US3598373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making small ceramic spheres
Assignee: COORS PORCELANIN Co
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Filing: 1970-03-26
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of making small ceramic spheres by discharging drops of ceramic slip onto a moving bed of powdered material. Maximum sphere density in the bed is achieved by orienting the drop nozzles angularly across the bed and inverting the bed after receiving a first layer of spheres to form a new bed surface. A simple ramp device performs the inversion.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A Inman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:42
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B33/00; C04B33/28; B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/26; C04B33/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method foR making small ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a bed of powdered material on a work surface; discharging first drops of ceramic slip onto the surface of the bed to form first ceramic spheres; substantially reforming the bed surface on the work surface; and discharging second drops of ceramic slip onto the reformed bed to form additional ceramic spheres.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method foR making small ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a bed of powdered material on a work surface; discharging first drops of ceramic slip onto the surface of the bed to form first ceramic spheres; substantially reforming the bed surface on the work surface; and discharging second drops of ceramic slip onto the reformed bed to form additional ceramic spheres.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for making small ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a bed of powdered material on a work surface; translating the work surface; discharging first drops of ceramic slip onto the bed to form first ceramic spheres; drying the drops; substantially inverting the bed material and first spheres on the translating work surface; discharging second drops of ceramic slip onto the inverted bed to form additional spheres; drying the second drops; and, separating the spheres from the bed material.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for making small ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a bed of powdered material on a work surface; translating the work surface; discharging first drops of ceramic slip onto the bed to form first ceramic spheres; drying the drops; substantially inverting the bed material and first spheres on the translating work surface; discharging second drops of ceramic slip onto the inverted bed to form additional spheres; drying the second drops; and, separating the spheres from the bed material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the ceramic slip contains alumina as the essential ceramic ingredient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 including the additional step of firing the separated spheres.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the bed material is hydroscopic.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for making small fired ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a substantially uniform bed of finely powdered hydroscopic material onto a horizontally translatable work surface; discharging ceramic slip through a first plurality of nozzles arranged across the work surface to form first drops of such slip on the bed material; drying the drops; directing the bed material and the dried first drops over a ramp to overturn the same; discharging ceramic slip through a second plurality of nozzles arranged across the work surface to form second drops on the overturned bed; drying the second drops; separating the first and second drops from the bed material; and firing the dried drops to form the spheres.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for making small fired ceramic spheres comprising the steps of: placing a substantially uniform bed of finely powdered hydroscopic material onto a horizontally translatable work surface; discharging ceramic slip through a first plurality of nozzles arranged across the work surface to form first drops of such slip on the bed material; drying the drops; directing the bed material and the dried first drops over a ramp to overturn the same; discharging ceramic slip through a second plurality of nozzles arranged across the work surface to form second drops on the overturned bed; drying the second drops; separating the first and second drops from the bed material; and firing the dried drops to form the spheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein at least the first plurality of nozzles are arranged nonperpendicularly across the bed relative to the direction of translation of the work surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for making small ceramic spheres comprising: conveyor means for defining a horizontally translatable work surface; means for placing finely powdered material on the surface to form a bed; a system of nozzles arranged over the surface for discharging drops of ceramic slip thereon; and means extending across the surface for overturning the bed material and drops as the surface is translated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for making small ceramic spheres comprising: conveyor means for defining a horizontally translatable work surface; means for placing finely powdered material on the surface to form a bed; a system of nozzles arranged over the surface for discharging drops of ceramic slip thereon; and means extending across the surface for overturning the bed material and drops as the surface is translated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for overturning the bed includes a ramp extending across the work surface and inclined upwardly therefrom in the direction of translation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means to level the overturned bed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the nozzles are arranged nonperpendicularly across the work surface relative to the direction of translation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the system of nozzles comprises a horizontal conduit having an inlet at one end, and a plurality of vertical hollow needles extending through the wall of the conduit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1565087A
Cited
US2252714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |