Patent ID: 7585102
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: B29B,B29C,B29K,B30B,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A method for processing a pre-comminuted plastic material before being directed to a screw for at least one of transporting and extruding the material, the method comprising placing the material in an upright receptacle having a height and a lower outflow opening proximate a lower end of the receptacle in fluid communication with the screw, providing first and second tools rotatably arranged in the receptacle, rotating the first tool at a given rate of rotation, configuring the first tool so that at least a portion of the first tool has a sufficient speed to heat the material in an upper space of the receptacle that is above the first tool, arranging the second tool in a lower space of the receptacle below the first space, and configuring the second tool so that it does not further heat the material in the lower space when the second tool rotates at the given rate of rotation so that the second tool homogenizes the temperature of the material heated by the first tool and prevents an agglomeration of the material in the lower space before being directed to the screw, wherein the first and second tools are driven by first and second shafts, respectively, and including controlling an energy introduced into the material in the receptacle by controlling the rotational speed of at least one of the shafts.