Patent ID: 6039905
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B29B,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for granulating plastic strands (4) which emerge from nozzles (3) in molten form and are supplied to a following, downward inclined runoff channel (1) in which the plastic strands are transported by a water stream, the apparatus further having a dewatering zone (1b) for the plastic strands (4) and a granulator disposed after the dewatering-zone (6) for granulating the solidified plastic strands (4),wherein between the dewatering zone (1b) and the granulator (6) there is provided at least one temperature equalizing zone (9) comprising a temperature equalizing channel (15) arranged to cool the strands without adding external heat, the temperature equalizing zone having a minimum length such that the temperature differences of each of the plastic strands (4) across their respective cross section are largely equalized during their holding time in the temperature equalizing zone (9) in the absence of external heat to such an extent that they have a homogeneous degree of solidification across their cross section when entering into the granulator (6), and wherein a transport roll system (16) having a gap (5) is provided, said transport roll system engaging and further transporting the plastic strands (4) coming from the runoff channel (1) toward the granulator (6).