Patent US3886973A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3886973A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of a variegated product
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A variegated product comprising a generally liquid material distributed within a generally plastic material is produced by flowing said plastic material through a mixing chamber wherein said liquid material is injected into the plastic material through one or more ribbon tubes. The combined product is then passed through a filler valve into a container. Variation of the orientation of the ribbon tube outlets with respect to the location of the plastic material inlet of the mixing chamber can be used to change the distribution of liquid material within the plastic material in the filled container to yield either an at least substantially uniformly variegated product wherein all components are visible through a transparent container or an at least substantially uniform variegated product in which the liquid material does not contact the container and is totally encapsulated within the plastic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred W Kinney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:38
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G9/00; A23G9/04; A23G9/22; A23G9/28; A23G9/281; A23G9/282; A23G9/283; B; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/30; B01F25/31; B01F25/313; B01F25/3132; B65; B65B; B65B39/00; B65B2039/009; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber of approximate diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located at a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said chamber, said ribbon tube extending downstream into said chamber parallel to the central axis of said chamber to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber and at a distance within the range of from 0 to about 1/2 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber of approximate diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located at a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said chamber, said ribbon tube extending downstream into said chamber parallel to the central axis of said chamber to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber and at a distance within the range of from 0 to about 1/2 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumstance of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chamber and the tubular surface of said chamber and wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein there are four said ribbon tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ribbon tubes have a flattened downstream end forming a downstream opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein there are four said ribbon tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with substantially uniform diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said mixing chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with substantially uniform diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said mixing chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with substantially uniform diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said mixing chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
191 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of generally liquid material into a stream of generally plastic material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with substantially uniform diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a plastic material supply means so as to permit the flow of plastic material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a liquid material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and at least one ribbon tube having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of liquid material through said ribbon tube into said mixing chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each said ribbon tube extends downstream into said chamber parallel to the central axis of said chamber to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber and at a distance within the range of zero to about 1/2 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each said ribbon tube extends downstream a distance within the range of about 1/8 D to about 1/4 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein four of said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumference of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chambeR and the tubular surface of said chamber; wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening; and wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each said ribbon tube extends downstream into said chamber parallel to the central axis of said chamber to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber and at a distance within the range of about 1/4 D to about D downstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a plurality of said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumference of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chamber and the tubular surface of said chamber and wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein there are four said ribbon tubes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein there are four said ribbon tubes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of a second material into a stream of a first material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber of approximate diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a first material supply means so as to permit the flow of said first material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a second material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and a plurality of ribbon tubes each having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of said second material through said ribbon tubes into said mixing chamber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of a second material into a stream of a first material comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber of approximate diameter D and length of at least 2D with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet, said tee means also having an intermediate inlet downstream of said upstream inlet, the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet being located a distance of at least D upstream from said downstream outlet, said intermediate inlet having a diameter at least substantially equal to D, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a first material supply means so as to permit the flow of said first material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a second material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and a plurality of ribbon tubes each having an upstream end and a flattened downstream end forming a downstream ribbon tube opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width, each said ribbon tube being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of said second material through said ribbon tubes into said mixing chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumference of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chamber and the tubular surface of said chamber and wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each said ribbon tube extends downstream into said chamber parallel to the central axis of said chamber to an imaginary point perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber and at a distance witHin the range of about 1/4 D to about D downstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein each said ribbon tube extends downstream a distance within the range of about 1/2 D to about 2/3 D downstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein four of said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumference of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chamber and the tubular surface of said chamber; wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening; and wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of a first material into a stream of a second material, said apparatus comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with an upstream inlet, a downstream outlet and an intermediate inlet of approximate diameter D downstream of said upstream inlet, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a first material supply means so as to provide a flow of said first material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a second material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and a plurality of ribbon having an upstream end and a downstream end and being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of said second material through said ribbon tube into said chamber, each said ribbon tube extending downstream into said chamber to a point located from 0 to about 1/2 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for injecting a stream of a first material into a stream of a second material, said apparatus comprising: tee means having a generally straight tubular chamber with an upstream inlet, a downstream outlet and an intermediate inlet of approximate diameter D downstream of said upstream inlet, said intermediate inlet being operably connected to a first material supply means so as to provide a flow of said first material through said intermediate inlet to said chamber; a second material supply means operatively secured to said upstream inlet; and a plurality of ribbon having an upstream end and a downstream end and being operably connected at its upstream end to said upstream inlet so as to provide a flow of said second material through said ribbon tube into said chamber, each said ribbon tube extending downstream into said chamber to a point located from 0 to about 1/2 D upstream from the downstream edge of said intermediate inlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said plurality of said ribbon tubes are equally spaced around the circumference of said chamber at positions approximately equidistant between the central axis of said chamber and the tubular surface of said chamber and wherein a line passing through and perpendicular to the central axes of the two adjacent ribbon tubes positioned nearest said intermediate inlet opening is bisected by a plane passing through the central axis of said chamber and the center of said intermediate inlet opening.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein there are four said ribbon tubes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein said ribbon tubes have a flattened downstream end forming a downstream opening with a cross section of substantially greater length than width.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said downstream ends of said ribbon tubes are positioned so that the short dimension of each said downstream end is perpendicular to and bisected by a radius drawn perpendicular to the central axis of said 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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |