddle means.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for pelletizing a batch of particulate material comprising: supplying particulate batch material to a slanted rotatable surface; supplying liquid to the surface to render the particles with the ability to adhere to one another upon impaction; rotating the surface in a given direction to cause the particles and newly formed pellets to move up along the surface and then downwardly at least partially under the influence of gravity so as to move in generally elliptical paths, whereby individual particles are caused to impact against one another and adhere thereto to form pellets; sensing the depth of substantially finished pellets at a downward portion of an elliptical path; and changing the ratio of liquid to particulate batch material in response to a change in the depth that is sensed.

Abstract: Blow-moulding apparatus for the manufacture of hollow bodies from a thermoplastic in which a screw extruder extrudes the thermoplastic into an accumulating chamber, and a piston forces the thermoplastic through a gap-like outlet orifice of the accumulator chamber to form a parison. A blow-mould consisting of at least two parts which can be opened is positioned so that the blow-mould encompasses the parison. Control means are provided for adjusting the width of the gap-like outlet orifice of the accummulator chamber as a function of the length of the parison extruded, which length can be detected e.g. by a light beam and a photo-cell.

Abstract: A device for automatic adjustment of the inductance of a coil by utilizing a magnetic core which is formed by means of a magnetic paste. The device defines the quantity of magnetic paste in dependence on an inductance value measured by means of an inductance measuring apparatus.

Abstract: An extruder with a roller die in which a plastic or rubber material fed from a mixer is formed into a sheet by a roller die located at the fore end of a screw feeder which includes a cylinder and a revolving screw, the screw feeder employing a short screw shaft which has its base portion rotatably supported in the cylinder and a non-contacting screw portion essentially including a feed portion and a compression portion and disposed in the cylinder with a small gap being formed between the screw portion and the inner periphery of the cylinder. The pressure distribution in the screw feeder is controlled such that the maximum pressure in a compression zone and the pressure at the fore end of the cylinder are maintained in the ranges of 52.times.10.sup.3 to 200.times.10.sup.3 gr/cm.sup.2 and 20.times.10.sup.3 to 60.times.10.sup.3 gr/cm.sup.2, respectively.

Abstract: A control for controlling the level in one of two tanks used in a ceramic hot molding machine which requires transfer of a ceramic slurry from one tank to the other in a continuous molding process. More particularly the present invention relates to an apparatus which automatically shuts off the transfer process when the working tank is filled a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing radio-active waste package. By evaporating and drying, the radio-active waste is reduced to a radio-active powder which is formed into pellets in order to ease its disposal. The pellets are received in a container and then impregnated therein with a thermoplastic composition so as to be integrally solidify in the container. The prior technical method cannot fully impregnate the pellets with the thermoplastic material. The present invention improves the prior art technical method of producing radio-active waste package thereby to eliminate the above disadvantage. The present invention also provides a device for carrying out the above method.

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: A method of, and apparatus for, automatically and uniformly drawing-in elastomeric material into worm extruders comprising at least one draw-in roll for the material mixture, arranged in spaced relationship in front of the extruder worm or screw and driven independently of the worm. The draw-in roll is driven in a manner such that it only can transmit a predetermined adjustable rotational moment which is limited towards an upper range, or, if desired, the rotational speed of the draw-in roll is controlled as a function of a maximum upwardly limited pressure prevailing within a draw-in or infeed pocket between the draw-in roll and the worm or screw.

Abstract: An apparatus forming hay pellets from bales of hay is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rotatable pellet die having a plurality of axially extending pellet forming holes. The cutter knife disc is secured to one face of the pellet die and carries a plurality of cutter knives aligned with each pellet forming hole. The cutter disc further has openings beneath each cutter knife aligned with each pellet forming hole allowing hay to be urged through each pellet forming hole after it is cut. Means urges a bale of hay into the cutter knife disc such that as the pellet die and cutter knife disc rotate, the bale of hay is cut and urged through the openings in the cutter knife disc into each pellet forming hole for compaction into hay pellets. Means aligned with each pellet forming hole controls the moisture in each hay pellet as it is urged through each pellet forming hole.

Abstract: An extruder control arrangement in which the time taken to deliver a known quantity of extrudate is maintained within closely controlled limits by feedback circuit which controls the rate at which plastics material is fed to the extruder.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for effecting in a continuous manner the three operations of extruding, biaxially stretching and surface coating a seamless tubing of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The coating material in a molten state is applied to the tubing while a formative state and prior stretching. A coated film is obtained which is dimensionally stable and is useful for food packaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the feed of pieces of rubber or plastics material into the intake opening of an extruder where a feed roller has a control slide mounted thereabove which can be moved to increase or decrease the area of the surface of the roller which engages the material and thus the rate of material intake. Sensing means are provided to indicate to control means the level of material in the intake opening, the control means then operating the control slide to adjust the rate of intake of material.

Abstract: This invention, is an apparatus for grading pellets produced by a pelletizer from dry particulate batch material and a liquid, as for a melting furnace such as a glass furnace. The pellets are sensed by passing the pellets adjacent a graded passage. When a pellet reaches a graded passage matching its size, the pellet drops through the passage and at the same time actuates a sensor indicating a pellet of that respective size. The sensor is connected to a counting device which then can provide, through an appropriate control device, a count of over or undersized pellets or the pellet distribution. This information then can be appropriately used by the control device to control the amount of dry batch material or the amount of water introduced into the pelletizer and to maintain the pellets within a desired range.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a refractory mass with a sand-blast head along a ladle-lining surface and parallel thereto in a ladle. The sand-blast head is provided with a movement inside the ladle so as to continuously fill the lining along a helical trajectory and over the entire height of the ladle from the bottom to the top. For this purpose, the apparatus is mounted on a platform installed inside the ladle on a hollow supporting rod through which the mass is fed to the sand-blast head. Provision is made for a contact sensor which senses the current level of the lining plane, and controlled drives of the platform rotation, rod lifting and change in the radial jet of the mass thrown out of the sand-blast head.

Abstract: Regulating apparatus for the output of an extruder so that the output can be varied to follow variations in the output of a polymerization system supplying melt to the extruder, the apparatus including filling level measuring means in a melt container feeding an intake opening of the extruder and itself supplied with melt by the polymerization system and a flow restrictor provided in the extruder cylinder between the intake opening and a discharge opening, the extent of the restriction of flow provided by the flow restrictor being adjusted in accordance with signals received from the filling level measuring means and the extruder having an output capacity such that, with the flow restriction reduced to zero, the extruder can process the maximum output capacity of the polymerization system.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling heat-softenable batch material prior to melting it. The batch components are mixed together and then mixed with liquid and formed into balls or pellets of substantially uniform size and shape. The pellets are then collected into a heat-exchange chamber through which hot gases are passed from a melting unit in which the pellets are to be heated to a heat-softened state. The pellets thereby are preheated prior to entering the melting unit to save considerably on energy requirements. A physical characteristic and specifically the depth of a portion of the batch being formed into the pellets is sensed, the depth being related to moisture content. The ratio of the batch material and liquid is accordingly regulated to achieve uniformity in pellet size, which is influenced by the moisture content. Size uniformity is important in maintaining relatively free flow of the hot gases through the pellets in the heat-exchange chamber.

Abstract: A control device connected to rotational speed measuring means for an extruder screw, to a filling level monitor in a degassing opening of the extruder, to a cut-off in a filling container for the extruder, to vacuum means connected to the degassing opening and to a source of gas under pressure such that upon receipt from the speed measuring means or the filling level monitor by the control device of an indication of probable filling of the degassing opening with melt, the control device closes the cut-off, disconnects the vacuum means from the degassing opening and connects the gas pressure source thereto.

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

Abstract: Equipment for filling molds with colored mortars to obtain cement tiles or the like, having a pattern, includes a filling station having a pair of mold partitions which can be raised and lowered with respect to the molds and which can be rotated horizontally through 180.degree. between a first position, in which a partitioned unit is aligned with a mold, which may be a multiple mold, to be filled, and a second position in which a mold unit is in an outer washing position. A batching unit is raisable and lowerable on the mold, and includes several small tanks for the colored mortars, discharge tubes emerging from the bottoms of the tanks, and batching cups that can slide in a sealed manner along the tubes and which are moved along the tubes between a position submerged in the mortar of the small tanks and a raised and emergent position, in which the mortar contained therein is discharged into the respective tube.

Abstract: Crumbled cheese curd is fed into the top of a hollow column in a chamber maintained at a sub-atmospheric pressure so as to form in the column a pillar of curd devoid of air pockets, the curd in the lower portion of the pillar being compressed by the weight of superimposed curd to press out whey therefrom and consolidate the curd, the whey passing through perforations in the wall of the column, and the pillar of curd is repeatedly lowered, the bottom end of the pillar severed to form a block of cheese, and fresh curd added to the top of the pillar. The curd is fed into the chamber through a feedpipe connected between the top of the chamber and the outlet of a hopper containing curd under atmospheric pressure, the differential pressure between the hopper and the chamber causing curd to flow along the feedpipe. The feedpipe discharges into a cyclone separator in the top of the chamber for separating air from the curd.

Abstract: In an injection machine of the type wherein plastic material is injected into a pair of separable mold halves by means of an injection plunger actuated by pressurized fluid, a comparator is provided to compare a signal representing the actual spacing between the mold halves and a reference signal corresponding to a predetermined permissible value of the spacing at a predetermined position of the injection plunger. The output of the comparator is used to change the pattern of the force of the pressurized fluid acting upon the injection plunger during the next molding cycles.

Abstract: A briquetting plant for hot briquetting particulate matter, such as mill waste containing a material that softens when heated, such as iron oxide, which includes a low temperature tumbler type heat exchanger, an intermediate temperature tumbler type heat exchanger, a fluid bed furnace and a compactor, with the feed material being fed therethrough in succession. The briquettes produced by the compactor are first fed from the outlet of the compactor into the intermediate temperature heat exchanger, for liberation of heat therein, separated from the feed material by a screen at the outlet of the intermediate temperature heat exchanger and from such screen transported into the low temperature heat exchanger for further imparting of heat to the feed material. A second screen is provided at the outlet of the low temperature heat exchanger for separating and discharging the briquettes in relatively cooled form.

Abstract: A fluff distributor comprises a fluff chamber, two or more vacuum screens in said chamber and onto which screens fluff is laid in batts. The screens have separately controllable drive mechanism whereby each screen can be independently driven at a desired rate of speed. Accordingly, the volume of fluff output from said chamber for each screen is similarly separately controllable. Each screen supplies fluff to one of several converting machines. The converting machines can operate at different rates of speed requiring different volumes of fluff and by reason of the separate control for each distributor screen, the same fluff distributor can supply fluff to different converting machines operating at different demand levels for fluff.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming rigid structures such as disk brake pads from a dry mix of friction material includes a compression molding press, a friction material agitator and an improved mechanism for transporting friction material from the agitator to the press with friction material preform forming apparatus between the agitator and the press defining an intermediate portion of the improved transport mechanism.

Abstract: Blow molding apparatus for the manufacture of hollow bodies from a thermoplastic, in which a screw-extruder forms a parison into a receiving station. A blow mold is movable to and fro between the receiving station and a mold release station, the blow mold consisting of at least two parts which can be opened so that the blow mold encompasses the parison in the receiving station. The length of the parison extruded is detected when it reaches a given length corresponding to the length of the mold. Control means are provided, these being operable only by the means for detecting the parison length, and cause the mold parts to close on the parison. Time dependent open-loop control means control the movement of the blow-mold so that it is in the open position in the receiving station before the length of the parison has reached the given length, so that it is ready to close immediately the given length is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming underground pipelines of the type which includes a plurality of component sections at least partially enclosed by a formable outer component, such apparatus comprising a receptacle, including a bulkhead at one end of the receptacle. The receptacle has an inlet opening sized to receive the inner component sections and the bulkhead has an outlet opening of sufficient size to permit an inner component section to pass rearwardly from the receptacle through the outlet opening. The apparatus and the inner component section are relatively axially advanceable so that the inner component section can be moved rearwardly relative to the apparatus and through the outlet opening. The formable outer component is delivered from a source of the outer component to a location rearwardly of the bulkhead. The bulkhead inhibits the flow of formable outer component forwardly through the outlet opening. The source of the formable outer component may be remote from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture by foam molding of plastic products by first injecting into a mold solid plastic resin and then injecting a foamed plastic resin of the same basic composition as the solid plastic resin. The process and apparatus consisting of a single extruder and single injection chamber wherein the solid and foamed plastic resin are extruded and stored until shot into the mold by hydraulic pressure. Controls are provided for the correct amount of each type of resin to be extruded and stored and the process can be adapted so that the sprue portion of the product will be solid resin and by a simple addition, coloring may be added so that the basic resin, method or apparatus will not require changes.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a stable block from paper including means for providing a plurality of moist paper fragments, means for roughening the outer surface of a group of the moist paper fragments, and means for compressing the group of paper fragments to form the group of paper fragments into a stable block without the addition of an adhesive.

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

Abstract: A novel method and an improved combination of apparatus are provided for controlled feeding of dry friction and other high bulk materials along a closed path, whereby release of dust particles of the friction or other high bulk material is substantially eliminated. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to feeding the dry material from a remote storage container along a closed path and into contact with a rotatable screw for at least partially plasticizing the dry material in preparation for compression molding thereof. Also provided is apparatus for molding rigid structures from dry friction material, having as a portion thereof the improved apparatus for feeding friction material.

Abstract: Plastic molding machine, primarily adapted for generating and molding a closed-cell foam plastic material. The foam is generated by introducing a gas inert to the plastic material into a granular mixture of same so that the gas is thoroughly intermixed among the granular particles. The gas is then held under pressure while the granular particles are reduced to a flowable material, said pressure being sufficient to assure that the gas will not be expelled therefrom during the plasticization process. In one preferred embodiment, gas is mixed into the granular plastic in a hopper and held therein under pressure as said granular material is fed into a screw and plasticized thereby.The plastic material is then conducted at a relatively low pressure, such as that generated by the extrusion machine used for plasticizing the material, through a branched system past a check valve in each branch of said system, to an injection assembly.

Abstract: A high speed food patty molding machine, for manufacturing hamburger patties or other molded food products, comprising two large piston pumps operating in overlapping alternation to feed moldable food material continuously to a manifold that in turn feeds a cyclic molding mechanism. The molding mechanism need not operate synchronously with the pumps; the volumetric capacity of each pump is several times larger than the volume of meat or other moldable feed material required to fulfill a molding cycle. The pressure of the food feed is adjustable for different product requirements. The molding mechanism includes an elevator system for raising the complete mold assembly to a changeover position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling heat-softenable batch material prior to melting it. The batch components are mixed together and then mixed with liquid and formed into balls or pellets of substantially uniform size and shape. The pellets are then collected into a heat-exchange chamber through which hot gases are passed from a melting unit in which the pellets are to be heated to a heat-softened state. The pellets thereby are preheated prior to entering the melting unit to save considerably on energy requirements. A physical characteristic and specifically the depth of a portion of the batch being formed into the pellets is sensed, the depth being related to moisture content. The ratio of the batch material and liquid is accordingly regulated to achieve uniformity in pellet size, which is influenced by the moisture content. Size uniformity is important in maintaining relatively free flow of the hot gases through the pellets in the heat-exchange chamber.