Flake And Pellet Cooler

Abstract

A cooler for granular material, such as flakes or pellets encountered in the food processing industry. The cooler employs a plurality of vibrating baffles arranged to direct the granular material in a curtain type pattern, while simultaneously tumbling the granular material. A stream of cooling air is directed transversely through the curtain of granular material in order to subject all of the granules to the cooling air.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 829,222, filed June 2, 1969, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in coolers for granulated materials, such as flakes or pellets.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As it is well known in the food processing industry, it is a common requirement to cool granular materials such as cereals in the form of flakes or pellets, before such materials are packaged. It is also common practice to flow the granulated material in a circuitous path by means of vibrating baffles while subjecting the material to a cooling air stream. However, in the past, the flow of granular material has been such that portions of the granules are not exposed to the cooling air stream, resulting in incomplete cooling of the material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like comprising a vertically oriented housing having a pair of opposing open sides and a pair of opposing closed sides. An inlet chute is provided in the upper end of the housing for feeding the material to be cooled downwardly in the housing. A series of flat baffles are hinged to each of the open sides of the housing in vertically spaced relation below the inlet chute for movement about horizontal axes in the housing. Each of the baffles is of a length to extend substantially the entire distance between the closed sides of the housing and is arranged to extend downwardly and inwardly in the housing a distance about half the distance between the open sides of the housing, and the baffles are arranged in a staggered relation, such that material falling from the inlet chute will tumble from each baffle on each side of the housing onto a lower baffle on the opposite side of the housing in the form of a curtain of material having a width substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides of the housing in a zig-zag pattern. Means are provided for vibrating the baffles to facilitate the flow of material, and means are provided on one of the open sides of the housing for moving a stream of cooling air transversely through the curtain of material falling between the baffles. The stream of air extends across the entire width of the curtain of material, such that each granule or particle will be exposed to the cooling air.

An object of the invention is to efficiently and completely cool granular material, such as flakes or pellets of food products.

Another, related, object is to provide a cooler for granular material utilizing a stream of cooling air, wherein all surfaces of each granule will be subjected to the cooling air.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like which may be economically constructed and will have a long service life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cooler showing the drive system for the baffles and showing the open side of the housing from which the cooling air is discharged.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooler showing the arrangement of the blower and blower extension connected to the opposite open side of the housing.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cooler showing an alternate discharge apparatus for use therewith.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the cooler showing scalper and discharge apparatus for use therewith.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the cooler, with portions broken away, showing an air drying apparatus for use therewith.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cooler showing an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of cooling air through the cooler.

FIG. 9 is a view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 7 with portions of the structure broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally designates a cooler constructed in accordance with this invention and which comprises a vertically oriented housing 12 having a generally rectangular shape in both plan and elevation. Two of the sides 14 and 16 of the housing 12 are open over the entire width and substantially the entire height of the housing, whereas the sides 18 and 20 of the housing are closed.

Wall sections 22 and 24 are secured in the upper end portions of the sides 14 and 16 of the housing 12 to form an inlet chute 26 into which the material to be cooled is directed by any suitable conveying mechanism (not shown). A diaphragm operated switch 28 (FIG. 2) is interposed in the wall portion 24 forming one side of the chute 26. The switch 28 is pressure responsive such that when the desired amount of material to be cooled is fed into the chute 26, the material will actuate the switch 28. The switch 28 is suitably connected (not shown) to an output conveyor system to start the discharge of material from the cooler when such material builds up in the chute 26 to the level of the switch 28, such that the flow of material through the cooler will be automatically controlled.

A trough 30 of any desired cross sectional configuration is supported in the lower portion of the housing 12 and extends the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing to receive the cooled material. A motor-driven screw conveyor 32 is supported in the trough 30 automatically controlled by the switch 28 to discharge the cooled material from the cooler to, for example, suitable packaging equipment (not shown) by means of which the cooled material is packaged for distribution.

A plurality of brackets 34 are provided in vertically spaced relation along each of the open sides of the housing 12 between the chute 26 and the trough 30. Each of the brackets 34 extends the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing and is provided with a plate portion 36 extending downwardly and inwardly with respect to the housing 12. The uppermost brackets 34 are preferably the lower end portions of the wall sections 22 and 24. A baffle 38 in the form of a flat plate is secured to each of the bracket portions 36 by a plurality of hinges 40. The hinges 40 are preferably constructed of non-corrosive metal such as stainless steel. The hinge bolt of each hinge 40 extends horizontally, such that each of the baffles 38 may be pivoted about a horizontal axis upwardly and downwardly in the housing 12, as indicated by the arrows 42 in FIG. 3. It will be observed from FIGS. 1 and 4 that each baffle 38 has a horizontal length substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12, providing only sufficient clearance between each end of each baffle and the respective housing side 18 or 20 to permit freedom of swinging movement of the respective baffle.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the baffles 38 on each of the sides 14 and 16 of the housing 12 are vertically staggered with respect to the baffles on the opposite side of the housing, and each of the baffles extends downwardly and inwardly to an extent such that the innermost end 44 of each baffle 38 is positioned underneath the inner end 44 of the next upper and lower baffles 38 extending from the opposite side of the housing. In other words, each baffle 38 extends downwardly and inwardly in the housing 12 a distance equal to at least one half of the distance between the sides 14 and 16. This arrangement assures that the material being cooled will be directed from each baffle 38 onto the next lower baffle 38 extending from the opposite side of the housing, as will be explained further below. It may also be noted that the uppermost baffles 38 form the lower end of the inlet chute 26.

A shaft 46 is provided for each of the baffles 38 immediately underneath the respective baffle. The opposite end portions of each shaft 46 (FIG. 4) are journaled in suitable bearings 48 mounted in the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12. A pair of eccentrics 50 are rigidly secured on each of the shafts 46 in a position to raise the respective baffle 38 and, alternately, allow the respective baffle to move downwardly by gravity, during each rotation of the respective shaft 46. Each of the eccentrics 50 is preferably in the form of a tubular body held in position on the respective shaft 46 by a set screw 52 and having an outer surface 54 of non-circular shape. Also, each eccentric 50 is preferably formed of a self-lubricating material, such as Teflon or tetrafluoroethylene to minimize friction between the respective eccentric and the respective baffle 38 without requiring external lubrication.

The end portion 56 of each shaft 46 adjacent the side 18 of the housing 12 projects through the respective bearing 48 and has a sprocket 58 rigidly secured thereon. An endless chain 60 extends around and in engagement with all of the sprockets 58, as well as around and in engagement with a sprocket 62 mounted on the drive shaft 64 of a suitable motor 66, such that the shafts 46 will be turned upon operation of the motor 66. The motor 66 is in turn mounted on a suitable bracket 68 on the side 18 of the housing 12. It may also be noted that the motor 66 may, if desired, be utilized to operate the conveyor 32 in the trough 30. The sprockets 58 and 62, as well as the chain 60, are enclosed by a guard 69 for safety.

A suitable blower 70 and drive motor 72 are mounted on a stand 74 adjacent the open side 16 of the housing 12. The inlet 76 of the blower 70 has transverse dimensions substantially less than the transverse dimensions of the open side 16 of the housing 12, Therefore, a blower extension 78 is provided between the blower inlet 76 and the side 16 of the housing 12. The extension 78 is substantially funnel-shaped and the large end 80 thereof is of a size to cover the housing side 16 from the uppermost bracket support 34 to the lowermost bracket support 34, and the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12, such that the input from the blower 70 will be in the form of a stream of air having transverse dimensions corresponding to the complete area covered by the baffles 38. As shown, therefore, the blower 70 draws air through the cooler in order that any particles picked up by the cooling air may be more easily recovered. It will be understood, however, that the blower 70 may be arranged to blow the cooling air through the cooler if desired.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The material to be cooled is directed into the inlet chute 26 in a steady stream at such a rate that the material will accumulate in the chute 26 on the upper baffles 38 up to the switch 28 in order that there will be material across the entire transverse dimension of the chute 26. The material falls by gravity through the opening 82 at the lower end of the chute 26 provided between the inner ends 44 of the two uppermost baffles 38. With the motor 66 in operation to rotate the shafts 46, the baffles 38 will be vibrated by means of the eccentrics 50, causing the material being cooled to fall or flow downwardly through the cooler in a zig-zag pattern from each baffle 38 to the next lower baffle 38 extending from the opposite side of the housing. Vibration of the baffles assures that the material being cooled will not become bridged across the space 82 between any two adjacent baffles 38, and assures that the material will be tumbled from each baffle to the next lower baffle. It should also be noted that the material will flow downwardly through the cooler in the form of a curtain extending the complete distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12, while the individual granules are being tumbled by the baffles 38. Thus, the entire volume of material will be exposed to the air provided by the blower 70, and all of the outer surfaces of each granule of the material will be exposed to the cooling air at some time during the flow of the material through the cooler.

The cooled material falling from the lowermost baffle 38 falls into the trough 30 and is immediately discharged from the cooler by means of the conveyor 32; whereupon the material may be packaged or otherwise processed as required by the particular application.

In the event the supply of material is reduced to a degree such that the level of material goes below the switch 28, then the switch 28 will be activated to stop the output conveyor 32 until the supply of material is sufficient to provide an even flow of material through the cooler.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate discharge apparatus for use in conjunction with the cooler 10. A slightly modified trough 30a is supported in the lower portion of the housing 12 and extends the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12 to receive the cooled material. An opening 82 is formed in the bottom of the trough 30a which extends substantially the entire length of the trough 30a between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12. A segmentally cylindrical trough closure member 84 is pivotally secured to and suspended from the trough 30a by means of a pair of brackets 86 formed respectively on each end of the trough closure member 84. The trough closure member 84 is sized and positioned such that the opening 82 in the bottom of the trough 30a is completely closed when the trough closure member 84 is in a pendant position. The bottom of the trough 30a may be opened a desired amount by pivoting the trough closure member 84 in either direction as indicated by the double arrow 88.

A drive-motor 90 is carried on the housing 12 and is automatically controlled by the pressure-operated switch 28 as shown in FIG. 2. A crank arm 92 is mounted on the output shaft 94 of the drive-motor 90. A rigid connecting rod 94 is pivotally secured at one end to one bracket 86 and is pivotally secured at its opposite end to the outer end 98 of the crank arm 92. Rotation of the crank arm 92 by the drive-motor 90 imparts oscillating motion to the trough closure member 84 in the direction indicated by the double arrow 88.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 5

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5 is identical to that described above for the preferred embodiment of the present invention except that when the supply of material to be cooled goes below the switch 28, then the switch 28 will be actuated to stop the drive-motor 90 at the point where the trough closure member 84 completely closes the opening 82 in the bottom of the trough 30a. When the supply of material goes up to or above the switch 28, then the switch 28 will be actuated to start the drive-motor 90, which in turn causes the oscillation of the trough closure member 84 in the direction indicated by the double arrow 88 allowing the cooled material to pass downwardly through the trough 30a to a collecting point (not shown).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 6

FIG. 6 illustrates a scalper and discharge apparatus for use in conjunction with the cooler 10. Another slightly modified trough 30b is supported in the lower portion of the housing 12 and extends the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12 to receive the cooled material. An opening 100 is formed in the bottom of the trough 30b which extends substantially the entire length of the trough 30b between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12. A frame 102 is secured to the lower portion of the housing 12.

A scalper and discharge apparatus 103 is positioned in the lower portion of the housing 12. The scalper and discharge apparatus 103 includes a perforated shaker tray 104 positioned beneath the opening 100 in the trough 30b. The scalper and discharge apparatus 103 is supported in the housing 12 by a plurality of struts 106, each of which is pivotally secured at the upper end thereof to a respective edge of the perforated shaker tray 104 and is pivotally secured at the lower end thereof to the frame 102. The perforated shaker tray 104 is sized such that it extends horizontally and substantially the entire distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12 and extends generally from the open side 16 of the housing 12 across the lower portion of the housing 12 a substantial distance past the open side 14 of the housing 12. The perforated shaker tray 104 is inclined downwardly from the horizontal from a position adjacent the open side 16 of the housing 12 to the outer lower end 108 thereof.

The scalper and discharge apparatus 103 further includes a non-perforated tray 110 carried below and parallel to the perforated shaker tray 104. The non-perforated tray 110 terminates at its outer lower end 112. A vertical sidewall 114 is formed on each side of the perforated shaker tray 104 and the non-perforated tray 110. The sidewalls 114 extend above the perforated shaker tray 104 to confine the coarse particles of cooled material to the upper surface portion 116 thereof, and extend below the perforated shaker tray 104 to the respective sides of the non-perforated tray 110 to confine the fine particles of cooled material which have fallen through the perforations in the tray 104 to the non-perforated tray 110 as all of the particles move down the respective inclined trays 104 and 110.

A drive-motor 118 is carried on the housing 12 and is automatically controlled by the pressure-operated switch 28, as shown in FIG. 2. A driving pulley 120 is mounted on the output shaft 122 of the drive-motor 118. A scalper drive shaft 124 is journaled horizontally on the frame 102. A driven pulley 126 is fixedly secured to the drive shaft 124. The pulleys 120 and 126 are connected by a V-belt 128. Two crank throws 130 are formed respectively on each end portion of the scalper drive shaft 124. A connecting rod 132 is journaled at one end 134 thereof to each crank throw 130 and pivotally secured at the opposite end 136 thereof to the respective side of the scalper and discharge apparatus 103 adjacent the respective closed side 18 or 20 of the housing 12.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 6

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 6 is identical to that described above for the preferred embodiment of the present invention except that when the supply of material to be cooled goes up to or above the switch 28, then the switch 28 will be activated to start the drive-motor 118, which in turn, rotates the scalper drive shaft 124 by means of the pulleys 120 and 126 and the V-belt 128. The rotation of the shaft 124 imparts horizontal oscillating motion to the scalper and discharge apparatus 103 by means of the connecting rods 132 interconnecting the respective crank throws 130 of the shaft 124 and the scalper and discharge apparatus 103.

When the scalper and discharge apparatus 103 is oscillating, the cooled material is allowed to pass downwardly through the trough 30b and the opening 100 formed therein onto the upper surface portion 116 of the perforated shaker tray 104. By means of gravitational force, the agitated cooled material begins to slide down the inclined perforated shaker tray 104. The fine particles of the cooled material pass downwardly by gravity through the perforations in the tray 104 and fall onto the inclined non-perforated tray 110. As the oscillating agitation process continues, the coarse particles of cooled material continue to move down the upper surface portion 116 of the inclined perforated shaker tray 104 until they drop off the outer lower end 108 thereof to be collected. The fine particles of cooled material continue to move down the inclined non-perforated tray 110 until they drop off the outer lower end 112 thereof to be collected separately from the coarse particles. It should be noted that the scalper and discharge apparatus 103 actually performs both scalping and sifting functions. The apparatus 103 performs as a scalper when the fine particles of cooled material comprise the ultimate product, and performs as a sifter when the coarse particles of cooled material comprise the ultimate product.

When the supply of material to be cooled goes below the level of the switch 28, then the switch 28 will be actuated to stop the drive-motor 118 which in turn stops the oscillation of the scalper and discharge apparatus 103 thus allowing no more cooled material to pass through the opening 100 in the trough 30b.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 7

FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus for use in conjunction with the cooler 10 for drying a portion of the stream of cooling air when the cooler 10 is being operated in a high humidity environment. This apparatus is generally designated by reference character 138.

The apparatus 138 includes a rectangularly shaped horizontal duct 140 mounted on the open side 14 of the housing 12. The width of the duct 140 corresponds to the distance between the closed sides 18 and 20 of the housing 12, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 9. The height of the duct 140 corresponds to the vertical distance between the brackets 34 and the baffles 38 secured thereto on the open side 14 of the housing 12. The duct 140 is preferably mounted between the uppermost bracket 34 and the next lower bracket 34 on the open side 14 of the housing 12. It can be seen that all the cooling air drawn between the last-mentioned brackets 34 must pass through the duct 140 in order to reach the housing 12.

A heating element 142 is carried in the duct 140 to introduce heat into the incoming cooling air to evaporate the moisture in the air. The heating element is preferably comprised of one or more generally horizontally oriented steampipes 144 having a plurality of fins 146 formed thereon to increase the surface area of the steampipes 144 and thereby improve the transfer of heat to the humid cooling air. The steampipes 144 are inclined slightly downwardly from the horizontal from the steam inlet side 148 to the steam outlet side 150 of the apparatus 138 to promote drainage of condensate from the pipes 144, as shown in FIG. 9. A grille 152 is mounted over the inlet end 154 of the duct 140 to prevent debris carried by the cooling air from clogging the fins 146. A steam inlet 156 is connected to the steampipes 144 at the steam inlet side 148 of the apparatus 138, and a steam outlet 158 is connected to the steampipes 144 at the steam outlet side 150 of the apparatus 138. It should be noted that other appropriate forms of heating elements, such as electric resistance elements, may be utilized if desired. It should also be noted that one or more additional apparatus 138 may be mounted on a cooler 10 if required for a particular cooling and/or drying application.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 7

To operate the apparatus 138, steam is introduced into the steam inlet 156 from a steam generator (not shown) and passes through the steampipes 144 to the steam outlet 158 for return of condensate to the steam generator. As the steam flows through the pipes 144, the fins 146 are heated. When the high humidity cooling air is drawn across the heated fins 146, heat is transferred therefrom into the stream of humid air moving through the apparatus 138 elevating the temperature of the air, thereby increasing the capacity of the air to absorb moisture from the material in the cooler than is the ambient cooling air.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 8

FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus for use in conjunction with the cooler 10 for varying the rate of flow of the stream of cooling air through the housing 12 while maintaining the speed of the blower 70 constant. This apparatus is generally designated by reference character 160.

The apparatus 160 includes a duct 162 carried by and intersecting the blower inlet 76 of the cooler 10. An aperture 163 is formed in the blower inlet 76 coincident with the line of intersection of the duct 162 with the blower inlet 76. The duct 162 extends downwardly from the blower inlet 76, and is opened to the ambient air at the lower end 164 thereof. Two horizontal stub-shafts 166 are journaled respectively in the duct 162 and are axially aligned transversely to the axis of the blower inlet 76. A butterfly type closure member 168 is fixedly secured to each of the stub-shafts 166 and is supported in the duct 162 thereby. The closure member 168 is sized such that when it is in a generally horizontal position in the duct 162, no air may pass therethrough. The closure member 168 is adapted to turn with the stub-shafts 166 from the generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position which position allows maximum air flow through the duct 162.

A control member 170 is fixedly secured to the end 172 of one of the stub-shafts 166. The control member 170 provides means for adjusting the position of the closure member 168 in the duct 162 to control the air flow therethrough. An arcuately shaped slot 174 is formed in the control member 170. A threaded stud 176 is secured to the duct 162 and extends outwardly therefrom through the slot 174 formed in the control member 170. A wing nut 178 is threaded onto the stud 176. By tightening the wing nut 178 on the stud 176, the control member 170 may be locked in a position corresponding to the desired opening of the closure member 168 in the duct 162.

It should be noted that while a rectangular duct 162 is illustrated in FIG. 8, any desired shape of duct, such as a circular or square duct, with a matching closure member may be used if desired.

OPERATION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF FIG. 8

To operate the apparatus 160, the drive motor 72 is turned on to operate the blower 70. The operator then adjusts the control member 170 until the position of the closure member 168 inside the duct 162 is such that the rate of flow of cooling air through the housing 12 is proper for the particular material to be cooled. The wing nut 178 is then tightened, thereby locking the control member 170 in proper position. It is obvious that as more air is allowed to pass through the duct 162, the rate of flow of cooling air through the housing 12 is reduced while maintaining a constant blower speed.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like, wherein all of the surfaces of the individual granules will be exposed to cooling air and the entire mass of material directed through the cooler will be efficiently and effectively cooled.

Changes may be made in he combination and arrangement of parts or elements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawing without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like, comprising:

a vertically oriented housing having a pair of opposing open sides and a pair of opposing closed sides;

an inlet chute in the upper end of the housing for feeding the material to be cooled downwardly in the housing;

a series of flat baffles hinged to each of the open sides of the housing in vertically spaced relation below the inlet chute for movement about horizontal axes in the housing, each of said baffles extending substantially the entire distance between the closed sides of the housing and being extended downwardly and inwardly in the housing a distance about one-half the distance between the opposing open sides of the housing, and the baffles on each open side of the housing being vertically staggered with respect to the baffles on the opposite side of the housing, whereby material falling from the inlet chute will slide from each baffle on each side of the housing onto the next lower baffle on the opposite side of the housing in the form of a curtain having a width substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides of the housing in a zig-zag pattern;

means carried by the housing for vibrating the baffles about their respective hinges; means on one open side of the housing for moving a stream of cooling air transversely through the curtain of material falling between the baffles, said stream of air being confined to the width of the curtain of material, whereby each granule of the material will be exposed to the cooling air;

a pressure operated switch in one side of the inlet chute in a position to be operated by an accumulation of material in the chute, whereby the flow of material through the cooler may be automatically controlled;

a trough supported in the lower portion of the housing extending substantially the entire distance between the pair of opposing closed sides for receiving cooled material;

a screw conveyor supported in the trough for discharging the cooled material from the cooler; and

means carried by the housing and automatically controlled by the pressure operated switch for rotating the screw conveyor in the trough thereby discharging the cooled material from the cooler in response to the accumulation of material in the chute.

2. A cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for vibrating the baffles comprises:

a shaft for each baffle journaled in the closed sides of the housing and extending underneath the respective baffle;

means for turning the shafts; and

at least one eccentric rigidly secured on each shaft in a position to raise, and alternately, permit the respective baffle to fall by gravity during each rotation of the respective shaft.

3. A cooler as defined in claim 2 wherein each eccentric comprises:

a tubular body of self-lubricating material having a non-cylindrical outer periphery.

4. A cooler as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for turning the shafts comprises:

a sprocket on one of each shaft outwardly of the respective closed side of the housing;

an endless chain encircling all of the sprockets; and

means for moving the endless chain lengthwise.

5. A cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing is rectangular in configuration when viewed in plan.

6. A cooler as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for moving a stream of cooling air through the housing comprises:

a blower supported adjacent one of the open sides of the housing having an inlet with smaller transverse dimensions than the transverse dimensions of the respective open side of the housing; and

a blower extension extending from the inlet of the blower to the respective open side of the housing having transverse dimensions corresponding to the transverse dimensions of the respective open sides of the housing from the uppermost to the lowermost baffle on the respective side of the housing.

7. A cooler as defined in claim 6 wherein the blower is characterized further to include:

an aperture formed in the inlet of the blower, said aperture opening to the atmosphere adjacent the blower extension; and

means for opening and closing the aperture supported in the aperture, whereby the aperture may be adjusted from a fully closed position through a plurality of partially opened positions of varying amounts to a fully opened position, thereby allowing the rate of flow of the stream of cooling air through the housing to be adjusted independently of the speed of the blower.

8. A cooler as defined in claim 1 characterized further to include:

means for drying the cooling air, said means being carried on the open side of the housing opposite the means for moving a stream of cooling air through the housing, a portion of said stream of cooling air being caused to pass through said means for drying the cooling air before moving transversely through the curtain of material falling between the baffles.

9. A cooler as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for drying the cooling air comprises:

a substantially horizontal duct mounted on the open side of the housing opposite the means for moving a stream of cooling air through the housing, said duct having a width substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides of the housing and having a height substantially corresponding to the vertical distance between the baffles adjacent said duct; and

means carried in the duct for heating the air passing therethrough, whereby said air is dried before moving through the housing.

10. A cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like, comprising:

a vertically oriented housing having a pair of opposing open sides and a pair of opposing closed sides;

an inlet chute in the upper end of the housing for feeding the material to be cooled downwardly in the housing;

a series of flat baffles hinged to each of the open sides of the housing in vertically spaced relation below the inlet chute for movement about horizontal axes in the housing, each of said baffles extending substantially the entire distance between the closed sides of the housing and being extended downwardly and inwardly in the housing a distance about one-half the distance between the opposing open sides of the housing, and the baffles on each open side of the housing being vertically staggered with respect to the baffles on the opposite side of the housing, whereby material falling from the inlet chute will slide from each baffle on each side of the housing onto the next lower baffle on the opposite side of the housing in the form of a curtain having a width substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides of the housing in a zig-zag pattern;

means carried by the housing for vibrating the baffles about their respective hinges;

means on one open side of the housing for moving a stream of cooling air transversely through the curtain of material falling between the baffles, said stream of air being confined to the width of the curtain of material, whereby each granule of the material will be exposed to the cooling air;

a pressure operated switch in one side of the inlet chute in a position to be operated by an accumulation of material in the chute, whereby the flow of material through the cooler may be automatically controlled;

a trough supported in the lower portion of the housing extended substantially the entire distance between the pair of opposing closed sides for receiving the cooled material, said trough having an opening formed in the bottom thereof extending substantially the entire distance between the pair of opposing closed sides;

a segmentally cylindrical trough closure member having a bracket formed on each end thereof, each bracket being pivotally secured to a respective end of the trough adjacent the respective closed side of the housing, the trough closure member being sized and positioned so that the opening in the bottom of the trough may be completely closed by the trough closure member; and

means, carried by the housing and automatically controlled by the pressure-operated switch, operatively connected to the trough closure member for pivotally moving the trough closure member from a position closing the bottom of the trough to a position opening the bottom of the trough thereby discharging the cooled material from the cooler in response to the accumulation of material in the chute.

11. A cooler for granular material in the form of flakes, pellets or the like, comprising:

a vertically oriented housing having a pair of opposing open sides and a pair of opposing closed sides;

an inlet chute in the upper end of the housing for feeding the material to be cooled downwardly in the housing;

a series of flat baffles hinged to each of the open sides of the housing in vertically spaced relation below the inlet chute for movement about horizontal axes in the housing, each of said baffles extending substantially the entire distance between the closed sides of the housing and being extended downwardly and inwardly in the housing a distance about one-half the distance between the opposing open sides of the housing, and the baffles on each open side of the housing being vertically staggered with respect to the baffles on the opposite side of the housing, whereby material falling from the inlet chute will slide from each baffle on each side of the housing onto the next lower baffle on the opposite side of the housing in the form of a curtain having a width substantially corresponding to the distance between the closed sides of the housing in a zig-zag pattern;

means carried by the housing for vibrating the baffles about their respective hinges;

means on one open side of the housing for moving a stream of cooling air transversely through the curtain of material flowing between the baffles, said stream of air being confined to the width of the curtain of material, whereby each granule of the material will be exposed to the cooling air;

a pressure-operated switch in one side of the inlet chute in a position to be operated by an accumulation of material in the chute, whereby the flow of material through the cooler may be automatically controlled;

a perforated shaker tray having an upper surface portion and supported in the lower portion of the housing extending horizontally and substantially the entire distance between the pair of opposing closed sides and inclined downwardly from a position adjacent one of the open sides of the housing across the lower portion of the housing a substantial distance past the opposite open side of the housing; and

means, carried by the housing and automatically controlled by the pressure-operated switch, operatively connected to the perforated shaker tray for oscillating the perforated shaker tray in a substantially horizontal plane, thereby discharging the cooled material from the cooler in response to the accumulation of material in the chute, and further separating the fine particles of material, which pass downwardly by gravitational force through the perforations in the shaker tray to a first collection point, from the coarse particles of material which pass over the downwardly inclined upper surface portion of the shaker tray by gravitational force to a second collection point.