Apparatus and method for forming pellets
AssigneeImperial Chemical Industries PLC
InventorsAlan J. Hall, Frank A. Kirk, Alan M. Patterson, Peter M. Paxton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pellets which are formed by extruding and cutting may be squashed in the latter operation. Squashing is reduced by passing a strand of extruded material downwardly under the influence of gravity and cutting the strand horizontally with a blade, preferably supporting the strand against the cutting blade by blowing gas against it when cutting.
Claims8
A process of forming pellets with little squashing which comprises extruding a strand of deformable pellet forming material, passing the strand downwards for a substantial distance under the influence of gravity and then cutting it horizontally by holding the strand at a cutting position against a cutting blade at least partially by blowing gas against the strand in a direction opposing the cutting blade and severing pellets from the strand by passing the blade substantially horizontally through the strand whilst the strand is in a deformable condition and held by the gas.
Apparatus for forming pellets of deformable material with little squashing which comprises:
- an extruder for extruding a strand of said deformable material, said extruder being adapted to pass the strand downwardly under the influence of gravity;
- a blade at a cutting position a substantial distance below said extruder;
- means at said cutting position for passing said blade substantially horizontally through said strand to cut said strand while it is in a deformable condition;
- and
- means for at least partly blowing gas against said strand in a direction opposing said blade when said strand is at said cutting position for holding said strand against said blade as said strand is cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.