CA2378264C - Extrusion die plate and cutter assembly with hydraulic motor - Google Patents
Extrusion die plate and cutter assembly with hydraulic motor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2378264C CA2378264C CA002378264A CA2378264A CA2378264C CA 2378264 C CA2378264 C CA 2378264C CA 002378264 A CA002378264 A CA 002378264A CA 2378264 A CA2378264 A CA 2378264A CA 2378264 C CA2378264 C CA 2378264C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- die plate
- fluid
- motor
- extrudate
- cutter assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 title claims description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 101150039167 Bex3 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/02—Making granules by dividing preformed material
- B29B9/06—Making granules by dividing preformed material in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
- A21C—MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; HANDLING BAKED ARTICLES MADE FROM DOUGH
- A21C11/00—Other machines for forming the dough into its final shape before cooking or baking
- A21C11/10—Other machines for forming the dough into its final shape before cooking or baking combined with cutting apparatus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
- A21C—MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR MAKING OR PROCESSING DOUGHS; HANDLING BAKED ARTICLES MADE FROM DOUGH
- A21C11/00—Other machines for forming the dough into its final shape before cooking or baking
- A21C11/16—Extruding machines
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
- Press-Shaping Or Shaping Using Conveyers (AREA)
- Details Of Cutting Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A die plate (42) for an extruder is coupled directly to a fluid-driven motor (52) on one side and to an extruder (40) on the other side. Suitable fluid inlet (56) and outlet (60) passages are formed in the die plate to supply the motor (52) with fluid and withdraw fluid. A cutter assembly includes a housing (47) to receive the motor (52) within and is coupled for rotation to an output shaft (64) from the motor, so that in use blades (48) mounted on the housing (47) are caused to rotate into the path of extrudate and to sever it.
Description
EXTRUSION DIE PLATE AND CU'ITER ASSEMBLY
WITH HYDRAULIC MOTOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This inve.ntion relate.s to extrusion apparatus which includes a die plate through wfiich extrudate is received and shaped, the extrudate being severed into discrete pieces as it emerges from the die plate by a cutter assembly having a blade that is rotated into the path of moaement.of the c=tudate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTTON
Cutter assemblies for cutting extrudate have in the past been associated with electrically-driven motors. Such a cutter assembly will rotate about a fixed shaft mounted to the extruder and the coupli.ng to a motor for rotation may be via a spool attached to a belt driven by the motor, as in US 5,641,529, or via a universal drive connection that is itself coupled to another drive. Such assemblies are cumbersome because of the space occupied by the electric motor, the associated coupling means, and the framework necessary to support the motor unit.
US patent number 5,525,052 describes an extrusion machine enabling the changing of extrusion dies without incurring production down time, by providing at least two dies on a support plate that is rotatable on an axis parallel with respect to the extruder axis. An hydraulic motor may be used to power a cutter that is arranged to sever extrudate leaving the extruder through the die. There is no mention of the arrangement for supplying drive fluid to and removing it from the motor. A drive shaft connects the motor to a satellite mitre gear that is coupled to provide drive to the cutter.
An object of this invention is to provide means for rotating a cutter blade that may be integrated into the cutter assembly to thereby save space and facilitate tnaintenance of the extrusion apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
WITH HYDRAULIC MOTOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This inve.ntion relate.s to extrusion apparatus which includes a die plate through wfiich extrudate is received and shaped, the extrudate being severed into discrete pieces as it emerges from the die plate by a cutter assembly having a blade that is rotated into the path of moaement.of the c=tudate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTTON
Cutter assemblies for cutting extrudate have in the past been associated with electrically-driven motors. Such a cutter assembly will rotate about a fixed shaft mounted to the extruder and the coupli.ng to a motor for rotation may be via a spool attached to a belt driven by the motor, as in US 5,641,529, or via a universal drive connection that is itself coupled to another drive. Such assemblies are cumbersome because of the space occupied by the electric motor, the associated coupling means, and the framework necessary to support the motor unit.
US patent number 5,525,052 describes an extrusion machine enabling the changing of extrusion dies without incurring production down time, by providing at least two dies on a support plate that is rotatable on an axis parallel with respect to the extruder axis. An hydraulic motor may be used to power a cutter that is arranged to sever extrudate leaving the extruder through the die. There is no mention of the arrangement for supplying drive fluid to and removing it from the motor. A drive shaft connects the motor to a satellite mitre gear that is coupled to provide drive to the cutter.
An object of this invention is to provide means for rotating a cutter blade that may be integrated into the cutter assembly to thereby save space and facilitate tnaintenance of the extrusion apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance: with a first aspect of this invention, a die plate for an extruder is modified to be coupled directly to a fluid-driven motor on one side and to an cxtnider on the other side. Suitable fluid inlet and outlet passages are formed in the die plate to supply,the, motor with motor-driiving fluid and to withdraw fluid. The die plate thus has:
first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder defining a longitudinal axis, second couplirig means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis, apertures throiigh which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetemiined lengths by said cutter assembly, a fluid inlet passage for receiving motor-driving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly, and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge ftom the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid driven motor for rotating a cutter transversely to said longitudinal axis into the path of movement of exuudate so as to sever the extcudate.
In a preferred form of the invention, the die plate has a peripheral edge adjoining the first and second sides, the fluid inlet passage and fluid outlet passage each having a radial portion extending radially through said peripheral edge toward a central area of the die plate where each passage terminates in a respective longitudinal portion extrnding through said second side of the die plate.
The first and second coupling means preferably include a plurality of mounting openings for receiving respective fasteners through the die plate.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a die plate and cutter assembly includes a die plate having first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder, defining a lor-gitudinal axis, second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis, apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly, a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly, and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor coupled to said second side of the die plate and adapted to receive motor-driving fluid from said fluid inlet passage in use and to discharge said fluid into said fluid outlet passage, and a rotatable cutter, driven for rotation transversely to said longitudinal axis by said motor, into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate.
The cutter assembly includes a housing which receives the motor within and is coupled for rotation to an output shaft from the motor.
In a preferred form of the invention, the rotatable cutter includes a housing coupled for rotation to said motor, the motor being receivable within said housing. The motor preferably indudes an output shaft which may be coupled to the housing.
In a further preferred form of the invention, the housing includes blade mounting means for supporting at least one: radially extending blade having a predetemzined separation from said second side of the die plate and adapted to sever extrudate emerging therefrom in use.
The motor may be any fluid driven motor. A preferred embodiment is a hydraulic motor.
An alternative preferred embodiment is a pneumatic motor.
The fluid inlet and outlet passages in the die plate may be thermally insulated from the extrudate outlet apertures. Insulation may be by means of a gap that may be filled with a gas.
The gas may be air. 7'he gap is preferably located around the fluid-passages.
The invention extends in a further aspect to a cutter assembly for coupling to a die plate, and for cutting extrudate emerging therefrom, the assembly comprising positioning means for positioning the assembly close to an extrudate outlet, a housing, a fluid-driven motor rece,ivable to be mountable in the housing, a cutting blade and mounting means for mounting the blade to the housing, so that, on actuation of the motor in use, the blade is caused to rotate into a path of movement of extrudate emerging from the said outlet, so as to sever it.
first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder defining a longitudinal axis, second couplirig means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis, apertures throiigh which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetemiined lengths by said cutter assembly, a fluid inlet passage for receiving motor-driving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly, and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge ftom the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid driven motor for rotating a cutter transversely to said longitudinal axis into the path of movement of exuudate so as to sever the extcudate.
In a preferred form of the invention, the die plate has a peripheral edge adjoining the first and second sides, the fluid inlet passage and fluid outlet passage each having a radial portion extending radially through said peripheral edge toward a central area of the die plate where each passage terminates in a respective longitudinal portion extrnding through said second side of the die plate.
The first and second coupling means preferably include a plurality of mounting openings for receiving respective fasteners through the die plate.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a die plate and cutter assembly includes a die plate having first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder, defining a lor-gitudinal axis, second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis, apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly, a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly, and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor coupled to said second side of the die plate and adapted to receive motor-driving fluid from said fluid inlet passage in use and to discharge said fluid into said fluid outlet passage, and a rotatable cutter, driven for rotation transversely to said longitudinal axis by said motor, into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate.
The cutter assembly includes a housing which receives the motor within and is coupled for rotation to an output shaft from the motor.
In a preferred form of the invention, the rotatable cutter includes a housing coupled for rotation to said motor, the motor being receivable within said housing. The motor preferably indudes an output shaft which may be coupled to the housing.
In a further preferred form of the invention, the housing includes blade mounting means for supporting at least one: radially extending blade having a predetemzined separation from said second side of the die plate and adapted to sever extrudate emerging therefrom in use.
The motor may be any fluid driven motor. A preferred embodiment is a hydraulic motor.
An alternative preferred embodiment is a pneumatic motor.
The fluid inlet and outlet passages in the die plate may be thermally insulated from the extrudate outlet apertures. Insulation may be by means of a gap that may be filled with a gas.
The gas may be air. 7'he gap is preferably located around the fluid-passages.
The invention extends in a further aspect to a cutter assembly for coupling to a die plate, and for cutting extrudate emerging therefrom, the assembly comprising positioning means for positioning the assembly close to an extrudate outlet, a housing, a fluid-driven motor rece,ivable to be mountable in the housing, a cutting blade and mounting means for mounting the blade to the housing, so that, on actuation of the motor in use, the blade is caused to rotate into a path of movement of extrudate emerging from the said outlet, so as to sever it.
The positioning means may comprise coupling means for coupling the assembly to a die plate so that the blade is located to be a predetermined distance from the plate.
In a preferred form of the invention, the fluid-driven motor includes a fluid inlet directed toward the die plate for receiving driving fluid therefrom in use. The inlet is preferably directed to be locati:d opposite a corresponding outlet in the die plate to which it is mountable.
BRIEF DFSCRIPTTON OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred er.nbodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an extruder coupled to an electrically- d6en motor, Fig. 2 is a similar view- to Fig. 1 showing an extruder coupled to-a hydraulic motor in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing for the cutter assembly of Fig.
2 spaced from the hydraulic motor, Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of circled area 4 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a front plan view of a die plate comprising the invention;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the die plate of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a back plan view of the die plate of Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 2, showing an extruder coupled to a pneumatic motor in accordance with the inventi.on.
Fig. 9 is a back plan view of die plate comprising the invention.
DFSCRIP'TION OF 1'REFERRED EMBODIlvIENT
An extruder generally indicated by reference numeral 20 in Fig. 1 comprises a longitudinally-extendir-g housing which is coupled at one end to a die plate 22. The die plate 22 has a plurality of die openings 24 through which extrudate is received during operation of the extruder 20. A cutter assembly 26 is rotatably mounted to a shaft (not shown) and _5.
includes a plurality of rad,iaIly-extending blades 28 which, when rotated, sever the extrudate into discrete pieces 30. An electrically-driven motor 32 with axiatly-extending driveshaft 34 is coupled to the cutter assembly 26 via a universal drive connection 36 mounted to one end of the cutter assembly 26 remote from the extruder 20. It will be understood that the motor 32 must be supported, for example, with an associated framework, in order to operate the cutter assembly without becoming unbalanced.
In accordance with the invention, the installation and operation of the eatrusion apparatus is simplffied considerably by integrating a fluid-driven motor into the cudtr assembly. Non-limiting embodiments will now be described with reference to the remaining drawings. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a conventional extruder 40 which indudes a longitudinally-extending housing and is coupled at one end to a die plate 42 nade in accordance with the invention. The die plate 42 has a plurality of die apertures 44 for receiving extrudate from the extruder 40, in accordance with normal praetice.
A cutter assembly 46 is associated with the die plate 42 and indudes a plurality of radially-exte.nding blades 48 for cutting the exttudate into discrete pieces 50.
As can be seen more dearly from Fig 3, the cutter assembly 46 indudes a cylindrical housing 47 which houses a hydraulically-driven motor 52. The motor 52 is centrally mounted to the die plate 42 with mounting bolts 54 (only one of which is shown in Fig.
3).
Alternatively, the motor 52 could be located eccentricaIly with respect to the die plate 42. A
hydraulic fluid inlet passage 56 in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid supply hose 58 is formed in the die plate 42 and is in fluid communication witk- the hydraulic motor 52. A
hydraulic outlet passage 60 is also formed in the die plate 42 and is in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid outlet hose 62 so as to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor 52.
The hydraulic inotor 52 has an output shaft 64 which extends longitudinally from the extruder 40 and has a longitudinally-extending key way 66. The output shaft 64 is received through an opening 68 formed in a boss 70 which extends longitudinally from the housing 47 for the cutter assenibly 46 at one end opposite from the extruder 40. A
second key way 72 is formed in the opening 68 and slidably receives a key 74. The key 74 is located between key ways 66, 72 and set screw 76 received through an aperture 78 formed in the boss 70 bears upon the key 74 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the key. This arrangement seeures the cutter assembly 46 to the output shaft 64 of the hydraulic motor 52 so that, upon actuation of the motor, the blades 48 will rotate to sever the extrudate. It will be understood that there is a pre-determined separation between the cutter blades 48 and the outer surface of the die plate 42.
The die plate 42 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4 through 6. As will be common in the art, the die plate 42 has coupling means for coupling the die plate on an inner side thereof to the extruder 40 and these comprise a series of counter-sunk openings 80 equally spaced around the periphery of the die plate 42 through which mounting bolts 82 (Fig.
3) are received and threaded into cooperating threaded openings (not shown) provided on the extruder 40.
The die plate 42 includes an inner ring 84 which has a sccies of equally-spaced openings 86 which define respective die nozzles through which extrudate is received and extruded. In a central area 88 of the die plate 42, three counter-sunk openings 90 are formed to receive the mounting bolts 54 that secure the die plate 42 to the hydraulic motor 52 (Fig.
3). It vill be noted that counter-sunk openings 80 and 90 are oppositely direcbod in order to allow the die plate to be coupled to the extruder 40 and to the hydiaulic motor 52 on respective sides thereof.
Both the hydraiLc inlet passage 56 and hydraulic outlet passage 60 (only one of which is shown in ghost outline in the side elevation view of Fig. 5) comprise a radial portion which extends radially from a peripheral edge 92 of the dic plate 42 towards the central area 88 where the passages terminate in respective longitudinally-extending portions that terminate on the front side of the die plate 42 so as to communicate with respcctive passages provided in the hydraulic motor 52. O-ring seals (not shown) are seatable in the openings defining the hydraulic inlet passage and outlet passage 56, 60.
By integrating the hydraulic motor into the cutter assembly, the extruder insrallation is considerably simplified with attendant advantages in minimizing space required for installation and ease of maintenance.
Referring to figLres 8 and 9, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention, in which the die plate 142, connected to extruder 140, is adapted to receive a pneumatically-driven motor 152. Here, as previously described with regard to the aforegoing embodiment, bolt holes 180 and 190 enable secural of the die plate 142 to the extruder 140 and motor 152 respectively. The motor 152 is housed in cylindrical housing 147, shown withdrawn to expose the said motor. Tubes 158 and 162 feed and withdraw air from the die plate 142 and are connectable to a conipressed air supply system (not shown).
Compressed air tubes 158 and 162 connect with intemal channels 156 and 160 within the body of the die plate 142. Surrounding each of the channels 156 and 160 is an insulating gap 196, to provide thermal insulation between the tubc and the die plate material and extrudate passing through the die. The gap is filled with air, but it will be appreciated that many other gases woald be suitable as substitutes.
As in the case of the equivalent liquid delivering tube described above in respect of the hydraulic counterpart, the air delivering passages extend radially to the central region of the die plate 142 and then change direction to be axially directed for coupling to the corresponding fluid ports on the pneumatic motor in central region 188 of the die plate. The die plate includes nozzle formations 186 for extrudate release and a mechanical seal 198 for facilitating fluid-tight coupling to the extruder.
It will be appreciated that several further variations may be made to the above-described preferred embodiment of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
In particular, it will be noted that, while hydraulic and pneumatic motors have been described, any fluid-driven motor may be accommodated into the above-described arrangement. It will also be appreciated that the key way coupling of the output shaft from the hydraulic motor to the cutter assembly may be modified, as required, as will be appreciated by anyone skilled in this art Finally, it will also be immediately apparent that the manner of mounting the cutter blades to the cutter assembly may be modified, as required, to suit the intended application and that a single cutting plate may be substituted for a plurality of cutting blades.
In a preferred form of the invention, the fluid-driven motor includes a fluid inlet directed toward the die plate for receiving driving fluid therefrom in use. The inlet is preferably directed to be locati:d opposite a corresponding outlet in the die plate to which it is mountable.
BRIEF DFSCRIPTTON OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred er.nbodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an extruder coupled to an electrically- d6en motor, Fig. 2 is a similar view- to Fig. 1 showing an extruder coupled to-a hydraulic motor in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing for the cutter assembly of Fig.
2 spaced from the hydraulic motor, Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of circled area 4 in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a front plan view of a die plate comprising the invention;
Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the die plate of Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a back plan view of the die plate of Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 2, showing an extruder coupled to a pneumatic motor in accordance with the inventi.on.
Fig. 9 is a back plan view of die plate comprising the invention.
DFSCRIP'TION OF 1'REFERRED EMBODIlvIENT
An extruder generally indicated by reference numeral 20 in Fig. 1 comprises a longitudinally-extendir-g housing which is coupled at one end to a die plate 22. The die plate 22 has a plurality of die openings 24 through which extrudate is received during operation of the extruder 20. A cutter assembly 26 is rotatably mounted to a shaft (not shown) and _5.
includes a plurality of rad,iaIly-extending blades 28 which, when rotated, sever the extrudate into discrete pieces 30. An electrically-driven motor 32 with axiatly-extending driveshaft 34 is coupled to the cutter assembly 26 via a universal drive connection 36 mounted to one end of the cutter assembly 26 remote from the extruder 20. It will be understood that the motor 32 must be supported, for example, with an associated framework, in order to operate the cutter assembly without becoming unbalanced.
In accordance with the invention, the installation and operation of the eatrusion apparatus is simplffied considerably by integrating a fluid-driven motor into the cudtr assembly. Non-limiting embodiments will now be described with reference to the remaining drawings. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is shown a conventional extruder 40 which indudes a longitudinally-extending housing and is coupled at one end to a die plate 42 nade in accordance with the invention. The die plate 42 has a plurality of die apertures 44 for receiving extrudate from the extruder 40, in accordance with normal praetice.
A cutter assembly 46 is associated with the die plate 42 and indudes a plurality of radially-exte.nding blades 48 for cutting the exttudate into discrete pieces 50.
As can be seen more dearly from Fig 3, the cutter assembly 46 indudes a cylindrical housing 47 which houses a hydraulically-driven motor 52. The motor 52 is centrally mounted to the die plate 42 with mounting bolts 54 (only one of which is shown in Fig.
3).
Alternatively, the motor 52 could be located eccentricaIly with respect to the die plate 42. A
hydraulic fluid inlet passage 56 in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid supply hose 58 is formed in the die plate 42 and is in fluid communication witk- the hydraulic motor 52. A
hydraulic outlet passage 60 is also formed in the die plate 42 and is in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid outlet hose 62 so as to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic motor 52.
The hydraulic inotor 52 has an output shaft 64 which extends longitudinally from the extruder 40 and has a longitudinally-extending key way 66. The output shaft 64 is received through an opening 68 formed in a boss 70 which extends longitudinally from the housing 47 for the cutter assenibly 46 at one end opposite from the extruder 40. A
second key way 72 is formed in the opening 68 and slidably receives a key 74. The key 74 is located between key ways 66, 72 and set screw 76 received through an aperture 78 formed in the boss 70 bears upon the key 74 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the key. This arrangement seeures the cutter assembly 46 to the output shaft 64 of the hydraulic motor 52 so that, upon actuation of the motor, the blades 48 will rotate to sever the extrudate. It will be understood that there is a pre-determined separation between the cutter blades 48 and the outer surface of the die plate 42.
The die plate 42 is shown in more detail in Figs. 4 through 6. As will be common in the art, the die plate 42 has coupling means for coupling the die plate on an inner side thereof to the extruder 40 and these comprise a series of counter-sunk openings 80 equally spaced around the periphery of the die plate 42 through which mounting bolts 82 (Fig.
3) are received and threaded into cooperating threaded openings (not shown) provided on the extruder 40.
The die plate 42 includes an inner ring 84 which has a sccies of equally-spaced openings 86 which define respective die nozzles through which extrudate is received and extruded. In a central area 88 of the die plate 42, three counter-sunk openings 90 are formed to receive the mounting bolts 54 that secure the die plate 42 to the hydraulic motor 52 (Fig.
3). It vill be noted that counter-sunk openings 80 and 90 are oppositely direcbod in order to allow the die plate to be coupled to the extruder 40 and to the hydiaulic motor 52 on respective sides thereof.
Both the hydraiLc inlet passage 56 and hydraulic outlet passage 60 (only one of which is shown in ghost outline in the side elevation view of Fig. 5) comprise a radial portion which extends radially from a peripheral edge 92 of the dic plate 42 towards the central area 88 where the passages terminate in respective longitudinally-extending portions that terminate on the front side of the die plate 42 so as to communicate with respcctive passages provided in the hydraulic motor 52. O-ring seals (not shown) are seatable in the openings defining the hydraulic inlet passage and outlet passage 56, 60.
By integrating the hydraulic motor into the cutter assembly, the extruder insrallation is considerably simplified with attendant advantages in minimizing space required for installation and ease of maintenance.
Referring to figLres 8 and 9, there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention, in which the die plate 142, connected to extruder 140, is adapted to receive a pneumatically-driven motor 152. Here, as previously described with regard to the aforegoing embodiment, bolt holes 180 and 190 enable secural of the die plate 142 to the extruder 140 and motor 152 respectively. The motor 152 is housed in cylindrical housing 147, shown withdrawn to expose the said motor. Tubes 158 and 162 feed and withdraw air from the die plate 142 and are connectable to a conipressed air supply system (not shown).
Compressed air tubes 158 and 162 connect with intemal channels 156 and 160 within the body of the die plate 142. Surrounding each of the channels 156 and 160 is an insulating gap 196, to provide thermal insulation between the tubc and the die plate material and extrudate passing through the die. The gap is filled with air, but it will be appreciated that many other gases woald be suitable as substitutes.
As in the case of the equivalent liquid delivering tube described above in respect of the hydraulic counterpart, the air delivering passages extend radially to the central region of the die plate 142 and then change direction to be axially directed for coupling to the corresponding fluid ports on the pneumatic motor in central region 188 of the die plate. The die plate includes nozzle formations 186 for extrudate release and a mechanical seal 198 for facilitating fluid-tight coupling to the extruder.
It will be appreciated that several further variations may be made to the above-described preferred embodiment of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
In particular, it will be noted that, while hydraulic and pneumatic motors have been described, any fluid-driven motor may be accommodated into the above-described arrangement. It will also be appreciated that the key way coupling of the output shaft from the hydraulic motor to the cutter assembly may be modified, as required, as will be appreciated by anyone skilled in this art Finally, it will also be immediately apparent that the manner of mounting the cutter blades to the cutter assembly may be modified, as required, to suit the intended application and that a single cutting plate may be substituted for a plurality of cutting blades.
Claims (16)
1. A die plate for extrusion apparatus, the die plate having:
first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder defining a longitudinal axis;
second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposable on said longitudinal axis;
apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly;
a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly in use; and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor for rotating a cutter transversely to said longitudinal axis into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate in use.
first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder defining a longitudinal axis;
second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposable on said longitudinal axis;
apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly;
a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly in use; and a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate, the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor for rotating a cutter transversely to said longitudinal axis into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate in use.
2. A die plate according to claim 1 having a peripheral edge adjoining said first and second sides, the fluid inlet passage and fluid outlet passage each having a radial portion extending radially through said peripheral edge toward a central area of the die plate where each passage terminates in a respective longitudinal portion extending through said second side of the die plate.
3. A die plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first and second coupling means comprise a plurality of mounting apertures for receiving respective fasteners through the die plate.
4. A die plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having thermal insulation means between the fluid inlet and outlet passages and the extrudate apertures.
5. A die plate according to claim 4, wherein the thermal insulation means comprises a gap into which a gas may enter.
6. A die plate and cutter assembly, comprising:
a die plate having first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder;
defining a longitudinal axis;
second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis;
apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly;
a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly;
a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate;
the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor coupled to said second side of the die plate and adapted to receive motor-driving fluid from said fluid inlet passage and to discharge said fluid into said fluid outlet passage; and a rotatable cutter driven for rotation transversely to said longitudinal axis by said motor, into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate.
a die plate having first coupling means for coupling the die plate on a first side thereof to an extruder;
defining a longitudinal axis;
second coupling means for coupling the die plate on a second side thereof to a cutter assembly disposed on said longitudinal axis;
apertures through which extrudate is received from the extruder and extruded for cutting into predetermined lengths by said cutter assembly;
a fluid inlet passage for receiving fluid into the die plate for delivery to said cutter assembly;
a fluid outlet passage for receiving fluid from said cutter assembly for discharge from the die plate;
the cutter assembly having a fluid-driven motor coupled to said second side of the die plate and adapted to receive motor-driving fluid from said fluid inlet passage and to discharge said fluid into said fluid outlet passage; and a rotatable cutter driven for rotation transversely to said longitudinal axis by said motor, into the path of movement of extrudate so as to sever the extrudate.
7. An assembly according to claim 6 in which the rotatable cutter includes a housing coupled for rotation to said motor, the motor being received within said housing.
8. An assembly according to claim 6 or 7, in which the housing includes blade mounting means for supporting at least one radially extending blade having a predetermined separation from said second side of the die plate and adapted to sever extrudate emerging therefrom in use.
9. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8 in which the first and second coupling means comprise respective oppositely directed counter-sunk openings.
10. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9 in which the motor is a hydraulic motor.
11. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9 in which the die plate includes thermal insulation means between the fluid inlet and outlet passages and the extrudate apertures.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the insulation means comprises a gap.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 in which the gap is gas-filled.
14. A cutter assembly for cutting extrudate comprising:
positioning means for positioning the assembly close to an extrudate outlet;
a housing;
a fluid-driven motor receivable to be mountable in the housing; and a cutting blade and mounting means for mounting the blade to the house, so that, on actuation of the motor in use, the blade is caused to rotate into a path of movement of extrudate emerging from the said outlet, so as to sever it.
positioning means for positioning the assembly close to an extrudate outlet;
a housing;
a fluid-driven motor receivable to be mountable in the housing; and a cutting blade and mounting means for mounting the blade to the house, so that, on actuation of the motor in use, the blade is caused to rotate into a path of movement of extrudate emerging from the said outlet, so as to sever it.
15. A cutter assembly according to claim 14, wherein the positioning means comprises coupling means for coupling the assembly to a die plate so that the blade is located to be a predetermined distance from the plate.
16. A cutter assembly according to claim 15 in which the motor includes a fluid inlet directed toward the die plate to receive driving fluid therefrom.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14282799P | 1999-07-08 | 1999-07-08 | |
| US60/142,827 | 1999-07-08 | ||
| PCT/EP2000/006612 WO2001003900A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 | 2000-07-06 | Extrusion die plate and cutter assembly with hydraulic motor |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2378264A1 CA2378264A1 (en) | 2001-01-18 |
| CA2378264C true CA2378264C (en) | 2008-03-11 |
Family
ID=22501453
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002378264A Expired - Fee Related CA2378264C (en) | 1999-07-08 | 2000-07-06 | Extrusion die plate and cutter assembly with hydraulic motor |
Country Status (16)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1200237A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3899266B2 (en) |
| KR (2) | KR100709046B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1142845C (en) |
| AR (1) | AR024685A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU771631B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0012269B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2378264C (en) |
| CO (1) | CO5271747A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA02000216A (en) |
| MY (1) | MY128969A (en) |
| PE (1) | PE20010418A1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2213005C1 (en) |
| UY (1) | UY26235A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001003900A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200201084B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH704751B1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2012-10-15 | Buss Ag | Cutter for semi-solid materials and methods of operation of the cutting device. |
| KR100772053B1 (en) * | 2006-11-13 | 2007-10-31 | 율촌화학 주식회사 | Quantitative supply of raw materials and method |
| US8334005B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2012-12-18 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Ribbon cutter apparatus and method for making sandwich baked goods |
| US9481121B2 (en) | 2013-11-08 | 2016-11-01 | Kennametal Inc. | Extrusion die plate assembly for a pelletizer system |
| JP7236049B2 (en) * | 2019-02-22 | 2023-03-09 | 東レ株式会社 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING POLYAMIDEIMIDE RESIN PELLET |
| IT202000001669A1 (en) * | 2020-01-29 | 2021-07-29 | Spagnuolo Alex | EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXTRUSION OF FOOD PRODUCTS |
| GB201906815D0 (en) * | 2019-05-15 | 2019-06-26 | British American Tobacco Investments Ltd | A rotary cutting apparatus |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1139212A (en) * | 1964-12-04 | 1969-01-08 | Henry Hobhouse | Improvements in screw-type extruding machines |
| DE3541500A1 (en) * | 1985-11-23 | 1987-05-27 | Berstorff Gmbh Masch Hermann | DEVICE FOR GRANULATING THERMOPLASTIC PLASTICS OR OTHER PLASTIC MEASURES |
| DE4036196A1 (en) * | 1990-11-14 | 1992-05-21 | Reinecke Gmbh H | Heated die-plate for underwater die-face cutter for plastics - has thermal insulating channels filled with inert gas between die holes and between die-face and heating channels |
| JP2641158B2 (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1997-08-13 | 株式会社フジクラ | Rotary cutter position adjustment device for pelletizer |
| DE9210621U1 (en) * | 1992-08-08 | 1992-10-15 | Josef Trendelkamp Stahl- und Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, 4418 Nordwalde | Device for granulating plastics |
| US5284433A (en) * | 1993-02-25 | 1994-02-08 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Spring-loaded self-adjusting melt cutter |
| DE4306014C1 (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1994-02-03 | Lihotzky Emil Maschfab | Extruder with die and cutter - having movable frame carrying two or more dies and/or cutters so that they can be changed without stopping the process |
| DE4419786C1 (en) * | 1994-06-06 | 1995-12-21 | S Rockstedt Gmbh Maschf | Hot cut pelletizer |
| JP3205206B2 (en) * | 1995-02-20 | 2001-09-04 | 旭化成株式会社 | Granulation method of thermoplastic resin |
| US5641529A (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 1997-06-24 | The Quaker Oats Company | Extrusion apparatus and method for producing three-dimensional shapes |
-
2000
- 2000-07-06 JP JP2001509352A patent/JP3899266B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-07-06 RU RU2002103163/12A patent/RU2213005C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-07-06 CA CA002378264A patent/CA2378264C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-07-06 KR KR1020067022514A patent/KR100709046B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-07-06 EP EP00947975A patent/EP1200237A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-07-06 PE PE2000000676A patent/PE20010418A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-07-06 MX MXPA02000216A patent/MXPA02000216A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-07-06 CN CNB008127026A patent/CN1142845C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-07-06 AU AU61585/00A patent/AU771631B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-07-06 WO PCT/EP2000/006612 patent/WO2001003900A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-07-06 BR BRPI0012269-6A patent/BR0012269B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-07-06 CO CO00050590A patent/CO5271747A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-07-06 KR KR1020027000185A patent/KR100681227B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-07-06 MY MYPI20003074A patent/MY128969A/en unknown
- 2000-07-07 AR ARP000103507A patent/AR024685A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-07-07 UY UY26235A patent/UY26235A1/en unknown
-
2002
- 2002-02-07 ZA ZA200201084A patent/ZA200201084B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR100681227B1 (en) | 2007-02-09 |
| CA2378264A1 (en) | 2001-01-18 |
| KR20020021666A (en) | 2002-03-21 |
| ZA200201084B (en) | 2003-07-30 |
| CN1142845C (en) | 2004-03-24 |
| KR20060127271A (en) | 2006-12-11 |
| WO2001003900A1 (en) | 2001-01-18 |
| EP1200237A1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
| PE20010418A1 (en) | 2001-04-12 |
| JP2003504229A (en) | 2003-02-04 |
| CO5271747A1 (en) | 2003-04-30 |
| JP3899266B2 (en) | 2007-03-28 |
| AU6158500A (en) | 2001-01-30 |
| BR0012269A (en) | 2002-03-12 |
| KR100709046B1 (en) | 2007-04-18 |
| MY128969A (en) | 2007-03-30 |
| MXPA02000216A (en) | 2002-06-21 |
| AU771631B2 (en) | 2004-04-01 |
| RU2213005C1 (en) | 2003-09-27 |
| UY26235A1 (en) | 2001-01-31 |
| CN1373700A (en) | 2002-10-09 |
| AR024685A1 (en) | 2002-10-23 |
| BR0012269B1 (en) | 2010-06-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20190708 |