Patent No. EP4496694 (titled "Portioning Unit") was filed by Thermoplay on Mar 21, 2023. The application was issued on Nov 26, 2025.
A portioning unit for compression molding machines, interconnectable downstream of an extrusion unit outlet, separates multiple plastic material charges of a definable specific volume. The unit comprises a first chamber with a first valve and a longitudinally displaceable first piston for receiving material from the extruder. A second chamber, connected to the first via a second valve, receives the material and utilizes a longitudinally displaceable second piston to discharge the volume through a discharge opening by moving from an extended to a retracted position. Multiple charge separation units, each with a first housing and discharge opening, are arranged in parallel and interconnected to a common supply block's second housing. This second housing is a hot runner with channels distributing pasty plastic material to the separation units.

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