US3191210A

US3191210A - Fluid drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3191210A
Application number: US279290A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip L Fischer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-09
Filing date: 1963-05-09
Publication date: 1965-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-29

Description

June 29, 1965 P. L. FISCHER FLUID DRYING APPARATUS Original Filed July 19. 1961 United States Patent 3,191,210 FLUID DRYING APPARATUS Philip L. Fischer, 4251 Hunter St, Long Island City, N.Y. Continuation of application Ser. No. 125,171, July 19, 1961. This application May 9, 1963,5121. No. 279,290 6 Claims. (Cl. -307) This application is a continuation of my co-pending U.S. patent application, Serial No. 125,171, filed July 19, 1961, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to the manufacture of plastic materials and more specifically to a device for removing water from strands of extruded plastic while they are traveling from a water bath to a grinding station.

In the manufacture of certain plastics, the raw materials in the form of powder are put into an extruder where they are subjected to mixing, heat and pressure. The partially processed plastic emerges from the extruder as a ribbon or fibre and is next fed into a tank of liquid where it is chilled and set. The plastic is then led into a grinder where it is comminuted. The plastic emerges from the grinder in particles of the desired size. In order to prevent the liquid from the hardening bath from getting into the grinder it is necessary to interpose apparatus for drying, wiping or otherwise removing the water which adheres to the plastic.

In practice, the plastic is extruded in the form of a group of fibres or filaments of small diameter, these fibres being soft and fragile and being guided from the extruding machine through the liquid bath and then to the grinding machine. It is not possible to dry these fibres by wiping because of their tendency to stretch and break when physically contacted.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for driving water from the surfaces of the plastic fibres before they reach the grinder. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing the water from plastic in a continuous operation and without mechanical contact with the surfaces of the group of plastic fibres.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a water removing device which is adapted to treat a Wide variety of fibre group arrangements and sizes as well as various types of plastic.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a water removing device which will operate uniformly over many strands of plastic at the same time. i A feature of the present invention is its use of spaced nozzle members for directing a stream of air against the surfaces of the individual strands in the group of plastic fibres passing therebetween.

Another feature of the present invention is its conical shaped nozzle for applying a uniform stream of air across a wide row of plastic fibres.

Still another feature of the present invention is its use of an adjustable nozzle for directing the stream of air where it is needed.

A further feature of the present invention is its use of an adjustable orifice member for concentrating the air where it is most needed.

In accordance wit-h the invention herein, plastic is fed in the form of a group of soft filaments from an extruding machine, and is guided through a liquid bath and then to a grinding machine. Between the liquid bath and the grinding machine, the plastic filaments are guided between a pair of blower nozzles having elongated slots directing streams of air in a direction opposite to the direction of feed of the plastic filaments so as to remove .the liquid from the filaments, in the manner of an air squeegee, before the filaments enter the grinding machine.

3,191,210 Patented June 29, 1365 "ice The blower nozzles are angularly adjustable so that they may be set to cause the air streams to converge on opposite sides of the filaments for removing liquid uniformly and completely therefrom regardless of the size of the individual filaments or the number of filaments in the group. Means are also provided on the blower nozzles to radjustably vary the lengths of the nozzle slots to conform to the width of the group of filaments passing therebetween.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat digrammatic view in side elevation of a complete plastic processing unit illustrating the location of the various processing stations in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the water removing apparatus with a group of plastic strands passing therethrough; 1

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the nozzles shown in FIG. 2, illustrating the manner in which the nozzle air streams remove the liquid from the plastic filaments passing therebetween;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2, and showing the toggle clamp assembly in open position in full line, and in closed position in broken line;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through the upper blower nozzle 25 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, 10 indicates an extruding machine such as iswell-known in the art, for the manufacture of plastic materials. Plastic in powder form as well as other materials such as plasticizers, fillers, and the like are poured into the hopper 11 of the extruder 1t) and emerge from the extruder in the form of a group or row of continuous filaments or ribbons 12. The filaments 12 are soft and somewhat tacky or rubbery and are led into a liquid bath 13 underneath a roller 14. After the filaments 12 have traversed the bath 13, they emerge as partially set strands or ribbons, indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 at 15. A certain amount of the liquid 16 within the bath 13 adheres to the plastic filaments 15 and must be removed before the filaments enter the grinding machine 17. The removal of the liquid is accomplished, according to my invention, by a blower apparatus generally indicated at 18 in FIG. 1. The blower apparatus 18 is interposed between the grinder 17 and the bath 13.

FIG. 2 illustratesthe blower apparatus 18 in greater detail. It will be seen that the blower apparatus 18 includes a hollow base housing 18a upon which is mounted an electric motor 19. The output shaft of motor 19 is secured to a fan or impeller 20 for rotation of the latter within a housing 21 which is also mounted on base 18a and communicates with a duct 22. The duct 22 is vertically disposed and terminates in two

branches

23, 24 which extend horizontally in spaced relationship to each other. The

duct branches

23, 24 each terminate in a flange 34 of circular cross-section.

Blowing

nozzles

25 and 26 are mounted upon the flanges 34 of the

respective duct branches

23, 24 in communication therewith. The blowing

nozzles

25, 26 are hollow and are substantially conical or fustro-conical in shape, being closed at their outer ends. Each

nozzle

25 and 26 is provided with an elongated orifice or slot 27 which is longitudinally disposed and is formed with outwardly-turned lips 28 on each side of the longitudinal margins thereof, as shown in FIG. 6.

Slidable tab members

29 and 30 are slidably mounted at the ends of each orifice or slot 27 by engagement of their side walls with the lips 28. The tabs finger pieces 31, as shown in FIG. 5,so that they can'be slid back and forth longitudinally of their respective slot 27 to adjust the lengths of said orifices or-slots 27.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the nozzles 25, '26 are slipped over the circular terminal flanges 34 of the

respective duct branches

23, 24 and are secured thereto by any suitable releasable locking means. For example, one such locking means is shown in the nature of a toggle assembly mounted on a split ring 32carried at the open end of each

nozzle

25, 26 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each split ring 32 is formed with an ear. 33 at each, side of its split portion, and toggle levers 35 and 36 are 29, 30 are provided with V the

nozzle

25, 26, it is substantially dry and can be sent meet the requirements of the extruder 10.

a the air can be achieved. 7

Becauseyof the adjustability of the blowing nozzles, the correct angle for blowing the water or liquid off the plastic can be arrived at so that the maximum benefit of While a preferred embodiment of the invention has I been shown and described herein, it is obvious that nupivotally mounted on said ears 33". A strap 37 is pivotally connected. at each end to the respective toggle levers 35 and 36 and extends therebetween. When the toggle V the toggle levers 35, 36 areturned downwardly, as'shown inbroken line inFIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. 2, stretch-' ing the strap 37 tightly therebetween andreducing the internal diameter of the ring 32 to such an extent that the inner. surface of ring 32 tightly grasps theduct circular flange 34 and locks the nozzle25 or 26against rotation.

merous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiment without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is: i a I V V 1. Apparatus-for removing liquid from a group of soft plasticfibres continuouslymoving from an extruding machine to a grinding machine, said apparatus comprising a sourceof air underpressure, 'a duct connected to said source of air and having a pairof spaced branch portions terminating in outlet openings, a substantially conical nozzle member connected to each of said branch portionsand having an open end of large diameter communicating with the outlet opening OffSald branch portion Instead of the aforementioned toggle assemblies, other,

suitablermeans may be employed to releasably lock'the nozzles in adjusted angular positions, for example, clamping screws may be used for this purpose as illustrated in w my aforementioned US. patent application,'Serial No.

Sincethe nozzles 25, 26 are of generally conical shape, having their largest cross-sectional area at their open ends and progressively decreasing in area toward their closed ends, the air feeding through the slots or orifices 27 will have a constant velocity along the length of each slot 27. Liquid on the fibers or strips of plastic 15 passing between the

nozzles

25, 26 will therefore be blown off uniformly along the entire width of the group of plastic fibers or strips. v

The extruding machine 10 is of the usual and wellknown construction, and is therefore not illustrated in detail. It is adaptedto convert the materials fed therein and a closed end of small diameter, anelongated narrow slit in each nozzle member extending longitudinally thereof, adjustable means forguiding the group of fibers in a freely-suspended linear row centrally between said opposite sides of said group of fibers with the nozzle members adjustable to direct streams of air at high pressure to said opposite sides in a direction opposite to the direction of feed for, squeegeei ng moisture off said fibres before said fibres reach said grinding machine.

2. Apparatus for removing liquid from a group of soft portionsterminating in outlet openings, a substantially into soft plastic and to extrude this soft plastic in the particular extruding machine and the extruding head ema,

ployed therein. The grinding machine 17 is also of well known construction, being adapted to grindqup or chop up the plastic filaments or ribbons fed thereto into f ne I From the foregoing, the operation the assembly will become apparent. Theplastic filaments 15 continuparticles or powder.

ously fe'edingfrom the extruding machine. 10 are led through the liquid bath 13 beneath roller 14, and are then guided between the

nozzles

25 and 26; The fila- :ments 15 are centered between the slots or orifices 27 of thernozzles, and are held' in this position by. adjustable guide arms 38, 39 slidably mounted in clamping'sleeves' '40 faflixed to the duct 22, as shown in FIGLZ. The guide arms 38, 39 may be raised or lowered to center the filaments 15 between the orifices 27, depending on the thickness of the filaments and the angular adjustment of'thenozzles.

I With motor 19 driving thelfan 20, air is emitted at high velocity from the nozzle slots or orifices 27, and the nozzles areangularly adjusted suchthat the airstrear'ns converge on the plastic filaments 15 in a direction op conical nozzle member connected to each of said branch portions having an open end of large diameter and a closed end of small diameter, a cylindrical flange bordering and extending outwardly from the, outlet opening of each branch portion, the open end of each nozzle member being rotatably mounted on a'respective flange and communicating with the respective duct outlet opening,

an elongated narrow slit in each nozzle member-extendinglongitudinally thereof, adjustable means for guiding said fibresin a freely-suspended linear row centrally between the nozzle members whereby said nozzle members are rotatable about their longitudinal axes for angular adjustment to direct converging air streams opposite to the direction of feed for squeegeeing moisture off said fibres before said fibres reach-said grinding machine.

' 3. Apparatus for removing liquid from a group of soft plasticflfibres continuously moving from an extruding machine through a liquid bathto a grinding machine, said I apparatus comprising a source. of air, under pressure, a

posite to the direction of feed of the plastic. Liquid adhering to. the plastic 15. isblown in av direction back duct connected to'said source of air and having a pair of spaced branch portions terminating in outlet openings, a substantially conical nozzle member connected to each of said branch portions and having an open end of large diameter communicating with the outlet opening of said branch portion and a closed end of small diameter, an

elongated narrow slot irieach nozzle member extending longitudinally thereof, said nozzle members being arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relationship rela-' tive to each other adjustable meansfor guiding" said group of plastic fibres in a freely-suspended linear row centrally between said spaced nozzle members and perpendicular to the slotstherein after said fibres have left said liquid bath and before said fibres reach said grinding machine, and means for angularly adjusting said nozzle members about their longitudinal axes to direct converging streams of air at high pressure to opposite sides of said group of fibres in a direction opposite to the direction of feed for squeegeeing moisture off said fibres before said fibres reach said grinding machine.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which a cylindrical flange borders and extends outwardly from the outlet end of each branch portion, the open ends of said nozzle members being rotatably mounted on the respective flanges, said adjusting means comprising means for releasably clamping each nozzle member to the respective flange in an angularly adjusted position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which each of the nozzle members carries a pair of tab members slidably mounted adjacent the elongated slot in said nozzle member, each of said tab members being slidable longitudinally over said slot between a position in which it covers a portion of said slot and a position in which it uncovers said slot, whereby to adjust the length of said slot to conform to the'width of the group of fibres.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which an adjustable guiding means comprising a pair of rods arranged parallel to the longitudinal axes of said nozzle members and to each other and an adjustable mounting member for each of said rods, said mounting members mounting said rods on opposite sides of said nozzle members and permitting selective movement thereof to aligned positions in which said rods are located centrally between the planes of said nozzle member slots.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,590,417 6/26 Brunk 34 -160 X 1,674,414 6/28 Ridley 15-3062 2,330,395 9/43 Sullivan 34-460 X 2,481,197 9/49 Caille 15--306.1 2,746,086 5/56 Vickers 18-475 2,887,725 5/59 Vickers et al. 1847.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 515,270 2/55 Italy.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM A GROUP OF SOFT PLASTIC FIBRES CONTINUOUSLY MOVING FROM AN EXTRUDING MACHINE TO A GRINDING MACHINE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A SOURCE OF AIR UNDER PRESURE, A DUCT CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCE OF AIR AND HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED BRANCH PORTIONS TERMINATING IN OUTLET OPENINGS, A SUBSTANTIALLY CONICAL NOZZLE MEMBER CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID BRANCH PORTIONS AND HAVING AN OPEN END OF LARGE DIAMETER COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTLET OPENING OF SAID BRANCH PORTION AND A CLOSED END OF SMALL DIAMETER, AN ELONGATED NARROW SLIT IN EACH NOZZLE MEMBER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, ADJUSTABLE MEANS FOR GUIDING THE GROUP OF FIBERS IN A FREELY-SUSPENDED LINEAR ROW CENTRALLY BETWEEN SAID NOZZLE MEMBERS, THE NOZZLE MEMBERS BEING LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID GROUP OF FIBERS WITH THE NOZZLE MEMBERS ADJUSTABLE TO DIRECT STREAMS OF AIR AT HIGH PRESSURE TO SAID OPPOSITE SIDES IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE DIRECTION OF FEED FOR SQUEEGEEING MOISTURE OFF SAID FIBRES BEFORE SAID FIBRES EACH REACH SAID GRINDING MACHINE.