Drying device

Claim 1

A dryer for plastic material to be mounted on plastic shaping apparatus such an an extruder, mold or the like, comprising a self contained assembly having: a drying chamber of rectangular cross sectional shape positioned against the plastic shaping apparatus, a desiccant chamber of rectangular cross sectional shape positioned beside the drying chamber having within said rectangular shape parallel and confronting screens located above and below a desiccant agent through which air is caused to flow, a porous basket of rectangular cross sectional shape positioned in the drying chamber, said basket tapering from a larger upper end substantially filling the cross sectional area of the drying chamber to a smaller lower end to provide a free air space surrounding the lower end of the basket, means to direct plastic material from the bottom of said basket to the plastic shaping apparatus, said desiccant agent in said desiccant chamber to remove moisture from air passing therethrough, a blower positioned to convey air in a closed path through the drying chamber, the basket, and the desiccant chamber, heating means located in said closed path to heat said air, air filter means located in said closed path to remove particulate matter from said air, and thermostatic control means controlling said heating means to maintain said air at a preset temperature when said dryer is operating.