A device and a method for filtering viscous or highly viscous liquids, in particular plastics melts, includes use of an oscillating filter plate.

A three-dimensional (3D) drawing pen can include a housing that has a port that permits insertion of a strand of material into the housing. The strand can be moved through the housing toward a nozzle assembly configured to permit the strand to be extruded out of the 3D drawing pen in a form that retains its shape against gravity in free space to draw a 3D object.

A puller apparatus has a path through which an extrusion travels downstream from an outlet of an extruder and upper and lower extrusion puller members that define a portion of the path. At least one of the extrusion puller members is a drive member to provide forward motion to an extrusion. A mounting arm is moveably mounted to the puller apparatus at a mounting location. The mounting arm has a first portion on one side of the mounting location and a second portion on an opposed side of the mounting location. The upper extrusion puller member is mounted to the first portion of the mounting arm. The mounting arm is movable from a lowered position in which the upper extrusion puller member is positioned to engage an extrusion in the path and a raised position in which the upper extrusion puller member is spaced upwardly from the lowered position.

A three-dimensional (3D) drawing pen can include a housing that has a port that permits insertion of a strand of material into the housing, an actuator for controlling a movement of the strand, and a nozzle assembly configured to permit the strand to be extruded out of the 3D drawing pen in a form that retains its shape against gravity in free space to draw a 3D object.

The invention provides an electrochemical cell based on a new chemistry for a flow battery for large scale, e.g., gridscale, electrical energy storage. Electrical energy is stored chemically in quinone molecules having multiple oxidation states, e.g., three or more. During charging of the battery, the quinone molecules at one electrode are oxidized by emitting electrons and protons, and the quinone molecules at the other electrode are reduced by accepting electrons and protons. These reactions are reversed to deliver electrical energy. The invention also provides additional high and low potential quinones that are useful in rechargeable batteries.

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 three-dimensional drawing device can include a housing configured for to be held in user's hand, shaped to allow manipulation of the housing like a pen, and configured to accept a strand of thermoplastic material. The drawing device has a nozzle assembly with an exit nozzle and a motor connected to a gear train that engages the strand such that rotation of the motor causes the feed stock to be extruded out of the exit nozzle to form a three-dimensional object. The motor can be controlled using a variable speed control mechanism or first and second actuators, thereby controlling movement of the strand, for example, to advance or retract the strand relative to the nozzle assembly.

A device for processing thermoplastic plastic includes a storage container for receiving pieces of plastic particles or a conveying line for conveying the pieces of plastic particles, and a conveying screw following the storage container/the conveying line at a transfer opening. The device also includes an extruder following the conveying screw and an air outlet arranged opposite the transfer opening and directed at this opening. In a method for operating the device, an air stream is aligned with the transfer opening. The strength and/or the direction of the air stream is adjusted or controlled as a function of a load on the extruder.

An extrusion die is provided with an adjustable end seal assembly. The extrusion die includes a die body, and the adjustable end seal assembly includes an end seal device and a wedge mechanism. The adjustable end seal assembly has an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When in the engaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is held forcibly against the die body. When in the disengaged configuration, the adjustable end seal assembly is either spaced apart from the die body or held against the die body with less force than when in the engaged configuration. Methods of operating such an extrusion die are also provided.

A shaping apparatus includes a stand that includes a shaping surface on which a product is shaped; a feeder that feeds a linear material obtained by impregnating continuous fiber with resin; a pressing portion that presses the material fed by the feeder against the stand; and an angle setting portion that sets an angle formed between the material fed from the feeder to the pressing portion and the shaping surface to be an acute angle.