Process and apparatus for processing plastic and polymeric materials

Abstract

Novel and improved processes and apparatus for processing particulate materials which can be converted to the liquid state. Essentially, the process and apparatus involve feeding a particulate material to an annular processing passage for melting and controlled processing. The annular processing passage is provided by a rotatable element carrying at least one processing channel, and a stationary element which provides a complementary, coaxial surface arranged with the channel to provide the enclosed processing passage. Also associated with the stationary element are an inlet for feeding material to the passage, an outlet for discharging material, a material collecting end wall surface for the passage and a member or members extending into the processing channel providing a material restraining surface between the inlet and outlet and occupying a predetermined portion of the melt pool space between the end wall and the restraining surface. Rotation of the rotatable element establishes relative movement between the rotating inner channel wall surfaces and the restrained particulate material, causing only liquid (melted) material in contact with the rotating channel walls to be dragged forward to the end wall surface for controlled processing and discharge. Controlling the size of the melt pool space provides control of processing characteristics for the liquid material collected in the melt pool space.