Materials handling apparatus and method

Claim 2

Apparatus for drying particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body having a perforated, horizontal tube therein for defining a materials path disposed in generally surrounding relationship to and extending along said tube; means mounting the body for vibration about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said path and being exterior thereto; means coupled with the body for vibrating the same about said axis at a frequency sufficient to cause a mass of particulate materials within the body to move along said path and about said tube; and means coupled to the tube for directing hot gases therethrough and outwardly thereof across said path to dry the materials flowing along the same.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body has an open top and is provided with means for directing materials thereinto through the open top.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body has a closed top spaced above the tube, and including means coupled with said body for feeding a mass of particulate materials thereinto, a cyclone separator, and means placing the separator in communication with the body at the upper margin thereof.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vibrating means comprises a shaft rotatably mounted on said body and extending longitudinally of said axis, a weight eccentrically mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith, and means coupled with the shaft for rotating the same at any one of a number of different speeds.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a platform having a pair of spaced uprights, and pin means pivotally coupling the body to the uprights, and pin means pivotally coupling the body to the uprights, there being a pair of resilient mounts supporting the body on the platform at respective locations spaced from said pin means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path; a tapered conduit within said tube, said conduit having a number of longitudinally aligned slits adjacent to one extremity thereof; a source of hot gases adjacent to one end of the conduit; blower means coupled to the conduit for forcing hot gases thereinto, whereby the gases will flow through said conduit and said tube and across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from the path; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.

Claim 8

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path; a tapered conduit within said tube, said conduit having a number of longitudinally aligned slits adjacent to one extremity thereof; a source of hot gases adjacent to one end of the conduit; blower means coupled to the conduit for forcing hot gases thereinto, whereby the gases will flow through said conduit and said tube and across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from the path; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.

Claim 9

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path surrounding the tube; means coupled with the tube for directing hot gases thereinto for flow therethrough and out of the same across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from and exteriorly of the path and extending longitudinally of said tube; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.

Claim 10

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path surrounding the tube; means coupled with the tube for directing hot gases thereinto for flow therethrough and out of the same across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from and exteriorly of the path and extending longitudinally of said tube; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.

Claim 11

Apparatus for drying particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body member having a perforated, horizontal tube member therein and spaced therefrom for defining a materials path extending longitudinally of and surrounding said tube; means mounting the body member for vibration about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally and exteriorly of said path; means coupled with the body member for vibrating the same about said axis at a frequency sufficient to cause a mass of particulate materials within the body member to move along said path in a predetermined direction; and means coupled with one of said members for drying the materials flowing along said path.

Claim 12

Apparatus for drying particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body member having a perforated, horizontal tube member therein and spaced therefrom for defining a materials path extending longitudinally of and surrounding said tube; means mounting the body member for vibration about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally and exteriorly of said path; means coupled with the body member for vibrating the same about said axis at a frequency sufficient to cause a mass of particulate materials within the body member to move along said path in a predetermined direction; and means coupled with one of said members for drying the materials flowing along said path.

Claim 13

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path surrounding the tube; a tapered conduit coupled with the tube and having a fuel manifold therein extending along its upper margin, said manifold adapted to be coupled to a source of combustible fuel, said conduit having a slit allowing the gases of combustion caused by the burning of fuel at said manifold to pass upwardly through the conduit, through and out of said tube, and across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from and exteriorly of the path and extending longitudinally of said tube; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.

Claim 14

Apparatus for handling particulate materials comprising: a generally hollow body adapted to receive a mass of particulate materials to be handled; a perforated tube within the body and spaced inwardly therefrom, the space between the body and the tube presenting at least a portion of a substantially continuous materials path surrounding the tube; a tapered conduit coupled with the tube and having a fuel manifold therein extending along its upper margin, said manifold adapted to be coupled to a source of combustible fuel, said conduit having a slit allowing the gases of combustion caused by the burning of fuel at said manifold to pass upwardly through the conduit, through and out of said tube, and across said path for drying materials moving along said path; means mounting the body for vibration about an axis spaced from and exteriorly of the path and extending longitudinally of said tube; and means coupled with the body for vibrating the same at a frequency sufficient to cause the materials in the body to move relative to the same along said path.