Patent ID: 6461575
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B29B,B29K,C08G

Abstract:
Apparatus for increasing the crystallinity of polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets comprising:a vertically-elongated vessel having (a) at its upper end, a lateral inlet for controlled introduction of polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets in transport water in vortex flow through the upper portion thereof; (b) means in the upper interior portion of the vessel for separating the polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets from the transport water and for removing the transport water from the vessel; (c) sides which extend vertically from the top of the vessel and, in the lower portion thereof, taper inward to form a funnel which terminates in an exit for polytrimethylene terephthalate pellets from the bottom of the vessel; (d) an inlet for controlled introduction of a heated aqueous liquid into the funnel end of the vessel; and (e) means for opening and closing said exit to provide controlled flow of partially-crystallized pellets therefrom.