Abstract: An underwater pelletizer is presented having an electromagnetic clamp that includes an electromagnetic ring body having a series of electromagnets disposed along a contact surface of the electromagnetic ring body. A clamping ring body has a series of mild steel inserts disposed along a contact surface of the clamping ring body, where each mild steel insert is disposed in a position complementary to at least one of the series of electromagnets. The electromagnetic clamp ring has a contact face with a series of electromagnets disposed therein and providing a clamping ring having a contact face with a series of mild steel inserts disposed therein, where the contact face of the clamping ring is configured to engage the contact face of the electromagnetic ring to form a seal and the mild steel inserts are positioned such that each one of the series of electromagnets is adjacent to one of the mild steel inserts when the contact faces of the electromagnetic and clamping rings are engaged.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer (100) is shown having a dryer housing (110) with a top cover (115) and a pellet discharge port (132). A perforated rotating basket (112) is disposed within the dryer housing (110) is configured to rotate substantially about a rotational axis (R) to cause pellets to migrate from a closed portion (116) to an open portion (117) is substantially open to allow pellets to escape. A pellet slurry conduit (121) conveys a pellet slurry received at pellet slurry inlet port (118) through the top cover of the dryer housing (110) to the pellet slurry outlet port (120) disposed adjacent the closed portion of the rotating basket (112). A seal assembly (138) is mounted within the dryer housing (110) having water outlet opening and a motor shaft opening that is disposed to intersect the rotational axis, where the seal assembly permits the passage of pellets between the dryer housing and the seal assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a piece of tramp metal from particulate material transported by a conveyor is provided. A metal detector is used to detect tramp metal in the particulate material traveling along the conveyor. When a piece of tramp metal is detected, a redirection device positioned at the end of the conveyor is used to reject a portion of the particulate material that contains the tramp metal, by temporarily redirecting the flow of particulate material discharging from the conveyor. After the portion of particulate material containing the piece of tramp metal has been redirected by the redirection device, the system resumes normal operation.

Abstract: An underwater pelletizer for cutting extruded plastic into a flow of liquid is disclosed. The pelletizer includes a cutter hub (90) carrying at least one cutter blade (96), a cutter shaft (60) for rotationally driving the cutter hub, and a flexible torque converter (80) for connecting a motor to the cutter hub. In one embodiment, the torque converter has a first set of bushings (82) that is fastened to a face (98) of the cutter hub and a second set of bushings that is fastened to a face (64) of the cutter shaft. The disclosed pelletizer has a shaft extension (20) configured to engage a motor shaft, the shaft extension having an outer diameter having formed thereon a splined portion (38) and first (26) and second (28) sealing surfaces. A disclosed motor adaptor (40) has a seal surface (44). A water chamber plate (50) may also have a seal surface (52).

Abstract: A refrigerated container and method capable of maintaining super frozen temperatures of about ?50 degrees C. or less, includes container walls insulated to a value of at least about r-20, a cargo compartment configured for receiving cargo, and at least one refrigerant compartment configured for receiving refrigerant in the form of CO2 snow. The refrigerant compartment maintains the CO2 snow and vapor sublimating therefrom separately from the cargo compartment. The refrigerant compartment is located within the cargo compartment and configured to permit ambient atmosphere within the cargo compartment to contact at least three sides, and up to six sides, of the refrigerant compartment. The placement of the refrigerant compartment is also configured to generate a temperature gradient within the cargo compartment capable of generating convection therein, so that the super frozen temperatures are maintained within the cargo compartment without the use of external power sources.

Abstract: A continuous bi-metallic twin bore barrel is produced by forming first and second single bore barrels, centrifugally lining the bores of the single bore barrels with a bi-metallic liner, heating the single bore barrels to harden the linings, fastening each single bore barrel into a barrel machining jig, and cutting each single bore barrel along its length to expose its bore. The barrel machining jigs are fastened together such that two single bore barrels are positioned adjacent and in contact with one another and their bores are in communication with one another. The two single bore barrels are seal welded together to form a twin bore barrel. The twin bore barrel is removed from the jigs and clamped along its length.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle door structure are provided, wherein the door structure comprises a door panel configured to couple to a vehicle frame. The door panel comprises at least one clip receptacle disposed on a lower portion of the door panel. The vehicle door structure comprise a molding component comprising at least one clip, wherein the molding component is flush mounted to the lower portion of the door panel, wherein the at least one clip engages the least one clip receptacle of the door panel.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vehicle door structure are provided, wherein the door structure comprises a door panel configured to couple to a vehicle frame. The door panel comprises at least one clip receptacle disposed on a lower portion of the door panel. The vehicle door structure comprise a molding component comprising at least one clip, wherein the molding component is flush mounted to the lower portion of the door panel, wherein the at least one clip engages the least one clip receptacle of the door panel.

Abstract: The plastic extruder assembly is of the type that includes an extruder barrel assembly and an extruder die chamber in the distal end of the extruder barrel assembly. The die chamber has means for receiving and mounting a die assembly therein and the die assembly has die holes extending therethrough to an outer face. A layer of insulating material is provided beneath the outer die face at least in the area of the die holes for inhibiting if not altogether preventing freezing of the plastic in the die holes. Also, radial and circumferential hot oil passageways are provided in the die assembly and the die holes are offset in either a concentric array or a series of spirals.

Abstract: The pelletizer comprises a chamber having a first side and a second side coupled to an extruder. A shaft extends through the first side into the chamber, a rotatable cutter assembly is mounted to the end of the shaft in the chamber and a die assembly is mounted at the second side of the chamber and has a die face facing into the chamber. The cutter assembly is positioned for rotation adjacent the die face. A prime mover is coupled to the shaft for rotating the cutter assembly. Plastic material is extruded through holes in the die assembly into the chamber as the cutter assembly is rotated to cut plastic streams coming out of the die assembly into pellets. A position control assembly automatically controls the position of the cutter assembly adjacent the die face. The cutter assembly has a plurality of cutting blades mounted thereon.

Abstract: The extruder assembly includes a barrel, a screw received within the barrel, a motor drive and transmission connected to one end of the screw for driving same and an extruding die at the other end of the barrel through which material is forced by the screw. The barrel has a slot therein and the assembly further includes a ram feed assembly having two pivotally mounted ram sections positioned on either side of the barrel for forcing molten plastic through the slot into the barrel. The ram sections are pivotable between an upper operating position and a lower exposed position providing easy access to the ram sections for cleaning and maintenance thereof.