Patent ID: 6779692
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,B65G,Y02P

Abstract:
A method comprising:a. mechanically advancing a particulate material having interstitial air between the particles through an apparatus comprising: A. a housing including a vent; B. an inlet to the housing; C. an outlet from the housing; D. a helix, rotatably mounted in the housing, the helix being adapted upon rotation to feed a particulate material from the inlet to the outlet; E. a motor mounted to the helix for the purpose of rotating the helix; and F. a compression assembly mounted to the outlet for compressing the particulate material passing through the outlet, wherein the compression assembly comprises i. an end plate mounted to the outlet at a distance from the outlet to permit discharge of the particulate material while applying a restriction to the outlet such that pressure increases in the housing to a level above the pressure outside the housing, ii. a compression means mounted to the end plate for pushing the end plate towards the outlet, and iii. a restrictor plate between the outlet and the end plate, wherein the restrictor plate has an opening, and wherein the restrictor plate is mounted to the outlet normal to the discharge flow of the particulate material from the outlet; where the particulate material is mechanically advanced from the inlet of the housing to the outlet of the housing, wherein the housing has an internal pressure,b. applying pressure to the outlet, wherein the pressure is sufficient to raise the internal pressure above pressure external to the housing, and c. allowing the interstitial air to escape through the vent.