Abstract A plasticizing apparatus comprising a feed barrel having a constant diameter opening therethrough, the feed barrel having a rotatable feed screw mounted at one end thereof and a rotatably driven plasticizing element mounted in the other end thereof. The feed screw and the rotor both have a diameter substantially equal to the interior diameter of the feed barrel opening and are coaxially positioned within the opening so as to define a compression and plasticizing zone. The end of the rotor adjacent the feed screw is provided with a steep conical face thereon for coacting with the plastic material for plasticizing same. The screw feeds particulate plastic material into the compression zone whereby the powder is highly compacted and compressed within this zone, the compressed powder thus being forced against the face of the rotor so as to plasticize the material. Passageways are provided for withdrawing the volatiles from the plasticizing region, the volatiles being withdrawn through the compacted and compressed material within the compression zone.
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotor has a plasticizing face formed on one end thereof defining one wall of said working zone, the plasticizinG face having a conical configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further including suction means interconnected to said cylindrical opening at a location axially removed from said rotor so as to create a partial vacuum within said opening whereby to withdraw volatiles from the working zone adjacent the rotor, the volatiles being withdrawn through the particulate material contained within the zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotor has a cylindrical portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the cylindrical opening so as to define a narrow passageway therebetween, the rotor also having a tapered conical end face confronting the end of the pressure creating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further including means for withdrawing volatiles from the plastification region adjacent the rotor through the particulate material contained within said working zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure creating means comprises a feed screw coaxially positioned within said cylindrical opening, one end of said screw terminating adjacent said rotor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus according to clam 6, further including an enclosed hopper mounted above one end of the housing, the interior of the hopper being interconnected with the cylindrical opening in the region of the feed screw; and suction means connected to the interior of said hopper so as to create a partial vacuum therein thereby to withdraw the volatiles from the plasticizing region adjacent the rotor, the volatiles being withdrawn through the particulate material contained within the working zone and then through the particulate material contained in the feed screw and the hopper.