Method of mixing and device useful thereof

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a method of substantially homogeneously mixing ingredients comprising solid thermoplastic particulates and a viscous material in a container and apparatus useful therein. The invention also generally relates to a non-clogging device and mixing apparatus comprising same.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for discharging a material from a second container without the material clogging the device, the device comprising a plurality of discharge cones; wherein each discharge cone has spaced-apart upstream and downstream apertures in fluid communication with each other, diameter of the upstream aperture being at most 4 times larger than diameter of the downstream aperture; wherein each discharge cone independently defines a volumetric space between the upstream and downstream apertures that is dimensioned and configured for containing a non-clogging amount of the material; and wherein each discharge cone independently is adapted for receiving the non-clogging amount of the material into the volumetric space through the upstream aperture and discharging the non-clogging amount of the material out of the volumetric space through the downstream aperture without clogging the device. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for mixing a material, wherein the apparatus comprises a mixing portion comprising a second container and the device as in  claim 1 ; wherein the second container has a downstream outlet defining an opening and is sealably connected to the device around and proximal to the upstream apertures of the device in such a way that the device restricts the opening of the downstream outlet of the second container to the openings of the upstream apertures of the device; and the apparatus functions in such a way that when the mixing portion of the apparatus contains a material, the material can be discharged from the apparatus via the device without clogging the device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein the mixing portion of the apparatus comprises a twin screw conveyor/mixer comprising a heatable mixing/conveying portion and the device in operative connection and fluid communication therewith; wherein the heatable mixing/conveying portion comprises the second container and a mixing/conveying means comprising two rotatable shafts, two spiral wound tubings, and a plurality of connecting members, wherein the mixing/conveying means is disposed in the second container, each rotatable shaft is disposed along a longitudinal axis inside of, and spaced apart from, a different one of the spiral wound tubings, and each spiral wound tubing is fixably connected to a different one of the rotatable shafts via some of the number of the plurality of connecting members, which are spaced sequentially around rotatable shaft at about 90 degree angles from nearest neighboring connecting members; and wherein the device has only two discharge cones.