Systems (200) and methods for making different plastic products (202, 204) in a single melting process are provided. A method includes melting a plastic resin in a first extruder (104) to form a melt (106) and transferring at least a portion of the melt to a second extruder (114). Any portion of the melt (106) that is not transferred to the second extruder (114) is formed into a first plastic product (202). Additives (116) are blended with the melt in the second extruder to form a second melt (118), and a second plastic product (204) is formed from the second melt (118).

A system (1), for continuous manufacturing of semi-finished products including at least one electronic device (5) positioned between two strips (10, 14) of extruded elastomeric material, includes: conveying means, extrusion means (11) delivering a first extruded strip (10) of elastomeric material and a second extruded strip (14) of elastomeric material, means for feeding the electronic device (5), and cutting means (23). The extrusion means (11) include heating means allowing the hot extrusion of the strips (10, 14), and the conveying means include at least one means (30) for holding the electronic device (5) in place in a longitudinal direction.

An improved, high-capacity die assembly (10) for a food or feed extruder (12) is provided and is particularly useful for the production of high quality aquatic feeds. The die assembly (10) includes a mount (20), which is secured to the discharge end of an extruder barrel (14), with a plurality of tubular die components (22, 24) coupled with the mount (20). Each component (22, 24) includes wall structure (38) defining an outwardly diverging tubular chamber (40) with a die plate assembly (50) coupled to the outer end of the wall structure (38). A flow diverter element (54) is located within each chamber (40) and has a large diameter end adjacent the assembly (50) and a smaller diameter end closer to the chamber inlet. The assembly (50) has a plurality of openings (52) outboard of the element (54).

Systems for producing M bundles of filaments, wherein M>1, include N extruders. M spin stations, and a processor, wherein N>1. Each extruder includes a polymer having a color, hue, luster, and/or dyability characteristic, which are different from each other. Each spin station produces N bundles of filaments that form a yarn. Each spin station comprises N spinnerets through which filaments are spun from molten polymers streams received by the respective spin station and N spin pumps upstream of the N spinnerets for the respective spin station. Each spin pump is paired with one of the Nextruders. The processor is in electrical communication with the N*M spin pumps and is configured to adjust the volumetric flow rate of the polymers pumped from each spin pump to achieve a ratio of the polymers to be included in the yarn from each spin station.

An improved, high-capacity die assembly (10) for a food or feed extruder (12) is provided and is particularly useful for the production of high quality aquatic feeds. The die assembly (10) includes a mount (20), which is secured to the discharge end of an extruder barrel (14), with a plurality of tubular die components (22, 24) coupled with the mount (20). Each component (22,24) includes wall structure (38) defining an outwardly diverging tubular chamber (40) with a die plate assembly (50) coupled to the outer end of the wall structure (38). A flow diverter element (54) is located within each chamber (40) and has a large diameter end adjacent the assembly (50) and a smaller diameter end closer to the chamber inlet. The assembly (50) has a plurality of openings (52) outboard of the element (54).

A three-dimensional netted structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, two side surfaces a left end surface, and a right end surface, including at least a plurality of filaments helically and randomly entangled and thermally bonded together, wherein the filaments are formed out of a thermoplastic resin by extrusion molding followed by cooling with a liquid; and the netted structure is four-surface molded, the upper surface, the lower surface and the two side surfaces being molded. An apparatus and a method for manufacturing the three-dimensional netted structure.

Amendments to the abstract were made herewith to correct minor informalities with the parent application. A clean copy of the abstract is included herewith on a clean sheet. Even in light of the amendments no new matter is being added and all amendments are fully supported by the specification as filed.

A multiplexed three-dimensional printing system including a printhead block (100) moveable in three-dimensions, the printhead block including a plurality of extruders (101, 103, 105), wherein each of the plurality of extruders is individually switchable between a deposition state and a retraction state, wherein the deposition state deposits a printing material, and wherein the retraction state prevents deposition of the printing material.