Teeth for disperser plate having grooves and taper

Abstract

A disperser plate segment for removing contaminants from fiber stock, the segment comprising: radially inner and outer edges, multiple radially concentric rows of teeth, each row of teeth having multiple teeth defining multiple channels disposed intermediate the teeth, each of the channels having a lower channel base surface and each of the teeth having a top surface, at least one face surface extending from the channel base surface to the top surface, and wherein at least one of the face surfaces comprises at least two grooves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disperser plate segment for removing contaminants from fiber stock, the segment comprising:
 radially inner and outer edges;   multiple radially concentric rows of teeth;   each row of teeth having multiple teeth defining multiple channels disposed intermediate the teeth;   each of the channels having a lower channel base surface and each of the teeth comprising:
 a top surface, 
 at least one face surface extending from the channel base surface to the top surface; and 
   wherein at least one of the face surfaces comprises at least two grooves.   
     
     
         2 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves extends from the top surface to or substantially to the channel base surface. 
     
     
         3 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves having an upper most end is below the top surface of at least one tooth. 
     
     
         4 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grooves having a lower most end is intermediate the top surface and the channel base surface of at least one tooth. 
     
     
         5 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein a width of at least one of the grooves differs from widths of the other grooves on the face surface. 
     
     
         6 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein a width of at least one of the grooves changes along a length, such that the length tapers outwardly on the face surface. 
     
     
         7 . A disperser plate segment as in  claim 1 , wherein a depth of at least one of the grooves changes along a length, such that the length tapers inwardly to the face surface. 
     
     
         8 . A disperser plate segment for removing contaminants from fiber stock, the segment comprising:
 radially inner and outer edges and a plurality multiple of radially concentric rows of teeth;   each row of teeth having multiple teeth defining multiple channels disposed intermediate the teeth;   each of the channels having a lower channel base surface and each of the teeth comprising:
 a top surface, 
 at least one face surface extending from the channel base surface to the top surface, the at least one face surface defining at least two grooves at an angle θ relative to the vertical axis of the face surface. 
   
     
     
         9 . A disperser plate segment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the angle θ is between about 5 degrees and about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A disperser plate segment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a length of the grooves on the face surface differs from lengths of other grooves on the face surface. 
     
     
         11 . A disperser plate segment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a width of at least one of the grooves on the face surface differs from widths of other grooves on the face surface. 
     
     
         12 . A disperser plate segment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a width of at least one of the grooves changes along a length, such that the length tapers outwardly as the groove extends across the face surface. 
     
     
         13 . A disperser plate segment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a depth of at least one of the grooves changes along a length, such that the length tapers inwardly into at least one as the groove extends across the face surface toward the channel base surface. 
     
     
         14 . A disperser plate comprising:
 multiple radially concentric rows of teeth, wherein each row is configured to mesh between rows of teeth on an opposing plate;   adjacent teeth of the radially concentric rows defining channels between the adjacent teeth, wherein the channels each are aligned with a respective row of teeth on the opposing plate, and   multiple grooves on a face surface of each of the teeth in at least one of the concentric rows.   
     
     
         15 . The disperser plate of  claim 14 , wherein the disperser plate is segmented into plate segments. 
     
     
         16 . The disperser plate of  claim 14 , wherein the teeth in the at least one of the radially concentric rows each have an upper surface and the grooves extend from one of the channels to the top surface of the respective tooth. 
     
     
         17 . The disperser plate in  claim 14 , wherein a depth of at least one of the grooves on each of the teeth varies along a length of the groove. 
     
     
         18 . The disperser plate in  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the grooves extends partially along a height of the tooth. 
     
     
         19 . The disperser plate in  claim 14 , wherein the grooves are parallel. 
     
     
         20 . The disperser plate in  claim 14 , wherein the grooves are oblique to a plane of rotation of the plate. 
     
     
         21 . The disperser plate in  claim 14 , wherein a width of at least one of the grooves on each tooth differs from a width of another one of the grooves on the tooth.