A method for inline resin mixing includes establishing a flow of a mixed resin, initially directing the mixed resin to a first intermediate volume and subsequently directing the mixed resin to a second intermediate volume after a predetermined triggering event relating to a continuing flow of the mixed resin. A mixed resin retention assembly for inline resin mixing includes an inlet spout and an intermediate vessel. The inlet spout receives a flow of the mixed resin. The intermediate vessel includes the first and second intermediate volumes. A valve assembly for inline resin mixing includes an exterior body, an interior body and a cover. The exterior body includes three input ports and an output port. The interior body is disposed within an interior cavity of the exterior body and defines five flow paths extending from a periphery and intersecting at a central portion of the interior body.

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 the steam and water to create a blended mixture; 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).

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 described herein generally pertains to in-situ applications of liquid chemicals mixed and dispensed as a spray or a foam and more specifically, to in-situ application of polyurethane foam or froth and the measurement of the temperature of the chemicals used therewith employing temperature-indicating one-component or two-component foam gun nozzles and/or at least one temperature-indicating hose which employs at least one thermochromic material disposed within the foam gun nozzle and/or hoses.

The invention relates to a device (1) and method for providing a plastic (2) which is formed from an A component (3) and a B component (4) and optionally from a first additive (6), wherein the device (1) has a mixing chamber (70), in which the A component (3) and the B component (4) are mixed in order to form the plastic (2) and from which the plastic (2) is metered out, and has an additional valve unit (30), which is fluidically connected upstream of an A inlet (71) of the mixing chamber (70) for the A component (3), wherein the additional valve unit (30) has a main pipe (31) for feeding the A component (3) to the A inlet (71) and has a first additional injection valve (33) for feeding the first additive (6) into the main pipe (31), wherein the first additional injection valve (33) has an outlet nozzle (36) opening into the main pipe (31), wherein a nozzle tip (37) of the outlet nozzle (36) lies in a central region of the flow cross section of the main pipe (31), wherein the points of the flow cross section that lie on an inner section of a radial connecting line between a cross section center and an inner wall of the main pipe (31) fall in the central region, wherein the length of the inner section has a value of 90% of the radial connecting line.

A high pressure mixing head for continuously producing polymeric foam comprises a body including a mixing chamber and injectors for injecting two polymeric liquids. The mixing head also includes a delivery duct which is disposed transversely to the mixing chamber, wherein a rod is slidably received in an internal passageway of the delivery duct. An alternate delivery duct is also included. The delivery duct and the alternate delivery duct are in flow communication with the mixing chamber via a switchable flow connection, and a control unit is configured to control the switchable flow connection and the positions of the rods in the delivery duct and the alternate delivery duct such that flow from the output opening of the mixing chamber can be selectively directed either to the delivery duct or to the alternate delivery duct.