Patent ID: 8646715

Claim:
A material processing machine including a rotating element, the material processing machine comprising: a hopper for receiving and processing material, the rotating element mounted within the hopper and configured to engage the material within the hopper; the rotating element including helical flighting positioned about a central axis of rotation, and rotating in a direction of rotation, the flighting including an outer edge and configured to rotate so that the flighting engages the material within the hopper; at least one attachment mounted to the outer edge of the flighting, the at least one attachment extending beyond the outer edge of the flighting; the attachment including a sharpened edge, the sharpened edge having an inner sharpened edge portion adjacent the outer edge of the flighting, the inner sharpened edge portion extending forward, considering the direction of rotation of the rotating element, and outward away from the outer edge of the flighting, so as to hook the material and pull the material apart.