Patent ID: 9586348
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: B29C,B29K,B29L,C04B,C08J

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: a. a steam generator; b. a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; c. a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material comprises unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; d. a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and e. a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone, wherein the back pressure generator comprises at least one of: wherein the apparatus has a footprint which allows the apparatus to be placed inside an existing manufacturing facility without substantially adversely affecting production of products of manufacture produced at the existing manufacturing facility, and without requiring adding space to the existing manufacturing facility.