A device for forming a plastic component, which device has a body which is suitable for use in a device for producing a plastic component from a first compound, and which is formed in such a way that, when used in the device for producing plastic components, by being guided past the body, the first compound is brought into a form which has at least one cavity which is continuous in the direction of the guiding past. The device additionally has a line system arranged in the body, through which a second compound can be expelled from an end of the body, in order to introduce a second compound into the cavity while the first compound is guided past the body.

A melting device includes a container capable of melting a material supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the material in a liquid state. The container includes a first storage section for storing the material in the free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the material in the liquid state, and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the material, when the material is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the material from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the material is in a molten or liquid state.

Apparatuses for producing and dispensing a reaction mixture include a mixing head for mixing the reaction components that are fed via two supply lines. The apparatuses also include a decompression system to relieve pressure from the supply lines to avoid the reaction components seeping into the mixing head. The decompression system includes two pressure vessels each with two sides, separated by a membrane. One of these sides forms an expansion chamber for the reaction component, while the other side is connected to a pneumatic system. With this pneumatic system, the expansion chamber can be pressurized before the production of the reaction mixture. After the production of the reaction mixture, the pressure can be relieved.

Polymeric Materials An injector (14) for injecting liquid formulation into molten polymer includes a conduit (117) having regions (44, 46) which are secured within a wall of an extruder (19). Conduit (117) includes an annular collar (120) having an upwardly facing annular surface (122) which is arranged to bear against part of a sleeve nut (124). Conduit (117) is arranged within a port (125) which includes a screw-threaded wall (126). The sleeve nut (124) includes a cylindrical body (146) having an inwardly facing cylindrical wall which is arranged to define a cylindrical air gap (148) between itself and an outer wall (147) of conduit (117). Region (150) of the sleeve nut is screw-threadedly engaged in wall (126) of the extruder. In use, cool compressed air is introduced into the assembly in the direction of arrow (170) and it flows through the assembly to cool it.

A system for opening and closing a mixing manifold includes a drive motor, a cam plate, and a valving rod connector. The drive motor imparts movement in first and second directions. Movement imparted in the first direction causes the cam plate to move linearly in a third direction and movement imparted in the second direction causes the cam plate to move linearly in a fourth direction. Movement of the cam plate in the third direction causes the valving rod connector to move linearly in a fifth direction and movement of the cam plate in the fourth direction causes the valving rod connector to move linearly in a sixth direction. Movement of the valving rod connector in the fifth direction causes retraction of a valving rod of the mixing manifold and movement of the valving rod connector in the sixth direction causes extension of the valving rod.

A system holds a roll of film that includes a core and film wound around the core. The system includes a rod having an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the core, a proximal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod, and a distal wing located on the rod and configured to rotate about the rod. Each of the proximal and distal wings includes contact surfaces configured to contact diametrically-opposed locations on a side of an inner surface of the core and non-contact surfaces that span between the contact surfaces of the wing. The non-contact surfaces of the wings do not contact the core if the core has a cylindrical shape. The distal wing is capable of rotating around the rod independently of the proximal wing.

Various methods and systems are provided for mixing and dispensing viscous materials for the creation of additive structures. As one example, during a mixing and dispensing operation with a mixing and dispensing head of a multi-dimensional printing apparatus, linear movement of a mixing rod positioned within a mixing chamber of the mixing and dispensing head, at least along a central axis of the mixing chamber, is adjusted based on an operating condition of the printing apparatus and dispensing of mixed liquids from the mixing and dispensing head is stopped by stopping one or more pumps fluidly coupled to the mixing chamber and linearly moving the mixing rod upward and away from a dispensing nozzle of the mixing and dispensing head.

Various methods and systems are provided for mixing and dispensing viscous materials for the creation of additive structures. As one example, in a multi-dimensional printing apparatus, one or more materials flow into a mixing chamber via one or more corresponding inlet channels, a rotational speed of a mixing rod positioned within a mixing chamber is adjusted based on a volume of the mixing chamber and a flow rate of the one or more materials into the mixing chamber, the mixing rod including a set of straight cutaways extending along a length of a bottom portion of the mixing rod and forming flat side surfaces of the mixing rod; and a mixture of the one or more materials is dispensed from the mixing chamber via a dispensing nozzle of a mixing and dispensing head.

A component mixing jet including a jet nozzle housing with at least one component inlet and one component outlet. An axially movable jet needle is arranged in a reception in the jet nozzle housing and can rest against the jet nozzle housing with an axial end in the region of the component outlet in a sealable manner. The jet needle is connected with a membrane fixed in the jet nozzle housing. A pressure chamber is arranged in the jet nozzle housing at the side of the membrane averted from the axial end of the jet needle. The membrane is a holding element for the jet needle and guides the jet needle axially and holds it radially in the reception. The axial region between the membrane and the axial end of the jet needle is free from any bearing element for the jet needle in the region of the component outlet.

A longitudinal sealer includes a housing, an arm, and a heating element. The housing is configured to be installed in a foam-in-bag system. The arm is movably coupled to the housing. The heating element has a leading edge exposed through an exterior surface of the arm. A position of the arm with respect to the housing is controllable so that the arm is movable between a first location where the leading edge of the heating element is not in contact with a film in a film path of the foam-in-bag system and a second location where the leading edge of the heating element is in contact with the film in the film path of the foam-in-bag system.