Abstract: In a face cutting apparatus having an extrudate feed means with an extrudate delivery end, a die plate and a cutter, an apparatus and method for controlling extrusion back pressure includes a die having a plurality of extrusion orifices through which a heat plastified material is adapted to be extruded, having a varying orifice density along the length of the die, a pressure sensing device for sensing the pressure adjacent the delivery end and an apparatus for moving the die relative to the delivery end in response to changes in the pressure adjacent the delivery end to align a die area of differing orifice density with the delivery end in order to adjust the flow rate of heat plastified material through the die and the extrusion back pressure.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an improved construction of resin pellet producing machine so adapted that a length of resin material extruded in a circular shape through a die of an extruding means is cooled down by a quantity of cooling water jetted forth from a cutter nozzle and at the same time cut continuously to form a plurality of resin pellets thereby to make it unnecessary to appeal further to a cooling water tank.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for shaping of mats composed of loose fibers with a thermosetting resin interspersed throughout. The apparatus compresses the mat and exposes its laterally extending surfaces to elevated temperatures to obtain partial curing thereof. Slits are made in the surface regions adjacent areas where extra shaping will occur in forming the final product. These slits enable more precise shapes to be impressed upon the mat and eliminate the tendency of the partially cured areas to spring back to a position of lesser compression.

Abstract: A granulation apparatus in which a conical chamber having a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall is provided for collecting cut granules. The wall is covered with a flowing, circulating film of water, such film being of uniform thickness and circulating quickly. An annular water channel is provided around the cylindrical or conical chamber for collecting the granules, the annular channel being fed through a tangential water inlet. A flat, annular horizontal acceleration chamber is disposed in the upper region of the annular channel and communicates with the channel through an annular aperture formed in the upper radially outward region of the annular channel. At its radially inner periphery the acceleration chamber communicates with the chamber through an annular aperture.The disposition of the inlet, the channel and the acceleration chamber cause water flowing into the chamber to be subjected to centrifugal force whereby the film of water remains closely adjacent the wall and is of uniform thickness.

Abstract: A granulation apparatus which operates in the manner of a water-ring granulator comprises a perforated plate and rotatable cutter tool for granulating material fed through the plate. A recess is provided beneath the perforated plate which is concentric with, but inwardly of, a collection chamber for collecting the granulated material. The recess is dimensioned so as to have a cross-sectional area at least equal to the surface area of the plate.

Abstract: A granulation chamber for plastics materials comprises a top portion effective to be rotated symmetrically about a vertical axis and having a downwardly divergent concave shape, an opening located at the center of the top portion and engaged by an extruder head associated with a star arrangement of granulating knives to be rotated in a horizontal plane intersecting the top portion and a frusto-conical hopper-like bottom portion coupled with the top portion and converging downwardly into a discharge outlet.

Abstract: The processing of thermoplastic materials by working the thermoplastic materials into a hot flat sheet. The sheet material is first deformed or scored into a series of parallel strands that are interconnected by thin ribbons of the thermoplastic material thereby retaining integrity of the sheet material. The sheet material is then severed along the score line of the thin ribbons to form parallel strands which are cooled and guided to a fly cutter which cubes the strand material.

Abstract: A device for granulating plastic strands includes an extruder having a nozzle plate with boreholes arranged in front of a manifold and a starting valve connected thereto, and a cutting device with a knife head arranged centrally in a receiving housing wherein the cutting knives of the knife head rotate in the region of emergence of plastic strands which are acted on radially by a coolant. The cooling is accomplished by providing a cutting plate with cooling boreholes aligned axially with the nozzle boreholes of the nozzle plate. These cooling boreholes extend up to an insulating layer except for a recess which is connected to a coolant feedline for releasing at least one flow cross section of coolant which corresponds to the cooling boreholes.

Abstract: A conventional underwater plastic pelletizer of the type using a rotatable knife hub is improved by securing to the knife hub a diverter plate for confining the flow of inlet water to the region adjacent the face of the die plate. The cutting knives are mounted on the rotating hub at a rake angle with respect to the hub center and tilted at an angle with respect to the surface of the die plate so as to effectively pull a cut pellet away from an extruded plastic strand, and the die plate is heated by an organic heat exchange fluid. The result is a substantial reduction in orifices frozen off by cooled polymer.

Abstract: Adjusting means for aligning the cutting plane of the knives and the surface of a perforated die plate of pelletizing apparatus including a ring having a wedge cross section adjustable between the mountings for the plate and the knives to vary the angular relation of said mountings.

Abstract: Granulating apparatus wherein a cutter shaft mounting a multi-blade cutting implement, bearing means for the cutter shaft and drive means therefor are combined into a unit, which unit is mounted so that it can be swivelled about a bearing surface adjacent a cutter plate to adjust the cooperation of the blades of the cutting implement with the cutting plate. Screw drives are preferably provided to effect the adjustment.

Abstract: Three-dimensional work pieces, such as instrument panels or dashboards, are made of initially flat stock or of synthetic material such as a two-component foamable material. The tools of the present apparatus include upper and lower holding tools which are preferably simultaneously shaping tools, and cutting or trimming tools. The upper tools and the cutting or trimming tools may have a common support which is preferably exchangeably secured in a main frame. The shaping tools are moved into a first cooperating position relative to each other, whereby the work piece is formed into the desired shape. The shaping tools may then be locked in the shaping position or they may be moved into a second cooperating position to be rigidly locked in the second position. A tool support such as a table carried by a scissors lift frame is used for moving the shaping tools into the desired positions. The cutting or trimming is then performed by applying pressure to the respective tools.

Abstract: A process and tooling to carry on said process for producing direct from extrusion an open groove plastic cylindrical section which consists in extruding the material around cylindrical pins arranged along a circle and protruding downstream with respect with the die opening and drawing the deformable structure along inner cutters located in the ducts formed by the pins to cut the material between the duct and the outside and further drawing said still deformable structure around flexible wires free to fill said slitted ducts.

Abstract: A pelletizing device for use with an extruder has a die plate through which a plastic ribbon is extruded, and a milling cutter is rotatably mounted at the die plate for cutting successive pellets from the extruded ribbon as the latter exits from the die plate. Means defining a channel carrying a cooling medium is located below the milling cutter and receives the pellets cut by the milling cutter, the cooling medium cooling the pellets and carrying the pellets away.

Abstract: A process for extruding and granulating thermoplastic material comprises passing a thermoplastic melt through a face-cut extruder or melt pump having an insulated die plate where the insulated die plate consists of a die plate having on its face or as an integral part of the die plate which is in contact with the cooling liquid a member or portion having a plurality of cavities or pores which surround the extrusion holes, the cavities or pores being of a type that communicate with the cooling liquid. Also disclosed is the thermoplastic processing apparatus.

Abstract: A cutter hub for use in an underwater pelletizer such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,207, issued Oct. 31, 1978, which includes a replaceable, double or single edged blade attached to each arm of the hub with a major portion of the length of the blade being attached to and supported by the arm on the hub thereby resulting in less axial deflection with increased cutting pressure, since the rigid hub arm carries the rotational stress without deflection of the critical blade cutting surface. This arrangement produces higher quality pellets, fewer knife adjustments, reduces the radial wear pattern on the pellet die plate, permits the use of thinner, less costly blades and permits the use of single edged or double-edged blade with a useable second side.

Abstract: Granulating apparatus having a cutting plate and a multi-blade cutting tool drivable by drive means and cooperating with the cutting plate, wherein, to ensure that the operating conditions, particularly fluctuating temperatures of the various components causing differential expansion, do not affect the setting of the cutter blades with respect to the cutting plate, the cutting plate, the bearing housing, the fixed bearing, the cutting blade shaft, the blade holder and the cutting blades are mechanically interconnected with one another with such interconnection disposed approximately in the cutting plane defined between the cutting plate and the cutting blades, whereby axial force-locking and form-locking connection of the components starting from the cutting plate and extending by way of the bearing means to the cutting blades, extends approximately in the cutting plane.

Abstract: Granulating apparatus, for plastics melt and other materials comprising an extruder head with a perforated member, a rotating cutter to cut material extruded through the perforated member, a housing surrounding the cutter and forming a granulating chamber with a generally upright axis and liquid supply means to supply cooling liquid to the top edge of the granulating chamber so that the cooling liquid flows in a film over the inner wall of the housing of the granulating chamber to prevent the cut material from sticking to said inner wall and to cool the cut material. The liquid supply means may include a perforated pipe encircling the granulating chamber or a weir at the inner edge of an annular chamber.

Abstract: At least one knife on a cutting device for use with an extruder rotates to strike the extruded product with an upward motion to thereby force the product in a generally upward direction. The knife is encased in a vapor-permeable shroud having a size sufficient to prevent substantial striking of the shroud by the cut product.

Abstract: An extrusion process is disclosed wherein coolant under pressure is directed against the outer surface of a thermoplastic material being forced through an extrusion orifice such that at least a portion of the coolant immediately vaporizes and the resultant heat of vaporization required for such action is taken from the material immediately contacting such. The coolant is introduced into an intermediate zone downstream from an initial extrusion zone and the interface between such zones is insulated so as to restrict conductive heat transfer between such zones immediately adjacent thereto so as to prevent possible freeze ups of said material in the initial extrusion zone.

Abstract: A die formed of a series of concentric rings is disclosed. An outer body has a series of communication ports for the introduction of a heating medium. An inner body having the same axial thickness as the outer body is placed inside the outer and in the annular space defined between the inner and outer bodies a series of annular rings are placed. The annular rings each have a series of nozzles disposed in a circumferential ring and are formed with grooves on their outer walls to define jackets between the rings. The jackets are in communication with the communication ports to supply a heating medium to the jacket.

Abstract: A knife adjustment system including a normally non-rotatable quill threadably attached to a hub outwardly extending from the face of an extrusion die at a point proximal said face in order to insure that the operating temperatures of such quill and hub at the connection location are generally equal. Adjustment means for threadably rotating the quill with respect to the hub so as to in turn adjust the spacing of cutter knives with regard to the die face in the form of a planetary gear system located at that end of the hub distal from the die face is further included. The knives are fixed to a knife carrier and in turn supported for rotation about the quill.

Abstract: An improved melt cutter apparatus for producing pellets from a strand of a partly molten thermoplastic resin in cooperation wth an extrusion die is provided. The apparatus comprises a drive shaft, a drive rod rotatably connected thereto, a knife holder connected rotatably to the drive rod, a knife attached thereto and means for advancing the knife toward the extrusion die.

Abstract: A sub-water granulating device for granulating thermoplastic synthetic plastics materials is operatively combined with the nozzle plate of a screw extruder. The device comprises a rotary cutting tool head which is enclosed by a dome or hood. Flushing water is fed into the dome and discharged therefrom and the flow of water is directed to clean the cutting tools and to carry out granules cut by the tools thereby preventing the formation of lumps of granules and adhesion thereof to the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A dispensing device for rapidly dispensing a plurality of uniform dough masses is illustrated wherein an axially movable lid member is provided for aiding the flow of dough from the interior of a dough chamber through a dispensing outlet carried adjacent a bottom end of the chamber and a separator member is provided for snychronized movement with the lid member to sever a predetermined amount of dough as it flows from the dispensing outlet forming a separated dough mass of uniform amount and shape.

Abstract: An improved die face cutter is provided which has a fluid cooled plate disposed on the die face. Smearing of freshly cut polymer is reduced.

Abstract: A pellet cooling system including a novel coolant cage construction and operational manner so as to insure the cooling of warm thermoplastic pellets as they emerge from a die head and are cut by rotating knives is disclosed. After cooling, as by entrainment in coolant flows simultaneously directed peripherally about the cage sides and radially across the front face thereof, the pellets are immediately withdrawn from the cage. Additionally, a feature of the coolant cage is the provision of a novel slinger for distributing a coolant flow evenly over its front face.

Abstract: A pelletizer of the type of an underwater cutter has its die surface composed of a surface of rotation, e.g., a right circular cylinder, a frustum of a cone, etc., whereby plastic resin materials fed from an extruder under pressure to the outside of the die wall are forced to extrude through a number of die nozzles drilled in the wall of the die to be cut into pellets by a cutter which is rotating in front of the die surface and provided with a plurality of cutter blades the outer edge of each of which is disposed in parallel with the die surface leaving a definite, uniform gap therefrom.

Abstract: An improved cutter for hot plastic strands is provided which uses an inwardly extruding frustoconical die and corresponding frustoncnical cutter rotating within the die. Severed particles are fluid cooled and cutter clearance is readily controlled even when a cutter has been reground for sharpening and the diameter reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus for rolling, forming and severing a product such as comestible dough. A mass of unformed dough is placed on a conveyor belt above which a rigid board is supported and inclined downwardly in the direction of movement of the belt whereby the dough is rolled, as it passes under the board, into a cylinder having a diameter corresponding to the spacing between the belt and board at the exit end. The cylinder of dough is then deposited at the opposite end of the apparatus to pass between a pair of spaced rollers, thus being rolled into a sheet. A guide roller receives the sheet of dough emerging from between the forming rollers and guides it toward a plurality of cutter disks. The dough is severed into side-by-side strips as it passes between the guide roller and cutter disks and is deposited on the same conveyor belt used in the initial rolling operation for transport to a final receiving station or pan.

Abstract: A vertical underwater type pelletizer-cutter apparatus utilizing a hydraulic suction force for pelletization of thermoplastic polymers comprising a nozzle portion having a plurality of nozzles through which a thermoplastic polymer in a melt state is extruded in strands, an injector portion having a plurality of injectors through which the strands are introduced with water, a cooling portion comprising a plurality of guide tubes through which the strands pass together with said water which cools and solidifies the same and a cutter portion which cuts the cooled and solidified strands into pellets, wherein means are provided for monitoring the pressure at the space in the upper part of the guide tube and for automatically stopping the extrusion of the thermoplastic polymer when the monitoring means detects an abnormal reduction in the pressure.

Abstract: An improved cutter for hot plastic strands is provided which uses an annular die plate having a plurality of strand-extruding openings, the openings being generally coplanar. A rotating cutter is provided adjacent the die plate with cutting knives resiliently tensioned toward the face of the die, the cutter being adjustably mounted relative to the die in a manner to provide highly accurate adjustment and to minimize thermal movement of the die relative to the cutter.