Abstract The system includes mixing apparatus, extruder, thermoformer, trimmer and grinder. Ground plastic from the mixing apparatus is fed directly to the extruder which provides a thin, continuous film of plastic. In the direct feed mode this film moves from the extruder directly into the thermoformer and then to the trimmer. Articles are formed in the film by the thermoformer and are cut from the film by the trimmer to leave a skeletal film which is fed directly into the grinder. In the bypass feed mode, film from the extruder or from the thermoformer is fed directly into the grinder. Novel mixing apparatus is disclosed for mixing plastics of different bulk densities, such as ground film from the thermoformer, extruder and trimmer. Also, novel cutting apparatus is disclosed which reduces noise and overloading problems.
Apparatus for cutting plastic film or the like, comprising cutter means for severing the plastic film into short lengths, conveyor means for moving the plastic film to the cutter means, means for moving plastic along a predetermined path to said conveyor means, signal generating means including sensor means along said path which provide a control signal corresponding to the rate of speed of the plastic film as it moves to said conveyor means, drive means for the conveyor means including a variable speed motor responsive to the control sIgnal to vary the rate at which said conveyor means moves the plastic film to the cutter means in response to said control signal, and grinding means which receive the severed lengths of plastic and grind them into small pieces of plastic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for cutting plastic film or the like, comprising cutter means for severing the plastic film into short lengths, conveyor means for moving the plastic film to the cutter means, means for moving plastic along a predetermined path to said conveyor means, signal generating means including sensor means along said path which provide a control signal corresponding to the rate of speed of the plastic film as it moves to said conveyor means, drive means for the conveyor means including a variable speed motor responsive to the control sIgnal to vary the rate at which said conveyor means moves the plastic film to the cutter means in response to said control signal, and grinding means which receive the severed lengths of plastic and grind them into small pieces of plastic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for grinding plastic film or the like, comprising cutter means including a movable blade for severing the plastic film into short lengths, conveyor means for moving the plastic film to the cutter means, means for moving plastic along a predetermined path to said conveyor means, signal generating means including sensor means along said path which provide a control signal whenever the plastic film deviates substantially from said path, common drive means for the blade and the conveyor means including a variable speed motor responsive to the control signal to vary the movement of the blade and the rate at which the plastic film is conveyed to the cutter means in response to said control signal, and grinding means which receive the severed lengths of plastic and grind them into small pieces of plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for grinding plastic film or the like, comprising cutter means including a movable blade for severing the plastic film into short lengths, conveyor means for moving the plastic film to the cutter means, means for moving plastic along a predetermined path to said conveyor means, signal generating means including sensor means along said path which provide a control signal whenever the plastic film deviates substantially from said path, common drive means for the blade and the conveyor means including a variable speed motor responsive to the control signal to vary the movement of the blade and the rate at which the plastic film is conveyed to the cutter means in response to said control signal, and grinding means which receive the severed lengths of plastic and grind them into small pieces of plastic.