Patent ID: 6126878
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: B30B

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing an extrudate from an extrudable material, the apparatus comprising a hopper for the extrudable material having at least one extrusion aperture at or near its lower end; a rotatable extruder tool at or near the lower end of a first drive shaft for forcing the extrudable material though the aperture(s) and a rotatable feeder at or near a lower end of a second drive shaft for feeding the extrudable material to the extruder tool; and bearings located above the extruder tool for rotatably mounting the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft;wherein said bearings comprise first and second bearings mounting the first drive shaft and axially spaced from one another and third and fourth bearings mounting the second drive shaft and axially spaced from one another; andwherein one of the first and second drive shafts is disposed substantially coaxially around the other of the first and second drive shafts.