Abstract: An apparatus for granulating thermally unstable synthetic plastic material includes a tip-driven plasticizing screw positioned in a housing. The screw conveys the synthetic plastic material through exit openings in the housing, wherein granulating knives slidably engaged with the housing exit openings cut-off pellets of synthetic plastic material. The drive mechanism for the plasticizing screw is disposed at the exit opening side of the screw with the orbit of the granulating knives disposed between the exit openings and the drive mechanism. The drive shaft of the plasticizing screw is detachably coupled to the front, or exit, end of the screw. A conveyor blower cools the pellets as they are severed from the exit openings, and further operates to convey the pellets to a storage bin for packaging.

Abstract: In an underwater pelletizing die plate or an extruder for the pelletizing of thermoplastics, the front face of the die plate, which is provided with a wearing protection layer and over which pass the pelletizing knives, being disposed under water, and heat isulation means being provided on the pelletizing die plate, good axial insulation is to be achieved, accompanied by uniform temperature distribution in the radial direction, it being provided to this end that an insulating layer is disposed between the external upper side of the actual pelletizing die plate and the wearing protection layer, the wearing protection layer being positioned, relative to the insulating layer, with radial play and without axial pressure or with little axial pressure, respectively.

Abstract: A pelletizer particularly useful for pelletizing water-dispersible melt-extrudate, among other materials, delivered from an extruder through a die positioned in communication with the interior of the pelletizer housing. The pelletizer includes a rotor disposed inside the housing and knives mounted around the periphery of the rotor. The knives pelletize the melt-extrudate as the rotor rotates. A fluid supply system selectively delivers a fluid, such as air, to the knives when the knives are at a selected location in the housing. The selected location is preferably just past the inlet and can extend in a circumferential direction around the housing in the area of the housing which is near the outlet. The circumferential extent can vary according to the configuration of the knives and the fluid supply system.

Abstract: An apparatus for pelletizing a polymer melt, in which the polymer melt to be pelletized is divided in a housing of a pelletizing device into at least two part-streams, which are deflected and fed to at least two die plates which are spatially separate from one another and are heatable, whereupon the polymer melt streams are transformed into pellets by the cutting devices downstream of the die plates and are post-treated by means of a cooling medium.

Abstract: A stationary axle is secured adjacent to an extruder of plastic or other material forming a strand. A rotor rotates about the axle and carries a plurality of axially extending cutters for pelletizing the strand. The shaft has an internal fluid conduit carrying pressurized air. A sleeve is fixed to and over the shaft and has a recess forming a fluid manifold in communication with the conduit and the rotor. The recess has a given angular extent about the sleeve. A plurality of annularly spaced linear arrays of passages in the rotor communicate with the recess manifold in accordance with their angular position about the shaft. The passages of each array are aligned with the edge of a different cutter for sequentially generating arrays of streams of pressurized air impinging upon the cutters after pelletizing as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for molding parts. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The plasticator is capable of receiving a plurality of molding materials comprising a predetermined amount of a polyester, at least one other carbocylic and reinforcing fiber, such as glass fiber. The plasticator is characterized in that it is capable of simultaneously receiving contaminated molding materials and relatively long glass fibers and molding them into a billet wherein the fibers remain substantially undamaged. The billet is subsequently in a compression molding press where other materials may be molded or applied to its surface. The system is further characterized in that a single thermal rise is used to plasticate the molding materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming a polyester polymer into particles. More particularly, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming crystalline, uniform pellets from an amorphous polyester melt. The polyester pellets have utility, for example, as feedstock for a process for producing higher molecular weight polyesters.

Abstract: An improved underwater pelletizer is provided. The improved pelletizer has sealed heat transfer tubes embedded within the extruder die to utilize the heat of the molten polymer entering the extruder die by efficiently transferring that heat to the die plate and die face of the pelletizer. Ceramic inserts and/or inserts of other insulating materials are provided adjacent the die plate to insulate the passages through which the molten polymer passes and to inhibit cooling of the polymer within the extruder die as it approaches the die plate. The insulating inserts are positioned behind, and abut, the die plate around the passages that deliver the molten polymer to the die plate. Water makeup is provided at the cutter blades of the pelletizer to prevent cavitation within the water housing so that pellets will not agglomerate within the water housing.

Abstract: An improved process for pelletizing thermoplastic material, particularly ultra low melt viscosity thermoplastic polymer, using an underwater pelletizer adapted to prevent extruded material from agglomerating in the pelletizer, which pelletizer comprising a cutting assembly having (1) a shroud fixedly mounted on the outer periphery of the cutting assembly thereby preventing pellets from being trapped between the die face and the cutting assembly; and (2) novel knives contoured to conform in their angular positions to the curvature of the shroud to avoid pellet agglomeration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for compounding and pelletizing of chemical foaming agents in a high melt resin carrier and producing unique, uniform encapsulated and pelletized chemical foaming concentrates. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the compounding, encapsulating and pelletizing in a high melt resin carrier a highly loaded concentration (5 to 70 wt %) of foaming agents which include an endothermic foaming agent, an exothermic foaming agent or hybrid combinations of these two such that when incorporated into a thermoplastic resin to produce a foamed product will chemically react to form carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen or mixtures thereof as the active foaming gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of plastic pellets including an extruder, a chiller positioned to receive and solidify extruded strands from the extruder and, a pelletizer for converting such strands to pellets. The apparatus includes a quality testing device having a valve connected to the extruder, an injector having a sample receiving position operably connected to the valve, and a sample mold for forming solidified test samples of the material for analysis. The injector also has an ejection position operably connected to a mold inlet for injecting such samples into the mold.

Abstract: An improved underwater pelletizer adapted to prevent extruded material from agglomerating in an pelletizing assembly, which pelletizer includes a cutting assembly having (1) a shroud fixedly mounted on the outer periphery of the cutting assembly thereby preventing pellets from being trapped between the die face and the cutting assembly; and (2) novel knives contoured to conform in their angular positions to the curvature of the shroud.

Abstract: An underwater thermoplastic pelletizer has an extruding die, and a cutter for cutting a thermoplastic polymer extruded from the die into pellets as the molten polymer is solidified under water that is circulated to cool the extruded polymer and convey the pellets away for collection. The extruding die includes a die plate that is mounted in the face of the die concentric with and opposite the cutter and has a plurality of groups of extruding die holes that are connected in the die to a central main feed passage by separate radially extending distribution feed passages. The die holes in the groups are arranged in circular patterns of uniform radius about a center line intersecting with a circle concentric with the cutter path and the groups are equally angularly spaced about the cutter center line.

Abstract: An improved underwater pelletizer adapted to prevent extruded material from agglomerating in an pelletizing assembly, which pelletizer includes a cutting assembly having (1) a shroud fixedly mounted to the surface of the recess in the center of the die ring thereby preventing pellets from being trapped between the die face and the cutting assembly; and (2) novel knives contoured to conform in their angular positions to the curvature of the shroud.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for molding parts. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The plasticator is capable of receiving a plurality of molding materials comprising a predetermined amount of at least thermoplastic polymers and long reinforcing fibers, such as glass fiber. The plasticator is characterized in that it is capable of simultaneously receiving contaminated molding materials and relatively long glass fibers and molding them into a billet wherein the fibers remain substantially undamaged. The billet is subsequently placed in a compression molding press where other materials may be molded or applied to its surface. The method is further characterized in that a single thermal rise is used to plasticate the molding materials.

Abstract: A mechanism for making granulated material from a viscous substance includes a vessel charged with the substance and having a discharge opening arrangement for discharging the substance onto a cooling surface. A belt travels across the vessel, the belt having openings arranged to periodically come into alignment with the discharge opening arrangement to allow the substance to fall onto the cooling surface. The discharge opening arrangement comprises a plurality of rows of discharge openings. Each row extends transversely of the longitudinal direction of belt travel, and the rows are spaced apart in that longitudinal direction. The vessel openings of each row are offset in the transverse direction with respect to the vessel openings of other rows. A collection arrangement collects residual substance falling from the belt and returns the substance onto the belt at a location upstream of the vessel.

Abstract: A pelletizing apparatus including rotating cutting knives which are moved against a die plate to sever the plastic strands into pellets. The knives are driven such as to ensure a constantly parallel contact without any partial lifting of the knives from the die plate caused by the unilateral fixing of the cutting knives. This is achieved by a coupler mechanism which connects the knives to the hub of the knife head and ensures a parallel arrangement of the cutting edges of the knives over their entire length relative to the die surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the manufacture of soap forms which includes the step of treating a soap feedstock by passage through a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder and apparatus for the manufacture of soap forms according to the process, said apparatus containing a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder, wherein the extruder includes two oppositely-threaded, closely intermeshing screws, the screws being non-matching and such that the ratio of the length to the diameter is greater than 1:1, mounted for rotation within a barrel having a first end and a second end, said screws having a minimal screw-to-screw and screw to barrel clearance such that as the feedstock passes along at least a part of the barrel from said first end and towards said second end it is divided into a plurality of discrete, substantially C-shaped segments bounded by the screw and barrel surfaces and conveyed in a path whereby the bulk of the feedstock move substantially parallel to the rotational a

Abstract: A pelletizer for plastics a braking unit including has a brake drum disposed on a sleeve for holding a cuttler drive shaft and a diaphragm disposed on a housing. The brakes unit both biasing and axial movement of cutter knives to a die surface through the sleeve by controlling a pressure of the diaphragm, so that a longer life of the cutter knives, ensured cutting of resin, and use of cutter knives made of an inexpensive material can be achieved.

Abstract: A process for adding fat to an extruded pet food composition using an under oil cutting process wherein the extrudate is simultaneously cut, infused with oil and dried to form food pellets.

Abstract: A process for making a polyvinyl chloride and wood composite pellet by extrusion. The polyvinyl chloride and wood fiber are introduced into the extruder at a ratio of approximately 6:4 by weight, respectively. The polyvinyl chloride is melted and blended with the wood fiber so that the interstitial voids of the wood fiber are filled with polyvinyl chloride. After being extruded through a die, the molten material is cut into pellets having a bulk density of preferably between 0.7 to 0.8 gm/mm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in the context of a pellet former (10) that is integral to an annular gap extruder/expander (11). A housing (30) is disposed around the annular gap extruder outlet end. Material is received from annular gap (37) on the face of a rotating disc (14) and, upon expansion, is directed into a roller area (43) by feed plows (23) or a screw flight (42). Pellet rollers (24) rotatably mounted on the disc push the material through a ring pellet die (22) disposed around the roller area. Cut off knives (25) attached to the disc cut the material into pellets as it exits the pellet die.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hydraulic ram operated extruder (10, 11, 13, 14) having an extrusion die (12) from which an extrudate is delivered and a motor driven cutter (48, 49) at the die to sever the extrudate repeatedly to produce individual pieces of extrudate. A hydraulic fluid circuit includes a pump (16) and control valves (19, 22, 23) delivers hydraulic fluid to the ram of the extruder at a substantially constant volume flow-rate and a control device responsive to the speed of advance of the ram in the extruder controls the motor device of the cutter to produce blanks of substantially equal volume.

Abstract: A para-aramide dope of low degree of polymerization exhibiting an optical anisotropy containing 4-10% by weight of a para-aramide having an inherent viscosity of 1.0-2.5 dl/g and 2-10% by weight of an alkali metal chloride or an alkaline earth metal chloride in a polar amide solvent;a para-aramide fiber obtained by spinning the above-mentioned para-aramide dope of low degree of polymerization;a para-aramide pulp obtained by cutting the above-mentioned para-aramide fiber into a short fiber, mechanically fibrillating the short fiber with a high shearing force and thereafter drying the fibrillated short fiber;a process for producing a para-aramide fiber which comprises adding 0.94-0.99 mole of a para-oriented aromatic dicarboxylic acid halide to 1.00 mole of a para-oriented aromatic diamine in a polar amide solvent in which 2-10% by weight of an alkali metal chloride or an alkaline earth metal chloride is dissolved, carrying out a polymerization at a temperature of -20.degree. C. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Clogging and prolonged down times are avoided in a pelletizer for paste type materials such as sludge by providing an extruder hopper with at least one, preferably two, lower edge slide gates which can be opened to permit movement of a clogged screen zone out of alignment with the discharge opening of the hopper. The clogging material can be scraped off from the screen portion that is taken out of alignment with the hopper discharge opening. The cutting of the extruded sludge is accomplished by an oscillating lower screen section that slides back and forth below the upper screen section. The upper screen section is provided with two, preferably three zones, two of which are perforated and one of which is unperforated to form a closure for the hopper discharge opening. Screeding non-pelletizable material off the screen surface is accomplished either by a separate screeding device or by operating the slide gate or gates as screeds.

Abstract: Packaging and/or storing atactic polypropylene or other amorphous poly alpha olefins is accomplished by first heating a mass of the olefin material to a molten state and then cooling the molten mass of olefin material to an extrusion temperature. Next, the formless mass of atactic polypropylene is extruded and cut into a succession of pellets. Inert dust-like material is sprayed onto the cutting surfaces and the surface of the olefin material so that the natural tendency of the material to stick to itself and to other objects is avoided.

Abstract: Pulverulent ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, alone or as a mixture with other polyethylenes, is compacted into extrudates by extrusion agglomeration under pressure at temperatures of 100.degree. to 150.degree. C. over average residence times in the die of 2 to 40 seconds and at a compression ratio of 1:5 to 1:15, and the extrudates are divided into pellets.

Abstract: The process of producing a detergent in the form of portioned pressings by extrusion of a homogeneous premix containing a plasticizer or lubricant into strands through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 to about 200 bar and forming compacted granules thereof, and then pressing the compacted granules into portioned pressings such as tablets.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and dispensing segments of thermoplastic material into receptacles such as crowns, particularly into those having relatively high sidewalls, includes a conveyor for conveying the crowns through a passageway at predetermined speeds, an extruder for extruding thermoplastic material through a discharge opening, a rotary knife having blades for cutting the extruded material into segments and depositing the segments into the receptacles as they are conveyed through the passage, and a drive system for rotating the blade in response to the conveying of the receptacles. The output or driven shaft of the drive system is coupled to the rotary knife and intermittently rotates 180 degrees at a time at a speed which is twice that of the input or drive shaft, thereby avoiding contact of the knife blades with the receptacle sidewalls and ensuring clean cutting of the thermoplastic material even at low speeds of closure conveyance.

Abstract: A plastics granulating process wherein a cutter holder having cutter knives is driven to rotate along a die surface of a die and a housing is provided with a cutter drive shaft for driving the cutter holder to rotate in a manner so that plastics particles are obtained by cutting resin extruded from the die. A sleeve is axially movably provided in the housing so as to coaxially rotatably hold the cutter drive shaft, and a pressure medium is supplied into space chambers formed between the sleeve and the housing so that the cutter drive shaft moves axially with axial movement of the sleeve and the cutter knives presses against the die surface with a controlled thrust force.

Abstract: The present invention has a purpose to prevent leakage of resin material and disorder of cutting operation without increasing plate thickness of the cutter, thereby providing a resin material supply apparatus capable of suiting increase of resin material sheet size or higher back pressure.To this end, according to the present invention, there is provided a resin material supply apparatus and method for a resin press molding machine in which: resin material is extruded in a supply cylinder toward a die by a piston, and the molded resin material is cut by a cutter which slides along a front end surface of the die. Then, the cut resin material is supplied onto a metal mold, and new resin material is charged into the supply cylinder by pressing the cutter toward the die at a position that the cutter closes an opening of the die.

Abstract: A plastic resin pelletizer system for controlling the position of the pellet cutting knife blades in relation to a die plate face includes vibration detection pick-up in the form of a piezoelectric accelerometer mounted to the pelletizer die plate. Characteristic frequencies or a signature output is identified as representing the condition of contact between the blades and the die face, and the amplitude of the characteristic signature is used to indicate the extent or degree of pressure of the contact, in controlling the position of the knives with respect to the die plate.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing extruded and cut products (70) containing a first material (20), resistant to being severed or sensitive to being severed, and an easily severed second material (16). Includes an extruder apparatus (10) with a first conduit (14) disposed to accept the first material, and a second conduit (18) disposed to accept the second material. And diverter cylinders (22) and (24), opening into the conduits to cyclicly extract or inject the materials from the conduits, producing intermittent flows within the conduits (14) and (18) out of phase of each other, next the materials alternately fill a transverse section of a confluence (42) to form a transversely layered extrusion (35). A conventional cutter is timed to transversely sever the transversely layered extrusion when a transverse layer of easily severed material (16) is exiting.

Abstract: An extrusion die is used for producing ceramic honeycomb materials. It is particularly useful in producing such extrudates in sheet form by configuring the die in the form of a cylinder and providing a cutting device proximate to the exterior of the cylinder so that when relative rotation is imparted between the cutter and the cylinder, a honeycomb sheet is removed. A cover can be provided over the exterior surface of the cylindrically-shaped die to permit formation of honeycomb extrudates in pellet form.

Abstract: A method for producing formed blanks wherein the components are premixed in a first stage and metered. Heat and moisture are added to the mixture in a controlled manner and the mixture is then formed into pellets. The pellets are cooled with air, comminuted and further processed into formed blanks after storage for an arbitrary length of time. The method of this invention leads to more homogeneous and improved results and is extremely inexpensive.

Abstract: Three-dimensional food products such as crackers, cookies, puffed snacks, puffable glassy half-products, pet foods, pasta, confections such as chewing gum, and ready-to-eat cereals are produced on a mass production basis by feeding a dough or other food composition to a plurality of dies which shape it into ropes. The shaped extrudate ropes obtained from each die are cut by a cutting device which passes across only a portion of each of the orifices of the dies to partially cut each of the shaped extrudate ropes. The cutting device passes across the entire orifice of each of the dies to completely cut each of the partially cut extrudate ropes into individual pieces. The use of a multi-port extrusion die permits higher mass flow rates and thus greater dough piece production rates at lower cutter speeds. The use of multi-port extrusion and lower cutter speeds increases shape, definition, and accuracy of cutting and reduces scattering and deformation of the individual pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pellets in which a medium to be pelletized is delivered to a distribution box, the distribution box intermittently expelling discrete portions of the medium outwardly to form droplets. A conveyor moves the droplets away from the distribution box, the droplets solidifying into pellets as they travel along the conveyor.

Abstract: An exact distance between the rotating knives and the stationary die plate of a pelletizer can be set and maintained during the entire pelletizing process. The drive shaft for the cutting beams and cutting knives can be heated or cooled and is supported on the knife side in a mobile bearing. As a result of the heating/cooling of the shaft, the shaft is allowed to extend through the mobile bearing in the direction of the knife head, whereby the distance between the die plate and the cutting knives rotating above the plate can be adjusted precisely and within the My range.

Abstract: The invention is a process for manufacturing granules of a washing or cleaning agent from an at least partly solid mixture of granules by admixing plasticizers or lubricants with the granules and passing the mixture through a mixing zone at an elevated temperature and pressure to form a plastic flowable material and passing the plastic flowable material through a plurality of orifices of small diameter and cutting the extruded material at predetermined lengths to form a particulate washing or cleaning agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming shaped material from a raw material employs a substantially cylindrical housing 3 with a screw shaft 2 arranged in it. A frontal end surface of the housing, located at the downstream end is closed by a counter-pressure member 9 which, together with the housing 3, limits a discharge opening. The counter-pressure member is held against conveyed material by a force of predetermined magnitude acting opposite the conveying direction. Surprisingly, this results in a high compactness and a good stability of shape of the shaped material, and also facilitates a starting of such an apparatus. Removable teeth define an orifice.

Abstract: A screw-type front extrusion granulating apparatus for forming moistened powdered raw material such as chemicals for use in the agriculture, pharmaceutical, or food industries into granules, has a conveying screw in axial alignment with a semi-spherical die, the die having a plurality of die openings formed therein. The conveying screw has an extrusion blade mounted to its forward end to project into the confines of the semi-spherical die, the contour of the extrusion blade generally conforming to the inner surface of the die. In operation, the moistened powdered material is transported forwardly under pressure by the screw and extruded through the die utilizing the pressure of the screw and the scraping action of the extrusion blade.

Abstract: A granulating device for plastic compounds in which cutting knives of a cutting device face the die plate of a granulating head to form granules of plastic strings extruded from the die plate. The cutting knives are supported on a cutting shaft driven in rotation by a drive shaft of a drive motor. The cutting shaft is rotatably supported in fixed axial position in a housing. In order to obtain a planar parallel and central positioning of the cutting knives relative to the die plate, for example, due to thermal displacement, the housing and drive unit are guided together in a displaceable manner on guide shafts having first ends fixed to the granulating head and opposite ends which are vertically supported for universal pivotable movement in the manner of propped cantilever beams.

Abstract: A pelletizer for liquid polymers in which the severed pellets fall from cutter knives into an annulus on the surface of a body of cooling liquid. The annulus is defined by said surface and the confluence of a downwardly flowing ring of the cooling liquid and a downwardly and radially outwardly flowing cascade of the cooling liquid. The velocity and trajectory of the pellets are controlled by the projection of a spray of cooling liquid radially across the dies from which the pellets are severed. Band heaters in proximity to the dies maintain the polymer in a liquid state prior to extrusion.

Abstract: Polyimide which is obtained by polymerization and consists essentially of recurring structural units of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is a single bond or a hexafluoroisopropylidene group, is processed to a form of pellet, followed by heat-treating to obtain crystallinity of 5% or more, and fed to an extruder to obtain articles.

Abstract: A material metering apparatus is disclosed which extrudes highly viscous material from an orifice of a known diameter past two fiber optic sensors to initiate and terminate a timing sequence. Knowing the specific gravity of the material, the apparatus uses the timing sequence and known diameter of the orifice to calculate the weight of the material so extruded. The components of the material metering apparatus are removable to facilitate ease of cleaning the variation in the viscous material subject to extrusion.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a heat-vulcanizable silicone rubber compound, which includes the steps of:(i) mixing (A) a diorganopolysiloxane having a viscosity as measured at 25.degree. C. of 1.times.10.sup.5 cP or more, (B) an inorganic filler and (C) a processing aid, as basic ingredients, by a high-speed mechanical shearing machine, thereby to obtain a flowable particulate mixture in which each ingredient is present in a substantially uniformly and finely dispersed state, and(ii) continuously feeding, at a constant feed rate, said particulate mixture to a continuously kneading and extruding machine through a feed opening thereof, which machine has two screws rotating in the same direction, thereby to obtain a homogeneous silicone rubber compound from a discharge opening of said kneading and extruding machine.

Abstract: A plastics granulating apparatus includes a cutter holder having cutter knives driven to rotate along a die surface of a die and a housing provided with a cutter drive shaft for driving the cutter holder to rotate in a manner so that plastics particles are obtained by cutting resin extruded from the die with the cutter knives, wherein a sleeve is axially movably provided in the housing so as to coaxially rotatably hold the cutter drive shaft, and a pressure medium is supplied into space chambers formed between the sleeve and the housing so that the cutter drive shaft moves axially with axial movement of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for producing composite staple fibers whereby resin matrix and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers (e.g., vapor growth carbon fibers and/or potassium titanate whiskers) are processed. A resin material and fine and short inorganic reinforcing fibers having a fiber diameter of 1 .mu.m or less are blended, heated, and mixed to prepare a molten polymer containing dispersed reinforcing fibers. The molten polymer is spouted out of small apertures in a high speed rotator to form filaments. Hot gas is blown onto the spouted filaments to form composite staple fibers. Instead of using the spouting step and the hot gas blowing step, one can spin the molten polymer from spinning apertures into filaments, and simultaneously blow hot gas onto the filaments at a high flow velocity from gas discharging holes arranged near the spinning apertures to draw and cut the filaments into the staple fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to an extruder having a granulating head for the granulation of a plastic molding compound which does not flow under gravity, more particularly an enzyme concentrate suitable for detergents, to granules having a particle size of at most 1 mm and, more particularly, at most 0.8 mm. To obtain uniform distribution of the molding compound to be processed over the entire cross-section of the molding plate, the granulating head has an externally arranged die plate support carrying perforated disks, a displacement cone arranged behind the die plate support and a preliminary distributor in the form of a perforated plate arranged between the die plate support and the displacement cone.

Abstract: Extruded particles (H), especially as a precursor for pharmaceutical pellets are prepared by extruding a doughy mass in the form of a strand (G) into a gas stream (E) in which it is predried and also broken by the gas stream (E). A lance (40) is employed for the extrusion which extends through a treatment chamber (12) and carries extruder nozzles (80) opening transversely of the general flow of gas (E). A pressure gas nozzle (96) fed intermittently with pressurized air is directed to the opening range of each extruder nozzle (80).