US4117645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for handling and transporting thermoplastic materials
Assignee: L A Dreyfus Co
•
Filing: 1977-08-19
•
Granted: 1978-10-03
•
Expires: 1997-08-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for handling and transporting thermoplastic materials such as chewing gum base is disclosed. Chewing gum base, formulated as a hot viscous blend, is initially extruded and then pelletized. The pellets are subsequently cooled in a liquid medium such as water. Instead of drying the pellets and coating the pellets with a lubricating powder for packaging and shipment, a slurry of the cooling medium and pellets is conveyed to bulk containers or railroad tank cars for transport to the customer-user, a chewing gum manufacturer. By transporting in a liquid the tendency of the tacky pellets to agglomerate is eliminated, and the prior steps of drying and coating the pellets with a lubricating power are unnecessary. The customer-user, in the case of chewing gum base, furthermore, does not have to separate agglomerated pellets before use, and the pellets need only be strained and conveyed directly to a blender for formulation into chewing gum compositions.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:23
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a process for handling and transporting thermoplastic material in bulk, which material exhibits adhesive and agglomerative characteristics at ambient or higher temperature, the improvement comprising: providing pelletizing means having an inlet for receiving thermoplastic material and an outlet for expelling pellets formed therefrom; providing a source of water or other fluid under a high pressure in communication with said pelletizing means at the outlet therefrom; pelletizing said material in said means and simultaneously entraining said pellets in water from said source to form a slurry of said pellets in said water; providing a water tight bulk shipping container; conveying said slurry to said container and admitting said slurry into said container; adjusting the concentration of the slurry in said container so that said pellets are present in a concentration of about 40 to 60%, by weight, and are covered with water whereby said pellets may be transported as a slurry in said container to eliminate agglomeration thereof during shipping.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a process for handling and transporting thermoplastic material in bulk, which material exhibits adhesive and agglomerative characteristics at ambient or higher temperature, the improvement comprising: providing pelletizing means having an inlet for receiving thermoplastic material and an outlet for expelling pellets formed therefrom; providing a source of water or other fluid under a high pressure in communication with said pelletizing means at the outlet therefrom; pelletizing said material in said means and simultaneously entraining said pellets in water from said source to form a slurry of said pellets in said water; providing a water tight bulk shipping container; conveying said slurry to said container and admitting said slurry into said container; adjusting the concentration of the slurry in said container so that said pellets are present in a concentration of about 40 to 60%, by weight, and are covered with water whereby said pellets may be transported as a slurry in said container to eliminate agglomeration thereof during shipping.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising pelletizing said material to form pellets having a diameter of about 1/8 to 1/2 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of pelletizing said material further comprises extruding said material and directing said extrusion through a pellet forming diehead to cut said extrusion into pellets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said material is chewing gum base and said material enters said extruder at a temperature of about 140° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said chewing gum base is blended as a hot viscous melt and subsequently cooled to a temperature of about 140° F. before said material is pelletized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 5 further comprising providing a scraped surface heat exchanger and conveying said hot viscous melt therethrough to cool said melt to a temperature of about 140° F. for extrusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising conveying said slurry into a holding tank having an inlet and an outlet in communication in said shipping container; providing a source of water; conveying said slurry from said tank into said container by pumping water into said tank to force said slurry through the outlet therein and into said container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3777447A
Cited
US3892834A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-02 | 1982-04-03 | 1982-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-02 | 1986-04-03 | 1986-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-02 | 1990-04-03 | 1990-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |