Abstract: The retractable die clamp for a pellet mill includes a clamp segment having a generally C-shaped cross-section with radial extending flanges for wedging the die ring flange and mounting or quill flange of the pellet mill frame against one another, securing the ring to the frame. The clamp includes end bolts threaded into the mounting flange. A centrally located Acme fastener has an externally threaded sleeve and a bolt extends through the sleeve and is threaded into the mounting flange. The Acme fastener also includes an internally threaded nut restrained on the clamp for limited axial movement. The nut is also rotatable relative to the clamp to back the clamp radially away from the mounting flange to retract the clamp from the ring and mounting flanges. The Acme fastener also maintains the clamp attached to the frame by the bolted connection when the clamp is backed off the mounting and die ring flanges.

Abstract: A pellet-forming apparatus is provided for extruding high moisture materials in a low-pressure extrusion apparatus having an extruding cylinder and a cooperative extruding rotor. The rotor extends axially through the elongated cylinder and is formed with multi-tier extruding surfaces that are configured and positioned to be radially spaced with respect to the interior surface of the cylinder and form a pressure zone to effect radial displacement of the material through passages formed in the cylinder wall and be extruded exteriorly of the cylinder. The rotor preferably consists of a series of configured plates arranged along a common axis to form a combined auger-shaped extruding rotor. A feed conveyor comprising a helical flight auger is provided in preceding axial relationship to the extruding cylinder for feeding of material into the cylinder without substantial pressure buildup.

Abstract: A pelleting die is provided, preferably in cylindrical form. The die includes a cylindrical body having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces and holes through the surfaces in which particulate material is extruded to form pellets. The die is formed of an H-group steel alloy, preferably H13 alloy, with the surfaces being nitrided to provide increased surface hardness, resistance to wear, improved fatigue life and improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is described for granulating plastic strands (4) which emerge from nozzles (3) in molten form and are supplied to a following, downward inclined runoff channel (1) in which the plastic strands are transported by a liquid stream, in particular water stream. Further the apparatus has a dewatering zone (1b) for the plastic strands (4) and a granulator (6) disposed after this dewatering zone. Between the dewatering zone (1b) and the granulator (6) there is at least one tempering zone (9) comprising a rigid, unmoving channel (15) and integrated transport rolls (16) for the plastic strands (4) and having a length such that the temperature differences of the plastic strands (4) across their cross section are largely equalized during their holding time in the tempering zone (9).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for hydrothermally processing a raw grain composition with steam in a conditioner as a preliminary step in the production of a pelletized feed product. More specifically, this invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for massing in-process grain composition in a chamber to enhance efficacy and efficiency of hydrothermal treatment and to improve the production rate and quality of pelletized feeds.

Abstract: A mash feed treatment system including a mash feed conditioning apparatus connected in series with a roller mill and a pellet mill. The mash feed conditioning apparatus includes a housing having an interior and an inlet and outlet, a shaft mounted within the interior of the housing having an internal cavity, and mechanisms for rotating the shaft to convey feed within the interior and for introducing steam into the interior via the cavity of the shaft. The shaft and the housing preferably include pressure containment mechanisms for maintaining superatmospheric pressures within the cavity and the interior respectively.

Abstract: A method and pellet mill apparatus for the continuous preparation of improved animal feed pellets cooks a grain mash with steam under superatmospheric pressure which extends through a conditioning chamber within the mill and to an extrusion die to increase conditioning and gelatinization of the mash.

Abstract: A device for the manufacture of extruded bodies from a plastic material or a damp pulp, comprising, arranged at an outlet end of a container for the material or the pulp, an output device (18) with a number of output wings (19) driven by a rotatably driven shaft and at an axial distance from the output device a rotatably driven extrusion device (20) with a number of extrusion wings, of which the outer ends during rotation of the extrusion device sweep closely around the inside of a surrounding cylindrical and perforated wall in order to press out to the space surrounding the wall the fed-out material through perforations in the wall. A stationary guide rail arrangement (16) is provided between the output device (18) and the extrusion device (20) and the output device and extrusion device are driven in the same direction of rotation. The output wings (19) have inclined surfaces (30) which, seen in the direction of rotation, form an acute angle (.alpha.

Abstract: This pelletizer relates to pelletizer systems of the type that include a scraper blade. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a removable, replaceable, breakaway scraper blade that can be changed out easily and quickly without damaging the remainder of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A pelleting press for pressing from a powdery, granular and/or pasty material compacted rod-shaped pieces of said material, comprising a die (1) with one or more rotatable rolls (6) co-operating therewith each having an axis (5) supported in such a manner that it is situated in a plane through the axis (3) of the die (1) and a gap (9) is defined between the die (1) and the or each roll (6), further comprising means for supplying the material to be pressed towards the or each gap (9), and driving means for moving the die (1) and the or each roll (6) in respect of the material supplied to the or each gap (9), all this in such a manner that the supplied material when moving in the gap between the die and a roll is compacted and is pressed through the apertures (2), the support of the die and/or the or each roll being so that the gap height is adjustable, the driving means being adapted for driving the die as well as the or each roll, and the velocity of at least the die or the each roll being independently varia

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: The single tapered die mount employs a radially inner surface at an angle to the axis of rotation of the die mount, die and die holder. The radially inner surface of the die mount acts on an annular shoulder of the die to support and position the die in the die holder. The die mount of the invention is located between the radially outer surface of the die and the extended lip of the die housing. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the radially inner surface of the die mount in contact with the radially outer surface of the die shoulder has an angle of a modified Morse taper. The radially outer surface of the die shoulder is machined to a matching angle.

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 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: 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 present invention employs a main shaft cantilevered from a frame. A die holder is disposed around the outside of the shaft, and in the preferred embodiment rotates by the use of adjustable tapered roller bearings around the shaft. Fixed to the die holder is a die, and the die and die holder define a pelletizing chamber. The shaft supports a roller frame with a plurality of rollers within the pelletizing chamber. The resulting construction is a pelletizer shaft support structure that uses only a single set of bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the main shaft is comprised of an inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inner shaft is located coaxially within the outer shaft and supported within the outer shaft by static bushings. The roller frame and rollers are mounted to the inner shaft. The inner shaft and the outer shaft are both fixed to the frame structure.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets includes a continuous process extruder, a die, a pelletizer and a hot water annealing quencher assembly. The pelletizer cuts strands of EPS material extruded from the extruder and die into uniform EPS pellets. The annealing quencher assembly includes a quencher tank, a water vortex substantially immersed therein for generating a slurry of water and EPS pellets discharged from the pelletizer, a quenching loop, and a slurry pump for pumping the slurry from the water vortex through the quenching loop to thereby anneal the EPS pellets.

Abstract: A cooled pellet making machine includes a rotary cutter and a fixed blade mounted on a fixed support table in opposition to the rotary cutter for cutting a strand into pellets. Each of the fixed support table and the fixed blade are provided with a communication chamber having an inflow port formed in one end and an outflow port formed in the other end. The communication chamber of the fixed blade is connected with the communication chamber of the fixed support table. Cooling water may be circulated through the communication chamber to eliminate heat from being generated on the fixed blade. Therefore, the strand may be cut in a cooled condition by means of the rotary cutter, to produce pellets of uniform size.

Abstract: A quick die change capability is provided to a pellet mill by means of a fixture spider which can be attached to the pelleting die and to the rollers for a unitized roller/die cartridge. By employment of quick acting captive die clamps, as well as push-pull jacks, assembly and dismantling of the die/roller cartridge in the mill is simplified. Three axis adjustability of the fixture spider enhances ease of alignment.

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 device for cooling, granulating and drying molten strands of synthetic thermoplastic material emerging from dies includes a cooling unit for applying a cooling liquid to the strands and a granulator housing with a cutting roll for granulating the strands. The granulator housing is connected to an outlet duct with a sieve to separate the thermoplastic material from the cooling liquid. The sieve is arranged so that the granules separated from the strands by the cutting roll impinge directly on the sieve at basically the same speed as that imparted to the granules by the cutting roll.

Abstract: An underwater pelletizing apparatus for realizing and stabilizing a pressure to press a cutting knife against a die plate, for preventing shaft vibration, and for decreasing wear of the cutting knife.The die plate and a water chamber casing are removably mounted at a thermoplastic material extrusion opening section; the cutting knife is disposed at the front of the die plate; a cutter shaft with the knife mounted at the forward end thereof is rotatably and axially movably supported in the water chamber casing and a shaft supporting housing to thereby move the cutter shaft forward and backward by means of a fluid pressure cylinder; and a locking means is provided for intermittently locking the axial movement of the cutter shaft.

Abstract: A densifier and cooling elevator for compressing previously separated burnable waste material into cubes of desired length and shape with the cubes forming a fuel for various purposes in which a burnable product can be effectively used. The densifier includes a rotatable drum and a plurality of circumferentially positioned die tubes which are welded together and held in rigid radial position. The inner ends of the die tubes are supplied with waste material treated previously in various stages of a waste recycling apparatus. Oppositely disposed rollers engage, compress and compact the waste material into the die tubes and extrude the compacted waste material from the die tubes as a dense cube. The cooling elevator supplies the previously treated burnable waste material to the drum and is provided with spray nozzles that may be optionally employed to cool or provide moisture to the waste material to more effectively enable the waste material to be compressed and compacted into cubes.

Abstract: An installation is provided which has a press-through surface containing openings (13) and pressure elements (14) for pressing goods through the openings (13). According to the invention, the size of the openings (13) is variable in the installation. Preferably, this is effected in that opposite edges of the openings (13) are movable with respect to one another counter to the action of restoring elements (19). In this context the size of the openings (13) can be determined by the pressure exerted by the pressure elements (14). Preferably the press-through surface (12) is made up of segments (17), which delimit the openings (13).

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: A process and apparatus for aligning the cutting surfaces of cutting blades of a granulating device, in which an abrasive plate is detachably connected to the granulating hood of the granulating device after disconnection of the hood from a die plate. The abrasive plate remains fixed and the cutting surfaces of the cutting blades are ground by rotating the cutting head so that the cutting surfaces will be aligned axially on the axis of rotation of the drive shaft of the cutting head and located in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The grinding operation for alignment can be carried out in situ on the granulating device, or the granulating hood and cutting head can be removed from the granulating device and the grinding and alignment can be effected in a separate support.

Abstract: Disclosure is a cutter holder device for a pelletizer in which a cutter shaft is coupled to a cutter holder through a crowned involute spline gear and an elastic member so that cutter blades are kept in close contact with a die surface. In the cutter holder device, the cutter shaft is coupled to the cutter holder through the crowned involute spline gear and the elastic member, so that, even when a squareness between the cutter shaft and the die surface is lowered, all cutter blades are held in close contact with a die surface, whereby the resultant pellets are satisfactory and uniform in configuration.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for the metered delivery of flowable or fluent material masses comprises a drum member rotatable about a substantially horizontal lengthwise axis. A cylindrical shell of such drum member contains a multiplicity of openings. A cell wheel is rotatably arranged within the drum member. The lengthwise axis of the cell wheel and the lengthwise axis of the drum member are arranged parallel and eccentric to one another and, optionally, these lengthwise axes can be moved relative to one another. Beneath the drum member there is arranged a transport device for receiving metered portions of the material mass. The cell wheel is provided with lamellae cooperating with an inner surface or wall of the drum member, and such drum member, while leaving free or unobstructed a lower region, is surrounded by a container for the material mass.

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: 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: A radial die densifier is disclosed having a means for regulating the rate of material flow. Material passes through a feed cylinder in which is disposed a distributor cone. The feed cylinder may be moved toward and away from the cone so as to vary the width of a flow passage way formed between the end of the feed cylinder and the distributor cone. Also disclosed is a method for producing fuel pellets, logs, or the like, by densifying paper coated with a moisture resistant material in which the coating acts as a binder and a combustibility enhancing agent.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets includes a continuous process extruder, a die, a pelletizer and a hot water annealing quencher assembly. The pelletizer cuts strands of EPS material extruded from the extruder and die into uniform EPS pellets. The annealing quencher assembly includes a quencher tank, a water vortex substantially immersed therein for generating a slurry of water and EPS pellets discharged from the pelletizer, a quenching loop, and a slurry pump for pumping the slurry from the water vortex through the quenching loop to thereby anneal the EPS pellets.

Abstract: A pelleting line incorporates a flash dryer in order to permit processing of coarsely ground particulate feed material under optimum conditions at all stages of processing. By conditioning using steam having higher than normally optimum moisture content and temperature, an increased gradient of moisture and temperature can be maintained from surface of the feed material particle to its center. The conditioning can be accomplished in approximately the same time as that required for finely ground feed material. Thus starch conversion, salmonella destruction, and shear strength adjustment are each optimized for the pellet production process. Because it permits processing of coarsely ground feed material, incorporation of the flash dryer in the pelleting line reduces grinding costs and eliminates down time of the pelleting line caused by plugging of the pelletizing mill and/or the necessity to purge the feed material conditioner.

Abstract: A pellet mill (1) is provided with a control unit with the help of which a desired value of press roll slippage, e.g. zero or a pre-selectable peak value can be maintained. For this purpose, the pellet mill (1) comprises a first measuring unit (27, 28) for measuring the circumferential speed of the perforated die (8) as well as a second measuring unit (23, 24) for measuring the circumferential speed of the press rolls (11, 12). In a comparator (30, 31), the two circumferential speeds are compared and on exceeding a pre-selectable peak value for the difference of the two measured values, a slip signal is created by means of which the mill drive, and/or the supply of basic material to be formed is influenced in such a manner that the slippage will be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus provides separate coarse rate and fine rate adjustability of spacing between extrusion rolls and a surrounding extrusion die in a pellet mill, including a roller tire, for each extrusion roll, mounted on bearings which are supported on a hollow shaft having a cylindrical eccentric bore; a solid axle shaft disposed within each hollow shaft and having eccentric bearing-journaled extensions and an axial length greater than that of the hollow shaft; a rigidly mounted front roller support plate having a bore for supporting said bearing-journaled eccentric extension at a front end of said solid axle shaft for each said roll, the bore being aligned with a matching bore for supporting a bearing-journaled eccentric extension at a rear end of each solid axle shaft for each said roll. Attached to each hollow shaft is a provision for rotating the hollow shaft to adjust a spacing distance between the roller tire and the extrusion die and for holding the shaft in a desired rotated position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for the production of sterile, pelleted feed products is provided which includes an extruder device (12) equipped with a pelleting head (14) adjacent the outlet end of the extruder barrel (17). The pelleting head (14) includes an annular die section (52) having die openings (58) therethrough which is secured to the extruder barrel (17), forming an extension thereof; a rotatable, multiple-vane plate (66) is secured to the screw (42) of the device (12) and cooperates with the die section (52) to form final pellets. A rotatable knife (16) serves to cut emerging extrudate so as to size the pellets. In an alternative embodiment, the plate (66) is separately powered for rotation independent of the extruder screw (17), preferably by means of a prime mover (102) coupled with a short extruder screw section (100) which supports the plate (66). Preferably, the extruder device (12) is equipped with an upstream preconditioner (40) serving to moisturize and uniformly mix dry feed ingredients.

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 rotary drum assembly contains a flowable material and includes peripheral openings through which the material can flow to form pieces of the material on a belt traveling beneath the drum assembly. A guide contacts the outer periphery of the drum assembly for pressing residual material back into the openings. The guide can be pivoted away from the drum assembly for servicing, and can be adjusted to different positions around the circumference of the drum assembly.

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: A pellet making machine used in a pellet producing process has a rotary cutter mounted to the outer periphery of a hollow rotary shaft. A fixed blade is disposed opposite to the rotary cutter, and a pellet exhaust chute is disposed below the rotary cutter and slopes downwardly therefrom. The rotary cutter is provided with an interior cooling chamber and the hollow rotary shaft is provided with water inflow holes and exhaust holes communicating with the cooling chamber of the rotary cutter. A water supply tube extends into the hollow rotary shaft and is supported within the shaft by a partition wall, which also forms a water supply passage communicating with the water inflow holes of the hollow rotary shaft and a water exhaust passage communicating with the water exhaust holes of the hollow rotary shaft.

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: A pellet mill (1) is provided with a control unit with the help of which a desired value of press roll slippage, e.g. zero or a pre-selectable peak value can be maintained. For this purpose, the pellet mill (1) comprises a first measuring unit (27, 28) for measuring the circumferential speed of the perforated die (8) as well as a second measuring unit (23, 24) for measuring the circumferential speed of the press rolls (11, 12). In a comparator (30, 31), the two circumferential speeds are compared and on exceeding a pre-selectable peak value for the difference of the two measured values, a slip signal is created by means of which the mill drive, and/or the supply of basic material to be formed is influenced in such a manner that the slippage will be prevented.

Abstract: I provide the quick release cutting hub assembly for a pelletizer with a cutting plane formed between a cutter and a die plate comprising a pelletizer shaft having a bore, a cutter assembly supporting the cutter and a support means mounted on one end of the pelletizer shaft and supporting the cutter assembly and having a spring means in compression urging the cutter assembly toward the cutting plane and also having a quick release means mounted within the support means for releasing the cutter assembly from the shaft. The quick release means when actuated bears against the cutter assembly and is held in place due to the pressure exerted by the compression of the spring located in the support means.

Abstract: In order to prevent solidification of melt in the openings in an orifice plate of an underwater granulator during start-up, the water discharged from the housing of the granulator is diverted to a low pressure outlet so that during start-up a ring of water is formed on the inner surface of the housing. Thereby, melt strands from the orifice plate are cut in air and after the throughout of the melt becomes sufficiently high, the water discharged from the granulator is no longer diverted but is supplied to a post-treatment station and the housing becomes filled with water due to higher back pressure whereupon underwater granulation takes place.

Abstract: A pellet production apparatus to be incorporated with an extruder for mass-producing pellets of plastics or the like. The apparatus includes a multi-perforated hollow cylindrical sheath acting as nozzles and a cylindrical rotor provided on its cylindrical surface with some lengthwise tapered-grooves and corresponding lengthwise ridge portions. The ridge portions act as cutters with the rotor rotatably inserted in the sheath. The rotor is further provided with an air blower for blowing compressed air radially and rotated by a driver exclusive to the rotor. A pellet material extruded from the extruder into the present apparatus is made to proceed along the grooves of the rotor, pushed out from the perforations of the sheath and then cut out into pellets by the ridge portions of the rotor as it rotates further. The thus produced pellets, which are apt to stick to the perforations, are blown off by the compressed air.

Abstract: A briquetter for low density materials having a hopper, an auger in the bottom portion of the hopper extending outwardly of the hopper with its leading end feeding material conveyed by the auger and a pair of rolls receiving the feed material having briquette forming pockets extending along the roll circumferences, arranged to form complementary pockets for shaping the briquettes transversely of the rolls. A pair of confronting, threaded auxiliary ribbon flights in the hopper are provided immediately above the auger for pre-compressing material as it enters the auger. The auxiliary ribbon flights are tapered in diameter and have threads that become progressively smaller and are in opposite directions so as to concentrate pressure on material entering the auger. The leading end of the auger is smaller in diameter than the threads of the auger and is pointed to concentrate pressure on materials introduced between the pair of rolls.

Abstract: The agglomerator includes a disk-shaped annular chamber which is confined on its periphery by an annular perforated die, the outside of which is swept by knives. The annular chamber narrows towards its periphery, and at least one pressing blade rotates in the chamber. The blade has an active flank which forms, with the perforated inside wall of the perforated die, a revolving plasticizing chamber which narrows in the direction opposite to that of revolution. Plastics wastes in the form of chips, flakes or a fleece, resulting from precomminution, are fed axially into the annular chamber and are precompacted by the pressing blade in the revolving plasticizing chamber. The wastes are degassed and plasticized by autogenously controlled pressure and temperature conditions and are forced through the perforated die. The narrowing of the chamber toward the periphery results in increased throughput capacity without causing thermal damage to the material.

Abstract: A pressure roller for cooperative drive relation with an inner annular surface of an annular rotative extrusion die of a pellet mill is provided. The pressure roller includes a substantially circular ring having a substantially circular cross-section, a circumferential outer surface and a longitudinal axis. The circular ring includes air relief mechanism, including an air relief channel, in the outer surface for channeling air escaping from particulate feed material compressed between the roller and the inner surface of the extrusion die. The channel extends at an angle with respect to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in producing pellets including a pelletizer having an annular chamber partially defined by a pellet plate against which spring loaded knives are urged. Pellets produced by moving the knives relative to the plate to repeatedly cut plastics extruded through apertures in the plate are carried by a water stream out of the chamber. This stream enters the chamber via an inlet and performs one cycle round the chamber before exiting the chamber with the pellets via exit which is in the same plane as inlet. With this arrangement the axial extent of the pelletizer is reduced and the relatively short travel of the pellets promotes efficiency.