Patent ID: 6086239
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B29C,F16L

Abstract:
An extruder comprising:(a) at least two concentric stators including (i) an inner stator having at least an outer surface that is at least mostly conical and (ii) an outer stator having at least an inner surface that is at least mostly conical;(b) at least one rotatable rotor that is at least mostly conical, said at least one rotatable rotor being disposed in a space between the inner stator and the outer stator, said at least one rotor comprising duct means, including a plurality of ducts, for defining a plurality of passages through which material can flow from the space to an interior of the at least one rotor, each of said plurality of ducts comprising a duct end defining an opening or groove that opens into said space; and(c) a supply conduit for supplying material into the space between the stators, said supply conduit comprising a conduit end defining an orifice, said conduit end being disposed with respect to the at least one rotor such that, as the at least one rotor rotates, successive of the duct ends pass in proximity to the conduit end with successive portions of the openings or grooves of the duct ends aligned with the orifice of the conduit end to permit a flow of material from the conduit end through said successive portions to the interior of the at least one rotor, said duct ends and said conduit end being arranged and disposed in the extruder such that an area of the successive portions of the openings or grooves of the duct ends aligned with the orifice of the conduit end to permit said flow of material remains substantially constant throughout rotation of the at least one rotor.