An extruder has a valve assembly configured to move pins to open and close the nozzles in a multi-nozzle extruder head independently. The pins of the valve assembly that are driven by actuators into and out of engagement with nozzles in the extruder head are positioned within sleeves that extend between the valve assembly and the extruder head. A gap is provided between the extruder head and the end of the sleeves proximate the extruder head to enable thermoplastic material leaking from the extruder that contacts the pins to remain in a melted or plastic state so the thermoplastic material does not interfere with the movement of the pins.

In an aspect, an extrusion printer is provided comprising a print head comprising one or more nozzles suited for 3D printing of a pharmaceutical product. A metering pump is coupled to the print head and is arranged to control a flow to said print head and an extruder device comprises an input arranged to receive a powder or pellet material. A three-way pressure valve is fitted between the metering pump and the extruder device to automatically distribute a constant output flow from the extruder to an input flow directed towards the metering pump and a remainder flow directed towards the overflow outlet.

In an aspect, an extrusion printer is provided comprising a print head comprising one or more nozzles suited for 3D printing of a pharmaceutical product. A metering pump is coupled to the print head and is arranged to control a flow to said print head and an extruder device comprises an input arranged to receive a powder or pellet material. A three-way pressure valve is fitted between the metering pump and the extruder device to automatically distribute a constant output flow from the extruder to an input flow directed towards the metering pump and a remainder flow directed towards the overflow outlet.

Disclosed are an entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition, and a method for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate using the entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition. The method includes providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A particulate entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least abase polymer and a particulate active agent. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.

Embodiments of the present invention include a novel interfacial surface generator (ISG) design comprised of helical channels and associated methods of using the new design. The novel design addresses processing challenges associated with conventional ISG designs used in layer multiplying coextrusion systems. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in either a static configuration or “active” configuration. In one active configuration, two counter-rotating cylindrical rods and/or moving belts may be used to induce drag, or Couette, flow. Conveyance of materials through the ISG may be due to pressure driven flow, drag flow, or a combination of these.

Embodiments of the present invention include a novel interfacial surface generator (ISG) design comprised of helical channels and associated methods of using the new design. The novel design addresses processing challenges associated with conventional ISG designs used in layer multiplying coextrusion systems. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in either a static configuration or “active” configuration. In one active configuration, two counter-rotating cylindrical rods and/or moving belts may be used to induce drag, or Couette, flow. Conveyance of materials through the ISG may be due to pressure driven flow, drag flow, or a combination of these.

A method of forming a film (1) of molten polymer material, by extruding said material in a direction (2) out of a narrow exit slot (3), which is an integral part of a wider die chamber (4) of which the major dimension of extension is parallel with the major dimension of the exit slot (3), characterized in that the molten polymer material is formed into one or more flows generally parallel with said major dimension of the exit slot (3), each said flow being pumped in a re-circulating arrangement from the chamber inlet (7) to the outlet (8) through conduits connecting the inlet to the outlet, while fresh molten polymer material is administered from a reservoir into each re-circulating flow.

An extruder assembly includes a rolling assembly. An extrusion block includes a plurality of extruding ports that receive an extrudable material from the rolling assembly. A regulating mechanism is positioned within, above, or otherwise near each extruding port of the plurality of extruding ports. The regulating mechanism is operable with respect to the rolling assembly to modify a flow of extrudable material through each respective extruding port.

Disclosed are methods for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate. The methods include providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A 3 A molecular sieve entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and 3 A molecular sieve. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.

A method of recycling a PET-containing material comprises: (1) providing an MRS extruder having an MRS section comprising a plurality of satellite screws and an outlet; (2) providing a vacuum pump in communication with the MRS section; (3) providing a spinning machine comprising an inlet, wherein the inlet is directly coupled to the outlet of the MRS extruder; (4) heating a plurality of PET-containing flakes in the MRS extruder to form a PET-containing melt; (5) increasing a surface area of the PET-containing melt by distributing the PET-containing melt across the plurality of satellite screws in the MRS extruder; (6) drawing off vapors from the PET-containing melt by reducing the pressure in the MRS section with the vacuum pump; (7) collating the PET-containing melt in the MRS extruder; and (8) extruding the PET-containing melt through the outlet of the MRS extruder into the inlet of the spinning machine.