Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a strip of elastomeric material which is extruded onto a rotating roller where it is initially shaped by a die plate and then finally shaped by a calender roll positioned downstream from the die plate and in close proximity to the surface of the roller providing a finishing gap for finally shaping the strip of elastomeric material. The calender roll may be positioned on the opposite side of the roller from the position the elastomeric material is extruded onto the roller whereby the calender roll resists forces tending to bend the roller. The extruder screw may have a downstream end adjacent the roller for reducing the pressure and for self-cleaning the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming foldable plastic products (e.g., chair mats) includes a forming station for forming thermoplastic material into a shaped body, and a slitting station for slitting the shaped body to form a slit having first and second slit segments which establish a flexible hinge to allow adjacent sections of said shaped body laterally of said slit to be folded into juxtaposed relationship with one another. The slitting station employs an especially configured blade that has portions respectively corresponding to the first and second slit segments so that the slit segments may be simultaneously formed in the shaped body.

Abstract: An off-drawing apparatus for tubular webs of plastic film produced by an extruder with a fixedly disposed blow head includes a lay-flat apparatus for the tubular web delivered with an expanded round cross section, and a stationary conveyor for carrying off the flattened tubular web to a likewise stationary winding apparatus. Between the lay-flat apparatus and the conveyor there is disposed at least one pulley roll and one overturning bar for turning the tubular web 180.degree. with simultaneous change of direction, which, like the lay-flat apparatus, are supported in an apparatus frame for pivoting reversingly in a horizontal plane about the axis of the delivered tubular web.

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: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for processing elastomeric material in particular plastic, rubber and a mixture thereof in roller-head-apparatus in which the material to be processed is plasticized and homogenized in an extruder, extruded from an extrusion head provided on the extruder and then is led through an aperture formed between two rollers. It is the object of the present invention, with an especially simple extrusion head in a roller-head-apparatus to produce uniform and dimensionally exact sheets or foils of different thicknesses without changing structural parts. The invention achieves this in that material formed in plate form by parallel outlet surfaces of the extruder head is led through an aperture space formed between a concave cylindrical surface of a stationary forming tool and the circumferential surface of one of the rollers of the calender before the material enters the space between the two calender rollers.

Abstract: A device for bending an elongated dough product includes a first endless conveyor for conveying the products along a conveyance path. The first conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart passages. The device further includes a second endless conveyor which includes a plurality of spaced apart mandrels. As the conveyors move, the mandrels are (a) successively fed upwardly into the passages, (b) then moved together with the first conveyor along the conveyance path and (c) then removed from the passages. As the products are conveyed along the conveyance path, they are successively bent around the mandrels.

Abstract: A cover is provided for hardwood collapsing boards of the type employed in the manufacture of polyethylene film. The collapsing board covers are extruded in the form of channels from a flexible, but rigid or semi-rigid plastic synthetic resin material impregnated with graphite or another lubricating agent. The channel has a convex arcuate web to fit the front face of the collapsing board, and upper and lower flanges that overfit edges of the collapsing board. Lip members on the free edges of the upper and lower flanges snap fit behind the board to retain the cover on it. These covers absorb the wear and abrasion from the polyethylene film passing over the collapsing boards.

Abstract: A process and a device for producing a plastic sheet of high optical quality and including at least one layer having a base of a polyurethane exhibiting energy-absorbing properties. The polyurethane layer is obtained by extrusion followed immediately after by a finishing by a pressing at a temperature higher than the temperature of the softening point of the polyurethane layer. The finishing imparts to the sheet optical quality making it suitable for use in the production of laminated glazings.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a finned tube from synthetic plastics material has a moulding chamber which moves in the direction of production. Molten synthetic plastics charge enters this moulding chamber from which fins are moulded one after another, the fins being in each case formed individually one after another. In order to ensure this procedural measure, there are constructed in the surface of the molten plastics material present in the moulding chamber annular raised portions with conveying surfaces trailing in the direcetion of production. Corresponding conveying grooves are constructed in the half moulds which bound the molding chamber. These measures ensure an accurate contour of the tube which is to be produced, ensuring that a reverse flow of molten plastics charge and its combustion will be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing thermoformable parts includes an extruder for extruding a hot synthetic material to form a horizontal strip, a rolling device for rolling the strip, a chain device for drawing the strip along horizontally by its edges and with a continuous movement immediately upstream of a thermoforming station, a heating device for heating the strip upstream of the thermoforming station to a temperature compatible with thermoforming it over a part of its length substantially equal to that needed for the thermoforming operation, a cooling section between the heated part and the area in which the strip is rolled, and a thermoforming station for bringing the heated part into face-to-face relationship with a mold and for moving the mold in the same direction as the strip and at the same speed, so that the strip is simultaneously thermoformed and cut to yield a piece comprising the thermoformed part and a skin retaining the edge portions during continuous movement thereof.

Abstract: Extrudable pharmaceutical mixtures are tableted by a continuous method in which the mixture is extruded and the still deformable extrudate is pressed between two rollers which are driven in opposite directions and possess depressions opposite one another in the roller shell, the form of these depressions determining the tablet shape.

Abstract: In accordance with the apparatus for practicing the instant invention, biaxially oriented polymer sheet is produced by flowing and advancing a polymer workpiece between pairs of opposed working surfaces which converge in the "X" direction while diverging in the "Y" direction. The surfaces which converge in the "X" direction are provided with protruding working surfaces which squeeze the workpiece laterally as the workpiece advances longitudinally. The protruding working surfaces force the material of the workpiece to expand to the full width of the working surfaces while minimizing limitations due to friction between the surfaces of the die and the workpiece. In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus utilizes an extrusion die to effect the transformation of stock into flat sheet polymer material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the production of outwardly ribbed, plastic pipes. The apparatus includes a core around which a plasticized material is pressed from a nozzle. A kernel having an essentially constant diameter is positioned at the terminal end of the core for a smooth inner face of the pipe. The outer face of the pipe is ribbed by grooves of axially displaceable chill moulds. The end zone of the kernel is provided for the cooling of the inner face of the pipe. In known apparatuses the grooves of the chill moulds are often filled incompletely and the inner face of the pipe becomes uneven on account of air bubbles, for instance. These disadvantages are avoided by heating an initial zone of the kernel for heating the inner face of the pipe and by shaping the surface of the initial zone to slightly expand conicallly in the production direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the extrusion of plastic pipes. Today, plastic pipes are provided with a sleeve in such a manner that the end of the pipe is heated, whereafter the end is expanded by means of a mandrel or a pressure medium. This step requires a separate sleeve machine, and it also takes plenty of time and consumes thermal energy. According to the invention a sleeve (22) is formed in connection with the extrusion of a pipe in an apparatus in which a mandrel (8) is surrounded by chill moulds (1, 2) moving in the axial direction of the apparatus. The sleeve is formed by providing some of the chill moulds with a recess (16) the shape of which corresponds to that of the sleeve (22) and by pressing a plasticized plastic hose (11) extruded through a nozzle (10) against the walls of the recess in the area thereof by means of pressure air.

Abstract: A screw extruding machine for extruding a material such as rubber, plastics or the like kneaded and blended into a sheet-like form. The screw extruding machine includes two screws horizontally and rotatably supported on a casing, a top-open hopper provided on the side of a screw base portion of the casing, an outlet opened in an axial direction of the screw on the side of a screw front end of the casing, and a roller die in proximity of the outlet, the screw having a feed portion which corresponds to a portion facing the hopper and a compression portion which corresponds to a front end side, whereby material to be extruded supplied from the hopper is extruded into a sheet-like form by the roller die from the outlet via the feed portion and the compression portion by the rotating twin screws, the hopper being positioned over the feed portion of each screw.

Abstract: A plastic web is made by an extrusion apparatus having a plastics screw press, a metering pump with a volume flow depending on the rotation speed, an output die and a rolling unit with calendaring rolls. The flow of a thermoplastic material is regulated with the metering pump. The melt web issuing from the output die is cooled and calibrated. The process uses a metering pump which has substantially linear volume flow/rotation speed characteristics in the regulated range of rotation speeds and together with the rolling unit is part of a common computerized control system. The peripheral speed of the calendaring rolls is controlled so that it is proportional to the rotation speed of the metering pump. The special proportionality factor for the speed ratio is set by a computer which controls the roll speed so that no undesirable thickness variations or other product defects occur.

Abstract: A take-away device for a flattened tubing foil forming machine having an improved foil edge position control. The take-away device for tubing foil is formed by an extruder with a tubing blow head carrying out a blowing process. The tubing foil is flattened between a pair of squeeze rollers, which pair of rollers can reversingly turn about a vertical axis of rotation. At least two turning rods are disposed following the squeeze rollers. The turning rods are pivotable about at least one vertical axis, and have, if necessary, at least one deflecting rod. The rods are pivoted by a frame member about a horizontal axis of rotation. A winding-up device receives the flattened tubing foil from the turning rod. A measuring instrument is disposed between the final turning rod from which the tubing foil is guided to the wind-up device, and the wind-up device.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing extrudable food products prior to cooking includes depositing portions of food product onto a horizontal surface, coating the food portions with flour, vacuuming away excess flour, and incrementally flattening the food portions to a desired thickness. An apparatus for performing this process includes a first flour depositor, a food depositor, a second flour depositor, and a food flattener, all mounted above a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is mounted atop a supporting chassis which, in addition to providing a mounting base for the components named above, houses the electrical and hydraulic control means for the apparatus. The food depositor comprises conventional extruding means suitable for use with raw dough or ground meat, and a duality of hydraulically activated, high-speed cutter blades. The uniquely designed cutter blades have flattened, essentially planar cutting edge portions which create an aerodynamic shock wave along the line of impact between the blades.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the oscillating pinch roll assembly or web handling apparatus includes a rotatable spindle having an input which accepts the tubular web. A pinch roller is mounted at the input. A plurality of rollers are circumferentially disposed around the pinch roller and the axis of rotation of those rollers is parallel to the center line of the tubular web. A turning bar is disposed in the interior of the spindle and turns the flattened web exiting the pinch rollers 90 degrees and feeds the horizontal web to a first roller of the plurality of rollers disposed at the periphery of the spindle. The traveling web always passes over this first roller. By rotating the spindle in an oscillatory manner about the center axis of the tubular web, the horizontally traveling, flat web is wound and unwound around the outer periphery of the spindle and is fed to a fixed idler roller.

Abstract: The invention provides an air operated film-handling or stabilizing device that can be used with most thin flexible films or webs, such as plastics, paper, thin metal, etc. The configuration of the device depends upon the shape of the sheet and, for example, is flat for flat sheets and ring-shaped for use in blown plastics film production to surround the blown bubble. The device provides two opposite orifices which discharge respective streams of air in opposite directions over respective surfaces which are parallel to the face of the film to be handled and/or stabilized. A third surface is disposed between the two orifices also parallel to the film face, but spaced further from it than the two first-mentioned faces, resulting in a zone of lower air pressure that urges the film toward the third surface, but without the possibility of touching it, or the other two surfaces, so that the film is held by the force in a stable location relative to the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for stretching a parison or a preform which is formed by a blank and where the preform is preferably intended to be reshaped into a container. In accordance with the invention the wall of the blank is provided with two laterally displaced material regions. A mechanical moulding device reduces the material thickness in the material of the wall with commencement in the region thereof where the two material regions are laterally displaced relative to one another.Lateral displacement of the material regions and reduction by the moulding device of the material thickness are selected in order to allow, respectively achieve a reduction in thickness equivalent to that the thermoplastic material obtains when it is stretched so that material flow occurs. In one embodiment the lateral displacement is achieved by the moulding device.

Abstract: A device to produce material webs of thermoplastic plastics, independently of the thickness at least between 100 .mu.m and 12 mm includes a single apparatus comprising cooled calender rolls mounted on a respective bottom frame and a top frame. The top frame is adjustable relative to the bottom frame between two operating positions. Of a feed roll pair, preferably directly following a sheet die, one of two feed rolls is arranged in the bottom frame and the other in the top frame. Thereby, in one operating position, the upper feed roll, and in the other operating position a smoothing ledge is associated with the feed roll of the bottom frame. The smoothing ledge is provided at the top frame and preferably has an air outlet nozzle. The top frame is preferably arranged with a slide which is displaceable in a slideway of the bottom frame.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for forming an elastomeric strip formed from at least two elastomeric compounds, for example to use as a pneumatic tire tread strip. Extrusion means advance two or more elastomeric materials (60) under pressure toward a final die chamber; from which material is extruded between a final die (50) and a roller (70). A head assembly (30) and a preform die (62, 64) are positioned in serial flow relationship between said extrusion means and said final die, and flow chambers formed within said head assembly and said preform die intercommunicate said extrusion means with said final chamber. Flow chambers within the preform die converge to at least one common junction within said preform die to form a single preform die exit chamber wherein a multi-material flow of elastomeric materials is established for passage into said final chamber for final extrusion therefrom.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention provides gauge distribution in extruded plastic tubing, so that a more uniform roll thereof is obtained. The extruded plastic tube, usually blown to increase its diameter and decrease its wall thickness, is collapsed and passed through a diametrical slot in a rotor, which is rotated about a vertical axis so that any non-uniformity in wall thickness of the tube is distributed as much as possible around its periphery. The upwardly-moving tube passes over a skew member which turns it to move horizontally. Two spaced parallel end rollers are provided between one end of the slot and the rotor periphery, and each engages the tube during a respective 180.degree. of rotation to deliver the tube to a fixed roller on the apparatus frame from where it passes to the storage roll. Two deflection rollers are also provided on opposite sides of the slot, and each engages the tube in the rotation of the rotor close to zero and 360.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for extruding and reshaping plastic tubes including cooperating circulating molds attached to continuous belts or chains. The molds circuits at generally constant level. A wheeled carriage is provided to support the molds and to permit axial adjustment of the molds relative the extruder nozzle. Means also is provided for vertical adjustment of mold support means.

Abstract: A take-away device for a plastic tubing produced in a blowing process in which the tubing is flattened by squeeze rollers followed by a pair of take-away rollers. The pair of take-away rollers which have horizontal axes of rotation swivel reversingly about a vertical axis of rotation. The flattened tubing is fed to a stationary wind-up device, whereby two turning rods over which the flattened tubing is guided, are arranged between the take-away rollers and the stationary wind-up device, and swivel reversingly about the vertical axis of rotation of the pair of squeeze rollers. The first turning rod can thereby be swivelled about a first vertical axis which, together with the take-away rollers, swivels about the vertical axis of rotation of the pair of take-away rollers.

Abstract: The machine continuously produces pasta filata cheese by stretching curds while adding hot water then moulding the pasta filata obtained into cheese such as mozzarella, provolone, etc.The curds are sprayed with hot water by nozzles (52, 55) and are pushed by twin augers (53) along a channel (54) into a vertical, substantially cylindrical stretching chamber (68) where a rotating stretching swift (74, 79) having radially projecting, arched paddles (79) stretches the curds into pasta filata against the reaction of a stationary, wall-mounted paddle (78). This spills over a partition (72) onto other augers (57) that feed the pasta filata to moulding means.The moulding means preferably comprise a rotating moulding drum (90) having surface cavities (99), against which pasta filata is pushed through apertures (94) in a distributor block (92). A piston mould (100) mounted on a slide (98) for reciprocating motion between a filling position and a delivery position is also preferably provided as an alternative.

Abstract: A roller press comprising a drivable pair of rollers with a defined nip between these, one or more stuffing screws, associated with the nip, for feeding the material to be granulated to the nip, and a plate, movable in the direction of the screw axis, on which plate the screw and drive are fixed and a pin which can be brought up against a stationary load cell is held.

Abstract: A pair of endless belts define a downwardly extending path therebetween which progressively reduces in width from the top to the bottom, so that a material of a foodstuff is compressed while being fed downwardly by the belts through the path. A horizontal conveyor belt lies below the path and is indexed to transfer a predetermined cut length of the material to a shaping station where the material is pushed up into a shaped cavity of a flexible cup member. The flexible cup member is embraced by presser members to shape the material under a preselected adjustable pressure. The resulting block of material attains hardness and shape which would be provided by hand-shaping. Regardless of the hardness of the material in the downward path between the belts, the material can always be cut by each predetermined amount by adjusting the width of the path and, therefore, the degree of compression of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously extruding, biaxially orienting and intermittently forming molded products from a web of thermoplastic material and further, continuously separating the products from the web selvage, stacking and handling the products and recycling the web selvage for further extrusion. The apparatus uses intermittent molding devices into which configuration the biaxially oriented web is interfaced by a continuous-to-intermittent interfacing structure which preserves the dimensional and orientational integrity of the web and maintains thermal stability therein. An undulating peripheral surface on a dynamic storage or accumulator drum and associated transfer rollers cooperate with intermittently advanced feed belts in timed relationship with a reciprocating forming press to effectuate the interface and product forming portions of the process.

Abstract: Reduced breakage and reduced internal gas pressure is achieved in the trapped bubble process for the preparation of film by applying vacuum to the region of the tube where the bubble starts to form.

Abstract: A dough receiving, shaping, dividing and forming machine for making dough bodies of predetermined size and configuration from an initially unshaped batch of dough in a continuous manner in a single machine frame has an infeed conveyor for receiving a batch of unshaped dough and conveying it to a preshaping location, a pair of laterally spaced dough batch side roller shaping rollers at said preshaping side bath into a uniform width, a pair of verticaly shaped top and bottom roller preshaping and dough advancing rollers for preshaping said batch into a uniform height and advancing said batch from between said side shaping means to a divider location, dough divider means at the divider location for receiving the dough batch in a preshaped configuration, shaping it to two generally rectangular cross section strips of dough and advancing the strips to a cut-off location, dough cut-off knives at the cut-off location for dividing the two strips alternately into parts of determinable size, separating such parts in se

Abstract: A press for forming and cutting filled dough products such as dumplings and ravioli has two parts which are hinged together at one end and have handles at the other ends. The parts which are hinged together each have enlarged portions with a cavity in each fitting a like cavity in the other with cooperating cutting surfaces surrounding a major portion of each cavity for cutting a filled dough product positioned in the cavity. Each cavity opens to the rear of said enlarged portions adjacent the hinges and thus provides an opening from the cooperating cavities when said press is closed, permitting expansion of the dough product without bursting during formation thereof.

Abstract: An extruder has a nozzle from which it extrudes a strand formed of a mixture of wood chips and a synthetic-resin binder into a passage formed by a plurality of transversely and longitudinally movable walls. Opposite walls are urged transversely inwardly by respective hydraulic cylinders to compact and densify the strand as it cures, and other cylinders urge the walls upstream toward the nozzle with a force slightly smaller than the extrusion force. Thus as the extrusion force exceeds the opposite longitudinal biasing force the walls will move downstream with the strand, to return upstream between advance steps of the strand.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and a method for forming multi-directionally oriented plastic articles by shearing a thermoplastic material in a non-linear shear pattern while the material is at a temperature conducive to orientation and further processing the material by known plastic forming techniques to form an article in which the material remains oriented. More specifically, thermoplastic material is plasticized and accumulated in an amount at least sufficient to form the article, and the material is expressed under pressure from the accumulated body to and through an orifice. The material is non-linearly sheared prior to its issuance from the orifice to induce orientation stresses into the material, and, during shearing, the material is at a temperature which is conducive to orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing reinforced profile belts of extruded material provided with a stretch resistant insert strip 6, wherein the extruded material stream 3 passes between two circulating endless loop halves 1, 2 of a divided former which converge along a portion of their lengths to form a closed former or pressure molding segment or run. The former segment is straight and the insert strip coated by the extruded material is pulled through it under tension. The insert strip inside the finished and hardened belt is encased on all sides and lies in the belt's central or neutral zone after leaving the apparatus.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously extruding, biaxially orienting and intermittently forming molded products from a web of thermoplastic material and further, continuously separating the products from the web selvage, stacking and handling the products and recycling the web selvage for further extrusion. The method and apparatus use intermittent molding devices into which configuration the biaxially oriented web is interfaced by a continuous-to-intermittent interfacing structure which preserves the dimensional and orientational integrity of the web and maintains thermal stability therein. An undulating peripheral surface on a dynamic storage or accumulator drum and associated transfer rollers cooperate with intermittently advanced feed belts in timed relationship with a reciprocating forming press to effectuate the interface and product forming portions of the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a continuous rubber strip which is molded with surface designs, such as tire treads, in the uncured state and then cured, after removal from the mold, by heat or radiation is disclosed. In the apparatus the extruded rubber strip is passed between cooperating mold segments carried by respective endless belts which, along with related components, apply suitable temperatures and pressures to the strip to product the surface designs. The molded uncured rubber strip is removed from the molds and then completely cured by radiation and/or heat.

Abstract: A roller die apparatus includes a pair of cylinder rolls which are rotatably and obliquely yieldably mounted on a frame disposed on the output end of a plastic extruding machine. The rolls are biasedly restrained in the frame to permit the obtusely directed movement thereof with respect to the direction of extruded plastic flow. This non-orthogonal movement of the cylindrical roller members facilitates adjustment and cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously extruding, biaxially orienting and forming molded products from a web of thermoplastic material and further, continuously separating the products from the web selvage, stacking and handling the products and recycling the web selvage for further extrusion. The method and apparatus use continuous molding devices, namely, multiple mold cavities in a rotating polygon configuration over the peripheral surface of which the biaxially oriented web is securely and continuously positioned by a follower roller interfacing the polygon with a biaxial orientation device. Continuous and immediate interfacing is effected to prevent loss of orientation in the web which is kept at a temperature suitable for ingestion thereof into the mold cavities by vacuum, pressure or plug assist. In one preferred embodiment the inertia at the interface between the undulating peripheral surface of the rotating mold polygon and the biaxial orientation apparatus is reduced to an optimal minimum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding single stems and buds of greenery in flat form projecting from an elongated strip in one continuous piece, softening and curving the flat piece of spaced stems and buds, and then compressing such piece so that the previous flat sections are curved and repositioned to create conically-shaped interfering buds. The method is carried out by the apparatus disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Dough-dividing and forming apparatus particularly adapted for forming toroid-shaped articles such as bagels, or the like, is disclosed. A first rotary plate member containing a plurality of cylindrical openings receives a cylindical ribbon of dough into the openings and shears the dough into disc-shaped dough lumps. The dough lumps are subsequently flattened in the center to form a web and pierced to form a generally annular shape. During the piercing operation, the dough lumps are transferred to a second rotary plate member carrying a plurality of tapered, cylindrical forming cups. As the second plate member is indexed between rotary positions, a plurality of cylindrical mandrels are repeatedly thrust into and out of the forming cups to roll the dough lumps internally along the length of the forming cups whereby the desired shape is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cooling, straightening and calibration of a plate-shaped synthetic-resin strand, e.g. of thermoplastic material extruded from a broad-slot nozzle comprises a plurality of straightening rollers on respective stands, the rollers of each stand engaging opposite surfaces of the strand. The rollers are provided with cooling and heating means to ensure homogeneous temperature distribution throughout the strand passing between the pairs of rollers which can be aligned with one another or can be offset from one another. On at least one of the stands the rollers are displaceable alternately parallel to the path of the strand by corresponding oscillating drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the preparation of thermosetting foam products on a substantially continuous basis, and wherein the products are characterized by uniformity of formulation, dimensional accuracy, and dimensional stability. The invention contemplates the utilization of an extruder which receives raw, partially or fully expanded resin and fillers or additives at inlets thereof, with initial expansion occurring within the confines of the extruder. The initially expanded resin is passed through a first expansion chamber with an intermediate expansion zone therein, with the outlet from the first expansion chamber being modestly constricted. From the first expansion chamber, the partially or fully expanded resinous product is moved through a second expansion chamber wherein the intermediate zone is enlarged, so as to permit substantially full expansion of the resinous material therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously and automatically forming a fastening material in the form of a sheet or strip containing a multitude of filament-like fastening formations protruding from at least one surface thereof and capable of hooking engagement with similar or differently configured formations provided in a second sheet or strip. In one form, the filamentary formations are continuously or intermittently molded in a plurality of preformed strips of plastic which may be extrusion formed as they are fed or fed from a plurality of coils thereof and the filament containing strips are twisted 90.degree. after the filamentary formations are molded therein to bring the edges of each strip into abutment with the edges or edge portions of adjacent strips whereafter they are continuously welded or otherwise fastened together to form a sheet-like array of strips containing a plurality of parallel rows of filamentary formations.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming articles from the thermoplastic sheet is combined with a plastic sheet extruder for the purpose of producing articles efficiently and economically. Such forming machine is operated intermittently and periodically while the extruder continuously extrudes the plastic sheet so that it is necessary to provide any countermeasure for settling the discrepancy to be caused in the sheet movement. The countermeasure is provided by making the extruder longitudinally movable so that when the forming machine is in its molding operation where the opposed two dies thereof are engaged the extruder is retracted so as to receive the extruded plastic sheet on the carrier extended between the two for supplying the length of the plastic sheet to the forming machine in its unoperated position where the opposed dies are separated for receiving said supply therebetween.

Abstract: Continuous apparatus for impression molding products containing thermoplastic material and having three-dimensional patterns on one or both surfaces, similar or dissimilar, with or without continuously changing profile or shaped edges. The thermoplastic material to be formed may or not contain foamants, fillers, strata or plys of differing composition to reinforce, decorate or protect, and is heated above its glass transition temperature before introduction between revolving flexible belt molds, which revolve in opposed relationship, being cooled, forming a travelling mold channel, at least one having a flexible three-dimensional pattern form on its front face. Opposed nip rolls press the revolving belt molds against the entering thermoplastic material. At least one belt mold travels partially around the nip roll impressing its three-dimensional pattern form in the heated material in a progressive localized rolling squeezing action in the nip region.

Abstract: Extruder and twin roller calendering plant for producing films or sheets of synthetic plastics or rubber material comprising a pair of calendering rollers mounted in a calender frame and an extruder nozzle head directed into the gap between the pair of calendering rollers, the calender frame being pivotally mounted such that it can be pivoted away from the extruder nozzle head to allow ready access to the extruder nozzle head. The calender frame may be pivotally mounted on the nozzle head and a counter balance weight and/or the drive motor for rollers can be mounted on an opposite side of the pivot to the rollers thereby to counter balance the weight of the rollers.

Abstract: Thin-walled articles of thermoplastic material are formed in a continuous apparatus starting with heating and extruding granular thermoplastic raw material in the form of a continuous web which is immediately stabilized by rapid cooling of its opposite surfaces and the stabilized web wherein the material sandwiched between the precooled outer surface layers remains at or near extrusion temperature is fed into a thermal forming station wherein shaping tools form the articles in the web without the need for further heating of the web. Adjustments are provided for correlating the cooling action to different materials and web feed rates, for varying the web feed rates and increments, and for varying the shaping tool movements to adapt for different materials and sizes of articles. After the formed articles are separated from the web the web residue is fed back to be mixed with incoming raw material at the extrusion station.