Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for extruding thermoplastic material

US4501498A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
15References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 1983
Grant dateFeb 26, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29C48/363
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A gear pump assisted screw conveyor extrusion system utilizing a cartridge heating device disposed axially within the screw and having the drives for the gear pump and the screw correlated in speed to create relatively little pressure in the thermoplastic material being extruded such that relatively little mechanical working thereof occurs. The thermoplastic material is melted in the screw conveyor primarily by heat transfer from the cartridge heater and the gear pump is utilized for conveying the melted material under pressure to a subsequent work station. A relatively deep material-conveying spiral channel is provided in the screw for maximized extrusion output per revolution of the screw and minimized mechanical energy generation by the screw. A motionless mixer may be employed intermediate the screw and the work station to homogenize the melted material for reducing temperature gradients therein. The system advantageously is capable of extruding material at a substantially greater rate and a lower material temperature and with substantially increased power economy than conventional systems utilizing a high pressure, externally heated screw conveyor portion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.