A method for extruding a comestible material comprises the steps of passing comestible material into an extruder (100) with rotation of the extruder screw(s) (120, 122) and delivery of fluid comprising steam and water into an opening (114a) of the extruder barrel (104). The fluid delivery step comprises separately directing individual quantities of steam and water into the casing (72) of a static mixing section (54), and blending the steam and water to create a blended mixture, and then delivering the blended mixture into the barrel (114a). The blended mixture is delivered to the barrel opening (114a) by means of a conveying assembly (84, 86) having a pipe assembly (86) with an outlet in communication with the barrel opening (114a); the pipe assembly (86) and opening (114a) have diameters less than maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing (72).

Apparatus (20) for injection of fluid into extrusion system components such as a preconditioner (24) or extruder (100) is provided, preferably as a composite assembly including a fluid injection valve (52) and an interconnected static mixer section (54). Alternately, use may be made of the fluid injection valve (52) or static mixer section (54) alone. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used in extrusion systems, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extrusion systems.

A method for extruding a comestible material comprises the steps of passing comestible material into an extruder (100) with rotation of the extruder screw(s) (120, 122) and delivery of fluid comprising steam and water into an opening (114a) of the extruder barrel (104). The fluid delivery step comprises separately directing individual quantities of steam and water into the casing (72) of a static mixing section (54), and blending the steam and water to create a blended mixture, and then delivering the blended mixture into the barrel (114a). The blended mixture is delivered to the barrel opening (114a) by a conveying assembly (84, 86) having a pipe assembly (86) with an outlet in communication with the barrel opening (114a); the pipe assembly (86) and opening (114a) have diameters less than maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing (72).

An extruder (100) for comestible material comprises a tubular barrel (104) and one or more elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screws (120, 122) within the barrel (104), where the barrel (104) has a delivery opening (114a). The extruder barrel (104) is equipped with an assembly (22) for delivery of fluid to the interior thereof, including a static mixing section (54) operable to blend steam and water to create a blended mixture; the blended mixture is delivered to the barrel opening (114a) by of a conveying assembly (84, 86) having a pipe assembly (86) with an outlet in communication with the barrel opening (114a); the pipe assembly (86) and opening (114a) have diameters less than maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing (72).

Methods of preconditioning comestible materials such as foods or feeds include the step of separately injecting steam and water into a static mixer in order to create a blend, which is then injected into the materials within a preconditioner barrel. The methods yield increased cook values in the preconditioned materials, with a reduction in evolved steam from the preconditioner.

The invention relates to a valve device (50) for injecting gas (4) into a mixing chamber (11) of a plastic metering device (1) in order to load at least one component (2) located in the mixing chamber (11) with the gas, comprising a pressure regulating valve (51) and a flow regulator (52), wherein an inlet (56) of the pressure regulating valve (51) is connected to an outlet (55) of the flow regulator (51), and an outlet (71) of the pressure regulating valve (51) is suitable for opening preferably directly into the mixing chamber (11). The pressure regulating valve (51) has a valve chamber (57), an actuator (58) which can be moved in the valve chamber (57), and a piston unit (59) which is coupled to the actuator (58) and by means of which an axial position of the actuator (58) can be fixed on the basis of a pressure in the valve chamber (57). The invention additionally relates to a metering device (1) for metering out a foamed and foamable plastic (5) in a discontinuous manner, comprising such a valve device (50).

The present disclosure is related to an apparatus and system for synthesizing and administering particle-based therapeutics at the point-of-care. The apparatus includes a first chamber for receiving a first solution including lipids in a first solvent, a second chamber for receiving a second solution including nucleic acids in a second solvent, a mixing channel in communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and a delivery system in communication with the to the mixing channel. The first solution in the first chamber and the second solution in the second chamber can be introduced into the mixing channel. The particle-based delivery system form in the mixing channel and the nucleic acids adhere to the particles. The formulated particle-based therapeutics are passed through a delivery system to a subject for administration.

In a liquid stirring method, after a second liquid is discharged into a reaction container accommodating a first liquid from a dispensing probe provided with a dispensing tip at the leading end thereof, a mixture of the first liquid and second liquid in the container is stirred by being sucked out and discharged by the dispensing probe. The number of stirrings through sucking out and discharging is changed according to the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid. If the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid is below a preset threshold, sucking out and discharging is repeated for a prescribed number of times.

A novel canister storage system, mixing system, canister assembly, dispensing system, and tracking system. In one or more embodiments, the systems are used for storing, mixing and dispensing fluids.

Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.