Patent ID: 6015228
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
A material processor comprising:an enclosure having an ingress to receive material into the enclosure, and a discharge to remove material from the enclosure;a spindle located in the enclosure, the spindle having a longitudinal spindle axis and being rotatable about the spindle axis;a drive operatively connected with the spindle to rotate the spindle about the spindle axis;a sieve located in the enclosure and coupled with the spindle, the ingress feeding material into the sieve; anda conveyer operatively connected with the discharge to transfer material, the conveyor having a generally cylindrical tube with a tube diameter, with two opposing ends, and with an axis extending through the ends, and having a helical blade extending along the axis between the two ends, the helical blade being rotatable about the axis and being rotated at high speed, the blade further having a series of blade tips spaced along the axis, and wherein the space between adjacent blade tips is less than or equal to about one half of the tube diameter, the tube further including first and second tube sections that are coupled together with a clamp ring, the first section having a male end with a male flange, the second section having a female end with a corresponding female flange, the male and female ends and flanges abutting one another to define a generally truncated V-shaped ridge that extends outward from the tube with opposing inclined surfaces, the clamp ring overlaying and pressing inward upon the inclined surfaces to press the male and female flanges and ends together.