Plural Distinct Feed Inlets Patents (Class 425/462)
  • Patent number: 5851561
    Abstract: An extruder head assembly has a main stationary part adapted to be connected to a plurality of extruders, two head parts pivotal on the main part, and respective actuators associated with the pivotal head parts and having piston rods movable along respective longitudinal axes from the respective pivotal head parts to the stationary part. At least one of the actuators is mounted directly on the respective pivotal head part. Latches including interengaging formations on the stationary part and an outer end of the rod of the one actuator lock the pivotal head parts tightly against the stationary main part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Krupp Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Hirschkorn
  • Patent number: 5851566
    Abstract: An improved applicator die for alternately depositing different liquid coating materials on a moving web comprises a die body having switch bars for opening and closing respective flow passageways for supplying the different liquid coating materials to an elongated coating orifice from respective manifolds. The switch bars, flow passageways and manifolds are substantially as wide as and substantially parallel to the coating orifice of the die whereby changeover between different coating materials can be made very rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Avery Dennison
    Inventors: Bert Potjer, Luigi Sartor, Robert Lindsay Druschel
  • Patent number: 5843503
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed where plastic extrudable food product is provided such as by a food cooker extruder and is mixed with an additive to form a patterned food product, such as by a pattern forming die. The cross-sectional area of the patterned food product is reduced from an inlet end to an outlet end by a factor of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of <45.degree. while maintaining the cross-sectional pattern to form a reduced cross-sectional patterned dough, and then is extruded through a die port having an opening equal to the reduced cross-sectional area to form a complexly patterned extrudate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Clanton, Julie L. Holmstrom, Peter A. Huberg, Gerald J. Rudolph, Scott A. Tolson, James N. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 5840232
    Abstract: Large, multi-layer parisons with an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and an outer layer for use in intermittent extrusion blow molding are formed using a die head including a housing, an annular inner conduit having a first resin inlet with a horizontal axis, an intermediate conduit having a second resin inlet with a horizontal axis, and an annular outer conduit having a third resin inlet with a horizontal axis, a closable, tubular extrusion orifice in communication with the inner, intermediate and outer conduits, the first inlet being in a plane above the second inlet and the second inlet being in a plane above the third inlet; and first, second and third reciprocating screw extruders, each extruder including a cylinder with a resin inlet and a resin discharge outlet, a screw rotatable within the cylinder to convey the resin from the resin inlet to the discharge outlet, the screw being axially movable away from the outlet when the screw is rotating, and drive means for moving the screw rapidly toward the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Wilmington Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell J. La Belle
  • Patent number: 5811046
    Abstract: Process and device for producing two-colored or multicolored switchboard films, dashboard films or dashboards for motor vehicles produced therefrom using at least one backing film or backing layer, at least one upper film or upper layer which is arranged thereon and contains dyes and/or color pigments. The polymer melts for these films or layers come from two or more extruders and are supplied first to an adapter or a black box having at least one opening or a gap for the backing film or layer and at least one further opening for the upper film or upper layer. According to the invention, an adapter or a black box is used in which a wedge-shaped projection or a projection of triangular cross section is arranged. At least two different-colored polymer compositions in melt form, having identical viscosity or virtually identical viscosity (difference in MFI at 230.degree. C./2.16 kg of 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Alkor GmbH Kunststoffe
    Inventors: Eberhardt Dous, Uwe Schattauer
  • Patent number: 5804222
    Abstract: An extrusion head includes a first housing member and second housing member each with a passageway extending therethrough, the two housing members being attached to each other such that the respective passageways are aligned. The first housing member includes structure positioned within the passageway for applying a coating material (such as PVC) to a wire as it is drawn therethrough. The second housing member includes an inlet channel adapted to be attached to a source of nylon, the inlet channel extending to a recessed groove in the end of the second housing member, which end is adjacent to the first housing member, such groove surrounding a surface configured to form a spacing between the two housing members through which spacing the nylon passes in a direction toward the wire as it is drawn therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventors: Jearl D. Brown, Jerry A. Bannister
  • Patent number: 5792497
    Abstract: A cheese processing machine includes an extruder assembly for forming the cheese into a string. The disclosed assembly has two extruders each forcing a different type of cheese in a plastic state into separate chambers of an extrusion head. The extrusion head has a series of apertures with each one communicating with both the first and second chambers, wherein cheese from each chamber is extruded simultaneously through each aperture to produce a string with both types of cheese. The extruded cheese string travel along brine filled troughs while a tube over each trough directs a plurality of brine streams which strike each cheese string and apply a torque which twists the string lengthwise. The cheese cools as it moves along the trough fixing the twisted shape of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Stainless Steel Fabricating, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Abler, Eva Heim
  • Patent number: 5788902
    Abstract: A method of extruding degradable plastic material in tubular form includes providing an annular extrusion die having an annular extrusion orifice and a longitudinal extending annular passage for conveying plastic material to the extrusion orifice. The die also has at least one arcuate passage extending at least partly around the annular passage such that the annular passage completely surrounds, or where there is more than one arcuate passage in combination completely surround, the annular passage inwardly or outwardly thereof and are in communication therewith. A separate melt stream of degradable plastic material is provided for each arcuate passage and each separate melt stream of degradable plastic material is incorporated with non-degradable plastic material in a circumferentially continuous manner to produce separate encapsulated melt streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Mirek Planeta
  • Patent number: 5780067
    Abstract: A feedblock for coextrusion apparatus permits profile adjustment of individual layers through the use of flow tuning valves that extend across the width of a main flow through the feedblock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Extrusion Dies, Inc.
    Inventor: F. John Herrington, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5780063
    Abstract: An extruder for extrusion manufacturing a rod of hard metal or ceramic with at least one helical inner bore. A plasticized mass of hard metal or ceramic is simultaneously forced through a die and twisted. Either the mass is twisted uniformly over the cross-section of the billet by a spinner immersed in the mass or the spinner is rotated by the mass. The mass emerges either subject to torsion or entirely or mostly without torsion from a smooth downstream channel through the die. A filament-shaped material extends or is injected into the mass to produce the inner bore or bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignees: Konrad Friedrichs KG, Gottlieb Guhring KG
    Inventor: Arno Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 5776251
    Abstract: In a duplex type coating apparatus, a left-right pair of dies and are disposed on opposite sides of a carrying path of a web, the dies and are each made up of an upper member and a lower member, a tip part of the lower member projects further toward the carrying path than a tip part of the upper member, and coating liquid discharge passages are inclined in the direction of the carrying path of the web. As a result, because the same amount of coating liquid is discharged from each of the dies and coated onto each side of the web, it is possible to carry out coating at the same coating thickness and in the same position on both sides of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hirano Tecseed Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Irie, Takao Ishida, Akiyoshi Hashimoto, Yasutomi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 5773037
    Abstract: The device (2) for changing the outside coating color of the extruded product is seated directly in the extrusion head (1), thus minimizing the length of the duct (25) in which the colored extrudates would be liable to mix; on the other hand, since no colored extrudate can stagnate upstream from that duct, the colored coating is always composed of freshly extruded material. Thus, the transition from one color to another is extremely short on the finished product, so that no faulty material is to be found on that product. The color changing device is essentially composed of an axially movable needle-valve (24) which can be actuated by various means. Through design modifications of this needle-valve, a two-color coating can be produced. An extrusion head equipped with such a device is particularly well adapted to the solid or expanded insulation of electric conductors, although other types of extruded objects can also be produced according to the same principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Nokia-Maillefer Holding SA
    Inventors: Ernst Geider, Hans Jaun
  • Patent number: 5762971
    Abstract: A coextrusion die includes a plurality of thin annular disks stacked on top of each other. Each annular disk includes a plurality of openings aligned with openings in the adjacent disk, thus forming multiple streams. Plastic melt may be supplied to the die coplanarly. Stacks of annular disks may be used to form modules through which plastic melt can be axially directed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5759461
    Abstract: A method of forming a two-layer plastic pipe (4;8) to be laid in the ground for conducting material therethrough forms a core pipe (2) consisting essentially of a first plastic material and forms a detachable outer hose (3;7) of a second plastic material around said core pipe (2) by a suitable coating method, including in said second plastic material an amount of additives effective to protect said core pipe with said outer hose from stresses and loads of laying said core pipe and outer hose and usage thereof in ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Uponor Innovation AB
    Inventors: Jyri Jarvenkyla, Mikael Andersson, Anders Vestergaard
  • Patent number: 5738881
    Abstract: An annular co-extrusion die for extruding multi-layer tubular plastic film has a lower part and an upper part. The lower part has concentric radially spaced lower die members of different diameters forming at least two lower concentric radially spaced annular passages communicating with a common annular passage for separately feeding different plastic materials along the lower annular passages to the common annular passage for extrusion therefrom. The upper part has upper annular die members located above the lower die members and stacked one upon another. The upper annular die members forms at least one upper annular passage for separately feeding different plastic materials along each upper annular passage to the common annular passage for extrusion therefrom with the plastic materials from the lower annular passages as a multi-layer tubular plastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Macro Engineering & Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Surendra M. Sagar
  • Patent number: 5738814
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing of continuous, at least two-layer products having an upper layer formed of a lacquer material, the method having the steps of providing an apparatus including a co-extrusion tool having first and second conduits, respectively, with the first and second inlets, with the second conduit circumscribing the first conduit, and a merging section in which flows exiting the first and second conduits merge, and first and second extruders connected with the first and second inlets, respectively, and simultaneously injecting melts of base and lacquer materials with the first and second extruders, respectively, through the first and second conduits, respectively, so that on at least two-layer product exiting the merging section of the co-extrusion tool and having an upper lacquer layer, is produced in a single step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Battenfeld Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kreth, Reinhard Witt, Helmut Wiech, Berrie Penney
  • Patent number: 5733491
    Abstract: An extrusion device for making a section member of complex section that includes an internal portion and an outer layer. The device includes a first inlet channel for a first molten plastics material, a body including an extrusion channel whose wall defines the external outline of the section member, and an axial extrusion core that serves to define the internal outline of the section member. The device also includes a second inlet channel for a second molten plastics material, and means for adjusting the flow of said second molten plastics material in the second inlet channel so as to ensure uniform distribution of the second plastics material around the external outline of the section member at the outlet end of the second inlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Grossfillex S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Grosset, Roland Berrod
  • Patent number: 5723157
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion head for producing hose- or pipe-shaped preforms from extrudable plastics. The preforms are preferably composed of several layers. The extrusion head has a plurality of distributors which are combined to form units. Each unit includes four distributor discs (29 to 32) contacting one another via contact faces (33 to 38). The contact faces constitute planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (26). In the region of the contact faces of the distributor discs (29 to 32) a feeding channel is arranged with two passages which provide connections with two partial channels (43, 44). The partial channels are also arranged between the distributor discs (29 to 32) or the separating planes therebetween. Each end in one portion in the plane in which the central distributor discs (31, 32) contact one another form an annular exit gap (53). In this way it is possible to achieve a modular system and an assembly which is axially short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: W. Muller KG
    Inventor: Lothar Grutjen
  • Patent number: 5720986
    Abstract: An extrusion head having a stationary part fixed on an extrusion installation having a plurality of extrusion cylinders supplying an extrudate formed from several components. The stationary part has extrudate flow channels each in communication with a respective extrusion cylinder and a common extrusion die. Two pivotable outer parts pivotally hinged on the stationary part are selectively swingable individually between open and closed positions by respective piston-cylinder units. The two outer parts define an extrusion orifice for the die in their closed position. A pair of locking piston-cylinders provided with hammerhead piston rods hold the respective outer parts clamped against the stationary during an extrusion. Actuator piston-cylinder units selectively swing the piston rods of the locking piston-cylinder units clear of the outer parts for opening them for cleaning extrudate channels or for an extrusion die change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Paul Troester Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Gohlisch, Wolfgang Ruger, Klaus Becker
  • Patent number: 5718927
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing multilayer hollow articles having sections different from one another in respect to the kinds of resins, number of layers, and thickness of layers along the circumference in the horizontal section of an article with the narrowest of the sections in any one of the resin layers extending in a specified width along the longitudinal wall of an article and being capable of satisfying the sectional performance requirements. An apparatus is provided for manufacturing multilayer hollow articles with the wall thickness ratio of resin layers in each section varying along the longitudinal wall of an article or those with the sectional width in each resin layer varying along the longitudinal wall of an article. Hollow articles molded by the apparatus of this invention are particularly useful for automotive bumpers, the seats and backs of chairs, and boiler-room doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Chemical Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ohta, Kohsei Kushima, Satoshi Furuki
  • Patent number: 5718926
    Abstract: A die for extrusion of an extrudate from an extruder has a tubular member, a hollowed distributor portion and a hollowed nozzle portion configured and arranged so that extrudate issuing from the die has two visible longitudinal components. The tubular member has three successive and integral portions wherein first and third portions are, in cross-section, continuous and wherein the second portion is, in cross-section, discontinuous. The first tubular member portion has an interior wall surface which, in cross-section, has radial projections and recesses therebetween so that the interior wall surface defines a shape which is an outline of a star-like shape, and the second tubular member portion has longitudinal openings which are in alignment with the first portion projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Dambrine, Osvaldo La Violette Geromini, Denis Janot
  • Patent number: 5716650
    Abstract: An extrusion die is disclosed including a first member having a surface which includes a plurality of spiral channel segments formed therein and a second member having a surface which includes a plurality of spiral channel segments formed therein. The surfaces of the first and second members are positioned with respect to each other to form a leakage gap therebetween, wherein the spiral channel segments of the first and second members are mated to form a plurality of discrete spiral channels having spiral centerlines which serpentine back and forth across the leakage gap. A spiral channel is formed by a spiral channel segment in the first member aligned with a spiral channel segment in the second member, where the depths of the respective spiral channel segments are substantially 90.degree. out of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Black Clawson Sano Inc.
    Inventor: Harilaos Mavridis
  • Patent number: 5705111
    Abstract: Methods related to coextrusion of heat-sensitive polymer materials. The sensitive melt stream element (12) is encapsulated in a second polymeric melt stream element (16). Transport means (36) is preferably employed between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). A third melt stream element (68) is joined to one or both opposing surfaces (70) of the second melt stream element (16) between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). In the die (42) the encapsulated melt stream element (12) becomes an interior layer (46) between encapsulating layers (48A, 48B) derived from the second melt stream element (16). The third melt stream element (68) forms layers (72, 74) positioned outwardly of the encapsulating layers (48A, 48B). The positioning, on the interior of the extrudate, of edges (54) of layer (46) is adjusted independently of the combined thicknesses of a layer derived from the third melt stream element (68) and an adjacent layer (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: American National Can Company
    Inventors: Robert John Blemberg, John P. Eckstein, Kevin J. Curie
  • Patent number: 5702664
    Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus includes a die head with first, second, third and fourth annular nozzles. An adhesive extruder is connected to the first and third nozzles, a barrier extruder is connected to the second nozzle and a reclaimed material extruder is connected to the fourth nozzle. Inner and outer main material flow passages are connected to a main material extruder, as well. The annular nozzles and the main material flow passages are connected to an extrusion nozzle for forming a parison. The barrier material extruder has a cylinder which is connected to the second nozzle. A screw lies within the cylinder. The second nozzle has a ridge opposite an end of the screw, for dividing the extruded barrier flow material, mitigating stagnation of the barrier material as it passes through the second nozzle. A method of forming a parison is described, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Yamada, Shigeaki Sano, Toshiji Yoshida, Toshio Kagitani
  • Patent number: 5700494
    Abstract: A device for producing a continuous formed confection of frozen dairy product and flavoring gel combined in co-extensive strips. The device includes an extrusion die provided with a shaping bore for extrusion-forming the frozen dairy product and a channel downstream of the shaping bore for laying on the frozen dairy product a continuous bead of flavoring gel. The invention also extends to a novel valve for regulating the flow of flavoring gel to the extrusion die and to a novel disposable receptacle for storage of flavoring gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: 9000-9226 Quebec Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Masse, Alain Dion, Robert Bessette, Khiem Tran
  • Patent number: 5690972
    Abstract: An annular co-extrusion die for extruding multi-layer tubular plastic film has inner die members stacked one upon another. The inner die members have radially outwardly extending surfaces forming radially outwardly extending helical passages between respective pairs of die members. An annular outer die member surrounds the stacked inner die members and forms a longitudinally extending annular passage therebetween for conveying plastic material from the radially outwardly extending helical passages to an annular extrusion orifice. Each inner die member forms with an adjacent die member a first feed passage extending at least partly around the inner die member radially inwardly of the helical passages, the inner die member and the adjacent die member having a circumferentially extending clearance therebetween to enable plastic material fed into the first feed passage to pass through the clearance into the helical passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Macro Engineering & Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Mirek Planeta, Surendra M. Sagar, Weining Song
  • Patent number: 5686128
    Abstract: The triple coextrusion of snack food products having highly uniform and integral individual layers is achieved by the use of a compact, precisely toleranced coextrusion die which may be mounted at the outlet end of a cooker extruder. The coextrusion die includes a die block with smooth, unobstructed flow passages for each material. The outer passages for the casing material are substantially coaxial with the central axis of the die block and extend from end to end. A central bore and an annular passage having their central axes aligned with the central axis of the die block at its outlet end extend upstream to filler feed ports. The feed port entrances are at the outer surface of the die block between its ends. The side ports and filler feed lines connected to them do not interfere with a substantially straight flow path of casing material directly from a cooker extruder. A protruding tip formed at the outlet end of the die block by the bore and annular passage extends into a converging block or cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nabisco Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Tracy, Kevin Addesso, Donald C. Winfrey, Alger C. Marable, Robert Straka
  • Patent number: 5679303
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a weather strip having first and second function portions and a connecting portion interconnecting these function portions is disclosed. The connecting portion varies in width according to a longitudinal position along the weather strip. Included in the apparatus is a head, a main die plate which is mated with a front side of the head and which has a first opening for extruding rubber therethrough to form a first function portion, such as a mounting portion, and part of the connecting portion, a fixed die plate connected to the main die plate, and a movable die disposed in the fixed die plate. The movable die has a second opening for extruding rubber therethrough to form a second function portion, such as a sealing portion, and part of the connecting portion and is slidably received in a reception portion in the fixed die plate. A discharge rate of the rubber for forming the connecting portion is adjustable in accordance with the sliding movement of the movable die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Hayashi, Hiroyasu Kozawa
  • Patent number: 5672303
    Abstract: For the extrusion of extruded profiles with a color pattern or their coating with such a color pattern, a plasticized material of at least two-colors is used, which is separated into at least two partial flows. These partial flows are combined before they exit the extruding head (1), whereby the partial flows are largely maintained. These partial flows can in turn be separated into further partial flows. The extruding head (1) is equipped with a distribution plate (4) in which distribution channels (8a, b) as well as a ring channel (11) are formed as grooves, with the ring channel connected to an the exit channel (38) through a ring slot (19, 20). The plasticized material entering through the ring slot (19, 20) into the exit channel (38) coats the pre-manufactured extruded profile (39) inserted through the guidance part (13) and the die arbor (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Bellaform Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Metzger, Hans Joachim Ziolkowski
  • Patent number: 5667818
    Abstract: A crosshead die for an extrusion system provides a balanced, even flow of molten material around a circumference. The die has a cylindrical body with opposite first and second ends, an outer wall, a horizontal centerline and a vertical centerline. The die further includes a reduced diameter end portion at the second end thereof. The reduced diameter end portion includes an axial bore. The cylindrical body further has a recessed surface in the first end, and a circular groove in the recessed surface. The groove has an inner edge and an outer edge and the outer edge includes two inwardly curved blending wedges which are positioned in opposed relation on the vertical centerline. The inner edge of the groove merges into a frusto-conical inner wall which tapers axially inwardly and merges with the axial bore in the reduced diameter end portion. The inner edge of the groove has a lesser height than the recessed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: A. Roger Guillemette
  • Patent number: 5651935
    Abstract: A spiral die for forming a laminate includes an outer die ring, an inner die ring inserted into the outer die ring with a fit clearance therebetween, a plurality (m, a positive integer greater than 1) of spiral grooves each having a gradually decreasing depth disposed between the outer and inner die rings, and distribution paths for distributively introducing melted resin streams of a plurality (n, a positive integer satisfying n<m) of resin species in a prescribed order into said plurality (m) of spiral grooves. The individual resin streams distributed to the spiral grooves proceed along the spiral grooves to gradually overflow the respective spiral grooves and overlie each other in a prescribed order before the individual resin streams form a uniform tubular stream in a die axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Kureha Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsukura, Takahisa Ueyama
  • Patent number: 5648104
    Abstract: An extrusion die for the extrusion of continuous hollow sections of plastic materials reinforced with fibers or molecules. Both the outer nozzle and inner mandrel are rotatable and have channels within them to allow the extrudate to flow through either the body of the nozzle or of the mandrel into the space between them to impart a radial component to the fibers. Likewise, a helical channel formed in either the nozzle or mandrel imparts a tangential component to the fibers. The flow may also be straight through the die which gives the fibers an axial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Hobab El-Sobky
  • Patent number: 5641445
    Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding at least two layers of polymers at substantially different temperatures wherein a first die has portions connected to a second die and portions spaced from the second die. Insulation is provided between the first and second dies and the first die is water cooled. A layer of insulation is provided between the spaced portion of the first and second dies. A third die is mounted to the second die and co-extrudes a third material onto the laminate formed by the first and second dies. The third die is connected to the second die but has portions spaced from the second die. The spaced portion between the second and third dies are insulated. A thermosetting polymer, such as FKM, is extruded by the first die at a temperature of about 180.degree.-200.degree. F. A fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer, such as THV, is extruded from the second die at a temperature of about 480.degree. F. A thermosetting polymer, such as ECO, used to extrude multilayered fuel tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Cadillac Rubber & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Fauble, William Troy Browder, Glenn V. Dukes
  • Patent number: 5639408
    Abstract: A one-piece tube multi-pack and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The one-piece tube multi-pack includes an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Sinclair & Rush, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. King, Phillip M. Brewer, Bradley G. Stack
  • Patent number: 5639485
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus (10) for making a complexly patterned extrudate. The apparatus (10) includes a food cooker extruder (12) for providing at least one extrudable food product, at least one food color supply (18), a pattern forming die (20) for mixing the food color and extrudate food product to form a complexly patterned food product, a reducing passageway for reducing the cross sectional area of the patterned dough from an inlet end (34) to outlet end (36) of at least 50:1 at an average convergence angle of .ltoreq.45.degree. and an extruder exit port at the discharge end of the reducing passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Weinstein, Scott A. Tolson
  • Patent number: 5622665
    Abstract: A method for making differential stiffness tubing for medical products, such as catheters. The method produces a tubing that has a stiff section and a flexible section joined by a relatively short transition section in which the materials of the stiff and flexible sections are wedged into each other in a smooth gradual manner to produce an inseparable bond between the materials without abrupt joints. The method also employs a resin modulating system that minimizes the length of the transition section by minimizing the volumes in all flow channels of the co-extrusion head used to produce the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: James C. Wang
  • Patent number: 5620713
    Abstract: A dough extrusion die has a die set with an inner die and an outer die. The inner die is formed in a desired shape that represents an item of interest, such as an animal, toy, or other identifiable object, and the outer die has an opening surrounding the inner die. Dough is extruded through each of the dies simultaneously. The dough for the inner die has a different indicia, such as color or other visually identifiable characteristic from the dough extruded through the outer die. A sizing housing is positioned downstream from the dies and smoothly changes in cross sectional size in direction away from the dies to permit the dough to flow such that streamlines remain parallel as the sizing housing changes in size, to accurately retain the center cross sectional shape of the extruded dough as formed by the inner die. Preferably, as disclosed, the sizing housing is cone shaped to reduce the extruded dough cross sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: The Pillsbury Company
    Inventor: Glenn O. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5620714
    Abstract: A distributor head (1) for forming a tubular profile from one or more streams of thermoplastic material, which distributor head comprises at least an inlet orifice (10, 12, 14) for a stream of plastics material, which can be connected to an extruder, and an outlet orifice (20, 22, 24) of annular cross section. The distributor head comprises at least one flow channel system (30, 32, 34) which is connected to an inlet orifice of the distributor head by means of an inlet channel (36, 38, 40), which inlet channel, in a number of stages of branchings and intermediate flow channels (60, 62, 64), branches into a number of outlet channels (66, 68, 70) terminating on a periphery around the center line of the outlet orifice, which outlet channels open into the outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Machinefabriek "de Rollepaal" B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik W. Veen
  • Patent number: 5593734
    Abstract: A liquid flow distribution apparatus for forming highly uniform liquid layers on substrates without stagnation within a flow distribution cavity of the apparatus. A primary cavity has a primary inlet means and a plurality of secondary inlet conduits which terminate in angled secondary ports in the cavity wall. Each of the secondary ports is angled away from the primary inlet means. The apparatus can be used under varying rheological conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sinh-Luh Yuan, David W. Gruszczynski, II
  • Patent number: 5591389
    Abstract: A method of making a disposable tubular device comprising extruding a first material through a first die to form the tube and moving the tube through the second die while extruding a second material through the second die to form the tube-support structure. The second material has a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Inventor: Bernard S. Esrock
  • Patent number: 5587184
    Abstract: An easily controllable method to adjust the die slot exit gap to produce an accurately controlled flow from the slot exit across the width of a die provides movable back seats at the back of the die that cause the front and back portions of the die plates to move simultaneously to produce a change in the die slot exit gap. At least one actuator is located between the front and back seats of the die to increase or reduce its length to bend the first plate around the front seat thereby to increase or decrease the first exit gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
    Inventors: William K. Leonard, Stephen W. Mohn, Timothy J. Edman, Phillip D. Schiller
  • Patent number: 5567493
    Abstract: A multi-hole tube extrusion die comprises a female mold die having a flat opening and a mandrel having comb-teeth-like molding portions arranged in the opening. A heated material is extruded between the female mold die opening and the comb-teeth-like molding portions of the mandrel to form a tube having a multi-plicity of holes. An interval between each of the comb-teeth-like molding portions at the opposite ends of the mandrel and the comb-teeth-like molding portion adjacent to the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portion is set to be smaller than an intervals between the female mold die opening and each of the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions and to be larger than an interval between adjacent ones of the other comb-teeth-like molding portions. Additionally, the outermost comb-teeth-like molding portions are larger in width than the other comb-teeth-like molding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Imai, Tokuo Shirai, Ken Yamamoto, Shingoro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 5542834
    Abstract: An extrusion die for making skinned double wall pipe has an elongated tubular body into which flowing plastic is injected. The tubular body has first and second plastic flow channels in which the first flow channel guides the flowing plastic to a first extrusion orifice in the die for making outer pipe wall and the second flow channel guides the flowing plastic to a second extrusion orifice in the die for making the inner pipe wall. The die also includes an injection opening to at least one of the plastic flow channels through which further plastic is injected to form the skin on the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Manfred A. A. Lupke
  • Patent number: 5538411
    Abstract: An extrusion die apparatus for extruding a multiple layer tubular product including a plurality of annular die elements mounted co-axially one behind the other on a mandrel forming annular thickness control passages between the die elements and the mandrel. The die elements have inner and outer conical surfaces inclined rearwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The die elements are nested together with the outer conical surfaces of one die element facing the inner conical surfaces of an adjacent die element. The inner and outer conical surfaces form conical passages which communicate with the annular thickness control passages and a plurality of helical grooves are provided on the outer conical surface of each die element. A binary divider system is provided for distributing a molten thermoplastic material from an inlet to a plurality of outlets communicating with said grooves on each die element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Crompton & Knowles Corporation
    Inventor: Peter C. Gates
  • Patent number: 5536162
    Abstract: A novel pretzel chip is produced by extruding pretzel dough to form a dough extrudate comprising concentric dough rings that are interconnected and partially fused. The extrudate is sliced, and the slices are cooked following conventional pretzel cooking procedures. The dough is extruded through a die than includes a dough inlet having a plurality of metering passages arranged in concentric circles, a die interior comprised of a dough passageway containing a plurality of arcuate divider walls arranged in concentric circles, with each of the arcuate divider walls comprised of a base portion affixed to the dough inlet and a tip portion that is recessed from a dough exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Lillian R. Juranovic, Paul V. Tuzzio
  • Patent number: 5531952
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing a tubular plastic product, for example film, has a die body with inner and outer die members defining between them an annular space, and a first inlet for feeding a first stream of resin into the annular space. The inner and outer die members define an annular chamber communicating between the first inlet and the annular space. The resin stream from the first resin inlet divides into two substreams which flow in the annular chamber in opposite directions about the longitudinal axis of the annular space and then join. A second inlet downstream of the first inlet feeds a second stream of resin into the annular space and over the weld line of the annular resin stream. The annular resin stream is expressed through an annular orifice to form the tubular film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 5527499
    Abstract: An extrusion apparatus and method for producing a composite profile strip characterized by an extrusion head having plural flow channels extending to an extrusion die and at least two extruders for feeding respective components at respective different pressures into the flow channels for passage to the extrusion die. The extrusion die has a common die outlet from which the components are discharged to form the composite profile strip, and respective flow restriction devices are disposed in the flow channels between the extruders and the extrusion die. The flow restriction devices are operative to decrease the difference in pressure between the components before being brought together at the extrusion the extrusion die and further to dampen the effect changes in extruder speed has on the profile of the composite profile strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Miley
  • Patent number: 5518036
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a multi-layer plastic pipe are provided wherein a second liquified plastic is injected into and through a prow and, subsequently, into a radial flow conduit of a die assembly in which a first liquified plastic flows through the radial flow conduit. Subsequently, the first and second liquified plastic are introduced into and through an annular flow conduit and a third liquified plastic is injected into the annular flow conduit of the die assembly. Wherein within the die assembly the first liquified plastic forms a first layer, the second liquified plastic forms a second layer inside the first layer and the third liquified plastic forms a third layer outside the first layer. Additionally, a multi-layered plastic pipe which can be produced by the inventive die assembly is provided. The multi-layered plastic pipe has an ultraviolet light-protective outer layer and a light-reflecting inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Jimmie G. DeMasters, Leonard A. Fears
  • Patent number: 5516474
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for preparing composites including layers having thermally distinct processing requirements. Beneficially, the process may use a single manifold die. By the process, useful containers may be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: The Cloeren Company
    Inventor: Peter F. Cloeren
  • Patent number: 5500173
    Abstract: A method and non-fiber-forming, molded article-forming structure for making a non-fiber, multicomponent molded article containing a plurality of components in a predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration, wherein the method involves feeding the plurality of respectively dissimilar fluid components, mutually separated, into the molded article-forming structure, which contains a plate flow distributor and a non-fiber-forming shaping section; wherein the flow distributor is made up of at least one distribution plate which is preferably thin and has micromachined on at least one facial surface thereof multiple distribution flow paths having a flow pattern effective to distribute and combine the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration; directing the mutually separated components through the multiple distribution flow paths to distribute and arrange the components to form a fluid structure containing the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-lamina
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan