Patent US4221554A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4221554A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for forming spherical particles of thermoplastic material
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1978-12-29
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Granted: 1980-09-09
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Expires: 1998-12-29
Abstract
Abstract This invention is concerned with a method for forming spherical particles of thermoplastic material, characterized by the step of blowing a stream of gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein from a peripheral region into a jet of pressurized hot gas to form the thermoplastic particles into uniform spherical particles. It also provides apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method which includes means for discharging a jet of pressurized hot gas from an outlet port and means for ejecting a stream of gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein from the periphery of the outlet port toward the jet of pressurized hot gas.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshihiko Oguchi
- 👤 Ichiyoshi Saito
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Ueno
- 👤 Tsutomu Kubo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G9/00; G03G9/08; G03G9/0802; G03G9/081; B; B01; B01J; B01J2/00; B01J2/02; B01J2/04; B29; B29B; B29B9/00; B29B9/10; B29B9/16; G03G9/0815; B29B2009/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for forming spherical particles of thermoplastic materials, which includes means for discharging a jet of pressurized hot gas from an outlet port said outlet port having a periphery, and means including an opening for ejecting a stream of gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein toward the jet of pressurized hot gas, the opening being not in the path of said jet of pressurized hot gas and spaced outwardly from the outlet port so as to provide a gap for permitting the flow of cooling air adjacent the periphery of the outlet port, thereby preventing the thermoplastic particles from sticking to a wall of the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for forming spherical particles of thermoplastic materials, which includes means for discharging a jet of pressurized hot gas from an outlet port said outlet port having a periphery, and means including an opening for ejecting a stream of gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein toward the jet of pressurized hot gas, the opening being not in the path of said jet of pressurized hot gas and spaced outwardly from the outlet port so as to provide a gap for permitting the flow of cooling air adjacent the periphery of the outlet port, thereby preventing the thermoplastic particles from sticking to a wall of the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet port for the jet of pressurized hot gas comprises a circular opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet port for the jet of pressurized hot gas comprises a plurality of radially arranged openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet port for the jet of pressurized hot gas comprises an annular slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for discharging a jet of pressurized hot gas comprises a pressurized hot gas feed chamber of cylindrical shape having a tapered opening and an inlet pipe attached in a substantially tangential manner to one side of the feed chamber, the pressurized hot gas being introduced into the feed chamber by way of the inlet pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for ejecting a stream of gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein comprises a distributing ring of double-walled tubular construction having an inner and an outer wall defining an annular chamber, an inlet pipe in flow communication with the annular chamber for introducing the gas having thermoplastic particles dispersed therein into the annular chamber, and a plurality of openings provided at the bottom of the annular chamber for ejecting the gas having the thermoplastic particles dispersed therein downwards toward the central axis of the distributing ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the openings are replaced by an annular slit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the inlet pipe is attached in a tangential manner to one side of the annular 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) | 1983-09-09 | 1984-03-10 | 1984-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-09 | 1988-03-10 | 1988-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-09 | 1992-03-10 | 1992-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |