Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for extruding, cooling and cutting can include an extruder for producing an extrudate which can be fed through appropriate sizing, support and cooling devices, which can include a vacuum chamber, cooling chamber, and calibrators, which can have internal cooling passageways. The apparatus can also include a cutting blade, a programmable temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the extrudate prior to being cut by the cutting blade, and a temperature sensor, which can be positioned near the cutting blade and provide feedback to the temperature controller. The method can include sensing the temperature of the extrudate, at a point near the cutting blade, after it is fed through the sizing, support and cooling devices and before being cut. Such feedback can be used to control the temperature of the extrudate such that the extrudate is maintained within a desired range of temperature as it is cut. The temperature controller can automatically cool and maintain the extrudate within a desired range of temperatures using the temperature feedback at the point near the cutting blade. Where calibrators are used the apparatus can include additional temperature sensors at different sides of a multi-sided extrudate at a point near where the extrudate exits the calibrator. Such additional temperature feedback can be used by a temperature controller to adjust the temperature of the extrudate, and also at different surfaces of a multi-sided extrudate.

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First Claim