EXPANDER FOR THERMOPLASTIC ELEMENTS AND A METHOD OF EXPANDING HEAT EXPANDABLE THERMOPLASTIC ELEMENTS

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe steam expander conveys the expanding heatexpandable thermoplastic elements along a horizontal axisusing a plurality of paddle frames. The paddle frames serve toagitate and tumble the elements during movement from an inletto an outlet. At the same time, steam is injected into thehousing of the expander to expand the elements. The expandedelements can be drawn off via a vacuum line to an overheadhopper or hoppers.