EXTRUDER ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD OF FEEDING FEED MATERIAL INTO AN EXTRUDER

Abstract

An extruder arrangement and a method of feeding feed material into an extruder. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Claims

1. An extruder for processing feed material, such as plastic, rubber, powder coatings, or powdered chalk, said extruder comprising: an extruding section; a feed section configured to feed feed material into said extruding section; said extruding section comprising one of: (A) a single screw extruder comprising: a single-screw housing; and a single screw being disposed in said single-screw housing; (B) a planetary screw extruder comprising: a planetary housing comprising an inner toothing; a central spindle comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; planetary spindles, each comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; and said external toothing of said planetary spindles being configured to engage and mesh with said inner toothing of said planetary housing and said external toothing of said central spindle; and (C) a combination of first section comprising (A) and a second section comprising (B), wherein: the feed material is received in (A) and further processed in (B), or the feed material is received in (B) and further processed in (A); said feed section comprising a filter section disposed to filter carrier gas carrying feed material prior to the feeding of feed material into said extruding section; said filter section comprising at least two exhaust openings and at least two filter disks being disposed to cover said at least two exhaust openings; said at least two filter disks being configured to block the movement of feed material therethrough to minimize escape of feed material out through said at least two exhaust openings upon at least a portion of a carrier gas escaping out through said at least two exhaust openings; said at least two exhaust openings and said at least two filter disks being configured to permit the escape of at least a portion of a flow of carrier gas due to a pressure drop at said at least two filter disks, which portion is one of: more than 50% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 70% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 80% of a flow of carrier gas; and more than 90% of a flow of carrier gas; said at least two filter disks comprising a sintered material and a mean diameter of 10 to 50 millimeters or 20 to 40 millimeters; said at least two filter disks are uniformly distributed on the periphery of said filter section; and said extruding section being configured to permit exhaust of both carrier gas and additional gas or gases released during extrusion.

2. The extruder according to claim 1, wherein said feed section is configured to move feed material using air or a similar carrier gas, which feed material is made of finely-grained particles, granular particles, dusty particles, and/or fibers or the like that are sufficiently lightweight to be moved or carried by air or a similar carrier gas.

3. The extruder according to claim 2, wherein said at least two filters comprise metallic and/or non-metallic filter particles.

4. The extruder according to claim 3, wherein said filter section comprises a modular filter housing, such that the filter surface is modifiable by incorporating additional housing modules with additional filter housings or by removing housing modules.

5. The extruder according to claim 4, wherein said filter disks comprise a thickness of 0.5 to 4 millimeters or 1 to 3 millimeters.

6. The extruder according to claim 5, wherein said filter disks comprise pores, and the size of said pores, on the inflow surface of said filter disks, is smaller than either: the maximum size of the particles of the feed material, or the mean size of the particles of the feed material, or the smallest size of the particles of the feed material.

7. The extruder according to claim 6, wherein the size of said pores, on the inflow surface of said filter disks, is matched to a mean solid particle diameter of 0.001 to 0.5 millimeters or 0.03 to 0.4 millimeters.

8. The extruder according to claim 7, wherein the size of said pores increases with increased distance from the inflow surface.

9. The extruder according to claim 8, wherein said filter disks comprise multiple layers, which layers are either identical or different with respect to one another.

10. The extruder according to claim 9, wherein said filter disks comprise separately manufactured layers, or layers that have been sintered together.

11. The extruder according to claim 10, wherein at least two of said filter disks have the same shape, or at least two of said filter disks have different shapes, which shape is one of: round, angled, circular, oval, square, rectangular, or hexagonal.

12. The extruder according to claim 11, wherein said filter disks have the same or a different curvature than the wall of said filter housing or are flat, and said filter disks are adjustably held in said filter housing.

13. The extruder according to claim 12, wherein said filter disks are disposed flush with the inner surface of said filter housing or are set back from or recessed with respect to the inner wall of said filter housing, and said filter disks are held in a frame.

14. The extruder according to claim 13, wherein said feed section comprises a temperature control configured to control the temperature of said filter disks and/or said filter housing and/or said filter section, which temperature control is configured to utilize water, oil, air, or forced air from a fan.

15. The extruder according to claim 14, wherein said feed section comprises a stuffing screw arrangement configured to at least assist in feeding feed material into said extruding section.

16. The extruder according to claim 15, wherein said stuffing screw arrangement comprises either a single stuffing screw or two intermeshed stuffing screws, which stuffing screw arrangement is disposed to have a vertical or horizontal or inclined configuration.

17. The extruder according to claim 16, wherein said filter disks are configured to retain a layer of particles of feed material on the inflow surface of said filter disks, and said stuffing screw or stuffing screws are arranged at a distance from the inflow surface of said filter disks which is essentially equal to a desired thickness of the layer of particles of feed material on the inflow surface of said filter disks.

18. The extruder according to claim 17, wherein said feed section comprises a modular housing, and said feed section is configured to induce a controllable or constant draft on an external side of the filter.

19. The extruder according to claim 17, wherein said feed section comprises a pressure arrangement configured to generate pressure surges for regenerating said filter disks when the filter performance decreases, and wherein said feed section comprises a controllable shut-off valve for controlling a draft, and a compressed air connection between said shut-off valve and said filters disk to control pressure surges for the filter regeneration.

20. A method of processing feed material, such as plastic, rubber, powder coatings, or powdered chalk, in an extruder, said method comprising the steps of: feeding feed material from a feed section into an extruding section, which extruding section comprises one of (A), (B), and (C): (A) a single screw extruder comprising: a single-screw housing; and a single screw being disposed in said single-screw housing; (B) a planetary screw extruder comprising: a planetary housing comprising an inner toothing; a central spindle comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; planetary spindles, each comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; and said external toothing of said planetary spindles being configured to engage and mesh with said inner toothing of said planetary housing and said external toothing of said central spindle; and (C) a combination of first section comprising (A) and a second section comprising (B), wherein: the feed material is received in (A) and further processed in (B), or the feed material is received in (B) and further processed in (A); moving a flow of carrier gas carrying feed material into a filter section of said feed section, and filtering at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas prior to the feeding of feed material into said extruding section; covering at least two exhaust openings in said filter section using at least two filter disks, which said at least two filter disks comprise a sintered material and a mean diameter of 10 to 50 millimeters or 20 to 40 millimeters, and are uniformly distributed on the periphery of said filter section; blocking the movement of feed material through said at least two filter disks and thus minimizing escape of feed material out through said at least two exhaust openings upon at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas escaping out through said at least two exhaust openings; permitting the escape of at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas by dropping pressure at said at least two filter disks, which portion is one of: more than 50% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 70% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 80% of a flow of carrier gas; and more than 90% of a flow of carrier gas; and permitting exhaust of both carrier gas and additional gas or gases released during extrusion out of said extruding section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0145] FIG. 1 shows an extruder unit is illustrated schematically;

[0146] FIG. 2 shows details of the feed device;

[0147] FIG. 3 shows a plurality of filter modules arranged vertically one above the other;

[0148] FIG. 4 shows an exemplification of a twin screw;

[0149] FIG. 5 shows another exemplification of a twin screw;

[0150] FIG. 6 shows a test device with a twin screw as the stuffing screw; and

[0151] FIG. 7 shows a section of the device shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFICATION OR EXEMPLIFICATIONS

[0152] In FIG. 1 an extruder unit is illustrated schematically. A drive is designated 1, with a feed part 2 and with other extruder parts 3, 4, 5. The feed part 2 is designed as a single screw module. The extruder parts 3, 4, 5 are designed as planetary roller extruder modules. On the feed part 2 are schematically illustrated two material feed devices 6 and 7, which feed into inlet openings of the feed part 2. In the exemplification shown, plastic and additives are fed by the material feed device 6 into the extruder. In the exemplification shown, dusty components of the mixtureground colorant particlesare fed into the extruder by the feed device 7.

[0153] FIG. 2 shows details of the feed device 7. It possesses a supply housing 10, which can be cylindrical in shape or another shape, that is seated directly above an inlet opening in the housing of the extruder. Four filter disks 16 made of sinter metal are inset in the supply housing 10 of the exemplification. Suction lines 17, through which gas that has penetrated into the supply housing 10 is suctioned off, are provided on the filter disks 16. This occurs through a supply line 18. The ground colorant particles are entrained with the gas into the supply housing 10.

[0154] As the gas is suctioned off through the filter disks 16 the colorant particles are deposited onto the filter disks. Thus, in front of the filter disks 16 there forms a particle layer which falls off when the layer reaches a certain thickness. The particles fall into the inlet opening of the extruder.

[0155] In other words, according to one possible exemplification, materials that can be conducted by air or gas are fed into the supply housing 10 via the supply line 18. These materials can be, for example, lightweight and/or granular materials in the form of dust particles or particles that are dust-like or powders or of similar size capable of being conducted by or entrained in a flow of air or gas. After the materials exit the supply line 18, they are drawn by suction toward a plurality of suction lines 17 that open into the housing 10. The opening or entrance into each suction line 17 is covered by a corresponding filter or filter cover 16. The filters 16 are designed to filter the materials out of the air and at least temporarily retain the materials on the filters 16. As more and more material is fed into the supply housing 10, more and more material builds up on the filters 16. When the amount of material on a filter 16 reaches a certain amount or level or weight, air flow through the filter 16 is reduced and the material falls off of the filter 16 by gravity. The material is then fed into the extruder for further processing. In this manner, only or essentially only or substantially only the material is fed into the extruder, thereby reducing or restricting or minimizing the amount of gas in the material processing sections of the extruder, which thereby obviates the need for degassing structures that complicate the design of the extruder.

[0156] In FIG. 3, a plurality of filter modules are arranged vertically one above the other. All modules possess a housing 20. Flanges 21 and 22 are provided on each end of the housings 20. The housings are clamped together at the flanges 21 and 22.

[0157] The housing modules that are clamped together form a pipe-shaped filter chamber with a plurality of suction openings and suction lines 25 connected thereto. The modules that are connected together to form a tubular filter chamber sit vertically on a flange 23 of an inlet nozzle 28 on the extruder housing 26. There is an intake 24 or supply line for the supply of particles to be filtered out of an air flow.

[0158] In other exemplifications, a stuffing screw is provided in the supply housing 10. The stuffing screw is in an overhung position in the housing cover. Above the cover, in the center of the cover, is fixed a drive that also forms the bearing for the stuffing screw. The supply line for the gas and the particles is then provided laterally from the center in the cover.

[0159] The stuffing screw fills out the inner chamber of the supply housing 10 apart from a necessary clearance. Each rotation of the screw scrapes off the particles deposited on the filter disks and forcibly conveys the particles downwards into the inlet opening/feed opening of the extruder. There, the particles from the feed screw in the feed part 2 are pulled into the extruder. The particles are blended with the other feedstock in further sections of the extruder.

[0160] In still other exemplifications two intermeshing stuffing screws are arranged as a type of twin screw extruder in the supply housing.

[0161] In the exemplification the stuffing screw is a twin screw extruder for a size 70 planetary roller extruder. In this regard the supply housing is the housing of the twin screw extruder. This means that the filter disks are arranged in the housing of the twin screw extruder that forms the stuffing screw.

[0162] The twin screw extruder that forms the stuffing screw stands vertically on the housing of the planetary roller extruder.

[0163] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a type of twin screw that includes two intermeshing screws 31 and 32. The housing 30 stands vertically on the inlet opening of the extruder. The outlet end of the housing 30 stands on the inlet opening of the extruder. A drive with a gear 35 is located on the upper end of the housing. The gear 35 is in drive connection with both the screws 31 and 32 and also forms a bearing for the screw ends 33 and 34. A supply line 36 for the particle-containing air is located on the side of the housing 30.

[0164] Various suction openings can be provided on the housing 30. As shown in FIG. 5, each suction opening has a suction line 41 attached with which the air is extracted from the housing 30. The particles entrained in the air are retained in the housing 30 by the filter disks 40 that are seated in the suction openings. In this regard, a layer of particles is formed in front of the filter disks 40. As soon as the layer of particles accumulates, such that particles reach the effective range of the rotating screws 31 and 32, the particles are carried away by the screws 31, 32. Consequently, the layer of particles in front of the filter disks has an essentially constant thickness. The layer of particles thus contributes to the filter process.

[0165] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a test device with an above-described twin screw as the stuffing screw. FIG. 6 shows the extruder 50 to which the particles are intended to be supplied. A filter 51 with air suction 52 is mounted laterally by flanges on the extruder 50. A housing 53 for supplying air loaded with particles is provided laterally on the filter 51. The supply line for the particle-loaded air is flange mounted (not shown) on a cover plate of the supply 53.

[0166] Two intermeshing screws 56 that form the twin screw pass through the housing 53 and the filter. The screws 56 are driven by a gear 54 connected to a motor 55.

[0167] The screws 56 run in the surrounding bearing walls 60 and 61. Filter disks 62 are set into these walls 60 and 61. Between these walls 60 and 61 and the surrounding housing walls there is a cavity or space in which a reduced pressure is created by the air suction.

[0168] Although the screws 56 run horizontally the screws 56 carry the filtered-off particles into the extruder 50.

[0169] For testing, the equipment was operated with powder coating and powdered rubber. With this equipment in the application with powder coating, an output of 18 kg per hour was achieved without an induced draft and an output of 25 kg per hour with an induced draft. In the application with powdered rubber, with this equipment an output of 35 kg per hour was achieved without an induced draft and an output of 46 kg per hour with an induced draft.

[0170] The increased output is due to the suctioned-off air.

[0171] When a different carrier gas was used instead of air the same increase in output was obtained.

[0172] Suctioning-off the air or a different carrier gas in the above described manner also quite significantly reduces the ingress of the carrier gas into the extruder.

[0173] In other exemplifications other stuffing screws are provided.

[0174] In still other exemplifications the filtration is carried out without stuffing screws.

[0175] The supply housing stands vertically or is at least strongly or substantially inclined, such that the particles filtered out of the carrier gas drop or roll under their own weight into the inlet opening of the extruder.

[0176] Some examples of planetary roller extruders that are used for the continuous processing of plastics and their method of operation and components thereof that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE19939075 A1, CA698518, DE19653790 A, DE19638094 A1, DE19548136 A1, DE1954214 A, DE3908415 A, DE19939077 A, EP1078968A1, EP1067352 A, EP854178 A1, JP3017176, JP11080690, JP9326731, JP11-216754, JP11-216764, JP10-235713, WO2007/0874465 A2, WO2004/101627 A1, WO2004/101626 A1, WO2004/037941 A2, EP1056584, PCT/EP99//00968, WO94/11175, U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,271 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,416.

[0177] Some examples of planetary roller extruders and their sections or modules and their method of operation and components thereof that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE102005007952 A1, DE102004061068 A1, DE102004038875 A1, DE102004048794 A1, DE102004048773 A1, DE102004048440 A1, DE102004046228 A1, DE102004044086 A1, DE102004044085 A1, DE102004038774 A1, DE102004034039 A1, DE102004032694 A1, DE102004026799 B4, DE102004023085 A1, DE102004004230 A1, DE102004002159 A1, DE19962886 A1, DE19962883 A1, DE19962859 A1, DE19960494 A1, DE19958398 A1, DE19956803 A1, DE19956802 A1, DE19953796 A1, DE19953793 A1.

[0178] Some examples of ways to separate air from extruder feedstock that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,319 and DE2251425.

[0179] Some examples of methods and devices and components thereof for degassing extruders that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE112009001885, DE112007002171, DE112005002824, DE102013204312, DE102013108369, DE102013101997, DE102013007132, DE102013006667, DE102013000596, DE102013319966, DE102012217383, DE102012217383, DE102012212675, DE102012208778, DE102012202005, DE102012107430, DE102012100710, DE102012022346, DE102012020011, DE102012019908, DE102012008169, DE102012005450, DE102011102923, DE102011088959, DE102011083988, DE102011082441, DE102011076993, DE102011076257, DE102011050314, DE102011011202, DE102011011202, DE102011007425.

[0180] An example of a method and device for feeding plastic processing devices with feedstock that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: CH505679.

[0181] Some examples of the design of a twin screw extruder with a gas-permeable wall made of sintered material that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: EP1977877 and EP2218568.

[0182] Some examples of filters for filtering air or gas with feedstock material entrained therein or conducted or moved thereby that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE3310676.

[0183] An example of a temperature control extruder and components thereof that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE102006018686.

[0184] Some examples of stuffing screws or stuffing devices for feeding feedstock that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE102007050466, DE102007041486, DE20003297, DE19930970, DE102008058048, DE102007059299, DE102007049505, DE102006054204, DE102006033089, DE102004026599, DE19726415, DE10334363, DE20200601644, DE20200401971, DE10201000253, DE102009060881, DE102009060851, DE102009060813.

[0185] Some examples of transport spindles and related components and devices that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE102006033089 A1, EP1844917 A2, DE2702390 A, EP1833101 A1, DE10142890 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,711, GB2175513 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,593, DE2719095.

[0186] Some examples of degassing procedures and devices for performing degassing and components thereof that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible exemplification may possibly be found in the following: DE102004061185A1, DE102004060966A1, DE102004053929A1, DE1020040050058A1, DE102004004237A1, DE69908565T2, DE69827497T2, DE69807708T2, DE69725985T2, DE69715781T2, DE69715082T2, DE69711597T2, DE69710878T2, DE69709015T2, DE69707763T2, DE69630762T2, DE69628188T2, DE69622375T2, DE69428309T2, DE69427539T2, DE69419146T2, DE69312852T2, DE69312246T2, DE69306874T2, DE69207369T2, DE68928567T2, DE68915788T3, DE60206271T2, DE60012108T2, DE19956483A1, DE19954313A1, DE10257377A1, DE10356821A1, DE10354546A1, DE10354379A1, DE10352444A1, DE10352440A1, DE10352439A1, DE10352432A1, DE10352431A1, DE10352430A1, DE10351463A1, DE10349144A1, DE10345043A1, DE10343964A1, DE10342822A1, DE10340977B4, DE10340976B4, DE10333927A1.

[0187] One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in an extruder for processing feedstock wherein the extruder possesses a housing in which, when designed as a single screw extruder is seated only one screw, or in which, when designed as a planetary roller extruder an externally toothed central spindle and various externally toothed planetary spindles rotate, which mesh simultaneously with the toothing of the central spindle and with an inner toothing of the extruder housing, or wherein the extruder consists of a combination of a section, designed as a type of single screw extruder, with a downstream section that is designed as a type of planetary roller extruder, wherein the section designed as a type of single screw extruder receives the feedstock, and the downstream section that is designed as a type of planetary roller extruder is at least involved in the further processing of the feedstock, or wherein the feedstock is received in a section designed as a type of planetary roller extruder, wherein prior to entering into the extruder, the feedstock is subjected to an at least partial separation of the solids from the carrier gas, wherein a filter that is seated in the line or in a supply housing is used for the separation, wherein more than 50%, preferably more than 70%, even more preferably more than 80% and most preferably more than 90% of the carrier gas, due to a pressure drop at the filter, escapes through the filter, wherein a filter is used that is composed of at least two porous filter disks that exhibit a mean diameter of 10 to 50 mm, preferably a mean diameter of 20 to 40 mm, wherein the various filter disks are preferably uniformly distributed on the periphery of the line or of the supply housing, wherein the filter disks consist of sinter material, and wherein the remaining carrier gas together with other gases that are released during the extrusion in the extruder, are stripped away.

[0188] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein there is feedstock that consists at least partly of particles with a low weight, such as finely grained, granular, dusty particles and fibers or the like, which are entrained with air or a similar carrier gas through a line to the extruder,

[0189] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filters of metallic and/or non-metallic filter particles.

[0190] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder comprises modular-wise composed filter housing, such that the filter surface is modifiable by incorporating additional housing modules with additional filter housings or by removing housing modules.

[0191] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks with a thickness of 0.5 to 4 mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm.

[0192] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks, whose pore size on the inflow surface is smaller than the maximum size of the particles to be introduced into the extruder.

[0193] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks, whose pore size on the inflow surface is smaller than the mean size of the particles to be introduced into the extruder.

[0194] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks, whose maximum pore size on the inflow surface is smaller than the smallest size of the particles to be introduced into the extruder.

[0195] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks, whose pore size on the inflow surface is matched to a mean solid particle diameter of 0.001 to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.03 to 0.4 mm.

[0196] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks, whose pore size increases with increased distance from the inflow surface.

[0197] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses multi-layer filter disks.

[0198] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks made of different layers.

[0199] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks which comprise separately manufactured layers.

[0200] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks whose layers have been sintered together.

[0201] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses round and/or angled filter disks.

[0202] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses circular or oval filter disks or square or rectangular or hexagonal filter disks.

[0203] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the filter disks have the same or a different curvature than the housing wall or are flat.

[0204] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the filter disks are adjustably held in the supply housing.

[0205] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses filter disks that are flush with the inner surface of the supply housing or are set back from the inner wall of the supply housing.

[0206] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the filter disks are held in a frame.

[0207] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses a temperature control of the filter disks and/or by a temperature control of the supply housing and/or a temperature control of the line.

[0208] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses a temperature control with water or oil or air, wherein a fan may also be provided for the temperature control with air.

[0209] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses at least one stuffing screw in the line or in the supply housing.

[0210] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses two stuffing screws that intermesh like the screws of twin screw extruders.

[0211] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the stuffing screw or screw have a vertical or horizontal or inclined configuration.

[0212] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder permits a layer of particles that builds up in front of the filter as a component of the filter.

[0213] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the stuffing screw, or the twin screw, is arranged at a distance from the filter which is equal to the desired thickness of the layer of particles in front of the filter.

[0214] Still another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses a modularly constructed supply housing.

[0215] A further feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses an induced draft on the external side of the filter, preferably a controllable induced draft.

[0216] Another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses pressure surges for regenerating the filter disks when the filter performance decreases.

[0217] Yet another feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the extruder, wherein the extruder uses an induced draft for each filter disk and by a controllable shut-off valve in each induced draft as well as a compressed air connection between shut-off valve and filter disk for pressure surges for the filter regeneration.

[0218] One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in an extruder for processing feed material, such as plastic, rubber, powder coatings, or powdered chalk, said extruder comprising: an extruding section; a feed section configured to feed feed material into said extruding section; said extruding section comprising one of: (A) a single screw extruder comprising: a single-screw housing; and a single screw being disposed in said single-screw housing; (B) a planetary screw extruder comprising: a planetary housing comprising an inner toothing; a central spindle comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; planetary spindles, each comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; and said external toothing of said planetary spindles being configured to engage and mesh with said inner toothing of said planetary housing and said external toothing of said central spindle; and (C) a combination of first section comprising (A) and a second section comprising (B), wherein: the feed material is received in (A) and further processed in (B), or the feed material is received in (B) and further processed in (A); said feed section comprising a filter section disposed to filter carrier gas carrying feed material prior to the feeding of feed material into said extruding section; said filter section comprising at least two exhaust openings and at least two filter disks being disposed to cover said at least two exhaust openings; said at least two filter disks being configured to block the movement of feed material therethrough to minimize escape of feed material out through said at least two exhaust openings upon at least a portion of a carrier gas escaping out through said at least two exhaust openings; said at least two exhaust openings and said at least two filter disks being configured to permit the escape of at least a portion of a flow of carrier gas due to a pressure drop at said at least two filter disks, which portion is one of: more than 50% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 70% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 80% of a flow of carrier gas; and more than 90% of a flow of carrier gas; said at least two filter disks comprising a sintered material and a mean diameter of 10 to 50 millimeters or 20 to 40 millimeters; said at least two filter disks are uniformly distributed on the periphery of said filter section; and said extruding section being configured to permit exhaust of both carrier gas and additional gas or gases released during extrusion.

[0219] One feature or aspect of an exemplification is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of processing feed material, such as plastic, rubber, powder coatings, or powdered chalk, in an extruder, said method comprising the steps of: feeding feed material from a feed section into an extruding section, which extruding section comprises one of (A), (B), and (C): (A) a single screw extruder comprising: a single-screw housing; and a single screw being disposed in said single-screw housing; (B) a planetary screw extruder comprising: a planetary housing comprising an inner toothing; a central spindle comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; planetary spindles, each comprising an external toothing and being disposed in said planetary housing; and said external toothing of said planetary spindles being configured to engage and mesh with said inner toothing of said planetary housing and said external toothing of said central spindle; and (C) a combination of first section comprising (A) and a second section comprising (B), wherein: the feed material is received in (A) and further processed in (B), or the feed material is received in (B) and further processed in (A); moving a flow of carrier gas carrying feed material into a filter section of said feed section, and filtering at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas prior to the feeding of feed material into said extruding section; covering at least two exhaust openings in said filter section using at least two filter disks, which said at least two filter disks comprise a sintered material and a mean diameter of 10 to 50 millimeters or 20 to 40 millimeters, and are uniformly distributed on the periphery of said filter section; blocking the movement of feed material through said at least two filter disks and thus minimizing escape of feed material out through said at least two exhaust openings upon at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas escaping out through said at least two exhaust openings; permitting the escape of at least a portion of the flow of carrier gas by dropping pressure at said at least two filter disks, which portion is one of: more than 50% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 70% of a flow of carrier gas; more than 80% of a flow of carrier gas; and more than 90% of a flow of carrier gas; and permitting exhaust of both carrier gas and additional gas or gases released during extrusion out of said extruding section.

[0220] The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible exemplifications of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

[0221] The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0222] The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one exemplification of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

[0223] The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0224] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various exemplifications may be used with at least one exemplification or all of the exemplifications, if more than one exemplification is described herein.

[0225] The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0226] All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

[0227] The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0228] It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible exemplification of the present application . . . may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more exemplifications of the application.

[0229] The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

[0230] All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, except for the exceptions indicated herein, which were cited in International Search Report dated Apr. 29, 2016, and/or cited elsewhere, as well as the International Search Report document itself, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein, as follows: DE 10 2013 208 993, having the title SCREW MACHINE AND METHOD AS WELL AS PROCESSING INSTALLATION FOR THE PROCESSING OF BULK MATERIAL, published on Nov. 20, 2014; EP 1 977 877, having the title Extruder, published on Oct. 8, 2008; EP 2 218 568, having the title Worm machine, published on Aug. 18, 2010; CH 505 679, having the title Vorrichtung zum Evakuieren einer Verarbeitungsmaschine und zum Einfllen von teilchenfrmigen oder stckigen Werkstoffen in die evakuierte Maschine, published on Apr. 15, 1971; DE 22 51 425, having the title Suction feed device for plastics granulatesin e.g. extruders with alternately cleaned filters on intake side of blower, published on Apr. 25, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,319, having the title Material loader for injection molding press, published on Jun. 30, 1998; and Screens and Meshes by Derek B Purchas ET AL., published in Derek B. Purchas and Ken Sutherland: Handbook of Filter Media, on Jan. 1, 2002; ISBN 978-1-85617-375-9.

[0231] The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2015 001 167.7, filed on Feb. 2, 2015, having inventor Harald RUST, and DE-OS 10 2015 001 167.7 and DE-PS 10 2015 001 167.7, and International Application No. PCT/EP2016/000077, filed on Jan. 17, 2016, having WIPO Publication No. WO 2016/124310 and inventor Harald RUST, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, for the purpose of correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the above corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

[0232] The corresponding foreign application, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 10 2017 001 093, filed on Feb. 7, 2017, and DE-OS 10 2017 001 093 and DE-PS 10 2017 001 093, is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, for the purpose of correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the above corresponding foreign patent publication application, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

[0233] The purpose of incorporating the corresponding foreign equivalent patent application(s), that is, PCT/EP2016/000077, German Patent Application 10 2015 001 167.7, and German Patent Application 10 2017 001 093 is solely for the purposes of providing a basis of correction of any wording in the pages of the present application, which may have been mistranslated or misinterpreted by the translator, and to provide additional information relating to technical features of one or more exemplifications, which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of this application.

[0234] Statements made in the original foreign patent applications PCT/EP2016/000077, DE 10 2015 001 167.7 and DE 10 2017 001 093 from which this patent application claims priority which do not have to do with the correction of the translation in this patent application are not to be included in this patent application in the incorporation by reference.

[0235] Any statements about admissions of prior art in the original foreign patent applications PCT/EP2016/000077, DE 10 2015 001 167.7, and DE 10 2017 001 093 are not to be included in this patent application in the incorporation by reference, since the laws relating to prior art in non-U.S. Patent Offices and courts may be substantially different from the Patent Laws of the United States.

[0236] All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere in the present application.

[0237] Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of all patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the exemplifications therein are not incorporated by reference.

[0238] The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more exemplifications of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein.

[0239] The description of the exemplification or exemplifications is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the exemplification or exemplifications of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the exemplification or exemplifications may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the exemplification or exemplifications are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0240] The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

[0241] The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the exemplification or exemplifications, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0242] The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): [0243] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

[0244] The exemplifications of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred exemplifications are not to be taken as limiting the exemplifications of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplifications of the invention.