Apparatus and method for direct injection of additives into a polymer melt stream

US6289928A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Charles F. Helms, Jr. · Florence, US
• Dominick A. Burlone · Asheville, US
• James L. Huff · Mars Hill, US
• Thomas Kessler · Schifferstadt, DE
• Herman F. Brandt · Birmingham, US
• Walter Gotz · Obersülzen, DE
• Jurgen Hofmann · Spalt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 1998
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2982
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus and method for injecting an additive directly into a polymer melt stream. The method comprises supplying a melt flow of a polymeric host material to a die assembly having a thin-plate assembly and injecting at least one additive into at least one predetermined location in a cross-section of the melt flow of the polymeric host material while the melt flow passes through the die assembly. The method achieves uniform dosing of the one or more additives in the extrusion direction in the polymeric host material without homogeneously mixing the one or more additives and the polymeric host material. The apparatus for directly injecting one or more additives into a polymer melt stream comprises a pumping system, a die assembly having a thin-plate assembly, and a distribution line.