The honeycomb structure forming die includes a first die in which a central region on the side of a kneaded material discharging surface has a convex region projecting toward a downstream side in an extruding direction of a kneaded material, a ring-shaped second die, and a space forming member interposed between the first die and the second die. In the first die, first kneaded material introducing holes are formed and latticed first slits are formed on the side of the kneaded material discharging surface of the convex region, and in the second die, there are formed second kneaded material introducing holes and latticed second slits communicating with the second kneaded material introducing holes, and in a space formed by the space forming member, movement of a kneaded material is performed between the first kneaded material introducing hole and the second kneaded material introducing hole.

The honeycomb structure forming die includes a first die in which a central region on the side of a kneaded material discharging surface has a convex region projecting toward a downstream side in an extruding direction of a kneaded material, a ring-shaped second die, and a reticulated member interposed between the first die and the second die. In the first die, first kneaded material introducing holes are formed and latticed first slits are formed on the side of the kneaded material discharging surface of the convex region, and in the second die, there are formed second kneaded material introducing holes and latticed second slits communicating with the second kneaded material introducing holes, and movement of a kneaded material is performed between the first kneaded material introducing hole and the second kneaded material introducing hole through meshes of the reticulated member.

An improved rotary head extruder incorporates a twin auger system, in lieu of the typically used single auger, to create random extruded products having a density within the range of about 3.0 to about 6.0 lbs/cu ft. Extrusion using the rotary die system of a rotary head extruder together with the twin auger system allows for a wide variety of fine materials to be successfully introduced into and conveyed within a rotary head extruder to the die assembly, where the materials are cooked to form random extruded products. A transition piece at the downstream end of the augers allows for continuous, uniform flow to the die assembly, where cooking takes place. The extruded products incorporate formulations with various ingredients aside from the typically used corn meal formulations, having different tastes and nutritional benefits while maintaining the desired bulk density, texture, and crunch of random extruded products.

A closure for a product-retaining container is constructed for being inserted and securely retained in a portal-forming neck of said container. The closure comprises: a plastic material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer; a plurality of particles comprising cork; and at least one processing aid. Optionally, one or more additives and/or blowing agents may be included. A method for manufacturing a closure comprises intimately combining multiple components, heating the resulting composition to form a melt, forming a closure precursor from the melt, and optionally cutting and/or finishing the closure precursor to form the closure.

An additive manufacturing extrusion head that includes a heated nozzle for accepting a feedstock and extruding the feedstock onto a substrate at a deposition plane, the nozzle having a longitudinal extrusion axis. A reciprocating platen surrounds the nozzle, the platen operable to reciprocate along the extrusion axis at or above the deposition plane as the nozzle extrudes feedstock onto the substrate; and wherein the platen flattens the extruded feedstock such that it does not protrude above the deposition plane as the extrusion head traverses over the substrate.

A head is disclosed for use with a manufacturing system. The head may have a housing that discharges a tubular structure, and a cure enhancer connected to the housing and selectively activated to cure the tubular structure during discharge from the housing. The head may also have a nozzle that discharges a fill material into the cured tubular structure.

An extrusion die with adjustable land channel can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion, a first lip body, a second lip body, and a land channel body. The extrusion die can have a flow channel that includes a land channel terminating in an outlet orifice. The flow channel may be bound on one side by the first die body portion, the land channel body, and the first lip body. The flow channel may be bound on an opposite side by the second die body portion and the second lip body. In some examples, the length of the land channel is adjustable by configuring the land channel body and/or first lip body to move across the width of the flow channel.

A closure for closing a bag and a die head and method for making the closure. The closure includes two closure members having support walls and mating interlocking profiles. The support walls are resilient and have self-retaining forms in vertical section including middle sections curving outwardly away from one another when mounted on a bag. Top portions of the support walls extend outwardly away from one another to form gripping panels when the closure is closed. A die head for forming a closure member includes a body that defines a slot including a support wall segment for forming the support wall of the closure member. The support wall segment includes first and second portions oriented transverse to one another and intersecting at a vertex. To form the closure member, polymer is extruded through the slot and quenched.

A closure for closing a bag and a die head and method for making the closure. The closure includes two closure members having support walls and mating interlocking profiles. The support walls are resilient and have self-retaining forms in vertical section including middle sections curving outwardly away from one another when mounted on a bag. Top portions of the support walls extend outwardly away from one another to form gripping panels when the closure is closed. A die head for forming a closure member includes a body that defines a slot including a support wall segment for forming the support wall of the closure member. The support wall segment includes first and second portions oriented transverse to one another and intersecting at a vertex. To form the closure member, polymer is extruded through the slot and quenched.

A head is disclosed for use with a manufacturing system. The head may have a housing configured to discharge a tubular structure reinforced with at least one continuous fiber and having a three-dimensional trajectory, and a cure enhancer operatively connected to the housing and configured to cure a liquid matrix in the tubular structure during discharge. The head may also have a nozzle configured to discharge a fill material into the tubular structure, and a wand extending from the housing to the nozzle.