Abstract: An apparatus for molding a continuous foamed plastics element (2), such as a floor construction member of the type comprising a substantially parallelepipedic central body (3) and at least one lateral projection (5,6), includes a mold (13) comprising a forming chamber (13a) and a stabilization chamber (13b) defined between a bottom wall (22), a pair of opposite side walls (20,21), and a cover (23). Advantageously, the cover (23) and/or one or both the side walls (20,21) of the mold (13) comprise a plurality of structurally independent segments which may be adjustably positioned toward and away from the bottom wall (22) of the mold (13) for independently adjusting, in a substantially continuous manner, the height of the molding seats of the central body (3) and/or of the lateral projection (5,6) of the continuous element (2) in each of the forming (13a) and stabilization (13b) chambers of the mold (13).

Abstract: A vacuum extrusion line of the horizontal barometric leg type includes a vacuum chamber having an extrusion die at one end and a water baffle immersion cooler at the other end for extracting the extrudate to atmosphere, extrudate shaping and sizing equipment downstream of the die, a large diameter fixed bulkhead at the die, and first and second large diameter movable sections surrounding the shaping and sizing equipment, a smaller fixed section of the chamber. The first section sealing against the second section and the fixed section and telescoping over the fixed section to form a gap with the second section being movable within the limits of the gap. The second section also seals against the large diameter fixed bulkhead. In this manner the downstream equipment can be fully exposed by movement of one or both movable sections and adequate volume and spatial working environment is provided for large through-put. A simplified lock mechanism facilitates the quick opening and closing of the chamber.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an apparatus with the continuous expansion of thermoplastic minipellets, particularly polypropylene. The apparatus comprises a mixing means for mixing the thermoplastic minipellets in water to form a slurry, which is connected to a pressurizing means to form a flow of pressurized slurry to a junction which in trains a blowing agent to form a pressurized slurry mixture, which is connected to a heating means to heat the pressurized slurry mixture. Once the pressurized slurry mixture is impregnated with the blowing agent, it flows through water more orifice plates for expansion of thermoplastic minipellets into an expansion vessel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously forming thin-gauge flexible foam sheeting by controlling the rise of an expanding foam-forming mixture until the reaction is substantially complete.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a continuous foamed plastic element, such as a floor element having a substantially parallelepipedic central body and at least one side lug, includes a mold in which respective molding cavities of the central body and of the side lug are defined between a bottom wall, a pair of opposite side walls and a cover. A mechanism adjustably positions at least one of the cover and one or both of the side walls of the mold, away from and towards the bottom wall, to regulate, in an adjustable and substantially continuous manner, the height of the molding cavities for at least one of the central body and the at least one side lug of the continuous element.

Abstract: A continuous molding machine molds heat sensitive thermoplastic material into a finished product. The material is fed into a mold from a source through a mold inlet that is defined by the mold. The cross-sectional shape of the mold is chosen to conform to the desired cross-sectional shape of the product that is being molded. An endless conveyor and a pusher force the material through the mold. Heating apparatus heats the material as it passes through the mold. As it is heated, it conforms to the shape of the mold and, therefore, to the desired shape of the product. Cooling apparatus cools the mass after it is heated and formed to ensure that the mass remains dimensionally stable as it exits the mold. The finished, molded product exits the mold through the mold outlet that is defined by the mold.

Abstract: An extrusion die for foam sheet including a die body defining a manifold for conducting a split stream of heated and pressurized foamable thermoplastic melt through separate distribution channels to a die terminus. A pair of mating die lips are arranged on opposed sides of the melt and are constructed to adjustably slide toward and away from each other to vary the flow of a melt. The lips are each mounted to slide along an axis which is tilted rearwardly at an acute angle relative to an orthogonal to the sheet being formed. The mandrel is configured and adapted for quick withdrawal and replacement from an end of the die through a passageway extending through the die transverse to the direction of extrusion of a sheet.

Abstract: A horizontal vacuum extrusion line includes a fixed bulkhead, a die inside the bulkhead, a telescoping vacuum chamber section and a fixed chamber section. A dam in the fixed section forms a pond for immersion cooling of the extrudate. A truss extends from the dam to the bulkhead supporting, shaping and calibration equipment and extends through the telescoping section. Fluid pressurizable seals at each end of the telescoping section are operable after the telescoping section is closed against the bulkhead and the telescoping and fixed sections are locked together. The telescoping section provide a more compact line and easier access to the complex equipment downstream of the die. The extrudate from the die passes down into the pond and then through an orifice in a hood projecting from the chamber into a lower level portion of the pond exposed to atmosphere. The hood also includes a tractor drive to push the extrudate through the underwater orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus are described for extruding a soft, low density elastomeric thermoplastic foam. A single screw extruder having a very large screw length to diameter ratio is provided to thoroughly mix the thermoplastic elastomer with a blowing agent. A thin, substantially taperless die is also provided to form extruded profiles. By using such an apparatus, a variety of complex-shaped extruded profiles may be easily produced.

Abstract: Foamed plastic is applied on a roof substrate by progressively dispensing expandable plastic foam material on the substrate along a path and progressively confining the vertical and lateral expansion of the material along the path and relative to the substrate. Apparatus for applying the foamed plastic comprises a platform having opposite ends and opposite sides having an endless belt supported on the platform for displacement relative thereto in the direction between the opposite ends. The belt is supported above the roof substrate by laterally spaced rails or by tracks on the belt, and a motor is provided on the platform for driving the belt to move the platform along the path. A dispensing gun is supported on the front end of the platform for dispensing expandable plastic foam material onto the substrate ahead of the belt and vertical and lateral expansion of the material is confined by the belt and rails or tracks as the platform moves along the path.

Abstract: A process and a system for the continuous manufacture of polymeric foams. Reactive chemical components and additives comprising a low boiling blowing agent are mixed under pressure; the mixture is then frothed before chemical reaction takes place by feeding the mixture through a pressure equalizing and frothing device having a pressure-drop zone opening into a frothing cavity having an output aperture to discharge the froth onto a moving substrate.

Abstract: A process and a system for the continuous manufacture of polymeric foams. Reactive chemical components and additives comprising a low boiling blowing agent are mixed under pressure; the mixture is then frothed before chemical reaction takes place by feeding the mixture through a pressure equalizing and frothing device having a pressure-drop zone opening into a frothing cavity having an output aperture to discharge the froth onto a moving substrate.

Abstract: A process and a system for the continuous manufacture of polymeric foams. Reactive chemical components and additives comprising a low boiling blowing agent are mixed under pressure; the mixture is then frothed before chemical reaction takes place by feeding the mixture through a pressure equalizing and frothing device having a pressure-drop zone opening into a frothing cavity having an output aperture to discharge the froth onto a moving substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing accelerated release of a blowing agent from a solid, non-perforated plastic foam. The method relates (a) providing the solid, non-perforated plastic foam having the blowing agent and a permeability modifier therein and (b) perforating the foam at its surface to form a multiplicity of channels extending from the surface into the foam. The channels are in gaseous communication with the environment outside the foam and provide accelerated release of blowing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the continuous manufacture of slabstock polyurethane foam including a conveyor means (1), a mixing head (51) and means (6) for discharging the reaction mixture from the mixing head (51) onto the conveyor means (1). The device further includes a start board (7), a stop board, means for moving the start board (7) along the conveyor means at the beginning of a production run in such a manner that it obstructs the moving reaction mixture to thereby increase the height of the first portion of the produced foam, and means for moving the stop board at the end of a production run in such a manner that it pushes the foaming reaction mixture ahead to thereby increase the height of the end portion. In this way, no operator has to enter the foaming machine and the start and end profiles of the foam blocks are optimised.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming flat top foam buns or slabs which features positioning solely one sheet of film material to each side of a rising foam body. The single side sheet is positioned in contact with the rising foam on one side and in contact with a rigid side wall on the opposite side. Also, the single side sheet positioned between the rising foam and stationary side wall represents the only material between the side wall and foam material. The side film has a bottom edge which originates below a reference plane lying flush on the bottom supporting surface of the foam bun once it has reached an essentially full rise position. Preferably, bottom and side conveyors are provided near the full rise position of the foam material and the side film is redirected from an upwardly inclined edge arrangement to a horizontal edge arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously foaming a polyimide prepolymer powder which is not susceptible to heating by microwave energy utilize a preheated conveyor belt to heat the powder in contact with and adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt to commence the reaction and foaming of the powder as it enters an oven which further heats the powder by convection and infrared radiation to form a continuous foam bun. The conveyor belt is cooled as it exits the oven to cool a bottom surface of the foam product to enable the foam product to be removed from the conveyor before interior portions of the foam product have cooled. Foam adhering to the conveyor belt, after the product has been removed, is cleaned from the conveyor belt, collected and mixed with and used as a filler in the prepolymer powder used in the process. In addition the mass of the powder entering the oven and the density and degree of cure of the foam bun exiting the oven are monitored to continuously control the process.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a high modulus article comprising a composite of an oriented plastic material and an oriented particulate material, said process including the steps of:a. continuously forcing an orientable plastics material, while it is close to or at its softening temperature and in admixture with an orientable particulate material, through a converging passage of which the cross-sectional area diminishes in the forward direction of plastic flow, thereby to produce an extrudate;b. deforming the extrudate, while it is maintained at or close to its melt temperature, to produce an oriented, deformed extrudate; andc. cooling the deformed extrudate to preserve the orientation and provide said composite. The foamed and unfoamed composite articles have strength, modulus and density values comparable to typical hardwoods or softwoods.

Abstract: A thermoforming technique for making a shaped article from a web of polystryrene foam sheet or the like, with simultaneous forming and perforation of the article. Serrated cutter and spaced mandrel elements mounted in opposing mold sections provide a perforated pattern in the sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing accelerated release of a flammable blowing agent from a plastic foam. The method comprises (a) providing the plastic foam having the blowing agent and a permeability modifier therein and (b) perforating the foam at its surface to form a multiplicity of channels extending from the surface into the foam. The channels are in gaseous communication with the environment outside the foam structures and provide accelerated released of blowing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of foamed plastics is described. The apparatus includes i) a continuous conveyor belt, and ii) a transversely reciprocating applicator device located over the belt for applying a foam-forming reaction mixture. The applicator device includes a mix head and a detachably mounted magazine plate having several openings thereon. Each opening has a casting tube connected thereto. Each casting tube has discharge holes on its underside. The plate is adjustable in such a way that the casting tubes can be connected successively to the outlet of the mixhead.

Abstract: In order to guarantee substantially trouble-free operation when manufacturing sandwich elements on a double conveyor belt installation having a downstream cross cutter and cleaning device, the cleaning device disposed on a transport carriage i) is returned to the carriage of the cross cutter to pick up the next sandwich element, is braked and is then re-accelerated to a speed higher than the production speed, ii) is, after reaching a desired distance.

Abstract: In the continuous production of polyurethane block foam, in particular from fast-reacting reaction mixtures which expand with rise time of less than 1.5 minutes, to achieve a good foam quality and a rectangular cross-section a centrally disposed mixer (44) is used, disposed downstream of which is a rubber-elastic plate (22), which is located in the feeding table (21) and in turn has a centrally disposed prop (33), associated with which, at right angles to the production direction and mounted laterally and symmetrically relative to said prop, are at least two adjustable props (32).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a molded article of a foamed thermoplastic resin and articles produced thereby. A molten mass of an expandable thermoplastic resin is accumulated in an accumulator while it is prevented from foaming. A quantity of the accumulated formable melt is extruded through a die orifice having a shape adapted to reflect the shape of the desire finished product. The extruded foamable melt commences foaming as it comes in contact with the atmosphere. As the extruded thermoplastic resin foams, it is pulled vertically downward from the die orifice by gravity. The downward-hanging, foamed, thermoplastic material is captured between the halves of a vertically-oriented mold before the foaming expansion of the foamable melt has been completed. The foamed thermoplastic material is compressed by the vertically-oriented mold into the desired shape.

Abstract: A formed piece continuous manufacturing apparatus formed by four endless belts. At least three of the endless belts are movably supported by a movable device, and the sectional shape of the forming passage is freely controlled by arbitrarily moving at least three endless belts.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous extrusion of composite solid articles from a substantially uniform mixture of particulate binder material and particulate primary material in which the feed mixture is forced through an extrusion die of substantially uniform cross-section and subject to heat, pressure and cooling which consolidates the feed mixture whereby it emerges from the die as a solid composite article and in which the pressure in the extrusion die is supplied by back-pressuring external of the die.

Abstract: The apparatus includes molding a plurality of recesses on a layer of foam material which is laid on a laying surface and moved forward. These recesses include a base open on the laying surface and are subsequently cross-linked by introducing steam under pressure through the bases of the recesses into cavities of the recesses formed during the molding step. The apparatus includes a conveyor element in which a plurality of plates disposed side-by-side are provided with protuberances corresponding to the recesses to be formed in the foam layer. The protuberances are open at their bases to enable introduction of steam into an inner space within each of the protuberances.

Abstract: The extrusion head has a head body which accommodates a male element and defines, in co-operation with the male element, a passage for material to be extruded. The passage extends around the male element and leads outward through an extrusion hole which is located proximate to an end of the head. A cooling element is applied at the extrusion hole and a hole is defined therein for the passage of the extruded material. The latter hole has a configuration which corresponds to the profile of the extruded element to be obtained, in order to achieve the rapid cooling of the extruded element exiting from the extrusion hole.

Abstract: The extrusion head has a body which accommodates a male element and which defines, in co-operation with the male element, a passage for the material to be extruded. The passage extends around the male element and leads outward through an extrusion hole located proximate to an end of the head. The end of the male element which is orientated in the direction of flow of the material has at least one channel through which material is delivered inside the flow of material which flows out of the extrustion hole.

Abstract: A process for preparing an extruded thermoplastic resin elongate foam body comprising an alkenyl-substituted aromatic resin characterized as having a density of between about 0.9 to about 3.5 pounds per cubic foot is described. The process comprises the steps of (A) heat plastifying the thermoplastic resin; (B) adding at least one fluid blowing agent comprising at least one of 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; (C) uniformly mixing the blowing agent in the resin under a pressure sufficient to prevent blowing of the resin thereby forming a blowable resin mixture; (D) extruding the mixture into a region of reduced pressure which is less than atmospheric pressure wherein the blowable resin mixture expands into a foam body; and (E) cooling the foam body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a foamable, pressurized solution of a gas and a high viscosity polymeric material in a manner which produces a foamed bead having a hollow core. Initial foaming occurs in a nozzle through which the solution is dispensed to atmosphere, at a core of the bead. Subsequent foaming of of the bead exteriorly of the core occurs outside the nozzle, and results in an extruded, foamed bead of high viscosity polymeric material having a tubular shape and particularly suitable for form-in-place gasket applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously taking off a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet foamed by a vertical foaming furnace which has a rail fixedly disposed horizontally, two bodies mounted obliquely at the same angle in a linear symmetrical manner with respect to a vertical line and moving in parallel along the rail, a driver for driving the bodies, two holding roll rows having a plurality of holding rolls disposed in a zigzag manner along the longitudinal direction of the body, a pair of supports respectively wound on the holding rolls, and sensors having optical fiber sensors electrically connected to the driver and provided at each of the upper ends of the bodies. The interval of the two bodies is defined to be narrow at its top and wider toward the lower interval. The degree of the width of the foamed sheet is determined by the angle. The sensor includes two casing halves. One casing half contains a light emitting unit of the optical fiber sensor.

Abstract: Objects of thermoplastic polymer foam such as, e.g., sheeting of polyolefins such as polyethylene, are treated at elevated temperatures effective to rapidly purge the foam of a substantial portion of the residual blowing agent. Significant economies are achieved by reducing the amounts of residual blowing agents (such as flammable, toxic or environmentally hazardous gases) to levels presenting no fire hazard or other safety hazards in times substantially less than required in conventional aging under ambient conditions. The processes can be carried out in ovens or other heating zones which form continuations of the basic production line, with the extracted blowing agents recycled or disposed of by combustion.

Abstract: A process for producing tubular film from a thermoplastic molten material, including supplying an annular stream of thermoplastic material through a passageway substantially free of flow interurptions having a plurality of axially aligned-annularly spaced feed ports, funneling and recombining the annular stream of thermoplastic material after being supplied through the feed ports to evenly recombine the thermoplastic material, and forming a tubular stream of thermoplastic film having a substantially uniform thickness throughout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double belt moulding machine for producing foamed plastic plates as a continuous strand. Two endless conveyor belts are moved in opposite rotation directions. The belts can be in the form of straps, steel strips, plate belts, etc., which are each guided over one drive pulley or drive sprockets in the case of plate belts, support elements in the form of slideways or slide rails and a guide pulley or sprocket. According to the invention the drive pulleys or sprockets for the two belts are provided with individual electric drives regulated to synchronize of the facing belt sections. Thus, destructive shear forces within the foam strand in the mould channel are avoided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the manufacture of flexible porous irrigation pipe having an essentially uniform porosity throughout its length which is produced by extruding an essentially moisture-free non-homogeneous, mixture of pre-vulcanized elastomeric particles such as reclaimed crumb rubber from vehicle tire treads in major amount and a thermoplastic polymer binder such as low-density polyethylene in minor amount. The mixture is intimately mixed and extruded from an unvented extruder through an annular extruder die at a precisely-controlled temperature and then through a lengthy cooling liquid bath, the rate of pull-off through the extruder die and liquid bath being maintained constant. The leak rate of the fluid delivered from the porous pipe is substantially uniform over a lengthy prescribed dimension exhibiting a delivery variation of less than about 5 percent per unit of length.

Abstract: A fishing line, or just a leader, has a core (11) which is coated by plastic material as it is pulled through an extruder (3) and then a quench bath (4) by a variable speed drive device (9). Very fine control can be exerted by laser devices (11, 12) before and after coating, and adjusting a selection of parameters such as drive speed, extrusion rate, pressure and temperature, and cooling. A double coating may be applied or additives mixed in the extruded plastics which will give a desired floating or sinking characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing tubular film from thermoplastic molten material including a tubular housing having an axially-aligned interior defined inner surface, an elongated member including an outer surface disposed within the inner surface of the housing and spaced therefrom providing a passageway, and an alignment member having a plurality of annularly-spaced feed ports defining an inside surface, the alignment member securely connecting the elongated member to the housing, wherein the inner surface of the housing, the outer surface of the elongated member and the plurality of annularly-spaced feed ports define an annular-axially aligned passageway for allowing a balanced flow of thermoplastic material therethrough.

Abstract: Highly uniform three-layer extrusions generally of flat siding or panels, preferably of PVC are extruded in an apparatus having a flow block in which lateral extruders supply the upper and lower layer streams to respective curved flow passages running to outlets of a flow block while a main extruder supplies the foam PVC to the central outlet. The outlets are aligned with orifices of a flow plate connected by respective channels to outlet orifices arranged within a common circle and communicating with a die. The outlet orifices include a pair of elongated kidney-shaped orifices encircling and straddling an ovoid central orifice.

Abstract: A process for producing a foamed thermoplastic resin article is disclosed, comprising separately melt kneading the first thermoplastic resin composition comprising a first thermoplastic resin and 10 to 400 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the first thermoplastic resin of a filler and constituting an unfoamed layer at the time of extrusion molding, and the second thermoplastic resin composition comprising a second thermoplastic resin and a foaming agent and constituting a foamed layer at the time of extrusion molding, by the use of extruders, and extruding the two resin compositions in the form of laminate through a T die.

Abstract: A high-strength cross-laminated film with a foam core, particularly a cross-laminated film made by counter-rotating dies, and a method of producing the laminated film. The high-strength cross-laminated tubular film web is produced by counter-rotating dies; which will allow for the orientation of each extruded film layer in a different direction so as to form a cross-laminate, and whereby, concurrently with the extrusion of the molten layers, there is interposed a formed adhesive material polymer between the layers so as to provide a weak bonding or adherence therebetween while imparting a thick feel to the laminated film.

Abstract: A process which comprises (i) the generation of release surfaces by application to predetermined areas of a solid surface of a solution, suspension or dispersion of a release agent and a supercritical fluid that vaporizes from the release agent, (ii) the deposition of a mass onto the release surface containing the release agent, and (iii) the separation of the mass or a product derived from the mass from such surface covered by the release agent. Novel apparatus for carrying out the process are described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring and controlling foam sheet blow-up in a thermoformer oven. Control of the oven operation is achieved through monitoring the measured blow-up of a material in the thermoformer oven at a sensing location in a forming station receiving said material from said oven in order to regulate the thickness of the plastic material prior to its conveyance into said forming station.

Abstract: A multicolored foam product and a method for the preparation thereof. Heat-plastified foamable gel of a thermoplastic resin or resins containing blowing agents are combined with different coloring materials added sequentially and extruded through an orifice of a die which is extended in length to facilitate laminar flow in the resin. This resin is expanded to form a multicolored layered foam product, such as multicolored foam planking, in a single extrusion. Multicolored foam planking produced is suitable for use as the body material for surfboards, body boards, and other recreational products.

Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a foamed polypropylene resin sheet of this invention, a composition comprising as a resin component a mixture of 80 to 20 wt % of a crystalline propylene-ethylene block copolymer containing 20 wt % or less of ethylene and having a melt index (MI) of 2 or less and 20 to 80 wt % of a crystalline propylene-ethylene block or random copolymer containing 5 wt % or less of ethylene and having an MI of 6 to 20 or a polypropylene homopolymer having an MI of 6 to 20 is used. A pair of molding roll dies is horizontally arranged at a point separated from the center of an apex of an extrusion foaming die when a foamed sheet is to be extrusion-molded. A distance between the center of the roll and the apex of a base lip is set to fall within a range of (R.sup.2 +25).sup.1/2 to (R.sup.2 +144).sup.1/2 where R is a radius of the molding roll die.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling foam sheet blow-up in a thermoformer oven. Control of the oven operation is achieved through monitoring the measured blow-up of a material which being heated in the thermoformer oven in a forming station or thermoformer, such as by a linear variable differential transformer, in order to adjust the thickness of the plastic material by regulating the temperature of the oven prior to the conveyance of the material into the molding or forming station.

Abstract: The extrusion press comprises a block and a displacing body mounted in the block. The block includes an inlet duct, two feed ducts connected to it, transversely widened spaces connected to them and an outlet duct. The displacing body comprises a mounting portion and a guide portion and is located downstream of the inlet duct. It separates both feed ducts and both transversely widened spaces and projects with a sword-like piece of the guide portion into the outlet duct to form outlet gaps. It ends upstream of a mouth of the outlet duct providing an inner expansion chamber. The displacing body is free of a supporting member and held fixed from above and below by its mounting portion so that the thermoplastic material flow surrounds the sides of the sword-like piece running in the flow direction and surrounds the sword-like piece.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of foam materials, wherein the foaming and/or foamed synthetic starting material is passed through the pressure zone (4) of a continuously operating press (1), and in which method at least a part of the heat required for foaming is produced in the synthetic starting material itself as dielectric heat of an electromagnetic high-frequency condenser field, wherein production of this heat in the starting material takes place at least to its greatest part within a high-frequency condenser field which is arranged in the direction of passage (8) of the material through the press (1) in front of the pressure zone (4), and that in order to supply additional heat into the foaming and/or foamed starting material or in order to prevent or delay its surface cooling, at least one of the electrodes (10, 11) between which prevails the high-frequency field and/or at least one of the pressure surfaces of the press may be heated.

Abstract: A foam extrusion system and method employs a horizontal vacuum chamber with a bulkhead and extrusion die at one end of the chamber, the extrusion die being inside the chamber when the bulkhead is closed. A liquid baffle, preferably water, is provided at the opposite end of the chamber through which the extrudate passes from the chamber to atmosphere. The baffle comprises a pond of liquid having a higher level in the chamber and a lower level outside the chamber. The higher level of the pond is formed between a dam plate and a seal plate, the latter forming the opposite end of the chamber. The seal plate includes a size adjustable window through which the extrudate passes, the extrudate being guided by a conveyor to extend inclined downwardly into the pond and to exit through the seal plate and pond with a large radius upwardly curved section.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing an insulation board comprising a rigid plastic foam core having two major surfaces and a facing material on one or both of the major surfaces, the method including conveying a facing material along a production line, depositing a partially expanded froth foam of a plastic mixture, which contains at least one frothing agent, on the facing material, and further expanding and curing the froth foam in contact wiht the facing material to form the insulation board. The board is particularly useful as roof insulation.