Patent ID: 8511474
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: B07B,B07C

Abstract:
1. A method for cleaning a batch of granular materials to be used in extruding a product, the batch including pellets, defective pellets, and loose particles, comprising: removing, using a deduster, a portion of the loose particles from the batch, including removing loose contaminants and fines that are separable from both the pellets and the defective pellets, the fines being of the same material as the pellets, and the loose contaminants having material characteristics that are undesirable for the product; after the removing of a portion of the loose particles, including fines and contaminants, detecting in the batch the defective pellets and additional loose contaminants using a pellet sorter, the defective pellets being inextricably attached to embedded contaminants; preventing any ambient particles from mixing with the batch as the batch passes between the deduster and the pellet sorter using a chute coupling the deduster and the pellet sorter, the chute being enclosed along its entire length; and after the detecting the defective pellets and the additional loose contaminants, removing the defective pellets and the additional loose contaminants from the batch.