The invention relates to a method for metering a foamed or foamable plastic (5) in a preferably discontinuous manner. At least one first component (2) for forming the plastic (5) is conveyed into a mixing chamber (11) of a mixing device (10) in which a stirring mechanism (30) that can be rotated about a rotational axis (31) is arranged. The first component (2) is loaded with a gas (4) in order to influence the formation of foam, and the plastic (4) is metered out of the mixing chamber (11) through an outlet nozzle (18). According to the invention, the pressure in the mixing chamber (11) ranges from 0.2 bar to 15 bar, the gas (4) is injected into the first component (2), preferably directly into the mixing chamber (11), by a valve device (50), and the stirring mechanism (30) disperses the gas (5) in the first component (2).

A component feed nozzle includes a housing, which has a component inlet and a component outlet, a piston-shaped closing body, which is slidably supported in the housing and which can be moved back and forth axially. The component outlet is closed by the front end of the closing body in a first position and the component outlet is released or opened in a second position. The component feed nozzle has a membrane seal, which is fastened to the rear end of the closing body and to the housing in such a way that the closing body is completely on one face of the membrane seal. The housing and/or the closing body are designed in such a way that the component reaches all surfaces of the closing body and thus the component pressure is applied to the complete effective surface of the membrane.

A system (1) for distributing resin (3), the system (1) including at least one supply of resin (3a,3b), at least one conduit (5a,5b) operatively connectable to a corresponding supply of resin (3a,3b), and at least one pump (7a,7b) operatively connectable to each conduit (5a,5b) for pumping resin (3) from the corresponding supply of resin (3a,3b). The system (1) also includes a driving assembly (9) operatively connectable to each pump (7a,7b) for driving the same, the driving assembly (9) including a transmission assembly (11) being configured specifically depending on the nature of resin (3) to be pumped through each conduit (5a,5b). The system (1) also includes a discharging assembly (13) operatively connectable to each conduit (5a,5b) for discharging resin (3) out from the discharging assembly (13), the discharging assembly (13) being also operatively connectable to the driving assembly (9) for selectively and adjustably controlling operating parameters of each pump (7a,7b). Also described is a resin reservoir bag to be used for with the resin distributing system (1).

A mixing device is provided for a closed resin infusion process. The mixing device includes a bulk mixing head with a mixing cavity, at least two separate non-return valves for opening and closing a respective channel for providing material to be mixed running into the mixing cavity. A removable flange is provided for closing the mixing cavity comprising a fitting for mounting the mixing device to a static mixer. At least one heating element is provided for curing the hardable material mixture in the mixing cavity if need be.

[Problem to be Solved] After being filled into a mold, a mixed material will be cured while gradually foaming and expanding.

[Solution] The equipment is provided with supply parts 1, 2 of two types of chemical liquids A, B and a mixer 3 for mixing two types of the chemical liquids supplied from the chemical liquid supply parts 1, 2. And, a storage tank 8 of gas which is to be dissolved in the stored chemical liquid A under pressure is connected to one of chemical liquid storage tanks, that is, the chemical liquid storage tank 4 at the chemical liquid supply part 1, in an instant when a mixed material of the chemical liquids A, B is externally discharged, a dissolved gaseous component is allowed to foam. Thereby, the soft mixed material before the curing reaction can be cured completely after being filled into a mold in a foaming and expanding state.

Apparatus for injection of fluid into an extruder is provided, including a static mixer section with a pipe assembly coupled with the static mixer outlet and leading to the extruder barrel; the pipe assembly outlet and barrel injection opening have diameters less than the maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used with extruders, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extruder.

Apparatus for injection of fluid into an extruder is provided, including a static mixer section with a pipe assembly coupled with the static mixer outlet and leading to the extruder barrel; the pipe assembly outlet and barrel injection opening have diameters less than the maximum internal diameter of the static mixer casing. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used with extruders, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extruder.

A plasticizing unit includes an injection cylinder having a dispensing opening, via which a plasticized material can be dispensed, and a plasticizing screw arranged to be rotationally and linearly movable in the injection cylinder and having an axis of rotation. A plasticizing zone is formed between the plasticizing screw and the injection cylinder in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation of the plasticizing screw. The plasticizing screw has a dam element, and in the injection cylinder there is a first opening in the area of the plasticizing zone and/or the dam element and a second opening between the dam element and the dispensing opening.

Provided is a flexible tube production apparatus capable of shortening the length of a resin layer in which the mixing ratio between two kinds of resins changes. The flexible tube production apparatus includes: two extruders extruding resins different from each other; two valves provided corresponding to the two extruders, respectively; a kneading mechanism kneading the resins supplied from the two extruders via the two valves; a die extruding the resins kneaded by the kneading mechanism; and a control device controlling the two valves to switch from a first state where one extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the other extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, to a second state where the other extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the one extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, when the flexible tube is extruded.

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.