Claims
- 1. A plunger molding machine for forming a composite polymer from a mixture of base polymer material and reinforcing particles having an aspect ratio greater than 1:1, comprising:
a barrel assembly having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said barrel assembly including a barrel bore having an inner surface, a longitudinal axis extending from said first end to said second end, and longitudinal fins connected to the inner surface, said fins protruding into said barrel bore from said inner surface and being substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis; a plunger housing having a plunger bore extending therethrough, defining an initial melt chamber and in communication with said first end of said barrel bore; and a plunger within with said plunger bore, said plunger being reciprocatable within said plunger bore and into said first end of said barrel bore.
- 2. The plunger molding machine of claim 1, further comprising:
a feed port in said plunger housing; and an auger connected to said feed port to assist in the feeding of said mixture through said feed port and into said initial melt chamber.
- 3. The plunger molding machine of claim 1, wherein said barrel bore is continuously inwardly tapered from said first end to said second end where said first end has an opening relatively larger than an opening at said second end.
- 4. The plunger molding machine of claim 3, wherein the height of said fins tapers from a first height at said first end of said bore to a second height smaller than said first height at said second end of said bore, said fins being tapered proportionally relative to said taper of said bore.
- 5. The plunger molding machine of claim 1, wherein said auger feed is positioned relative to said plunger housing at an angle less than 90 degrees.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/213,177, filed on Aug. 6, 2002, which is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application No. 60/316,484, filed Aug. 31, 2001.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60316484 |
Aug 2001 |
US |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10213177 |
Aug 2002 |
US |
Child |
10882629 |
Jul 2004 |
US |