Biodegradable drinking straws and methods of making biodegradable drinking straws. The drinking straws are thin and functional, having a tactile feel similar to conventional drinking straws, and are biodegradable in 12 months or less. The drinking straws use less material while maintaining high thickness uniformity, reducing cost and increasing structural integrity.

The invention relates to a method and a processing plant (1) for plastic material, for the recycling thereof. To this end, the processing plant (1) comprises a feed device (4), a processing unit (2) having a comminuting device (5) and a conveying device (6) adjoining the comminuting device (5), and an extrusion device (3) having an extruder screw (21). During its conveying movement along a first conveying section (9) toward a transfer region (8) by means of the conveying device (6), the comminuted plastic material is heated to a transfer temperature with a mean temperature value, which falls into the range of the softening temperature of the plastic material. In the transfer region (8), the comminuted plastic material is transferred to the extrusion device (3).

Polymer-based sheet materials having a variegated appearance are provided. The polymer-based-sheet material may have a core with one or more caps. The cap(s) may be on a first primary surface, a second primary surface, and/or sides. The variegation may be within and/or on the cap and/or the core. Methods, systems, articles, and materials effective for a polymer-based sheet material having a variegated appearance are provided.

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.

A method for forming an object made of a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material has a melting temperature (Tf), comprising the following steps: melting the polymeric material; cooling the polymeric material below the melting temperature (Tf); extruding the polymeric material into a tubular shaped body (H); inserting the tubular body (H) into a mould (60) having an internal cavity; closing off the tubular body (H) at a first end thereof; blowing air into the tubular body (H) through a second end, in order that the tubular body (H) adheres to the internal cavity of the mould (60).

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.

A machine for applying hot-melt products having a structural body (1) provided longitudinally on the inside with a recess (2) extending between a supply inlet (3) for the product in solid state and a discharge outlet (4) through which the product exits in fluid state for its application, the recess (2) having a spindle (5) fitted with a helical blade (9) for conveying the product through a feeding zone, a melting zone and/or a compression zone, wherein the recess (2) has a conical zone (2.1) with a narrowing separating the feeding zone from the melting zone for compacting the hot-melt product, and on the inner periphery of the conical zone (2.1) having a plurality of indentations (8).

Co-extruded and extruded high-altitude balloons and apparatus and methods for manufacture. A high-altitude balloon has a plurality of layers of coextruded balloon panel extrudate, a first one of the layers extrusion-bonded to a second one of the layers along a first edge, the second one of the layers extrusion-bonded to a third one of the layers along a strip spaced apart from the first edge, extrusion-bonding of successive layers alternating between the first edge and the strip, the first one of the layers and the last one of the layers extrusion-bonded together along a second edge.