Abstract: In apparatus for manufacturing an elongated cheese product, the extrusion of a heated mass of cheese is followed by a subsequent pulling or tensing of the extruded strand which develops a fibrous texture in the product and reduces the size of the strand. The pulling is carried out on a continuous basis by a tension applying device, downstream of the extruder, which may comprise a pair of drums around which the cheese strand is wrapped. The strand then passes down a cooling vat under tension from a second tension applying device which retains the properties of the strand as it cools. The second tension applying means may include pairs of driven rollers through which the cheese strand passes. After the pulling and cooling, the strand is cut in lengths suitable for packaging.

Abstract: Apparatus for preparing bread dough comprises a hopper for bulk dough, a rotary pump communicating with the hopper, a die through which dough is extruded by the pump in a continuous ribbon, conveyor means for receiving and conducting the ribbon of dough in succession through proofing means, guide rolls, means for cutting the ribbon of dough into individual pieces, means to roll the individual pieces into cylindrical shapes, and means to divide the cylindrical shapes into at least two further pieces. High production is achieved with a minimum of labor, and excessive working and kneading of the dough are avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a candy filling forced out of a conveyor into a rod-forming machine in which the candy composition receives its final shape. A filling tube extends into an interspace between conical rolls of the rod-forming machine and a rigid connecting pipe is hingedly inserted between the conveyor and the filling tube by way of movable pipe fittings.

Abstract: A machine for extruding dough, typically of the bagel variety, about a food, such as a frankfurter, is disclosed. Typically, the frankfurters are loaded into a magazine. The magazine feeds a star wheel at the bottom. The star wheel singulates, rotates and discharges the frankfurters into a chute. Once the frankfurters are deposited in the chute, an endless chain with propelling pawls propels each sequential frankfurter through the chute concentrically to an extruder. The extruder continuously dispenses bagel dough concentrically around the frankfurters and is supplied with bagel dough under pressure by an auger flight extruder or other propelling mechanism. Extrusion occurs from an extrusion head having a frankfurter passageway centrally thereof. Dough is extruded into first and second extrusion chambers and out first and second immediately concentric extrusion annuluses about the frankfurter passageway.

Abstract: The manufacture of perforated vinyl strips by feeding the strip material continuously without interruption to a punching apparatus that has two pairs of cooperative rotary dies that punch out closely spaced perforations with the first pair of dies scoring the perforations and the second pair punching out the perforations.

Abstract: A food preparation machine primarily designed for the production of the Italian potato based delicacy gnocchi and characterized by an inclined flouring ramp, a motor driven roller located under the lower end of the ramp, a deflection plate located proximate the roller, and a dough extruder for depositing dough plugs near the top of the ramp so that they roll and slide down the ramp into abutment with the deflection plate and the roller. As the roller is rotated the dough plugs are squeezed through a gap between the roller and the lower edge of the deflection plate to take on the characteristic form of gnocchi. A flouring mechanism is provided to flour the parts of the machine that come into contact with the dough, including the ramp and a rotating knife blade which cuts the extruded dough into the plugs. The roller is threaded from both ends with opposing threads so that the plugs are urged towards the center of the roller as it is rotated.

Abstract: A machine assembly for producing lengthy rolls of bakery products such as biscuits and the like, wherein the machine includes an inlet work station having a device for forming a plurality of separate bars of dough and the machine also includes an outlet work station having a device for forming a continuous spiral in each of the bars of dough with the spirals interlocking to form a braided roll of dough. The machine assembly further includes a conveyor assembly for transporting the bars of dough between the inlet and outlet work stations while kneading and rolling the bars into their final configuration.

Abstract: In the manufacture of continuous sheets or films of plastic material, especially by calendering, an improved stripping process and apparatus are disclosed whereby the degree of residual strain in such sheets and films can be controlled and production rates increased. In preferred embodiments of the process and apparatus, sheets and films of substantially uniform side-to-side texture are obtained.

Abstract: A feed mechanism comprising a rotor and an endless flexible belt carried by the rotor. The rotor comprises a pair of cylindrical guide members arranged coaxially one within the other, the guide members being mounted for rotation in unison about a common axis. Each of the guide members provides a helical groove defining a respective feed channel, the grooves being of the same pitch and opposite hand, and the belt is constrained by the guide members to extend helically along the feed channels in sliding engagement with the guide members. The belt protrudes from one of the feed channels to engage a restraining surface which restrains the belt against rotation so that, in response to rotation of the rotor, the belt is continuously advanced along one of the feed channels and returned along the other, thereby providing a continuously advancing non-rotary bearing surface which bears against the restraining surface.

Abstract: An earth and sand conveyor system comprising a hopper adapted to receive dumped earth and sand, a trough connected to the hopper, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the hopper and the trough, a consolidating pipe connected to the trough, a molding pipe connected to the consolidating pipe, a conveyor pipe connected to the molding pipe, a first nozzle formed in the wall of the molding pipe, a second nozzle formed in the wall of the conveyor pipe, an air compressor connected to the first and second nozzles, and a directional control valve disposed between the air compressor and the first and second nozzles for alternately supplying the compressed air to the first and second nozzles.

Abstract: Helical plastic members are formed by rotating an extrusion die while extruding a filament in a generally horizontal direction just above a tank of liquid. The plastic helix so formed is cooled and solidified in the liquid. A mandrel in the liquid can be used to guide the helix downwardly, and the helix is removed from the tank with extraction rollers. As a variation, the tank can rotate relative to a fixed extrusion nozzle which extrudes the plastic horizontally just above the rotating liquid in the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for the extrusion of a flowable mass onto a conveyor, comprises first and second cylindrical containers. The first container is disposed for rotation about a longitudinal axis and includes first passages for depositing the flowable mass. The second container includes a wall portion which contains a plurality of second passages. The wall portion is disposed against the first container, the latter rotating relative to the second container so that the first and second passages are periodically aligned to enable the flowable mass to be deposited onto the conveyor. The first and second containers define a gap therebetween which creates a negative pressure to suck-in excess mass from the outer periphery of the apparatus. A spatula is provided to push the mass into the gap.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for simultaneously extruding two lengths of plastic tubing wherein each of said lengths includes alternate axial sections of materials having different characteristics (e.g., a harder material and a softer material). The apparatus includes two extruders which feed plastic extrudate to a dual die head having first and second dies for forming tubular lengths. Valves are operatively associated with each extruder for selectively feeding plastic extrudate from each extruder to either of the dies. The valves are intermittently operated so that during one cycle extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the first die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the second die, and during alternate cycles extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the second die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the first die. A cooling tank receives the tubular length from the dies for setting the plastic material.

Abstract: At least one knife on a cutting device for use with an extruder rotates to strike the extruded product with an upward motion to thereby force the product in a generally upward direction. The knife is encased in a vapor-permeable shroud having a size sufficient to prevent substantial striking of the shroud by the cut product.

Abstract: Apparatus for pelletizing liquid and viscous products. A body of the liquid or viscous material is enclosed within a chamber having discharge orifices or nozzles at the bottom of the body of liquid. There is a body of gas above the liquid which is subjected alternately to increased and decreased gas pressures so that the pressure on the body of liquid is first above and then below atmospheric pressure. That causes the product to be discharged from the orifices in droplets. The droplets are then solidified to form pellets. A predetermined liquid level is maintained within the chamber. The changes in gas pressure are produced by operating a valve which connects the body of gas in the chamber alternately to a suction line and supply line for gas under pressure.

Abstract: An extruding system for the production of continuously extruded elastomer, such as tread stock for the manufacture of vehicle tires, has an extruder, a first take-away conveyor belt for conveying the extrusion as it exits the extruder, a second conveyor belt for varying the thickness or weight of the extrusion after leaving the first conveyor belt, a sensor to measure the running-weigh-scale value and a targeted running-weigh-scale value. The weight or thickness of the continuously extruded elastomer is controlled by measuring the weight of the continuous extrusion at the running-weigh-scale. The measured value is compared to the target value to obtain a control signal. The control signal is used to adjust the difference in speed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus of this invention can automatically produce flower-shaped decorations which may be used to decorate cakes. The apparatus substantially is characterized by a flower forming mechanism which comprises a cylinder into which a desired amount of raw material such as cream is charged, a pattern plate provided with a plurality of inclined apertures, a piston rod which extrudes the raw material through the pattern plate, means to form a stem portion of the flower and means to cut off the flower.

Abstract: The present apparatus cools and granulates thermoplastic strands. For this purpose two cooling chutes are arranged in mirror symmetric, back to back fashion between the strand ejecting nozzles and the input gap between two feeding rollers which supply the strands to a cutting roller. The upper ends of the chutes receive the strands from two sets of nozzles such as extruder nozzles. The nozzles in one set are arranged in a row staggered relative to the nozzles in the other set so that the strands emerging from one set of nozzles fit into the spaces between the strands emerging from the other set of nozzles when the strands enter into the cutter.

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: A web of thermoplastic material and a method and apparatus for manufacture of the web are disclosed with the web having a repeating pattern of alternately thick and thin portions. A molten thermoplastic material is extruded through a duct between a first rotatable driven roll and a circular-cylindrical seat. The first driven roll includes a surface having a pattern of recessed portions. The web is transferred from the first driven roll to a second driven roll having a smooth surface. The temperatures of the first and second rolls may be selectively maintained. The thermoplastic material may be extruded through a plurality of ducts leading to the surface of the first driven roll. Transfer of the web from the first roll to the second may be encouraged by means of a vacuum. Furthermore, complete filling of the recesses of the first driven roll by the thermoplastic material may be encouraged by the use of a vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously extruding pliant material into thin sheets. Rather than following the standard approach of using cooperating rollers to extrude the material, in the apparatus of the present invention, the material is extruded through the cooperative interaction of a multi-sided rotor mechanism and a reciprocating barrier member. This arrangement overcomes many of the drawbacks inherent in extrusion devices of standard design including the undesirable tendancy of the material being extruded to tenaciously adhere to the rollers after extrusion.

Abstract: A metering pump whose speed is controlled in accordance with product data is provided between an extrusion press and the extrusion die. The speed of the worm is controlled by a pressure/speed regulator and the temperature at the outlet side of the press is maintained constant within .+-.10.degree. C.

Abstract: The process modifies the thickness of the wall of a tube of thermoplastic material which issues at constant speed from an extruder and is driven downstream of and in the extension of the extruder by a drawing machine. The drawing machine has motorized rolling members which frictionally drive the tube and permit modifying the speed at which the tube is driven. The thickness of the wall is modified by producing a relative movement of translation between the extruder and drawing machine while maintaining the speed of rotation of the rolling members.

Abstract: The technique uses an extruder for delivering a supply of softened thermoplastic resin material containing a foaming or expanding agent, the resin material being under pressure and therefore unexpanded in the extruder, but being delivered into an unconfined zone of lower pressure for partial expansion. The partially expanded resin material is drawn by a puller mechanism through a chilled shaping or sizing die of a cross sectional dimension smaller than that of the material in the unconfined zone. The material drawn into the sizing die continues its expansion in the interior of the profile with resultant development of porosity in the core of the profile while the surface layer is cooled and hardens as a substantially unexpanded structural shell.

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: An extrusion apparatus especially suitable for the extrusion of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene comprising an elongated die having internal heating and cooling temperature control units. The die comprises one piece straight through construction and incorporates a chamber that is positioned in longitudinal alignment with the die profile zone. The ratio of cross sectional areas of the chamber and of the die profile zone is substantially one to one. A punch forces the polyethylene through the chamber and into the profile zone of the die wherein the resin is cured and extruded to the desired shape. Internal heating passages and cooling passages are positioned within the die to form a temperature gradient wherein the temperature is greatest at a point intermediate the ends of the die. The travel of the extruded shape is retarded by an adjustable clamp exteriorly of the die.

Abstract: Sheets, strips or filaments of thermoplastic resin are produced by one or more extruders working into a remote shaping die that is movably juxtaposed with a cooling drum around which the hot product issuing from the die mouth is to be wound, the die being connected with the extruder or extruders via one or more flexible ducts having heating elements embedded in their walls. Each duct may comprise an inner hose of Teflon, an outer envelope of reinforced silicone rubber and various intermediate layers including a heating layer in the form of a wire coil or mesh and a surrounding heat barrier of asbestos.

Abstract: In the manufacture of plastic pipes by the extrusion process, the inside diameter of the pipe and, therefore, the wall thickness of the pipe is controlled by the takeaway speed at which the molten plastic pipe is removed from the sizing sleeve. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed at the upstream end of a sizing sleeve to provide signals representative of the thickness of the molten pipe advancing in the sizing sleeve. These signals are sent to devices for comparing the measured thickness of the molten plastic pipe with the desired thickness of the molten plastic pipe for producing a correction signal. The correction signal is employed for correcting the takeaway speed at which the molten plastic pipe is removed from the sizing sleeve.

Abstract: Resin tubes having thick walled portions and thin walled portions are formed by providing a specially configured orifice on an extruder and varying the rate at which the extruded resin tube is pulled from the extruder. The orifice is shaped to form a thin tubular opening and a thick tubular opening communicating with one another, the thick tubular opening being adjacent and down-stream of the thin opening. When the extruded resin tube is pulled at a high speed the thin tubular opening is filled with resin that passes through but does not fill the thick tubular opening. At the slow pulling speed the resin fills at least the open-end portion of the thick tubular opening thereby forming a thick walled portion of the resin tube.

Abstract: A polymer material in liquid form is continuously extruded through the spinning nozzles of a spinning head to thereby form filaments which drop downwardly through a blowing shaft positioned beneath the spinning nozzles. The filaments are entirely cooled, solidified and recrystallized during passage of the filaments through the blowing shaft. A drawing off roller in the form of a guide roller is located at the lower end of the blowing shaft to draw the filaments laterally from the blowing shaft, over a guide roller, and substantially vertically downwardly from the guide roller to a winding machine whereat the filaments are wound up. The winding machine is preferably located laterally of the blowing shaft, with the guide roller positioned at a level which is higher than the level of the drawing off roller. Thus, the filaments move from the drawing off roller to the guide roller in an upwardly inclined direction.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and process for producing discrete chilled products having preselected weights from a semi-fluid mixture. The semi-fluid mixture is pumped along a distribution path to an extruding manifold which extrudes a plurality of parallel continuous lengths of the mixture. The continous lengths are directed through a chilling station in a parallel relationship in order to chill and firm the lengths such that the lengths maintain their extruded cross-sectional configuration. A cutter periodically severs the continuous lengths at predetermined intervals to provide a plurality of discrete products having predetermined weights. The pumping rate, rate of travel through the freezer and periodic severing of the continuous lengths may be selectively varied in order to maintain any desired weight of the discrete products.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for minimizing breakage and stretching during the high speed production of plastic pipe is provided wherein a pipe is extruded at a first linear rate of speed, a slack segment is established and maintained between the extruder and a pipe winder, and the pipe is taken up on the winder at a second linear rate of speed which is the same as or different from the first rate, wherein the pipe is taken up on the winder responsive to the degree of slack in the slack segment.

Abstract: In a process for forming a resin body, the thickness of the body is altered by altering the feed rate of raw material to an extruder and the screw rate of the extruder screw in such a relationship to alter the quantity extrusion rate without altering the amount of resin within the extruder.

Abstract: An extrusion line for producing rubber tire tread. Method and apparatus for continuously controlling extrusion line operation to maintain a predetermined length and weight for the finished product. Sensors for unit weight, extruder speed and swell, extruder load, extrudate temperature at the extruder and at the skiver, and conveyor speeds, signal conditioning circuits, and controls for take away conveyor speed, extruder speed, unit weight and skiver length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making ceramic articles, particularly adapted for making roofing tile of S-shaped cross section, wherein a clay extrusion of essentially hollow triangular shape form three sets of tile having severable connections along the apices of the triangular extrusion, each set being S-shaped and supported, as extruded, by a core of corresponding shape; the axial movement of the extrusion being stopped intermittently while serrated blades conforming to the core are pressed radially against the core to score the extrusion and form severable connections dividing each set of tile; the extrusion being severed at selected transverse planes to produce a multiple tile unit for kiln heatment, the tile unit including integral but severable end portions forming kiln furniture for supporting the multiple tile units.

Abstract: The synthetic-resin tube emerging from an extrusion die is internally sealed by a pair of sealing members having inflatable peripheries and connected to flexible members running back through the die so that one of the seals can be drawn toward the die while the other is entrained with the tube away from the latter and vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing a measured quantity of extrudate material to a receiving means. The extrudate material exits through an outlet, and a cutting surface is positioned adjacent to the outlet. The extrudate material is severed by a cutting means having a flexible and resilient blade for severing the extrudate material into metered charges. The cutting blade contacts the cutting surface during each revolution and bends from a rest condition to a backwardly bent flexed condition. After severing a metered charge, the cutting blade is released from the cutting surface and snaps forwardly to the rest condition to propel the metered charge toward the receiving means at a velocity greater than the average tangential velocity per revolution of the cutting blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying ground cheese comprising a hopper to receive the ground cheese and having an auger adapted to extrude the cheese through a multiplicity of holes in a die plate. Two sets of rotating blades are located in a housing outwardly of the die plate and act to cut the extruded cheese into a plurality of small particles or plugs. Air is supplied to the lower end of the housing and the cut particles are suspended in the air stream and discharged from the upper end of the housing.

Abstract: Resin tubes having thick walled portions and thin walled portions are formed by providing a specially configured orifice on an extruder and varying the rate at which the extruded resin tube is pulled from the extruder. The orifice is shaped to form a thin tubular opening and a thick tubular opening communicating with one another, the thick tubular opening being adjacent and down-stream of the thin opening. When the extruded resin tube is pulled at a high speed the thin tubular opening is filled with resin that passes through but does not fill the thick tubular opening. At the slow pulling speed the resin fills at least the open-end portion of the thick tubular opening thereby forming a thick walled portion of the resin tube.

Abstract: In the electrostatic pinning of molten polymeric film, especially polyethylene terephthalate film, to a quenching drum, the insulators for those parts of the pinning electrode positioned outside the edges of the film are adjusted to follow the transverse fluctuations which may occur in the film edges so as to prevent sparking between the electrode and the margins of the quenching drum outside the film edges.

Abstract: A plastic extrusion mechanism having a die head primarily for use in a melt-blown process with the head formed in two mating parts respectively having first and second chambers therein with separate plastic heaters and pressure delivery extruder screws connected thereto and an insulated wall between the chambers with the lower end of the wall having slots leading to passages and alternate passages communicating with the first or second chambers and the passages leading to small extrusion openings for extruding microfibers of plastic and high velocity air directed against the microfibers for attenuation, and a traveling porous surface beneath the die head for receiving the fibers which are formed of plastic from the first chamber having a first physical characteristic and the second chamber having a different physical characteristic.

Abstract: A bubble guide of the type employing guide members mounted on elongated, pivoted support arms. Rotation of the guide members, shown in the form of overlapping arcuate segments, results in dependent reverse rotation of the guides relative to the arms, produced by a compensating mechanism, for orientation purposes. Primary crank arms and connecting rods drive all support arms simultaneously and secondary crank arms and connecting rods produce simultaneous compensatory rotation of all guide members. Downward cantilevered mounting of sets of the guide members enables ready access from below and tilting of the sets enables variation in diameter along the assembly. Reaction of one or more guide members to change in the bubble size is employed to regulate cooling air flow into the extruding tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding dry powdered materials into stick form. The apparatus comprises a housing which contains a rotatable auger that conveys and extrudes the powdered material through an outlet orifice. The auger is composed of a pair of helical flight sections with the downstream flight section having a smaller pitch than the upstream flight section. The powdered material is fed to the upstream flight section through an inlet feed conduit and is extruded through the outlet orifice which is located adjacent the end of the downstream flight section and disposed generally transverse to the axis of the auger. The extruded powder rod is cut into short lengths which are conveyed to a collection area.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing composite thermoplastic extrusion products comprising first and second extruder barrels communicating with one another so that the output of the first extruder barrel is directed to the input of the second extruder barrel, the output of said second extruder barrel being greater than the output of said first extruder barrel. Motor means and heating means for rotating and heating extruder barrels and hoppers for introduction of plastic materials and fillers is also provided.