US3875683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integral heater plenum drying hoppers
Assignee: First National Bank of Chicago
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Filing: 1974-05-17
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A plenum drying hopper for reducing the moisture content of a granular resin material to a predetermined level suitable for molding or other processing, including heating means disposed within a plenum chamber to heat a drying gas to a predetermined temperature immediately prior to introduction of the gas into contact with the granular resin material.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E Waters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:58
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/12; F26B17/122; F26B17/124; F26B17/14; F26B17/1408; F26B17/1425; F26B21/00; F26B21/30; F26B21/35; F26B25/00; F26B25/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A plenum drying hopper for reducing the moisture content of a mass of granular material to a predetermined level suitable for processing, comprising: a housing enclosing a plenum chamber, the housing including an upper material inlet for introducing granular material into the plenum chamber and a lower material outlet for withdrawing granular material from the plenum chamber; a gas inlet passage, extending into the plenum chamber, for introducing dry gas into the plenum chamber, said gas inlet passage extending through most of the plenum chamber with gas diffusion openings communicating with said plenum chamber throughout the length of said gas inlet passage; a gas outlet passage, spaced from the gas inlet passage, for discharging gas from the plenum chamber after the gas has passed through or around the granular materail within the plenum chamber; and heating means, disposed within the portion of the gas inlet passage located within the plenum chamber, for heating the gas to a predetermined temperature immediately prior to movement of the gas from the gas inlet passage into the plenum chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A plenum drying hopper for reducing the moisture content of a mass of granular material to a predetermined level suitable for processing, comprising: a housing enclosing a plenum chamber, the housing including an upper material inlet for introducing granular material into the plenum chamber and a lower material outlet for withdrawing granular material from the plenum chamber; a gas inlet passage, extending into the plenum chamber, for introducing dry gas into the plenum chamber, said gas inlet passage extending through most of the plenum chamber with gas diffusion openings communicating with said plenum chamber throughout the length of said gas inlet passage; a gas outlet passage, spaced from the gas inlet passage, for discharging gas from the plenum chamber after the gas has passed through or around the granular materail within the plenum chamber; and heating means, disposed within the portion of the gas inlet passage located within the plenum chamber, for heating the gas to a predetermined temperature immediately prior to movement of the gas from the gas inlet passage into the plenum chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 including heating elements throughout the gas inlet passage so as to heat the gas immediately prior to its entrance into said plenum chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 2 wherein said heating elements are so arranged to provide the gas entering said plenum chamber at the same temperature throughout the length of said plenum chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 including auxiliary heating elements around the outside of the plenum chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 wherein said gas inlet passage includes a lower diffuser cone spaced along the bottom of said plenum chamber and a central diverter cone extending axially upwardly through the center of said plenum chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 wherein said gas outlet passage extends through most of said plenum chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 6 wherein said gas outlet passage surrounds most of said plenum chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 7 wherein said gas inlet passage extends axially through said plenum chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 wherein said gas inlet passage extends through most of the plenum chamber and surrounds most of the plenum chamber and said gas outlet passage extends axially through most of said plenum chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A plenum drying hopper as in claim 1 wherein said heating means are disposed so as to provide an approximately constant temperature of the gas within the plenum chamber.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |