Abstract: A conveyor having an endless conveying belt, which includes a series of slats, which in the upper course of the belt constitute a conveying surface. The slats include sheet metal blanks and are supported on link chains. The slats are adapted to be manually removed from and to be inserted into the conveying belt. The link chains extend along opposite edges of the conveyor belt and mesh with chain sprockets, which constitute reversing pulleys. The design permits a rational series production and permits the use of the conveyor even for a delivery of very hot moldings made of plastics which have aggressive and/or abrasive properties. When slats or chain links have become soiled to such an extent that the function of the conveyor may adversely be affected or when defects have occurred, such parts can be replaced with a low expenditure of work and with a simple manipulation.

Abstract: An extrusion die is described for extruding a polymer from a reactive precursor mixture without plugging of the die. The extrusion die includes a die inlet leading to at least one channel having dimensions which produce a wall shear stress value that exceeds the critical wall shear stress value for the particular reactive precursor mixture to prevent occlusion of the die. The preferred configuration of the die channels is a tree-like structure to obtain a coating width which is greater than the dimensions of the individual channels. Other features of the invention include a method for determining the critical wall shear stress value and a method for extruding reactive precursor mixtures.

Abstract: A roller head opening and closing apparatus in a roller head extruder includes parallel upper and lower rollers disposed at an extrudate outlet end of the extruder and having axes extending orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the extruder. Two frames are rotatably journaled at opposite ends of the rollers and can pivot about the axis of the lower roller. Actuators pivot the frames from a position in which the roller axes lie in the same vertical plane to a position in which the upper roller is swung away from the extrudate outlet so that a maintenance space is created between the extrudate outlet and the upper roller. This permits the use of a stationary electric motor for driving the lower roller, and so avoids the need for electrical contacts which compensate for motor movement.

Abstract: An extruder head assembly includes an extruder head having an abutment face and an internal flow channel terminating at the abutment face; first and second preforming dies and a preforming die drum removably accommodating the first and second preforming dies in a spaced relationship to one another. The drum is supported at the extruder head for rotation about an axis relative to the extruder head for selectively aligning one of the first and second preforming dies with the internal flow channel at the abutment face of the extruder head. Further, a releasable immobilizing mechanism is provided for pressing the drum against the abutment face, thereby placing the preforming die--aligned earlier with the flow channel--in an operative position.

Abstract: A mold for forming a synthetic resin tray to be used in molding chocolate bars comprises a female mold portion defining a mold cavity and a male mold portion including a skirt projecting into the cavity. A plate is disposed in the male mold portion and engages an inwardly extending lip at the free end of the skirt. The plate is provided on a side facing the mold cavity with an inscription and is pressed against the lip by a pressure block disposed in the male mold portion. The pressure block is shiftable to enable a substitution of another inscription plate. The inscription plate may be provided with a projection on the inscription side for forming an opening or a recess in the injection molded tray.

Abstract: A pellet mill comprises a perforated annular pellet die having an axis of rotation and first and second ends; and a die carrier rotatable about an axis of rotation and having an annular recess for receiving the first end of the annular pellet die. Fixing devices are secured to the first end of the die and cooperating fixing devices are provided in the annular recess in the die carrier. The fixing devices and the cooperating fixing devices have a first position relative to one another permitting insertion of the first end into the annular recess by relative axial movement of the die and die carrier and a second relative position permitting the transmission of force between the fixing devices and the cooperating fixing devices to draw the die towards the die carrier into a clamped position. Various different devices are provided for generating the force. In addition centering devices are provided which are effective on drawing of the die towards the die carrier to center the die relative to the die carrier.

Abstract: A rigid mini-monolith structure formed by extrusion from a die. Such structures are useful as catalyst supports for treating exhaust gases from automobile. The structure is in the shape of a right circular cylinder with a plurality of internal cells extending along the substrate and an opening on both ends. In order to provide maximum crushing strength of the structure, as well as permitting uniform intercell wall thickness at the downstream face of the extrusion die which forms the structure, the majority of the cells are formed in the transverse cross section of a truncated (circular) sector and have the property that they each possess the same hydraulic diameter, although not all are of the same transverse cross sectional shape. The invention also is defined by a novel extrusion die formed by a plurality of concentric, collared tubes provided with longitudinally running slots in the tubes and notches on the collars, the tubes being radially spaced from each other.

Abstract: A cavity insert for the ejection side and a core insert for the injection side of a mold are each shaped as a generally cylindrical, stepped body provided with circumferentially extending locking grooves and a liquid cooling or heating channel. Insert retainers and lifters having rotatable elements with locking tongues engaging the locking grooves clamp the inserts in the main mold frame. The main mold frame is provided with liquid conduits opening to opposite ends of the liquid channels so that the need for machining liquid conduits and channels for different inserts is avoided. Ejector tooling may be connected to the core insert for insertion and removal with it. The rotatable elements also have shoulders engageable with the inserts and may be axially moved to lift the inserts partly out of the mold frame to enable rapid changeover from one insert to another. Sliding wedges are used to releasably secure the ejector tooling to the master mold ejector plates.

Abstract: In a metal mold exchanging apparatus for use in an injection molding machine of the type wherein a metal mold is exchanged, there are provided a metal mold loading and unloading unit including a pair of metal mold supporting plates which are vertically spaced with a predetermined distance therebetween and an elevator for simultaneously raising and lowering the metal mold supporting plates for rendering the height of each one of the metal mold supporting plates to be equal to the height of position at which the metal mold is exchanged.

Abstract: A manifolded, multiple-pin die apparatus and method processes potentially explosive material to form longitudinally perforated cylindrical pellets for use as gun propellants. A main entrance passage formed in mating manifold blocks gradually changes in cross-sectional configuration from circular to figure-eight, and then branches in a gently curved manner. The divergent branches formed then further branch in the same manner and feed circular cross-section passages leading to extruding dies wherein a series of die pins extend axially through a discharge passage. Each die comprises a central core member supporting an outer shell via radial ribs which are configured to form flow passages of hour-glass configuration. No change of flow direction in the entire apparatus exceeds fifteen degrees.

Abstract: On a single-screw or multi-screw extruder, the part of the barrel lying between a front plate (1) and end plate (2) bounding the processing unit is subdivided into barrel discs (5) of ceramic materials, which are arranged on at least one guide rail (7). The barrel discs (5) are held together by an anchor (9) fixed on the front plate (1) and end plate (2) and at the same time secured against twisting. In addition, the screw elements (3) within the processing unit between front plate (1) and end plate (2) are also made from the same or from another ceramic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for highly intensive cooling of biaxially oriented films from high- and medium-molecular weight thermoplastics using a long neck on a blown film line is described, including: a plastics extruder, a die for forming a tube neck from the extruded plastic, means positioned adjacent the die for externally cooling the tube neck, an expansion zone where the tube neck becomes a bubble, a drag mandrel positioned immediately before the expansion zone for internally contacting, stabilizing and guiding the tube neck, means for continuously providing cool air internally of the tube neck at the expansion zone immediately after the contact, the means including a first tube in communication with a cool air source, and means for continuously removing the cool air that has been heated.

Abstract: Method in extruding a double-walled plastic tube by using plastic materials of different colors for the inner layer and the outer layer, a portion of the material for the inner layer being diverted to form a longitudinal strip of the outer layer on the outside surface of the tube. The invention also relates to an extrusion tool for working the method, wherein an element (21) is provided inside the tool to divert material from a passage (19) for material for the inner layer to a passage (16) for material for the outer layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection molding machine having a novel key/slot arrangement for facilitating installation and removal of a central mold portion. The novel key/slot arrangement includes non-uniform width key elements on frame members which support the central mold portion and non-uniform width slots in side portions of the central mold portion for engaging the key elements. The machine further includes a novel rack/gear drive arrangement for insuring a proper positioning of the mold elements at all times.

Abstract: An injection-moulding method for manufacturing discs from a synthetic material, which discs are provided with an information structure on one side, such as CD records, having a mould having a first and a second mould section (1, 2) which are movable relative to one another between an open and a closed position and which in the closed position define a mould cavity (3) into which a molten synthetic material is injected to form the disc, and having a flat mirror plate (12) on the first mould section, a disc-shaped stamper (16) which is positioned against the mirror plate, a guard ring (17) which is detachable from the first mould section to cover the periphery of the stamper (16) in an operating position, and quick-fastening device (18-20) which is adapted to cooperate with the guard ring (17) to secure the guard ring to the first mould section in the operating position.

Abstract: A die assembly is described for causing extrudate to bend without substantially changing the cross sectional shape of the extrudate. The assembly includes a die mounted in spaced relation from a feed channel through which extrudate passes from the extruder including a first part which has a flow channel which has at least one pair of sidewalls which converge from the die in the direction of the extruder. A second part of the assembly has a feed opening for directing extrudate into the flow channel. It provides for varying the length of the pathways which extrudate flows through the flow channel to a pair of opposing sides of the die to cause bending of the extrudate in the direction of the longest pathway as the extrudate exits the die.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging die assemblies for extruding a material from an extruder. The apparatus employs a carriage on an extruding side of the extruder, carriage moving device for moving the carriage along a longitudinal axis along rails perpendicular to an extruding direction of the material, two grasping units supported on the carriage on the right and left sides, grasping unit moving devices for moving the grasping units along a traverse axis in parallel with the extruding direction, respectively, grasping unit vertical moving devices for moving the grasping units along a vertical axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and traverse directions, respectively, and a plurality of storng stands spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal directions for storing various kinds of die assemblies. Each of the grasping units extending in the vertical axis and having a pair of arms provided with grasping devices for grasping one of the die assemblies.

Abstract: A direct or indirect extrusion press is disclosed, which includes a container (20) that defines a chamber (19) to hold a billet (11) to be extruded, a ram (12), a die (14), a die holder (41), a base (13) and a shears (15) to shear heels (17) of the billets (11). The die (14) is movable axially to the container (20) or vice versa. The container (20) defines at least two chambers (19) and is movable in a plane perpendicular to the plane on which the axis of the chamber (19) and the die (14) lies. An extrusion plant which includes a press as described above is also disclosed. The extrusion plant includes three stations that perform extrusion (19a), charging (19b) and the cleaning and readying of chambers (19c) respectively, the stations cooperating respectively with the chambers (19).

Abstract: A changing device for changing the plastic material to be supplied to a horizontal injecting unit of an injection molding machine comprises a traversing plate, which is movable by a strictly hydraulic traversing drive to a plurality of feed positions, in which respective port bores formed in the traversing plate register with a through bore that is formed in a guide bar on which the traversing plate is guided. As a result, the traversing plate can be moved with simple means by a strictly hydraulic drive to the desired positions without a need for additional controls.

Abstract: An article such as a length of plastic tubing is integrally formed by melt extrusion and having opposite ends which in turn are provided with different flexibilities. The apparatus and extrusion method by which such articles are forming in a running length includes a gear assembly rotatable between at least two alternate positions whereby two different but mixable resins are alternatively extruded as product.

Abstract: A mold which comprises a pair of mating, openable and closeable mold halves and a lock to hold the mold halves together. The lock is defined by a recess in the outer surface of one of the mold halves. A lifting bridge crosses the recess, being proportioned to permit a lifting hook in the recess to pass underneath to engage the bridge. An elongated member is secured to the other of the mold halves, being slidably extendable into the recess when the mold halves are substantially closed. The elongated member defines a longitudinal slot facing outwardly of the recess in closed position to receive at least a portion of the lifting hook as the hook engages the bridge. The slot defines an end opposed to the other mold half which is closed, to prevent a hook portion in the slot from sliding past the opposed end. Thus, the mold in closed position cannot be opened while the lifting hook is present in the slot.

Abstract: A siding die utilizes a lip defining the orifice and provided with a pair of lip members with mating formations at their opposite ends so that the lip members are forced together when end screws bridging the lip members are tightened. The formations include inclined surfaces of respective noses which transform force applied longitudinally to the lip members to transverse sealing forces holding sealing surfaces of the lip members together on each end of the orifice.

Abstract: A pair of mold bases are provided, each of which possesses a nest-mold insert hole which is open in one direction perpendicular to the mold-closing direction and capable of receiving a plurality of nest molds.The plurality of nest molds, with contacting wall faces between adjacent members, are inserted into the insert hole of each mold base from the open side of the insert hole. In order that the nest molds will not slip in the mold-closing direction, a wall-face engagement is applied between the nest molds and the inner wall of the insert hole and between the nest molds themselves. Mutually corresponding nest molds on both the mold bases, except substitute nest molds, form the cavity for molded products.The nest molds put in the insert hole are fixed by being pushed by a fixing device from the open side of the insert hole.

Abstract: The reinforcing skeleton for use in an injection molding machine comprises skeleton elements having tracks for engaging stationary rollers for guiding a plasticizing cylinder during cyclic axial reciprocating motions performed by the injecting unit during an injection molding sequence. The skeleton elements include track bars spaced from a central length portion of the plasticizing cylinder by radial spacers. One of the spacers has a plate secured to the track bars and to the plasticizing cylinder. Two centering spacers are connected to the track bars and surround the plasticizing cylinder as a sliding fit.

Abstract: A slit nozzle for an extruder has a nozzle orifice defined by two side surface portions of the nozzle body, at least one of the side surface portions being in the form of a flexible lip portion connected to an adjusting arrangement for varying the width of the nozzle orifice. The adjusting arrangement includes at least one lever arm connected at one end to the lip portion and at its other end to a mechanical adjusting means including a screw operable to control deflection movement of the lever arm in a plane which extends transversely with respect to the side surface portions.

Abstract: A mold comprising a mold core and mold cavity defines means which permits and controls a slight outward stretching of the mold cavity from a first positively centered position to a second positively centered position. By this means, precision centering of the mold and core can be achieved even under ultra high molding pressures without significant core shift.

Abstract: A plasticizing and injecting unit for use in an injection molding machine, having a carrier and supply block (10), which includes a pair of second bores (14), which are symmetrical with respect to the injection axis (s--s), and a pair of third bores (13), which are also symmetrical to the injection axis. The second bores contain respective advance-retract cylinders (A). The third bores contain respective injection cylinders (E). The advance-retract cylinders (A) are operable to axially advance and retract the plasticizing and injecting unit. The injection cylinders (E) are operable to inject molten plastic material into the injection mold. The second bores (14) are symmetrical to a first plane (f--f), which defines an angle (.alpha.) with a horizontal plane (h--h) extending through the injection axis (s--s). The third bores are symmetrical to a second plane (e--e), which includes a second angle (.beta.) with the horizontal plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking a horizontal plasticizing cylinder to the carrying block of the injecting unit of an injection molding machine having two cylinder-locking sliders which are disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said cylinder and are radially movable by means of hydraulic cylinders. In a locking position, the sliders extend in diametrically opposite recesses of the plasticizing cylinder. A shaft for driving the feed screw of the plasticizing unit has a coupling section which is formed with a radial guide groove, in which a screw-locking slider is radially displaceably mounted, the screw-locking slider being non-rotatably connected to the shaft. A coupling bridge is secured to the upper one of the cylinder-locking sliders. When the feed screw is in a desired angular position said coupling bridge is coupled to the screw-locking slider so that one cylinder-locking slider and the screw-locking slider are simultaneously moved to their locking positions.

Abstract: A die for forming honeycomb structures has an arrangement that facilitates fabrication and the support of channel forming pins across the surface of the die by the use of multiple die sections. The die is used for forming multi-channeled honeycomb structures from extrudable materials. The die has a first die body that has an inlet face and outlet face and integrally formed channel forming pins that extend past the outlet face of the die. A set of integrally formed links interconnect the channeled pins and support the channeled pins from the die body. Together the channel forming pins and links define a set of cavity for passing extrudable material through the die body. The die includes at least one additional die body, which is at least partially superimposed above the inlet face of the first die body.

Abstract: An extrusion tool includes an end plate, a plate holder cassette seating the end plate and having opposite first and second faces; an extrusion head seating the cassette, and a first clamping device having an operative position for pressing the cassette and the end plate as a unit against the extrusion head by engaging an outer face of the end plate. The first clamping device further has a withdrawn position in which it permits a removal of the end plate from the cassette and a removal of the cassette from the extrusion head. There is a further provided a second clamping device for pressing, in a clamping position thereof, the cassette against the extrusion head by engaging a front face of the cassette externally of the end plate, whereby the end plate is, in the withdrawn position of the first clamping device, removable from the cassette while the cassette remains pressed against the extrusion head by the second clamping device.

Abstract: A die-base ring (11) has at its upstream end a tubular ring (12) provided with a collar (12a) and co-operating with means for fixing the ring to a support (1). The fixing device includes four radial screws (19), pressing against a cylindrical bearing surface (13) of the support and making possible a mechanically operated off-centering of the ring relative to the support, and a clamping collar (20) making it possible to place two cylindrical bearing surfaces (14 and 15) in strictly coaxial positions. Axial screws (16) pass through the support with sufficient radial play to allow the adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel coextrusion apparatus that includes a first flow channel of a greater width than a second flow channel, and an adjustable vane blade between the channels. By the use of interchangeable plates, this unique apparatus is able to prevent any selected layer or layers of a laminate from extending to the full laminate width. This highly advantageous result is obtained by the formation of an isolating edge that is an integral part of a layer or layers that extend the full laminate width. Also provided is process for forming a laminate having an isolating edge.

Abstract: A crosshead extruder having an extruder housing with a throughlet passage for cylindrical workpieces to be coated with a highly viscid material such as unvulcanized rubber. The crosshead extruder includes an extruder nozzle for defining the thickness of such coating, a side inlet for supply of a pressurized coating material to the extruder housing, and an interior power driven worm member for receiving the pressurized inlet material and conveying the material around the workpiece passage and forwardly towards the extruder nozzle. The coating material is present at the extruder nozzle all the way around the workpieces even when the workpieces are of a large diameter.

Abstract: A head for the coextrusion of a plurality of N thermoplastic materials, N representing a positive integer, consisting of N+1 thermally insulated plates which are substantially modular and fit together and are aligned by respective projections and recesses on each plate, each plate having a conduit to feed a thermoplastic material, one half of a collector-distributor cavity on one face for collecting and distributing the material, and one half of a channel on the same face which extends radially from the collector-distributor to a narrow annular space created by the separation between a central male inner body and the concentric inner surface of each plate.

Abstract: A preparatory station for pre-forming bar assemblies intended for use in conjunction with multiple extrusion head for producing rubber profiles for tread strips of automobile tires includes a plurality of chambers receiving said bar assemblies from said extruder head and for accommodating replacement assemblies, means being provided for heating the accommodation chambers, and further including arrangements for ejecting the pre-forming bar assemblies from the extrusion head and for removing the splicing or jointing bar assemblies and the profile bar assemblies from the pre-forming bar assemblies.

Abstract: A cavity insert for the injection side and a core insert for the ejection side of a mold are each shaped as a generally cylindrical, stepped body provided with circumferentially extending locking grooves and a liquid cooling or heating channel. Insert retainers and lifters having rotatable elements with locking tongues engaging the locking grooves clamp the inserts in the main mold frame. The main mold frame is provided with liquid conduits opening to opposite ends of the liquid channels so that the need for machining liquid conduits and channels for different inserts is avoided. Ejector tooling may be connected to the core insert for insertion and removal with it. The rotatable elements also have shoulders engageable with the inserts and may be axially moved to lift the inserts partly out of the mold frame to enable rapid changeover from one insert to another. Sliding wedges are used to releasably secure the ejector tooling to the master mold ejector plates.

Abstract: A quick changing and quick gripping device for the molding tools of injection molding machines. The two mold halves of each molding tool are alignable in insertion guides between two adapter plates located opposite each other. The adapter plates are movable toward each for closing the molding tool and are movable apart from each other for opening the molding tool. The mold halves can be fixed in their aligned position by means of clamping members. During the changing and/or gripping procedure, the two mold halves of the closed molding tool are fixedly locked or coupled to each other. At least one locking bar is movably mounted in a mold half and automatically engages a locking bar engagement member mounted in the other mold half by means of a biasing force, such as, a spring. The locking bar includes an actuating element which projects into the range of an intermediate plate of the respective mold half, the intermediate plate being capable of being operatively connected to the clamping members.

Abstract: An injection molding machine includes a plasticizing cylinder, a shutoff nozzle mounted at the front of the plasticizing cylinder, a shutoff nozzle control for opening or closing the shutoff nozzle, and a carrier block including a bore for receiving a rear terminus of the plasticizing cylinder. The shutoff nozzle control includes a first power device supported in the carrier block; a force-transmitting element connected to the shutoff nozzle and extending therefrom to the first power device; and a coupling arrangement including a movable coupling mechanism for placing the force-transmitting element into an engaged or a disengaged position relative to the first power device, whereby in the disengaged position the plasticizing cylinder is, together with the force-transmitting element, movable away from the first power device and the carrier block.

Abstract: An extrusion head suitable for producing tread strips for automotive vehicle tires from a plurality of rubber mixtures comprising a central head portion, upper and lower head portions disposed one on each side of said central head portion, said upper head portion and said central head portion and said lower head portion and said central head portion jointly defining at least two flow channels therebetween said flow channels being disposed above one another in a vertical plane, hydraulic means for pivoting each of said upper and lower head portions relative to said central head portion, said upper and lower head portions each including lateral portions extending substantially parallel to the direction of flow of said rubber mixtures through said head, hydraulically actuated locking means mounted on each said lateral portion and displaceable laterally outwardly in a direction substantially at right angles to said direction of flow, said locking means including locking members engageable with each said lateral p

Abstract: A modular extrusion head is disclosed including a plurality of cross head die modules, each including a flow path for a single resin. Molten resin layers are flowed from the modules onto a stepped mandrel and then along the mandrel and out an extrusion die to form a multi-layer parison. The layers are thin, with a uniform thickness and hole free. The modules are temperature zoned to permit flowing of a low temperature resin to and along the mandrel in contact with a high temperature resin without impairing the properties of the low temperature resin.

Abstract: An injection molding machine that includes a base assembly having separable mold halves in which at least one removable liner is contained between the opposed surfaces of the mold halves. The liner has a molding cavity formed therein. When the assembly is closed, the liner is clamped between the mold halves and molten material is delivered into the cavity through the existing sprue system to fill the cavity. Opening the mold permits the liner to be removed and the part is separated therefrom from the liner.

Abstract: Method in extruding a double-walled plastic tube by using plastic materials of different colors for the inner layer and the outer layer, a portion of the material for the inner layer being diverted to form a longitudinal strip of the outer layer on the outside surface of the tube. The invention also relates to an extrusion tool for working the method, wherein an element (21) is provided inside the tool to divert material from a passage (19) for material for the inner layer to a passage (16) for material for the outer layer.

Abstract: A die and backing block assembly with a quick release fastening arrangement which includes a plurality of connectors, each including a pin connected to the die and having a head insertable into a tubular body connected to a piston lodged in a cylindrical chamber formed in the backing block. The mouth of the tubular body has radial holes accommodating balls which hold the head of the pin in the tubular mouth of the piston under the action of elastic springs, which tend to move the piston away from the head of the pin. The die and the backing block connected to each other are released from each other when oil is injected under pressure into a volume between the bottom of the chamber and the piston. The piston moves towards the head carrying the balls into a seat so that the balls move and release the head of the pin thus allowing for a separation of the die from the backing block.

Abstract: An injection mold for disc molding such as in the manufacture of video or audio discs. The mold has a stamper removably clamped to one mold half by a rotating stamper holding ring. Both mold halves contain a plurality of clamping pins which selectively engage and hold slots in the holding ring. By rotating the holding ring, disengagement of the ring with the pins of the mold half carrying the stamper occurs simultaneously with engagement of the ring with the pins of the other mold half. Thereby, the stamper is released and may then be replaced.

Abstract: A stamper holding apparatus comprises a holding member for holding a stamper on the mirror surface of one of stationary and movable mirror blocks, a plurality of stationary side actuation units arranged around the outer periphery of the stationary mirror block, a plurality of movable side actuation units arranged around the outer periphery of the movable mirror block, and operating rods of each stationary side actuation units and operating rods of each movable side actuation units being alternatively engageable with the holding member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described which is useful in manufacturing molded optical devices. The apparatus and method provide automatic alignment of the mold elements so that cylinder and prism free lenses are provided.

Abstract: A coupling device of the insertion or plug-in type for connecting lines which conduct flowing media, preferably pressurized fluids, to the mold halves of a molding tool in an injection molding machine. The coupling device includes a first coupling member, for example, a coupling nipple, mounted on an adapter plate of the injection molding machine and a second coupling member, for example, a coupling sleeve, mounted on a mold half of the molding tool. A locking device is used for fixing the two coupling members in an engaged position. The locking device is biased into its locking position by means of a spring and can be moved against the biasing force by means of an electromagnet from the locking position into a releasing position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel edge-laminating apparatus, in which an edge-laminating stream exiting from an edge-laminating flow channel, is driven by flow pressure into an edge of another stream. Also provided is a novel process for forming an edge-laminated stream, and for forming an extruded product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the coextrusion of a laminate containing more than a single barrier layer. Also provided is a coextruded composite useful for forming containers. Additionally, there is provided a unique coextrusion apparatus useful for forming the laminate.

Abstract: A die changing mechanism for use with a vertical-axis extrusion apparatus that includes a die housing and an extrusion die section, such as an inner section that is secured to the housing by a threaded connection. The apparatus includes a transportable support assembly and a breaker assembly supported by the support assembly and adapted to be positioned in an initial position in rotationally interlocking engagement with the inner die section. The breaker assembly is connected to the support assembly by threaded means, and is adapted for rotational movement relative to the support assembly about a vertical axis corresponding to the screw axis. The pitch of the threads of the threaded means is the same as the pitch of the threads by which the die section is connected to the die housing.