Patent ID: 6244069
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B30B,C01B,F25C

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing solid carbon dioxide comprising,a collection chamber adapted to contain a supply of carbon dioxide pellets, said collection chamber having an opening therein extending from a bottom surface of said collection chamber;a movable sizing plate having a sizing chamber therein extending between a top surface of said sizing plate and a bottom surface of said sizing plate, said top surface of said sizing plate being position closely adjacent said bottom surface of said collection chamber, said movable sizing plate being adapted for reciprocal movement between a first position with said sizing chamber generally aligned with said collection chamber opening and a second position with said sizing chamber distal said collection chamber opening;first moving means for reciprocally moving said sizing plate;a forming plate having a forming chamber therein extending from a top surface of said forming plate, said top surface of said forming plate being position closely adjacent said bottom surface of said sizing plate and said forming chamber being aligned with said sizing chamber with said sizing plate in its second position; anda press having a reciprocating press head sized and shaped to be received within said forming chamber of said forming plate so as to compress carbon dioxide pellets therein,whereby with the top surface of the forming plate creating a floor of the sizing chamber, carbon dioxide pellets within the collection chamber drop through the collection chamber opening and into the sizing chamber of the sizing plate, and whereby with the movement of the sizing plate from its first position to its second position a maximum volume of carbon dioxide pellets is determined by the restrictive between the sizing plate and the adjacent bottom surface of the collection chamber and top surface of the forming plate, and whereby with the sizing chamber and forming chamber mutually aligned the volume of carbon dioxide pellets fall into the forming chamber so as to be compressed therein by the press.