US3600745A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the granulation of synthetic plastics
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-22
•
Granted: 1971-08-24
•
Expires: 1990-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for the processing of synthetic plastics from a melt to solid granules of uniform size, the device including in succession an autoclave or extruder holding the melt, a casting unit and distributor with a plurality of discharge ducts and shutoff valves in the ducts, a partially mobile discharge unit with aligned injectors into which the liquid melt is discharged. In the injectors and subsequent guide hoses the strands of plastic are cooled for partial solidification by a first flow of water, then stretched and further solidified by a second, pressured flow of water. The guide hoses lead the strands and the surrounding water to a cutting unit where rapidly moving cutters chop the plastic strands into granules. Quick-connect links on the guide hoses, auxiliary valve control means and access provisions for adjustment and inspection provide operational reliability.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Heinrich Wilhelm Hench
- 👤 Wilhelm August Seegers
- 👤 Leo Karl Markus Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:14
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/20; B26; B26D; B26D1/00; B26D1/01; B26D1/12; B26D1/25; B26D1/34; B26D1/38; B29; B29B; B29B9/00; B29B9/02; B29B9/06; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/05; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/345; B29C48/78; B29C48/86; B29C48/865; B29C48/87; B29C48/88; B29C48/91; B29C48/911; B29C48/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for the processing of solidifiable materials and compounds such as synthetic plastics and the like from a melt to solid granules of uniform size comprising in combination: a melt vessel to hold the solidifiable material in its liquid state; a casting unit arranged below the melt vessel and communicating therewith for downward discharge of the liquid material; in the casting unit, means to distribute the liquid material issuing from the melt vessel by creating a plurality of independently flowing material strands, and valve means to individually stop and start the flow of the material strands; a discharge unit arranged below the casting unit and provided with a plurality of injectors, each injector being aligned to receive one of the liquid material strands created in the casting unit and discharging downwardly therefrom, the discharge unit further including means to solidify and stretch the moving material strands, while guiding them through the injectors; conduit means connected to the strand-exit side of the discharge unit to guide the moving material strands issuing through the injectors; and a cutting unit to receive the moving solidified material strands from the conduit means and to continuously chop them into granules of uniform size.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for the processing of solidifiable materials and compounds such as synthetic plastics and the like from a melt to solid granules of uniform size comprising in combination: a melt vessel to hold the solidifiable material in its liquid state; a casting unit arranged below the melt vessel and communicating therewith for downward discharge of the liquid material; in the casting unit, means to distribute the liquid material issuing from the melt vessel by creating a plurality of independently flowing material strands, and valve means to individually stop and start the flow of the material strands; a discharge unit arranged below the casting unit and provided with a plurality of injectors, each injector being aligned to receive one of the liquid material strands created in the casting unit and discharging downwardly therefrom, the discharge unit further including means to solidify and stretch the moving material strands, while guiding them through the injectors; conduit means connected to the strand-exit side of the discharge unit to guide the moving material strands issuing through the injectors; and a cutting unit to receive the moving solidified material strands from the conduit means and to continuously chop them into granules of uniform size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the casting unit communicating with the melt vessel through a main discharge passage, the device further including: a main valve to start and stop the discharge of liquid material into the casting unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the casting unit further including: a plurality of separate discharge ducts, one for each of the independently flowing material strands, the valve means of the casting unit being in the form of a separate shutoff valve in each discharge duct; and means to operate the valve means in the discharge ducts both individually and in unison.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device as defined in claim 3, the casting unit communicating with the melt vessel through a central discharge passage in the axis of the casting unit, the casting unit further including: a distributor cone forming the distributing means, the cone being at the lower end of the central discharge passage so as to spread the liquid material issuing from the passage into a downwardly and radially outwardly directed flow; the discharge ducts being radially connected to the periphery of the distributor cone to receive separate strands of liquid material from the cone and to guide them axially downwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The device as defined in claim 4, the distributor cone being in the form of a double cone completely enclosing the flow of liquid material, the casting unit further comprising: wall panels surrounding the distributor cone and the discharge ducts, thereby forming an enclosure in the form of a heating jacket with supply connections for a heating medium, whereby the liquid material moving through the casting unit can be maintained at a desired low viscosity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as defined in claim 3, the melt vessel and the casting unit being structurally combined to form an integral unit, the casting unit thereby forming at least a portion of the bottom of the melt vessel; and the discharge ducts in the casting unit originating in separate openings in that portion of the casting unit which is part of the bottom of the melt vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A device as defined in claim 6, the melt vessel and the casting unit having a common longitudinal axis; the bottom of the melt vessel being generally circular in outline; and the openings of the discharge ducts in the bottom of the melt vessel lying on a center circle around the longitudinal axis, this center circle being of such a diameter that it geometrically divides the cross-sectional bottom area of the melt vessel into an outer annular area and an inner circular area, both of approximately equal size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as defined in claim 7, the distributing means of the casting unit being in the form of a distributing cone, the cone being formed by centrally raising the circular bottom area located within the center circle of the discharge duct openings; the annular bottom area located outside the center circle of the discharge duct openings being similarly raised to incline radially upwardly away from the discharge duct openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
The device as defined in claim 8, the raised outer annular bottom area of the melt vessel forming a reinforced end flange at the bottom of the melt vessel; the casting unit having a matching flange whereby it is sealingly and detachably mounted to the bottom of the melt vessel; the distributing cone being a central part of the detachable casting unit, and the discharge ducts traversing the flange of the casting unit; the casting unit further including: a heating jacket arranged underneath of the distributor cone and casting unit flange with supply connections for a heating medium, whereby the liquid material above the distributor dome and in the discharge ducts can be maintained at a desired low viscosity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device as defined in claim 8, the opening angle of the distributing cone being not less than approximately 60* and not more than approximately 120*; the angle of incline of the outer annular bottom area from the plane of the discharge duct openings being not less than 30* and not more than 60*.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
The device as defined in claim 6, the melt vessel and the casting unit having a common longitudinal axis; the bottom of the melt vessel being generally circular in outline; and the openings of the discharge ducts in the bottom of the melt vessel lying on several concentric center circles around the longitudinal axis, the geometric mean value of the several center circle diameters being such that a circle of its diameter would divide the cross-sectional bottom area of the melt vessel into an outer annular area and an inner circular area, both of approximately equal size.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 6, the discharge ducts in the bottom of the melt vessel having a diameter of preferably 20 mm., but not less than 15 mm. and not more than 30 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as defined in claim 12, the discharge ducts in the bottom of the melt vessel tapering narrower away from their inlet openings, the diameter defined above being measured at the narrowest portion of the discharge duct.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as defined in claim 7, the axes of the discharge ducts being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis, extending downwardly and radially away from the center of the casting unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
The device as defined in claim 3, the valve-operating means of the casting unit including: as part of each shutoff valve, a radially extending valve shaft and a valve control lever operably attached to the end of the valve shaft; a valve control ring rotatably guided on the periphery of the casting unit in a plane parallel to the general plane occupied by the shutoff valves; means to link the valve control levers to the valve control ring for simultaneous movement therewith between an open valve position and a close valve position, these linking means including means to unlink individual valves from the valve control ring to allow separate movement of the unlinked valves; and means to move the valve control ring between two end positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
The device as defined in claim 15, the linking means including an upstanding portion on each valve control lever and, attached to the valve control ring, a pair of radially extending pins with rollers for each valve control lever to engage the upstanding portion of the lever from two sides, thereby transmitting any ring motion to the lever; the unlinking means including a pivot connection between the valve control levers and their associated shafts, this pivot connection allowing movement of the upstanding portion of the lever out of the engagement range of the roller pairs on the valve control ring, while maintaining the valve operative connection between the lever and the valve shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device as defined in claim 15, the means to move the valve control ring including: a double-acting power cylinder tangentially engaging the valve control ring for forcible movement of the ring in two directions; and an auxiliary main control lever likewise engaging the valve control ring to allow manual operation of the valve control means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the discharge unit further including: a water housing defining therein two separate water chambers: a headwater chamber, and a pressure water chamber; the strand solidifying and stretching means including: a continuous supply of substantially turbulence-free water through the headwater chamber into the injectors of the discharge unit, and a continuous supply of pressurized water through the pressure water chamber into the same injectors; the injectors being oriented substantially vertically.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
146 words
The device as defined in claim 18, each injector of the discharge unit including: an injector standpipe mounted in the water housing, the pipe being open on both ends; an injector casing of larger diameter than the standpipe and mounted concentrically therewith in the water housing so as to form an open annular pressure water duct between the casing and the standpipe; and an injector head sealingly connected to the upper end of the injector casing and including: a funnel-shaped mouth portion aligned with the upper end of the standpipe for the entry of headwater into the injector; and a downwardly extending tapered collar forming a downwardly and radially inwardly directed turnaround-extension of the annular pressure water duct in the form of an injector gap between the collar periphery and the end portion of the standpipe for the entry of the pressurized water into the injector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
The device as defined in claim 19, the headwater chamber being generally bowl shaped and including within a peripheral portion of its water space all the injector heads, the upper end of their mouth portions thereby determining the uppermost water level inside the headwater chamber, while the annular pressure water ducts of the injectors are sealed off from the headwater chamber; the pressure water chamber being generally ring shaped and located beneath the peripheral portion of the headwater chamber so as to communicate with all the pressure water ducts; the injector standpipes extending downwardly through the water housing and communicating individually with the conduit means of the device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 19, each injector head further including: a bayonet-type quiCk release connection forming the sealing connection with the injector casing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as defined in claim 20, the headwater chamber including a screen to filter the headwater passing therethrough and to simultaneously reduce its turbulence; the pressure water chamber including a similar screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the discharge unit further including: lifting means to lower and raise the discharge unit with respect to the casting unit positioned above it; and translating means to laterally move the discharge unit into and out of alignment between the material strands discharging from the casting unit and the injector axes of the discharge unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the conduit means being sealingly connected to both the discharge unit and the cutting unit, these conduit means including: a separate strand conduit for each injector of the discharge unit; and quick-release connecting means at both ends of each strand conduit for individual connection to the discharge unit and the cutting unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
The device as defined in claim 24, the strand conduits being flexible hoses; the quick-release connecting means including for each strand conduit: a connecting sleeve permanently attached to each end of the hoses to form a continuous bore therewith, each sleeve including a tapered seat portion and a retaining groove on its outer surface; a connecting socket mounted at the strand exit side of the discharge unit in alignment with an injector exit, the connecting socket having an enlarged bore forming a matching tapered seat with the connecting sleeve; and a spring-loaded retaining pin and knob in the connecting socket, the pin releasably engaging the retaining groove of the connecting sleeve; a similar connecting socket and spring-loaded retaining pin mounted at the strand-receiving side of the cutting unit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
80 words
The device as defined in claim 1, the cutting unit including: a stationary main housing having at least one outlet passage for water and material granules; a collar at the strand-receiving side of the cutting unit, with a separate passage through the collar for each solidified material strand; cutting means continuously moving within the main housing transversely to the moving material strands to chop them into granules of uniform size, and drive means for transmitting motion to the cutting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
90 words
The device as defined in claim 26, the collar of the cutting unit including: a plurality of shear bushings on the inside of the collar, one for each strand passage, the shear bushings having a shear face aligned along a common cutting path, the path in which the cutting means move; connecting means attached to the outside of the collar for the attachment of the conduit means through which the material strands are received; and means to adjust the cutting clearance between the shear faces and the moving cutting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
100 words
The device as defined in claim 27, the collar of the cutting unit having a generally circular outline, the strand passages and shear bushings being located in a circle, with their shear faces in a common plane perpendicular to the main axis of the housing; the cutting unit further including: a drive shaft rotatably supported by bearings in the main axis of the housing; a rotor fixedly mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith; and a cutting rim on the rotor facing toward the shear bushings, the cutting means being a plurality of cutting edges on the cutting rim.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The device as defined in claim 28, the cutting rim being detachably mounted on the rotor, and including a plurality of interchangeable cutters attached to the cutting rim, these cutters representing the cutting means; the collar of the cutting unit including a central access lid with an air vent for access to the cutting rim.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device as defined in claim 28, the main housing having a generally circular outline And including two outlet passages, one of them being oriented tangentially with respect to the housing periphery, the other one being oriented radially thereto; the housing being surface-treated against abrasion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
89 words
The device as defined in claim 28, the adjusting means for the cutting clearance including: an inner ball bearing on the drive shaft allowing for axial mobility of the shaft toward and away from the shear bushings; an outer ball bearing on the drive shaft axially restrained relative to the shaft; a bearing flange holding the outer bearing in an axially restraining manner, the bearing flange being axially adjustable and blockable relative to the main housing while providing a bearing support for the outer end of the drive shaft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device as defined in claim 31, the bearing flange being threaded for axial adjustment and including a peripheral row of teeth; the main housing further including a stationary threaded portion matching the thread of the bearing flange, and a radially oriented, spring-loaded detent pin and knob engaging the teeth of the bearing flange.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as defined in claim 32, the adjusting means further including a threaded locking engaging the stationary threaded portion of the housing and facing the bearing flange.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
102 words
The device as defined in claim 27, the strand passages and shear bushings in the collar of the cutting unit being divided into several groups, each located in a separate cutting circle, with the shear faces in each group in a common plane; the cutting unit further including: a rotor for each separate group of shear bushings, including a drive shaft for each rotor; and a cutting rim on each rotor facing toward the respective group of shear bushings, the cutting means being a plurality of cutting edges on each cutting rim; the drive means transmitting rotary motion simultaneously to all rotors.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
326 words
A device for the processing of solidifiable materials and compounds such as synthetic plastics and the like from a melt to solid granules of uniform size comprising in combination: a plurality of spaced melt vessels to hold the solidifiable material in its liquid state, the vessels being arranged in a stationary position at a common level above a floor or support platform; a casting unit fixedly mounted below each melt vessel and communicating therewith for downward discharge of the liquid material; in each casting unit, means to distribute the liquid material issuing from the associated melt vessel by creating a given, identical number of independently flowing material strands, and valve means to stop and start the discharge of liquid material through any one of the casting units; a common discharge unit for selective connection to the discharge side of any one of the casting units, the discharge unit including a plurality of injectors, each injector being aligned to receive one of the liquid material strands created in the particular casting unit and discharging downwardly therefrom, the discharge unit further including means to solidify and stretch the moving material strands, while guiding them through the injectors; a plurality of flexible hoses connected to the strand-exit side of the discharge unit, each hose communicating with an injector to receive and guide the moving material strands issuing therefrom; a cutting unit to receive the moving solidified material strands from the flexible hoses and to continuously chop them into granules of uniform size; and a movable dolley independently supporting the weight of the discharge unit, while itself being supported by the floor or support platform; the dolley including: a dolley structure; lifting means to lower and raise the discharge unit with respect to the dolley structure, and translating means to laterally move the discharge unit into and out of alignment between the material strands discharging from any one of the casting units and the injector axes of the discharge unit.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
326 words
A device for the processing of solidifiable materials and compounds such as synthetic plastics and the like from a melt to solid granules of uniform size comprising in combination: a plurality of spaced melt vessels to hold the solidifiable material in its liquid state, the vessels being arranged in a stationary position at a common level above a floor or support platform; a casting unit fixedly mounted below each melt vessel and communicating therewith for downward discharge of the liquid material; in each casting unit, means to distribute the liquid material issuing from the associated melt vessel by creating a given, identical number of independently flowing material strands, and valve means to stop and start the discharge of liquid material through any one of the casting units; a common discharge unit for selective connection to the discharge side of any one of the casting units, the discharge unit including a plurality of injectors, each injector being aligned to receive one of the liquid material strands created in the particular casting unit and discharging downwardly therefrom, the discharge unit further including means to solidify and stretch the moving material strands, while guiding them through the injectors; a plurality of flexible hoses connected to the strand-exit side of the discharge unit, each hose communicating with an injector to receive and guide the moving material strands issuing therefrom; a cutting unit to receive the moving solidified material strands from the flexible hoses and to continuously chop them into granules of uniform size; and a movable dolley independently supporting the weight of the discharge unit, while itself being supported by the floor or support platform; the dolley including: a dolley structure; lifting means to lower and raise the discharge unit with respect to the dolley structure, and translating means to laterally move the discharge unit into and out of alignment between the material strands discharging from any one of the casting units and the injector axes of the discharge unit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
84 words
The device as defined in claim 35, the lifting means of the movable dolley including: a plurality of vertically aligned guide columns, each column including a guide barrel and a fitting guide rod; the guide rods and guide barrels being rigidly attached to the discharge unit and the dolley structure, respectively; and a lifting cylinder supported by the dolley structure in a vertical position, the upper end of the piston rod engaging the discharge unit so as to support the weight of the unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as defined in claim 35, the translating means of the movable dolley including: a horizontal rail structure mounted to the floor or support structure; a set of support wheels mounted to the dolley structure and riding on the rail structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3029466A
Cited
US3432579A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |