An apparatus can include a hollow tube, central shaft, agitation components, and bidirectional fluted auger. The hollow tube can have an inlet, outlet, and longitudinal central axis, and can facilitate the conveyance of foodstuff materials from the inlet to the outlet. The central shaft can extend along the longitudinal axis and can be rotationally driven both clockwise and counterclockwise. The agitation components can be coupled to the central shaft and can agitate and mix foodstuff materials being conveyed along the hollow tube. The bidirectional fluted auger can be coupled to the central shaft proximate the outlet, can rotate with the central shaft when the central shaft is rotationally driven, and can have a flow rate limiting inner cylinder, clockwise-progressing flute features, and counterclockwise-progressing flute features. The clockwise and counterclockwise progressing flute features can convey foodstuff materials toward the outlet when the bidirectional fluted auger is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise.

An apparatus for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the apparatus having a first mechanism for transporting a fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and a hydrophobizing chemical substance, a specific extruder, a solvent tank connected to the extruder, and a dryer connected to the solvent tank, and a method for continuously producing chemically-modified cellulose, the method having a step of washing, in the solvent tank, chemically-modified cellulose having been produced out of the fine-powder cellulose fiber starting material and the hydrophobizing chemical substance in the extruder, and then drying the chemically-modified cellulose in the dryer, in order to remove any unreacted hydrophobizing chemical substance.

An improved mixing apparatus for mixing a liquid within a liquid body is provided. Generally, the improved mixing apparatus may comprise: a supporting element (1) with a partly conical volute with an upper corrugated free edge; a top-mounted power drive (2); and an impeller (4) mounted on said shaft (3) for rotation therewith.

In a processing system for processing an energy storage material, a pressure buildup device is disposed downstream of a mixing device. The mixing device serves for the processing of the energy storage material. By means of the pressure buildup device, a pressure of the energy storage material is increased for a subsequent shaping. Because the mixing device and the pressure buildup device are separate from one another, a good mixing effect and a good pressure buildup effect are achieved. The energy storage material can thus be processed in a high quality in a simple and reliable manner. The energy storage material serves in particular for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells and/or for the production of galvanic energy storage devices.

In a processing system for processing an energy storage material, a pressure buildup device is disposed downstream of a mixing device. The mixing device serves for the processing of the energy storage material. By means of the pressure buildup device, a pressure of the energy storage material is increased for a subsequent shaping. Because the mixing device and the pressure buildup device are separate from one another, a good mixing effect and a good pressure buildup effect are achieved. The energy storage material can thus be processed in a high quality in a simple and reliable manner. The energy storage material serves in particular for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells and/or for the production of galvanic energy storage devices.

The present invention relates to a machine for mixing and conveying a road application mixture and to the methods of use thereof. A hopper has a top and bottom and contains a selected amount of solid material useful for melting snow and ice. An auger casing with a solid inlet is attached to the bottom of the hopper and is oriented in an inclined plane. A tank containing a liquid is connected to the auger casing at a liquid inlet. The hopper has a discharge at a distal end. An auger is contained within the auger casing for conveying the solid material and mixing it with the liquid material. The auger has a first flight section with a first pitch and a second flight section with a second pitch and with cross bars. The auger housing has a discharge. The auger can be started remotely.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extruded material may be created using such process and system and used in the manufacturing of many different products including, but not limited to, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, garden furniture and many others. In some embodiments, the sheets may be characterized by color bands extending diagonally with reference to a longitudinal extent of the sheet.

High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The flighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.