US3751218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for expanding resin
Assignee: Artisan Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1973-08-07
•
Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the production of low-density expandable resin beads, which apparatus comprises: a vessel to contain the beads; an inlet to introduce beads to be expanded into the interior of the vessel; an outlet to discharge from the vessel the beads after expansion to the desired density; means to rotate the vessel and to move the beads in a path from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel; and means to heat the beads while in the vessel from one state to another desired expanded state. Baffles are spaced apart from the interior wall of the vessel, and the baffles which are in the path of the beads are adapted to control the residence time of the beads as they move from the inlet to the outlet end of the vessel, and to maintain the beads as they move from the inlet to the outlet in a substantially uniform condition of expansion.
Inventors
- 👤 E Cherenson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:54
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/34; B29C44/3461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
An apparatus for the production of expandable resin beads, which apparatus comprises in combination: a. a generally horizontally disposed vessel having an interior wall surface, the vessel adapted to contain the expandable beads; b. an inlet to introduce beads to be expanded into the interior of the vessel; c. an outlet to remove expanded beads from the interior of the vessel after expansion of the expandable beads to the desired density, the beads moving from the inlet to the outlet within the vessel; d. means to rotate the vessel about its axis; e. means to heat the beads while in the vessel from one expandable state to a desired expanded state; and f. baffle means interior of the vessel comprising: i. a plurality of radially extending rod-like supporting elements, one end of each of the elements secured to the interior wall surface of the vessel for rotation therewith; ii. a plurality of paddle-like baffle elements, each baffle element secured to the other end of a supporting element, the baffle elements spaced apart from the interior wall surface of the vessel by the supporting elements to permit the substantially unimpeded flow of the expandable resin beads along the interior wall surface of the vessel, the baffle elements generally positioned to present the paddle-like surface of the baffle elements toward or away from the flow path of the resin beads as they more through the interior of the vessel from the inlet to the outlet, thereby controlling the residence time of the beads in the vessel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
An apparatus for the production of expandable resin beads, which apparatus comprises in combination: a. a generally horizontally disposed vessel having an interior wall surface, the vessel adapted to contain the expandable beads; b. an inlet to introduce beads to be expanded into the interior of the vessel; c. an outlet to remove expanded beads from the interior of the vessel after expansion of the expandable beads to the desired density, the beads moving from the inlet to the outlet within the vessel; d. means to rotate the vessel about its axis; e. means to heat the beads while in the vessel from one expandable state to a desired expanded state; and f. baffle means interior of the vessel comprising: i. a plurality of radially extending rod-like supporting elements, one end of each of the elements secured to the interior wall surface of the vessel for rotation therewith; ii. a plurality of paddle-like baffle elements, each baffle element secured to the other end of a supporting element, the baffle elements spaced apart from the interior wall surface of the vessel by the supporting elements to permit the substantially unimpeded flow of the expandable resin beads along the interior wall surface of the vessel, the baffle elements generally positioned to present the paddle-like surface of the baffle elements toward or away from the flow path of the resin beads as they more through the interior of the vessel from the inlet to the outlet, thereby controlling the residence time of the beads in the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vessel is a cylindrical vessel characterized by an interior wall surface free of impediments, other than the supporting elements, to the flow of the beads along the wall surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to heat the beads while in the vessel includes means to introduce steam interior of the vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means to introduce steam interior of the vessel includes a centrally disposed steam line within the vessel, the steam line having a plurality of outwardly extended sparge elements extending generally outwardly and perpendicularly from the steam line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffle elements are adjustable in the angular position of the paddle-like surface, thereby permitting the advancement or retardation of the beads as they move from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the paddle-like surface of the baffle elements extends generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel when viewed axially.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet to discharge the beads from the vessel includes a chute means received within the interior of the vessel and adapted to remove the beads prior to reaching the outlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the paddle-like surfaces of the baffle elements is positioned in a first plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel to retard the advancement of the beads in the first half portion of the vessel, and in a second plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel to enhance the flow of the beads in the second downstream half portion of the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffle elements comprise a plurality of baffle elements in a series of planes within the vessel, the baffle elements in at least one plane offset from the baffle elements in the following plane when viewed along the axis of the vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the paddle-like elements are disposed with reference to the axial flow path of the beads as they move from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel at an angle of about 30 to 60* from the plane perpendicular to the axis of the vessel, so as to retard or advance the movement of the beads within the vessel
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a plurality of paddle-like baffle elements in a series of separate planes within the vessel which includes in series from the inlet to the outlet a first set of paddle elements with the paddle surface angled against the axial flow of the beads in the vessel to retard the advancement of the beads, a second set of paddle elements with the paddle surface angled to enhance the flow of the beads in the vessel, a third set of paddle elements with the paddle surface angled to retard the flow of axial beads in the vessel, and a fourth set of paddle elements with the paddle surface angled to enhance the flow of the beads in the vessel to the outlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the paddle-like baffle elements have a generally flat reCtangular shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the baffle elements are in a series of planes, each plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel, each plane having a plurality of baffle elements, and wherein the planes are generally uniformly spaced apart within the vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the chute means comprises an adjustable chute positioned within a central outlet of the vessel, the chute adapted to be adjusted and moved within the interior of the vessel at various angles and positions to permit the removal of the expanded bead material from the interior of the vessel prior to the expanded bead material reaching the outlet of the vessel, and to permit the chute to be withdrawn wholly from the interior of the vessel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 14 which includes a chute centrally positioned within the outlet of the vessel, the chute positioned at an angle of approximately 45*, and extending upwardly into the interior of the vessel, the chute slidably engaged in a friction-type manner in the outlet, whereby the chute may be extended into the interior of the vessel to intercept the flow of beads in the drum prior to the beads reaching the outlet, or being withdrawn from the interior of the drum.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
311 words
An apparatus for the production of expandable resin beads, which apparatus comprises in combination: a. a generally horizontally disposed cylindrical vessel having an interior wall surface and adapted to contain expandable beads; b. a generally centrally disposed inlet at one end of the vessel to introduce beads to be expanded into the interior of the vessel; c. a generally centrally disposed outlet at the other end of the vessel to discharge from the vessel the beads after expansion to the desired density state; d. means to rotate the vessel about its horizontally cylindrical axis; e. means to introduce steam interior of the vessel so as to heat the beads while in the interior of the vessel from one state to a desired expanded state; and f. baffle means interior of the vessel comprising: i. a plurality of short rod-like supporting elements having a one end and another end; and ii. a plurality of paddle-like baffle elements, each baffle element secured to one end of a rod element, the other end of the rod element secured to the interior wall surface of the vessel and adapted for movement with the vessel, the baffle elements spaced apart from the interior wall surface of the vessel by the length of the rod elements, the plurality of baffle elements disposed in a series of planes within the vessel, each plane having a plurality of baffle elements therein, the planes generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel, the plurality of paddle-like surfaces of the baffle elements positioned in each plane to advance or retard the flow of the resin beads within the interior of the vessel as the beads move from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel, thereby permitting the flow of expandable resin beads along the interior wall of the vessel while controlling the residence time of the beads in the vessel.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
311 words
An apparatus for the production of expandable resin beads, which apparatus comprises in combination: a. a generally horizontally disposed cylindrical vessel having an interior wall surface and adapted to contain expandable beads; b. a generally centrally disposed inlet at one end of the vessel to introduce beads to be expanded into the interior of the vessel; c. a generally centrally disposed outlet at the other end of the vessel to discharge from the vessel the beads after expansion to the desired density state; d. means to rotate the vessel about its horizontally cylindrical axis; e. means to introduce steam interior of the vessel so as to heat the beads while in the interior of the vessel from one state to a desired expanded state; and f. baffle means interior of the vessel comprising: i. a plurality of short rod-like supporting elements having a one end and another end; and ii. a plurality of paddle-like baffle elements, each baffle element secured to one end of a rod element, the other end of the rod element secured to the interior wall surface of the vessel and adapted for movement with the vessel, the baffle elements spaced apart from the interior wall surface of the vessel by the length of the rod elements, the plurality of baffle elements disposed in a series of planes within the vessel, each plane having a plurality of baffle elements therein, the planes generally perpendicular to the axis of the vessel, the plurality of paddle-like surfaces of the baffle elements positioned in each plane to advance or retard the flow of the resin beads within the interior of the vessel as the beads move from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel, thereby permitting the flow of expandable resin beads along the interior wall of the vessel while controlling the residence time of the beads in the vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 16 which includes an inlet baffle element having a paddle-like surface disposed on a short rod-like supporting element, one end of the rod element secured to the baffle and the other end secured to the interior wall of the vessel, the inlet baffle element having its paddle-like surface disposed generally axially with the axis of the vessel, the inlet baffle positioned between the inlet of the vessel and the first plane of the baffle elements, the inlet baffle adapted to impart a vector component to the beads to advance the beads toward the outlet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
100 words
The apparatus of claim 16 which includes an outlet baffle element having a paddle-like surface disposed on a short rod-like supporting element, one end of the rod element secured to the baffle and the other end secured to the interior wall of the vessel, the inlet baffle element having its paddle-like surface disposed Generally axially with the axis of the vessel, the outlet baffle element positioned between the outlet of the vessel and the last plane of baffle elements, the outlet baffle maintaining the expanded beads in an agitated state prior to removal of the beads from the rotating vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the paddle-like baffle elements are disposed in a manner equally spaced apart within the same plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the paddle-like baffle elements of one plane are offset from the paddle-like baffle elements of the following plane when viewed along the axis of the vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the paddle-like surfaces of the baffle elements are disposed in an angle from about 30* to 60* from the plane perpendicular to the axis of the vessel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the paddle-like baffle elements are adjustable in the angular position of the paddle-like surface so as to provide for the advancement or retardation of the beads as they move in the flow path from the inlet to the outlet of the vessel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 16 which includes a chute means disposed within the outlet of the vessel, the chute means comprising a collar within the outlet and an adjustable chute within the collar, the chute adapted to be adjusted and moved within the upper portion of the interior of the vessel at an angle from the axis of the vessel, the chute slidably engaged in a friction-type manner within the outlet of the vessel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus of claim 16 which includes four separate planes of baffle elements, the planes generally disposed perpendicularly to the cylindrical axis of the vessel, the paddle-like baffle elements in each plane spaced equally apart, the first and second planes disposed in the first half of the vessel, and the third and fourth planes disposed in the last half of the vessel, the first and third planes having baffle elements with the surfaces disposed at an angle of from about 30* to 60*, and adapted to retard the advancement of the beads in the vessel, and the baffle elements of the second and fourth planes disposed with the surfaces in an opposite manner of from about 30* to 60*, and adapted to enhance the movement of the beads through the vessel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the vessel is a vessel characterized by an interior wall surface free of impediments, other than the supporting elements, to the flow of the beads along the wall surface.
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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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |