Abstract: Polymeric foam processing systems and methods.

Abstract: A plasticating screw is proposed, with a screw channel, which runs spirally around a screw core, is laterally delimited by a flight (1), (2) and has flow elements (3), (4) that are distributed over its longitudinal direction, extend transversely over the screw channel and comprise a deep section (5) and a compression section (6), rising radially in the longitudinal direction. In order to design a plasticating screw of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that its length is reduced and good melting characteristics can be achieved even with little energy input, it is proposed that the compression section (6) forms at least one run-up surface (7), which is inclined towards the flight (1), (2) and is adjoined in the longitudinal direction by a plateau (8) for forming the flow.

Abstract: A method of forming a part using additive manufacturing may include receiving, at a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine, a computer aided design (CAD) model of the part. The method may further include dividing the CAD model into plurality of sections. The method may further include slicing each of the plurality of sections into a plurality of layers. Each section may include a distinct set of print parameters. The method may further include depositing a flowable material onto a worktable according the set of print parameters for each section of the of the plurality of sections to manufacture the part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional formed object includes cutting a material block so as to fabricate a bottom portion that includes an upwardly projecting underlying layer portion. The method also includes forming a molten material into a single layer or a plurality of layers on a top of the underlying layer portion so as to fabricate a first layer portion in contact with the underlying layer portion.

Abstract: A hand extruder, particularly for welding parts made of plastics, has a main body which supports an extrusion means for the extrusion of plastic material, an actuation means actuating the extrusion means, a heating means heating the plastic material, a preheating means preheating parts to be welded, and a control means controlling the hand extruder; a grip detachably connected to the main body by an interconnection means preset to pass from a coupling configuration, in which the grip is joined to the main body, to an uncoupling configuration, in which the grip is separated from the main body; the interconnection means has an electrical mating means of the plug-socket type electrically and detachably connecting at least part of the means supported by the main body to an electrical control means arranged on the grip.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a foamed product uses a manufacturing apparatus having a plasticizing cylinder in which an introduction port for introducing a physical blowing agent into a starvation zone is formed, and an introduction speed adjustment container connected to the introduction port, wherein the manufacturing method comprises: turning a thermoplastic resin into a molten resin; introducing the physical blowing agent at a predetermined pressure into the starvation zone through the introduction speed adjustment container and maintaining the starvation zone at a predetermined pressure; setting the molten resin to a starved state; bringing the molten resin in the starved state and the pressurized fluid into contact with each other; and molding the molten resin into a foamed product. The maximum value of the inner diameter of the introduction speed adjustment container is larger than the inner diameter of the introduction port.

Abstract: A reaction device is provided with a first wall that defines an interior in which a stirring mechanism is located. A heat exchanger is at least partly provided on the first outer wall surface facing away from the interior and/or on the stirring mechanism, wherein the heat exchanger has a grate structure, and at least two layers are provided which have a grate structure. Thus, it is possible to transfer heat in a precise and efficient manner primarily by means of thermal radiation in endothermic processes at different temperature levels, in particular pyrolysis, gassing, and reforming processes, and thereby use the exhaust heat for other processes.

Abstract: An extruder includes a receptacle for containing material to be extruded. The extruder further includes a dispersion blade positioned within the receptacle and a nozzle secured to the receptacle. The nozzle defines a first opening positioned within an interior of the receptacle, defines a second opening positioned outside of the receptacle and defines a channel which extends from the first opening through the nozzle to the second opening defining a flow path which extends from the first opening, through the channel and to the second opening. The nozzle extends through a wall of the receptacle and into the interior of the receptacle such that the first opening is positioned spaced apart from the wall.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic moulding compound by means of an extruder (10), which comprises at least one feed zone (20), at least one mixing section (30), at least one venting section (40) and at least one discharge zone (50), wherein in the at least one feed zone (20) a water-containing first component and a second component are supplied, in the at least one mixing section (30) the thermoplastic moulding compound is mixed and contained water is evaporated, in the at least one venting section (40) water vapour is removed from the moulding compound and in the at least one discharge zone (50) the moulding compound is discharged. At least one of the mixing housings (31, 32) is kept at a temperature that is equal to or lower than the temperature of the moulding compound within the mixing section (30).

Abstract: A screw-driven extrusion system includes a novel screw-drive extruder. The extruder includes a motor-driven screw. The screw moves solid pellets from a feed hopper into a section that is actively heated. The solid pellets fully liquefy as they pass through the heated section. A control system controls screw, heating, and optionally cooling, operations to selectively control flow of liquefied material from the extruder's tip. The dynamically-controlled can continuously adjust its feed speed and temperature to keep up with continuously changing demands of a larger control system involved in monitoring and running a corresponding 3-D printer in an additive manufacturing process. In contrast to wirefeed extrusion systems that rely on the rigidity of the material in “wire”-formed feedstock, this screw-driven extrusion system is well-suited to use of less-rigid thermoplastic elastomers for the manufacture of objects for use in soft robotics, medical and mold-making applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection molding apparatus with a spherical rotor. The injection molding apparatus includes an injection oil cylinder, an injection base frame, a motor, a transmission mechanism, bases, radial thrust bearings, a hopper, a machine barrel, an electric heater, a moving oil cylinder, a gear and a plunger. The apparatus further includes a plasticizing rotor and the plasticizing rotor includes a hemispherical rotor and a cylinder integrated with the hemispherical rotor. Continuous external thread grooves are provided on the hemispherical rotor. The machine barrel includes a hemispherical plasticizing cavity and an injection barrel. The hemispherical rotor is located in the hemispherical plasticizing cavity and is rotatable. The hopper is installed on the plasticizing cavity. The apparatus with the spherical rotor has the advantages of strong plasticizing, pulverizing and extruding ability, good quality of molded products and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an extruded expandable barrier, and various processes and systems for manufacturing the same. Using various extrusion processes to form an extruded expandable barrier allows for a reduction in tooling costs while also allowing more flexible barrier designs. Such designs can be specifically tailored for a particular cavity or cavities to ensure that the barrier fills the cavity after expansion. In addition, design changes can occur with little to no tooling changes.

Abstract: The degree of kneading of a material to be kneaded is to be capable of being adjusted with a high accuracy. A kneading degree adjusting mechanism is installed in a processing apparatus having a barrel and a kneading screw inserted into the barrel rotatably, the kneading screw having a kneading section and rotating within the barrel to knead a material continuously while feeding the material from an upstream side toward a downstream side. The kneading degree adjusting mechanism includes a push-back section for pushing back the material to the upstream side and thereby making the material stay around the kneading section, the push-back section being disposed downstream of the kneading section in the kneading screw; a kneading degree adjusting member having an opposed surface opposed to an outer periphery surface of the push-back section; and a drive section for actuating the kneading degree adjusting member so that the opposed surface moves toward and away from the push-back section.

Abstract: A heater-cooler system includes a plurality of heaters in thermal communication with a barrel of an extruder. The heater-cooler system includes a plurality of shroud assemblies that each define a cavity between a shroud assemblies and one of the heaters. Each heater is enclosed by one of the shroud assemblies. Each of the shroud assemblies has an intake port and an exhaust port. The heater-cooler system includes a blower connected to the intake port. The blower delivers air to the cavity. A portion of the each of the shroud assemblies at the exhaust port defines a flap moveably integrated therewith. The flap is opened by an increase in pressure in the cavity caused by operation of the blower. The flap seals the cavity in a closed position upon termination of blower operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-screw extruder comprising a cylinder (1), which comprises a transition zone (14), and a homogenizing zone (12) that is connected to the transition zone (14), and a screw (2) which is rotatably supported in the cylinder (1) and which has at least two consecutive displacement parts (6, 8) in the homogenizing zone (12), the second displacement part of which in the conveying direction is designed as a shearing part. The aim of the invention is to provide a single-screw extruder which enables an improved melting effect along with an increased throughput, a lowered melt temperature, and an improved pressurization capability.

Abstract: A multi stage auger system having a hopper with a first diameter opening tapering to a second smaller diameter opening, coupled to an auger tube at the second smaller diameter opening. An auger entry spiral with generally helical shape and a sweep arm coupled thereto, the spiral and the sweep arm skimming inside the product hopper to entrain the semi-solid materials from the hopper wall and, through the shape of the spiral, moving materials through the hopper from the first opening towards the second smaller opening. During this entrainment and movement by the spiral and sweep arm a space is left between the spiral and the sweep arm to remove air and voids from the semi-solid material through the movement. The auger has a first coarse pitch providing further removal of air/void spaces and a second finer pitch providing further movement under higher pressures near an exit of the auger.

Abstract: An extruder screw that enables mixing of viscous materials, such as rubber mixtures and thermoplastic materials, is disclosed. The screw includes a core extending from a sealing end to a nose cone end. At least one flight extends radially from the core in a quasi-helical pattern, wherein flights adjacent one another form channels therebetween. A plurality of elongate lugs extend radially from the core and are disposed in the channels. The shape as well as the number of lugs can be varied to ensure the requirements for a thorough and turbulent deflection and mixing of the material stream.

Abstract: A plasticizing screw for injection molding according to the present invention is installed in an injection molding machine that performs injection molding by plasticizing thermoplastic resin feedstock containing reinforcement fibers, and includes a shaft, a main flight, and a sub-flight. The protrusion height of the main flight from the circumferential surface of the shaft is formed to be constant in at least an area in which the sub-flight is provided.

Abstract: A twin screw extruder includes a barrel having a chamber, a discharge port, an extrusion molding die coupled to the discharge port of the barrel, axially extending first and second screw shafts, and a screw shaft support. The screw shaft support includes first and second spacer bearings disposed on the first and second screw shafts, and a first cross member including first and second loops slidably coupled to the first and second spacer bearings. A second cross member is spaced apart from the first cross member by a connection member, and also includes first and second loops slidably coupled to the first and second spacer bearings. The connection member is situated between the first spacer bearing and the second spacer bearing, and connected to the first cross member and the second cross member.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing thermoset cross-linked elastomeric scrap material has a batch-operated high shear mixer for inducing chemical reactions to partly devulcanize the material in a first devulcanizing stage. A continuously-operated multi-screw cooled extruder receives the partly devulcanized material from the high shear mixer and further devulcanizes the material by a mechanical shearing action in a second stage to produce an extruded product for revulcanization.

Abstract: The invention concerns an extruder screw for a screw extruder for plasticizing and/or transporting thermoplastic materials comprising at least one extruder cylinder, a material feed means and at least one extrudate discharge at the end of the extruder cylinder, that is remote from the material feed means. The extruder screw has a screw flight, wherein the extruder screw has at least one intake region and forms at least one transport and mixing region and provided in the transport and mixing region are means for shearing the extrudate. The extruder screw according to the invention is distinguished in that provided as means for shearing the extrudate there is provided at least one shearing land which extends over more than half the length of the extruder screw, over the periphery of the extruder screw, wherein the shearing land is in the nature of a screwthread in opposite relationship to the screw flight.

Abstract: An extrusion blowmolding apparatus has an extrusion die having an upstream portion for receiving the thermoplastic polyester material and a downstream portion having a die head through which molten thermoplastic polyester material is flowed to form a parison suitable for extrusion blowmolding. The extrusion die has extending therethrough a generally cylindrical barrel and an extrusion screw disposed within the barrel having spiral flights along its length. In some aspects, the flight depths are lengthened so to provide a good melt at a suitable throughput. By also selecting an appropriate extrusion temperature profile, it is possible to eliminate or minimize unmelts, which can contribute to processing difficulties as well as defects in the resulting article. In other aspects, a closed-loop drying system is provided for achieving very low moisture levels in the polyester material to improve processing.

Abstract: In a screw for extruder, a bearing segment having a function of supporting a screw main body at an intermediate part when kneading is performed is provided at a position corresponding to a kneading portion or on the downstream side of the kneading portion. The bearing segment is provided with at least two flights having a sectional shape of a complete meshing type with one streak in the axial direction, the flights are arranged in the rotational direction with uniformly displacing a phase thereof respectively, and length of the flights in the axial direction is set to 0.2D (D: rotational outer diameter of the bearing segment) or more. According to the above configuration, bending of the screw main body is prevented and abrasion of the flights and a barrel is suppressed.

Abstract: A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated. A series of successive treatment zones comprises a heating zone, a compression zone, and a cooling zone. The heating zone comprises at least one heater and at least one screw compression dryer configured to receive the loose granular material to be treated for drying. Rotation of the screw transfers the treated material to the compression zone. The compression zone comprises a compression chamber for compacting the treated material to form a high density compact body. The treated material is pressed through the compression chamber while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material. The cooling zone comprises a cooling unit for cooling the high density compact body received from the compression zone.

Abstract: A method of processing metal, metallic alloys, and metal matrix composites in a plastics injection molding machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a plastics injection molding machine having a screw. A step of removing the screw is included in the method. A step of replacing the screw with a modified screw configured and arranged for processing metals is also included. Alternatively, a step of removing the flights from the middle portion of the original screw shaft may be included.

Abstract: A notched region in which the outer periphery of a screw flight is cut out is provided in a molding material feed screw. A wedge-shaped portion is formed by both a front wall surface of the screw flight and a wall surface of the boundary where the outer periphery of the screw flight is cut out. As a result of rotation of the molding material feed screw, since the wedge-shaped portion advances while pushing aside resin pellets located in the front thereof in two lateral directions of the front wall surface of the screw flight and the wall surface of the boundary where the outer diameter of the screw flight is cut out, entrapment of the resin pellets between the edge of a material supply port of a molding material supply device and the outer periphery of the screw flight is avoided as much as possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a blank for producing a screw-tube conveyor in the form of a cylindrical rotary tube (110) with an internal screw spiral (120) for conveying and mixing a bulk material. To simplify the method and to create even long screw-tube conveyors with small diameters in an relation to their length, it is proposed according to the invention first to produce a one-piece blank, which comprises a base portion in the basic form of a parallelogram and having laterally mounted fins. In a second method step, the fins are then bent, preferably by 90°, with respect to the base portion. In a third method step, the base portion (112) is then bent along bending lines (115i) in such a way that the base portion forms a helical casing portion (111) of the rotary tube (110) and the previously bent-round fins (122) form segments of the screw spiral (120) arranged inside the rotary tube (110). The invention also relates to a screw-tube conveyor produced in this way.

Abstract: A notched region in which the outer periphery of a screw flight is cut out is provided in a molding material feed screw. A wedge-shaped portion is formed by both a front wall surface of the screw flight and a wall surface of the boundary where the outer periphery of the screw flight is cut out. As a result of rotation of the molding material feed screw, since the wedge-shaped portion advances while pushing aside resin pellets located in the front thereof in two lateral directions of the front wall surface of the screw flight and the wall surface of the boundary where the outer diameter of the screw flight is cut out, entrapment of the resin pellets between the edge of a material supply port of a molding material supply device and the outer periphery of the screw flight is avoided as much as possible.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for casting concrete products substantially with a horizontal slipforming process, the concrete mass in said method being fed by means of at least one feed element (2) through a limited cross section (13, 7, 8) for forming a concrete product, whereby the feed elements (2, 5, 15, 16) produce a two-directional compacting motion for compacting the concrete mass.

Abstract: The clay extruder includes a drum 2 having a screw 4 having a rotary shaft 6, a spiral rotary blade 5 for feeding the clay under pressure while kneading the clay fed into the screw, a pressure raising portion 10 to feed the clay under pressure while kneading the clay, and a rectifying portion 11 provided on the side of an extrusion port 20 in the drum 2 to rectify the clay into a columnar shape. The rectifying portion 11 has a rectifying rotary blade 7 whose intervals being longer than that of the rotary blade; an angle formed between the face on the side of the extrusion port in a sectional shape of the rectifying rotary blade cut along the central line of the rotary shaft 6 and the central line gradually decreases, as the rectifying rotary blade comes close to the extrusion port.

Abstract: An improved reinforcing element, and devices and methods for producing a wrapped assembly reinforcing element comprising at least one center core member formed from at least one center core strand, wherein the at least one center core member is wrapped with a reinforced thermoplastic resin comprising complete fiber strand dispersion and wet out without breaking fiber filaments after cutting the fiber to a designated length in the wrapping resin. The resulting wrapped assembly may be used in a variety of ways, including virtually any construction project requiring a lightweight reinforcing member with high tensile and compression strength.

Abstract: A material handling system for moving material from a storage device to a receiver comprises a counter rotating double screw feeder extending from the storage device to the receiver. The counter rotating double screw feeder comprises an outer screw feed member; an inner screw feed member; where the outer screw feed member being positioned in an outer screw feed member tube; and the inner screw feed member being positioned in an inner screw feed member tube. The material is feed from the storage device to the process tube via the outer screw feed member; the inner screw feed member removes gas and byproducts from the receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus having a kneading part for performing kneading of a material and an injecting part for performing injection of the material in an injection molding operation with the kneaded material. The kneading part and the injecting part are connected together. The injecting part includes a weighing screw channel portion for weighing the material and a retention screw channel portion that is formed adjacently to the weighing screw channel portion. The injecting part has an injection screw shaft defining differently shaped channels that form a material retention space for retaining the material fed continuously quantitatively from the kneading part. Thereby, the material fed continuously quantitatively from the kneading part can be securely retained in the injecting part where intermittent operation is performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the extrusion of thermoplastic synthetic material featuring an extruder screw (2) which is mounted on a housing (1) including a plasticizing section (P) at the inlet side, a degassing section which is mounted upstream on a discharge section (A) and a conveying outlet (3) operating in the opposite direction which is located between the plasticizing section (P) and the degassing section (E). A flow channel (5) that contains a melt filter (4) is bridged over by at least one of the conveying outlets (3) in the opposite direction. To create favorable production conditions, the extruder screw (2) forms a similar conveying outlet (7) operating in the same direction between the conveying outlet (3) in the opposite direction and the downstream port (6) of the flow channel (5). The housing (1) has at least one degassing vent (8) at the transition area of the conveying outlet (3) operating in the opposite direction and the conveying outlet (7) operating in the same direction.

Abstract: A screw 12 for an extruder 10 rotatably supported on the cylinder of the extruder and carrying roll-heated rubber material supplied from a hopper port 13s provided at the rear part of the cylinder 11, wherein the height of the portion of the flight portion 12z of the screw 12 located below the hopper port 13s is set lower than the height of the flight portion 12a on the downstream side of the screw 12, whereby the pulsation of extruded matter can be reduced while maintaining a high discharge rate.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular section (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: A liquid phase continuous reactor which includes a screw rotatably disposed within a barrel and defining a mixing zone therebetween whereby the relative rotation of the screw with respect to the barrel is adapted to axially transport materials disposed between the screw and the barrel while mixing the components wherein the land surface area between the spiral groove forms at least 50% of the surface area of the screw in a mixing zone.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: A material handling system for moving material from a storage device to a receiver comprises a counter rotating double screw feeder extending from the storage device to the receiver. The counter rotating double screw feeder comprises an outer screw feed member; an inner screw feed member; where the outer screw feed member being positioned in an outer screw feed member tube; and the inner screw feed member being positioned in an inner screw feed member tube. The material is feed from the storage device to the process tube via the outer screw feed member; the inner screw feed member removes gas and byproducts from the receiver.

Abstract: An extruder has a casing with at least one bore. One screw each is arranged in the bore in a rotatably drivable manner and is provided with a screw tip adjoining a nozzle plate. A shearing tool is arranged at the screw tip directly in front of the nozzle plate and is provided with at least one arm, with a shearing gap being formed between said arm and the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A method for producing a masticated rubber, which comprises the steps of masticating rubber at a shear rate of from 500 to 4,500 (l/s); and obtaining masticated rubber having a weight-average molecular weight of from 100,000 to 1,300,000.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: A machine for the mixing and extrusion of rubber-based and silicone-based plastic materials and method thereof is disclosed, comprising a dump extruder with conical converging twin screws (10) arranged in a batching chamber (12) in which the outlet of the dump extruder is temporarily closed by a removable blind flange (11), the batching chamber also acting as a compounding chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a materials extrusion device including a screw extruder with a plunger feeder. It includes a screw extruder having a main housing, a materials advancing screw, a screw drive mechanism, a feed port for inputting materials to be extruded and an extrusion outlet port. It also includes a plunger feeder having an elongated, upwardly biased (non-horizontal) plunger housing, e.g., a cylinder, with a plunger. A plunger drive mechanism is connected to the plunger to move the plunger upwardly and downwardly within the plunger housing, and there is a feed outlet at an upper end of the plunger housing, the feed outlet being connected to the screw extruder feed port.

Abstract: A screw extruder comprises an extruder body (4) with a bore (4H), and a screw (5) rotatably disposed in the bore (4H). The screw (5) comprises a screw shaft (7) and two screw flights (8 and 9) disposed in the form of a double helix. The screw flight (9) is substantially continuous, but the screw flight (8) is provided with large interruptions (11) within which a plurality of additional flight pieces (13) are disposed to change the number of passages repeatedly. Mixing/kneading pins (15) protruding into the bore (4H) can be provided. Preferably, the paths (17) for the mixing/kneading pins (15) are positioned within the interruptions (11) and on the upstream side and downstream side of the additional flight pieces (13).

Abstract: A homogenising and kneading mixer comprising a premixer (12) placed upstream from a kneader and at least two kneading screws (20, 21) in turn connected with a vacuum tank (37) feeding final compression screws (44), in which the kneader has a containment cylinder (19a, 19b) and respective kneading screws (20, 21) realised in portions of different diameter, a first portion of smaller diameter (19a, 20a, 21a) arranged at a pasta scrap feeding conduit (25) and a second portion of greater diameter (19b, 20b, 21b) arranged at the premixer (12).

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are horizontally disposed between the rifling and compressed in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally horizontally disposed, circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices waxed cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into waxed cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the waxed cardboard strips into waxed cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper segments and waxed cardboard segments mix.

Abstract: An extruder with a housing comprising parallel, partially inter-engaging bores and screws disposed therein is used when applying a method of feeding powdery bulk materials into such an extruder. A solid transport of powdery bulk material takes place in an inlet zone disposed downstream of a feed opening wherein said inlet zone is partially filled. The inlet zone is provided with at least one gas-permeable wall portion wherein a layer of bulk material is created on said wall portion, thereby preventing bulk material from passing through.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved extruder assembly, that includes a wiper for wiping a screw portion in a low pressure extruder stage, whereby the wiping of the screw portion improves melt conveyance through the low pressure extruder stage. The present invention has particular utility when used in a low pressure venting and entrainment extruder stage of a single screw compounding extruder. The present invention also provides an extrusion/injection unit for use in-line compounding molding system that incorporates the improved extruder assembly.