Patent US3673699A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3673699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grain drying apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-01-29
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A grain drying apparatus having a housing and horizontally disposed porous conveyor. The housing is divided into a cool air compartment and a hot air compartment with a heating unit therebetween. A blower draws cool air through the grain on the conveyor in the cool air compartment and discharges it through the grain on the conveyor in the hot air compartment after the air has passed through the heating unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Buffington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:36
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/02; F26B17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A grain drying apparatus comprising a housing having an elongated chamber therein with a grain feed opening at one end and a grain discharge opening at the other end, a porous belt conveyor extending substantially the full length of said chamber, means for driving said conveyor to move grain from the feed end of the chamber to the discharge end thereof, a partition dividing said chamber into a cool air compartment and a hot air compartment, a heating unit between said compartments beneath said conveyor, an air inlet in said cool air compartment above said conveyor, an air outlet in said hot air compartment above said conveyor, and a blower beneath said conveyor and on the air intake side of said heating unit for circulating air from said inlet downwardly through the grain on the conveyor in said cool air compartment to cool the dried grain, through the blower and the heating unit, and thence upwardly through the grain on the conveyor in the hot air compartment to said air outlet to heat and dry the grain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A grain drying apparatus comprising a housing having an elongated chamber therein with a grain feed opening at one end and a grain discharge opening at the other end, a porous belt conveyor extending substantially the full length of said chamber, means for driving said conveyor to move grain from the feed end of the chamber to the discharge end thereof, a partition dividing said chamber into a cool air compartment and a hot air compartment, a heating unit between said compartments beneath said conveyor, an air inlet in said cool air compartment above said conveyor, an air outlet in said hot air compartment above said conveyor, and a blower beneath said conveyor and on the air intake side of said heating unit for circulating air from said inlet downwardly through the grain on the conveyor in said cool air compartment to cool the dried grain, through the blower and the heating unit, and thence upwardly through the grain on the conveyor in the hot air compartment to said air outlet to heat and dry the grain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said porous belt conveyor includes an endless wire belt and a pulley at each end of said chamber on which said belt is trained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said belt and pulleys are positioned on horizontal axes and the grain to be dried is fed thereon by gravity and the dried grain is discharged therefrom by gravity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which a hopper is disposed adjacent said feed opening and an opening near the bottom of said hopper extends substantially the full width of said belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which a door is provided for the opening near the bottom of said hopper and is adjustable to vary the discharge of grain from the hopper onto the belt to vary the thickness of the layer transported thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which a hopper is disposed adjacent said feed opening and an openinG near the bottom of said hopper extends substantially the full width of said conveyor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which a door is provided for the opening near the bottom of said hopper and is adjustable to vary the discharge of grain from the hopper onto the belt to vary the thickness of the layer transported thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said air heating unit extends through said partition and includes a burner and said blower.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A grain drying apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which a flexible member forms a partition above said conveyor belt and can be deflected by the grain passing on the conveyor from the hot air compartment to the cool air compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |