Screen changer

Claim 1

A screen changing apparatus, particularly suited and adapted for use in the extrusion of heat-plastified synthetic resinous extrudable material, the apparatus comprising a conduit, the conduit having an upstream end and a downstream end, and a passage therebetween, a plate-like element slidably disposed within the conduit and extending transversely to the passage, first and second recesses defined in the plate-like element, the plate-like element being in sliding engagement with the conduit toward the dowstream end, and when forced toward the downstream end by the force of fluid flowing therethrough, the plate-like element being in sealing engagement therewith, in the region of each of the recesses the plate-like element defining a plurality of passageways providing communication between the upstream and the downstream end of the conduit, means to slidably retain the plate-like element within the conduit and permit selective positioning of the recesses within the conduit, a sealing means disposed within the conduit between the plate-like element and the upstream end of the conduit, the sealing means comprising an annular ring, the annular ring having an internal generally frustoconical surface outwardly divergent toward the upstream end of the conduit, the ring having a generally cylindrical outer surface, the cylindrical outer surface of the sealing ring defining an outwardly facing groove, an O-ring disposed within the groove and the O-ring being in contact with the conduit.