Method,apparatus and extrusion nozzle for producing a member from extrudable material

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
An extrusion apparatus comprising a barrel for movement of a flowable mass therethrough; a nozzle at one end of said barrel for extrusion of the flowable mass therethrough, said nozzle having at least three segments with boundary surfaces wherein the segments contact each other without gaps between the boundary surfaces, each said segment having a plurality of extrusion ducts in communication with said barrel to extrude streams of the flowable mass therethrough wherein the extrusion ducts of each segment define a continuous line that extends to and fro between the boundary surfaces; and drive means for moving at least one of said segments relative to the other of said segments during extrusion of the streams of flowable mass through said extrusion ducts.
2.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a control unit for actuating said drive means.
3.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises a cutting device disposed adjacent an outlet end of said nozzle for cutting an extruded mass passing therefrom, said cutting device being connected to said control unit for actuation in synchronism with the operation of said drive means.
4.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said segments are flat.
5.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each extrusion duct is disposed angularly with respect to the boundary surfaces of said respective segment to communicate with adjacent extrusion ducts at a respective side thereof.
6.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said extrusion ducts of each segment define a continuous line extending across said segment in an oscillating manner.
7.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a connecting means connected to at least a pair of said segments and to said drive means for movement of said pair of segments in unison relative to the remainder of said segments.
8.
An extrusion apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which comprising a screw in said barrel for advancing the flowable mass through said barrel and said nozzle and a control unit connected between said screw and said drive means for controlling the operation of said drive means in dependence of the speed of said screw