Pelletizing apparatus

Claim 2

A pelletizing apparatus comprising a mixing chamber for receiving the material to be pelletized and a fluid, a mixing shaft rotatably mounted in the mixing chamber, a stationary extrusion die in communication with the mixing chamber, at least one extrusion roller mounted on the mixing shaft for rotation therewith and operatively associated with the die, and means on the mixing shaft for mixing said material and said fluid and for feeding the mixed material and fluid to said roller between the roller and die so that said roller will extrude the mixed material and fluid through the die, said shaft being substantially wholly supported by said roller engaging the die so that no bearings are required for supporting said shaft.

Claim 3

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extrusion roller is adjacent the forward end portion of said shaft, means are provided for rotating said shaft and a flexible coupling is provided between the shaft rotating means and the rear end portion of said shaft for supporting the rear end portion of the shaft while permitting only a negligible back lash or wobbling thereof.

Claim 4

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft is provided with flights of mixing blades for mixing said material and fluid and for feeding the mixed material and fluid forwardly toward the die and roller, and at least one guide vane is carried by said shaft for guiding said mixed material and fluid to said roller.

Claim 5

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for cutting the extruded material into desired lengths.

Claim 6

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of extrusion rollers are carried by said mixing shaft for rotation within the die, and adjusting means are provided for adjusting said rollers towards and away from the inner surface of the die to compensate for wear of said rollers and the inner surface of the die and for accommodating mixed material to be pelletized and fluid of varying consistencies.

Claim 7

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided for effecting angular adjustment of said die and for reversing said die to compensate for wear of segmented portions of the die.

Claim 8

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber is provided with inlet means for the material to be pelletized and said fluid.

Claim 9

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said die is provided with extrusion openings for the extruded material, a conveyor is provided for the extruded material and means are operatively associated with the extrusion openings and the conveyor for conducting the extruded material from the die to said conveyor.

Claim 10

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said die carried a plate forwardly of the die, a stub member is carried by said plate and projects forwardly thereof, means are provided for cutting the extruded material into desired lengths, said cutting means comprising a hub adapted to be mounted on said stub member, a plurality of elongated members secured at their inner ends to said hub and extending radially outwardly therefrom beyond the outer surface of the die, each elongated member being provided with an arm extending rearwardly over the outer surface of the die, and a cutting blade is carried by each arm in spaced relation to the outer surface of said die, a sprocket is provided on said hub, a motor having a driven shaft with a sprocket therein is provided and a sprocket chain is entrained over said sprockets for driving said hub and said cutting means.

Claim 11

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of extrusion rollers are carried by said mixing shaft, each of said rollers is mounted on a crank shaft, a triangular shaped plate is carried by partitions between said rollers and means are carried by said plate for adjusting the rollers towards and away from said die, said adjusting means including a supporting member having a screw threaded bore on said triangular plate, a second supporting member having a screw threaded bore, a lug is mounted on each crank shaft between said supporting members and an adjusting screw is carried by each supporting member and adjustably received by the screw threaded bore therein adapted to engage said lug for rotating said crank shaft to adjust the rollers towards and away from the die when one adjusting screw is moved away from said lug and the other adjusting screw is moved against said lug the crank shaft will be rotated in one direction the desired amount to move the roller and then the other adjusting screw is moved into engagement with said lug to hold the crank shaft and the roller in its newly adjusted position.

Claim 12

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plate is carried by said die forwardly of the roller and a guide vane is carried by the rear face of said plate to guide back to the roller any material which might move forwardly of the roller.

Claim 13

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said die and roller are positioned in a pelletizing chamber forwardly of said mixing chamber and which pelletizing chamber is in communication with said mixing chamber, and access doors are provided for both chambers.

Claim 14

A pelletizing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixing chamber comprises two portions capable of being separated.