US 11,897,221 B2
Multi-chamber pellet die system
Robert Michael Gower, Columbia, SC (US); Felicia Canipe, Longs, SC (US); Mary Margavio, Houston, TX (US); Juline Deppen, York, PA (US); and Christopher P. Haycook, Mt. Pleasant, SC (US)
Assigned to University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (US)
Filed by University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (US)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/022,353.
Application 17/022,353 is a continuation of application No. 15/910,070, filed on Mar. 2, 2018, granted, now 10,807,339.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/466,454, filed on Mar. 3, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0406566 A1, Dec. 31, 2020
Int. Cl. B29C 43/02 (2006.01); B22F 3/03 (2006.01); B30B 11/22 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); B30B 11/26 (2006.01); G01J 3/42 (2006.01); G01N 21/3563 (2014.01)
CPC B30B 11/221 (2013.01) [B30B 11/26 (2013.01); G01J 3/42 (2013.01); G01N 1/286 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2866 (2013.01); G01N 2021/3572 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for retrofitting a pellet die system to form a multi-chamber pellet die system comprising;
modifying an existing die body by:
forming additional cavities in the existing die body to create at least one additional void body in the existing die body wherein at least one anvil and at least one plunger engage to form the additional void body;
defining a step-down within each void body within the existing die body wherein the step down is contiguous with a portion of an interior wall and the step-down is formed below and substantially adjacent to an opening wherein the at least one plunger enters into a loading chamber and defined by a first ledge positioned at an angle with respect to the interior wall of the loading chamber wherein the first ledge contacts and guides the at least one plunger entering the loading chamber; and
modifying an ejection base to accommodate each void body formed within the existing die body and to evacuate each void body.