Patent ID: 7037102

Claim:
A reduced turbulence extrusion molding machine suitable for molding materials including a large percentage loading of high aspect ratio filler, comprising: an extrusion barrel including: a barrel housing having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said barrel housing defining a barrel bore extending through said barrel housing, said barrel bore having an input end at said first end of said housing and an output end at said second end of said housing, an interior surface, a longitudinal axis extending from said input end to said output end, said barrel bore being continuously inwardly tapered from said input end to said output end where said input end has an opening larger than an opening at said output end; a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal fins, each of said fins having a height, a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said fins are radially disposed on said interior surface, said fins being in substantial alignment with said longitudinal axis, wherein said proximal end is connected to the interior surface, each of said distal ends extending inwardly thereby defining a central unobstructed region in said bore; and a means for heating said extrusion barrel; and an injection molding assembly configured to introduce molten polymer composition into said input end of said barrel housing.