Abstract: A strand pelletizer for cutting thermoplastic strands into pellets is provided. The strand pelletizer has a housing that includes a base, a pivotable cover, and a moveable end wall. The pivotable cover and the movable end wall may be opened without the use of tools to provide access to the interior of the pelletizer cutting chamber. The movable end wall is both slideable and pivotable over a fixed dowel pin within the housing base. The moveable end wall houses the feed rolls for the pelletizer and also houses the strand inlet to the pelletizer. After the cover is raised, the moveable end wall may be pivoted away from the cutting chamber to permit cleaning of the interior of the cutting chamber, particularly the critical area below the lower feed roll of the cutting chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlled cooling of thermoplastic strands between the time that they are extruded from a melt of thermoplastic material until they are cut into pellets by a pelletizer that pulls the strands into it. A first tray inclined downwardly from the extruder receives the strands which are sprayed with cooling liquid while in the tray. A second tray inclined upwardly from the bottom of the first tray toward the pelletizer receives the strands which are also sprayed while in the second tray. Cooling liquid is also introduced at the inlet end of the first tray. A gravity liquid removal screen is positioned at the low point of each tray to remove the cooling liquid from the trays. A vacuum system for removing cooling liquid from the strands may also be positioned between the higher end of the second tray and the pelletizer.