Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material

Claim 2

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a first screw conveyor in the barrel, said screw conveyor including a flight defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream, said channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face; a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that the downstream location is adjacent the trailing face of the flight to enable unmelted solids to enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location; and a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from the downstream location to the upstream location.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein the upstream location is adjacent the leading face of the flight.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 including selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 wherein said passage extends along the interior of the screw conveyor.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 wherein said second screw conveyor includes a second flight defining a second channel within the first said screw conveyor.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5 wherein the second screw conveyor is fixed relative to the barrel and remains stationary relative thereto, said first and second screw conveyors both being flighted in the same direction.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6 including selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 9

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a first screw conveyor in the barrel defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel; a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that unmelted solids will enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location; a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from the downstream location to the upstream location; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 10

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a first screw conveyor in the barrel defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel; a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that unmelted solids will enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location; a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from the downstream location to the upstream location; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 11

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a first screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said Flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening located adjacent the trailing face of the flight and communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone the location of said first opening being such that unmelted solids will enter the opening; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying said unmelted solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; and a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from said first opening to said second opening.

Claim 12

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a first screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said Flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening located adjacent the trailing face of the flight and communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone the location of said first opening being such that unmelted solids will enter the opening; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying said unmelted solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; and a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from said first opening to said second opening.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 9 wherein the second opening is adjacent the leading face of the flight.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 10 including selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 10 wherein said passage extends axially along the interior of the screw conveyor and the openings extend generally radially outwardly from the passage to the channel.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 12 wherein said second screw conveyor includes a second flight defining a second channel within the first said screw conveyor, said first and second openings communicating with said second channel.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 13 wherein said second screw conveyor is affixed to the barrel and remains stationary relative thereto, said first and second screw conveyors both being flighted in the same direction.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 14 including selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 19

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a first screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from said first opening to said second opening; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 20

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a first screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; a second screw conveyor in said passage arranged to convey material from said first opening to said second opening; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 21

ApparatuS for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a screw conveyor in the barrel, said screw conveyor including a flight defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream, said channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face; and a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that the downstream location is adjacent the trailing face of the flight to enable unmelted solids to enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location.

Claim 22

ApparatuS for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a screw conveyor in the barrel, said screw conveyor including a flight defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream, said channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face; and a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that the downstream location is adjacent the trailing face of the flight to enable unmelted solids to enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 17 wherein the upstream location is adjacent the leading face of the flight.

Claim 24

The invention of claim 18 including selectivly adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 25

The invention of claim 18 wherein said passage extends along the interior of the screw conveyor.

Claim 26

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a screw conveyor in the barrel defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel; a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that unmelted solids will enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 27

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel; a screw conveyor in the barrel defining a channel for conveying the material in a downstream direction as the material is melted within the channel; a passage communicating with the channel at a downstream location and an upstream location and bypassing the channel between said locations, the locations each being positioned such that unmelted solids will enter the passage at the downstream location, be carried through the passage in an upstream direction, and be reintroduced into the channel at the upstream location; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the amount of unmelted solids which will enter the passage.

Claim 28

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening located adjacent the trailing face of the flight and communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone the location of said first opening being such that unmelted solids will enter the opening; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; and a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying said unmelted solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening.

Claim 29

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening located adjacent the trailing face of the flight and communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone the location of said first opening being such that unmelted solids will enter the opening; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; and a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying said unmelted solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening.

Claim 30

The invention of claim 22 wherein the second opening is adjacent the leading face of the flight.

Claim 31

The invention of claim 23 including selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 32

The invention of claim 23 wherein said passage extends axially along the interior of the screw conveyor and the openingS extend generally radially outwardly from the passage to the channel.

Claim 33

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.

Claim 34

Apparatus for preparing a plasticated material from solids introduced into the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a barrel extending axially between an upstream end and a downstream end; a screw conveyor in the barrel; a flight on the screw conveyor for conveying material axially downstream along the barrel, said flight having a leading face facing downstream and a trailing face facing upstream; said flight defining a channel extending between the leading face and the trailing face, through which channel said material will pass as the material is conveyed downstream; said channel including a melting zone having a relatively deep section of essentially constant depth, a compression section downstream of the deep section and having a decreasing depth in the downstream direction, and a relatively shallow section of essentially constant depth downstream of the compression section; a first opening communicating with the channel adjacent the downstream end of the melting zone; a second opening communicating with the channel adjacent the upstream end of the melting zone; a passage bypassing said channel between the first opening and the second opening for conveying solids in the upstream direction from the first opening to the second opening; and selectively adjustable means for selectively adjusting the effective size of at least one of said first and second openings to thereby regulate the amount of solids conveyed through said passage.