Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of producing a powder from polymeric material in an extrusion device, said extrusion device comprising a barrel having an internal surface defining a hollow cavity extending longitudinally within said barrel, screw means rotatable in and extending longitudinally with respect to said hollow cavity, said barrel having opposed first and second end regions, polymeric material feed means disposed in said first end region and communicating with said hollow cavity, powder discharge means disposed in said second end region and also communicating with said hollow cavity, said hollow cavity, intermediate said first and second end regions, being divided into at least first and second zones, heating means in thermal communication with at least said first zone and cooling means in thermal communication with at least said second zone, comprising the steps of: (a) feedng said material into said first end region and said first zone; (b) heating said material in said first zone to above the fusion temperature of said material; (c) conveying said fused material into said second zone; (d) cooling said material in said zone to a temperature below the solidification temperature of said material; (e) simultaneously pre-crushing and pulverising said solidified material in said second zone to form a powder; and (f) discharging said powdered material from said second end region, said fusion, cooling, pre-crushing and pulverisation being effected in a continuous operation in said extrusion device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of producing a powder from polymeric material in an extrusion device, said extrusion device comprising a barrel having an internal surface defining a hollow cavity extending longitudinally within said barrel, screw means rotatable in and extending longitudinally with respect to said hollow cavity, said barrel having opposed first and second end regions, polymeric material feed means disposed in said first end region and communicating with said hollow cavity, powder discharge means disposed in said second end region and also communicating with said hollow cavity, said hollow cavity, intermediate said first and second end regions, being divided into at least first and second zones, heating means in thermal communication with at least said first zone and cooling means in thermal communication with at least said second zone, comprising the steps of: (a) feedng said material into said first end region and said first zone; (b) heating said material in said first zone to above the fusion temperature of said material; (c) conveying said fused material into said second zone; (d) cooling said material in said zone to a temperature below the solidification temperature of said material; (e) simultaneously pre-crushing and pulverising said solidified material in said second zone to form a powder; and (f) discharging said powdered material from said second end region, said fusion, cooling, pre-crushing and pulverisation being effected in a continuous operation in said extrusion device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as recited in claim 1, in which said fused polymer is cooled in said second zone to a temperature lying in the range of 1.5° C. to 100° C. below the solidification temperature of the fused mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said fused polymer is cooled in said second zone to a temperature lying in the range of 3° C. to 40° C., especially about 10° C., below the solidification temperature of the polymer at which temperature the polymer ceases to flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said polymer is pre-crushed and pulverised at a pressure between 0.25 MPa and 0.3 MPa in said second, cooled zone of said extrusion device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein additives are added to said polymers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 1, comprising the additional step of degassing said fused material prior to cooling said fused material.