US3731393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for fluidizing particulate substance
Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-06-09
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A fluidized bed of solid particles, for instance of spray dried milk, is formed along a funnel wall by conveying the particles supplied to the upper funnel edge from above along the wall or by a body of gas which is introduced through a plurality of slits in the wall preferably in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section thereof to form a gas vortex. The gas vortex is preferably so distributed that its velocity is in direct proportion to the diameter of the conical wall.
Inventors
- 👤 K Okada
- 👤 F Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:35
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23C; A23C1/00; A23C1/04; B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/16; B01J8/00; B01J8/18; B01J8/24; B01J8/44; F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/10; F26B17/107; F26B3/00; F26B3/02; F26B3/06; F26B3/08; F26B3/092; F26B3/0926; A23C2210/00; A23C2210/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of forming a fluidized bed of solid particles on a downwardly tapering funnel wall having a circular cross section of downwardly decreasing diameter, comprising the steps of 1. supplying the solid particles to an upper edge of the funnel wall from above, 2. introducing a body of gas through a plurality of slits in the wall in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section thereof to form a whirling stream or vortex of the body of gas along said wall, and 3. distributing the vortex of gas so that the velocity thereof is in direct proportion to the diameter of the wall, the gas vortex fluidizing the solid particles and conveying them downwardly along the wall in a thin annular bed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of forming a fluidized bed of solid particles on a downwardly tapering funnel wall having a circular cross section of downwardly decreasing diameter, comprising the steps of 1. supplying the solid particles to an upper edge of the funnel wall from above, 2. introducing a body of gas through a plurality of slits in the wall in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section thereof to form a whirling stream or vortex of the body of gas along said wall, and 3. distributing the vortex of gas so that the velocity thereof is in direct proportion to the diameter of the wall, the gas vortex fluidizing the solid particles and conveying them downwardly along the wall in a thin annular bed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
introducing a body of gas through a plurality of slits in the wall in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section thereof to form a whirling stream or vortex of the body of gas along said wall, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
introducing a body of gas through a plurality of slits in the wall in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section thereof to form a whirling stream or vortex of the body of gas along said wall, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the solid particles are supplied continuously, the particles are conveyed along the wall in circles by the vortex of gas, and are continuously discharged through a coaxial port at the lower end of the funnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the body of gas is cold, dehumidified air whereby the particles are cooled in the fluidized bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
distributing the vortex of gas so that the velocity thereof is in direct proportion to the diameter of the wall, the gas vortex fluidizing the solid particles and conveying them downwardly along the wall in a thin annular bed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
distributing the vortex of gas so that the velocity thereof is in direct proportion to the diameter of the wall, the gas vortex fluidizing the solid particles and conveying them downwardly along the wall in a thin annular bed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method with claim 1, wherein the body of gas is introduced through the slits from a sealed chamber surrounding the conical wall, the gas being supplied to said chamber at a velocity of about 5 - 30 m/sec.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for forming a fluidized bed of solid particles, said apparatus comprising in combination: A. a funnel wiJh a downwardly tapering conical wall having a circular cross section of downwardly decreasing diameter, the funnel having: a. an open top, b. a discharge port at the lower end for discharging solid particles, and c. a plurality of slits disposed about the conical wall and at intervals along the downwardly decreasing diameter; B. a cover member covering the open funnel top and having: a. an inlet port for supplying solid particles to the funnel near an upper edge thereof, and b. a gas escape port; C. a casing surrounding the funnel and forming a chamber therewith; and D. a duct connected to the casing for supplying gas to the chamber, a. said gas being passed by said slits inwardly from the chamber and in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section of the conical wall to form a uniform fluidized bed of solid particles within the conical wall of the funnel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for forming a fluidized bed of solid particles, said apparatus comprising in combination: A. a funnel wiJh a downwardly tapering conical wall having a circular cross section of downwardly decreasing diameter, the funnel having: a. an open top, b. a discharge port at the lower end for discharging solid particles, and c. a plurality of slits disposed about the conical wall and at intervals along the downwardly decreasing diameter; B. a cover member covering the open funnel top and having: a. an inlet port for supplying solid particles to the funnel near an upper edge thereof, and b. a gas escape port; C. a casing surrounding the funnel and forming a chamber therewith; and D. a duct connected to the casing for supplying gas to the chamber, a. said gas being passed by said slits inwardly from the chamber and in a direction substantially tangential to the circular cross section of the conical wall to form a uniform fluidized bed of solid particles within the conical wall of the funnel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the slits have substantially tangentially extending baffle members for directing the body of gas therethrough and inwardly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the casing is conical, extending substantially concentrically about the funnel and forming an annular fluid-tight chamber therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the gas escape and discharge ports are coaxial with the conical wall, the inlet port being arranged near the periphery of the cover member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |