Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the generally annular screw flight section secured to said shaft is further defined by external and internal screw flights; the space between said external screw flight and the internal wall of said housing defining a generally annular discharge passage for polymeric material; said internal screw flight being disposed closely adjacent said bearing seat means whereby polymeric material is prevented from entering the chamber surrounding said bearing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention of claim 2 in which said bearing seat means is provided with a generally annular sealing wall having an inner and outer surface and extending from said bearing seat means coaxial with said screw flight section, said outer surface disposed closely adjacent said internal screw flight; and a secondary internal screw flight means is secured to said shaft closely adjacent said inner wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention of claim 3 in which said secondary internal screw flight means is further defined by a generally annular element coaxial with said screw flight section and having a screw flight on the external surface thereof. , 5. The invention of claim 4 in which said secondary internal screw flight element is operatively secured to said shaft by means of fasteners extending through a radial shoulder of said element into a radial shoulder of said screw flight section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention of claim 2 in which said bearing seat means is further provided with a seal extending from said bearing seat means into contact with said shaft whereby lubricating oil can be retained in said bearing and steam and other vapors are precluded from coming into contact with said bearing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said bearing seat means depends from said die plate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention of claim 7 in which said die plate means is further defined by a generally circular plate secured to said housing in blocking relationship to said output end with said shaft end disposed within said housing, the internal wall of said plate including a bearing boss defining said bearing seat means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 8 in which a cutter bearing seat is provided in the external surface of said plate and is adapted to receive a rotating cutter driven independently of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
432 words
A dewatering pelletizer for dewatering and reducing the size of wet polymeric material comprising in combination: an elongated barrel housing defined by a plurality of slightly spaced screen bars defining escape passages through which liquid can be forced, said barrel housing having an input end and an output end; a rotatable shaft disposed axially within said housing, said shaft having a first and extending through said housing and supported for rotation by means of a bearing and adapted to be driven by a suitable power source, and a second end disposed within said output end of said barrel housing; a plurality of dewatering screw flights carried by said shaft and including a generally annular screw flight section adjacent said second end and defining with the internal wall of said barrel housing a generally annular space; a generally annular die plate secured to said housing at said output end; a generally circular support member secured to said die plate coaxial with said rotatable shaft; a generally annular bearing boss secured to said die plate and disposed coaxial with said rotatable shaft, said bearing boss including a bearing seat adapted to receive a bearing providing rotatable support for said second end of said rotatable shaft; vapor sealing means extending from said bearing boss into contact with said rotatable shaft, said sealing means and said bearing boss defining a lubrication chamber for said bearing; circumferentially spaced tapered apertures in said die Plate for the passage of polymeric material therethrough; said generally annular screw flight section defined by external and internal screw flights; a generally annular sealing wall having an inner and outer surface and extending from said bearing boss coaxial with said shaft, said outer surface disposed closely adjacent said internal screw flight of said annular screw flight section; a secondary internal screw flight defined by a generally annular element coaxial with said shaft and operatively secured to said shaft and having a screw flight on the external surface thereof and having a screw flight closely adjacent said inner surface of said sealing wall; a cutter bearing seat in said support member; a rotatable cutter shaft supported by said cutter bearing seat and adapted to be driven by an external power source independently of said rotatable shaft; a plurality of spaced cutter knives mounted on said cutter shaft, each cutter knife having a sharp leading edge and so positioned with respect to said die plate that they meet the extruded material while the material is supported by the walls of the die plate defining said tapered apertures as it is forced from said die plate.