Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and systems for producing a preferably strand-like extrudate.

A heat bolt unit according to one embodiment includes a plurality of heat bolts disposed in parallel to one another, and a holding portion that holds the plurality of heat bolts. The holding portion holds a base end portion of each of the plurality of heat bolts disposed in parallel to one another. In other words, the holding portion holds the plurality of heat bolts disposed in parallel to one another in a cantilever manner.

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising means for mixing a polymer (1) with a first solvent yielding a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert (21, 22, 23); means for dipping the mixture into a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture reaches the quenching bath (30) liquid surface forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing (41) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; means for washing (5) the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn (6); means for drawing at room temperature (7) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; and means for heat drawing (8) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once. The instant invention also concerns a system and method of dosing a polymer mixture with a first solvent into an extruder (26), a device (5), a system and a method of solvent extraction from at least one polymeric yarn, and a method and system of mechanical pre-recovery (4) of at least one liquid in at least one polymeric yarn.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

Silicone-containing light fixture optics. A method for manufacturing an optical component may include mixing two precursors of silicone, opening a first gate of an optic forming device, moving the silicone mixture from the extrusion machine into the optic forming device, cooling the silicone mixture as it enters the optic forming device, filling a mold within the optic forming device with the silicone mixture, closing the first gate, and heating the silicone mixture in the mold to at least partially cure the silicone. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing an optical component may include depositing a layer of heat cured silicone optical material to an optical structure, arranging one or more at least partially cured silicone optics on the layer of heat cured silicone optical material, and heating the heat cured silicone optical material to permanently adhere the one or more at least partially cured silicone optics to the optical structure.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

A method aspect of the present invention for preparing a continuous thermoplastic filament having a plurality of segments is provided. The method may comprise supplying thermoplastic filaments, and may comprise guiding the thermoplastic filaments alternatingly and sequentially into position to be cut, with respective filament guide components. The method may further comprise cutting each of the thermoplastic filaments into segments by a filament cutting component. Each of the segments may have a forward end and a trailing end. The method may yet further comprise guiding and aligning the forward end of one segment into contact with the trailing end of another segment. The method may also include heating and joining the forward end of the one segment to the trailing end of the other segment to form the continuous thermoplastic filament.

A process for producing expanded pellets from a thermoplastic elastomer having an elongation at break of more than 100% measured to DIN EN ISO 527-2, comprising: (a) pressing a polymer melt comprising a blowing agent through a perforated disk (18) controlled to a temperature between 150 C. and 280 C. and into a pelletizing chamber (26), (b) using a cutting device (20) to comminute the polymer melt pressed through the perforated disk (18) into individual expanding pellets, (c) discharging the pellets from the pelletizing chamber (26) using a liquid stream (36),
wherein the blowing agent comprises CO.sub.2 and/or N.sub.2 and the amount of blowing agent in the polymer melt is from 0.5 to 2.5 wt %, the pelletizing chamber (26) is traversed by a stream of liquid at a temperature between 5 C. and 90 C. and the pressure of 0.1 bar to 20 bar above ambient pressure such that the pellets are expanded in the pressurized liquid by the blowing agent, producing expanded pellets having an uninterrupted skin.

An extruder for a 3-dimensional (3D) printer includes a motor having an upright drive shaft, and a print head having a gearbox, a hopper body, and a shroud sequentially coupled in a top-down arrangement with the hopper body positioned adjacent the motor. The print head further includes a nozzle disposed at a bottom portion of the shroud, a barrel in fluid communication with the nozzle and the hopper body, and a screw conveyor moveably supported within the barrel and the hopper body such that the screw conveyor is disposed in rotatable engagement with the upright drive shaft of the motor via gearing arrangement of the gearbox. Upon rotation by the upright drive shaft in a first direction, the screw conveyor is axially retractable in relation to the nozzle for selectively defining a positive displacement pump that controls a flow of feedstock output by the nozzle.

The present invention is directed to a method and a system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising means for mixing a polymer (1) with a first solvent yielding a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert (21, 22, 23); means for dipping the mixture into a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture reaches the quenching bath (30) liquid surface forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing (41) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; means for washing (5) the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn (6); means for drawing at room temperature (7) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once; and means for heat drawing (8) the at least one polymeric yarn at least once. The instant invention also concerns a system and method of dosing a polymer mixture with a first solvent into an extruder (26), a device (5), a system and a method of solvent extraction from at least one polymeric yarn, and a method and system of mechanical pre-recovery (4) of at least one liquid in at least one polymeric yarn.