Serially Arranged Chambers Each Housing A Kneading Or Mixing Means Patents (Class 425/205)
  • Patent number: 6511217
    Abstract: A method and system are provided that efficiently compound high levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer at a commercial rate into homogeneous filled and devolatilized silicone compositions. In the method, filled silicone compositions are compounded by compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a first compounding apparatus to produce a first dispersed composition and simultaneously compounding a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer in a second compounding apparatus that shares a common extruder shaft with the first compounding apparatus to produce a second dispersed composition. The system comprises a first compounding apparatus and a sequential second compounding apparatus that shares a common shaft with the first compounding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norberto Silvi, Mark Howard Giammattei
  • Patent number: 6502977
    Abstract: An extruder plant includes a worm extruder having a reduced length and including only a feed zone of the extruder plant and a gearwheel extruder connected downstream of the worm extruder and including a plasticizing and pressure build-up zone of the extruder plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Atecs Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Gerd Capelle
  • Patent number: 6485287
    Abstract: A noodle-making machine comprises a motor, a cylindrical casing, a screw disposed rotatably inside the cylindrical casing, a perforated nozzle plate provided at an end of the cylindrical casing, and a hopper attached to the casing. A groove is formed inside one end of the casing. The nozzle plate has a recess portion formed therein. A coupling formed of female and male coupling members is provided to connect the motor to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Eiji Sugano
  • Patent number: 6391234
    Abstract: High levels of inorganic filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer are compounded and devolatilized into homogeneous filled compositions with requisite reinforcing properties and levels of volatiles. In the method, a filler, processing fluid and silicone polymer are mixed in a first compounding apparatus to produce a dispersed composition containing volatiles. The dispersed composition is then compounded in a long extruder having an L/D ratio of greater than 50 to devolatilize the dispersed composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Norberto Silvi, Robert Edward Dean, Mark Howard Giammattei, John William Carbone, Navjot Singh, Gerardo Rocha Galicia, John Peter Banevicius
  • Patent number: 6375450
    Abstract: An improvement in a process of making honeycomb articles, which process utilizes a co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extrusion apparatus to mix, screen, and extrude a batch of ceramic materials through a die, the improvement which comprises the steps of separating the mixing and screening phase from the extrusion phase, by passing the batch through a first co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder or a mixer extruder to mix and screen the batch, and then directly passing the mixed and screened batch through a second co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder or a pumping extruder to extrude said batch through a die assembly to produce a honeycomb article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nancy A. Golomb, Christopher J. Malarkey
  • Publication number: 20020036948
    Abstract: An extrusion molding machine for producing a ceramic molding is provided in which a ceramic material which has not been kneaded is efficiently introduced to realize a high molding speed. The machine includes a screw extruder and a material introduction portion through which the material is introduced into the screw extruder. The material introduction portion is provided with a casing having an introduction passage connected to a housing of the screw extruder and an opening through which the material is charged, and right and left introduction screws provided in the introduction passage. The introduction screws are provided with lead portions wound in opposite directions and arranged so that the lead portions are engaged substantially in a non-contact state. The introduction screws are rotated so that the material is moved in a direction opposite to the opening at the engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Satoru Yamaguchi, Hiromi Katou
  • Patent number: 6345976
    Abstract: There is provided an injection apparatus comprised of a heating cylinder which is closed by a front end member having a nozzle. The apparatus is further comprised of a plasticating screw in the heating cylinder in a freely rotating and reciprocating manner, and a plunger connected to the front end of the screw. The plunger has a conical front end in which flow channels are formed. The front end member has a measuring chamber formed therein at an internal central location thereof. The measuring chamber has a predetermined length and an internal diameter which is reduced by 8 to 15% with respect to an internal diameter of the heating cylinder. The diameter of the injection plunger is set almost equal to the diameter of the measuring chamber, whereby the injection plunger is inserted into the measuring chamber in a freely reciprocating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Takayama, Toshiyasu Koda, Yoshitoshi Yamagiwa, Yasuhiko Takeuchi, Yuji Hayashi, Mamoru Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20020015750
    Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus capable of improving the extrusion rate of the ceramic material without a major reconstruction of a drive system is disclosed. The extrusion molding apparatus comprises screw extruders (2, 3) including housings (29, 39) having screws (4, 5) built therein, wherein the ceramic material introduced into the housings (29, 39), respectively, is extruded by way of the forward end extrusion ports by rotating the screws (4, 5). The screws (4, 5) built in the screw extruders (2, 3), respectively, include pressure portions (41, 51) with the feed rate per revolution progressively decreased toward the forward end extrusion port, and extended portions (43, 53) with the feed rate per revolution progressively increased toward the forward end extrusion port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Satoru Yamaguchi, Hiromi Katou, Yasunao Miura
  • Patent number: 6312246
    Abstract: Apparatus to produce pasta used in particular, but not exclusively, in the domestic field, comprising a box-like structure (11), a mixing assembly (12) and an extrusion assembly (13), the mixing assembly (12) comprising a receptacle (16) inside which a mixing organ (18) is commanded to rotate and the extrusion assembly comprising at least a feeding screw (32) and an interchangeable extruder (31), the mixing assembly (12) and the extrusion assembly (13) being assembled in a removable manner on the box-like structure (11), the mixing assembly (12) being equipped with an outlet aperture (26) suitable to couple in an air-tight manner with an inlet aperture (28) of the extrusion assembly (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Simac-Vetrella SpA
    Inventor: Silvano Pozzobon
  • Patent number: 6309570
    Abstract: A system for making extruded cement-based articles. The process can include forming a cement-based feed mixture including water, aggregate and binder and directing the feed mixture to a vacuum zone, wherein sufficient vacuum is maintained in the vacuum zone to remove entrained air and, preferably, excess water, from the feed mixture. The feed mixture is held in the vacuum zone at a negative pressure for a time sufficient to form a vacuum-treated or densified mixture. The vacuum-treated or densified mixture is passed through an extruder at an elevated pressure to provide an extruded cement-based article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: American Equipment Systems
    Inventor: Terence J. Fellabaum
  • Publication number: 20010009307
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for molding a part, such as a point-of-purchase display, is shown. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The molded part comprises an in-molded graphics sheet which becomes molded integral with the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Fredric Louis Abrams, Robert F. Freund
  • Patent number: 6254374
    Abstract: Efficient, improved output systems and methods for producing polymeric film are described. Such systems include a feed assembly for positively and substantially constantly feeding polymeric raw material to a grooved feed extruder. The system also includes suitable apparatus for forming the molten polymer output from the extruder into film. The raw material may consist of 100% pelletized polymer, 100% polymer fluff, or any combination of the two. If necessary, a blending apparatus is included to blend the pellets and fluff prior to feeding the raw material to the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: FlexTech, Packaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Hatfield
  • Patent number: 6176697
    Abstract: Expanded or foamed plastic material is fed into a hopper containing a first auger having a cutting function. The first auger is driven by an electric motor and cuts the plastic material into pieces which are discharged from the hopper into a vertical chamber. The vertical chamber contains a second auger driven by an electric motor. The pieces of plastic material are compressed by the second auger and delivered into a chamber which serves as the inlet end of a horizontal friction chute. The plastic material in the chamber is compressed by a hydraulic ram which forces the compressed plastic material along the friction chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Middleton Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Ashley Paul Middleton
  • Patent number: 6086351
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for extruding gelled product by conveying a liquid mixture of chemically reacting components into and through a conveyance channel wherein the components chemically react to form a gel while being conveyed through the conveyance channel. The conveyance channel includes internal surfaces that form flow surfaces for conveyance of the product through the channel. The conveyance channel further includes a fluid flow path communicating with the internal surfaces so as to continuously apply a film of fluid over the internal surfaces as the liquid mixture is conveyed through the channel so that the liquid mixture is conveyed as a first phase within the channel surrounded by the film acting as a second phase to separate the first phase from the internal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Rich-SeaPack Corporation
    Inventors: Hamsa A. P. Thota, Don A. Rebstock, Chandrakant S. Shah
  • Patent number: 6068466
    Abstract: A twin shaft continuous kneading extruder has a twin kneading feeder portion provided with two passages juxtaposed to each other within a casing. The passages are cocoon-shape in cross-section and hold two kneading shafts rotatably disposed in the respective passage portions. A single screw portion substantially extends one of the passages and holds a screw shaft that substantially extends one of the kneading feeder shafts. In addition, a plurality of mixing portions are provided on the twin kneading feeder portion. A first degassing open vent communicates with the kneading feeder shafts between mixing portions while a second vacuum degassing open vent is provided on the single screw portion. The first mixing portion keeps resin fed from a material feeding port in a semi-gelled condition. Thereafter, the resin is completely melted and kneaded in a second mixing portion after degassing. The resin is then fed to the single screw portion which subjects the resin to a vacuum degassing to be further extruded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Chuo Kagaku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Morita
  • Patent number: 6062718
    Abstract: A thermoplastic extrusion assembly having a melt region wherein a plurality of material pellets are melted and mixed by a mixing assembly with a foaming agent, in the case of a thermoplastic foam extrusion assembly, introduced via an agent addition assembly. The thermoplastic extrusion assembly further includes a heat extraction region structured to extract excess heat from the mixture of melted material pellets such that the mixture achieves an extrudable temperature. The heat extraction region includes an elongate barrel having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the inlet being structured to receive the extrusion mixture therethrough for passage into the barrel wherein a heat extraction structure cooperatively disposed with the barrel draws heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: James D. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 6059012
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing feed stock into a thixotropic state. The apparatus includes a barrel with first, second and nozzle sections. The first, second and nozzle sections are connected together and include surfaces that cooperatively defining a central passageway through the barrel. The first section is constructed of a first material, the second end section is constructed of a second material and the nozzle is constructed of a third material. The first material exhibits a greater resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock than the second material while the nozzle section includes a bushing which inhibits heat transfer to the die, precluding excessive molding pressures and cycle times. The apparatus also includes a preheater for preheating the feed stock before entry into the barrel, a thermal gradient monitoring system, a novel robust nozzle construction, and a two-stage embodiment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Thixomat, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Vining, Raymond F. Decker, Robert D. Carnahan, D. Matthew Walukas, Robert Kilbert, Charles VanSchilt, Rich Newman
  • Patent number: 6013701
    Abstract: A method for continuous preparation of a high consistency or liquid silicone rubber base does not cause abrasive wear of the extruder screw and of the extruder cylinder or blackening of the silicone rubber base even when the latter is admixed with such fillers as an inorganic filler in the form of a diatomaceous earth powder, quartz or a similar large-grained and hard substance, or with a fumed silica, sedimentary silica, or a similar reinforcing silica filler. The method comprises continuously kneading the following components in a multiple-stage shear type single-screw extruder: (A) a freely-flowable powdered silicone rubber mixture having its main components in the form of (a) a cross-linkable polydiorganosiloxane with a viscosity exceeding 1.times.10.sup.5 mPa.multidot.s at 25.degree. C. and (b) an inorganic filler, and (B) a high consistency silicone rubber base having its main components in the form of (a) a cross-linkable polydiorganosiloxane with a viscosity exceeding 1.times.10.sup.5 mPa.multidot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Kunimatsu, Tomoo Kinoshita, Mitsuo Hamada
  • Patent number: 5993187
    Abstract: The protein framework is developed in a continuously working 2-shaft kneading device for the production of paste product dough without--as was previously required--a dwelling time of 10-15 minutes in a mixing trough. In so doing, a so-called dry and crumbly dough is formed. This is transferred to a directly adjoining single-shaft screw press without the application of pressure if possible. The apparatus accordingly includes three characteristic process stages: a first whirling mixer for the intimate mixing of the dry components with water, a 2-shaft kneading device, and a single-shaft press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Buehler AG
    Inventors: Josef Manser, Friedrich Egger, Werner Seiler
  • Patent number: 5985438
    Abstract: A reinforcing tape for a slide fastener and a slide fastener having a pair of fastener tapes whose end portions are reinforced with the reinforcing tapes are disclosed. On the end portion of a fastener tape to which a pin-and-box separator of a slide fastener is fitted, a transparent film layer formed of a thermoplastic elastomer or a thermoplastic resin and a fiber reinforcement layer formed of either a reticular sheet of monofilaments or a thin-layer non-woven fabric of fibers manufactured from a thermoplastic resin of the same type as the transparent film layer are superposed through the medium of an adhesive layer, with the transparent film layer constituting itself a surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5983978
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing feed stock into a thixotropic state. The apparatus includes a barrel with first, second and nozzle sections. The first, second and nozzle sections are connected together and include surfaces that cooperatively defining a central passageway through the barrel. The first section is constructed of a first material, the second end section is constructed of a second material and the nozzle is constructed of a third material. The first material exhibits a greater resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock than the second material while the nozzle section includes a bushing which inhibits heat transfer to the die, precluding excessive molding pressures and cycle times. The apparatus also includes a preheater for preheating the feed stock before entry into the barrel, a thermal gradient monitoring system, a novel robust nozzle construction, and a two-stage embodiment of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Thixomat, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Vining, Raymond F. Decker, Robert D. Carnahan, D. Matthew Walukas, Robert Kilbert, Charles VanSchilt, Rich Newman
  • Patent number: 5972118
    Abstract: A process, system, and apparatus for effectively and economically producing fermentable sugars from cellulosic feedstocks is described. The economic viability of using wood and/or agricultural waste, containing large fractions of cellulose and hemicellulose is highly dependent on the method used for hydrolysis. Underlying the gist of this invention are newly discovered methods, means, and techniques by which both the pentosans and hexosans comprising the hemicellulose fraction of the selected feedstock and the hexosans comprising the cellulose fraction of the selected feedstock can be quickly and efficiently converted in a single pass through a single device to fermentable sugars containing minimal quantities of degradation products known to inhibit fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventors: Roger D. Hester, George E. Farina
  • Patent number: 5965173
    Abstract: Plasticating apparatus includes a barrel having an inlet for the introduction of resinous material and an outlet for the discharge of plasticated molten extrudate, along with a screw rotatably mounted within the barrel and in communication with the inlet and outlet for receiving resinous material, plasticating the resinous material, and discharging plasticated molten extrudate. The screw includes a helical flight with an outside diameter sized rotatably engaging an inside surface of the barrel and further, a helical valley disposed between flight lands of the helical flight within a transition section includes two root diameters, namely a rear root diameter and a forward root diameter, with the rear root diameter being larger than the forward root diameter proximate the inlet. In addition, a metering section is provided with special infeed and outfeed passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Frederick H. Goldup
  • Patent number: 5962036
    Abstract: A twin screw extruder (10) including an elongated barrel (12), a pair of elongated rotatable screws (14) and (16) positioned within the barrel (12) for moving material therethrough, and a high-speed bearing support assembly (18) for supporting the screws (14, 16) against misalignment and wear. The bearing support assembly (18) includes a pair of rotors (42, 44) each operably coupled with corresponding extruder screws (14, 16) for rotation therewith and a stator member (46) coupled with the extruder barrel (12) for receiving the rotors (42, 44). The stator (46) includes a plurality of injection ports (62) for directing an edible lubricant such as liquid fat into the bearing assembly (18) during operation of extruder (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Bobbie W. Hauck
  • Patent number: 5925295
    Abstract: A pre-plasticizing type injection molding machine includes a plasticizing device for plasticizing a molding material supplied from a hopper by a first screw disposed within a first barrel, an injection device 8 for measuring a molten resin supplied from the plasticizing device 5 and for injecting the measured molten resin by a second screw disposed within a second barrel. A switching valve is provided in a resin passage between a resin outlet of the plasticizing device and a resin inlet of the injection device, and an accumulation device is provided for housing a pushing plunger having a stock chamber communicated with the resin passage at a position between the switching valve 10 and the resin outlet of the plasticizing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nakamura, Kishihiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 5855927
    Abstract: An extruder for the plastification and extrusion of a rubber mixture in the form of two cold material strips through two inlet passages (4, 5) has in a housing (1) two gears (2, 3) meshing with one another in the manner of a gear pump. The inlet passages (4, 5) are provided each in an insert (8, 9) which is held replaceably in the housing (1). In this manner it becomes possible, by exchanging the inserts (8, 9) to adapt to various materials to be worked by the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Uth GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Joachim Uth, Thomas Menz
  • Patent number: 5855929
    Abstract: An apparatus for shearing and straining polymeric process material, such a scrap tires includes a rotor and barrel. Large material pieces are feed into a hopper and the material is warmed, pressurized and transported to a rotor--barrel transfer section to initially chop the material to reduce its size. The material then passes to a rotor barrier or refining section where the material must pass over wide top barriers that extend across extrusion grooves. The barriers included multiple ridges and the barrier to bore clearance is progressively reduced as the material passes downstream. Ramp like grooves, where rejected material can be worked further, precede the barrier ridges. A rotor to barrel transfer section, having a conical barrel that can be longitudinally shifted, follows the wide top barriers, so the size to the discharged material can be regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Paul Geyer
  • Patent number: 5817266
    Abstract: Essentially dry materials are obtained by mechanically dewatering water-moist rubber, prepared by emulsion polymerization and precipitation, to give a compact material having a rubber content of at least 50%, by a process in which the previously dewatered rubber is fed to the feed section of a twin-screw extruder which has screws rotating in the same direction and possesses, in succession in the conveying direction, at least two back-up zones and two associated dewatering orifices, each of which may be provided with a retaining screw, and at least one kneading zone, one devolatilization zone and finally one discharge zone, which may be closed by a die lip, and the water separated off is discharged at the dewatering orifices in liquid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Guntherberg, Jurgen Hofmann, Hilmar Ohlig, Elmar Mailahn, Friedrich Seitz, Hermann Gausepohl, Jurgen Koch, Andreas Deckers
  • Patent number: 5804111
    Abstract: An extrusion method and apparatus for removing volatile contents from solid state resin materials is described. A cascade-type extruding device is used having first and second extruders. A top end portion of the first extruder 10 is directly connected to a rear side portion of a cylinder of the second extruder 100. Volatile contents of a melted resin, which is melted when the solid state resin material is supplied to the first extruder, are removed in a volatile content removing vacuum unit provided on an upstream side of the connection between the first and second extruders. The melted resin is then extruded from a nozzle provided at a top end portion of the second extruder. The volatile content removing vacuum region of the volatile content removing vacuum unit 140 extends over a first region, which is under the control of the first extruder, and a second region, which is under the control of the second extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Kobayashi, Junya Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 5783226
    Abstract: An extruder device includes a rotor rotatably received in a housing and a tube secured to the rotor and having a helical screw formed in the outer portion. A screw member is engaged in the bore of the rotor and secured in the tube and rotated in concert with the tube and the rotor. The material to be extruded is supplied onto the tube and moved by the helical screw and then by the screw member. The helical screw includes a pitch greater than that of the screw member for allowing the helical screw of the tube to squeeze the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Huo Teng Chi
  • Patent number: 5783225
    Abstract: An apparatus for plasticizing thermoplastic synthetic plastics material includes a screw (13) which rotates within a housing (12) and plasticizes the synthetic plastics material which is supplied by a supply mechanism (27) through an intake opening (10) of the housing (12) of the screw (13). The housing (12) of the screw (13) is provided on its inner wall with at least two wide pockets (23,24). These pockets (23,24) extend in longitudinal direction of the screw (13) and are separated from each other by ribs (25,26) which are narrow, when compared with the width of the pockets. One pocket (24) is open towards the intake opening (10), the other pockets (23) are closed by at least one rib (25,26) of the housing (12) of the screw (13) with respect to the intake opening (10). In order to improve filling of the screw (13), the supply mechanism (27) for the synthetic plastics material to be treated cooperates with the screw (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventors: Helmut Bacher, Helmuth Schulz, Georg Wendelin
  • Patent number: 5770239
    Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for making, cutting and shaping pasta, including at least one unit head for making, cutting or shaping pasta, in which is installed at least one pair of rollers, adjacent to each other and rotating around their respective substantially horizontal and parallel axes; it is equipped to process dough into sheet form or a sheet in the form of pasta, including, according to the invention, a hopper detachably fastened to the unit head to feed dough composed of flour and eggs or a sheet of pasta into the unit, this being without manual intervention of the operator after the introduction of the dough or sheet of pasta between the rollers in the unit head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Imperia Trading s.r.l.
    Inventor: Enrico Ancona
  • Patent number: 5749649
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an extrusion arrangement for the controlled compounding and mixing of a plurality of time, pressure and condition sensitive substances in a single screw plastic extrusion machine, having a main support shaft connected to the downstream end of a single screw plastic extrusion machine, the support shaft enclosed within a barrel shaped housing, at least one stator and one rotor being disposed about the support shaft within the barrel shaped housing, and at least one satellite extrusion feeder arranged to supply an additive to the barrel shaped enclosure through an introduction port, the introduction port arranged at a location radially adjacent a rotor on its support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Dynamic Mixers Inc.
    Inventors: Desider G. Schobert-Csongor, Nick Reinhold Schott
  • Patent number: 5738884
    Abstract: A multi-stage vacuum kneading-extruder includes a degassing chamber for storing material to be processed and reducing pressure of space for storing the material, a kneading-conveyer device for kneading while conveying the material sent from the degassing chamber, and an extruding mechanism for extruding the kneaded material, at a conveyer terminal end of the kneading-conveyer device, into a predetermined shape. The kneading-conveyer includes a pair of conveyer screws disposed one after another in a conveying direction of the material and a grinding-kneading mechanism interposed between the front and rear screws. The grinding-kneading mechanism includes a plurality of unit kneading mechanisms disposed in opposition to each other relative to the material conveying direction. Each of the unit kneading mechanisms includes an un-rotatable stationary disc, a rotary disc rotatable relative to the stationary disc and a stationary filter interposed between the stationary and rotary discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sato Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 5731012
    Abstract: A device to mix and extrude various ingredients including pastas, pastries, baked goods, hors d'oeuvres, and cookies. The device includes novel measuring, mixing and extrusion arrangements including: an automatic measuring cup; a way to continuously mix and extrude ingredients without intervening cleanings; a mixing and extrusion feed for handling different consistencies of ingredients; an integrated automatic cutter; motor cooling and extruded ingredient drying; as well as various safety devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ronco R&D Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ronald M. Popeil
  • Patent number: 5728335
    Abstract: A process for the extrusion of polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution wherein the polyethylene is prepared in pellet form, said extrusion taking place in a pelletizing extruder having one or more zones essentially filled with polyethylene and two or more zones partially filled with polyethylene including(i) introducing the polyethylene into the extruder at a temperature sufficient to melt the polyethylene; (ii) introducing a mixture of an inert gas and oxygen into each partially filled zone wherein the mixture contains about 1 to about 21 percent by volume oxygen based on the volume of the gaseous mixture; (iii) passing the molten polyethylene through each zone at melt temperature; and (iv) extruding the polyethylene into pellets and cooling same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Charles Neubauer
  • Patent number: 5728411
    Abstract: A mixing system is provided for mixing and dispensing measured volumes of kneaded material. The system includes an adjustable frame, top and side feeder assemblies, a cutter assembly. The top feeder assembly is secured to the frame and maintains a supply of raw kneadable material and minor ingredients to the side feeder assembly. The side feeder assembly includes an input housing, receiving raw material from the top feeder assembly and a preblender housing in communication with the input housing. A pair of oppositely rotating helical screws are disposed within the input and preblender housings for transporting the kneadable material to the kneader cylinder. The input and preblender housings are detachably connected to one another and slidably mounted on the frame, for selective movement between operating and cleaning positions. The preblender housing is also rotatably mounted on the frame, which further facilitates cleaning the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Exact Mixing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Wayne Fowler
  • Patent number: 5695789
    Abstract: A coextrusion system employs two or more extruders, each with a gear pump at its output connected to a coextrusion die. Different materials are extruded by each extruder. Varying the speed of one or both gear pumps varies the content of the extrudate. The gear pumps permit precise variation of the relative content of the materials extruded by the several extruders lengthwise along the extrudate. A display of a cross sectional dimension of the extrudate along a length of the extrudate permits observation of the lag that occurs between alteration of gear pump speed (or air pressure in the case of tubular or blown sheet extrudates) and the resultant change in dimension, so that a speed correction can be made at the appropriate time to compensate for differing shrinkage and stretching characteristics between the several extruded materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Harrel, Inc.
    Inventor: Holton E. Harris
  • Patent number: 5670106
    Abstract: An extruding apparatus for manufacturing organically based polymer/thermoplastic products. A rotational screw cooking extruder includes an extrusion chamber having a receiving port for receiving extrudate ingredients thereinto. An ejection port is formed as part of the chamber, and a rotatable screw member is disposed within the chamber for compressing extrudate ingredients within the chamber and advancing the ingredients toward and through the ejection port. A channeling device is provided for holding a plurality of extrudate ingredients and channeling them separately and simultaneously into the cooking extruder to maintain the ingredients in a desired orientation with respect to each other at the time of their insertion into the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Merizo Enterprises L.L.C.
    Inventor: Rodney Swank
  • Patent number: 5639159
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and kneading raw materials, such as soap, and extruding the mixture into a predetermined shape. The apparatus includes a cylinder having a rotatable plodder worm shaft, a levigating mechanism disposed at a longitudinal position of the cylinder and including a rotary disc and a fixed disc fixed to the cylinder. The rotary disc and the fixed disc are disposed side by side along the axial direction of the plodder worm shaft and define a plurality of through holes allowing passage of the material in the axial direction. A flow passage forming member is disposed within a moving passage of the material between the rotary disc and the fixed disc and forms a flow passage allowing passage therethrough of fluid maintained at a predetermined temperature. A fluid supplying/exhausting device is provided for supplying the fluid at a predetermined flow rate to the flow passage and exhausting the fluid from the flow passage forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Sato Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 5634963
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable in particular for degassing fluoropolymers which have been subjected to thermal degradation contains--in the direction of flow of the product--a product intake, a coolable conveyor section, a comminution apparatus, a heated conveyor section and a product discharge, the entire apparatus being designed to be gastight and advantageously being designed to be resistant to pressure surges and having a gas outlet in the area of the coolable conveyor section and/or in the area of the comminution apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Strasser, Bernd Felix, Ulrich Reiff, Hans-Bodo Richter, Tilman Zipplies
  • Patent number: 5626806
    Abstract: A loose admixture of polymer pellets and carbon black primary aggregate (together with any other desired fillers) is subjected to a first shear and smear action to incorporate the filler(s) into the polymer and subsequently to additional shear and smear actions to deagglomerate and blend the mixture, all of these actions being carried out at temperatures well below the plasticizing temperature of the polymer so that smearing of the filler(s) into the polymer is facilitated. Each shear and smear assembly is made of similar hammer and anvil components comprising a milling tool acting as a hammer by rotating adjacent an array of stationary pegs acting as anvils. The end face of a milling tool presented to the pegs has oblique surfaces at the downstream ends of its channels and these smear the mixture against the confronting corners of the pegs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Holroyd Associates Limited
    Inventors: Eric Holroyd, Colin Holroyd
  • Patent number: 5614227
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating extrusions having an inner portion of one substance and an outer portion of another substance. The apparatus includes two bins that each receives a different type of material, two multi-paddle members for feeding material, an inner worm screw conveyor, an outer worm screw conveyor, a casing maintaining distinct materials within the worm screw conveyors while separated from one another, an electronic eye assembly for detecting the amount of material extruded, a material cutting mechanism, a replaceable nozzle, and two independent motors for driving the worm screw conveyors. In operation, the feeding members feed materials from the bins to the worm screw conveyors, which convey the material to the replaceable nozzle. The materials are expelled from the nozzle in such a way that one type of material forms an outer portion, and the other type of material forms an inner portion. The motors are coupled to the conveyors by gears allowing variation of the speed of conveying of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey M. Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 5612071
    Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing chewing gum with improved flavor perception comprises the steps of adding at least an elastomer and filler into a high-efficiency continuous mixer, and mixing the elastomer and filler together in the continuous mixer; adding a least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of fats, oils, waxes and elastomer plasticizers into the continuous mixer, and mixing said ingredient with the elastomer and filler in the continuous mixer; and adding at least one sweetener and-at least one flavor into the continuous mixer, and mixing said sweetener and flavor with the remaining ingredients to form a chewing gum composition. These steps are performed using a single high-efficiency continuous mixer and wherein the flavor is added at a level lower than that used to make the same chewing gum composition in a batch mixer but the flavor intensity in the chewing gum product is comparable to that of said same chewing gum composition made in a batch mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Joo H. Song, Christafor E. Sundstrom, David W. Record, Donald J. Townsend, Kevin B. Broderick, Philip G. Schnell
  • Patent number: 5604267
    Abstract: High quality, consistent polyurethane froth foams, both filled and unfilled, are prepared by directing polyol, isocyanate, and optionally other polyurethane-forming ingredients to a high pressure mix head prior to introducing the mixture to a froth foaming head. Changes in stoichiometry may be made rapidly without shut-down. An in-line blender incorporated filler into the polyol stream minimizing density differentials normally encountered in the holding tank, maintaining low and reproducible viscosity, and allowing for greater amounts of filler than otherwise possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: ARCO Chemical Technology, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert D. Duffy
  • Patent number: 5585054
    Abstract: A process for producing composite cellulose fiber reinforced polyolefin. The process includes preparing and mixing a blend of molten polyolefin, a coloring concentrate and a coupling agent in a kneading extruder, preheating cellulose fibers in an enclosed cram feed and mixing the blend of polyolefin, preheated cellulose fibers and ozone gas in a ozone chamber to form a polyolefin and fiber matrix. The polyolefin and fiber matrix is then fed to a twin screw extruder where it is further heated, mixed and then conveyed to a die to extrude in a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel W. Evans
  • Patent number: 5569429
    Abstract: An apparatus provided for extruding a polymer in an extruder barrel having an upstream portion and a downstream portion with a discharge port. A hopper is positioned for delivering polymer to the upstream portion of the extruder barrel and a screw shaft is mounted for rotational movement in the extruder barrel. A drive means is connected for rotating the screw shaft. The screw shaft has a conveying screw flight and a metering screw flight arranged for conveying and metering the polymer through the barrel. A seal is provided for sealing against polymer flow and includes at least two different passageways positioned between a seal barrel and at least one seal shaft mounted for rotational movement within the seal barrel. The passageways are oriented to urge the polymer toward the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Randcastle Extrusion Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Luker
  • Patent number: 5510073
    Abstract: A planetary gear for a multiple-screw extruder includes a circular stationary housing having internal teeth, a sun wheel formed from at least one toothed portion of a spindle, and a plurality of main planet wheels formed from at least one toothed free end of a plurality of screws and arranged in a circle. The plurality of main planet wheels are spaced from one another, from the sun wheel and from the internal housing teeth. A plurality of internal and external intermediate planet wheels are arranged between the sun wheel and the main planet wheels and between the main planet wheels and the internal housing teeth, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Ems-Inventa AG
    Inventors: Werner Kaegi, Gerhard Schmidt, Joachim Ensinger
  • Patent number: 5507631
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cam pump with two sets of driving and driven pump cams, which receive polymer melt from an extruder and exit the polymer melt through two exit channels in a sequence of 1/2 volume unit, followed by a 0 volume unit, followed by 1 volume unit for one exit channel and simultaneously in a sequence of 1/2 volume unit followed by a 1 volume unit, followed by 0 volume unit for the second exit channel. The cam pump is used in a apparatus for melt mixing and spinning synthetic polymers for the manufacture of yarns with a multiplicity of bundles of filaments, whereby the properties of all filaments in all bundles alternate along their length and the properties of the filaments of each bundle of adjacent bundles alternate between the adjacent bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Hodan
  • Patent number: 5498380
    Abstract: A plastic resin kneading/extruding method using one auxiliary equipment including a screw drive source and a resin feed hopper, and a plurality of extruding units each including a cylinder with a feed opening and a screw and having their operations composed of an extruding step of kneading and extruding the plastic resin and a cleaning step of cleaning the screw and the cylinder, characterized in that the extruding step and the cleaning step are sequentially alternated for each of the extruding units. Thus, it is possible to realize a kneading/extruding method and an apparatus therefor, which can accomplish synthetically continuous extruding operations without the extruding step zone being interrupted by the cleaning step zone and which can eliminate the defects of the prior art thereby to have a high extruding efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Friends of Freesia Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Beji Sasaki