According to the present invention, devolatilization of a synthetic resin formed from a polymer or synthetic rubber can be improved and the synthetic resin can be foamed at a low temperature by injecting a devolatilization agent through a devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided in a downstream end segment cylinder of a cylinder assembly. In a vented twin-screw kneading extrusion apparatus and extrusion method according to the present invention, a devolatilization agent, which is injected through a downstream end devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided on a downstream end segment cylinder constituted by a segment cylinder positioned on a downstream end of a cylinder assembly, is dispersed in molten resin in the downstream end segment cylinder and kneaded by a downstream end kneading portion such that the molten resin is foamed by the devolatilization agent and then extruded.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic polyester copolymer comprising 50-1000 ppm with regard to the total weight of the thermoplastic polyester copolymer of moieties derived from an alcohol having 3 hydroxy moieties. Such thermoplastic polyester copolymer allows for the production of high-quality foamed articles, whilst reducing the need for additives that are to be incorporated in the copolymer.

According to the present invention, devolatilization of a synthetic resin formed from a polymer or synthetic rubber can be improved and the synthetic resin can be foamed at a low temperature by injecting a devolatilization agent through a devolatilization agent injection nozzle provided in a downstream end segment cylinder of a cylinder assembly. In a vented twin-screw kneading extrusion apparatus and extrusion method according to the present invention, a devolatilization agent, which is injected through a downstream end devolatilization agent injection nozzle (7c) provided on a downstream end segment cylinder constituted by a segment cylinder (1g) positioned on a downstream end of a cylinder assembly (1), is dispersed in molten resin in the downstream end segment cylinder (1g) and kneaded by a downstream end kneading portion (6c) such that the molten resin is foamed by the devolatilization agent and then extruded.

The invention provides a valve disposed in a fluid supply path to control opening or closing of the supply path, configured to comprise, as components of the supply path, an inflow channel, a second channel, a first channel, and an outflow channel that are in communication with each other in sequence, in such a manner that fluid from a supply source entering the inflow channel passes through the second channel and the first channel in sequence and then flows out through the outflow channel. The valve further comprises a first valve piece and a second valve piece disposed movably in the first channel and the second channel respectively. Blocking or unblocking of the communication between the first channel and the outflow channel is controlled by movement of the first valve piece in the first channel, while blocking or unblocking of the communication between the inflow channel and the first channel via the second channel is controlled by movement of the second valve in the second channel. In this way, the valve enables opening or closing of the supply path through dual control by the first valve piece and the second valve piece.

Cellular solids combine the properties of the solid material that forms the cell walls and edges with the properties of the matter that fills the cells. This results in unique properties that for many applications are superior to the properties of the single-phase, solid materials. Presented herein, accordingly, are an apparatus and a method for the manufacture of cellular solids with predictable microstructure. The apparatus includes an internally hollow housing defining an extrusion channel, a cell-fluid feeding unit for injecting cell-fluid into the extrusion channel, a conveying element, and a mold or a surface. The method includes injecting cell-fluid into a plasticized matrix in the extrusion channel to form a plasticized foam and dispensing the plasticized foam through an exit port of the extrusion channel into a mold or on a surface.

A mixing device for producing a plastic melt loaded with propellant, from which a foamed plastic part is producible in a molding machine, includes a mixing chamber, at least one propellant inlet device for feeding propellant into the mixing chamber, an inlet channel for plastic melt, and an output channel for dispensing plastic melt loaded with propellant. A first gas-tight shutoff device is provided for closing the inlet channel, and a second gas-tight shutoff device is provided for closing the output channel.

Injection molding methods used to form polymeric foam articles (e.g., microcellular foam articles) are described herein.

A master batch composition for a weight-reduced plastic product includes a bi-component carrier resin, a core-shell foaming agent, and at least one lubricant. The core-shell foaming agent includes at least one outer polymeric shell and at least one inner foaming agent core. The outer polymeric shell encapsulates the inner foaming agent core. The inner foaming agent core includes alkane. The master batch composition is configured to be integrated into the weight-reduced plastic product by extrusion blow molding with a base plastic resin to create a foamed plastic having a foaming pore size from 10 to 80 ?m.

A method of forming a component of a vehicle heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system from polymeric material includes providing a molding system including at least one mold cavity defining the component. A base resin is introduced to the mold system via an inlet. A chemical foaming agent is blended with the base resin to form a composition. The composition is then further heated and blended under pressure, wherein the chemical foaming agent decomposes within the composition. The composition is introduced to the mold cavity, wherein a reduced minimized pressure of the mold cavity facilitates initiation of a nucleation of the composition, wherein the composition expands to fill the mold cavity.

A foam molding apparatus and a foam molding method thereby are proposed. The foam molding apparatus includes a foaming agent supply unit configured to supply a foaming agent, a molten resin supply unit configured to supply molten resin, a fixed mixing unit configured to produce a foaming resin-critical solution by mixing a foaming agent supplied from the foaming agent supply unit and molten resin supplied from the molten resin supply unit through a rod-shaped body, and a molding unit configured to mold a foam molding product using the foaming resin-critical solution supplied from the fixed mixing unit. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a foaming resin-critical solution by uniformly mixing a large amount of high-viscosity gel-state molten resin and a high-pressure compressed and low-viscosity foaming agent, using high-strength multiple channels.