Abstract A digester for fluorescent tubes is formed of a container in the shape of a funnel having an open bottom adapted to be inserted in a bunghole in a storage drum. A tube for receiving fluorescent tubes opens into the container at one side. Within the container is a rotating blade which passes beneath the opening of the tube for breaking up fluorescent tubes, and similar materials. The axis of the tube is arranged in a plane tangential with respect to the axis of rotation of the blade and the tube slopes downwardly in the direction of rotation of the blade. The blade has a rearwardly and downwardly sloping surface for creating a downward draft of air within the funnel to prevent phosphorus and mercury vapors from escaping outward. A slightly downwardly sloping shelf is arranged beneath the tube and below the plane of rotation of the blade, by a distance at least substantially equal to the length of the terminal prongs of a fluorescent tube. The leading edge of the blade forms an acute angle with the radius drawn from the axis of rotation to the top of the leading edge.
Inventors
👤 Irving M Atanasoff
👤 Russell J Gosnell
👤 Jimmie L Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-01 20:04
CPC Classifications
B; B02; B02C; B02C19/00; B02C19/0056; B02C19/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A digester for fluorescent light bulbs comprising a container having a cover, a cylindrical portion and a tube extending upwardly from the cover and opening therethrough into the cylindrical portion of the container at a point adjacent the wall of the container, a blade mounted to rotate about a vertical axis within the container substantially centrally thereof and slightly below the cover in a circular path at least partly overlapping the tube opening, said blade including means to produce a downward current of air within the container towards the outlet whereby to prevent upward movement of materials disintegrated by the blade, the axis of the tube lying in a plane tangential to the axis of rotation of the blade and sloping downwardly in the direction of the axis of rotation, the axis of the tube being spaced from the wall of the cylindrical portion by a distance not greater than twice the diameter of the tube, the leading edge of the blade sloping backwardly with respect to the direction of rotation from the inner end to the outer end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A digester for fluorescent light bulbs comprising a container having a cover, a cylindrical portion and a tube extending upwardly from the cover and opening therethrough into the cylindrical portion of the container at a point adjacent the wall of the container, a blade mounted to rotate about a vertical axis within the container substantially centrally thereof and slightly below the cover in a circular path at least partly overlapping the tube opening, said blade including means to produce a downward current of air within the container towards the outlet whereby to prevent upward movement of materials disintegrated by the blade, the axis of the tube lying in a plane tangential to the axis of rotation of the blade and sloping downwardly in the direction of the axis of rotation, the axis of the tube being spaced from the wall of the cylindrical portion by a distance not greater than twice the diameter of the tube, the leading edge of the blade sloping backwardly with respect to the direction of rotation from the inner end to the outer end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a digester as claimed in claim 1, a shelf within and adjacent the side wall of the container below the tube opening and spaced below the plane of rotation of the blade.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a digester as claimed in claim 2, said shelf sloping downwardly away from said wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a digester as claimed in claim 1, said current-producing means including downwardly and rearwardly sloping surfaces on the blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a digester as claimed in claim 1, the diameter of the cylindrical portion being from about five to ten times the diameter of the tube.