Method of and apparatus for producing formable products
OwnerPaul Tranter, Richard Walker Adam +2inventors
InventorsPaul Tranter, Richard Walker Adam, Stephen John Ison, Andrew Miles
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Abstract
Described are methods for processing material, material processing systems, and processable materials. Preferred embodiments relate to a method of and apparatus for producing formable products such as polymer products and thermoplastic materials.
Claims69
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A method of processing a material formed of at least first and second portions, said material constituting an intermediate product, including the steps of:
- applying heat energy to the material so as to heat differentially said first and second portions, wherein said differential heating step causes the viscosity of said first portion to be reduced so as to enable said first portion to flow, while the viscosity of said second portion is substantially unchanged or reduced by a lesser extent than the first portion by said differential heating step;
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- shaping or forming said first and second portions of said material thereby to produce a product.
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A material processing system for processing an intermediate product, including:
- a material holder for holding an intermediate product comprising a material formed of at least first and second portions to be heated;
- a heating station operable to impart heat differentially to said first and second portions of said intermediate product so as to cause the viscosity of said first portion to be reduced enabling said first portion to flow while the viscosity of said second portion is substantially unchanged or reduced by a lesser extent than the first portion by said differential heating;
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- a material shaping or forming station operable to shape or form said first and second portions thereby to produce a product.
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A processable bulk material, including first and second portions having different susceptibilities to heat energy such that the application of such heat energy to the material causes the viscosity of said first portion to be reduced so as to enable said first portion to flow while the viscosity of said second portion is substantially unchanged or reduced by a lesser extent than the first portion by such heat energy;
- wherein said first and second portions are able to be shaped or formed to form a product.
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A processable material, including first and second portions having different susceptibilities to heat energy such that the application of such heat energy to the material causes the viscosity of said first portion to be reduced so as to enable said first portion to flow while the viscosity of said second portion is substantially unchanged or reduced by a lesser extent than the first portion by such heat energy;
- wherein said first and second portions are of
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.