DESC:The present invention relates to a method and system of receiving material from a continuous material processing device. In particular, the invention relates to a method and system for receiving material from extruders that maintains a desired pressure differential between the processing chamber of the extruder and atmospheric pressure.

Background
When material is processed in a continuous material processing device such as an extruder, gases (air, water vapor, etc.) are generated in the process. Typically a vacuum is applied at the barrel of the extruder to draw off these gases to accelerate drying as well as remove the generated gases that might otherwise become entrained in the in-process material and adversely affect the quality of the final extrusion product. On the other hand, some processes require the extruder to be maintained at high pressure.
Maintaining such vacuum or pressure conditions might not be a challenge while processing melts as the material build up near the outlet/discharge port acts as a dynamic seal and ensures that the pressure conditions inside the extruder are not compromised. However, in cases where the extruder is not completely filled, the output material is a solid or semi-solid material or where a die cannot be used at the outlet, a proper seal may not form leading to compromised vacuum or pressure conditions. Such a loss of vacuum or pressure from the extruder would inadvertently bring in outside air and is not acceptable due to loss of process conditions and more importantly potential loss of material itself from the process section.
Therefore, there exists a need for a method of receiving processed material and a material recovery system for an extruder that ensures that the pressure/vacuum within the extruder is maintained and that outside air is prevented from entering.

Summary
The present disclosure relates to a system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device. The system comprises a housing that defines an inlet configured to receive material from the continuous material processing device and a discharge port configured to discharge the received material, at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet and a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.
The present disclosure also relates to a continuous material processing system. The continuous material processing system comprises an extruder having an outlet; a housing, the housing defining an inlet configured to receive material from the extruder and a discharge port configured to discharge the received material, at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet; and a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.
The present disclosure further relates a method of receiving material from a continuous material processing device. The method comprises aligning a first container to an outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device; and adjusting pressure in the container before the container is aligned with the continuous material processing device.

Brief Description of Drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view a system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3(a) shows an elevation a system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3(b) shows a sectional view of the system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device along the X-X axis in Figure 3(a) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3(c) shows a right hand side view of the system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device in Figure 3(a), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3(d) shows sectional view of the system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device along the Y-Y axis in Figure 3(a) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 shows a continuous material processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description
A method and system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device such as an extruder is disclosed. In particular, a method and system for receiving material from the continuous material processing device without compromising the pressure conditions within the continuous material processing device is disclosed.
Figures 1 to 3 depict a system (10) for receiving material from a continuous material processing device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The system (10) comprises a housing (5), at least one container (14) movably coupled to the housing (5) and a pressure normalizer system (24).
The housing (5) defines an inlet (12) configured to receive material from a continuous material processing device (100) and a discharge port (18). The discharge port (18), best seen in Fig. 2, is configured to discharge the received material from the system (10). In the embodiment illustrated, the discharge port (18) is provided below the inlet (12).
In accordance with an embodiment, the continuous material processing device is an extruder. By way of an example, the extruder is a twin screw extruder. By of another example, the extruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.
The pressure normalizer system (24) is configured to adjust or normalize pressure in the container (14) before the container (14) receives material from the inlet (12). Normalizing the pressure refers to de-pressurizing or applying vacuum to the container (14) if a vacuum is to be maintained within the continuous material processing device (100) and re-pressurizing the container (14) if high pressure is to be maintained within the continuous material processing device (100). In the embodiment illustrated, a separate pressure normalization port (16), best seen in Fig. 1, is provided for connecting the pressure normalizer system (24). Alternatively, the pressure normalizer system (24) can be connected to the discharge port (18). By way of an example, the pressure normalizer system (24) is fluidly coupled to the pressure normalization port (16) or the discharge port (16). The pressure normalizer system (24) may include a vacuum pump or a pressure pump to create vacuum or high pressure as required.
The container (14) is pressure normalized before it aligns with the inlet (12) to receive material from the continuous material processing device (100). The container (14) is then configured to move to a discharge port (18) for discharging the material. In the embodiment illustrated, the container (14) is then configured to move to a pressure normalization port (16) for normalizing the pressure within the container (14) before re-aligning the container (14) with the inlet (12) to receive material from the outlet (26) best seen in Figure 4 of the continuous material processing device (100).
The number of container (14) and the speed of moving the container (14) can be determined to meet the output of the continuous material processing device (100) and to achieve a practically continuous output of material. The container (14) may be sized such that it can receive suitable quantities of the material processed by the continuous material processing device (100) without causing any material stagnation.
In accordance with an embodiment, the system (10) comprises an actuator (20) configured to move the container (14). In accordance with an embodiment, the actuator (20) is configured to move the container (14) between the inlet (12) and the discharge port (18). In some embodiments, the actuator (20) is configured to periodically move the container (14) between the inlet (12), the discharge port (18) and the pressure normalization port (16). In the embodiment illustrated the actuator (20) is a rotating shaft. A plurality of containers (14) are mounted or formed on the rotating shaft (20) such that rotation of the shaft cyclically takes a container (14) from the inlet (12) to the discharge port (18) to the pressure normalization port (16) before returning to the inlet (12). When one container moves to the discharge port (18), another container is aligned with the outlet (26) of the continuous material processing device (100). Alternatively, a seal may be aligned with the outlet (26) of the continuous material processing device (100) in between the containers (14). In some embodiments, the system further comprises a sealing structure configured to periodically seal the inlet. By way of an example, the sealing structure is the actuator (20). In the embodiment illustrated, the portion of the rotating shaft between the containers (14) serves as a seal that aligns with the inlet (12) when the rotating shaft is rotated and one container (14) moves away from the inlet (12). This way the rotating shaft loses the inlet (12) when the container (14) is not aligned with the inlet (12). In the illustrated embodiment, rotating shaft is powered by a motor (22).
The present disclosure also relates to a continuous material processing system (30). Figure 4 depicts the continuous material processing system (30) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The continuous material processing system (30) comprises a continuous material processing device (100) having an outlet (26) and the system (10). In accordance with an embodiment, the continuous material processing device (100) is an extruder. By way of an example, the extruder is a twin screw extruder. By of another example, the extruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.
The present disclosure also discloses a method of receiving material from a continuous material processing device. The method comprises aligning a first container to an outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the material processing system; and normalizing pressure in the container before the container is aligned with the continuous material processing device.
In accordance with an embodiment, the continuous material processing device (100) is an extruder. By way of an example, the extruder is a twin screw extruder. By of another example, the extruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.
In accordance with an embodiment, the method comprises moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device to discharge the material received from the continuous material processing device.
In some embodiments, the method comprises aligning a second container to the outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device after moving the first container.
The method provides for cyclically aligning a normalized pressure container with the outlet of the continuous material processing device for receiving material from the continuous material processing device, moving the container to a discharge port for discharging the material and normalizing the pressure within the container before re-aligning the container with the outlet of the continuous material processing device. When the container moves away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device, a seal is aligned with the outlet of the continuous material processing device such that the pressure conditions within the continuous material processing device are not compromised.
Normalizing the pressure within the container refers to de-pressurizing or applying vacuum to the container if a vacuum is to be maintained within the continuous material processing device and re-pressurizing the container if high pressure is to be maintained within the continuous material processing device. In accordance with an embodiment, pluralities of containers are provided such that each container cyclically engages the outlet the continuous material processing device. By way of example, while one container moves to the discharge port another container is aligned with the outlet of the continuous material processing device. Alternatively, a seal may be aligned with the outlet of the continuous material processing device in between the containers. The number of containers and the speed of moving the containers can be determined to meet the output of the continuous material processing device and to achieve a practically continuous output of material.
In some embodiment, the method comprises moving the first container to a pressure normalization port for adjusting pressure within the first container after moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device.

Specific Embodiments
A system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device, the system comprising a housing, the housing defining an inlet configured to receive material from the continuous material processing device and an discharge port configured to discharge the received material; at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet; and a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the housing further defines a pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the discharge port.
Such system(s), wherein the system further comprises an actuator configured to move the container.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is configured to move the container between the inlet and the discharge port.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is configured to periodically move the container between the inlet, the discharge port and the pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is a rotating shaft.
Such system(s), wherein the system further comprises a sealing structure configured to periodically seal the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the sealing structure is the actuator.
Such system(s), wherein the discharge port is positioned below the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the continuous material processing device is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.
A method of receiving material from a continuous material processing device, the method comprising aligning a first container to an outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device; and adjusting pressure in the container before the container is aligned with the continuous material processing device.
Such method(s), wherein the method(s) further comprises moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device to discharge the material received from the continuous material processing device.
Such method(s), wherein the method(s) further comprises aligning a second container to the outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device after moving the first container.
Such method(s), wherein the method(s) further comprises cyclically moving the first container between the outlet of the continuous material processing device and a discharge port.
Such method(s), wherein the method(s) further comprises moving the first container to a pressure normalization port for adjusting pressure within the first container after moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device.
A continuous material processing system an extruder having an outlet; a housing, the housing defining an inlet configured to receive material from the extruder and an discharge port configured to discharge the received material; at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet; and a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the housing further defines a pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the discharge port.
Such system(s), wherein the system further comprises an actuator configured to move the container.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is configured to move the container between the inlet and the discharge port.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is configured to periodically move the container between the inlet, the discharge port and the pressure normalization port.
Such system(s), wherein the actuator is a rotating shaft.
Such system(s), wherein the system further comprises a sealing structure configured to periodically seal the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the sealing structure is the actuator.
Such system(s), wherein the discharge port is positioned below the inlet.
Such system(s), wherein the extruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.

Industrial Applicability
The method and system disclosed for receiving processed material is suitable for use in extruder applications where an extruder die is not mounted or when solid or granular material is directly obtained from the extruder. The method and system is useful in applications where it is required to prevent compromise of pressure conditions within the extruder by its discharge opening. ,CLAIMS:We Claim

1. A system for receiving material from a continuous material processing device, the system comprising:
a housing, the housing defining an inlet configured to receive material from the continuous material processing device and an discharge port configured to discharge the received material;
at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet; and
a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a pressure normalization port.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the pressure normalization port.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the discharge port.

5. The system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises an actuator configured to move the container.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is configured to move the container between the inlet and the discharge port.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is configured to periodically move the container between the inlet, the discharge port and the pressure normalization port.

8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is a rotating shaft.

9. The system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises a sealing structure configured to periodically seal the inlet.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sealing structure is the actuator.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the discharge port is positioned below the inlet.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the continuous material processing device is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.

13. A method of receiving material from a continuous material processing device, the method comprising:
aligning a first container to an outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device; and
adjusting pressure in the container before the container is aligned with the continuous material processing device.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device to discharge the material received from the continuous material processing device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising aligning a second container to the outlet of the continuous material processing device to receive material from the continuous material processing device after moving the first container.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising cyclically moving the first container between the outlet of the continuous material processing device and a discharge port.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising moving the first container to a pressure normalization port for adjusting pressure within the first container after moving the first container away from the outlet of the continuous material processing device.

18. A continuous material processing system, the continuous material processing system comprising:
an extruder having an outlet;
a housing, the housing defining an inlet configured to receive material from the extruder and an discharge port configured to discharge the received material;
at least one container movably coupled to the housing, the container configured to receive material from the inlet; and
a pressure normalizer system configured to adjust pressure in the container before the container receives material from the inlet.

19. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a pressure normalization port.

20. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the pressure normalization port.

21. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure normalizer system is fluidly coupled to the discharge port.

22. The system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises an actuator configured to move the container.

23. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is configured to move the container between the inlet and the discharge port.

24. The system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator is configured to periodically move the container between the inlet, the discharge port and the pressure normalization port.

25. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the actuator is a rotating shaft.
26. The system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system further comprises a sealing structure configured to periodically seal the inlet.

27. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sealing structure is the actuator.

28. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the discharge port is positioned below the inlet.

29. The system according to claim 1, wherein the extruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder.

Dated this 21st day of October, 2014

Charul Yadav
Of Obhan & Associates
Agent for the Applicant
Patent Agent No. 1015