Method and apparatus for regulating the level of a mixture of flowable material in a container

A method of regulating a mean filling level in a container provided with a removal outlet leading to an extruder of a mixture, said method comprising:

• supplying at least two base components via metering feed screws from supply containers thereof for mixing in a desired ratio in the container,
• supplying chopped edge strips substantially continuously to the container,
• detecting the level of the mixture in the container by at least one sensor,
• controlling the supply rate of at least one base component to the container from a secondary container by a metering feed screw with a motor controlled in response to signals from the at least one sensor so that the level of the mixture in the container corresponds to a mean filling level and in the event of a deviation from the mean filling level, the mean filling level is resumed with minimum changes in the speed of rotation of the motor to the metering feed screw,
• running motors of the feed screws at speeds changed in accordance with the amount of deviation from the mean filling level with a speed of rotation ratio corresponding to a constant mixing ratio at a variable rate,
• measuring a mixing ratio of the at least two base components by conducting the at least two components into a respective measuring container for a preset time,
• diverting said continuous supply of chopped edge strips from the container during conductance of the at least two components into their respective measuring containers during the preset time, and
• resuming said continuous supply of chopped edge strips to the container during other than the preset time.