Provided is a flexible tube production apparatus capable of shortening the length of a resin layer in which the mixing ratio between two kinds of resins changes. The flexible tube production apparatus includes: two extruders extruding resins different from each other; two valves provided corresponding to the two extruders, respectively; a kneading mechanism kneading the resins supplied from the two extruders via the two valves; a die extruding the resins kneaded by the kneading mechanism; and a control device controlling the two valves to switch from a first state where one extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the other extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, to a second state where the other extruder and the kneading mechanism communicate with each other and communication between the one extruder and the kneading mechanism is cut off, when the flexible tube is extruded.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for fabricating anisotropic polymer materials. According to various embodiments, a fluidic device is employed to distribute a polymer solution and a flow-confining solution in order to generate a layered flow, where the layered flow is formed such that a polymer liquid sheet is sheathed on opposing sides by flow-confining liquid sheets. The fluidic device includes first and second fluid conduits, where the first fluid conduit receives the layered flow. The second fluid conduit has a reduced height relative to the first fluid conduit, such that the layered flow is constricted as it flows through the second fluid conduit. The constriction formed by the second flow conduit causes hydrodynamic focusing, reducing the thickness of the polymer liquid sheet, and inducing molecular alignment and anisotropy within the polymer liquid sheet as it is hardened and as strain is applied during extrusion of the sheet.

A wood-grained polymer substrate includes a plurality of layers of different colors. The substrate is formed into elongated boards and used in the production of various end products similar to natural wood. Methods for producing the wood-grained polymer substrate are also provided.

A device for influencing the volume flow of extruded plastically deformable material conveyed to an outlet nozzle. A flange arranged between an extrusion unit and an outlet nozzle and is connected to the extrusion unit and the outlet nozzle. A duct from the extrusion unit and the outlet nozzle is incorporated in the flange. A piston is mounted in the flange to be rotatable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the duct and is located through the duct. In the piston there is a hole which opens into a bypass duct routed to a bypass nozzle. On the outer lateral surface of the piston there is at least one groove in the region of the duct so that, depending on the angular positions of the piston, material can be conveyed through the at least one groove to the outlet nozzle or through the hole to the bypass nozzle.

The extrusion installation is configured for manufacturing a complex profiled-element strip, such as a tread, based on elastomer compounds by co-extrusion, and comprises multiple extruders feeding elastomer compounds to an extrusion head. The extrusion head receives a proportion of elastomer compound of between 2 and 25% of the total volumetric throughput of the installation from at least one Archimedean-screw extruder and the rest from positive-displacement extruders.

An extruder according to an embodiment includes: a screw configured to rotate around a rotation axis extending in one direction; a cylindrical cylinder extending in the one direction, the cylinder being configured to house the screw; a drive unit disposed at one end of the cylinder, the drive unit being configured to rotate the screw; a die disposed at the other end of the cylinder, the die being configured to discharge a raw material kneaded by the rotation of the screw a as a strand; an adjustment unit disposed between the cylinder and the die, the adjustment unit being configured to adjust a flow-velocity distribution of the raw material flowing into the die; and a detection unit configured to detect a discharge amount of the strand discharged from the die.

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 a base 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.

A die attached to a cylinder of an extruder includes: an inflow port for supplying a molten resin from the cylinder; a plurality of hole portions for discharging a strand made of the molten resin; a resin flow path portion 22 extending in a flow path direction that leads to the plurality of hole portions from the inflow port; and a plate member 11 movable in an up-and-down direction so as to protrude toward the resin flow path portion 22. The plate member 11 is arranged along an X direction, and both end portions of the plate member 11 in the X direction move in an up-and-down direction so as to contact with an inner wall of the resin flow path portion 22. A protrusion amount t1 of the plate member 11 into the resin flow path portion 22 becomes small from a central portion in the X direction toward both end portions.

A die plate changing system holds first and second die plates and selectively transitions the first and second die plates into and out of communication with a material source. The die plate changing system has a frame having a body defining a first recess that receives the first die plate and a second recess that receives the second die plate, where the frame is heats the first and second die plates when the first and second die plates are disposed in the first and second recesses, respectively. The die plate changing system also includes a movement assembly operably coupled to the frame and that selectively moves the frame between a first position, where the first die plate receives material from the material source, and a second position, where the second die plate receives the material from the material source.

A starting-valve throttle device has a housing having a housing recess which is configured therein and in which a switching member is repositionable between an evacuation position and a delivery position. The switching member in the evacuation position configures an evacuation duct which connects an entry duct to an evacuation opening. The switching member in the delivery position configures a passage duct which connects the entry duct to a delivery duct. A throttle member is disposed in the passage duct so as to be repositionable relative to the switching member. On account thereof, a melt flowing through the passage duct is capable of being throttled in a desired manner. The starting-valve throttle device is constructed so as to be simple, compact and reliable. The operation of the starting-valve throttle device and an associated screw extruder is simple and energy-efficient.