Plastics accumulator having first-in, first-out arrangement

Claim 2

In an apparatus wherein hot, fluid plastic is introduced into, stored in and periodically withdrawn from an accumulator through the same orifice, internal means for introducing fresh plastic into the accumulator at a point remote from the point where stored plastic is withdrawn so that plastic which was first introduced into the accumulator is withdrawn before the freshly introduced plastic.

Claim 3

In a process wherein hot, fluid plastic is introduced into, stored in and periodically withdrawn from an accumulator through the same orifice, the step of introducing fresh plastic into the accumulator at a point remote from the point where stored plastic is withdrawn so that plastic which was first introduced into the accumulatoR is withdrawn before the freshly introduced plastic.

Claim 4

In a process wherein hot, fluid plastic is introduced into, stored in and periodically withdrawn from an accumulator through the same orifice, the step of introducing fresh plastic into the accumulator at a point remote from the point where stored plastic is withdrawn so that plastic which was first introduced into the accumulatoR is withdrawn before the freshly introduced plastic.

Claim 5

In combination, supply means for plastic, accumulator means for receiving and storing plastic from said supply means, manifold means connecting the supply means and the accumulator means, said manifold means including a plurality of nozzles, shut-off rod means for the nozzles movable between positions which permit in one position and prevent in another position flow of plastic through said nozzles, and conduit means through the manifold placing the supply means and accumulator means in communication with each other, and control means including cylinder means connected to each of said shut-off rod means and temperature-, pressure-compensated flow control valve means for each of said cylinders which control the flow of pressurizing fluid to said cylinders.

Claim 6

In combination, supply means for plastic, accumulator means for receiving and storing plastic from said supply means, manifold means connecting the supply means and the accumulator means, said manifold means including a plurality of nozzles, shut-off rod means for the nozzles movable between positions which permit in one position and prevent in another position flow of plastic through said nozzles, and conduit means through the manifold placing the supply means and accumulator means in communication with each other, and control means including cylinder means connected to each of said shut-off rod means and temperature-, pressure-compensated flow control valve means for each of said cylinders which control the flow of pressurizing fluid to said cylinders.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein the accumulator means includes cylinder means and temperature-, pressure-compensated flow control valve means for said accumulator cylinder means which controls the flow of pressurizing fluid to said cylinder means.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4 wherein the accumulator means includes a chamber including an orifice in communication with said manifold means through which plastic may flow and a valve means at said orifice which, in response to plastic being forced from the chamber, moves to a first position permitting plastic to flow from the chamber through the orifice and, in response to fluid attempting to enter the chamber through orifice, moves to a second position preventing fluid from flowing directly into the chamber through said orifice, said valve means characterized in that it includes an elongated passageway into the chamber having a terminous remote from said orifice, said passageway permitting plastic to enter the chamber at a point remote from said orifice when the valve means is in the second position.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 4 wherein the accumulator means adapted to store fluid plastic or the like comprises: a hollow, cylindrical chamber having first and second ends and an inner sidewall; a piston at the chamber''s first and seated in the chamber so that it is snug against the chamber''s inner sidewall, said piston being movable along the longitudinal axis of the chamber in both forward and reverse directions; means coupled to the chamber''s second end and in communication with said plastic or the like, said communicating means having therein, adjacent chamber''s second end, an enlarged cavity which has first and second open ends and a perforated stop member at the cavity''s second end, and a valve at the chamber''s second end including a. a bulbous member within the cavity, but smaller than said cavity so that said bulbous member is free to move within the cavity in response to flowing plastic, said bulbous member, as the plastic flows toward the chamber, moving to a position blocking the cavity''s first end and preventing plastic from flowing directly into the chamber and, as plastic flows from the chamber, moving toward the cavity''s second end and engaging said stop member, and b. an elongated tubular member extending through said bulbous member, said tubular member having a first terminus near the chamber''s first end and a second terminus near the cavity''s second end, said tubular member allowing plastic to flow therethrough either into or from the chamber regardless of the position of the bulbous member.