Segmented briquetting roll

Claim 1

A briquetting roll, comprising: (a) a central core having two sides and being a substantially radially symmetrical polygonal prism having a diameter greater than its length and being adapted for rotation about its axis; (b) each planar surface of the periphery of said polygonal core having at least one transverse groove; (c) a plurality of end-to-end removable mold segments around the periphery of said core, each of said mold segments comprising: (1) an arcuate top working surface; (2) a flat bottom surface opposite said working surface being in substantial contact and substantially coterminous with one of the planar surfaces of the periphery of said core, said bottom surface having at least one transverse groove substantially complementing one of said grooves in the coterminous planar surface of said core to form a transverse keyway; (3) two opposite end walls connecting said top working surface and said bottom surface, said end walls diverging with respect to each other relative to said bottom surface; and (4) two opposite side walls connecting said top working surface and said bottom surface; (d) two annular retaining rings, one on each side of said central core, each spanning the interface between said mold segments and the periphery of said central core to secure said mold segments to said central core, said retaining rings having a plurality of spaced, centrally located holes coaxial with said keyways; (e) means on each side of said core proximate its periphery and on each side wall of each of said mold segments proximate its bottom surface for detachably connecting said retaining ring; and (f) affixing means passing through said retaining ring holes and said keyways for drawing said two annular retaining rings together to effect secure attachment of said mold segments to said central core and for aligning and preventing movement of said mold segments relative to the periphery of said central core.