Abstract: A wet food supply apparatus of a wet food processing system includes an outer housing defining an internal cavity, a rotary food processing unit located within the internal cavity during operation of the wet food supply apparatus, and a separation assembly for withdrawing the rotary food processing unit from within the internal cavity for cleaning purposes. The separation assembly includes a threaded rod having a first portion attached to the rotary food processing unit, a second portion rotatably supported by the outer housing for relative rotation, and a third, terminal end portion including a tool mounting member for receiving a drive head of a drive mechanism, such as a portable, battery powered rotary impact tool, for rotating the threaded rod to selectively shift the rotary food processing unit out of the internal cavity of the outer housing to expose the rotary food processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for continuous production of partly crystalline polycondensate pellet material, comprising the steps of forming a polycondensate melt into pellet material; separating the liquid cooling medium from the pellet material in a first treatment space, wherein the pellets after exit from the first treatment space exhibit a temperature TGR, and crystallizing the pellet material in a second treatment space, wherein in the second treatment space fluidized bed conditions exist, and in the second treatment space the pellets are heated by supply of energy from the exterior by means of a process gas.

Abstract: A device for dropletizing a flowable product, having an outer drum, which is arranged in a rotatable manner on a core and is provided with a plurality of through-openings in its circumference. A feed duct extends in the longitudinal direction of the core and a distribution device bearing against the inner circumference of the outer drum are provided in the core. At least one supply duct is provided between the feed duct and the distribution device along the length of the feed duct, and a shut-off member for setting a free cross section of the at least one supply duct is provided.

Abstract: Extrusion die systems, die changers and related methods are provided herein. The die changer for changing of dies in and out of an extrusion line can include a housing having a main supply feed bore therethrough for directing a flowable material and a channel oriented transversely to the main supply feed bore. The die changer can include a slide plate movable through the channel and transverse to a direction of flow through the bore. The slide plate can include an elongate body having a first section and a second section. A first bore can extend through the first section of the elongate body of the slide plate and a second bore can extend through the second section of the elongate body of the slide plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low or zero-tack composite materials such as pre-pregs and their use in automated manufacturing, particularly robotic pick and place. The present invention further relates to an automated process for preparing an article, particularly a molded article, from a fiber-reinforced composition material. The molded articles prepared by the process described herein are particularly suitable as components for transport applications, and particularly the automotive industry. The automotive components prepared by the present invention are particularly suitable as mid- or high-volume automotive parts, in which cost and speed of production are paramount. The present invention provides a process in which the cutting and handling of pre-preg materials is greatly simplified, providing advantages of efficiency and economy.

Abstract: An extrusion head having a perforated plate of a granulating system. The extrusion head can have a head part and a perforated plate with a perforated-plate wear insert, a perforated-plate main body, a central inflow cone, an inflow cone part, a plurality of nozzle channels, a plurality of perforated dies, and at least one corrosion protected fastener. The perforated-plate can be detachably fastened to the head part. The head part can have at least one central melt channel into which the inflow cone part projects and distributes a melt flow among nozzle channels which can be arranged in the shape of a ring and among the perforated dies which can be arranged in at least one ring. The at least one fastener can be positioned in a central region of the at least one ring of the perforated dies.

Abstract: A die plate is provided for an underwater pelletizer. The die plate includes a die plate body and a solid face plate. The downstream face of the die plate body has a plurality of insulation holes drilled therein that reduce the surface area contact between the die plate body and the solid face plate that is secured to the downstream face of the die plate body to form the cutting surface. In addition, a circular groove is preferably milled into the downstream face of the die plate body. The groove is concentric with the outer perimeter of the die plate body and creates an outer ring and a center boss. The outer downstream surface of the boss is flush with the outer downstream surface of the outer ring so that the boss and ring together form the downstream face of the die plate body for supporting the solid face plate. The insulation holes and groove are filled with a non-reactive atmosphere such as nitrogen, inert gas(es), a vacuum or a partial vacuum.

Abstract: Provided is a die plate assembly for an underwater pelletizing system, wherein molten plastic flows through a die plate and exits into a fluid bath for further processing. The assembly provides a seal against water leakage and effective insulation to prevent heat loss from a heated die plate. The assembly includes a die plate having a plurality of through holes for receiving fasteners for mounting the plate to another portion of the pelletizer system, and at least one insulation chamber for insulating the die plate from the fluid bath located on a downstream side of the die plate. The assembly further includes at least one gasket covering one or more of the through holes to seal one or more through holes from the fluid bath.

Abstract: An extrusion type compressive granulating apparatus is configured to produce granular excreta treating material that has an absorbing property and is formed by extruding and granulating a raw material via granulating holes formed in a table of the apparatus. A space rib is provided at a lower surface of the die table so as to form a gap below the granulating holes. A cutting blade is provided below the gap. The granulating holes each form a compression zone for compressing the raw material, and the gap forms a non-compression zone in which the compressed material swells before being cut by the cutting blade at the outlet of the non-compression zone.

Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.

Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.

Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.

Abstract: A product-spreading hood assembly (10) for use with a die unit (128) includes a deflector (14) having wall structure defining a product inlet opening (90) and a product outlet opening (92); the deflector (14) is preferably generally frustoconical in shape and is supported by a housing (12). An optional air delivery assembly (16) allows air currents to be directed from the area of the inlet (90) towards outlet (92) to facilitate separation of discrete products. Advantageously, the air currents are delivered in a circumferential fashion about the die unit (128). Use of the hood assembly (10) serves to separate high moisture or “sticky” extrudates, thereby preventing agglomeration thereof.

Abstract: A device for producing pellets that has a perforated plate for extruding a melt into a process chamber, and a cutting device for cutting the melt into pellets. The process chamber can have an inlet and an outlet. A conveying device can deliver a process fluid through the inlet, and carry the process fluid and pellets through the outlet. The inlet can have an inlet opening and an inlet channel. A three-way valve can be located between the inlet channel, a process fluid supply line, and a process fluid discharge line, and below the inlet. The outlet can have a discharge opening and an outlet channel. A pneumatic device can provide compressed air to the process chamber for emptying and expelling the process fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for granulating hot cut, in particular thermoplastic resin material, the material strands melted by an extruder being knocked off into granule pellets in a granulating housing by rotating knives disposed on a shaft driven by way of a motor, the granule pellets being picked up by a cooling medium flowing in the granulating housing, cooled and discharged out of the granulating housing, characterized in that a flow opening establishing a continuous fluid connection between the inside of the granulating housing and the outside environment is designed between the shaft and the region of the granulating housing in which the shaft penetrates the granulating housing.

Abstract: An underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus includes: a cutting device that cuts, with a cutter in a water chamber, molten resin, extruded from a die, into pellets; a separation device that separates, from carrier water, pellets sent from the water chamber of the cutting device to downstream with carrier water; a tank that is disposed below the separation device and stores carrier water discharged from the separation device; and a circulation path formed so as to circulate carrier water between the tank and the water chamber, wherein a hydroelectric power generator is provided on a return side of the circulation path formed on a downstream side of the water chamber, and generates electricity from the energy of the carrier water flowing downward in this path. According to such a configuration, the underwater cutting and pelletizing apparatus is made so as to achieve energy savings by recovering and reusing potential energy accompanying carrier water pumped up to a higher location.

Abstract: A system that enables a cutter head to pivot for improved alignment with a cutting face or die is disclosed. The system includes a cutter hub and a driveshaft hub mated with a plurality of round, spherical, or ovoid surfaces to enable the cutter hub to pivot with respect to the driveshaft hub. The system can include a plurality of alignment pins with spherical surfaces to transfer torque from the driveshaft hub to the cutter hub. The system can also include a cutter head, which can include a plurality of cutting blades. The system can be used in cutting machinery, such as a pelletizer, where alignment of the cutting head and the cutting die (or other cutting surface) is desirable.

Abstract: A continuous length of material of non-circular cross-section is pelletized to form discrete bits, by feeding the material to a cutting wheel with shaped cutters that form non-planar bits having non-circular axial projections and that are aligned with the material. The material is fed so as to maintain a rotational orientation with respect to the cutters, and so as to avoid buckling. Multiple banks of strands of material are severed simultaneously, thereby producing high volumes of shaped bits that are useful as filling and as filter material, and as friction-enhancing additives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pelletizing at least one strand of material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a cutting device with two blades that can be displaced relative each other, at least one feed roller and at least one strand feeder for feeding the strand to the cutting device. An additional tab-shaped rectification guide is arranged downstream of the strand feeder in the region directly in front of the feed roller and next to the same, said guide being adjustable and movable in relation to the strand feeder. The rectification guide can be used to adjust the angle at which the strand is fed to the feed roller.

Abstract: An Underwater pelletizer for cutting extruded plastic into a flow of liquid. 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. A shaft extension (20) can be 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 motor adapter (40) has a seal surface (44). A water chamber plate (50) may also have a seal surface (52).

Abstract: A food product press having a mold base, a press assembly having a plurality of press bodies, and blade spaces between the press bodies, a plurality of blades slidable within the blade spaces, and a blade operating mechanism for moving the blades relative to the press bodies.

Abstract: An extrusion and conditioning apparatus, with an extruder in a conveying position, leads into a conveyor housing connected in a sealed manner to a pneumatic supply line and to a pneumatic conveyor line in which extruded material can be removed pneumatically, by means of superheated steam, via the conveyor line. The extruder can be moved from the conveying position into a bypass position, in which the extruder leads to the exterior of the conveyor housing, having a means for sealing the supply and conveyor lines and the conveyor housing from the surroundings when the extruder is in the conveying and bypass positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for granulating plastic strands having a cutting wheel (15), the individual blades of which graze past a counter blade (2) disposed in a blade carrier (1) when the cutting wheel is rotated, thus cutting the plastic strands (13) being guided over the counter blade into a granulate (14), wherein a rail (3a, 3b) composed of hard material running parallel to the counter blade is disposed adjacent to the counter blade and after said counter blade in the rotational direction of the cutting wheel that collects cut granulate and conducts said granulate into a discharge channel.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making thermoplastic polymer pellets. The process has the following steps: (a) melting a thermoplastic polymer to form a polymer melt; (b) extruding the melt through a die to form a substantially continuous molten polymer extrudate wherein the die has a contact surface bearing a polymer coating having a surface energy of less than 25 mN/m at 20° C.; (c) cooling the extrudate to form a cooled extrudate; and (d) pelletizing the cooled extrudate to form a plurality of polymer pellets. Provided is also a polymer pellet shipping system and a stable thermoplastic polymer pellet.

Abstract: The methods and apparatuses for granulating thermoplastic material emerging from nozzles in a perforated plate are provided. The apparatus can have a motor-driven cutter arrangement having at least one blade located opposite the perforated plate. The at least one blade can pass over the nozzles in the perforated plate and cuts pellets of the emerging thermoplastic material.

Abstract: In a resin granulating apparatus of the present invention, a bracket extending in the outward radial direction over an outer peripheral surface of a sleeve is provided for the sleeve for rotatably supporting a cutter shaft of a cutter for shearing a material extruded from a die. Stopper means cooperating with the bracket to regulate movement of the sleeve toward the die and moving a regulation position in the axial direction is provided on the radially outer side over an outer diameter of the sleeve. With such a configuration, installation space is compactified so as to additionally provide the stopper means in the existing facilities, and a position of the cutter relative to a die surface is precisely adjusted so as to stably produce a pellet of a best shape.

Abstract: A dough cutting apparatus is suitable for cutting a sheet of dough. The dough cutting apparatus includes a structure defining a blunt dough engaging portion. The present invention can be embodied in a number of different ways, including a wheel cutter, a rotary drum cutter, a reciprocating head cutter, or another cutter.

Abstract: A solid face die plate for an underwater pelletizer includes a carrier or holding plate having a circular slot for holding a hard anti-wear element of highly wear-resistant material through which the extrusion orifices open for extruding polymer. The solid face die plate eliminates the need for insulation or plugging material in the center of the die plate and, by embedding the hard anti-wear element within the carrier, protects the edges of the hard anti-wear element for longer wear life.

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 method and apparatus for the pelletization of plastics and/or polymers, in which a melt coming from a melt generator is supplied via a diverter valve having different operating positions to a plurality of pelletizing heads through which the melt is pelletized. The plurality of pelletizing heads have different throughput capacities and are used sequentially for the start-up of the pelletizing process, with the melt first being supplied to a first pelletizing head having a smaller throughput capacity and then the melt volume flow being increased and the diverter valve being switched over such that the melt is diverted by the diverter valve to a second pelletizing head having a larger throughput capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for underwater pelletizing and subsequent drying of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers and other high temperature crystallizing polymeric materials to crystallize the polymer pellets without subsequent heating. High velocity air or other inert gas is injected into the water and pellet slurry line to the dryer near the pelletizer exit. Air is injected into the slurry line at a velocity of from about 100 to about 175 m3/hour, or more. Such high-speed air movement forms a vapor mist with the water and significantly increases the speed of the pellets into and out of the dryer such that the PET polymer pellets leave the dryer at a temperature sufficient to self-initiate crystallization within the pellets. A valve mechanism in the slurry line after the gas injection further regulates the pellet residence time and a vibrating conveyor after the dryer helps the pellets to achieve the desired level of crystallinity and to avoid agglomeration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for underwater pelletizing and subsequent drying of crystallizing polymers to crystallize the polymer pellets without subsequent heating is shown in FIG. 5. High velocity air or other inert gas is injected into the water and pellet slurry line (120) toward the dryer near the pelletizer exit (102) at a flow rate of from about 100 to about 175 m3/hour, or more. Such high-speed air movement forms a vapor mist with the water and significantly increases the speed of the pellets into and out of the dryer such that the polymer pellets leave the dryer with sufficient latent heat to cause self-crystallization within the pellets. A valve mechanism in the slurry line (150) after the gas injection further regulates the pellet residence time and a vibrating conveyor after the dryer helps the pellets to achieve the desired level of crystallinity and to avoid agglomeration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing pellets from plastic material or from material to be pelletized. Said device comprises a continuous casting device (1) from which at least one strand (2) of the material to be pelletized is issued, and a belt conveyor (3) comprising at least one conveying belt (4) on which the strand (2) can be fed to a pelletizer (5), said pelletizer breaking the strand up into pellets (6). The invention is characterized in that the belt conveyor (3) has a switchable direction of conveyance of the conveying belt (4), a direction of feed conveyance towards the pelletizer (5) and a direction of discharge conveyance away from the pelletizer (5). The invention also relates to a method for operating said device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the production of granulate grains from a plastic melt, having a nozzle plate with at least one nozzle opening from which a strand of the plastic melt is discharged into a processing chamber, and a cutting tool having at least one cutting blade that may be moved against the nozzle plate by means of a feed device, wherein the plastic strand discharged from the nozzle opening of the nozzle plate can be fragmented into granulate grains by the cutting blade moving relative to the nozzle opening. The nozzle plate has a diamond coating at least on the surface thereof facing the cutting tool, with the hardness of the diamond coating being greater than the hardness of the cutting blade, and with the average roughness of the diamond coating being greater than the average roughness of the cutting blade by at least a factor of two.

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 knife assembly (10) particularly adapted for coupling with an extruder barrel (26) is provided having a knife shaft (16) supporting a knife unit (14), with the knife shaft (16) axially rotatable and axially shiftable through fore and aft limits. The assembly (10) may be adjusted during operation without interrupting the axially rotation of shaft (16), using adjustment mechanism (24) located in a safely remote position from knife unit (14). The preferred assembly (10) includes axial shift limiting structure (114, 116, 124) serving to limit the extent of fore and aft axial movement of shaft (16). The mechanism (24) allows fine adjustment of the position of knife unit (14) relative to the extruder barrel (26), and also permits monitoring of the wear of knife unit (14).

Abstract: A cutter device includes a fixing holder, a spherical cylinder, and a cutter holder. The fixing holder has a through hole, and a spherical outer circumferential surface in which a key groove is formed. The spherical cylinder includes a through hole that has a spherical inner circumferential surface in which a key groove having a spherical bottom surface is formed, and a spherical outer circumferential surface having a key groove formed at a position shifted around a rotational axis with respect to the key groove. The cutter holder includes a through hole that has a spherical inner circumferential surface in which a through hole having a spherical bottom surface is formed, and a cutter blade. These components are rotationally slidably connected by keys.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying synthetic resins applicable to a metal mold wheel that rotates at a high speed. A cutter of a cutter unit and a holding fitting are attached to an air cylinder, so that the cutter unit can be advanced and retreated in the radial direction of rotation. When the molten resin is stably blown out from an extrusion nozzle, the air cylinder is expanded to move the cutter to an advanced position to cut the molten resin. When the molten resin is unstably blown out from the extruder, the air cylinder is contracted and the cutter is arranged at a retreated position so will not to come in contact with the molten resin. Despite the cutter wheel continues to rotate, the molten resin is not contacted by the cutters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary cutter for the pelletization of plastic extrudates, said rotary cutter being provided with knives projecting axially away from its end surface, said knives being individually affixed to supporting surfaces of the rotary cutter by means of fastening elements. The supporting surfaces are formed by the side walls of radial grooves in the peripheral surface of the rotary cutter and by radial transverse walls in the radial grooves, said radial grooves being limited by the radial transverse walls, the knives each being inserted in hook-like manner with a projecting portion into said radial transverse walls, wherein one side of the projecting portion forms an abutment for the fastening element, said fastening element penetrating a radial transverse wall and pressing on the abutment.

Abstract: Methods for coextruding a predetermined initial melt stream through at least one profiled die having a nonlinear inlet opening and an outlet opening. The die insert is positioned so as to cause redistribution of at least a portion of the melt stream. The nonlinear melt stream formed at the nonlinear inlet opening converges within the die insert into a substantially more linear or rectangular melt stream at the die insert outlet opening. At the die insert outlet opening at least one or more regions of the melt stream vary in properties or material clue to the redistribution of the melt stream in the die insert. Articles extruded using the coextrusion methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing a plurality of crystallizable polymer pellets includes a step in which the pellets are contacted with a temperature adjusting fluid in a crystallizer. The fluid adjusts the temperature of the pellets by having a temperature sufficient to allow at least partial crystallization of the plurality of polymeric pellets while maintaining the average pellet temperature of the plurality of pellets below the melting temperature of the pellets. A crystallizer implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for pelletizing at least one strand (1, 1?) of material to be palletized. Said device comprises a cutting device with two blades (5, 6) that can be displaced relative to each other, at least one feed roller (3, 4) and at least one strand feeder (2, 2?) for feeding the strand (1, 1?) to the cutting device. An additional tap-shaped rectification guide (7, 7?) is arranged downstream of the strand feeder (2, 2?) in the region immediately in front of the feed roller (3, 4) and next to the same, said guide being adjustable in its inclination and moveably in relation to the strand feeder. The rectification guide can be used to adjust the angle at which the strand is fed to the feed roller.

Abstract: A method of increasing the intrinsic viscosity of polyester by means of solid state polymerization, wherein a polyester plastics melt is granulated and after granulation is conveyed into a thermal treatment container (13) for thermal treatment therein, the granules being produced slightly below their melting temperature and being fed into the thermal treatment container (13) immediately after granulation so as to utilize the residual heat in the granules, as well as an arrangement for increasing the intrinsic viscosity of polyester by means of solid state polymerization with a granulating and a thermal treatment unit, with an unheated, thermally insulated container (13) or a container (13) having wall heating means (15) being provided as the thermal treatment unit, which is directly connected to the granulating unit via a conveying device (11, 36, 37).

Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for ductile materials comprises a nozzle having a number of outlet openings separated from each other by separator webs. Next to the nozzle, a rotating cutting tool is provided, having a plurality of cutting knives for cutting off the strands of material discharged through the outlet openings of the nozzle. Each separator web is at least as wide as a cutting knife. For performing a cutting operation, the cutting tool is intermittently rotated. Between two cutting operations, the cutting tool is stopped, whereby its knives remain in a rest position behind the separator webs. For the next cutting operation, the cutting tool is rotated by such an amount that its cutting knives move from a position behind a first separator web to the next adjacent separator web.

Abstract: An extruder system and a cutting assembly for cutting a material extruded from an extruder plate.

Abstract: An improved process for the pelletization of polymers is disclosed, using a die in which the die holes incorporate a reverse taper along at least a portion of the length thereof. Conditions for operation of an under melt cutter incorporating this die are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing a plurality of crystallizable polymer pellets includes a step in which the pellets are contacted with a temperature adjusting fluid in a crystallizer. The fluid adjusts the temperature of the pellets by having a temperature sufficient to allow at least partial crystallization of the plurality of polymeric pellets while maintaining the average pellet temperature of the plurality of pellets below the melting temperature of the pellets. A crystallizer implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A die assembly and a process for using the die assembly is disclosed. The die plate is made of a material that is somewhat resistant to cracking when subjected to pressure of an extrudate material from behind the die assembly. A series of recesses are arranged about the circumference of the die plate, into which dies of a more hardened material are secured. Holes conforming to the shape of the desired extrudate are drilled through the die plate and dies. The surface of the dies is ground smooth so that there is consistent, even contact between the dies and the mechanism used for cutting the extrudate as it is pushed out of the holes in the dies.

Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.