Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for heating and mixing asphalt-aggregate composition comprising: an elongated rotatable cylindrical drum having means for supplying hot gases of combustion therein at a first end and means for recovering composition at a second opposite end, means for introducing coarse composition particles into said drum in a hot zone adjacent said first end, means for introducing smaller composition particles into said drum in a cooler zone spaced from said first end, and a plurality of lifters secured along the drum interior adjacent the first end and spaced apart from the interior surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for heating and mixing asphalt-aggregate composition comprising: an elongated rotatable cylindrical drum having means for supplying hot gases of combustion therein at a first end and means for recovering composition at a second opposite end, means for introducing coarse composition particles into said drum in a hot zone adjacent said first end, means for introducing smaller composition particles into said drum in a cooler zone spaced from said first end, and a plurality of lifters secured along the drum interior adjacent the first end and spaced apart from the interior surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lifters are elongated and extend substantially parallel along a portion of the interior drum length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a plate member secured across the drum interior between said hot zone and said cooler zone and having a peripheral edge spaced apart from the drum interior surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plate lies along a plane extending normal to the elongated drum axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including means for introducing softening agent and make-up asphalt in said cooler zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus for mixing asphalt-aggregate compositions comprising an elongated cylindrical rotatable drum having means for supplying hot gases of combustion therein adjacent a first end of said drum and which gases are directed through said drum and exhausted adjacent a second end of said drum and in which the mixing composition is directed gravitationally along the drum interior from an input end to an output end the improvement comprising: means for introducing coarse composition particles into said drum in a hot zone adjacent said first end, a plate member disposed across the drum interior between said first and second ends and having an edge spaced apart from the drum interior whereby composition can pass therebetween, and means for introducing fine composition particles into said drum in a cooler zone behind said plate member from said first end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an apparatus for mixing asphalt-aggregate compositions comprising an elongated cylindrical rotatable drum having means for supplying hot gases of combustion therein adjacent a first end of said drum and which gases are directed through said drum and exhausted adjacent a second end of said drum and in which the mixing composition is directed gravitationally along the drum interior from an input end to an output end the improvement comprising: means for introducing coarse composition particles into said drum in a hot zone adjacent said first end, a plate member disposed across the drum interior between said first and second ends and having an edge spaced apart from the drum interior whereby composition can pass therebetween, and means for introducing fine composition particles into said drum in a cooler zone behind said plate member from said first end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a process for recycling asphalt-aggregate composition by introducing coarse composition particles in a hot zone of a heating and mixing apparatus and introducing fine particles in cooler zone of the apparatus, the improvement comprising providing a plate between said hot and cool zones, and introducing said fine particles on the cool side of said plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a process for recycling asphalt-aggregate composition by introducing coarse composition particles in a hot zone of a heating and mixing apparatus and introducing fine particles in cooler zone of the apparatus, the improvement comprising providing a plate between said hot and cool zones, and introducing said fine particles on the cool side of said plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 including adding make-up asphalt and an aromatic hydrocarbon to said composition in the cool side of said plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a process for heating and mixing asphalt-aggregate composition comprising directing a flame into a hot end of an elongated cylindrical drum while introducing coarse composition particles into the drum adjacent the hot end and introducing smaller composition particles into the drum in a cooler drum area, the improvement comprising forming an infra red barrier across the drum interior and introducing said smaller composition particles behind said barrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a process for heating and mixing asphalt-aggregate composition comprising directing a flame into a hot end of an elongated cylindrical drum while introducing coarse composition particles into the drum adjacent the hot end and introducing smaller composition particles into the drum in a cooler drum area, the improvement comprising forming an infra red barrier across the drum interior and introducing said smaller composition particles behind said barrier.